Objective: To ascertain the current utilization of Internet, app-based and wearable technologies among individuals with Parkinson’s disease.

Background: The Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s disseminated a survey among its membership regarding technology use in individuals with Parkinson’s disease & their care partners.

Methods: 817 individuals, primarily in the USA and Canada, responded. Respondents were identified by race, education, socioeconomic status and gender. They were further segmented by age and time since diagnosis as well as work status.

Results: Participants were primarily Caucasian (94.54 percent), college educated (78%) and of higher SES (73.76%). There was nearly even distribution between men and women (47.71% and 52.29%, respectively). Mean age of respondents with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s was 67 & mean time since diagnosis was 7 yrs. Mean age of care partners was 64. Almost 79% of respondents reported using the Internet at least once per day. Almost 70% of respondents reported use of the Internet several times a day or more. 65.9% of respondents reported access to a smart phone, with iOS being the platform of choice in this largely North American cohort (62.24% versus 37.76% for android). However, there was an overwhelming preference for desktop or laptop platforms when accessing social networks. Only 27 % indicated that they make use of wearable technologies. However, over 75% of respondents indicated that they would be interested in technologies that could track health issues. Furthermore, nearly 75% indicated that they would like to have the ability to share this information with others.

Conclusions: There is a widespread utilization of Internet-based technologies among individuals with Parkinson’s and their care partners. A large percentage of this population has access to smart phone technologies, although there remains a preference for desktop/laptop interfaces. Individuals with Parkinson’s have indicated a preference for online communities to increase their access to knowledge and experts. Respondents also indicated a desire to incorporate wearable technologies in order to improve their self-management of their disease. There is a strong interest in technologies that can improve quality of life and disease management among individuals with Parkinson’s & their care partners with the caveat that interfaces that are easy to use are very important.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/technology-use-habits-and-preferences-of-a-population-with-parkinsons-disease-and-their-care-partners/