Mobility monitoring using smart technologies for Parkinson’s disease in free-living environment

Abstract

BackgroundTechnological advances in the monitoring, intervention, and rehabilitation of Parkinson’s disease have increased dramatically in recent decades. Integrating such technologies into free-living environments ensures continuous monitoring of patients’ symptomatic movement for better assessment and provision of quality care. AimTo review studies testing the feasibility and usability of technology for continuous mobility monitoring among patients with Parkinson’s disease in free-living environments. MethodsUsing electronic databases, 31 original studies were identified. We classified the mobility monitoring devices and systems used in the feasibility tests for monitoring Parkinson’s disease during daily activities in free-living environments. FindingsThe choice of technology for Parkinson’s disease management varied in its advantages, including cost, usability, design and functionality, or quality of information. The major developments in home monitoring approaches can be classified as: (1) wearable sensors only; (2) smartphone applications; (3) web-based applications combined with wearable devices; and (4) ambient sensors combined with wearable devices. The findings from this review suggest that mobility monitoring devices are highly feasible for monitoring the daily activities of patients in a habitual free-living environment. However, there are still relatively few studies testing the feasibility and effectiveness of such devices in free-living environments. ConclusionsExperimental studies seeking to validate monitoring systems in unstructured real-life environments remain limited. However, the major findings of this study indicate that new technologies can be useful and supportive tools for Parkinson’s disease related mobility monitoring. The use of these technologies for Parkinson’s disease management may provide qualified clinical evidence and improve clinical decision-making and quality of care.