Today, almost every smartphone and watch comes with step-counting capabilities onboard. And while these devices are great for monitoring day-to-day activity, they do not always provide the insight some individuals need. Pedal Data, a healthcare technology brand, is working to bring a new type of step and activity-tracking technology to individuals living with Parkinson’s disease (PD).
“We are developing an insole that measures and helps manage neuro-degenerative conditions like Parkinson’s disease,” says Petal Data founder and CEO, Anwar Hussain. “This can help clinicians and researchers focus on improving patient care and their ultimate outcomes.”
Equipped with a proprietary sensor embedded in its heel, Pedal Data’s sleek insole is a far cry from the bulky wearables traditionally used for medical monitoring. The discreet design helps maintain patient privacy and dignity without sacrificing precision and real-time data, compatible with most closed-heel shoes a user already owns. The device automatically tracks each step, transmitting data to its companion app for a true “set it and forget it” experience.
“Pedal is a powerful tool for the early diagnosis and disease progression monitoring of not only PD but also other syndromes that impair and cause gait disturbances. We are able to monitor treatment compliance and therapeutic response in PD and related syndromes” , Carlos Rueda MD MBA
Advanced artificial intelligence (AI) generates a numerical Parkinsonian Risk rating for the user after each reading. This score, a potential game-changer for early detection and monitoring of PD, is transmitted to the cloud, where it can be accessed by users, providers, and other members of a person’s care team.
Compared to other monitoring devices, the insole is also more affordable—part of the company’s commitment to affordable patient care. And while battery operated, Pedal Data’s advanced engineering optimizes battery life to ensure the insoles stay powered for all-day walking. The company has almost a dozen patents pending for the insole’s technology.
According to Hussain, the idea for Pedal Data started in post-operative monitoring for patients recovering from hip or knee surgeries. However, ongoing discussions with leading medical providers uncovered an even more powerful way to apply its technology to providers working with Parkinson’s patients.
“We found a way to go beyond something that’s interesting and useful to something that’s really high impact and creates a huge transformative benefit for the individuals,” he explains.
“Pedal Data has created a real-time biomarker of Parkinson’s disease symptoms that patients can use at home,” says Joe Drake, a product development engineer and Parkinson’s activist who has PD. He believes that people living with Parkinson’s need the ability to self-monitor the effectiveness of their medications and non-medicinal therapies. “This device has great potential to improve their quality of life,” he says.
PD is a progressive neurological disorder that impacts a person’s motor system. Those living with the condition experience tremors in the hands, arms, legs, and face, often coupled with stiffness and balance problems. It can severely impact a person’s ability to control their movements and perform regular activities. An estimated 90,000 people are diagnosed with PD in the U.S. each year.
Early detection is essential to helping those with PD to maintain independence and manage their symptoms. In initial clinical testing, Pedal Data’s insole showed great promise in helping to do just that. The company is already exploring other degenerative diseases that could benefit from advanced monitoring, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and types of dementia.
But even now, Pedal Data is already changing how patients move through their wellness journey one step at a time. Learn more about the brand’s pioneering approach to healthcare technology at pedaldata.com.
