California-based bionic clothing firm, Cionic, has published results from a real-world study that demonstrated its Neural Sleeve assistive technology has a positive impact on the wellbeing of patients living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Data published in the International Journal of MS Care detailed how Cionic’s Neural Sleeve was able to use the proprietary array-based stimulation approach to address neuromuscular walking challenges, improving the mobility of patients.
The study, titled: “Impact of the Cionic Neural Sleeve on Ankle Kinematics during Gait in Multiple Sclerosis,” examined two key measures related to difficulties with walking. These are decreased dorsiflexion, or difficulty lifting the foot, and increased inversion, as well as the tendency for the ankle and foot to roll inward.
Results from the study found that, whilst using Cionic’s Neural Sleeve stimulation device, all participants experienced improvements to dorsiflexion and reductions in inversion, granting greater freedom of movement to the foot and ankle.
Jeremiah Robison, CEO of Cionic, said: “In order to address the highly individualized and complex mobility challenges of individuals with neurologic conditions, a flexible technology system that continuously interprets their movement and muscular activity and adapts to their needs is paramount.
“These results show the tremendous power of our software-steered neuromodulation array and real-time adaptive algorithms to improve walking for individuals with MS.”
The positive results from the study come almost a year after the company was able to raise $12m in a Series A extension financing round in order to further drive its US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Neural Sleeve.
Doug Wadja, lead author of the study, added: “Our findings highlight the efficacy of a comprehensive technology that can address a wider variety of gait impairments at once. It’s encouraging that all participants experienced improvements to two of the key measures that impact safe walking.”
Elsewhere in the field of MS treatment, Phillips has teamed up with Swedish software firm Synthetic MR to develop quantitative brain imaging tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
