Parkinson’s freezing, a common and debilitating symptom, affects over 9 million worldwide. Current treatments are often ineffective. Harvard SEAS and Boston University researchers used a soft, wearable robot around hips and thighs to eliminate freezing for a Parkinson’s patient. The device provides a gentle push, allowing a longer stride and improved mobility. This breakthrough highlights soft robotics’ potential in treating Parkinson’s symptoms, offering hope for enhanced independence. Published in Nature Medicine, the research received support from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and aligns with SEAS and Sargent College’s focus on advancing wearable technologies for human performance enhancement.
Source News-Medical
