Telehealth Management of Parkinson’s Disease Using Wearable Sensors: An Exploratory Study (P4.004)

Objective: The objective was to clinically assess the impact of motion sensor-based telehealth diagnostics on Parkinson’s disease (PD) patient care and management. Background: Motor symptoms experienced by an individual with PD fluctuate over the course of a day, week, or month and may not be accurately reflected during a clinical evaluation. In addition, access to movement disorder specialists is limited for many with PD. Design/Methods: Eighteen adults with PD were randomized to either control or experimental group. All participants were instructed to use an objective motion sensor-based monitoring system at home six times per day, one day per week, for seven months. The system included a finger-worn motion sensor and tablet-based software interface that guided patients through standardized tasks to quantify tremor, bradykinesia, and dyskinesia. Data were transmitted over mobile broadband for processing into motor symptom severity reports, which were reviewed by a movement disorders neurologist for patients in the experimental group. After three months and six months, individuals in the control group visited the clinic for a routine appointment, while individuals in the experimental group had a videoconference or phone call instead. Results: Participants completed home based assessments with median compliance of 95.7%. For a subset of participants, the neurologist successfully used information in the reports such as quantified response to treatment or progression over time to make therapy adjustments. Changes in clinical characteristics and participant questionnaire responses from study start to end were not significantly different between groups. Conclusions: Individuals with PD were able and willing to use remote monitoring technology. Patient management aided by telehealth diagnostics provided comparable outcomes to standard care. Telehealth technologies combined with wearable sensors have the potential to improve care for disparate PD populations or those unable to travel. Study Supported by: NIH/NIMHD grant number R44MD004049 Disclosure: Dr. Heldman has received personal compensation for activities with Great Lakes NeuroTechnologies Inc. as an employee. Dr. Harris has nothing to disclose. Dr. Felong has nothing to disclose. Dr. Andrzejewski has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dorsey has received research support from Avid Radiopharamaceuticals, Biogen, Google, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Lundbeck, Medtronic, and Prana Biotechnology. Dr. Giuffrida has received personal compensation for activities with Great Lakes NeuroTechnologies Inc. as an employee. Mr. Goldberg has received personal compensation for activities with Great Lakes NeuroTechnologies as an employee. Dr. Burack has received research support from Cleveland Medical Devices Inc and Great Lakes NeuroTechnologies Inc.