Amey Desai, a BITS Pilani alumnus and a budding entrepreneur who invented a unique ‘Wearable Band’ to address mobility issues in people with Parkinson’s disease, discussed his recent invention at the popular reality television show Shark Tank India. In the show’s third season, Desai stressed that this tool could address the mobility issues of Parkinson’s patients.

Unlike other diseases that disappear after treatment, Parkinson’s stays with people and worsens progressively. In a follow-up interview, Desai explains: “It’s a condition more than a disease and gets worse over time, and the quality of life drops”.

However, exercise is one of the best ways to fight Parkinson’s. “The more active you stay, the better your chance of not developing serious symptoms. In case of a movement disorder, the patient cannot stay active, and the progression (of the disease) is faster,” says Desai.

He emphasizes, “Physical activity is the best weapon against the disease”. The wearable device is a complementary addition but not a replacement to other treatments for Parkinson’s, he says.

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What Is Parkinson’s Disease And How Does It Develop? 

Parkinson’s disease develops slowly, and so one may not notice its progression in the early phase. A few reasons could be critical in its development. It may happen due to a head injury, a sedentary lifestyle, pesticide exposure, improper diet, etc., but its exact cause is yet to be known.

This disease progresses with age and affects the nervous system. In Parkinson’s disease, the nerves start losing control over the body parts. The symptoms include tremors, slow movement of muscles or stiffness, changes in speech, etc.

According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report in August 2023, Parkinson’s disease has almost doubled in the last 25 years, the second most common illness in senior citizens aged 60 and older, but it can also affect younger people.

According to the Global Burden of Disease study in 2018, India had around 0.58 million Parkinson’s patients in 2016, and its numbers were expected to increase further.

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Is There A Cure For Parkinson’s?

As per the WHO report, there is no cure for the disease yet, but there are ways to keep it from worsening. Medication helps improve the symptoms, but sometimes doctors also suggest surgeries. Keeping the patient active along with the medication can help fight the disease.

As the saying goes: “The solution lies where the problem is.” So, taking care of the lifestyle, engaging in physical activities, and eating nutritious food can help fight the disease.

Desai’s ‘Wearable Band’, which can be tied to the leg, generates vibrations that help in movement. In a pilot phase, the device was tested on 150 people, and the results have been encouraging for 90 per cent of the participants, Desai revealed in the show. This wearable band costs around Rs 37,000 and lasts 2-5 years.