De Oro has announced the launch of NextStride, a smart-tech accessory that can be attached to walking canes. The accessory is designed specifically for people with Parkinson’s, a brain disorder that disproportionately affects the elderly and leads to problems in motor function and coordination.
In particular, the NextStride cane assists those with Parkison's in escaping "freezes," a mobility problem in which those with the disease are unable to move despite processing movement-related impulses like "move forward." The cane is able to remedy this problem by delivering external cues; cueing has been shown to be an effective technique for preventing "freezing" as it activates different neural pathways that are able to break people free from paralysis.
NextStride delivers two main cues: a metronome-like ding that cues users to stride in pace with the tone and a laser-projected line that cues users to step over it as they move.
Image Credit: NexStride
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Smart-tech Mobility Accessories
- There is an opportunity to create more smart-tech mobility accessories for people with Parkinson's and other mobility disorders.
- Cueing Technology
- Cueing technology can be applied in various industries, including healthcare and sports, to improve performance and prevent freezes or stagnation.
- Laser-projected Cues
- The use of laser-projected cues can be expanded into other industries, such as construction, to aid workers in accurately and safely completing tasks.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Healthcare
- The healthcare industry can invest in creating more smart-tech mobility accessories for people with Parkinson's and other mobility disorders.
- Sports
- Cueing technology can be applied in sports training and rehabilitation to improve performance and prevent stagnation or plateaus.
- Construction
- Laser-projected cues can be used in the construction industry to aid workers in accurately and safely completing tasks, such as identifying the correct measurements for cuts or placement of materials.
