Parkinson's disease: Greater gait stability thanks to smart insoles

Mr. Staffa, what role does an insecure gait play for patients with Parkinson's disease and other disorders?

Simon Staffa: Gait alterations can be highly disruptive to people affected by these disorders as they interfere with the ability to engage in everyday activities. Mobility plays a major role in our personal autonomy, which is why mobility impairments are particularly troublesome. The problem with an insecure gait is that it correlates with an increased risk of injury. Unfortunately, these injuries often have serious consequences: stumbling can lead to falling and result in broken bones and subsequent hospitalization. People with Parkinson's disease tend to use short, shuffling steps and don’t raise their feet properly. That alone results in an increased risk of falls. What’s unique is that those who are affected by this disease can actually have a secure and proper gait and walking technique with the help of physical therapists, meaning it is physically possible. However, in everyday life, patients are often unable to concentrate and focus on their walking.


What are the unique advantages of the novapace insoles?

Staffa: Since a fall can have grave and far-reaching consequences, falls should be avoided at all costs. Many auxiliary aids can offer support but unfortunately, tools like a medical walker or cane are only helpful in a very specific stage of the disease. Even though they provide some security, they decrease mobility even further. The novapace smart shoe insoles provide invisible and discrete support that encourages the use of one’s own resources: the insoles flag a dangerous change in gait pattern and provide feedback via vibrations in the insoles. The user is alerted to a potentially unsafe situation, prompting him/her to focus on their walking. The device allows you to respond immediately and train a healthy and correct walking technique in everyday life.

How can digitization support the rehabilitation process?

Staffa: Digitization can improve the rehabilitation process enormously. Diseases and progression can be detected early by linking and analyzing data. This greatly benefits therapists and physicians, but also the patients: accurate data and information about your health allows you to better assess your situation, the disease progression and rehabilitation progress. It also helps you to deal and cope with your disease, personalize your treatment and medication, and facilitate long-term treatment optimization.

What does inclusion mean to you?

Staffa: To us, inclusion means that we are all members of society and a part of the community. We believe we should decrease our focus on what is wrong – so-called deficit-based thinking, which is quite common in the medical realm – and increase our focus on what is right (asset-based thinking). We all have our strengths, weaknesses and basic framework that determine our actions. Society should empower everyone to use and develop their unique strengths and be less focused on "fixing" any perceived weaknesses. The point is to give everyone the chance to play to their own strengths. If we manage to do that, we will have finally created a culture of inclusion.