Telecom Italia has launched a telemedicine trial with the University of Palermo to treat patients with Parkinson’s disease in their own homes. The project, which is entitled Help, is being run at Palermo’s Paolo Giaccone Hospital.  Patients are monitored continuously in their homes and can send real-time medical data to the hospital.

The actual project was set up three years ago and has now entered its operational phase. Part of the trial involves a capsule that enables medication to be gradually released into the patients’ body via a dental prosthesis.  Consumption of the medication is monitored and the information is then transmitted to the hospital via a wireless device.

Telecom Italia built the platform that underpins the remote monitoring system. Patients are equipped with a smartphone that has an app, which is called the Help Mobile Gateway, through which they access the service.