Wearable robot could help Parkinson’s patients walk without freezing

Freezing is a common and serious problem for many people with Parkinson's disease around the world. It happens when they suddenly can't move their feet, which can lead to a fall. Current treatments like drugs, surgery, or behavior therapy don't work well for this.

Researchers from Harvard's School of Engineering and Boston University's College of Health have made a special wearable robot to help people with Parkinson's walk without freezing.

This robot is like a piece of clothing worn around the hips and legs. It gently pushes the hips when the leg moves, helping the person walk with longer steps. In tests, the robot stopped the freezing when walking inside, letting the person walk faster and further.

Conor Walsh, a professor at Harvard, explained that this robot gives a little help that makes a big difference in walking, even in different situations.

The team worked with Terry Ellis, a professor and Physical Therapy Department chair at Boston University. They tested the robot for six months on a 73-year-old man with Parkinson's, who had a lot of freezing and falls despite other treatments. He needed a scooter to move outside.

The robot uses cables and sensors around the waist and legs. It gathers walking data and uses algorithms to help the muscles move better.

The results were impressive. The man could walk without freezing inside and only had a few problems outside. He could even walk and talk at the same time, which was hard without the robot.

The man said the robot really helped him. It made his steps longer, and he noticed a big difference when not wearing it. He felt it could help him walk more and keep his quality of life.

This device could also help researchers understand more about why freezing happens in walking, which is still not well understood. It will hopefully also find its way to the market at some point.