A Nigerian physiotherapist and researcher, Joseph Aderonmu, is encouraging African leaders to start using wearable sensor technology to improve how people with neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease are treated.
In a statement released on Thursday, Aderonmu said that training rehab professionals and using affordable tools like wearable sensors could help millions of people live better lives.
“Africa should not be left behind when it comes to improving care for conditions like Parkinson’s disease,” he said.
He explained that using modern and easy-to-use tools can improve therapy, help caregivers, and make life better for patients.
Aderonmu shared his experience working with Parkinson’s patients in Nigeria, saying that problems like poor posture, trouble moving, and falling made daily life difficult for them.
Before starting his research in biomechanics at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, he saw that there were big gaps in how well these movement problems were understood and treated.
“In my clinical work, I noticed we didn’t fully understand how to help people move better after conditions like Parkinson’s,” he said.
“The tools needed for this were often missing in clinics.”By combining his background in physiotherapy with research in movement science, he now uses wearable sensors to study how Parkinson’s disease affects people’s movement and posture.
“My research looks at how Parkinson’s impacts balance and movement, so we can improve treatment,” he said.
He pointed out that Parkinson’s is no longer just a problem in rich countries. As more people in Africa live longer, age-related brain conditions are becoming more common.
The World Health Organization says neurological conditions are now the top cause of disability-related life problems around the world.
“In many African countries, people with Parkinson’s often don’t get diagnosed or receive enough care and long-term help,” he added. “But by combining technology and medical skills, we can close those gaps.”
In his lab, Aderonmu and his team use small wireless sensors worn on the body to track how people walk, stand, and move in daily life.
He said these sensors help show small changes in balance and movement that doctors might not notice in regular check-ups.
“These sensors give us a better understanding of what patients are going through,” he said.
This kind of detailed information can help therapists give more personalized care and support families—especially in places where specialist doctors are hard to find.
Although the technology may sound advanced, Aderonmu believes it can still work well in African healthcare systems.
He said that with basic training and simple equipment, local clinics can start using wearable sensors to keep track of patients.
He also mentioned that some pilot digital health projects are already running in parts of Africa, proving that this type of care is possible.
“We’re not talking about expensive machines. With the right support, this technology can even be used at home,” he said.
