Top Speech Therapy Apps For Parkinsons Disease
It can be hard for a busy clinician to keep up to date with new apps. Technology moves so fast! Weve been doing some of the groundwork for you.
We have chosen apps that focus on 3 of the main areas that clinicians who work with individuals with Parkinsons Disease will typically be addressing in therapy: rate control, vocal loudness and swallowing.
The apps may also be of benefit to individuals who have what are often referred to as the Parkinsons Plus conditions Multiple Systems Atrophy and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy . To view the apps listed below on the AppStore, simply press/click the title of the app.
Clinical Use Of Apple Watch Parkinsons Monitoring
Whats new today is that a developer has been given US Food and Drug Administration clearance to use a Parkinsons monitoring app to gather individual data to assist their doctors to gather a more reliable assessment of a patients symptoms and to use that data to provide better treatment plan. Reuters reports:
San Francisco-based startup Rune Labs on Monday said it has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to use the Apple Watch to monitor tremors and other common symptoms in patients with Parkinsons disease.
The Rune Labs software uses the motion sensors built into the Apple Watch, which can already be used to detect when a person falls. Rune Labs Chief Executive Brian Pepin told Reuters in an interview the Apple Watch data will be combined with data from other sources, including a Medtronic implant that can measure brain signals.
Rune Labs goal is for doctors to use the combined data to decide whether and how to fine-tune the patients treatment, an approach called precision medicine. At present, Pepin said, most doctors have to gather data on a patients movements by observing the patient during a short clinical visit, which is not ideal because Parkinsons symptoms can vary widely over time.
The Apple Watch will give doctors a continuous stream of observations over long stretches, Pepin said.
Better Measures Are Out There Will You Help Us Find Them
Currently, most clinical trials for Parkinsons disease use outcome measures that are subjective, and performed infrequently in the clinic. To help find new treatments faster, we need to develop more sensitive, frequent, and objective measures of disease.
About
The WATCH-PD study compares clinical assessments with new digital measures including an Apple Watch, an iPhone, and a full-body sensor system.
Eligibility
If you have been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease within the last two years, and youre not taking any Parkinsons medications, you may qualify.
Locations
Don’t Miss: Can Parkinson’s Cause Congestive Heart Failure
Smartphone Apps For Those Living With Parkinsons Disease
Digital platforms are now used for an array of healthcare purposes. Electronic medical records software, for example, enables physicians to better manage patient health information, while medical billing software helps administrators with the financial side of the process. Meanwhile, technologies such as pedometers, patient portals and smartphone or tablet apps empower patients to take greater control over the management of their own health. Apps, in particular, now address a range of concerns, from healthy eating to exercise. There are also many apps that focus on the management of chronic conditions, including heart disease, cancer and depression.
Parkinsons disease, a degenerative illness impacting the nervous system, is another condition that is addressed via a range of smartphone apps. Here, well provide a breakdown of some of the most effective Parkinsons apps currently available.
A closer look at Parkinsons diseaseA condition that progresses and worsens over a period of many years, Parkinsons disease affects the central nervous system, and is characterized by symptoms such as stiffness, problems with movement and tremors, the Mayo Clinic detailed. There is currently no cure for Parkinsons, although patients are able to take medications to manage symptoms and improve daily life.
Combine Exercise With Diet
Dr. Gostkowski says if you want to feel your best, combine a healthy diet with exercise. Research has shown that regular exercise can improve PD symptoms.
Do exercise that raises your heart rate, Dr. Gostkowski says. Aim for about 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Dont worry about specific exercises. Do an activity you enjoy, as long as it gets your heart rate up. Try brisk walking or biking or more advanced exercise for veteran athletes. I recommend seeing an occupational therapist. They can tailor an exercise program to your needs.
