MuSmate
I have Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and this affects my right leg and in particular causes 'dropped foot' syndrome. Walking is difficult and can be restricted to a hundred meters or so on a bad day. Even at best five hundred meters is as much as I can manage. After that a wheelchair is needed and you rapidly find out how unfriendly many places are to users!Some months ago I came across the Odstock Dropped Foot Stimulator and it seemed that it might help. Some research and the assistance of the Multiple Sclerosis Society put me in touch with a physiotherapist who was trained in fitting it. An afternoons trial made it clear that unfortunately it made no improvement for me.
The BBC technology site has an interesting report today .
A scientist whose wife has multiple sclerosis has developed a walking aid that has been shortlisted for an award...
"We found a way of transferring energy from the strong muscles in the thigh and back to the ones that weren't working."...
...The device consists of a shoulder harness and an elasticated cord connected the wearer's shoe.
...The next stage in the product's development was to have it tested by a larger group of people. The South-West MS Society helped by coming up with around 20 volunteers.
According to Mr Armitage, over a 90 day period their walking speed increased by more than 100%.
The volunteers also reported - though this was not measured scientifically - that the distance that they were able to walk increased by up to 600%.
This looks interesting.
posted by Hurler @ 2:26 pm
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