ASSISTIVE WEARABLE VIBROTACTILE CUEING BAND FOR FREEZING OF GAIT IN PARKINSON’S DISEASE

– Freezing of Gait (FoG) is a serious movement issue in Parkinson’s disease. It causes sudden and temporary difficulties in starting or continuing to walk. These episodes raise the risk of falls, limit mobility, and harm quality of life. Traditional treatments like medication and physiotherapy often offer only limited or inconsistent relief for FoG. This shows the need for assistive technology solutions. This project introduces a Smart Wearable Vibrotactile Cueing System. It aims to detect and manage Freezing of Gait in Parkinson’s patients in real time. The system uses EMG sensors to monitor muscle activity and motion sensors to examine gait patterns. An ESP32 microcontroller processes the collected data to accurately recognize FoG events. When FoG is detected, a vibration motor sends tailored vibrotactile cues to help the patient begin walking again. An LCD display shows the current system status, while an RTC module logs the time and frequency of FoG episodes. The system also includes IoT connectivity for remote monitoring, data logging, and long-term analysis. This allows clinicians and caregivers to track patient progress and improve rehabilitation strategies. The wearable system is noninvasive, lightweight, affordable, and suitable for both clinical and home use. Overall, this project aims to boost patient independence, lower fall risk, and enhance the quality of life for those with Parkinson’s disease.