Technology has the power to improve the lives of people with PD, and the options for these tools are expanding each year.

Recent advancements in tech have allowed for revolutionary methods of monitoring diseases and providing more tailored solutions for treatment.

For people with Parkinson’s, this translates to several phone applications, speech aids, and even smart shoes that help them track their symptoms and live more enriched lives.

Here are four cutting-edge products leveraging technology so people with Parkinson’s can live better.

NeuroRPM App

Photo credit: NeuroRPM

Apple Watch users with a prescription can now access the NeuroRPM app, a remote monitoring solution for Parkinson’s.

Approved by the FDA in 2023, NeuroRPM is an AI-powered disease management platform providing comprehensive monitoring capabilities for PD. The app connects to the Apple Watch to track the complete range of PD symptoms, including bradykinesia, tremor, and dyskinesia.

This data allows people with Parkinson’s to understand their symptoms better, leading to more specialized treatment plans and enabling care providers to make more informed health decisions.

NeuroRPM is currently available as a prescription through participating physicians. Learn more about the app and technology here!

Strive PD

Like NeuroRPM, Strive PD is a disease management application that collects data on resting tremor and dyskinesia. It is FREE, FDA-cleared, and available to all iOs users.

The Strive PD app delivers personalized insights from the Apple Watch, allowing users to track patterns in behavior, set up medical reminders, communicate data more effectively to care providers, and participate in IRB-approved clinical trials for Parkinson’s.

While the Apple Watch isn’t essential for the application, it streamlines data input and delivers more detailed information about symptoms.

Learn more about the Strive PD application here!

NUSHU Smart Shoes

Photo credit: NUSHU Smart Shoes

The FDA approved Magnes’ NUSHU smart shoes in early 2024. These harness revolutionary technology to improve mobility for people with movement disorders, including Parkinson’s.

NUSHU smart shoes utilize real-time vibrotactile feedback technology to analyze gait and give instant feedback to users. They also allow medical professionals to monitor data both inside and outside of the clinic.

The concept is simple: wear your NUSHUs wherever you’d like—around the house, on a daily stroll, or while running errands—and the shoes communicate real-time data to your healthcare provider.

The benefits of NUSHUs are numerous. The technology is used to both warn or guide people with PD of potential gait events, help prevent falls, and inform better treatment for gait issues with the world’s first medical-grade gait analysis system.

NUSHU also has a user-friendly application for tracking and communicating data.

Learn more about NUSHU smart shoes here!

SpeechVive

Photo credit: SpeechVive

SpeechVive is a speech aid designed specifically for people with Parkinson’s. This wearable device automatically triggers the brain to speak louder, slowly, and clearly, improving communication and quality of life for those with Parkinson’s.

For those who struggle with volume and clarity of speech, SpeechVive can be a game changer, allowing individuals to once again communicate regularly with their loved ones.

SpeechVive is accepted by Medicare, the Veterans Administration, and commercial insurance plans.

Learn more about SpeechVive here!

Vibrating Gloves

Dr. Peter Tass, a neurology professor at Stanford University, has been developing his vibrating glove technology for several decades. This non-invasive treatment has shown incredible results in clinical trials and helps with tremors, speech, walking, and balance.

The glove works by vibrating in specific patterns at the fingertips, effectively tricking the brain into forgetting abnormal movement patterns associated with tremor, speech, and gait issues in PD.

While the technology is still in clinical trials, many researchers feel positive it’s on track for FDA approval and will soon be more widely available.

Watch our recent Let’s Talk Parkinson’s video with Dr. Peter Tass and read more about vibration therapy here.

Technology & Parkinson’s

The future of technology for PD treatment is vast, with new research developing regularly.

Currently, the FDA is seeking AI and machine learning models to help identify and predict freezing of gait events in people with Parkinson’s disease.

Additionally, researchers are exploring digital technologies that could aid in delivering telemedicine (making it simpler and more efficient for people to receive care), wearable devices to monitor symptoms, and applications of AI for predicting disease progression.

While many solutions are still in development, one thing is certain: there’s never been a better time for people with Parkinson’s to harness technology and enhance their quality of life.

Subscribe to PCLA’s YouTube channel here to stay up-to-date on emerging technologies in the Parkinson’s space! We’re proud to host a Medical Advisory Board that presents cutting-edge research as part of our Let’s Talk Parkinson’s series.