Domotics, Smart Homes, and Parkinson's Disease

Abstract

Technology has an increasing presence and role in the management of Parkinson's disease. Whether embraced or rebuffed by patients and clinicians, this is an undoubtedly growing area. Wearable sensors have received most of the attention so far. This review will focus on technology integrated into the home setting; from fixed sensors to automated appliances, which are able to capture information and have the potential to respond in an unsupervised manner. Domotics also have the potential to provide 'real world' context to kinematic data and therapeutic opportunities to tackle challenging motor and non-motor symptoms. Together with wearable technology, domotics have the ability to gather long-term data and record discrete events, changing the model of the cross-sectional outpatient assessment. As clinicians, our ultimate goal is to maximise quality of life, promote autonomy, and personalise care. In these respects, domotics may play an essential role in the coming years.

Keywords: Domotics; Parkinson’s disease; smart home; technology; unsupervised monitoring.

Fig. 1

Multi-sensor system integrated at home connecting people with PD with their health-care network. 1) Wired optical sensors able to detect patient interaction with home environment and request switchboard access to emergency contacts. 2) Bed alarm system connected to a pressure sensor able to detect vigorous movements during sleep (RBD), time spent in bed (apathy/depression), or wandering at night. 3) Wearable sensors interconnected with (1), (2), (5), and (6). 4) Voice control to home appliances. 5) Switchboard when fall is detected by (1) or voice operated (4). 6) Patient interaction with computer: typing (bradykinesia) and internet browsing or shopping (ICD).