Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder that affects all aspects of a person’s life including their movement and ability to complete activities of daily living.
According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, more than 10 million people worldwide currently live with Parkinson’s Disease, and 70% of those individuals will fall, which further restricts activity due to fear of future falls. 1,2
Individuals with Parkinson’s have a 2-9 times increased risk of falls compared to healthy individuals of the same age.3
PD is a complex disease that primarily effects motor function, but can also cause depression and cognition changes. Every person with PD presents differently, both in their symptoms and the speed of their progression.
PD affect the circuits that allow for the brain to function and enable automatic, smooth movements. As a result, many people with PD will likely show signs of altered walking mechanics at the initial stages of diagnosis, and as the disease progresses, they may experience something called freezing of gait.4
Although Parkinson’s Disease is a very involved neurologic disease, the latest research shows that physical therapy and external cues from technology like NexStride can significantly improve quality of life and overall mobility.5
NexStride is the first multi-cue daily assist device that attaches to any standard cane, walker, or walking pole. Users can activate the audio cue, visual cue, or both, and adjust to preferred speed and distance.
These visual and audio cues help users re-establish the connection between the brain and the body and allow the user to walk smoothly again.