Digital technology & Parkinson’s

As the number of people living with Parkinson’s grows, there is a need for better ways to support them in managing their health. One promising solution is digital health technologies—tools like mobile apps, wearable devices, and online platforms that help people track symptoms, connect with doctors, and manage their care from home.

Recent research shows that these tools can help people with Parkinson’s feel more confident and in control of their health. But there are still challenges to overcome, especially when it comes to making sure these tools are easy to use and truly helpful.

What are digital health technologies?

Digital health technologies (DHTs) include a wide range of tools:

  • Wearables like smartwatches or sensors that track movement, sleep, or tremors.
  • Mobile apps that help users log symptoms, follow exercise routines, or get medication reminders.
  • Telehealth services that allow people to speak with doctors or therapists from home.
  • Electronic health records and AI tools that help doctors understand and predict disease progression.

These tools can help people understand their symptoms better, stay motivated, and feel more in control of their care.

Building confidence through technology

A recent scoping review published in BMJ Open looked at how digital health tools affect self-efficacy—a person’s belief in their ability to manage their health (Hall et al., 2025). The review found that out of 11 studies, five showed a clear improvement in self-efficacy, five showed no change, and one showed a decrease.

The studies that showed improvement used multiple types of digital tools together. For example, they might combine a wearable device with a mobile app and online coaching. These tools often focused on physical activity and fall prevention, which are important for people with Parkinson’s.

This suggests that digital tools can help—but only if they are designed well and used in the right way.

What Do People Think About These Tools?

Another study, known as the WATCH-PD study, looked at how people with early Parkinson’s felt about using digital health tools over time (Kangarloo et al., 2024). The study found that most people had a positive experience using wearable sensors and mobile apps. They found the tools comfortable and easy to use, and their ability to use technology was similar to that of healthy older adults.

This is important because it shows that people with Parkinson’s are willing and able to use digital tools, if those tools are designed with their needs in mind.

The Australian Context: A National Push for Digital Health

In Australia, digital health is becoming a bigger part of everyday healthcare. Tools like My Health Record, the my health app, and Electronic Prescriptions are helping people manage their health more easily. But not everyone feels confident using them.

That’s why the Australian Digital Health Agency partnered with us to help people living with Parkinson’s build the skills and confidence to use these tools. This includes providing easy-to-read infosheets, training, and support to make digital health more accessible.

This partnership is a great example of how national efforts can support people with Parkinson’s in using technology to take control of their health.

Challenges & opportunities

While digital health tools offer many benefits, there are still challenges:

  • Not all tools work for everyone. Some people may find them hard to use or not helpful for their specific symptoms.
  • Digital literacy matters. People who aren’t confident using technology may struggle to benefit from these tools.
  • More research is needed. We need to understand which tools work best, and how to make them more effective.

A review by Dorsey et al. (2020)  highlighted that while digital tools can improve care, they are not yet widely used in clinical practice. The review called for more research and better integration of digital tools into everyday care.

What needs to happen next?

To make the most of digital health for Parkinson’s, we need to:

  1. Design tools that are easy to use for people with different needs and abilities.
  2. Provide training and support to help people feel confident using digital health.
  3. Include patients in the design process, so tools reflect real-life challenges.
  4. Do more research to understand what works best and why.
  5. Ensure access for all, including people in rural or remote areas.

Digital technology is opening up a world of practical support, from enhancing communication to providing timely medication reminders. These innovations help maintain essential skills such as cognition, communication, hearing, mobility, self‐care, and vision; in turn, they enable you to look after your health, wellbeing, and social engagement.

Modern digital tools such as mobile apps, wearable devices, electronic health records, and artificial intelligence have been developed to help streamline the day-to-day management of Parkinson’s symptoms. This new technology can bolster your independence and embed safety and confidence in your daily routines. Whether you are managing subtle cognitive changes or the physical aspects of the condition, these advances are tailored to support you in living a more connected and empowered life.

References

Hall, A. M., Allgar, V., Carroll, C. B., & Meinert, E. (2025). Digital health technologies and self-efficacy in Parkinson’s: a scoping review. BMJ Open, 15(1), e088616. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/1/e088616

Kangarloo, T., et al. (2024). Acceptability of digital health technologies in early Parkinson’s disease: lessons from WATCH-PD. Frontiers in Digital Health. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2024.1435693/full

Dorsey, E. R., et al. (2020). The new age of digital health for Parkinson’s disease. npj Digital Medicine, 3, 1–5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33682728/

Chandrabhatla, A. S., Pomeraniec, I. J., & Ksendzovsky, A. (2022). Co‐evolution of machine learning and digital technologies to improve monitoring of Parkinson’s disease motor symptoms. npj Digital Medicine, 5(1), 32. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-022-00568-y

Nature. (2025). Innovations and ongoing challenges in digital technologies for Parkinson’s disease. NPJ Parkinson’s Disease.

Share

Other articles

  • 101 | The Hidden Cost of Connection

    The Hidden Cost of Connection: What I'm Seeing After the World Parkinson Congress By Richie Pikunis As I've been watching TikTok videos, Facebook posts, and personal reflections from people who attended the World Parkinson Congress, I've noticed an overriding theme showing up again and again. It isn't research. It isn't new treatments. It isn't the [...]

  • 101 | Diagnosis of Parkinson’s

    The journey to a Parkinson's  diagnosis relies heavily on the careful, expert eye of a neurologist. By systematically evaluating your medical history, assessing the subtle nuances of your physical movements, and monitoring your response to medications, specialists can build a highly accurate clinical picture. While no single standard scan can definitively confirm the condition today, tests like DaTscans, MRIs, and blood tests play a vital supporting role in ruling out other problems. As genetic testing becomes more refined for YOP, and revolutionary new tests for alpha-synuclein move from the laboratory to the clinic, the future of diagnosing Parkinson's promises to be earlier, faster, and more precise than ever before.

  • CARERS | Parkinson’s, a two-person condition

    By: Richie Pikunis Caring for someone with advancing Parkinson’s does something to a caregiver that most people outside the situation don’t fully understand. People think it’s just “helping out.” Maybe reminding someone about meds, maybe lending a hand once in a while. That’s adorable. Advanced Parkinson’s is not a hobby. It’s not a favour. It’s [...]