Read Also: Do People Die From Parkinson’s Disease
Who Is Brain Teaser & Tricky Riddles
The game Who is? Brain Teaser & Tricky Riddles is an out-of-the-box approach to cure patients who have Parkinsons disease. It is full of unsolved riddles and includes new puzzle games meant only to inspire confidence and morale in the patients. It helps the patients relax and allows them to concentrate on tiny details. It challenges their brains to overcome small hurdles and enables them to solve the riddles by finding small clues. It teases the minds of Parkinsons patients and increases their brainpower.
Facts On Parkinsons Disease
The neurodegenerative condition affects a specific area in the brain, influencing the production of dopamine. The symptoms do not appear all of a sudden but rather develop over the course of time. One starts to present tremors, especially at rest and initially in the hands. The movements slow down and one begins to suffer from stiffness and balance problems. Apathy and depression might follow.
Living with Parkinsons disease can be challenging, especially since there is no cure for the condition. The treatment options available concern symptom control and also the improvement of the overall quality of life. As the condition is progressive, adhering to the treatment plan is a must. One must go in for regular check-ups, take his/her medication in a responsible manner and try out different treatments/therapies.
The chronic condition is commonly diagnosed in the older population but it can be seen in younger people as well. According to the latest statistics, 1 in 500 people suffer from it, with an equal percentage of men and women receiving this diagnosis.
Apart from the general symptoms, such as tremors, stiffness, balance problems, affected posture, and slowness of movement, one can present additional manifestations. These include fatigue, muscle and joint pain, bladder and bowel problems, eye problems and dizziness. One can present speech impairment and swallowing difficulties, as well as anxiety, depression and memory loss.
Recommended Reading: Are Als And Parkinson’s Related
The App Wont Connect To My Ipad Microphone And Camera
The Speak Up for Parkinsons app has been a great help to me. Ive had Parkinsons since 2008, and have used it regularly, without a problem. Recently, however, when I have opened the app, it cannot open my iPads camera or microphone. I have tried uninstalling the program and reinstalling it, and I get the same result. This makes me act useless. I am disappointed, and I hope there is a better app in the works.
The Best Iphone Apps For Parkinson’s Disease
Check out our list of the best Parkinson apps for the iPhone, If you’re like most people, you’re probably on your iPhone a lot. Why not put it to good use and have it help manage your lifestyle and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease? There are medicine trackers, puzzles, social media sites, reminder apps, speech aids, symptom trackers, and information apps, all of which can be useful to those with Parkinson’s or their caregivers.
Parkinsons disease app is designed with and for people with Parkinsons who strive to live fully. For those participating in clinical studies we integrate with the Health app to read and collect your data to help your clinical study researchers better understand your disease state. So, download StrivePD app to know what to do to live well with this disease.
- Strive to live well with Parkinsons disease
- Track what makes you feel better or worse
- Newer miss a medication
MyParkinsonsTeam is a social network and support group for those living with Parkinson’s. Get the emotional support, practical tips to manage your life with Parkinson’s, and insights about treatment or therapies. MyParkinsonsTeam is the only social network where you can truly connect, make real friendships, and share daily ups and downs in a judgment-free place.
- Post updates about the daily ups & downs
- Get/Give instant hugs, likes & comments of support
- Search the Q+A section/ask and answer questions
- Get the support and propose the suggestions on
Don’t Miss: Parkinson’s Disease Cure 2022
Serving Your Protein Shake
Each serving should contain approximately 15-16 oz. of shake mixture. The shake can be served on its own over ice blend with additional water to your preference.
Another option is to add cold-brewed coffee, regular coffee or flavored tea to the shake mixture and serve over ice. Pour 15 16 oz. of protein shake into a 32-oz. cup and add 4 oz. of cold brewed coffee concentrate or add 6-8 oz. regular coffee or 8-10 oz. flavored tea, plus water and ice, and stir.
