Delft University of Technology
Would you prefer relying on a walker at all times or simply carrying a backpack to help with balance? Researchers in the Netherlands have created a specialized backpack equipped with two gyroscopes that help wearers remain upright and stable.
The Challenge of Ataxia
Ataxia, a common symptom of conditions like stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or brain injuries, stems from damage to the cerebellum—the brain’s coordination and balance center. People with ataxia often struggle to stay steady while standing or walking, leaving them dependent on canes or walkers. While these aids are functional, they can feel cumbersome and carry social stigma. The GyroPack aims to change that.
Originally designed by Prof. Heike Vallery’s team at Delft University of Technology and later refined for ataxia by Dr. Jorik Nonnekes and his colleagues at Radboud University Medical Center, the device uses two spinning-flywheel gyroscopes. Activated by the wearer’s movements, these gyros dampen unintended torso rotations. Instead of eliminating such motions completely, the resistance slows them enough to give the user time to stabilize before falling.
Testing the Device
To test its effectiveness, 14 ataxia patients performed a series of balance and walking tasks under three conditions: wearing the GyroPack in active mode, wearing it in placebo mode (with gyros spinning but canceling each other out), and without the pack. Unsurprisingly, participants showed the most improvement with the GyroPack active. “Patients were visibly more stable and, for example, much better able to walk in a straight line,” Nonnekes reported.
Even in placebo mode, the prototype showed benefits, likely due to the stabilizing effect of its 6-kg (13-lb) weight. The research team is now focused on reducing both its bulk and operating noise, while refining the design for everyday use.
Although not yet ready for daily application, the GyroPack holds promise. In the future, it could allow people with ataxia to attend a party without needing a walker, said Nonnekes. That freedom of movement could significantly improve quality of life.
Read the original article on: New Atlas
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