Michael J. Fox's Impact: Advancing Parkinson's Research and Innovations in Patient Care
Michael J Fox best known for his roles as Alex P. Keaton on the sitcom Family Ties and Marty McFly in the Back to the Future trilogy is one of the most beloved Hollywood actors. He has recently been making headlines again discussing the progression of his Parkinson’s disease naming it “the gift that keeps on taking”. He has made significant contributions to Parkinson’s research and has had a tremendous impact on raising awareness and funding for finding a cure.
Most Notably:
- In 2000, Michael J. Fox established the MJFF, a non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease. The foundation has become a leading force in Parkinson’s research, focusing on accelerating the development of improved therapies and ultimately finding a cure.
- He has been a vocal advocate for Parkinson’s research. His public appearances, interviews, and advocacy work have helped raise awareness about the disease and the urgent need for a cure. He has used his platform to educate the public, reduce stigma, and promote scientific advancements in Parkinson’s research.
- Michael J. Fox has been actively involved in advocating for policy changes to support Parkinson’s research. He has testified before the U.S. Congress, advocating for increased funding for research and improved access to care for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
It goes without saying that his dedication and influence have played a crucial role in advancing the search for a cure for Parkinson’s disease.
In 2018, Sensoria Health in conjunction with Neuroscience Research Australia (neuRA) were the recipient of a grant from the Michael J. Fox foundation to perform a clinical trial named Standing Tall-PD to explore how our smart socks can help Parkinson’s patients.
The first part of the study will test the potential for smart textiles to improve Parkinson’s care by collecting more data and serving it to providers. The second part will actually test a haptic feedback motor in the socks that can help free a patient from freezing of gait (FoG) and potentially prevent falls.
The initial findings of the clinical study will be released and published in July 2023 in conjunction with the IEEE conference in Sydney Australia by Dr. Matthew Brodie.
Standing Tall Sensoria Smart Sock System is based on the Sensoria Health platform comprised of proprietary textile pressure sensors, microelectronics, haptic motor feedback, customized mobile application, and HIPAA compliant cloud clinician dashboard. The system is focused on reducing freezing of gait, increasing mobility, reducing risk of falls, and improving quality of life for Parkinson’s disease patients.
Our vision is the Garment is the Computer®. By injecting sensors into garments and footwear, we can provide real-time biometric feedback to the user without disrupting their normal workflow. In addition, our artificial software solutions and clinician dashboard facilitate the sharing of this data to allow for effective and efficient remote patient monitoring.