Reviewed by Lexie CornerApr 15 2025
A researcher at the University of Florida has developed an open-source computer application that uses artificial intelligence to analyze videos of Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. The VisionMD technology enables doctors to monitor subtle motor changes more accurately, improving patient care and advancing clinical research.
Diego Guarin, Ph.D., an assistant professor of applied physiology and kinesiology at UF’s College of Health and Human Performance, created the program to address inconsistencies and subjectivity in standard clinical examinations.
Over the years, we have shown through our research that video analysis of patients performing finger-tapping and other movements provides valuable information about how the disease is progressing and responding to medications or deep brain stimulation.
Diego Guarin, PhD, Assistant Professor, Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Performance, University of Florida
“However, clinicians don’t have the time and personnel to analyze their videos. To address this, we developed software that can deliver useful results with just a few clicks,” Guarin added.
Guarin, a member of UF Health's Fixel Institute for Neurological Disease, worked with neurologists and clinician-scientists to enhance the tool.
VisionMD automatically extracts precise motion measurements from videos captured on smartphones, laptops, or via Zoom. The software runs locally on PCs, ensuring data privacy.
Guarin added, “It’s not cloud-based, so there is no risk of data leaving the network. You can even unplug from the Internet, and it still runs.”
The technology is being used globally, with researchers in Germany, Spain, and Italy analyzing hundreds of patient videos to evaluate whether computer vision can aid in diagnosing movement disorders.
Florian Lange, a neurologist at the University Hospital Würzburg, praised the software for its ability to provide consistent, objective results. He and Martin Reich, a neuroimaging professor at the University of Würzburg, adapted VisionMD to help improve treatment for tremor patients, especially those with deep brain stimulation (DBS) implants.
A big challenge with many aspects of medicine today is how difficult it is to get objective data, especially with movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease or tremor. If the three of us watched the same video of a patient, we might rate the severity at three different levels. But the software gives us precise, unbiased data.
Dr. Florian Lange, Neurologist, University Hospital Würzburg
The software determines the optimal DBS configuration for symptom relief by capturing videos of patients at various stimulator settings.
“There are millions of possible programming options, but this tool helps us narrow it down quickly and accurately,” said Martin Reich, Professor of Neuroimaging at University Hospital Würzburg.
As an open-source application, VisionMD can be improved and customized at no cost.
The team is working to enhance the tool's capabilities by adding more motor assessment activities commonly used in clinical settings.
Early adopters believe VisionMD’s accessibility and ease of use could significantly impact movement disorder research and treatment.
Guarin concluded, “It takes only a few seconds to process each video. We are confident most clinicians will be able to use it, regardless of their technical expertise.”