App to improve gait of those with Parkinson's disease

Researchers at the University of Twente’s MIRA project have received a grant of almost €100,000 to help develop the app.

Often, the gait of those who suffer from Parkinson’s can be disturbed which can sometimes present as a shuffling movement, or may even include the patient seeking additional support.

Gait disturbance also increases the chance of a fall, despite the progress made in terms of medication.

Researchers have established that the gait of patients improves when they regularly see or hear a pattern. Examples might include stripes on the floor, or the regular ticking of a metronome.

Under the leadership of Professor Richard van Wezel, the researchers are looking at the potential of using smart glasses to improve the gait of a person with Parkinson’s disease.

Intelligent glasses would be able to provide patients with the regular visual or audible patterns required.

These patterns may take the form of moving stripes or shapes which the patient sees through the glasses, flashing shapes, or music with varying tempos.

The latest intelligent glasses already have inbuilt cameras and accelerometers. By using these, it will be possible to determine which approach works best for each individual patient.