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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Cameron KirkORCiD, Emma Packer, Harry Bailey, Professor Lynn RochesterORCiD, Dr Silvia Del DinORCiD, Professor Alison YarnallORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Clinical assessments of Parkinson’s disease (PD) focus on structured motor tasks, potentially underestimating real-world mobility impairment. Digital mobility outcomes (DMOs) from wearable devices, offer a promising alternative, but their clinical value remains unclear. This study reviewed the clinical utility of real-world DMOs in PD. Eight databases were searched (2000–2024). Eligibility included reports assessing real-world gait-based DMOs in PD. Study selection and data extraction were conducted independently by four reviewers. No meta-analysis was performed. Twenty-seven reports met inclusion criteria, reporting 21 DMOs. Walking speed was most common (92%), followed by step length (59%) and stride time (48%). Devices, assessment durations and walking bout definitions varied. DMOs differentiated PD from controls and real-world from supervised conditions. PD Subgroup analyses and associations with motor severity were inconsistent. Real-world DMOs offer valuable insight into PD mobility. Standardised protocols are needed for comparability. Further research should explore predictive utility and complex or composite DMOs. Trial Registration: PROSPERO 2025 CRD42021281213
Author(s): Kirk C, Packer E, Polhemus A, McLean M, Bailey H, Kluge F, Gassner H, Rochester L, Del Din S, Yarnall AJ
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: npj Digital Medicine
Year: 2025
Volume: 8
Online publication date: 30/09/2025
Acceptance date: 06/08/2025
Date deposited: 18/11/2025
ISSN (electronic): 2398-6352
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-025-01938-y
DOI: 10.1038/s41746-025-01938-y
Data Access Statement: The datasets of this review are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request
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