NHS smartwatch for Parkinson’s patients hailed as ‘lifechanging’

[Northerner]

Thousands of people with Parkinson’s disease will be given smartwatches by NHS England so they can be treated effectively from home.

The Parkinson’s Kinetigraph contains sensors that monitor the wearer’s activity, and buzzes to remind them to take medication.

Data is sent to doctors to help detect excessive movement, immobility and sleep disturbances, allowing practitioners to adjust physiotherapy and prescriptions according to the patient’s needs.

John Whipps, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2007 and was one of hundreds of patients who took part in a pilot scheme with the watch, said: “The problem is that Parkinson’s changes from day to day, and even throughout each day.

“Under the traditional system, you have to remember all your concerns and symptoms between visits, ensure you can attend the appointment, have the stress of getting to hospital on time, and then remember to tell your consultant how you are.”

NHS smartwatch for Parkinson’s patients hailed as ‘lifechanging’

Kinetigraph sends data to doctors so that physiotherapy and prescriptions can be adjusted to meet needs

www.theguardian.com

I always wonder what happened to the 'Emma' watch, it appeared incredible at the time, and very moving to see Emma's reaction to it 🙂

 

[mikeyB]

I know a Parkinson's sufferer (male) who found great benefit from cannabis, to the extent that he grew his own. Great improvement in both the tremor and mobility. That's full bore cannabis, I take the CBD oil that doesn't contain any THC which makes cannabis so pleasant, but has similar effect on my spasticity, especially at night.

I might say, most folk with Parkinson's don't need a watch to tell them their symptoms might need some treatment, or, of course, reaching for the Rizla machine...