Parkinson’s Disease Therapeutic Footwear

Parkinson’s Disease is a nervous system disorder that affects about 10,000,000 people globally, a number that is expected to increase in the coming decades. While people with Parkinson’s Disease experience widely different symptoms, some typical maladies include muscle tremors and shaking, stiffness, slow or difficult movement, speech difficulties, and much more.

A common frustration for people with Parkinson’s Disease involves problems with their gait and balance. Freeze of Gait (FOG) makes people feel as if their feet are temporarily stuck to the floor, frozen in place. Once frozen, a Parkinson’s patient often takes a few seconds or more to be able to resume walking again. Unfortunately, Freeze of Gait makes dangerous falls common.

I worked with Resonate Forward, LLC, in partnership with the University of Delaware, and generously supported by the Michael J. Fox Foundation, to address the issue of Freeze of Gait. When I joined the team, the initial science of targeted vibration therapy directed at the feet was well underway; my role on this project was related to early stage product development. I did the following:

• Conducted patient research based on home visits, interviews at Parkinson’s Disease exercise classes, and video based movement analysis.

• Provided Industrial design consultation and services related to design, manufacture and sourcing of footwear.

• As project manager, produced a wearable, functional prototype.

This targeted, wearable, vibrating technology is currently in clinical trials.