gaitQ tempo’s Story
Three experts in engineering and physiology from the University of Oxford’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering and the Department of Physiology Anatomy & Genetics, Dr Dongli Li, Dr James Cantley and Dr André Hallack, worked together to develop a device to address gait freezing in people with Parkinson’s Disease. Three years later, in 2019, gaitQ® was founded and spun-out of the University in March 2020.
Overview
gaitQ tempo™ applies a vibrational prompt (a ‘cue’) delivered via a discreet wearable device worn on the lower legs—an intuitive location for gait cueing.
gaitQ tempo™ provides a non-invasive and easily portable cueing solution for individuals with Parkinson’s.
A Controller allows the user to trigger the vibrations and adjust the speed of cueing to their preference.
The Dock is for keeping the devices charged and ready-for-use.
The Pod
The core component of gaitQ tempo™ is the Pod. Designed to be worn on the leg, the Pod can be placed under clothing, allowing you to keep any walking issues private. The Pod is secured to the leg using a strap, providing a comfortable and secure fit.
The Pod uses vibrational sensory cues to prompt the user to walk more smoothly and overcome freezing episodes, a common motor symptom of Parkinson’s.
The vibrational cues are applied directly to the leg, providing subtle and gentle prompts to encourage a more regular pace of walking.
