Wearable sensors and virtual reality aim to improve Parkinson's gait assessment
Researchers at Lehigh University are developing a virtual reality platform that uses wearable sensors to measure gait problems and freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease. The system is designed to standardize testing across clinics and include real-world obstacles such as doorways and hallways. Clinicians could use the resulting data to better understand movement impairments and guide rehabilitation.
Rui Hua, an electrical engineer and assistant professor at Lehigh’s College of Health, leads the SWEET research group. His team is building a VR setup paired with body-worn sensors to quantify walking problems and freezing episodes, when movement briefly stalls and fall risk rises.
The platform aims to make clinic testing more consistent by adding everyday settings like doorways and corridors. Collaborators include an occupational therapist, a computer science professor, and a clinical partner; the team also compares sound and vibration cues that may help patients time their steps.
If validated, this approach could give clinicians more comparable data and help tailor rehabilitation for people with Parkinson’s, especially those whose freezing episodes raise fall risk. Standardized virtual obstacles may make assessments less dependent on individual clinic space, potentially widening access to consistent gait testing. Wearable data could also support remote monitoring, though benefits depend on usability, cost, and clinical integration.