Study Goal:

Mobility issues affect 1/3 of the adult population and require the rehabilitation. Current shortages in skilled rehabilitation professionals requires novel approaches to address this unmet need. This study aims to develop a gait device, called gaitQ, for people with mobility issues with a focus on people with Parkinson's  initially. Approximately half of the people with Parkinson's experience debilitating gait symptoms such as festination (increase in step frequency and shortened stride length) and freezing  (inability to initiate or continue movement). Cueing is an established method to initiate and maintain gait by providing an external stimulus to activate alternative motor pathways in the brain that bypass the regions affected by Parkinson's. GaitQ and the research team at the University of Exeter have been developing a smart cueing system that comprises two wearable devices, worn on the upper calves to automatically deliver vibrational cues when needed and adapt to the user's walking.  This study aims to examine how well the device works and how acceptable people with Parkinson's find it to use. They study will also collect lots of data to see if it the device can improve the gait of people with Parkinson's

What's Involved:

Participants will attend the University of Exeter or Oxford Gait Labs for an onsite visit. The visit will involve providing informed consent and the completion of a variety of assessments. Participants will be asked to wear a variety of sensors and the gaitQ cueing devices that vibrate. They will then complete 3 walking tests on the platform and some balance tests. In the balance tests, the platform will vibrate and move to test their balance. Investigators will be around to support the participant. After these motor ability tests, participants will be asked to complete physical and cognitive health questionnaires. They will also be asked what they think about the gaitQ cueing device so researchers can assess the acceptability and usability of it. The visit lasts around 3 hours in total. Some participants will be asked to return for a second, repeat visit. 

Who Can Take Part? 

Inclusion criteria

• • Diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (UK Bank Criteria)

  • Able to self-report history of daily gait freezing/ festination/ gait affected by condition

  • Able to walk unsupported or using an aid for at least 3 minutes

  • Adult (+18 years old)

  • Normal or corrected-to-normal vision (Snellen Visual Acuity >12/18) or safe to mobilise with support

  • Montreal Cognitive Assessment score >21 or ability to follow 2 stage commands

Exclusion criteria

• • Any physical or mental condition affecting ability to safely participate in this level of activity and to follow commands

  • Cognitive impairment affecting ability to safely participate and follow instructions

  • Any injury or disorder that may affect balance (other than Parkinson’s)

  • Any skin conditions or broken skin in the calf and behind the knee area

  • Deep brain stimulation or pacemaker implant or other implant that may interfere with the measurement system