Rollz Motion Rhythm

Rollz Motion Rhythm puts Parkinson patients in motion

Rollz Motion Rhythm puts Parkinson patients in motion

The Rollz Motion Rhythm is a specialised rollator of the Rollz International company. The Rollz Motion is a rollator that can be converted into a wheelchair. The stable Rollz Motion, which has been tested within SEAS2Grow,

is a rollator developed for people with disturbed walking patterns. This occurs in Parkinson's disease, people with MS and people who have had a stroke. With three cues on the rollator a regular walking rhythm is stimulated.

Getting out of a <br><span>freeze moment</span>

Getting out of a
freeze moment

Some parkinsonian patients suffer from freezing. At those moments it seems as if their feet are 'frozen' to the ground. It is then not possible to take another step for a while. The internal cues, the signals from the brain to start walking, no longer work properly.

If the feet remain standing and the upper body continues to move, freezing can lead to falls and hip fractures. The impact of these types of walking disorders is therefore considerable. Medical research shows that people with these symptoms benefit from external sensory stimuli.

Three rhythmic
stimuli

Freezing mainly occurs when starting to walk, when changing walking direction, when bypassing an object or when passing through a doorway. Stress can also play a role. In such a situation, the Rollz Motion Rhythm supports the use of a rhythmic walking movement with three cues to step out of a freeze moment.

  • A green laser line is projected on the ground in front of the rollator and encourages to step over the line. This improves the stride length and walking speed. In addition, the suddenly visible stimulus to start the walking movement.
  • A built-in metronome gives an acoustic rhythm. This contributes to increasing the walking speed. The rhythm also helps to get into a cadence.
  • Perceptible vibrations in the handle support the gait while walking. The rhythm of the vibrations can be adjusted separately, for example supporting the acoustic rhythm. This stimulus is not perceptible to the environment.

The three cues are individually adjustable. What works best is different for each person. Because the stimuli improve the walking pattern and the stride length, this rollator is also suitable for people with a walking pattern disturbed by other diseases.

The cues can be adjusted on the rollator itself or via an app on the mobile phone.

The <span>support <br>trajectory</span>

The support
trajectory

The Rollz Motion Rhythm was assessed during a business model session and tested by three patients with Parkinson's disease.

This process took place between November 2019 and March 2020 and was led by Natascha van Riet of the Care Innovation Center. In Belgium, interviews were held with professionals.

Assessment during business model session

For this session, contact was made with rehabilitation centre Revant and elderly care organisations Groenhuysen and TanteLouise. The session was attended by a manager, programme manager and a physiotherapist.

During the session, Anne-Wil Siegmund of Rollz International demonstrated the Rollz Motion Rhythm. The first impression was that the rollator looked simply, which was seen as an advantage. The possible option of converting the rollator into a wheelchair was seen as an advantage. The vibrations provided by the handle were experienced as interesting and innovative. The rollator is considered particularly relevant for people with Parkinson's disease, but less so for people with MS. People with MS benefit most from a Rollz Motion.

Groenhuysen and TanteLouise indicated the selection and purchase procedures and the sales and information channels used. The set-up of life tests is also discussed.

Parkinson patients
give Rollz Motion
Rhythm a 9

The test protocol was drawn up together with Anne-Wil Siegmund of Rollz International. Groenhuysen's geriatric physiotherapist tested the Rollz Motion Rhythm with three clients in February and March 2020. TanteLouise also received a Rollz Motion Rhythm to try out. Partly due to the corona outbreak, it was not possible to find suitable clients for the test.

Description clients
The test was attended by 3 clients aged 72 to 80 years. They all have Parkinson's, ranging from 5 to 23 years. The clients also already used a rollator.

Test execution
The test protocol was drawn up together with Anne-Wil Siegmund of Rollz International.

Clients appear to be incredibly positive about the Rollz Motion Rhythm. They give the rollator an average of a 9. In all three clients a specific test (Timed 'Up & Go' (TUG)) is performed faster with the stimuli. In one of the clients, the test is even performed with almost 5 seconds.

All three clients are willing to pay for the rollator, but the amounts vary from EUR 200 to EUR 700.

The
sequel

Rollz International has now launched the Rollz Motion Rhythm. The rollator is available for 1295 euros. It is also possible to expand the Rollz Motion Rhythm with two additional lasers, a wheelchair package, and towing brakes for a fee.