Khalifa University wearable device aims to detect early signs of multiple sclerosis
Researchers at Khalifa University are developing a flexible wearable device that could help clinicians identify subtle changes in gait and balance among people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to Dr Charalampos Pitsalidis, Assistant Professor at the university. He presented the project at the Future Health Summit held at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi.
How the device works
The device combines movement sensors with artificial intelligence to assess walking patterns, joint motion and rehabilitation exercises. Dr Pitsalidis said the goal is to give healthcare professionals a clearer picture of how a person’s movement evolves over time, including between appointments. The technology is designed to help users track their rehabilitation progress, identify difficulties with specific exercises and tailor therapy to individual needs.
“With clinical validation, the technology could also support rehabilitation at home, making follow-up more convenient and helping people maintain mobility and independence,” Dr Pitsalidis added.
Personal motivation behind the research
Dr Pitsalidis noted that his work is driven by a personal connection. “One of my strongest motivations is personal. I have a close relative with multiple sclerosis, and I have seen how it has changed their everyday life,” he said. That experience led him to explore how wearable sensor research could assist people living with MS.
Yasmin Mitwally, Research and Advocacy Manager at The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), said the potential to detect small changes in movement is relevant to treatment decisions. “The earlier you’re able to sense these very small changes in gait, this can be then translated to your doctor, and your doctor will then be able to enhance or augment your treatment plan accordingly,” she explained.
Local research and data needs
Beyond monitoring movement, the project is part of NMSS’s broader effort to improve understanding of MS in the UAE. The NGO, which operates under the Ministry of Community Empowerment, funds UAE-focused research aimed at enhancing knowledge of the condition and care for those affected. Mitwally stressed that local studies are necessary because data from other populations may not fully reflect the experiences of people with MS in the UAE. “The more you’re able to train them with data that’s relevant to the local population, the more likely that you will have more precise outcomes, and the less likely that you’ll have biases,” she said.
NMSS has funded 15 studies and committed approximately 15 million dirhams through 2027 to address the shortage of data on MS in the UAE. The NGO’s research priorities include understanding environmental and genetic risk factors for MS, as well as the epidemiology and characteristics of the disease among residents, Mitwally added.
Next steps and broader context
Dr Pitsalidis said the Khalifa University team is focusing on assessing movement. The sensor is intended to detect subtle changes in gait and balance that may signal worsening symptoms, though its accuracy and impact on patient care have yet to be established through clinical validation. The project is still at the pilot stage and is not yet available to the public.
In the longer term, Dr Pitsalidis hopes that affordable, personalised movement monitoring could become part of everyday life, support rehabilitation and allow clinicians to track progress remotely. The team also aims to reduce the need for some routine monitoring visits. Developing the technology at Khalifa University could help turn local research into solutions that benefit communities across the UAE.
Other AI-related innovations in Abu Dhabi include LAMINATE, an AI-supported MRI analysis project by New York University Abu Dhabi.
