Background:
Many people do no walk well enough to derive health benefits from walking and even placing themselves at risk of falls or injury.
Therapists instruct people to place the heel first when walking to encourage correct gait. This simple strategy changes posture from stooped to upright and lengthens the stride. But once verbal cueing ceases, the inefficient foot-flat gait returns.
Tech outline:
This small sensor clips onto the outside of a shoe and is able to detect when the user walks with a proper gait and beeps in response to a correct step pattern.
The team has developed a sensing and a biofeedback device that provides auditory feedback for each “good” step based on the step having sufficient heel strike. Auditory feedback stimulates neuronal connections and, through a process of neural plasticity, has the potential to stamp in a more normal gait pattern. This simple wearable device clips on to the shoe and is applicable for personal use as well as part of the toolkit of physical therapists worldwide.
A suite of products to support walking has also been developed to accompany the wearable, including for example a self-management workbook with an accompanying mobile app that creates an individualized exercise plan.
A sensing and biofeedback wearable providing gait feedback for every step