NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) -- Students at ODU are using a fitness sock for science.
According to the students behind the project, the sock can track steps and activity level even better than a Fitbit. This study is part of a unique partnership between ODU and Sentara.
The purpose of the research will be used to help people with neurological diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease.
Steven Morrison, the director of research in the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, is the ODU professor behind the study.
“So, we’re going to look at taking the activity data, and using that to get some information about the efficacy of the medication they’re taking,” said Morrison.
These washable and re-usable socks were originally made for athletes. Each sock measures a person’s walking speed, foot pressure, and steps.
Through a detachable data collecting device, it syncs with an application and turns a person’s movement into data.
ODU research Assistant Rachel Simmons said, “just to be able to put numbers behind what the patient is reporting would be extremely helpful for both the patient and the physician.”
Simmons said this project is also personal to her.
“My grandmother has Parkinson’s disease,” Simmons said. “She is awesome, and she’s taking an active role in trying to stay active and trying to do everything she can to try to slow the progression of the disease.”
Morrison said Parkinson’s patients' medication affects their daily activity.
He said doctors only get a snapshot of their patient’s physical activity, but that’s why Sentara is working with their university to give patients their medications at the best times.
“Being able to take a person’s activity at home is the way forward for everything,” said Morrison.
Right now, the research is in the beginning phase. That means they’re seeing if the socks are as accurate as a walking pad, but they are looking for 60 people to start their testing on.
To find out how to contact the research group email Rachel Simmons, at rsimm009@odu.edu.
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