Smartwatches: Early detection of Parkinson's up to 7 years in advance
Smartwatches equipped with wrist-worn accelerometers may be able to detect Parkinson's disease up to seven years before symptoms appear, according to a recent study. The study found that a decrease in movement speed, as measured by the accelerometer data, could be observed several years before clinical diagnosis. The accelerometer data outperformed other models based on medical symptoms, genetics, lifestyle, or blood biochemistry data, suggesting its potential use in early detection of Parkinson's. Further validation and refinement of the model are needed before incorporating it into clinical practice.