Apps for people living with Parkinson's

Sarah Botterill | 06 Jan 2022

Illustrative style: shows a brain with someone inside it but behind a cage.Parkinson’s disease or Parkinson’s is a long-term neurological condition. It causes problems in the brain that worsen over time.

In the UK, around 145,000 people are living with Parkinson’s. Symptoms of Parkinson’s develop slowly over the years and vary from person to person. However, people living with the condition typically experience:

  • Tremor, the involuntary shaking of parts of the body
  • Slow movement
  • Stiff and inflexible muscles

People living with Parkinson’s may also experience depression and anxiety, problems with balance, a loss of smell, insomnia, and memory problems. Apps can help support you in managing some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s. We listed some examples below. 

See Apps for Parkinson’s 

Helpful tech for Parkinson’s in your smartphone

Most smartphones include accessibility features, which can help you use them with a range of impairments - and many are helpful for people living with Parkinson’s.

For example, using your voice may be helpful for people experiencing tremors. Android phones include a text-to-speech feature so you can dictate using your voice. Android phones also have Google Assistant, which (when turned on) you can activate by saying “Hey Google.”

Using the assistant, you’re able to perform many tasks, including sending a text, answering messages, turning on the battery saver, and more.

Similarly, an iPhone comes with many accessibility features. For example, you can say “Hey Siri” to access the voice assistant. Once activated, you can, for example, say “open Safari” to launch a web browser or ask, “what’s the time.”

Read our factsheet on technology and Parkinson’s 

Why apps for Parkinson’s?

Most people won a smartphone today. Apps for smartphones can help with tasks such as memory or relax you before you sleep. Of course, no one is saying they’re a panacea, but Parkinson’s UK and others recommend apps to help maintain independence.

This blog includes a round-up of some assistive technology and apps, which may support you or a loved one who has Parkinson’s.

What apps are available for Parkinson’s?

1. KiNDEO: An app to capture your life story

Recommended by Parkinson’s UK in its app library, KiNDEO by John Gilbey, whose father lived with Parkinson’s and dementia. The app allows people living with Parkinson’s to record life stories and fun moments to create meaning.

It is an easy-to-use storytelling platform.

Find out more about KiNDEO

2. Moodistory: Monitor changes in your mood

Icon for MoodistoryThere are many apps designed to help you track changes in mood. For example, Moodistory for iPhone and Apple Watch has a simple interface. The makers claim you can create a journal entry in “under 5-seconds, without writing a single word”. 

The calendar helps you track changes in your mood longer-term and identify patterns and triggers.

You can download it for iOS, MacOS and Apple Watch.

Find out more about Moodistory

3. Breathe2Relax: stress management tool

Thumbnail for Breathe2RelaxListed in the NHS app library, Breathe2Relax is available for Android and iOS. 

The app includes exercises to help users learn the stress management skill called diaphragmatic breathing. Breathing exercises can decrease the body’s ‘fight-or-flight’ (stress) response and help with mood stabilization, anger control, and anxiety management.

Download Breathe2Relax for Android

Download Breathe2Relax for iOS

4. Sleepio: a sleep app

People living with Parkinson's may experience sleep problems. Sleepio is a CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) app that aims to help you conquer long-term sleep problems. 

Download the companion app for instant access to your daily sleep diary and schedule and your virtual sleep expert. 

Over a number of tailored sessions, you'll learn cognitive and behavioural techniques, designed to get your sleep schedule, thoughts and lifestyle into shape.

5. Cove: Music for mental health

Thumbnail representing the Cove appAnother app from Parkinson’s UK’s app library, Cove, is a clinician-approved app that helps you express how you’re feeling using the power of music. So, how does it work?

You scroll and pick a mood that helps reflect how you’re feeling. You can then add chords, melody and percussion from a list of 30+ instruments. It acts as a way of journaling your mood without words. 

Download Cove from the app store

How AbilityNet can help people living with Parkinson’s 

AbilityNet provides a range of free services to help disabled people and older people.

Related Factsheets from AbilityNet

Support for Parkinson’s

  • Parkinson's UK has support and information for people living with Parkinson's and their families
  • Call the Parkinson's helpline on 0808 800 0303