Device to help MS sufferers walk

Описание: (26 Apr 2006)
1. Vered Bendik, a multiple sclerosis (MS) patient walking without any help or device
2. Various of computer scientist from Technion University (Israel Institute of Technology) Professor Yoram Baram putting device on Bendik
3. Bendik walking with device
4. Virtual display in front of the eye
(TECHNION UNIVERSITY)
5. Bendik testing second device
6. Bendik having final test without device
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Professor Yoram Baram, Technion University:
"It seems to have a strong residual effect, which is in fact a learning process, a memory process. Using the device obviously does something to the brain. It forms a neuronal connection if you will, and when the patient is done with the little exercise and puts the device aside and would start walking on his own, he still would have the same effect. It so happened that patients have been calling us a week after the experiment, telling us that they still are walking on the tiles in their mind. So, it does a have a strong memory and learning effect."
8. Various of Professor Ariel Miller on the phone
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Professor Ariel Miller, head of Department for Multiple Sclerosis at Carmel Hospital, Haifa:
"Today, there is no effective treatment for many of the gait problems. Now, I should elaborate that gait and walking problems can be due to different reasons: it can be because of weakness of the legs, because of muscle spasms - spasticity as you call it. It can be due to sensory problems, when the patient cannot feel the floor properly, or it can be - and this was actually the focus of our study - it can be because of disequilibrium, of imbalance. Now, among the options that the physicians can offer to the patients...we are very limited in what we can offer to date to patients with gait problems. Actually, there is nothing, no treatment and no drug and no medication for gait disturbances due to imbalance."
10. Professor Baram at his computer
11. Computer animation of tiled floor
12. Various graphs of study on the computer
13. Various Tali Lana, multiple sclerosis patient walking with device
14. Close up of device on Lana''s face
15. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Tali Lana, multiple sclerosis patient:
"I feel better, more balanced, more in control and with much more self-confidence. It was nearly like walking normal without any additions."
16. Various of Lana walking steadily without device
17. SOUNDBITE (English) Professor Yoram Baram, Technion University:
"I would say it creates alternative pathways through the brain. Obviously, in such patients there are areas in the brain which are not functioning. What you create by the visual and auditory cues are alternative pathways going through those senses which apparently re-establish a brain muscle connection, which is more effective that those damaged areas."
18. Multiple sclerosis patient Rosalia Javlova walking without device
19. Javlova putting on device
20. Javlova walking with device
SUGGESTED LEAD IN
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating disease which affects the central nervous system making movement difficult.
Now a research team in Israel has come up with a device which helps MS sufferers improve their spatial awareness and makes walking much easier.
STORYLINE
Vered Bendik suffers from multiple sclerosis.
Her eyes find it difficult to give her spatial balance... making her walk unsteadily.
But a new device created by Professor Yoram Baram from Israel''s Technion University (Israel Institute of Technology) may help MS patients find their balance while walking.
Keyword-health-medical

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