In some cases, drug therapies can help with MS symptoms, but what about tech solutions? Surely with all the devices and apps being created for various medical conditions, something is available for MS. Indeed, several things are available. And while technology hasn’t yet found a way to completely resolve MS-related problems, there are some devices that may be able to help. Appearing at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES), a meeting of technology innovators and entrepreneurs in Las Vegas in January 2020, several new products that have been released may provide some help and relief for people with MS. Here are a few of them: Manufacturer Triple W The Skinny Make it to the bathroom in time with DFree, the first noninvasive, wearable device for urinary incontinence, a common complication associated with MS. Your bladder will expand as you accumulate urine and contract when you urinate. DFree, which stands for “diaper-free,” uses ultrasound — through a removable sensor placed on your abdomen — to measure the size of your bladder, and indicates how full it is on a scale of 1 to 10. The device is designed to provide men and women with advance notice when they need to go to the bathroom, so they can get there in time by sending an alert to their phone. DFree has been endorsed by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), among others. Expert Comment “One of the big problems with MS is urinary retention, but some people may experience overflow incontinence,” says Scott Lucchese, MD, a neurologist with MU Health Care in Columbia, Missouri. “A product that could help them manage these symptoms would be of huge benefit.” Manufacturer TacSense The Skinny FootWARE is billed as the first-ever health-tracking smart shoe. It can measure heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, emotion, stress level, and movement, the manufacturer says. Outfitted with the company’s “flexible and ultra-sensitive” FITS sensing technology, the shoes are designed to closely monitor people’s health conditions as well as their daily activities by tracking steps, pulse rate, and abnormal gaits — a common problem in MS. The shoe is intended for ambulatory use in daily life, both indoor and outdoor, by kids and adults ages 18 and older. The shoe comes with a rechargeable Bluetooth circuit that connects to compatible software, where users can gain access to track and store their well-being anywhere at any time. Price and Availability FootWARE isn’t currently available for sale in the United States but it is expected to be released early in 2020. You can check the TacSense website for updates. Expert Comment “A lot of these measurements may be helpful for monitoring stress levels or side effects from medications for MS,” Dr. Lucchese notes. “In working with people with MS, we might use some of the data — like the gait analysis — to see how medication is working to manage symptoms. If we see something that can be improved, we may adjust the dose or change medications altogether.” Manufacturer Zibrio The Skinny The Zibrio SmartScale is a balance measurement device that is designed to allow users to measure and track their balance. Difficulty maintaining balance is a common symptom of MS. The SmartScale uses a simple and safe 60-second test, during which users simply stand still on the device with their eyes open. SmartScale rates your balance on a scale of 1 to 10. A lower score is associated with an increased risk of falling. Price and Availability You can pre-order the SmartScale on the Zibrio website, for $249, with delivery scheduled to begin in April 2020. For more information, visit the Zibrio website. Expert Comment “One of the things doctors look at when addressing spasticity in MS is how someone is moving and their balance,” Lucchese explains. “I could see a lot of potential benefits if I had MS patients who used a product like this regularly and I was able to see the data over time. When people with MS visit their doctor, their doctor only gets a snapshot of how they’re doing on that one day. They may be having a good day or a bad day. A product like this could really add to the information we have to make treatment decisions.” Manufacturer Baracoda The Skinny Mateo is described by its manufacturers as the first “smart” bathroom mat designed to enable users to monitor weight, body fat, and posture simply by standing on it — eliminating the need for a scale and other devices. As maintaining overall health is important for people with MS, Mateo can provide a simple way to track your weight. Price and Availability Mateo is scheduled for launch at the CES consumer technology conference in Las Vegas in January 2020. It is available for pre-order at the Mateo website. Expert Comment “Poor posture may be an indication the person is dealing with spasticity and that their medication may not be controlling these symptoms effectively,” Lucchese says. “Again, we can use some of this information as part of our routine treatment monitoring, and if we notice any changes we can make adjustments.” Manufacturer WHILL The Skinny Measuring just 29 inches high, 39 inches long, and 21.5 inches wide when ready for use, the lightweight Model Ci also folds into a compact size for transport. Users can travel at speeds of up to 5 miles per hour, for up to 10 miles before recharging. The durable design and responsive controls allow for indoor and outdoor use, even on rough terrain. The Model A, meanwhile, allows you to pull right up to tables and desks, and comes with a variety of options, including a phone holder, light, horn, walking stick holder, backpack, and cup holder. Both are designed for people who need wheelchairs and other assistive devices to move around. Price and Availability Both the Model Ci and the Model A are available from resellers, including National Seating & Mobility, Scootaround, Spinlife, and Top Mobility. A full list of resellers is available at the Whill website. Prices vary. Expert Comment “The all-terrain features of this product are really important for people like many of my patients, who live in rural areas that don’t have sidewalks or accessible facilities,” Lucchese says. Manufacturer iLIVING The Skinny The newest foldable electric mobility scooter from iLIVING can help people with MS lead an active lifestyle. It’s designed to be lightweight, with a frame structure crafted from heavy-duty, aircraft-grade aluminum, and it features the company’s patented “quick-and-easy” two-step fold-unfold system. The scooter also has a USB port, so you can charge your cellphone, and a durable, cushioned seat. The V8’s battery compartment is accessible only with the scooter key, for security. It comes in two colors: blue, which is available now, and red, which will be released in 2020. Price and Availability The V8 foldable scooter can be purchased for $2,250, directly from iLIVING at the Foldable Scooter website. It comes with two batteries. Expert Comment “Assistive devices can be cumbersome, especially when traveling,” Lucchese notes. “A product like this may be nice for people with MS by helping them not only move around, but encouraging them to get out and about.” Manufacturer Core Wellness The Skinny Billed as the world’s first handheld meditation trainer, Core is designed to provide meditation support. Meditation is often recommended for people with MS to reduce stress and improve quality of life. As you meditate or practice breathing exercises, Core pairs curated audio with haptic (sense of touch) feedback to completely immerse you while measuring your heart data via electrocardiogram (ECG), enabling you to track progress over time and learn how your environment and lifestyle choices affect your stress levels and mental well-being. Price and Availability Core will be available starting in January 2020. For more information, visit the Core website. Expert Comment “Mindfulness is always helpful,” Lucchese says. “I’ve seen a lot of benefit with it in terms of pain control, but also in reducing anxiety. Any tool that can help people practice these techniques, by improving their focus, for example, could be very useful.”