Recommended Reading: What Kind Of Doctor Treats Parkinsons Disease
How Changing The Settings On Your Ipad And Iphone Can Help People With Tremors And Other Dexterity Difficulties
The software that drives iPhones and iPads includes a range of incredibly powerful accessibility options for people with tremors due to conditions such as Parkinsons or Cerebral Palsy, or who have reduced dexterity with age.These can be found in the Accessibility settings and can help anyone with dexterity issues take their day to day computer usage to a whole new level.
Don’t Miss: What Foods To Avoid With Parkinson’s Disease
Top Speech Therapy Apps For Parkinson’s Disease
It can be hard for a busy clinician to keep up to date with new apps. Technology moves so fast! Weve been doing some of the groundwork for you.
We have chosen apps that focus on 3 of the main areas that clinicians who work with individuals with Parkinsons Disease will typically be addressing in therapy: rate control, vocal loudness and swallowing.
The apps may also be of benefit to individuals who have what are often referred to as the Parkinsons Plus conditions Multiple Systems Atrophy and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy . To view the apps listed below on the AppStore, simply press/click the title of the app.
Add A Virtual Home Button
If theyre using an iPhone X or newer, they might miss the old hardware Home button that they could always push to get back to a recognizable starting point. This is a great hack for seniors because it gives them fast access to features with one tap, versus multiple swipes and gestures.
While youre still in the Touch area, tap AssistiveTouch at the top of the screen and toggle it to on/green. See that little virtual button on the lower right of the screen? Tap that to get to the Top Level Menu, which you can also customize for a one-tap Home button, Siri, SOS, and other important features. If the virtual button is hard to see, scroll down the AssistiveTouch page and choose Idle Opacity. Then use the slider to make it as bold as you want.
Read Also: Does Parkinson’s Affect Your Memory
Study: App Accurately Tracks Parkinsons Disease Symptoms
Capturing a patients experience outside the doctors office has been an ongoing struggle when it comes to treating Parkinsons disease. But now a new smartphone app can now detect the severity of symptoms in patients with Parkinsons disease remotely, according to a recent study published by JAMA.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University, the University of Rochester Medical Center and Aston University have collaborated created an app, called HopkinsPD, that is able to generate an objective severity score Parkinsons symptoms, which strongly correlates to current standard rating scales.
If you think about it, it sounds crazy, Dr. Ray Dorsey, co-author and neurologist at the University of Rochester Medical Center, said in a statement, but until these types of studies, we had very limited data on how these people function on Saturdays and Sundays because patients dont come to the clinic on Saturdays or Sundays. We also had very limited data about how people with Parkinsons do at two oclock in the morning or 11 oclock at night because, unless theyre hospitalized, theyre generally not being seen in clinics at those times.
Researchers also found that the mobile Parkinsons disease score improved by 16.3 points in response to dopaminergic therapy.
Make It Easier To See
The simplest and easiest way to make an iPhone more senior-friendly is to adjust the text and icon size.
Ninety-five percent of my clients have an iPhone, Abbie Richie tells me over the phone. Richie the Founder of Senior Savvy, a service that provides tech support for seniors online and in person. One of the first adjustments we often make is to supersize it, and make the icons and text bigger and brighter.
To do this, Richie recommends opening the Settings app, then choose Display & Brightness, tap View, then change the default from Standard to Zoomed. While youre in the Display & Brightness area, go to Text Size, and the slider at the bottom of the screen to make text as big as you want it. Then, tap < Back at the upper left of the screen and select Bold Text.
Recommended Reading: Parkinson’s Disease And Hearing Loss
Nutrigold Turmeric Curcumin Gold 500 Mg 120 Vegan Capsules
5.0 Great stuff
Curcumin is supposed to have a lot of health benefits, such as preventing inflammation, helping with digestive issues, being an anti-oxidant, preventing some types of cancer, treating Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases, treating diabetes and even treating depression. This phytosome form enables increased absorption of curcumin to a level 29-fold higher than that of traditional curcuminoid products.
