Thursday, January 11, 2024

Wearable robotic exosuit improves walking for individuals with Parkinson’s disease

Researchers from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Boston University Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences have used a soft, wearable robot to help a person living with Parkinson’s disease walk without freezing. The garment, worn around the hips and thighs, helps patients achieve a longer stride, allowing them to walk faster and further.

“We found that just a small amount of mechanical assistance from our soft robotic apparel delivered instantaneous effects and consistently improved walking across a range of conditions for the individual in our study,” said Conor Walsh, co-corresponding author of the study published in Nature Medicine. Click here to view video and learn more.

Cala Health has positive essential tremor treatment data

Cala has announced results from multiple studies supporting positive outcomes for patients using its TAPS therapy for essential tremor (ET). One randomized, pragmatic CVS Health trial found that adding Cala TAPS therapy to standard of care improved outcomes over standard of care alone. The study found significant improvements in tremor power and Bain & Findley Activities of Daily Living (BF-ADL) upper limb scores over one month of TAPS. It demonstrated TAPS as a safe and effective treatment option for patients with ET.

San Mateo, California-based Cala develops multiple devices for treating essential tremor, including the Cala Trio and the kIQ. The company launched the kIQ wrist-worn device last year. They deliver transcutaneous afferent patterned stimulation (TAPS) therapy for treating tremor. Click here to learn more.

Halting neurodegeneration chief concern in Huntington’s disease

According to results of a recent survey, more than 80% of U.S.-based neurologists agreed that a major unmet need in confronting Huntington’s disease is halting neurodegeneration prior to the onset of symptoms. Spherix Global Insights conducted the market landscape study to gather insights from neurologists responsible for treatment of the condition.

Neurologists answered questions regarding familiarity, interest and degree of advance over current treatments for five pipeline agents: Hoffman-La Roche/Genentech’s tominersen, PTC Therapeutics PTC518, Sage Therapeutics SAGE-718, UniQure Biopharma’s AMT-130, and Wave Life Sciences’ WVE-003. Click here to learn more.

Register for Dystonia Advocacy Days, March 19-20, 2024 in Washington, D.C.

Whether you're a seasoned advocate or someone new to the process, don't miss this year's Dystonia Advocacy Days, March 19-20, in Washington, D.C Following an orientation and information session, you'll be placed on a team with other advocates to meet with elected officials and their congressional staff.

Click here to register for the event; the deadline is Friday, March 1. Register by February 19 to take advantage of the Dystonia Advocacy Network's special room rate at the Hyatt Place Hotel.

Dystonia advocacy has helped award more than $24 million for research through the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program. Your efforts can continue making a difference!

High tech glove stymies Parkinson's disease tremors

Massachusetts-based GyroGear has built an advanced hand stabilizer that minimizes tremors which make simple tasks like getting dressed a challenge for people living with Parkinson's disease. The device, developed with strategic partners including Chinese technology group Foxconn, is an attached gyroscope about the size of a hockey puck but with a disk inside that spins faster than a jet engine turbine.

“[The] glove is made in the same factory that makes your MacBook Pros,” according to founder Dr. Faii Ong. “We want to bring the focus away from the disease and back onto the fact that this is human life we are talking about.” Click here to learn more.