As a Parkinson's sufferer, fighting against “freezing” while walking is a daily challenge. Every step can become an arduous slog until you end up frozen in place. The frustration and risk of falls accompany us Parkinson's patients at every turn. 

But now there is a promising development: Researchers have developed a wearable robotic system that triggers a gentle pull at crucial moments, thus preventing the dreaded freezing prevent can.

With more than nine million people affected worldwide, Parkinson's is a neurodegenerative disease in which certain nerve cells in the brain die,

 which produce the neurotransmitter dopamine. In addition to the well-known symptoms such as muscle tremors, many patients suffer from problematic freezing when walking. These blockages not only lead to shorter walking steps, but also to dangerous falls that limit mobility and independence.

Previous approaches to treating freezing were often not very successful and problematic. But the new concept from a team of researchers from Harvard University promises an effective and practical solution. A wearable robotics technology based on collaboration between engineers, rehabilitation scientists, physiotherapists, biomechanists and clothing designers aims to give Parkinson's patients a smoother gait and therefore more Quality of life enable.

The device consists of a main element that is attached to the waist area using shoulder straps. Sensors and two motors, connected to drawstrings on thigh cuffs, ensure that the wearer feels a slight force on the thighs at crucial moments. This mechanical support, based on the recorded movement data, leads to improved walking and has already proven itself in tests.

A 73-year-old Parkinson's patient who accompanied the development of the device reports significant improvements. After optimizing the settings, he was able to walk indoors without any blockages without any special training, and the dreaded freezing only rarely occurred outdoors. Even walking and conversing at the same time, which had previously caused freezing, became possible again.

The researchers emphasize that further development work is necessary before the product is available for Parkinson's patients. Nevertheless, they see the study as a milestone in the development of technology-based solutions against gait freezing. This promising approach could not only improve the quality of life of Parkinson's patients, but also contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms behind walking impairment.

Summary