Why StrydAR’s Digital Visual Cueing Leaves Old-School Physical Cues Behind

If you’ve ever taped stripes on the kitchen floor or tried a laser cane, you already know visual cueing can “unlock” walking in Parkinson’s and related disorders. StrydAR takes that same principle and does it properly—head-up, hands-free, and everywhere you go.

The big difference (and why it matters)

Traditional visual cues live on the ground: tape lines, tiled patterns, laser beams projected at your feet. They can work, but they pull your gaze down, often reinforcing a flexed, stooped posture and only helping in the spots you’ve prepared.

StrydAR’s digital cue lives in your upper peripheral vision, floating ~2 metres ahead like a subtle holographic line. You don’t stare at it; it sits in the background, nudging your brain’s vision-for-action systems to organise bigger, smoother steps—while your head and chest stay up.

Result: better posture, longer steps, fewer freezes, and the confidence to move in the real world—not just on a taped patch of floor.

10 ways StrydAR outperforms traditional physical cues

  1. Head-up posture (not head-down)

    • Floor cues force look-down behaviour and neck flexion.

    • StrydAR keeps the cue high, which naturally encourages a more upright stance and balanced centre of mass.

  2. Anytime, anywhere

    • Tape and laser lines only exist where you put them.

    • StrydAR rides with you: hallway, garden centre, pavement, café—no setup, no gadgets to carry.

  3. Automatic, peripheral, low effort

    • Ground cues demand active attention (“watch the line”).

    • StrydAR’s cue sits in peripheral vision and works with the dorsal visual stream, reducing the mental effort of “concentrating on walking.”

  4. Hands-free mobility

    • Laser canes/walkers occupy your hands and change your natural arm swing.

    • StrydAR leaves your hands free for a companion’s arm, shopping bag, or a rail—whatever the situation needs.

  5. Personalised and adjustable

    • Tape is one size fits all; laser lines are fixed.

    • StrydAR lets us tune cue position and intensity to your height, stride goals, lighting, and preference—then retune as your needs evolve.

  6. Consistent step scaling and rhythm

    • Floor stripes become uneven or disappear in busy spaces.

    • StrydAR presents a stable anchor ahead, helping the brain size each step consistently—even through cluttered environments.

  7. Better for complex real-world tasks

    • Traditional cues often fail during turns, narrow doorways, and crowded shops.

    • StrydAR’s forward cue helps you approach and flow through those challenges with less start-stop behaviour.

  8. Confidence without the spectacle

    • Taping floors or wielding a laser cane can feel conspicuous.

    • StrydAR looks like smart glasses; the cue is only visible to the wearer.

  9. From micro-sessions to big days out

    • You can only use floor cues where they’re installed.

    • With StrydAR, do 60-second “top-ups” every hour or wear them for longer outings—both patterns commonly help reduce freezing and smooth movement through the day.

  10. A platform, not a prop

    • Tape is static; a cane is a single tool.

    • StrydAR is a coached system: setup, tuning, ongoing support, and options to integrate with your physiotherapy goals and outcome measures (e.g., step length targets, confidence scores).

How StrydAR works with your brain (quick refresher)

  • Bypasses impaired automaticity: Parkinson’s disrupts basal ganglia “autopilot.” StrydAR provides an external visual scaffold so the premotor/motor cortex can take over step sizing.

  • Leans on the dorsal visual stream: Positioning the cue up and ahead engages “vision-for-action” pathways ideally suited for stepping toward a target.

  • Stabilises locomotor gating: A clear, forward anchor helps the brainstem locomotor network maintain rhythm, cutting down freezing triggers (doorways, clutter, stress).

  • Protects posture and balance: Head-up cueing counters the look-down pattern that often shortens steps and tips weight forward.

Where traditional cues still fit (and how StrydAR complements them)

  • Home habit-building: Floor markings can help establish a routine in a safe space.

  • Specific therapy drills: Taped grids or cones are useful for targeted physio exercises.

StrydAR doesn’t erase these tools—it extends them into the rest of life, keeping the benefits when you leave the living room.

For clinicians: practical advantages in the clinic and community

  • Rapid titration: Adjust cue height/offset live to elicit the target step length without provoking neck flexion.

  • Dual-task resilience: Peripheral, low-effort cueing tends to hold up better when patients engage in conversation or navigate busy stores.

  • Postural coaching built-in: “Eyes up, walk to the horizon” becomes tangible; the cue literally lives there.

  • Scalable programme: Micro-sessions (1–2 minutes hourly) for “motor cortex charging,” plus longer wear for outdoor/community exposure.

Real-world outcomes we aim for

  • Longer, more even steps

  • Fewer and shorter freezing episodes

  • Head-up posture with less stiffness

  • Smoother turns and doorways

  • More confident walking in busy places

Not every person responds—visual cueing helps most (about 75%)—but when it works, benefits are typically immediate and noticeable.

FAQs

Can I use StrydAR with a stick or frame?
Yes. Many members use a stick; some use a walker. The head-up cue still improves step scaling and confidence.

Does it require constant focus?
No. The cue is designed for upper peripheral awareness, so you’re not staring at it. That’s part of why posture improves.

Is it only for Parkinson’s?
Parkinson’s is where cueing shines, but some people with other neurological movement disorders may benefit. We screen and coach accordingly.

Ready to try StrydAR?

We offer two options: rent for £85 + VAT per month or purchase for £1,599 + VAT. We’ll help with VAT relief where eligible and provide personal coaching to get you walking comfortably.

Book a quick 1-to-1 chat to see if StrydAR is a fit:
https://calendly.com/scott-strydar/30min

TL;DR

Traditional cues help—but they’re ground-bound, attention-hungry, and posture-unfriendly. StrydAR moves the cue up and ahead, into the part of your vision that naturally organises movement. That simple shift makes cueing portable, automatic, posture-positive, and usable in the messy places where life happens.