Multiple Sclerosis Walking Aid for Fatigue & Gait Support
Moveo
Many people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience progressive or fluctuating difficulty with walking. Common challenges include:
- Fatigue during short walking distances
- Reduced walking speed
- Muscle weakness
- Balance instability
- Spasticity or stiffness
- Foot drop
- Reduced endurance over time
At Moveo, we develop wearable gait-assistance technology designed to support natural walking patterns and complement rehabilitation therapy for neurological conditions such as MS.
HOW MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AFFECTS WALKING
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, disrupting communication between the brain and muscles. This disruption can lead to a wide range of mobility impairments that vary from person to person and may fluctuate daily.
COMMON NEUROLOGICAL MECHANISMS AFFECTING GAIT:
- Demyelination slowing motor nerve conduction
- Motor Planning and coordination Impairments: Disruption of neural networks involved in movement control can affect gait fluidity and adaptability.
- Muscle weakness
- Spasticity, affecting smooth movement
- Sensory impairment, affecting balance
- Central fatigue, affecting endurance
Research shows that walking impairment is one of the most significant contributors to reduced quality of life in people with MS, often occurring early in the disease course and progressing over time.
COMMON GAIT CHANGES IN MS
MS-related walking difficulties may include:
- Reduced stride length
- Slower walking speed
- Foot drop during swing phase
- Increased variability in step timing
- Reduced balance control
- Increased energy cost of walking
Research in neurorehabilitation has shown that individuals with MS often expend significantly more energy during walking compared to healthy individuals, contributing to early fatigue and reduced mobility participation. Over 75% of people with MS report fatigue as one of their most disabling symptoms.
HOW WEARABLE GAIT ASSISTANCE MAY SUPPORT MS WALKING
Wearable gait-assistance technologies are being explored as tools to support rehabilitation in neurological conditions such as MS. ExoBand use mechanical assistance and energy return principles to support lower-limb movement during walking.
MECHANISMS OF ACTION:
- Supporting hip flexion during swing phase
- Reducing effort required for step initiation
- Improving gait rhythm consistency
- Reducing perceived exertion during walking
- Supporting longer walking bouts during rehabilitation
Research shows that walking impairment is one of the most significant contributors to reduced quality of life in people with MS, often occurring early in the disease course and progressing over time.
WHO MAY BENEFIT FROM EXOBAND?
You may consider gait-assistance support for individuals with MS if you experience:
- Walking fatigue after short distances
- Reduced walking endurance
- Foot drop or swing phase difficulty
- Slower gait speed
- Balance instability during walking
- Reduced community mobility participation
EXOBAND AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: EFFECTS ON GAIT, MOBILITY AND REHABILITATION OUTCOMES
The use of ExoBand in patients with walking impairments results in a longer distance covered, a higher walking speed, an improved adherence to a more natural walking pattern, and a decreased metabolic cost with a reduced sense of fatigue. In essence, patients can walk longer, faster and better.
“Patients felt more confident while walking.”
Patent granted in EU, USA e China