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Beeping shoes help people with Parkinson's disease walk further

A sensor that clips onto shoes and alerts wearers when they walk with a strong stride improved stability among people with Parkinson's in a small trial

By Sara Novak

19 January 2024

People with Parkinson’s often have tremors and balance problems, which can lead to falls

Roberto G. Librán/Moment RF/Getty Images

Shoes that beep when someone walks with a strong stride improve stability in people with Parkinson’s disease, a small study has shown.

The condition occurs due to a loss of nerve cells in part of the brain called the substantia nigra. This leads to a reduction in a chemical called dopamine, which helps regulate movement. As a result, Parkinson’s symptoms commonly include tremors, slow walking and balance problems, which can lead to falls.

In an effort to overcome…

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