Overview
This prospective observational study will examine tremor and upper-limb movement in adults with Parkinson's disease or essential tremor using non-invasive wearable sensors. Participants will attend one clinic visit and may then wear sensors at home for 3, 7, or 21 days. Clinic assessments will be scheduled around participants' usual medication times; the study will not change or delay treatment. Sensor data will be analysed offline for research and will not be used to make clinical decisions.
Description
The study will recruit up to 60 adults through NHS Lothian: 40 with Parkinson's disease and 20 with essential tremor. During the clinic visit, participants will complete clinical assessments and movement tasks while wearing the PD-WATCH research sensor and comparator wearable sensors. Participants allocated to home monitoring will wear the sensors during usual daily activities and complete brief medication, symptom, and activity logs. The study will describe wearable-derived movement features, explore their relationships with clinical assessments and medication timing, and assess the feasibility and acceptability of wearable monitoring. The study is exploratory and is not designed to evaluate diagnostic accuracy, treatment effects, or device performance.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Aged 18 years or older.
- Clinical diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (Hoehn and Yahr stage I-III) or essential tremor.
- Motor or tremor symptoms confirmed on clinical assessment.
- Able to walk at least 4 metres independently, with or without a walking aid.
- Able to provide written informed consent and comply with study procedures.
- Willing and able to wear the study sensors in clinic and, where applicable, at home.
- Able to understand study information and complete study materials in English.
Exclusion Criteria:
- A recent major cardiovascular or cerebrovascular event, or another unstable condition that would make participation unsafe.
- An uncontrolled psychiatric disorder, ongoing substance misuse, active systemic cancer treatment, or another serious illness likely to interfere with participation.
- Pregnancy at enrolment.
- Active skin disease or known allergy to adhesive plaster at anticipated sensor sites.
- Dementia with Lewy Bodies, atypical, vascular, or drug-induced parkinsonism.
- Previous invasive neuromodulation or neurosurgery for a movement disorder, including deep brain stimulation.
- Current or recent participation in another interventional study that could affect safety or study outcomes.
- In the investigator's opinion, unable to complete the study procedures safely.
