Fatigue is one of the three most debilitating symptoms in Parkinson’s. Fatigue is difficult to diagnose, it often goes unrecognised, and is challenging to treat.

The SIFT-PD study is exploring how fatigue impacts physical activity in people with and without Parkinson’s over a 3-day period. It asks participants to fill in fatigue diaries and uses wearable sensors to monitor the how people move over a period of three days. The sensors are small and light and worn on a belt. The sensors track activity (the amount, type and quality of movement).

This research looks at whether the sensors can reveal how people’s movements change over the course of three days when they are fatigued. Furthermore, information from sensors might help understand what makes people fatigued and allow it to be measured. Knowing more about fatigue will help to recognise its impact and help develop ways of managing it better.