KDCA Unveils Parkinson's Disease Management App and Self-Exercise Booklet

Dr. Parkinson App

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the National Institute of Health, together with the Korean Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Society, announced on the 10th the release of the Parkinson's disease management mobile app 'Doctor Parkinson' and a self-exercise program guidebook.

According to the Disease Control Agency, the number of Parkinson's disease patients in South Korea increased by 15% from 96,764 in 2016 to 111,312 in 2020, and the total medical expenses also rose by 25.3%, from 437.6 billion KRW to 548.2 billion KRW during the same period. However, social interest and awareness of Parkinson's disease remain insufficient.

In particular, confusion with other diseases that have similar symptoms or the use of inaccurate and unverified exercise treatments have been raised as major issues in Parkinson's disease management, as misinformation about the disease delays proper diagnosis and treatment.

Accordingly, the developed 'Doctor Parkinson' app provides patients with easy access to accurate medical information through features such as disease information, social welfare systems, medication information, and a search function for cautionary medications. It also includes health management functions such as self-diagnosis, mission management, and symptom recording.

The exercise guidebook for Parkinson's disease patients, titled 'Exercise for Parkinson's Disease Patients,' offers a detailed explanation of a self-exercise program developed jointly by exercise experts and Parkinson's disease specialists, using text and illustrations so that patients can perform exercises at home on their own.

The app is available for free download on the Play Store and App Store. The exercise guidebook will be distributed to patients through related institutions such as university hospitals nationwide and academic societies.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.