Long-Term Use of a Sensory Prosthesis Improves Function in a Patient With Peripheral Neuropathy: A Case Report
Background: Peripheral neuropathy (PN) can result in either partial or complete loss of distal sensation resulting in an increased fall risk. Walkasins® uses a shoe insert to detect the magnitude and direction of sway and sends signals to a leg unit that provides sensory balance cues. The objective...
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| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Neurology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2021.655963/full |
| _version_ | 1829520560403513344 |
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| author | Diane M. Wrisley Diane M. Wrisley Gillian McLean Gillian McLean Jennifer Baity Hill Jennifer Baity Hill Lars I. E. Oddsson Lars I. E. Oddsson Lars I. E. Oddsson |
| author_facet | Diane M. Wrisley Diane M. Wrisley Gillian McLean Gillian McLean Jennifer Baity Hill Jennifer Baity Hill Lars I. E. Oddsson Lars I. E. Oddsson Lars I. E. Oddsson |
| author_sort | Diane M. Wrisley |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Peripheral neuropathy (PN) can result in either partial or complete loss of distal sensation resulting in an increased fall risk. Walkasins® uses a shoe insert to detect the magnitude and direction of sway and sends signals to a leg unit that provides sensory balance cues. The objective of this case report is to describe the long-term influence of the Walkasins® lower limb sensory neuroprosthesis on balance and gait for an individual with diabetic PN.Case Description: A 51-year-old male with a 3-year history of PN and a 10-year history of type II diabetes mellitus was fitted bilaterally with Walkasins® and utilized them 8–10 hours/day for more than 2 years. Although, vibration and tactile sensation thresholds were severely impaired at his 1st metatarsophalangeal joint and the lateral malleolus bilaterally he could perceive tactile stimuli from the Walkasins® above the ankles.Outcomes: Following Walkasins® use, his Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) scores improved from 33 to 80%. His mean Vestibular Activities of Daily Living (VADL) scores decreased from 3.54 to 1. His Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) scores increased from 13/30 to 28/30 and his miniBESTest scores improved from 15/28 to 26/28. Gait speed increased from 0.23 to 1.5 m/s. The patient described a decrease in pain and cramping throughout his lower extremities and an increase in function.Discussion: Gait and balance improved with the use of the Walkasins® and participation in a wellness program. This improvement suggests that the use of sensory substitution devices, such as the Walkasins®, may replace sensory deficits related to gait and balance dysfunction experienced by patients with PN. Further research is needed to determine if other patients will have a similar response and what the necessary threshold of sensory function is to benefit from use of the Walkasins®. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T15:00:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7c37718d2f25438fb9e5522f56305ab1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-2295 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T15:00:07Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Neurology |
| spelling | doaj.art-7c37718d2f25438fb9e5522f56305ab12022-12-21T22:27:19ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neurology1664-22952021-06-011210.3389/fneur.2021.655963655963Long-Term Use of a Sensory Prosthesis Improves Function in a Patient With Peripheral Neuropathy: A Case ReportDiane M. Wrisley0Diane M. Wrisley1Gillian McLean2Gillian McLean3Jennifer Baity Hill4Jennifer Baity Hill5Lars I. E. Oddsson6Lars I. E. Oddsson7Lars I. E. Oddsson8Department of Physical Therapy, Wingate University, Wingate, NC, United StatesDoctor of Physical Therapy Program, College of St Mary, Omaha, NE, United StatesDepartment of Physical Therapy, Wingate University, Wingate, NC, United StatesFyzical Therapy and Balance Centers, Las Vegas, NV, United StatesDepartment of Physical Therapy, Wingate University, Wingate, NC, United StatesOrthoCarolina Outpatient Winston-Salem, Winston-Salem, NC, United StatesDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United StatesRecanati School of Community Health, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, IsraelRxFunction Inc., Eden Prairie, MN, United StatesBackground: Peripheral neuropathy (PN) can result in either partial or complete loss of distal sensation resulting in an increased fall risk. Walkasins® uses a shoe insert to detect the magnitude and direction of sway and sends signals to a leg unit that provides sensory balance cues. The objective of this case report is to describe the long-term influence of the Walkasins® lower limb sensory neuroprosthesis on balance and gait for an individual with diabetic PN.Case Description: A 51-year-old male with a 3-year history of PN and a 10-year history of type II diabetes mellitus was fitted bilaterally with Walkasins® and utilized them 8–10 hours/day for more than 2 years. Although, vibration and tactile sensation thresholds were severely impaired at his 1st metatarsophalangeal joint and the lateral malleolus bilaterally he could perceive tactile stimuli from the Walkasins® above the ankles.Outcomes: Following Walkasins® use, his Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) scores improved from 33 to 80%. His mean Vestibular Activities of Daily Living (VADL) scores decreased from 3.54 to 1. His Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) scores increased from 13/30 to 28/30 and his miniBESTest scores improved from 15/28 to 26/28. Gait speed increased from 0.23 to 1.5 m/s. The patient described a decrease in pain and cramping throughout his lower extremities and an increase in function.Discussion: Gait and balance improved with the use of the Walkasins® and participation in a wellness program. This improvement suggests that the use of sensory substitution devices, such as the Walkasins®, may replace sensory deficits related to gait and balance dysfunction experienced by patients with PN. Further research is needed to determine if other patients will have a similar response and what the necessary threshold of sensory function is to benefit from use of the Walkasins®.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2021.655963/fullbalancesensory substitutionneuroprosthesisperipheral neuropathyfall riskdiabetes |
| spellingShingle | Diane M. Wrisley Diane M. Wrisley Gillian McLean Gillian McLean Jennifer Baity Hill Jennifer Baity Hill Lars I. E. Oddsson Lars I. E. Oddsson Lars I. E. Oddsson Long-Term Use of a Sensory Prosthesis Improves Function in a Patient With Peripheral Neuropathy: A Case Report Frontiers in Neurology balance sensory substitution neuroprosthesis peripheral neuropathy fall risk diabetes |
| title | Long-Term Use of a Sensory Prosthesis Improves Function in a Patient With Peripheral Neuropathy: A Case Report |
| title_full | Long-Term Use of a Sensory Prosthesis Improves Function in a Patient With Peripheral Neuropathy: A Case Report |
| title_fullStr | Long-Term Use of a Sensory Prosthesis Improves Function in a Patient With Peripheral Neuropathy: A Case Report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Long-Term Use of a Sensory Prosthesis Improves Function in a Patient With Peripheral Neuropathy: A Case Report |
| title_short | Long-Term Use of a Sensory Prosthesis Improves Function in a Patient With Peripheral Neuropathy: A Case Report |
| title_sort | long term use of a sensory prosthesis improves function in a patient with peripheral neuropathy a case report |
| topic | balance sensory substitution neuroprosthesis peripheral neuropathy fall risk diabetes |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2021.655963/full |
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