In a groundbreaking development, a group of researchers unveiled a revolutionary robot exosuit designed to assist individuals with Parkinson's disease in overcoming the challenges of gait freezing.
(Photo : HarvardBiodesignLab)
Next generation wearable robots for enhancing mobility of healthy individuals and restoring mobility of those with physical disabilities via a more conformal and unobtrusive interface to the human body.
Offering Hope for Parkison's Disease
Researchers at Harvard's John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) and Boston University's Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences have collaborated on a groundbreaking project to address gait freezing in individuals with Parkinson's disease.
Interesting Engineering reported that this study introduces a soft, wearable robot designed to be worn around the hips and thighs. This innovative robotic exosuit administers subtle yet significant nudges to the hips during leg swings, effectively elongating strides and preventing the sudden loss of movement.
The collaborative effort aims to provide a promising solution for individuals facing challenges associated with Parkinson's disease. The researchers believe that even a minor mechanical boost from this soft robotic apparel can yield immediate and consistent improvements in walking across various conditions for the individuals involved in the study.
The significance of this breakthrough goes well beyond mere enhancement of mobility. This device acts as a lifeline, holding the promise of not only restoring movement but also reinstating independence for individuals grappling with the debilitating effects of Parkinson's disease.
Working with a 73-Year-Old Patient
In close collaboration with Terry Ellis, who serves as Professor and Chair of the Physical Therapy Department and Director of the Center for Neurorehabilitation at Boston University, the research team devoted six months to working with a 73-year-old patient diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
Despite undergoing surgical and pharmacological interventions, EurekAlert reported that this individual faced severe and incapacitating freezing episodes more than ten times a day, resulting in frequent falls and dependence on a scooter for outdoor mobility.
Drawing from their extensive research in assistive and rehabilitative robotic technologies, the team adopted a "bottom-up" approach to address freezing.
Their wearable device, employing cable-driven actuators and sensors, synchronizes with muscle movement, delivering assistive forces based on gait phase estimation algorithms derived from motion data.
As published in Nature Medicine, the outcomes achieved were groundbreaking. The patient could walk indoors without interruptions or freezing, with occasional episodes occurring outdoors, a remarkable accomplishment considering the severity of their condition.
Additionally, they could engage in conversation while walking, an achievement previously deemed improbable without the assistance of the device.
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Jinsoo Kim, a former Ph.D. student at SEAS and co-lead author of the study, shared insights from the patient's perspective, highlighting the positive impact of the suit on taking longer steps and preventing foot-dragging when inactive.
Furthermore, the device's potential extends beyond immediate relief. Its application could offer valuable insights into the mechanics of gait freezing, a phenomenon poorly understood in Parkinson's disease.
Ellis further elaborated on the potential broader applications, emphasizing that restoring almost normal biomechanics may alter the peripheral dynamics of gait and influence the central processing of gait control.
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