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BITS Engineer's Wearable Restores Walking
23 Jan
Summary
- Device uses muscle stimulation to reset spinal cord's control.
- NIMHANS trial significantly reduced freezing episodes.
- Wearable offers accessible alternative to costly treatments.
A pioneering wearable device named WALK, developed by BITS Pilani graduate Amey Desai, is showing promising results in helping individuals with Parkinson's Disease manage freezing of gait (FOG). This innovative technology utilizes muscle stimulation to improve coordination and continuity while walking. The device, worn on the legs, detects limb freezing and provides rhythmic vibrations or mild electrical stimuli. These sensory cues help reset the spinal cord's control, bypassing faulty brain communication caused by Parkinson's.
Initial trials indicated a reduction in gait issues by approximately 50 percent. Subsequent testing at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru demonstrated that WALK significantly decreased the frequency, severity, and duration of freezing episodes. Dr. Pramod Kumar Pal of NIMHANS highlighted the device's potential as an accessible alternative to more complex or expensive neuro-stimulation treatments.
Beyond its core function, the WALK system includes a mobile app for user customization, progress tracking, and tailored exercises. Doctors can remotely monitor patient data, allowing for adjusted therapies. Desai obtained regulatory approvals in July 2024, and the device now features at-home fall risk assessment and personalized physical therapy. This advancement offers hope for improved mobility and independence for many.
