Effect of a Wearable Sensor-Based Posture Correction Brace on Static Balance and Posture in Parkinson's Disease

Postural deformities such as camptocormia affect over 30% of Parkinson's disease patients, impairing balance, gait, and quality of life. This study evaluated a vibratory-feedback posture brace versus conventional exercises in Parkinson's disease.

In this pilot randomized controlled trial, 28 individuals with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (Hoehn & Yahr stage 2-3) and stooped posture were assigned to either a 6-wk daily exercise program (posture exercise group, n = 13) or a wearable brace (sensor brace group, n = 15), worn around 8 hrs/d. The brace delivered vibration cues when forward flexion exceeded a set threshold. Primary outcomes were craniovertebral and cranio-horizontal angle (APECS); the secondary was static balance (Tetrax fall index). Group × time effects were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (α = 0.05).

Groups were similar at baseline. At 2 wks, only the sensor brace group showed significant improvement in cranio-horizontal angle (~ -2°, P = 0.046), indicating a short-term, localized benefit. By 6 wks, both groups had modest head posture improvements. Trunk sagittal angle and fall index showed no significant change.

The sensor-based brace improved upper cervical posture in the short-term and was well tolerated. Longer training or combined strategies may yield greater functional gains.