A group of PhD researchers want people with Parkinson’s to help them develop their device
Do you suffer from freezing of gait? A group of PhD researchers are looking for people with Parkinson’s (PwPs) and their caregivers to test out a wearable device they have developed to help with this symptom.
Called MIA (Movement, Independence, Autonomy), the portable, non-invasive device – which is worn on the wrist – works by providing audio, visual and sensory cues to help PwPs concentrate on their movements and overcome the mental block that causes freezing.
The MIA can be adapted by PwPs to use the stimulus (or stimuli) that works for them, choosing from a steady sound, a visual cue that can be directed on the ground, or the sensory stimulus which delivers a vibration sensation.
The MIA has been designed to be a discreet but effective way of overcoming gait freezing, and the researchers – from Universidad del Desarrollo, Chile; University Pompeu Fabra of Barcelona, Spain; University of California, Berkeley, USA; University of Valencia, Spain and Tampere University, Finland – hope that with PwPs’ help they can develop it further.
The MIA, a portable non-invasive device, has been developed to help overcome gait freezing
What do I have to do?
Those who take part will test the MIA and provide personal feedback on it as well as answer questions about their Parkinson’s symptoms. All data collected will remain anonymous and will be used only for academic purposes.
More information about the MIA can be found here.
To find out more about taking part, contact Dr Heidi Kaisvuo, PhD by emailing heidi.kaisvuo@tuni.fi
Further reading:
- Find out more about the MIA
As a person with Parkinson’s, how does freezing of gait affect your quality of life? Email info@parkinsonseurope.org and tell us your stories.
Parkinson's Europe is sharing this article for information purposes only; it does not represent Parkinson's Europe's views and is not an endorsement by Parkinson's Europe of any particular treatments, therapies or products.
