" I have used the GaitAid for my patients with varying stages of Parkinson's Disease, in addition to those sufferiing from other neurological disorders. The GaitAid has become a mainstay of my treatments, as it provides visual and auditory cues during gait training. All too often therapy concentrates on movements but neglects sensory inputs. With the GaitAid it is easy to provide true "sensorimotor" physical therapy. The biggest surprise is that it even helps chronic conditions and late-stage Parkinson's. Thank you GaitAid for allowing me to truly help my patients!"
Ben Weinstock, PT
Weinstock Physical Therapy, Brooklyn, NY
"Gait velocity and stride length were improved in PD patients after training with a visual-and-auditory virtual cueing system, with a marked residual effect. Devices utilizing closed-loop visual feedback system are desirable non-pharmacologic interventions to improve walking in PD."
Alberto J. Espay, MD, The Neuroscience Institute, Department of Neurology, Movement Disorders Center, University of Cincinnati
We think it is fantastic. From the moment my Dad put it on he stopped freezing.
"I ordered the gaitaid for my father. He now calls it his magic box. As soon as he put it on he was able to walk through doorways without freezing. He wore just the audio to play golf and won the round. Is it the sound and video together that might retrain his brain?
I am sold on it. We have been telling everyone about it. Dad took it to his last doctor's appointment to show it off.
We think it is fantastic. From the moment my Dad put it on he stopped freezing. We took a walk on Thanksgiving with the device on and my Dad actually skipped. I hope you will get my message on the forum also.
Thank you for your support and for the GaitAid."
Debra Snook,
Clarkston, WA
I wish you had been there. You would have rejoiced!
"Dear Amir and Audrey,
Today I took the goggles to the Brooklyn Parkinson Group.
The most amazing results were achieved by those who had the worst gait!!!
One man who besides having Parkinson had had a stroke recently and his limbs
were all over the place. After five minutes of practice he was having total
control of his legs and arms. At the end I asked him to test his residual
memory. He walked as well as if he had the googles and walked back into the
room proud and tall!
Another person had very bad stability. He walked crossing his right foot in
front of his left one constantly. I called this fact to his attention and
asked to keep each foot on each side of the tiles. That solved the problem
and he began to walk better and better until he got the right rhythm,
started swinging his arms, had long steps, sometimes slow, sometimes fast,
all of them of even length. Residual memory was also fantastic.
I wish you had been there. You would have rejoiced!"
Improving walking for people living with Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease patients may develop the following problems with walking:
Shuffling gait which is characterized by short steps and the feet barely leaving the ground. Small obstacles tend to cause the patient to trip.
Inability to turn properly as the neck and trunk stay rigid, requiring multiple small steps to accomplish a turn.
Camptocormia - a stooped, forward-flexed posture.
Gait Festination a combination of stooped posture, imbalance, and short steps which lead to a gait that becomes progressively faster and faster, often ending in a fall.
Gait Freezing is characterized by a sudden inability to move the lower extremities. It may become worse in tight, cluttered spaces, when attempting to initiate gait or turning around, or when approaching a destination.
Decreased walking speed and step size as a result of and contributer to balance problems.
For normal walking, the brain relies on:
proper sense of timing and rhythm in performing actions
a clear sense of direction of the targeted movement
internal sensory feedback telling the brain that the body is moving
External sensory feedback to movement through vision, hearing and touch
Perception of space
By processing this information, the brain performs the needed adjustments of the body.
When Parkinson's disease diminishes these mechanisims functions walking becomes difficult and inefficient, leaving patients a little less "in touch" with themselves, where they stand, and where their body parts are located in relation to each other through the walking cycle.
These manifestations have a major impact on quality of life as they result in a loss of confidence and independence, fear of falling and actual falls which can lead to injury or even death.
The GaitAid works at improving these issues in several ways, often from the first step.
No training is needed, simply put the device on and start walking. Walking sessions from 5-30 minutes with the GaitAid improve the body's sense of position and movement bringing balance to the steps and enhancing the sense of timing for these movements. The brain relearns to control walking and creates new neural pathways around damaged areas so the improvement lasts even when the device is not in use.
Freezing at a Threshold and Loss of Balance
An example is shown in the video below. As you’ll see, a Parkinson's patient freezes before entering and exiting an elevator and then, wearing the GaitAid device for the first time, repeats the movements with no hesitation. (Please note that he is using an earlier version of the device, which was cumbersome)
The GaitAid helps even with severe Balance Problems
The following video shows a person with Parkinson's with a severe balance disorder. Notice, as he walks with the GaitAid for the first time (this is an even older version) how his nurse is much more relaxed walking a few steps behind him.
The GaitAid is Now Available for purchase or rental with a 30 day trial period.
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The GaitAid:
Creates audio/visual feedback for improving patients ability to walk better and more safely, eliminating freezing, shuffling and loss of balance.
Daily non-strenuous practice sessions can create a residual effect building up over the period of a few weeks helping the patient to walk better between sessions. For some only an occasional practice session is needed to maintain their improved walking ability.
GaitAid Carries a 30-Day Unconditional Money Back Guarantee!
You can try the GaitAid for 30 days with a purchase or rental deposit. If you decide to return the device for any reason within the first 30 days after you receive it, we will refund your payment excluding a $40 restocking fee.
To receive a 30 day trial period, the GaitAid may be purchased with:
PayPal,
Credit card online, phone or fax
Check by mail
Bank transfer
U.S. residents may rent the GaitAid on a monthly basis by filling out the Rent To Own form
