3 ms·
Researchers design a neuroprosthetic for Parkinson's-related walking disorders
- spydum 3y ago"but at this stage the treatment concept has demonstrated its effectiveness in one person only"
- jfoster 3y agoSounds like that's the only person it has been tested on, though? Subheadline says he's the first patient. Toward the end of the article it says there will be six new patients next year. Feels like breakthroughs often happen far more slowly than they should when a major debilitating disease is involved. If results are so far promising, only doing testing on six patients next year seems an underwhelming pace.
- DennisP 3y agoThat's an amazing breakthrough and I'm not saying this is in any way a substitute, but a couple decades ago my parents were good friends with a guy who had Parkinson's and would often freeze when he was walking. I came across a study saying patients can get past the freeze by pointing a laser pointer at the floor in front of them. Just focus on the glowing dot on the floor and you can take a step. So they bought the guy a $5 laser pointer, and it actually worked for him. I'm guessing as he got worse it eventually stopped working, but I hope doctors haven't forgotten about that study.