http://www.corriere.it/salute/12_apr...986f349a.shtml

This is the first time that mechanical stimulation effects not simply gets the drug levodopa

MILAN-the 12th National Congress of Parkinson's disease just concluded at Verbania Italy was presented by Dr. Franca Barbic Humanitas Institute a revolutionary approach for patients suffering from Parkinson's disease. Through a mechanical stimulation lasting 6 seconds which is repeated sequentially to 4 times with a blunt tip on the dynamometer and the first toe joint involvement of the sole of the foot improves the way disturbances and posture of patients. The new technique is called FMS, an acronym for Foot Mechanical Stimulation, i.e. mechanical stimulation.

EXPERIMENT -to evaluate efficacy was conducted a study comparing the correct stimulation to placebo stimulation on other areas of the foot. The clinical evaluation participated in various centres and associations for the recruitment of patients: the University Hospital in Seriate Bolognini and, in Milan, the Prohibitions to the study of the Movement disorders, Parkinson Center Polytechnic institutes, the Clinical Improvement Technologies for the Department of Health, the Institute Galeazzi Maugeri Foundation, the Association for research on Neuroscience and the Fondazione Grigioni for Parkinson's disease. While placebo stimulation did not get any results, the correct one has increased the length of the pitch and the speed of the walk. It also decreased the time of execution of the movement and the number of steps to accomplish a rotation on the spot. This is the first time that mechanical stimulation effects simply gets even unreached by the drug levodopa, which for a century is the main treatment for this disease, but it can do little about eating disorders.

Some examples:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBUa2LX592s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmOZQ...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjmD5...eature=related

(translated with Google translator).

Very interesting! I wonder how long the effect lasts.

Thank you Sim00. This is a solution out of the box. Watching the videos it appears like a miracle. I only hope that the various noninvasive techniques of stimulating the peripheral nervous system are pursued by researchers all over the world and specially in China where Acupuncture is taught in universities and practiced alongside western medicine.

Hi Imad and GerryW, to understand a bit more, always in the same newspaper, look at:

http://www.corriere.it/salute/12_apr...l?fr=correlati

FMS, a distinguished former

In 2008 the U.S. developed a device capable of improving posture and gait in the absence of gravity

The FMS has had an illustrious precedent: in 2008 a group of neurophysiologists directed by Charles Layne of the University of Houston in Texas published in the journal Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine, a study which showed that applying a dynamic plantar stimulation both feet activates the muscles of the leg without the need to stimulate it or expose it directly to the gravitational stress as when we walk on Earth. American researchers have developed a device called DFS stands for Dynamic Foot Stimulation, ie dynamic plantar stimulation, capable of improving posture and gait in the absence of gravity or gravity decreased as happens on Mars or the Moon.

and:

http://www.corriere.it/salute/12_apr...l?fr=correlati

FMS, here's how to use the equipment

It is a sort of technological insole; it has no side effects or interfere with any drug therapy is in place

After a first personalized adjustment carried out by specialized personnel, the device with which treatment is performed at FMS which has the shape of a base Dutch can be used directly by patients at home, fitted as a sort of plantar technology. It has no side effects or interfere with any other drug is in place or any other implantable device used in this disease as stimulators DBS (deep brain stimulation, deep brain stimulation that is), VNS (vagal nerve stimulation, ie vagal stimulation). It is portable and can be housed in a special carrying case that weighs less than 5 kilos and measures less than those of an airplane cabin trolley. It is powered by rechargeable batteries that use a week, have a term exceeding one year. The benefits of treatment may occur immediately, keep it up to 7 days after application, increasing progressively from session to session. After the initial setup, to be carried out according to the characteristics of individual patients in a specialized center, the unit can be conveniently used at home, independently or with the mere assistance of a family member. During treatment the patient is lying down. The stimulation lasts about 2 minutes and the total time required is about ten minutes, including time to wear the device. In most cases, the treatment is repeated weekly, which may however vary depending on the needs of the individual patient.

(translated with Google translator).

hmmmmmm-this raises some great questions about common perception of how our CNS functions. These aren't the first group who have identified the role of the body electric and the feet in pwp. What strikes me is that this method appears to override drug effects.

Hi Moondaughter,
I wonder how many other things we have yet to discover in order to understand the link between our bodies and PD. Furthermore, it is a disease discovered almost 200 years ago (coincidentally in the middle of the industrial revolution, that's the role of industrial pollution), but still do not know all the aspects regarding its origin, its cure.

hi sim00

I would wager a guess we haven't begun to scratch the surface! I have left behind the linear model of origin and cure as my concept and experience of time changes. when I ask myself where did the fear begin it seems it transcends any singularity. wouldn't it be interesting if time travel could cure us? maybe wwe need to frame our problems differently to find more creative solutions!