#FreezingOfGait

[lifesparktech]

Understanding Freezing of Gait (UnFOG)

Have you ever experienced a sudden feeling of being glued to the ground while trying to walk? If you are an individual suffering from Parkinson's disease(PD), you might be familiar with this frustrating sensation known as Freezing of gait (FOG). It's a common disabling motor symptom in PD that can seriously impact your quality of life.

FOG doesn't always happen the same way for everyone. It can show up in different situations and be triggered by various things. By understanding these different triggers, we can classify FOG into specific types, like freezing when trying to start walking, while turning, or freezing in tight spaces like doorways. Why does this matter? Well, personalization of treatment is very important for people with PD. Different types of FOG are associated with different mechanisms, and may be benfited with different treatment. By understanding the specific type of FOG a person experiences, doctors can choose the best treatment option for them. It means better care and improved quality of life for patients dealing with FOG.

The tools we currently have for measuring FOG fall short when it comes to classifying it into different subtypes. While tests like UPDRS, FOGQ and NFOGQ are helpful for screening, they don't record the details about how FOG presents in different situations. The Freezing of Gait Severity Tool does record activities and situations that trigger FOG. However, to really understand FOG and its subtypes, we need a tool that looks at not only physical aspects but also how the brain works in different situations. These tests can help narrow down which parts of the brain might be involved in causing FOG. That’s where UnFOG scale comes into play .

Learn more about UnFOG Click at ⬇️:

[lifesparktechnologies]

WALK : A wearable mobility aid for Parkinson's Disease

Imagine you are walking in the park, enjoying the sunshine, when suddenly your legs feel like they are glued to the ground. You try to take a step forward, but it’s like your feet just won’t listen. This frustrating experience is what many people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) face due to a condition called freezing of gait (FOG), which usually only lasts a few seconds.

This phenomenon increases the risk of falls, which leads to reduced quality of life.

FOG can happen in different situations, like when someone with Parkinson’s initiates walking, passing through narrow spaces like doorways, or turning around. It can occur when they are under time pressure (freezing during an unexpected ringing telephone or doorbell), trying to perform 2 tasks simultaneously or when arriving at the destination. These triggers make everyday activities tricky to do, leading to feelings of frustration, anxiety, or embarrassment. It can make people hesitant to go out and engage in outdoor activities. Fear of falling makes things even more challenging, which further limits the independence of movement.

While researchers are still trying to understand exactly why freezing of gait (FOG) happens, it is suggested that the problem might be due to disruption in communication between brain and spinal cord. Imagine your brain is like a controller, telling your body what to do, and the spinal cord is like the messenger delivering those instructions to your muscles. If there’s a glitch in that communication, it causes moments where you feel stuck while walking.

But what if there was a simple, non-invasive solution to help you overcome these moments of hesitation and walk with confidence again? That’s where WALK comes in. WALK is a non-invasive neuromodulatory wearable device to reduce FOG episodes. It is worn on the mid-lower part of the thighs of both legs. WALK uses a special kind of patterned stimulation that sends signals to the muscle. This muscle stimulation improves excitability at spinal level, helping to mitigate the disruption of communication caused by PD. This type of patterned stimulation has been shown to reduce the freezing of gait, slowness, and falls in Parkinson’s disease.

Using this muscle stimulation also improves coordination while walking. But that’s not all! WALK also has sensors that collect data and keep track of how you’re doing while you walk. It provides real-time feedback and stimulation, which helps individuals overcome FOG and enhance walking stability.

WALK helps to reduce FOG or recover faster from freezing of gait episodes in individuals with Parkinson’s disease by increasing the drive to spinal cord. With additional benefits such as:

- Improve walking stability

- Non-invasive and user friendly

- Enhanced mobility and independence

- Improve Quality of Life

So, with WALK by your side, you can step forward with ease and confidence, free from fear and hesitation.

To collect crucial data that helps detect falls and imbalance symptoms early, WALK also has a gamified therapy platform that makes therapy engaging and provides reports to help individuals understand the progression of their disease, take steps early and maintain mobility for a long time.

Learn more about WALK at ⬇️:

WALK : A wearable mobility aid for Parkinson's Disease

[justadesignmag-blog]

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