Potential Exoskeleton Walking Solution

I saw this article in New Scientist recently, which may have the potential to help those with HSP.

Various research into exoskeletons has shown that they can improve gait, but it is claimed that this research hasnt converted into real world benefits as all the studies have been in laboratory conditions. This study uses two prototype ankle exoskeletons to help people walk, and has used an AI system to learn about how people walk in real world situations and is able to deliver benefits in the real world.

This study used ten healthy participants in their 20s, and they report that there was a 9% increase in walking speed and a 17% reduction in energy used to walk. They found the exoskeleton relatively easy to used, and the AI is reported to be able to learn quickly. The paper reports that substantial development work would need to occur to develop this into a finished product.

It occurs to me that the spasticity from HSP makes people walk slower, less efficiently and people need to use more energy for the same walk. I wonder if this kind of product would help people in the earlier stages of HSP maintain their full independence for longer and make it easier to get out and about. 

New scientist article: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2341275-exoskeleton-boots-learn-how-you-walk-to-help-improve-your-gait/

Full paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05191-1

Image of the exoskeleton from the paper:

I'm pleased to see that the full paper is open access, meaning that anyone can read about this.

Update from Australia

 There has been another interesting update from the Australian HSP research group.

As usual their updates are categorised, with research updates and living with HSP updates. On their living with HSP page they report the following:

• They acknowledge that as HSP is a chronic progressive condition, people are more at risk of mental health conditions. They highlight the Australian R U OK? campaign (https://www.ruok.org.au/), and there are similar campaigns in other parts of the world. I encourage anyone feeling low to try and seek out a conversation.
• They report a study from July identifying that mindfulness can separate pain and the suffering from pain (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/07/220708162754.htm). Pain is a common symptom for people with HSP, and I hadnt thought that mindfulness could be a treatment to reduce the impact of pain.
• Another page goes into more detail about why stretching is useful for people with spasticity - https://hspersunite.org.au/better-understanding-spasticity/. HSP tends to make the muscles in the lower body more spastic, and the common advice for people with HSP is to undertake a series of regular stretching. This article gives some of the background behind this. If you're not sure which stretches help which muscles, or indeed which stretches are best for you speak to a physiotherapist or look at TreatHSP (https://www.treathsp.net/en/clinic/physiotherapy) or the HSP support groups.

I was also pleased to see my own post on sex and disability here! - You can go and read all articles here: https://hspersunite.org.au/news/living-with-hsp/  

On the research front they report that:

• a gene therapy is under development for SPG49, 
• neuroinflammation may be important for people with SPG11,
• new research highlights that verbal fluency, memory and executive function can be affected in people with SPG11,
• there is an overlap in some people with HSP and Multiple Sclerosis
• SPG87 is reported to have been found in both 'pure' and 'complex' forms - 'complex' HSP is most often used to represent there being additional symptoms beyond the usual lower body spasticity.  

There are other stories reported as well - you can read more here: https://hspersunite.org.au/news/research-highlights/

I know its just my perspective, but it always takes me a few minutes to remember that Australia is in the southern hemisphere when I get their Spring update in my inbox in September/October!