Pisa researchers develop wristband to monitor Parkinson's

(ANSA) - Pisa, November 25 - Researchers at the assistive robotics laboratory of the S. Anna school of advanced studies in Pisa have developed a special wristband able to monitor the evolution of Parkinson's disease, the institute said in a statement Wednesday.
    "The instrument is able to measure precisely and carefully the movement and position of the hand and fingers, in order to evaluate objectively the quality of motor ability in patients affected by Parkinson's," the statement read. The device uses a system of sensors to help neurologists in their evaluation of patients at the onset of the disease, when deterioration in motor ability is difficult to observe with the naked eye. "The same system can also be used during subsequent phases, allowing patients' motor ability to be monitored over time and showing itself to be highly flexible," the statement continued. The wristband has been tested on over 150 patients and almost 100 healthy individuals at the neurology department at Carrara hospital.