08/01/2024
08/01/2024
NEW YORK, Jan 8: Harvard researchers in the United States have unveiled a groundbreaking soft, wearable robotic device designed to assist individuals with Parkinson’s disease in overcoming freezing episodes during walking.
Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder affecting over 8.5 million people globally, often presents symptoms of freezing, where patients suddenly lose the ability to move. This phenomenon can result in a series of stuttering steps, increasing the risk of falls. The newly developed robotic garment, worn around the hips and thighs, gently pushes the hips as the leg swings forward, allowing patients to achieve longer strides.
The study's single participant experienced no freezing during indoor walks, with the device enabling increased walking speed and distance. The research, published in Nature Medicine, demonstrates the potential of mechanical assistance from soft robotic apparel in improving walking conditions for individuals with Parkinson's disease.
Professor Conor Walsh, co-corresponding author of the study, highlights the consistent positive effects observed in various conditions. The device may also contribute to a better understanding of the poorly understood mechanisms of gait freezing.
Professor Terry Ellis, director of the Center for Neurorehabilitation at Boston University, sees the approach as a promising "bottom-up" solution for treating gait freezing, influencing both peripheral dynamics and central processing of gait control.