New Smart Gloves to Monitor Parkinson's Disease

Scientists, including one of Indian origin, have developed smart gloves that measure tremors and rigidity in fingers - common symptoms of Parkinson's disease - allowing doctors to monitor patients using smartphones.

The gloves are connected to smartphones, which process the data and deliver it to neurologists in their offices.

This way, doctors can manage the treatment plan of the patient day-to-day, ensuring that medication is working properly and eliminating the need for patients to make stressful clinical visits, researchers said.

Kunal Mankodiya, director of University of Rhode Island's Wearable Biosensing Laboratory, said he is researching how to transform gloves, socks, clothing and even shoes into high-tech items that will make people healthier and improve their lives.

"Patients with Parkinson's face many mobility issues - driving and even walking long distances," Mankodiya said.

"The glove will give patients the option of receiving health care while remaining at home, and it also reduces the risk of falls and other accidents," he said.

Mankodiya is also working on high-tech socks for people who have suffered strokes.

Sensors woven into the fabric relay information about a patient's gait to doctors and physical therapists so they can tailor rehabilitation therapy to each patient.

"The socks examine the walking stride. They can quantify movements of the knee and ankle joints to find subtle irregularities that require therapy," Mankodiya said.