- The soft, wearable robotic apparel is designed to support leg movement and address freezing of gait, a debilitating symptom of Parkinson’s disease affecting over 9 million people worldwide.
- Equipped with cable-driven actuators and sensors, the device works with the body’s muscles.
- A six-month study with a 73-year-old Parkinson’s patient revealed significant improvements in walking distance, speed, and gait quality.
Innovative research by a team from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) and Boston University Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences developed a soft, wearable robotic apparel worn around the hips and thighs that assists with leg movement to address freezing of gait (FoG), a significant impediment in Parkinson’s disease.
Freezing is a common and challenging symptom of Parkinson’s disease, which affects over 9 million people globally. This phenomenon occurs when individuals with Parkinson’s suddenly lose the ability to move their feet, typically mid-stride, leading to a series of shortening steps until they are forced to stop. Such episodes significantly increase the risk of falls. Currently, treatments for freezing include medication, surgery, and behavioral therapies, but none have proven highly effective.
Solution
This proof-of-concept study has shown that freezing of gait can be managed using soft robotic apparel that enhances hip flexion. This wearable device, equipped with cable-driven actuators and sensors, works harmoniously with the body’s muscles. This device has shown success, eliminating freezing in indoor environments and enabling the participant to walk faster and farther.
In a focused study over six months involving a 73-year-old male Parkinson’s patient with severe freezing of gait, the robotic garment eliminated freezing of gait during indoor walking, increased walking distance by 55%, improved speed, and enhanced gait quality. The garment shows potential for everyday use in treating Parkinson’s.
This study, published in Nature Medicine, illustrates the potential of soft robotics in treating Parkinson’s disease symptoms. Not only does it improve mobility, but it also promises to enhance the independence of those living with the condition.
Reference
Kim, Jinsoo, Franchino Porciuncula, Hee Doo Yang, Nicholas Wendel, Teresa Baker, Andrew Chin, Terry D. Ellis, and Conor J. Walsh. 2024. “Soft Robotic Apparel to Avert Freezing of Gait in Parkinson’s Disease.” Nature Medicine, January, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-023-02731-8.
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