Patients at risk of developing Parkinson’s disease could be identified up to 7 years before specific symptoms appear, with the help of smartwatches. Moreover, differences in the speed with which people move or perform certain movements could be a more suggestive indicator in the early identification of Parkinson’s disease than any other prodromal symptom. The information comes from a study published in the journal Nature Medicine, which analyzed the predictive value of acceleration data obtained with wearable devices and their potential use as a prodromal marker in Parkinson’s disease.
The use of smartwatches or fitness bracelets as screening tools for various conditions is not new in the medical world, but this is the first time that their potential in the early detection of Parkinson’s disease has been demonstrated. An accessible and cost-effective approach that would not only help in the early identification of at-risk individuals who could benefit from neuroprotective treatments, but would also benefit research by improving the process of recruiting participants into clinical trials.
The study demonstrated that changes in the speed of execution of movements over time occur many years before the actual diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. More specifically, people at risk experience significant declines in movement acceleration up to 7 years before being diagnosed.
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Acceleration data recorded by smartwatches from over 100,000 UK Biobank participants who wore such a device for 7 days were analyzed using a machine learning algorithm. Smart watches have continuously measured average acceleration, specifically how the speed of movement changes over time. The results showed a strong correlation between the decrease in the speed of execution of movements during the day, over a period of one week, and the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease made 7 years later.
“Statistics from 2020 show that around 30% of the UK population use smartwatches. Using the data collected by these devices can lead to the early identification of Parkinson’s disease. Through our study we have demonstrated that a single week of data collection and analysis can predict events up to 7 years into the future. With these results, a valuable screening tool can be developed to help in the early detection of Parkinson’s disease. This has implications both for research, in improving the recruitment process in clinical trials, and in clinical medical practice, allowing patients to access treatments as early as possible” – states the author of the study Dr. Cynthia SandorPhD, Cardiff University.
The study showed that the decrease in the speed of execution of movements over time is a specific indicator of Parkinson’s disease, not found in other neurodegenerative or motor disorders. Moreover, comparing the acceleration data collected by smart watches with other factors that could indicate the risk of Parkinson’s disease (lifestyle, genetic factors, etc.), it was observed that the variation in the speed of execution of movements over time has a character superior predictor.
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2023-08-09 18:01:49
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