New TraPCAf research explores real-world mobility and Parkinson’s in Ghana

Published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, the study involved 50 people with Parkinson’s and 30 older adults without Parkinson’s in Ghana, who wore a small sensor for seven days while going about their daily lives. Researchers measured 24 aspects of mobility, including steps, walking time, walking speed, and stride length.

The study found substantial differences in everyday mobility between the two Ghanaian groups. Participants with Parkinson’s recorded a median of 2,153 steps per day, compared with 10,001 among participants without Parkinson’s. They also spent less time walking, and significant differences were found in 16 of the 24 mobility measures assessed.

The researchers also compared participants with Parkinson’s in Ghana with a UK Parkinson’s cohort. The Ghanaian cohort showed lower mobility across several measures, with differences remaining after accounting for a range of measured clinical and demographic factors. The reasons for these differences are likely to be complex, and further research is needed to understand the role of healthcare, environmental, lifestyle, and sociocultural factors.

Could wearable technology work in Ghana?

The study found evidence that it could. 97% of participants achieved the recommended seven days of monitoring, and no technical problems were reported. However, discomfort and privacy concerns highlighted the importance of making sure that any interventions are appropriate for the people and settings in which they are being used.

Read the full publication here.

Last modified: Mon, 05 Oct 2026 11:38:29 BST