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SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE · MED

A systematic review of real-world gait-related digital mobility outcomes in Parkinson's disease.

NPJ Digit Med · 2025-09-30

DOI: 10.1038/s41746-025-01938-yPMID: 41028415

Open accessresearch-article; Journal ArticleOriginal source ↗

Research overview

The text below is the source article’s original abstract under a verified reuse license. cc by

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.

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