Multiple Sclerosis patients walk faster thanks to VR technology

Using virtual reality technology coupled with sensors, scientists at Technion, Israel's Institute of Technology have developed a system to enable people suffering from Multiple Sclerosis to walk more effectively. The virtual reality tech takes the form of a small screen attached to glasses which projects a moving, virtual ground computed using sensors that measure the user's eye and body movements. This "virtual floor" apparently improves the walking ability of MS sufferers, and helps them to remain stable. The device even improves walking performance after it has been taken off, so patients won't have to look completely awesome with their goggles on 24/7.

[Via TFOT]

[Kurian @ Sep 16th 2007 8:04AM]

Psychological BS.

[R. C. @ Sep 16th 2007 8:14AM]

How do you know that? What are your qualifications, eaxctly?

[R. C. @ Sep 16th 2007 8:15AM]

How do you know that? What are your qualifications, exactly?

[Mark @ Sep 16th 2007 9:45AM]

I agree with R.C. I have no idea if this technology works, but either way, it's giving people hope.

But then again, seeing as your post is so technical ("Psychological BS,") I guess I have to assume you have any knowledge on the matter and it doesn't work. (sarcasm)

Next time think before you comment.

[GazzyC @ Sep 16th 2007 12:21PM]

Even people with MS will enjoy playing Doom on the thing :-)

[ethana2 @ Sep 16th 2007 1:54PM]

or Blending and playing tremulous and nexuiz...

I can't wait until VR goggles and stream co-processors become truly mainstream.

[Dr. Evil @ Sep 16th 2007 4:13PM]

These guys are behind on their research, this effect they are using was originally discovered because of tiled floor and was adapted at Oxford into VR glasses in mid 90's. Then it was discovered that it wasn't the checkerboard but instead just the repetitive pattern that enabled improved movement.

So... the state of the art is something known as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) aka 'thumper' implant that is basically a metrinome in the brain. Just google, Deep brain stimulation multiple sclerosis' and you'll find a ton of hits. Just a random one:
http://cms.clevelandclinic.org/neuroscience/body.cfm?id=141

Incase someone is going to ask... "what are your qualifications"... I'm a PhD in Biomedical Engr.

Anyway.... moving on.

[Joseph @ Sep 16th 2007 5:22PM]

Engadget reported on this device 4 months ago. What has changed?

[CJ @ Sep 16th 2007 5:26PM]

I agree with Dr. Evil, the tech is behind. I knew about this a few years ago. The increased training of the brain stimulates new neural pathways to be formed around the scars, potentially bringing some return back to people who may have lost some due to MS.

My qualifications, you ask? I'd be one of the end users of this thing (yes, I have MS). Thankfully, I don't need this (yet).

[Rob Vann @ Sep 17th 2007 12:58AM]

This reminds me somewhat of the studies involving paralyzed-limb patients moving their other limb(s) in front of a strategically-placed mirror. Often they were able to recover from their paralysis significantly faster than patients without the mirror. You can call it psychological bs, but the mind is stronger than you might expect.