Not yet recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Wearable for Assessing Tremor and Continuous Health in Parkinson's Disease and Essential Tremor

This study is looking at how wearable sensors can help us understand movement and tremor in people with Parkinson's disease and Essential Tremor. It involves wearing small devices, like smartwatches, to track how you move. Researchers want to see if these sensors can provide useful information about your condition without changing your daily routine or medication. You'd have one visit to a clinic, and some participants might wear sensors at home for a few days. The information gathered will help improve our understanding of these conditions, but won't be used for your direct medical care during the study. It's a way to explore new ways of monitoring movement.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Sponsor

Heriot-Watt University

Enrolment target

Start

01 Sep 2026

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2027

PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder)

What is this study about?

Imagine being able to understand your movements, especially tremors, more clearly without lots of hospital visits. That's what this study is exploring! It's called 'Wearable for Assessing Tremor and Continuous Health in Parkinson's and Essential Tremor Diseases'. It focuses on two conditions: Parkinson's disease and Essential Tremor, which both involve involuntary movements or shaking.

The main idea is to see if small, easy-to-wear sensors – similar to fitness trackers – can give us a better picture of how people with these conditions move in their everyday lives. Currently, doctors often assess movement during short clinic visits. This study hopes to find out if continuous monitoring with sensors can provide more detailed information that could eventually help us understand these conditions better and perhaps even improve how they are managed in the future.

This is an 'observational' study. This means the researchers will simply observe and collect information using the sensors. They won't ask you to change your medication or treatments, and the results from the sensors won't be used to make decisions about your personal medical care during the study. It's all about gathering new knowledge to help people with these conditions in the long run.

Key takeaways

Uses small, wearable sensors to track movement and tremor.
For people with Parkinson's disease or Essential Tremor.
One clinic visit, plus optional home monitoring (3, 7, or 21 days).
Does NOT change your medication or treatment.
Data collected is for research purposes only, not for immediate clinical decisions.
Helps understand conditions better for future patient care.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you would need to be 18 years old or older and have a confirmed diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (in the early to mid-stages, known as Hoehn and Yahr stage I-III) or Essential Tremor. You should be able to walk at least a short distance (4 metres) by yourself, even if you use a walking aid. It's important that you're happy to wear the study sensors and can understand the study information and fill in any forms in English.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you've recently had a serious heart problem or stroke, or have another serious illness that would make it unsafe for you. People with certain other conditions, like uncontrolled mental health issues, ongoing drug or alcohol problems, or specific types of Parkinson's (like atypical or drug-induced parkinsonism), cannot take part. If you are pregnant or have a skin condition or allergy to sticky plasters where the sensors would go, you also wouldn't be able to join. Lastly, if you've had certain brain surgeries for movement disorders, or are in another similar study, you might not be eligible.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have Parkinson's disease (early to mid-stage) or Essential Tremor?
Can you walk at least 4 metres (about 13 feet) independently?
Are you able to understand study information and fill in forms in English?
Do you have no serious heart/stroke issues recently or certain other serious health problems?
Have you not had deep brain stimulation or similar surgery for a movement disorder?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll need to attend one visit at a clinic. During this visit, which will be planned around your usual medication times, you'll complete some simple movement tasks and assessments while wearing the special research sensors and some comparison sensors. It's important to remember that this study won't change or delay your usual treatment.

After the clinic visit, some participants will be asked to wear the sensors at home for either 3, 7, or 21 days while going about their normal daily activities. During this time, you'll also be asked to keep a short diary of your medication, any symptoms you experience, and your activities. There are no follow-up visits after this, so the total time you'd be actively involved in the study would be the clinic visit plus up to 21 days of home monitoring.

Potential risks and benefits

The main benefit of taking part is contributing to research that could help improve our understanding and future management of Parkinson's disease and Essential Tremor. You won't receive any direct personal medical benefit from the study, as the sensor data isn't used for your care during the study. Risks are expected to be very low, mainly limited to potential skin irritation from the sensors or the minor inconvenience of wearing them and keeping a log. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your medical care.

Locations (1)

Clinical Research Facility, Western General Hospital, NHS Lothian
Verified postcode
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Common questions

What exactly will the sensors do?

The sensors will measure your movements, including tremors, as you go about your day. They are like advanced fitness trackers, recording how your body moves.

Will this study change my medication?

No, this study is observational. Your medication and treatment plan will not be changed or delayed in any way because of your participation.

How long will I need to wear the sensors at home?

If you're asked to wear them at home, it would be for either 3, 7, or 21 days, depending on what the researchers decide for your part of the study.

Will the study help my doctor treat me?

The information from the sensors is for research only during the study. It won't be used to make decisions about your personal treatment right now, but it will help improve future understanding and care for people with your condition.

Can I stop participating if I change my mind?

Yes, absolutely. You can withdraw from the study at any point without needing to give a reason, and it won't affect your medical care.

How to find out more

Gordon Duncan

gordon.duncan2@nhs.scot +44 131 537 3804 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.