PURPOSE

The goal of the WATCH-PD study is to compare objective, sensor-based symptom measures with traditional clinician-rated assessments and see how well they can track symptom progression in early, untreated Parkinson’s disease. We will also compare these objective measures to patient reports of daily activities and quality of life to better take into account the direct patient perspective.

We hope that the objective, sensor-based measures in WATCH-PD can provide the PD research community valid outcome measures to encourage therapeutic development.

ACTIVITIES

The WATCH-PD study takes place over a 12 month period and includes 7 in-person visits, 2 brain scans, and 3 phone calls. If you complete all visits, you can earn up to $1000 and receive an Apple Watch and an iPhone to keep.

At in-person study visits, doctors will rate various aspects of your Parkinson’s disease, you’ll fill out surveys about your quality of life, and you’ll perform motor and cognitive tasks with various sensor systems. We’ll also ask you to wear your Apple Watch at home and periodically complete motor and cognitive assessments.

The two brain scans (DaTscan) will take place at the beginning and end of the study. A DaTscan involves a small amount of radiation (comparable to a chest x-ray). For more information about the DaTscan, view FAQs from the Michael J Fox Foundation here.