Two researchers are using smartphone data to try to diagnose Parkinsons disease. Patrick Schwab and Walter Karlen of the Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems in Switzerland proposed using smartphone data and machine learning to help diagnose the disease. According to the German news agency, the researchers idea is to use data collected by a smartphone and analyze it for signs of the disease, as well as its progression.  Parkinsons disease is a disorder of the nervous system that affects a persons ability to control his or her movements. The disease progresses over time and can affect a sufferers ability to speak or walk. Currently, no cure exists for Parkinsons, though treatments are available to make the symptoms more manageable. According to the paper published by the researchers, Parkinsons affects more than six million people worldwide. A quarter of Parkinsons diagnoses are incorrect because other movement disorders may have similar symptoms. Schwab and Karlen used a smartphone app to collect data. Participants input demographic and medical information, and then were asked to perform four tests using their phones. The tests, which were conducted as many as three times a day, include walking, voice, tapping and memory. The walking test gives instructions, such as walk 20 steps forward and turns around. The voice test asks the user to say "aaaah" for up to 10 seconds. The tapping test requires the user to put the phone on a flat surface and alternatively tap two buttons on the screen for 20 seconds. According to the CNET website, Schwab and Karlen found that comparing multiple walking tests was the most informative method for diagnosing Parkinsons. Doctors could also access long-term observational data without requiring the patients to be present.