ViQ is a low-cost, non-invasive, effective treatment option for people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), who frequently have trouble walking (Freezing-of-Gait) or brushing their teeth, and may experience tremors (uncontrollable shaking). ViQ is a wearable device that was re-engineered from an electrical-toothbrush and a metronome, which outputs a pattern of sounds, called cueing (audible clicking). The high-frequency (250 Hz) vibrations from the toothbrush components target a specific mechanoreceptor, called the Pacinian corpuscle, located deep in the dermis and bone-periosteum, that sends signals to the nervous system in order to disrupt abnormal neuron activity in those with PD. Unlike other expensive wearable PD treatment devices which only target the hand, users wear ViQ on the sternum, discreetly underneath their clothes. ViQ costs only 150 dollars to build, and is successful in providing therapeutic treatment, improving fine-motor skills, reducing tremors, preventing freeze of gait, and enriching one’s overall quality of life.
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