Here Are The Five New ResearchKit Apps And What They Do

Want to participate in groundbreaking medical research? There are five new apps for that.

Apple launched a new set of apps today that will change the way we collect health data and provide patients with instant feedback.

These apps are the first ones available in the upcoming ResearchKit an open source platform launching next month that allows doctors and scientists to create their own apps for clinical studies. They'll give researchers an unprecedented access to huge amounts of data, plus they'll give users important feedback about their health and symptoms.

Apple / Via buzzfeed.com

Almost anyone with the apps can participate in groundbreaking medical research.

This means huge improvements in how we typically recruit for and carry out these studies. Think: larger sample sizes, subjective data, the ability to collect data constantly, and the benefit of instant feedback for the participant.

Of course, users will have to explicitly provide consent and meet the eligibility requirements for each of these studies, and they'll have to allow the apps to access information provided through phone sensors, an Apple Watch, or the Health app. Users can also decide how their data is shared through each one.

SO, here are the apps available today (all free from the iTunes store):

Apple

Asthma Health

Who It's For: Anyone 18 or older who has been diagnosed with asthma by a doctor and is currently taking medication for it. They must be a non-smoker with no other lung condition or congestive heart failure. U.S. residents only.

What It Is: The app was developed by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Weill Cornell Medical College and allows you to participate in the Asthma Mobile Health Study.

What It Does: Gives you reminders about local air quality and your medications. Helps you track your asthma symptoms, how often you use your controller or rescue inhaler, your triggers, peak flow, steps taken (through the Health app), and any medical visits. It also teaches you about inhaler technique and asthma management tips.



Get it here.

Asthma Health / Via itunes.apple.com

mPower

Who It's For: Anyone over 18 with or without Parkinson's disease. U.S. residents only.

What It Is: The nonprofit Sage Bionetworks collaborated with the University of Rochester to invite iPhone users to be a part of the largest and most comprehensive Parkinson's study.

What It Does: The app includes surveys and tasks using your phone's sensors to measure things like dexterity, gait, balance, and voice. For those with Parkinson's disease, this can help you track symptoms and progression. For those without Parkinson's, you'll be contributing control data to a hugely important study.

Get it here.

mPower / Via itunes.apple.com

---

View Entire List ›