Can Internet of Things Improve Quality of Life?

An experimental “Internet of Things” (IoT) system from IBM uses connected devices to enable remote measurement of health and quality of life in real-time.

Pfizer Inc. and IBM announced Thursday a research collaboration to develop remote monitoring solutions aimed at transforming how clinicians deliver care to patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

The experimental approach will rely on a system of sensors, mobile devices, and machine learning to provide real-time, around-the-clock disease symptom information to clinicians and researchers.

The ultimate goal is to obtain a better understanding of a patient’s disease progression and medication response to help inform treatment decisions and clinical trial design, while also speeding the development of new therapeutic options.

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Parkinson’s disease in particular requires ongoing adjustment to medication depending on the progression of the disease and response of the patient.

The collaboration seeks to create a holistic view of a patient’s well-being by seeking to accurately measure a variety of health indicators, including motor function, dyskinesia, cognition, sleep and daily activities such as grooming, dressing and eating.

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Insights from these data could help clinicians understand the effect of a patient’s medication as the disease progresses, enabling them to help optimize the patient’s treatment regimen as needed.

Data generated through the system could also arm researchers with the insights and real-world evidence needed to help accelerate potential new and better therapies.

The two companies project that the system will move into initial clinical testing quickly. Pfizer and IBM will convene an external advisory board of patient groups, advocacy organizations, clinicians, and neuroscientists for guidance on the use of technology, medical devices, data management, and research protocols, and to ensure the needs of patients guide the program.

According to IBM, this project marks a significant milestone in the company’s work to advance Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in healthcare.