5.0 Tumeric Curcumin Gold
I am 59 years old and recently read about Tumeric Curcumin Gold and its benefits. Especially important to me: stopping malignant and non-malignant tumors and lessening the chance of Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases. I Googled this product and prices for tumeric curcumin and believe NutriGold provides high quality supplements that are affordable.
Smartphone Apps For Those Living With Parkinsons
If you are like most people, you are probably on your smartphone for a good portion of the day! Why not put the time spent on your devices to good use and manage your symptoms of Parkinsons disease and help elevate your lifestyle!
There is a wealth of smartphone/tablet apps that allow those who have Parkinsons Disease to help relieve them of stress, to help with certain exercises, to help with voice control and much more! There are so many apps to choose from, but here we have our top 5 smartphone apps for those living with Parkinsons disease.
You May Like: Does Parkinson Disease Affect Your Vision
Joel & The Wellness Team
Hey! Joel here A graduate of Herbalism & Naturopathic Medicine School. My team and I are passionate about finding ways to improve our lives on a daily basis and truly believe in natural alternatives of doing so before seeking traditional medications. However, always consult with your Doctor/Physician first before taking any actions regarding your health. Stay Safe and Healthy!
What The Science Says
A study published in the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society suggests that patients in the early stages of Parkinsons disease who show low vitamin B12 experienced faster motor and cognitive decline. This suggests that vitamin supplements may help slow the progression of these symptoms.
In the study, researchers measured vitamin B12 and other B12-related factors in 680 participants with early, untreated Parkinsons Disease. They then followed up with 456 samples. The results showed that 13% of these participants had borderline low B12 levels, and 7% had elevated homocysteinean amino acid whose levels are inversely related to a vitamin deficiency. Elevated homocysteine may increase your risks for dementia, heart disease, and stroke without treatment.
Therefore, the study showed that low levels of B12 were common in those with early stages of Parkinsons Disease. Low B12 predicted greater worsening of mobility, while elevated homocysteine predicted greater cognitive decline.
So, if youre in need of a vitamin boost, a B12 supplement may help do the trick. As always, consult with your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet.
Recommended Reading: Is Beer Good For Parkinson’s
Clinical Studies Regarding Vitamin B3 In Pd
Current existing clinical studies have shown that a high-niacin diet can reduce the risk of PD . A previous case report also demonstrated that oral niacin significantly improved rigidity and bradykinesia in a patient with idiopathic PD, though the original purpose was to treat hypertriglyceridemia after the cessation of oral niacin due to obvious adverse effects , the symptoms of rigidity and bradykinesia relapsed . However, other studies failed to notice the remarkable clinical efficacy . Therefore, more clinical observations are warranted to verify the efficacy as well as side effects of niacin in PD.
How Gaba Influences Physical Health
Proper GABA activity plays an important role in several diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders in which the bodys nerve cells break down or die.
Among these disorders are:
- Huntingtons disease: Reduced levels of GABA in people with Huntingtons disease may contribute to dysfunction in the area of the brain that regulates voluntary movement.
- Epilepsy: A lack of GABA activity is related to excessive nervous system activity during seizures.
- Parkinsons disease: Rather than too little GABA activity, too much activity may be present with Parkinsons disease. This blocks messages in the movement centers of the brain.
Other disorders related to GABA activity include the following:
- Pyridoxine deficiency is a rare disease in which the vitamin pyridoxine is not available to synthesize, or form, GABA. A lack of pyridoxine may cause seizures during infancy.
- Hepatic encephalopathyis a disorder in which liver disease affects brain function. Its associated with high levels of ammonia in the body. This ammonia may bind to GABA receptors and prevent them from functioning correctly.
- Dystoniais a movement disorder that involves involuntary muscle spasms that are believed to be related to a lack of GABA activity.
Also Check: Parkinson Disease Treatment In India
You May Like: Does Parkinson’s Affect The Eyes