Problem Statement
To create a device that can manage the symptoms and prevent complications of Spinal Muscular Atrophy and other neuromuscular disorders. This can be done in a gravity neutral environment, such as in an aquatic setting. Physical activity outside the aquatic environment is also necessary because many daily activities cannot be performed in water. Slowing down the rate of degeneration is important and has a major influence on the survival rate of the patient. Our design will help SMA patients maintain their muscle strength and range of motion, while also preventing joint tightening and painful muscle cramps.
Validation of Need
A study with mice specimen provided the evidence that exercise prolongs survival rate in spinal muscular atrophy patients. This study, “Regular Exercise Prolongs Survival in a Type 2 Spinal Muscular Atrophy Model Mouse”, was published in the Journal of Neuroscience (Grondard). Mice that had increased muscle innervations lived longer, even with SMA. The mice did not have new innervations but were able to maintain the innervations they did have for a longer period of time. The mice test sample with SMA subjected to increased innervations lived the same amount of time, albeit just at a lower weight, than the wild type mice.
“Several studies indicate that physical exercise is likely to be neuroprotective, even in the case of neuromuscular disease. Exercise enhanced motor neuron survival. These data provide the first evidence for the beneficial effect of exercise in SMA and might lead to important therapeutic developments for human SMA patients.”
“Regular Exercise Prolongs Survival in a Type 2 Spinal Muscular Atrophy Model Mouse”
The Journal of Neuroscience
http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/abstract/25/33/7615
“Several studies indicate that physical exercise is likely to be neuroprotective, even in the case of neuromuscular disease. Exercise enhanced motor neuron survival. These data provide the first evidence for the beneficial effect of exercise in SMA and might lead to important therapeutic developments for human SMA patients.”
“Regular Exercise Prolongs Survival in a Type 2 Spinal Muscular Atrophy Model Mouse”
The Journal of Neuroscience
http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/abstract/25/33/7615
This graph shows that a mouse with increased muscle innervations will live longer even with SMA. We want to create a device that will increase patients motor neuron recruitment in order to prevent the wasting away of muscles and extension of life expectancy.