{"id":166879,"date":"2025-06-08T06:06:22","date_gmt":"2025-06-08T06:06:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/166879\/"},"modified":"2025-06-08T06:06:22","modified_gmt":"2025-06-08T06:06:22","slug":"pioneering-device-could-help-patients-with-parkinsons-which-affects-150000-people-in-the-uk-to-walk-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/166879\/","title":{"rendered":"Pioneering device could help patients with Parkinson’s, which affects 150,000 people in the UK, to walk again"},"content":{"rendered":"

By MEIKE LEONARD FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY <\/p>\n

Published: 19:50 EDT, 7 June 2025 | Updated: 19:51 EDT, 7 June 2025 <\/p>\n

A pioneering device could help patients with the incurable neurological disease Parkinson\u2019s walk again, researchers suggest.<\/p>\n

Nearly 150,000 people in the UK suffer from Parkinson\u2019s disease, a degenerative condition that can cause tremors, muscle stiffness and slowness of movement<\/a> as nerve cells in the brain die.<\/p>\n

As the disease progresses, patients tend to develop difficulty walking, as automatic movements like picking up and landing each foot become harder. This can lead to slower, shuffling steps that increase the risk of falls \u2013 often leading to hospitalisation.<\/p>\n

Now medics say a new device \u2013 which uses tiny electrical shocks to contract muscles in the foot and help raise the toes during each step \u2013 could help those with Parkinson\u2019s to regain their stride.<\/p>\n

Researchers at Salisbury District Hospital, in partnership with the University of Southampton, are conducting the first large-scale trial of the technology for Parkinson\u2019s patients, called a Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) device. It is already used by patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and those who have had a stroke, to improve their walking.<\/p>\n

\"Nearly <\/p>\n

Nearly 150,000 people in the UK suffer from Parkinson\u2019s disease, a degenerative condition that can cause tremors, muscle stiffness and slowness of movement as nerve cells in the brain die<\/p>\n

\"Researchers <\/p>\n

Researchers at Salisbury District Hospital (pictured), in partnership with the University of Southampton, are conducting the first large-scale trial of a new technology for Parkinson\u2019s patients, called a Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) device<\/p>\n

\"Symptoms <\/p>\n

Symptoms of Parkinson’s include uncontrollable tremors, slow movements and muscle stiffness<\/p>\n

Previous studies have shown its effectiveness at increasing walking speed and reducing falls in Parkinson\u2019s patients \u2013 even after participants stopped using the device.<\/p>\n

Participants also reported important wider benefits to their overall wellbeing, independence and family life.<\/p>\n

Professor Paul Taylor, consultant clinical scientist at Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust and leader of the trial, hopes the FES device can soon be used for Parkinson\u2019s patients in the UK.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2018Nearly four in ten people with Parkinson\u2019s disease are recurrent fallers, experiencing an average of 21 falls a year,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n

\u2018This can lead to a reduction in overall activity, fitness, health and social participation.<\/p>\n

\u2018FES is already recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence as an assistive device for people with dropped foot due to a stroke or MS, and we believe it could offer similar benefits to those with Parkinson\u2019s disease.\u2019<\/p>\n

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