App on Parkinson’s care can now use Apple Watch data to offer better treatment

San Francisco-based neurotech company Rune Labs has received clearance from US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to use data generated from Apple Watch to provide personalised care to people suffering from Parkinson’s disease. 

This clearance means that people with Parkinson’s can use the StrivePD app on Apple Watch to track and log their symptoms. 

StrivePD app draws data directly from Apple's Movement Disorder API, which helps in measuring and recording tremors and dyskinetic symptoms that are common in patients with Parkinson's. 

Rune Labs said that this clearance will enable precision clinical care and trial participation for thousands of Parkinson’s patients who use the Apple Watch. 

"With all of the data we will collect and the patients we will reach through this clearance, we will make sure the right participants enroll in trials and help our pharma and medtech partners run more efficient trials with higher quality outcomes data,” Brian Pepin, chief executive and founder of Rune Labs said in a statement. 

Pepin added that this will enable the quick rollout of more therapies in the market and help people suffering from Parkinson's.

Aura Oslapas, advisor to the chief executive of Rune Labs points out that adjusting to new medications and finding one that suits them can be a lengthy process for Parkinson’s patients. 

“StrivePD helps people to track their symptoms and improvements, accelerating the time to an optimal medication schedule – and with today's clearance, more people will have access to this life-changing technology," she added.

Readings from Apple Watch are now accepted by the medical industry. In 2018, FDA approved the Apple Watch electrocardiogram (ECG) and irregular rhythm notification, which would notify users if they had an irregular heart rhythm, also known as fibrillation (A-fib). However, the A-fib notification feature is not meant for people who have already been diagnosed with it. 

Several Apple Watch users globally as well as in India have reported timely detection of heart conditions using ECG and A-Fib notification. 

Apple Watch’s fall detection feature has also helped in providing timely assistance to senior citizens who have suffered from a fall due to seizure or other age-related conditions.