Mobile Game & Wearable Device Warn: Bangladeshi Scientist Advances Early Diabetes Detection
A German research team has developed a wearable technology that can quickly detect nerve and cognitive damage caused by long-term high blood sugar in diabetes patients—symptoms that often manifest as numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands and feet. The team at Magdeburg University Medical Center includes Bangladeshi data scientist Ishtiaq Siddiqui, who has played a key role in the project’s practical implementation.
Under the leadership of Professor Peter Mertens, Siddiqui, who moved to Germany after completing his postgraduate studies following a bachelor’s degree at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, has supervised the wearable health technology for the past five years. The project’s core dataset was initially provided by Chinese researcher An Tao Min. Siddiqui and three colleagues handled the practical aspects of testing and analysis.
“This innovation has already been published in several medical journals and has been described as a ‘new smart test in Magdeburg to detect nerve and brain damage in diabetes patients at an early stage,’” the report noted.
The wearable device involves a mobile game in which players wear sensor-equipped insoles inside special sandals. Data collected from these insoles is transmitted to the game console, which analyzes the information to measure sensory perception in the feet and detect neuropathy. Machine learning is then used to accurately estimate a patient’s risk level and cognitive capacity.
The research, funded by the German state of Saxony-Anhalt and the European Development Fund, tested the system on 329 patients. Movement data collected during gameplay was analyzed using artificial intelligence, showing that the method can predict nerve and cognitive issues as accurately as conventional medical tests. The technology enables early detection of diabetes-related nerve damage and cognitive decline, which often goes unnoticed until significant harm has occurred.
Professor Mertens likened the wearable technology to automotive safety testing, stating, “It’s a kind of ‘nerve TUV.’ If implemented as a regular test, it will provide significant benefits for diabetes patients.”
Ishtiaq Siddiqui told DigiBanglaTech.news, “Peripheral neuropathy is common in diabetes patients. Long-term diabetes damages the nerves in the hands and feet, preventing patients from sensing injury from footwear, which can lead to wounds and infections. This research enables early detection and better management of such risks.”
The system has been upgraded to a microservice-based modular architecture for improved accuracy. Initially, the specialized insoles and game consoles are being used in clinics in Hanover, Luxembourg, Harvastert, and nearby institutions, with patient data sent to a central server for analysis and feedback on current condition and recommended interventions.
Explaining the device, Siddiqui said, “Each insole contains two sensors: a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor. Monitoring these allows us to predict loss of foot control, diagnose severe nerve conditions, or identify risks like gangrene.”
Addressing data security, he added, “Germany’s Data Protection Act is very strict, so patient information cannot be leaked. I manage the system servers with three team members, and a 25-member team provides clinical support. We have already received interest from China and the USA, and I will definitely collaborate with anyone interested from Bangladesh.”
