A new technology application (app), co–designed by people with Parkinson’s disease, has been launched to help those living with the condition learn to walk better and for longer.
A team led by UNSW Sydney biomedical engineer Dr Matthew A Brodie developed the Walking Tall app following a clinical trial funded by Shake It Up Australia Foundation and the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Part of the trial utilised the app’s gait re–training tool which now allows users to set their own training time and pace before delivering a rhythmic metronomic beat for three different walking speeds that is designed to trigger movement.
The app, which is free to download from the iOS and Android stores, also includes useful instructions such as ‘walk tall’, ‘shoulders back’ and ‘focus on big steps’, as well as providing encouragement via audio commentary.
People living with Parkinson’s can find walking a major challenge given the fact nerve cells deep in their brain responsible for planning and controlling body
movement do not fully function.
Subsequently, they often find their gait becomes impaired, their coordination decreases and step length can be severely affected.
Gait dysfunction
Gait dysfunction can impact negatively on quality of life and independence – and leads to falls in around 70 per cent of people living with Parkinson’s.
“Parkinson’s is a big problem in Australia and it’s exciting to see these new diagnostic tools and interventions coming online,” says Shake It Up Australia Foundation CEO Vicki Miller.
Dr Brodie’s research was conducted at Neuroscience Research Australia’s state–of–the–art facilities in Sydney. Direct comments and suggestions from people with Parkinson’s were then key to the development of the app.
“Those who live with Parkinson’s have to think about every single step they take. We asked them how much mental effort it takes for them to walk, and often they would say 100 per cent,” he says.
“With the metronome beat of the app the aim is to replace the need to think about walking and help with the timing of their steps. This app can give people confidence and also a sense of achievement that they can be empowered and do something for themselves to help their own condition.
“My goal in terms of my research is to have an impact now, not an impact in 10 years’ time. And I believe this app can help people with Parkinson’s all around the world right now.”
“We also give them audio encouragement in the app and you can even ‘earn’ a gold cup if you complete the training over a number of days. All of that is another motivator for people.”
Walking Tall Health’s chief science officer, Dr Martin Ostrowski, himself lives with Parkinson’s. He is also a Board Member of Parkinson’s NSW.
Source:
University of NSW Newsroom