Objective To evaluate the utility of the Parkinson’s Kinetigraph (PKG™) in the remote management of Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Background There is a movement in Parkinson’s care from a clinic-based model¹ to P4 medicine, meaning medicine that is predictive, preventive, personalised and participatory.² The development of wearable technology provides an opportunity to monitor patients remotely, and deliver targeted care. The PKG™ is a wrist-worn device that objectively measures Parkinson’s symptoms.

Aim To evaluate the utility of the PKG™ in managing PD patients remotely, and the perception of service users.

Method PKG™ data were collated in real time. Patient acceptability data were collated via a patient questionnaire (n=61).

Results Between July 2015 and January 2018, 216 PKGs were performed. A variety of symptoms were identified, including different types of ‘OFF’ times (wearing off (25%), delayed on (6%) no drug response (8%)) and non-motor complications (fragmented sleep (33%) and daytime somnolence (21%)), with subsequent treatment recommendations being made. Patient acceptability of the PKG™ was high, 81% of patients being satisfied not having to travel for clinic appointments.

Conclusions The PKG™ facilitated remote treatment recommendations. Remote management was acceptable to patients. Future evaluations will evaluate patient outcome.

References

1. . van der Eijk M, Nijhuis FAP, Faber MJ, Bloem BR. Moving from physician-centered care towards patient-centered care for Parkinson’s disease patients. Parkinsonism Relat Disord [Internet]. Elsevier; 1 November 2013;19(11):923–7. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1353802013001697?_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_origin=gateway&_docanchor=&md5=b8429449ccfc9c30159a5f9aeaa92ffb [cited 2018 February 6]

2. . P4 medicine: how systems medicine will transform the healthcare sector and society. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4204402/pdf/nihms532619.pdf [cited 2018 April 6]