Health Tech
Emerging research, products, and human factors
Study shows how the effects of horseback riding improve learning in children. Recent research published in Frontiers in Public Health shows that the effects of vibrations produced by horses during horse-riding lead to the activation
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Open Style Lab’s ten-week interdisciplinary research program teams designers, engineers, and occupational therapists to create wearable solutions with and for clients with disabilities. Open Style Lab 2016 fellows and clients. New
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Universal public coverage of 117 essential medicines could address the needs of most Canadians for pharmaceutical drugs, and possibly save more than $4 billion a year, according to a new study published in the Canadian Medical
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Physical activity affects pain modulation in older adults. A 2015 study examined physical activity data from 15 European countries and concluded that high levels of activity were associated with higher levels of happiness. Bluearth
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The Falls Risk Assessment Toolkit identifies patients at risk of falls and, potentially unplanned hospital admissions, and is available to all UK healthcare professionals to implement a review of patients at risk of potentially
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Vanessa Milne, Joshua Tepper & Sachin Pendharkar, Healthy Debate February 23, 2017 Two weeks ago, we reported on some of the difficulties around referrals to specialists. Shortly after our story ran, the Canadian Institute of
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Structured exercise training can significantly improve brain function in stroke survivors, according to research presented at the International Stroke Conference 2017. American Heart Association, MedicalXpress February 22, 2017
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A suite of online interventions provided substantial pain relief and improved mobility for patients with chronic knee pain, according to a study published online February 21 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The interventions
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Stanford University School of Medicine Clinical research led by Stanford University investigators has demonstrated that a brain-to-computer hookup can enable people with paralysis to type via direct brain control at the highest speeds
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GazeSpeak runs on a smartphone and uses artificial intelligence to convert eye movements into speech, so a conversation partner can understand what is being said in real time. The eyes say it all. GazeSpeak, Enable Team, Microsoft
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For all the talk of self-driving vehicles revolutionizing transportation, the technology promises to do even more for the elderly and disabled by allowing them to enjoy sustained independence. Autonomous vehicles will allow aging Baby
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Emily Pitchers, 16, plucks the strings on a guitar with JB Music therapist Catherine Mitchell during a weekly session at the teenager’s family home. Christina Ryan, Calgary Herald. In celebration of National Music Therapy Month, we
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The OrbIT controller was custom designed to help children with cerebral palsy. David Hobbs photo. Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common childhood physical disability, affecting more than 34,000 Australians, and more than 17 million
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Higher perceived mobility barriers in the environment were associated with increased risk in difficulty with life situation engagement in adults with knee osteoarthritis, according to data published in Arthritis Care & Research.
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Carmel Majidi and Jonathan Malen of Carnegie Mellon University have developed a thermally conductive rubber material that represents a breakthrough for creating soft, stretchable machines and electronics. The findings were published
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Very little in life slows Jillian Peters down. If you catch her in a hallway, the spunky seven-year-old is likely to race you in her hot-pink wheelchair. Cerebral palsy doesn’t define her. Video games are helping children with
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In the 12 months preceding total knee arthroplasty, women experienced significantly greater utilization of knee osteoarthritis-related health care than men, according to results. Boost your knee health—and help decide whether knee
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Nearly one in four adults aged 65 and older has trouble walking or climbing stairs—and 3.4 million older adults have trouble taking care of their personal needs, such as dressing or bathing. As we age, these difficulties can impact
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Researchers at the University of Michigan (UM) are implementing a new orthotics and prosthetics outfitting system: 3D printed assistive devices that will be customized to individual patients’ needs and reach them faster than ever
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At the age of 105, the French amateur cyclist and world-record holder Robert Marchand is more aerobically fit than most 50-year-olds — and appears to be getting even fitter as he ages, according to a revelatory new study of his
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Quadricep strength and speed of force production (SFP) both affect physical functioning in people with, or at risk for, knee osteoarthritis, according to research presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual
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In an active military population, the incidence of primary and secondary knee osteoarthritis correlated with chronological age, race, rank and branch of service, according to results. Maximalist shoes fail to cushion impact of
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Some—but not all—characteristics of meniscal damage on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are associated with knee osteoarthritis (OA) severity and two-year progression, according to research from Tufts Medical Center in
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The nine-year-old is currently playing for the Calgary Venom of the Calgary Sledge Hockey Association. On Monday, the Calgary Flames, with the help of Make-A-Wish, signed nine-year-old defenceman Fionn Daly to a one-day contract.
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Even though learning to waltz had been a lifelong dream for Sarah Cauley, she cancelled just one day before her first lesson. She was unable to open her hand enough for someone to hold it, and was afraid no one would want to try.
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It all started when I was in rehab dealing with a particularly insensitive sales rep from a major mobility company who seemed far more concerned with an upcoming Hawaiian vacation than properly outfitting me with my first wheelchair.
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Working as a bedside nurse requires extensive physical effort — pushing wheelchairs and beds, twisting and lifting, and long periods on your feet. Jennifer Thomas, who’s been a nurse at UK HealthCare for six years, can attest
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One in every 1,000 babies suffer from a stroke either in utero or shortly after birth. Edmonton researchers are trying to help those young child stroke patients regain mobility and learn how to walk. Linda Hoang with files from Carmen
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The kneecap or patella is a sesmoid bone which is a very important structure to help increase the lever arms in knee movement. If it doesn’t move properly it may lead to knee pain. Watch this basic example and model experiment
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The American federal government has started a program that penalizes hospitals for readmission of joint replacement patients within 90 days, but a new study finds there is no good index for assessing that risk. Replace, but
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