A small sensor, headphones and a mobile phone – the elements of a prototype kit that is giving hope of relief for sufferers of Parkinson’s disease. <br /><br /> The European-backed research project being spearheaded in Barcelona does not offer a cure for the degenerative condition, but it could improve the quality of life of patients and give them more autonomy. <br /><br /> Pere Bosch, who lives in the Catalan city, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 16 years ago. <br /><br /> “I used to play the accordion,” he says. “When I tried to press the buttons with the left hand, instead of being able to use my fingers and keep the rhythm, I just grasped the accordion. I just couldn’t…” <br /><br /> More autonomy <br /><br /> He is taking part in the project aimed at helping patients manage the different stages of their disease more autonomously. <br /><br /> He wears a sensor on his waist that records movement data and identifies symptoms. When the patient lacks coordination, acoustic stimuli in the ear help him walk in a straight line. <br /><br /> The data is
