Google Glass is being tested to determine if the device can be used to help people suffering from Parkinson's disease.
Newcastle University in the U.K. conducted a series of tests in which Parkinson's sufferers volunteered to use the device to see if it could help them take care of certain symptoms and behaviors, according to CNET.
People with Parkinson's experience a type of "freeze" on occasion, in which they suddenly stop moving and need a trigger to get them to move again. Google Glass can give wearers visual cues during this freeze to unblock their brain and help them get their movement back.
"Your legs gradually freeze up and the difficulty is getting started again," said Lynn Tearse, a retired teacher diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2008. "The brain seems to need a point beyond the blockage to fix on ... This is where Glass could really make a difference."
The device also reminds patients to take their medication and can contact relatives in case of an emergency, The Telegraph reported. Google Glass is not available in the U.K. yet.
Doctors at the university created a program that helps control behavior associated with Parkinson's. Examples include reminding the user to talk louder or swallow to prevent drooling.
"The beauty of this research project is we are designing the apps and systems for Glass in collaboration with the users so the resulting applications should exactly meet their needs," said Dr. John Vines of the School of Computing Science.
Parkinson's affects almost 127,000 in the U.K., which is one in 500 people, The Telegraph reported.
Ken Booth, who was diagnosed with the condition in 1991, has been trialing the new system and shared his confidence in the device being able to help people with Parkinson's.
"Because Glass is connected to the internet you can link it to computers and mobile phones," Booth said. "So if you're alone you just have to look through the Glass and carers, friends or relatives will be able to see exactly where you are and come get you. Or you just tell it to call someone and it rings them."
The study included five participants with Parkinson's, with almost 20 people currently involved in the continuing research, CNET reported. The testing is still in an early stage, but the feedback from volunteers shows that Google Glass may be able to help patients suffering from this condition.
