The winning entry is a new device to aid the ‘freezing of gait (FOG)’, an abnormal gait pattern that can accompany Parkinson’s disease (PD) as well as other parkinsonian disorders. Congratulations, Dr.Peeraya Ruthiraphong for your big success!
Dr.Peeraya Ruthiraphong, a physiatrist specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation, and her team working in the Department of Rehabilitation, Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand developed an ankle bracelet-laser as a closed-loop visual cue device. This lightweight, easy-to-use device is a smart motion sensor integrated with IoT technology and provides the visible line corresponding with walking motion. The randomized crossover study involved 10 participants with an average age of 69 years. The study compared walk with, and walk without the device in gait speed, stride length, and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. The results showed a significant difference in all parameters. The device proved to be an effective tool for improving TUG, suggesting improved balance and reduced risk of falls.
Dr. Ruthiraphong said: “Our team is delighted to win the Award. FOG is a major cause of disability in people with Parkinson’s disease and impairs their quality of life. Our device can help these people to walk better and we will be using the prize to further our research”