We sought to evaluate the adoption and duration of use of wearable activity trackers as an adjunct to a face-to-face exercise program, primarily for older adults with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

The Department of Neurology, with support from the Parkinson’s Foundation, has established a long-term exercise program for individuals with PD. It is a high-touch program that leverages social engineering concepts. In early 2018, participants were recruited to use a physical activity tracker as a way to extend the reach and impact of the program.

Seventeen members of the “5K Training Team” were recruited to use trackers as an adjunct to ongoing team activities.  Data on step counts was downloaded regularly, both during the face-to-face season and during seasonal “breaks” when the team does not meet.  The selected tracker is water-resistant and has a long-lasting battery. The investigation also included online surveys. Because there is little precedent for the use of activity trackers in this population, particularly long-term use, we approached this as an exploratory program.

Key findings: (1) technical issues, primarily involving use of smart phones and syncing, required one-on-one orientation; (2) the choice of a waterproof device that does not require charging was essential for this population; (3) there was non-significant seasonal variation in step count; (4) this program was fully enrolled as soon as it was announced to this tracker-naïve population; (5) the volunteers have continued to use the devices following conclusion of the formal study.

Physical activity trackers can be used long-term by older individuals with Parkinson’s disease and other challenges. The setting, the device itself, and the availability of technical support are all important considerations. Additional investigation of longitudinal impact is indicated.