Dance Dance Revolution could be a way around multiple sclerosis for sufferers – once they level up.
A new study from Neuroscience Research Australia has found a way to improve balance and reduce falls amongst people with MS, and it looks surprisingly like the popular dance video game. Participants are given a marked mat and follow cues on a screen and are rewarded for getting them right.
So far the study is limited to people living in Sydney, however, researchers are hungry for volunteers, and with enough interest it may make its way down the coast. Volunteers must meet the following criteria:
- a confirmed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
- ability to walk for at least six minutes (with or without mobility aid)
- ability to stand unaided for about one minute
- have had no exacerbation of symptoms in the past 30 days.
A Eurobodalla sufferer hopes there will be enough volunteers for the research team to consider an outreach station here. The woman, who did not wish to be named, was diagnosed at 15 and was interested in the study straight away.
“Some days I can walk well and some days I cant walk at all – it’s very restrictive,” she said.
“Apparently this study has been very helpful to people in walking with some running, and helped others with cognition.”
She also thanked the MS Society in Canberra for their “amazing” outreach service on the Coast.
Interested participants can contact: 02 9399 1127 or at ifims@neura.edu.au
