The Apple Watch broke barriers by detecting irregular heart rhythms. Now researchers are potentially uncovering new powers in the tech to help one of the more mysterious neurological conditions: Parkinson’s disease.
In May, Dr. Minal Bhanushali, neurologist at Sutter’s Palo Alto Medical Foundation, launched a pilot study to test an app designed for Apple Watch called the PD Companion. It is designed as a digital tracker for Parkinson’s, passively collecting real-time, objective data on gait, falls, tremor, exercise and medications. Developed by an external partner, the app was built using technical specifications, wireframe, and design guidance provided by the research team at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute and Center for Health Systems Research.
This data will be used to provide personalized treatment for Parkinson’s and may also improve safety by developing models for fall prediction. As of this year, an estimated 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson’s disease. With that number expected to rise to 1.2 million by 2030.
Dr. Minal J Bhanushali
“All data is securely collected by HIPAA standards, protecting patient privacy while enabling research that surfaces answers to inform clinical care and decision making around treatment,” explains Dr. Bhanushali, who is the principal investigator for the pilot study. “The goal is to detect these symptoms earlier to optimize and personalize treatment so patients can live their best, fullest lives.”
Real-Time Data, Real-Life Support
The PD Companion app is designed to fit easily into daily life, tracking symptoms automatically without the need for constant logging or manual input. Many people with Parkinson’s experience fluctuations in their symptoms throughout the day, along with medication side effects, such as involuntary movements, and are at higher risk of falling.
“Between medication side effects and symptom variation, it is difficult for care teams to ensure their patients are receiving optimized treatment in one short clinic visit alone,” explains Dr. Bhanushali. “Many of our patients are keen to see their data help drive personalized care decisions.”
Despite its recognition, Parkinson’s remains a complex and ever-evolving condition. The disease progresses gradually as the brain slowly loses cells that help control coordination leading to movement-related symptoms like tremors, rigidity and balance issues. “As of now, this disease, unfortunately, has no cure,” explains Dr. Bhanushali. “A combination of medication, routine adjustments and in some cases surgical options can help improve day-to-day function. There is more to this study than just collecting data, we want to track how patients engage with this app and the quality of data it produces. Our goal is integrating the information gathered into real-world care to ultimately support better outcomes.”
Driven by Innovation, Funded by Philanthropy
The study will enroll 45 patients with early to moderate-stage Parkinson’s who are mobile, own an iPhone, and can wear an Apple Watch for at least eight hours daily over two weeks. The first participant is anticipated to complete the study in August. The study is funded by PAMF Philanthropy and was selected as a finalist in Sutter Health’s 2024 Innovation Challenge
Dr. Shawn Kile
“Parkinson’s disease is an incredibly challenging condition for both patients and care-providers,” says Dr. Shawn Kile, chair of Sutter’s neuroscience service line. “This study will explore how wearable devices can expand our abilities to monitor neurological symptoms and individualize medical care. We are very proud to support innovations — like the PD Companion app — as we continue to lead the field in the development of new solutions to clinical problems.”
Laying the Foundation for Future Care
The PD Companion app creates a space for deeper patient-physician collaboration and an opportunity for the system to explore predictive analytics. The study reflects Sutter researchers’ broader efforts to personalize support and improve safety for patients with complex illnesses including Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions.
“We are hoping the integration of this type of technology can open the door to improved and more efficient care workflows that directly benefit physicians, care teams and patients,” says Dr. Bhanushali. “We believe this is a promising step forward for neurological care that is data driven and powered by research.”
Do you or a loved one have Parkinson’s disease? Find neurologic services and learn more about research and clinical trials at Sutter Health.
