Peripheral sensory neuropathy - Anyone tried Walkasins?

@ssjohns - Excellent idea to join a support group. Along with this forum, it will help. I joined a support group and find it helpful, there are several out there via zoom. I like the Connect, we can access this on our own timeline. If I get a response, I'll let you know. Ed

Hi Ed, I think COVID may have interrupted the FDA approval process but I'm not sure. There is a reference to COVID causing some participants to drop out of the clinic trials for the device. Here are a couple of references for those that want to know more.

--- walk2Wellness: Long-term Effects of Walkasins® Wearable Sensory Prosthesis:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/results/NCT03538756
--- Wearable Technologies Using Peripheral Neuromodulation to Enhance Mobility and Gait Function in Older Adults―A Narrative Review:
https://academic.oup.com/biomedgerontology/advance-article/doi/10.1093/gerona/glac045/6532016

@johnbishop - John, that would make some level of sense because what information is available on this, to me, is very vague. Thanks for posting the links. Ed

We need somebody with some influence to follow up on this. It is far too important to fall by the wayside. Sounds to me like it could help so many people, but somebody dropped the ball. We need to join forces and get it rolling again. Any suggestions?

@johnbishop - John - I agree with you. Is this company venturing forward with this technology? I was surprised that on the foundation for PN website, there was no mention about this. Talk about a head scratcher! So many people are not doing well because of PN both physically and mentally. I had a fall about 10 days ago, landed sideways on kitchen floor, banged my head and two days later got a spell of vertigo. Ughhh... I never stood in the middle of a merry-go-round and had the room spin around me. Doc said something in ear probably got knocked around. OK since but that is the kind of stuff that happens with PN. Wonder why the Foundation for PN isn't on this. Doesn't appear to me to be a credibility issue in light of the testing. I will make contact with someone and get back to you in a day or so.

John,

I sent Katherine Stenzel an email and included your links regarding the studies, etc. and asked her to look into it. She runs the support group zoom calls.

My husband is in a private care home now for dementia. I pay for his care with no help from our wonderful government. So for people such as I, unless you are wealthy, this device would be definitely be out of our price range. It is a sad commentary on both our health care systems. No one knows what our golden years will bring and the young working today had better be putting some money aside for the later years because I’m pretty sure the days of the government pension fund, which those working pay into, will be long gone.

@johnbishop John, I don't think that the Walkasins are available at this time. Their website gives no indication as to marketing which could indicate clinical trials are ongoing, pending results, funding, etc. The concept is certainly interesting and let's hope this will offer many of us some needed help. I agree with @tessie63 the price is high but first things first, where do they now stand in so much as availability. Proof beyond doubt that this is an effective device is vital. I will post additional info if I find out anything, let's all do the same. Ed

I asked my brother-in-law to take a look at these results and give his feedback. He’s a very smart dude. You may find it helpful.

“This device provides a measurable improvement in several of the metrics that were considered, but the improvement wasn't uniform, but still overall results were decent. Results are from a baseline at time 0 to 26 weeks.”

“Functional gait assessment: (higher #s show improvement)
Average baseline was 15 then 19.2 at 26 weeks, so the improvement was a little more than 25%”.

“Gait Speed: in meters/second went from .87 to .97, so the improvement (increase in gait speed) was more than 10%”

“4 Stage Balance Test: From 25.6 to 28.4, so there was an approx 13% improvement. This is probably the most important test since it would be a predictor of falls.”

“The results aren't earth-shattering but decent to very good for functional gait assessment. There was one category that I didn't show. (TUG), the time required to "get up and go", showed little/no improvement”

Thanks for the shout-out, John. Yes, I contacted the Walkasins company directly, was referred to a PT clinic at a major medical school, traveled there, was evaluated for the Walkasins and tried them out. I have numbness, discomfort, and weakness of my right leg due to spinal issues.
Unfortunately, I did not find them helpful, was very unimpressed with the product- a piece fits in your shoe and another piece wraps around above your ankle- some light zapping then ensues. The PT recommended a computerized gait study, which I pursued at an associated clinic, and based on the results of that, a metal rocker was embedded in my shoe, which gave me a mechanical push-off, I was landing flat and unable to get much push-off in the step through. This change made a huge difference in my walking ability, balance, and ease.
What has also proved very helpful for me is, every year, going to PT for a 3-4 week "refresh" series of appointments to update my Home Exercise Program, address any bad habits starting with walking form and posture, add exercises as needed, and get some extra motivation to do them.
At the advice of PT, I had an ankle foot orthosis made and wear it for distance walking, which I do daily for a mile.
I had a bad fall a few months ago, but it was really because I wasn't paying attention, I need to be mindful when moving.
I have found its crucial to keep up with the home exercise program. At PT's suggestion, I've bought an exercise bike. The seat is upright, so my PN foot doesn't slide off.
I think the Walkasins fall into the "magic wand" category we all hope for- for relief from this PN. If they help you, that's wonderful, but if you can't access them, don't feel you're missing out on a game-changer. If only......