Google Glass May help Parkinson’s Patients
Google Glass is one of the most talked-about technologies currently in development. While some people believe Google Glass will be an invasion of privacy, others are excited about its potential uses. For example, recent research studies indicate that Google Glass may serve as an effective aid for patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
About Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects patients’ ability to control movement. Typical symptoms of this disease include tremors, problems with speech, slowed movements, stiff muscles, problems with balance or posture and diminished ability to perform unconscious movements, such as blinking. There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease. Symptoms can be managed with medication. However, although medication usually effectively controls symptoms initially, it loses its effectiveness over time.
Benefits of Google Glass for Parkinson’s disease
Although it was not designed specifically to treat Parkinson’s disease, Google Glass has the potential to act as an assistive device for people living with this condition. Some possible uses of Google Glass for Parkinson’s disease patients include:
Medication Reminders
Parkinson’s patients must take medicine multiple times each day in order to control their symptoms. Google Glass’ alarm system could be used to remind patients with Parkinson’s disease to take their medication at the appropriate times, which would prevent overdose and withdrawal.
Smartphone Capabilities
Because of tremors and other problems controlling movement, people with Parkinson’s disease have trouble operating smartphones. Google Glass would allow these patients to perform basic smartphone functions using vocal commands, such as making phone calls and sending text messages.
Navigation
Because of the memory issues associated with Parkinson’s disease, navigating from one place to another can be difficult. With the help of Google Glass’ interactive navigational system, Parkinson’s patients would be able to find their way even when their memory fails.
Data Collection
Although this function isn’t currently available, Google Glass has the potential to collect data about a patient’s condition based on his or her movements and report it back to a physician. Using this information, the physician could keep better track of how the patient’s condition is progressing, which would allow for more effective treatment.
Movement Cues
According to Information Week, patients with Parkinson’s disease experience episodes in which they “freeze” and are unable to move. In some cases, visual movement cues, such as small laser beams, can resolve the problem. Google Glass could be modified to recognize these episodes and provide a movement cue to the patient.
Parkinson’s disease is one of the most debilitating conditions facing society. Because no cure is available, many patients with Parkinson’s lose their independence as the disease progresses. With the help of Google Glass, patients with Parkinson’s disease may be able to enjoy more freedom and live on their own for a longer period of time.
To learn more about Parkinson’s disease, contact Fairfield Family Care, a leading provider of elderly care in CT.