If numbers could speak, the statistics on Parkinson’s disease (PD) would create a deafening alarm. According to the World Health Organization, the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease has doubled over the last 25 years. The number of years spent in disability due to Parkinson’s disease has increased by 81% since the year 2000 and the number of deaths has increased by 100%. Alarming, indeed!
A person over the age of 60 years will, very likely, know and dread PD more than any other age group.
Why?
One percent of the global population over the age of 60 years suffers from PD. The number is a whopping 10 million people worldwide.
But, what is Parkinson’s disease?
It is a brain disorder that causes uncontrolled tremors or stiffness and difficulty in balance and coordination. As the disease progresses, some patients cannot walk normally–sometimes they freeze on their path.
The symptoms and disabilities of this illness cover a broad spectrum based on its severity. One of the symptoms experienced by Parkinson’s patients is ‘gait abnormality’ which means ‘walking disability’.
The article will detail the characteristics of this abnormality and the research being conducted to mitigate its detrimental effects.
Freezing of Gait (FOG)
FOG is a common symptom of PD. While walking, the patient might suddenly feel that their feet are glued to the floor. They are unable to take a step forward or backward, take a turn, or climb a step of a staircase. Such an instance is called “Freezing of Gait”.
The cause of this abnormality is the loss of neurons (or nerve cells) in the brain that are responsible for producing dopamine.
The “freezing” can happen in many instances. Each of the following instances is a characteristic of FOG:
- Inability to start (take a step),
- Inability to walk through narrow spaces,
- Inability to turn,
- Inability to stop, and
- Frozen feet at any point while walking.
Due to these, the patient might fall and injure themselves. Most patients become extensively dependent on caregivers to walk them around or are confined to wheelchairs.
The technology solutions available are limited in their scope and usability. Sometimes, they produce erroneous results rendering them ineffective.
What is the Possible Solution?
The team of researchers at IIT Gandhinagar developed a low-cost device that can be attached to a walking stick to solve the problem of FOG. The team comprised Megh Patel, Gottumukala Sai Rama Krishna, and Uttama Lahiri. The technology is granted a patent in India.
The device, Smart Walking Aid System, can:
1) Predict when “freezing” might happen
2) Generate audio, visual, and vibratory signals specifically for the patient using the device.
The technology is smart enough to detect the possibility of “freeze” by tracking the movement of the walking stick.
What Does the Smart Walking Aid System Look Like?
The image below shows the assembled system.
Smart Aid Walking System Setup
Note: The Smart Walking Aid System comprises of Master Controller Module (MCM) attached to an ordinary walking stick and Vibratory Belt Assembly (VBA) to be worn on calf muscles.
Here’s a simple explanation:
- The device attached to the walking stick generates laser light and projects two parallel red-colored laser lines on the floor. They help the patient understand the path forward and take a step accordingly.
- The device also has a buzzer that produces an audio signal, a sound, to action a step forward.
- The belt worn on the calves vibrates to produce sensory signals that serve as external cues to assist in taking the next step.
How will the System Change a Patient’s Life?
The experiment to test the device produced positive results. The device is a game-changer in three areas of a patient’s life:
- Reduction in the number of times the patient froze while walking
“Freezing” gradually reduced. When audio, visual, and vibratory signals were applied simultaneously, “freezing” was not detected, though the combination of cue delivery might work differently for different individuals (the combination can be chosen in an individualized manner). The experiment showed satisfactory results in all instances of inability to take a step.
- Increase in average step length
A PD patient usually suffers from an inability to regulate the length of steps they take. They end up taking small steps. With the device, they could gradually increase their step lengths comfortably.
- Increase in walking speed
The patient’s walking speed increased gradually. With the help of the device, the patient could monitor the steps taken and gain confidence to walk normally. It reduced their reliance on caregivers for mobility and allowed them to reclaim their independence.
Can the Product be Expected in the Market Soon?
The technology has undergone a few rounds of tests, but it will need comprehensive checks before it receives a green signal for mass production. The researchers also intend to better the device by incorporating colored laser lights and an audio headset for the patient’s convenience.
The future is bright, and the underlying technology is promising. The patent is a feather in the cap!
References:
Patent Details:
Patent application no: 201621015918
Patent no: 432194
Name: A Walking Aid System For A Parkinson’s Disease Affected Person
Inventors: Uttama Lahiri, Sai Rama Krishna G, Megh Patel
Paper Details:
Megh Patel, Gottumukala Sai Rama Krishna, and Uttama Lahiri (2017). A Technology for Prediction and Prevention of Freezing of Gait (FOG) in Individuals with Parkinson Disease. Springer Link Conference Paper, part of the Lecture Notes in Computer Science book series (LNISA, volume 10515). https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-67687-6_26