We're developing an app to help manage and treat non-motor symptoms
90% of people with Parkinson's will experience non-motor symptoms.
What is NMS Assist?
People with Parkinson's tell us their motor symptoms are given more attention than their non-motor symptoms. But these have significant impact on their lives. There are many non-motor symptoms including sleep issues, depression and low blood pressure, to name a few.
How people experience symptoms vary from person to person and clinicians need to take an individual approach to treatment.
Dr Edward Meinert, Dr Camille Carroll and their team at the University of Plymouth have seen that simple adjustments at home can help improve non-motor symptoms. They're developing an app called NMS Assist to track, manage and help treat non-motor symptoms. And you can help fund the final testing phase.
Watch the below video to find out more about this study.
What will NMS Assist do?
Developed in collaboration with people with Parkinson's, NMS Assist will support people to self manage their individual symptoms.
The app will:
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provide clear, structured information as well as guides and tips for managing non-motor symptoms, so people have advice at their fingertips.
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enable people to log their experience of non-motor symptoms. So they can track and monitor whether symptoms are getting better or worse. This will give care teams access to detailed and precise information about what's actually happening, so clinicians can suggest appropriate next steps.
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allow people with Parkinson's to request contact with healthcare professionals, who can monitor and flag worrying symptoms.
Dr Camille Carroll says:
"NMS Assist will help people with Parkinson's and their care partners recognise, track and manage non-motor symptoms and help us (the clinical care team) to recognise early when we need to step in."
Will you donate today?
You can help get this app in the hands of people with Parkinson's as soon as possible.
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What will happen in this final testing phase?
The app has been in development for 4 years and we're now at the final testing phase before it can be made available to everyone.
The researchers are aiming to determine if the app is easy to use, improves quality of life and increases knowledge and confidence for managing symptoms. In the trial 60 people with Parkinson's, their carers and practitioners involved in their care will use the app for 12 months. Assessments of their non-motor symptoms will be taken in visits at the start of the trial, 6 and 12 months.
The researchers will monitor how people use the app and how their non-motor symptoms have improved as a result. If the trial is successful the app will be available to download for free on devices such as mobile phones and tablets.
How can this research help people with Parkinson's?
It can be hard to get an appointment with a clinician and they don't have enough time to provide all the support people with Parkinson's need and deserve.
NMS Assist will help meet some of the need for ongoing support. It will deliver information and guidance about managing non-motor symptoms and when people do see their clinicians, they will already have detailed and precise information, so they can get the most from their appointments.
Sue's husband, John, has Parkinson's - they are co-applicants in the trial:
"The ability to independently track and receive advice about the non-motor symptoms will save hours of wondering, worrying and waiting for contact with the medical teams involved."
Will you give a gift today? Together, we can find new and better treatments.
Further Information
Find out more about non-motor symptoms. Including the potential causes, information and practical tips to help support and manage symptoms.
There are lots of apps, devices and technology that are available to help manage the symptoms of Parkinson's. We've compiled a list for you.