Perturbation-based training using robotic device increases stability in Parkinson's p
 

My wife laughs when I fall back in my chair after a failed attempt to get off my butt...it is kind of amusing....maybe this will help

Perturbation-based training using robotic device increases stability in Parkinson's patients

Thanks eds195. I think this work is useful. Not, I think due to the use of robots, but because, in effect, it is similar to, and highlights the specific advantages of, walking on rough ground.

Is this another "use or lose" ability that is affected by Parkinson's.

I'm looking at the problem of falls from a different point of view: using a smart phone to detect the start of the fall, and to immediately send an alarm. Detecting a fall is not difficult, but the trouble is that you get far too many false positives. Also, I don't know if the half second approx notice that this will give, 1.7= 0.5*9.8*t^2, will be enough to take corrective action.

As I see it, you could make a big impact on PD if you had 10, say, tools that addressed specific problems.

John

I agree John that having 10 possible tools each adding some behavioral/physical assistance would be most welcome. True that a fall occurs so quickly, but if the robot-tethered device does provide some stability, maybe the strengthening provided could help avoid a fall entirely. Improved reaction time or increased awareness from this fall prevention focus, even in that half second leading to a fall might help avoid a disasterous one.

Eric