Space technology could prevent falls
"Houston, we have an innovation."
No astronaut said that, I'm sure, but he could have. The point is that some technology blasting out of space is being translated into a medical breakthrough that could help senior citizens avoid catastrophic falls.
The idea is to adapt an insole device used by NASA to restore the balance of astronauts returning to Earth after spending weeks in zero gravity. NASA scientists developed the insole, which began with an intern's idea. The next step, other scientists believe, could be a company developing such an "iShoe" at an affordable price for the market of seniors with balance problems.
NASA's iShoe has a half-dozen sensors that give readings on how someone is balancing — how pressure is distributed on different parts of the foot. The iShoe is not an instant alarm but it can send out a signal if the wearer actually takes a tumble. It can potentially be attached to a data recorder with a strip to demonstrate to a person what his or her balance problems are. This can include inner ear problems, muscle tone and poor vision. With data on an individual's balance problems, doctors can design a physical therapy regimen to make improvements.
People's balance wobbles as they tear off calendar pages. The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates 300,000 people annually suffer hip fractures, which are often caused by falls. An average of 24 percent of hip fracture patients, age 50 and over, die within a year of the fracture. Many others are disabled after the fracture. An affordable balance-friendly insole could declare independence for millions of senior citizens.
The iShoe has a way to go before it's ready for market. Research is ongoing to adapt it with an understanding of elderly people's balance issues. Scientists are walking through plans for clinical trials.
Shaky balance isn't something you have to accept. You can do exercises that improve your system. An insole data system might provide input to help in the design of exercises and physical therapy to help people. It's a question of balance.
You can also be smart about the shoes you choose. Heavily padded running shoes may be less safe than shoes with thinner soles. Unless you're running or jogging in them, you don't need all this padding. Your feet are supplied with a rich array of nerves and mechanoreceptors that help your body balance itself and gauge where you are in space.
Heavy cushioning in heavily-hyped running shoes gets in the way of this normal, natural and protective process.
