Parky, a Parkinson’s monitoring app made for Apple watch has got the FDA’s 510(k) clearance for the technology. Developed by h2o Therapeutics, the app can be used by more than 500,000 people in the US (diagnosed with Parkinson’s) to help track tremors, dyskinesia and other symptoms of the disease.
As per the report, after the app is downloaded onto a user’s iPhone and Apple Watch, its ‘machine learning algorithms continuously analyze the smartwatch’s movement data to automatically pick up on Parkinson’s-related symptoms. Users can also manually input additional symptoms into the app, set up medicine reminders and access daily exercise programs and educational information about Parkinson’s.’
The technology depends on an API that Apple has embedded into its wearable devices for the main purpose of monitoring movement disorders.
The app can also guide users through certain medical episodes: For example, if they experience “freezing,” a caregiver can activate Parky’s auditory cues like a playlist of metronome sounds and songs set to a slow walking rhythm to help trigger the patient’s movement.
All of the data gathered by the app are compiled into daily, weekly and monthly reports that patients can choose to share directly with selected caregivers and healthcare providers.
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