An interview with Team Parky on Parky 4 Parkinson’s Patient Buddy on June 9, 2023 by George Ackerman, Ph.D, J.D.
Please tell me a little about your background and what got you involved with awareness.
We are h2o Therapeutics, founded in 2014, is a dynamic digital health start-up company focused on developing innovative digital therapeutics. Our mission is to harness the potential of wearable technologies, Augmented Reality (AR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform the landscape of healthcare.
At h2o, we are driven by the vision of utilizing real-time human data as a powerful tool for disease management in various therapeutic areas. With a particular emphasis on Parkinson’s disease, h2o Therapeutics is committed to making a difference in the lives of patients. Through our digital healthcare advancements, we seek to enhance the quality of care, improve treatment outcomes, and provide valuable support to both patients and their caregivers.
Together, we are pushing the boundaries of digital health to pioneer new frontiers in disease management, with a focus on enhancing the lives of Parkinson’s patients and revolutionizing the future of healthcare.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
Our passion is fueled by a deep desire to make a difference in the lives of those affected by Parkinson’s disease. We became involved in Parkinson’s awareness through personal experiences and witnessing the challenges patients and their loved one’s face.
Motivated by the resilience of individuals living with Parkinson’s and the dedication of researchers and healthcare professionals, we felt compelled to take action. We immersed ourselves in understanding the disease, exploring innovative technologies, and collaborating with experts across disciplines.
Our involvement in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure is driven by a strong belief in the potential for advancements in research, advocacy, and therapies to transform lives.
By contributing to the progress of Parkinson’s research, our goal is to bring hope and relief to those affected by the disease. Together, we can work towards a future where Parkinson’s is no longer a burden, but a conquered challenge.
What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have when working with you?
Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease working with us have goals centered around self-tracking and self-monitoring of their symptoms. Our FDA-cleared mobile app, Parky, which is compatible with Apple Inc.’s Movement Disorder API and Apple Watch, provides a direct-to-patient tool for real-time monitoring of symptoms such as tremors and dyskinesia. Parky leverages the Movement Disorder API, a tool developed by Apple. The API was validated in a study of 343 participants, including longitudinal tracking of 225 participants for up to six months.
This app facilitates the sharing of meaningful data between patients and medical professionals, bridging the gap between daily life and clinical settings. Our collaboration with AmerisourceBergen aims to reduce barriers along the patient journey, improve access, and expand our commercial reach. Together, we are committed to supporting the Parkinson’s Disease community and launching patient-oriented technology during Parkinson’s Awareness Month.
What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have when working with you?
Parky is a doctor-prescribed digital health tool designed to enhance the management of Parkinson’s disease through the tracking of motor symptoms, improved medication adherence, and promotion of physical activity. It serves as a platform for patients and medical professionals to share meaningful and reliable data about the disease’s progression.
Key features of Parky include continuous tracking of tremor and dyskinesia episodes, round-the-clock symptom reporting, medication reminders, and adherence monitoring. By wearing an Apple Watch and activating the Parky app, patients can benefit from continuous monitoring of motor fluctuations, receive medication reminders, and provide input on medication adherence.
Reports are generated on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis, capturing valuable insights into the patient’s symptom profile over time. These reports are automatically shared with the prescribing clinician, allowing for ongoing assessment and adjustment of the treatment plan. Healthcare professionals can access these reports through the Parky HCP Portal, enabling them to monitor the patient’s progress and make informed decisions regarding their care.
By facilitating continuous tracking and data sharing, Parky aims to improve patient outcomes and contribute to a more personalized and effective approach to Parkinson’s disease management.
What effect can it have on an individual with Parkinson’s?
Parky’s impact on individuals with Parkinson’s can be significant. By enabling self-tracking and self-monitoring, Parky empowers patients to take an active role in their healthcare journey. Through continuous tracking of motor symptoms and round-the-clock symptom reporting, individuals can gain valuable insights into their condition and its fluctuations.
This self-monitoring capability allows individuals to have a better understanding of their symptom patterns, identify triggers, and make informed decisions about their daily activities and medication adherence. By having access to real-time data and personalized reports, patients can collaborate more effectively with their healthcare professionals to optimize their treatment plans.
Furthermore, Parky’s medication reminders and adherence monitoring feature can help individuals stay on track with their prescribed medications, ensuring consistent and timely.
What would you like to see as a future goal for your programs?
Our main goal is to improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s by actively listening to their experiences and incorporating their feedback into the development of Parky. We believe that by closely engaging with the Parkinson’s community and taking their input into account, we can better understand their unique needs and tailor our programs to address specific challenges they face. Formun Üstü
We also have an ongoing project in development specifically targeting the freezing of gait episodes. This new project aims to provide additional support and interventions for individuals experiencing freezing of gait, a common and challenging symptom in Parkinson’s disease.
What events do you participate in?
We actively participate in various events and conferences related to Parkinson’s disease. One recent event we participated in was the World Parkinson Congress 2023, held at https://wpc2023.org/. It provided a valuable platform for us to connect with people with Parkinson’s, experts, share insights, and contribute to the global Parkinson’s community. We believe in the power of collaboration and engagement to drive advancements in Parkinson’s care and raise awareness about the disease.
How does this also assist the caregivers?
As an integral part of our mission, we recognize the importance of improving the quality of life for caregivers. We understand that caregivers play a crucial role in supporting individuals with Parkinson’s disease, and we aim to provide them with tools and resources to make their lives easier.
Through Parky, caregivers can actively participate in the monitoring and management of the disease. The app allows for continuous tracking of tremors and dyskinesia, providing caregivers with valuable insights into the patient’s condition. This real-time information can help caregivers better understand the fluctuations and challenges their loved ones may be experiencing.
Additionally, Parky offers medication reminders and adherence monitoring, ensuring that caregivers can help their loved ones stay on track with their medication regimen.
Our goal is to provide caregivers with the support they need, enabling them to navigate the caregiving journey more effectively and enhance the overall well-being of both the caregiver and the person with Parkinson’s.
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
We are delighted to announce the successful launch of Parky in the USA in April. If they would like to get in touch with us or learn more about our company and product, we invite them to visit our official website at https://parkynow.com/. On our website, they can find detailed information about our services and offerings. For those seeking a prescription (RX) from their healthcare provider, we provide a comprehensive guide that can be shared with your HCP. Before requesting an RX, they need to ensure that their devices are compatible by simply downloading the app from the App Store.
We are also aware of the anticipation from individuals outside the USA who have been eagerly awaiting the release of Parky in their respective countries. We want them to know that we are actively working towards making it available globally.
In addition, we have a strong online presence dedicated to Parkinson’s awareness and building a Parkinson’s community. You can find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/4Parkinsons, Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/4parkinsons/, and LinkedIn at https://www.facebook.com/4Parkinsons under the name 4P. On these platforms, we provide informative and beneficial content related to Parkinson’s disease. Our goal is to raise awareness about Parkinson’s and foster a supportive community for those affected by the condition.