How new smartwatches are helping patients with Parkinson’s disease in Plymouth

People living with Parkinson’s are being given life-changing smart watches thanks to an innovative scheme pioneered by the University of Plymouth and University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. These smartwatches contain sensors known as a Parkinson’s Kinetograph (PKG) that allow doctors to remotely assess a patient’s condition within their own homes. Patients with the condition wear the smartwatch around the clock for six days. The PKG captures and monitors their movements, collecting data and sharing it instantly with clinicians. The device also buzzes to remind patients when it is time to take their medication. Doctors can check how their patients are over the course of a week and spot any possible issues, such as excessive movement, immobility and even sleep disturbance. As part of this innovative project, patients are also given a phone number and email to contact directly for support, and their clinician will then see the patient within 10 days. Hundreds of patients have already been issued with the watch in the Plymouth scheme, but there are now hopes that it could be rolled out across the country to the 120,000 people who are currently living with a Parkinson’s diagnosis. This case study is not connected to AbbVie in any way and has been provided by Dods Impact https://www.england.nhs.uk/2022/04/parkinsonspatients-benefit-from-revolutionary-watch-on-thenhs-to-manage-care-at-home/