Newcastle University researchers are looking into how Google glass can assist patients with dementia and Parkinson's disease retain their independence.
Google generously donated five pairs of its new Google glass to Newcastle University so that researchers can investigate how this smartphone-like device can assist people with conditions such as Parkinson's disease and dementia.
Working with a group of Parkinson's volunteers aged between 46-70 years, researchers found that the device could help them retain their independence for longer. The device will be used to send out prompts to Parkinson's disease patients to avoid the "freezing" behavior typical of the disease. These prompts include reminding the patient to swallow his food to prevent dribbling and to speak louder if the patient starts murmuring.
"Glass opens up a new space for exploring the design and development of wearable systems," said Dr John Vines, leader of the trial, in a statement. "It is very early days. Glass is such a new technology we are still learning how it might be used but the beauty of this research project is we are designing the apps and systems for Glass in collaboration with the users so the resulting applications should exactly meet their needs."
The device can send out reminders for things like medication and appointments to dementia patients.
Glass is a wearable computer developed by Google. The device has been constantly compared to the kind of technology fictionalized in the Hollywood Blockbuster "Minority Report." The simplicity of its design has driven many to mistake it for a pair of designer glasses.
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological condition affecting up to 10 million people worldwide, with onset generally in those over 50 years of age. The condition manifests itself in motor symptoms including rigidity, tremor and "bradykinesia" or slowness of movement. Apart from these physical disabilities, patients face a myriad of emotional stress with regards to loss of independence, social confidence and embarrassment.
"People with Parkinson's are already coping with so much and one of the main causes of social isolation is the stigma around behaviors such as drooling and tremor which they have no control over," explained PhD student Roisin McNaney, according to Daily Mail. "The last thing we want is a system of cueing which is so obvious it adds to people's overall embarrassment. Wearable computing is still quite novel but as more people buy into the technology and start to wear it out and about for leisure then systems such as Glass offer us a real opportunity for the long-term treatment of progressive conditions."
Though this is the first Google Glass clinical trial in the UK, Newcastle University researchers are not the first people attempting to use smartphone glasses to aid Parkinson's patients.
In October last year, University of Twente researchers reported developing a smartphone glass like Google Glass to improve the gait of patients suffering from Parkinson's disease and to decrease their risk of falling.
Claire Bale, a research communications manager at Parkinson's UK said that if the efficiency of using Google Glass in aiding Parkinson's disease patients comes true, it could help many applicants.
"This new study looking into Google Glass is an exciting example of how new technologies could be used to improve the lives of people living with Parkinson's by tackling a wide variety of problems," Bale said, according to IB Times. "But to really make the most of the potential of new technologies it's essential that researchers work in partnership with the real experts in the condition - people living with Parkinson's."
Click here to read an interesting case study.
