The National Parkinson’s Day, celebrated every year on November 30th in Italy, aims to raise awareness about the importance of early diagnosis of the disease and to provide useful information to patients and families to face daily life with greater peace of mind.
Among the various topics addressed during this day, movement plays a central role, as it represents one of the most significant challenges for those living with Parkinson’s.
Difficulty walking, whether due to fear of falling or freezing episodes, negatively impacts quality of life. Regaining the freedom of movement, both indoors and outdoors, is essential for enjoying favorite activities and preserving overall well-being.
Fortunately, there are various techniques and therapies that can help overcome walking issues, restoring confidence and greater independence to patients.
The impact of freezing on quality of life.
Gait freezing, a type of motor block, is one of the most disabling symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. It occurs suddenly, either at the start of movement or during walking, making it impossible to move despite the will to walk.
This phenomenon is caused by complex brain mechanisms that can occur even when other symptoms are well managed by pharmacological therapy.
Recent studies have shown that freezing episodes, initially brief in the early stages of the disease, significantly increase in duration in advanced stages, lasting several seconds or minutes. With the increase in freezing frequency, there is also a rise in postural instability, a higher risk of falls, and, in severe cases, the need for a wheelchair.
This condition compromises participation in social and family activities, reducing the autonomy of Parkinson’s patients and negatively impacting their overall health. Significant correlations have been found between the severity of motor block episodes and other non-motor disorders, such as cognitive impairments, pain, emotional distress, and sleep problems.
In light of these difficulties, strategies and measures to improve the general condition of patients and caregivers become increasingly vital.
Practical tips to overcome gait freezing.
Among the helpful strategies for overcoming gait freezing is the use of external sensory cues, such as visual or auditory signals, to re-establish regular walking.
For example, visualizing an object on the ground and imagining stepping over it or following a musical rhythm by humming a melody and synchronizing steps can help resume walking after a freezing episode.
These simple suggestions, also recommended by the National Center for Rehabilitation Resources at Boston University, represent an easy-to-implement strategy during critical moments.
However, to more consistently improve confidence and walking fluidity, targeted interventions combining pharmacological therapy, physical therapy, and advanced technologies are necessary.
An innovative approach: AMPS peripheral stimulation.
Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease globally, and freezing is caused by reduced dopamine transmission in brain areas responsible for motor control.
In recent years, automated mechanical peripheral stimulation (AMPS) has emerged as a cutting-edge therapeutic option for improving motor difficulties due to its approach that targets the root of the problem, reducing symptoms caused by neurological disorders.
The Gondola AMPS therapy, personalized to the needs of Parkinson’s patients, works by sending sensory stimuli from specific points on the foot to the brain. These inputs increase functional connectivity in motor areas, providing immediate benefits and restoring speed and stability in movement.
Scientific evidence supporting the therapy.
Automated mechanical peripheral stimulation (AMPS) has been the subject of scientific studies demonstrating its effectiveness over several years.
As early as 2015, researcher Dr. Kleiner highlighted how this technology reduced gait variability in Parkinson’s patients experiencing freezing episodes, confirming its potential as an additional therapy for movement abnormalities.
More recently, a 2022 study by Professor Marques found that AMPS improves certain biomechanical walking parameters, such as hip rotation and muscle activation.
These results indicate that treatment with Gondola AMPS can significantly improve stability and stride length, contributing to a positive change in mobility and overall functionality.
Immediate benefits and treatment convenience.
By stimulating brain areas that tend to block during freezing episodes, the therapy provided by the Gondola AMPS device allows for noticeable improvements in movement control and balance after just one session.
Each session lasts just over 90 seconds, is non-invasive, and can easily be carried out at home, enabling patients to walk with their loved ones in total tranquility.
By using the Gondola device regularly, once or twice a week, it is possible to maintain long-term benefits, counteracting the freezing phenomenon during the disease’s progression.
Every therapy, measure, or strategy that helps Parkinson’s patients regain autonomy and independence contributes to improving their quality of life and restoring confidence in the future.
