Feb 3, 2026
Luisa Drescher at MDS-ES Course on Technology and AI in Movement Disorders
Luisa Drescher recently participated in the MDS-ES course Advances in Technology and AI Applications in Movement Disorders, which brought together clinicians and researchers to discuss current and emerging digital tools for movement disorder research and care.
The course offered a well structured and clinically oriented overview of technological approaches, with most participants coming from a medical background. Alongside the scientific program, the meeting provided ample opportunity for exchange with researchers working on digital biomarkers, wearables, and data driven approaches in Parkinson’s disease.
Wearables and Motivation in Real World Research
Several presentations focused on patient compliance and motivation to wear sensor based devices over long periods of time. These discussions were particularly relevant for studies that rely on continuous data acquisition in daily life settings. Strategies to increase adherence, as well as factors that influence long term engagement with wearable technology, were highlighted and directly inform ongoing ReTune work that uses continuous physiological monitoring.
Another key theme was the difference between movement recorded in laboratory or clinical environments and movement in naturalistic contexts. Multiple studies demonstrated that everyday activity patterns differ substantially from standardized assessments, underlining the importance of objective home monitoring. This perspective provides strong motivation for ReTune projects that aim to capture brain and body dynamics in real world conditions.
Digital Inclusion and Data Driven Collaboration
The course also addressed digital exclusion in Parkinson’s disease. Speakers presented data showing how limited access to or familiarity with digital technologies can affect study participation and data quality, and discussed approaches to reduce these barriers. This is highly relevant for studies that require patients to interact with smartphones or connected devices.
In addition, Luisa Drescher engaged in scientific exchange with researchers working on accelerometer based analyses, fostering connections with groups facing similar methodological challenges.
Relevance for Clinical Practice and Research
From a broader perspective, the course highlighted the growing need for naturalistic and objective home monitoring in movement disorders and clearly outlined both the opportunities and limitations of currently available tools. Sessions on applications of artificial intelligence to neuroimaging and on adaptive deep brain stimulation illustrated how computational approaches are increasingly shaping clinical research and future therapeutic strategies.
Overall, the MDS-ES course provided a comprehensive overview of how digital technologies, wearables, and AI can support both clinical decision making and translational research, closely aligning with ReTune’s focus on real world biomarkers and personalized neuromodulation.
© Picture: TRR 295 ReTune
