Neuroplasticity

Video game improves balance in youth with autism

Playing a video game that rewards participants for holding various “ninja” poses could help children and youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) improve their balance, according to a recent study in the Journal of Autism and … READ MORE

IPC Para-Nordic World Cup 2017 in Canmore

The Alberta World Cup Society is excited and proud to announce that Canmore will host the International Paralympic Committee Para-Nordic World Cup on December 7-18, 2017. With over 100 of the world’s best para-athletes, this … READ MORE

Study finds children with cerebral palsy not receiving common spasticity therapy

Among children with cerebral palsy, 42% have not received any common spasticity management therapies, including orthotics, casting or orthopedic surgery, according to a press release from Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. Inquiry into … READ MORE

New Edmonton equine centre eases waiting list for popular riding therapy program

The new Whitemud Equine Learning Centre officially opened in October. Indoor washrooms, a roof that doesn’t leak and above-freezing temperatures allows for year-round riding. Little Bits Therapeutic Riding Association. Programs for … READ MORE

Class of 2017: Neuroscience grad hopes his fascination with the brain leads to better treatments

‘It would be a disservice not to try and help whoever you can, in whatever way you can. Will Wilson is a neuroscience grad student working on epilepsy research. He also does a ton of community work and has won multiple scholarships … READ MORE

Grip aid for daily living with special needs

At last, a simple hygienic way for people with hand problems to hold eating utensils, cups, writing implements, sports equipment, and toys. Adelynn Zeuner holds a fork to eat peaches with the aid of an EazyHold band developed by a … READ MORE

Sensor-equipped glove takes the guesswork out of measuring spasticity

Everyone experiences stiff muscles from time to time, whether after a rigorous workout, in cold weather, or after falling asleep in an unusual position. People with cerebral palsy, stroke and multiple sclerosis, however, live with … READ MORE

Music therapy for children with autism has positive outcome

It might not surprise that good relationships create good outcomes, as meaningful relational experiences are crucial to all of us in our everyday life. However, the development of a relationship with a child with autism may be … READ MORE

Can you design a home to foster good health? These students are trying

Associate professor Dak Kopec with eyewear that simulates a visual disorder, as he leads a discussion during his class Built Environment and Human Health at University of Nevada Las Vegas, Tuesday Oct 3, 2017. Bridget Bennett for … READ MORE

Pup dives in for special-needs kids

Cori, a 1-year-old retriever mix training in water rescue, takes part in a special-needs swim lesson in Escondido. With her, clockwise from left, are Logan Powell, 6, dog handler Deb Parker, Caiden Shawver, 3, swim instructor Jodi … READ MORE

Patients with MS can now self-monitor online

PARIS — The ability of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) to monitor their own disease with use of web-based algorithms incorporating various patient outcome measures is becoming a reality. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease … READ MORE

Fine-tuning orthotic device prescription and fitting in CP

Half of those diagnosed with cerebral palsy have been prescribed standard AFOs to aid in walking, according to United Cerebral Palsy and the CDC. A patient with CP at Shriners Hospital for Children—Chicago wearing his customized … READ MORE

Buildathon volunteers assemble devices for Calgarians with disabilities

For many Canadians with disabilities, it’s the little things that make day-to-day living a bit harder. Federal Disabilities Minister Kent Hehr gets a demonstration of the LipSync, a device that allows users to control computers … READ MORE

A country for all children to thrive

As Canadians, we pride ourselves on our commitment to inclusion and diversity. Yet, when it comes to disabilities, this pride doesn’t match reality. Put simply – rather than inclusion, the every day experience of many … READ MORE

Auckland vibration therapy trial offers hope to sufferers

A vibration-based therapy trial in Auckland could help young people with cerebral palsy. Aucklander Luke Torrens Kelly, 14, was one of 40 people with cerebral palsy, aged 11 to 20, in a new trial that showed vibration therapy … READ MORE

Student with cerebral palsy uses iPad to communicate

There’s an app for just about everything now. From social media to games, it’s changed the way we communicate. And that couldn’t be truer for this week’s Kylies Kid. Joe has many friends at his middle school, a busy social … READ MORE

Living in a greener neighbourhood could lower your risk of death

Not just parks but also streetside trees and lawns could have health benefits, study suggests. In Japan, they call it shinrin-yoku – literally, “forest bathing.” Here, we might just call it a walk in the park. Either … READ MORE

Wheelchair dance company asks, Where’s the disability?

At the Disability Rights Legal Center fundraiser gala this past weekend in Los Angeles, Apple was presented with DRLC’s Business and Technology Award for their accessibility work, and Infinite Flow – A Wheelchair Dance … READ MORE

Alberta athlete shooting for podium at 2018 Winter Paralympics

‘He’s a good athlete, very focused, very determined,’ and he’s a contender. Derek Zaplotinsky is competing in paralympic cross-country skiing and biathlon. John Robertson CBC News By Adrienne Lamb, John … READ MORE

A safe space for kids with special needs: Vancouver Phoenix Gymnastics

Finding fun outside of the home can be difficult for children with special needs and their families. Thankfully, Vancouver Phoenix Gymnastics gives kids with special needs and disabilities the perfect place to learn and play. The … READ MORE

Engaging older adults through touch tablets

Switched-on seniors. Involving end–users in the design of new technology has worked wonders for older Australians. Swinburne researchers developed an iPad-based, picture-frame system that allows older people to receive photographs … READ MORE

Your stiff back may not actually be stiff, U Alberta study finds

Feeling of stiffness may mean something else is going on in the back. With lower back pain being the leading cause of disability worldwide affecting approximately 632 million people, it is important to examine mechanisms associated … READ MORE

UMBC robotics student invents help for those with disabilities like hers

Kavita Krishnaswamy is a PhD candidate in Computer Science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) working with Dr. Tim Oates. She is both a Ford Foundation Predoctoral and National Science Foundation Graduate Research … READ MORE

Neurodevelopmental physical therapy improves spasticity in children with CP

A physical therapy approach known as neurodevelopmental treatment can improve shaking but not movement in children with cerebral palsy, according to a South Korean study in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science. Neurodevelopmental … READ MORE

AFOs and balance issues in peripheral neuropathy

At a symposium in Cape Town, South Africa, an orthotist demonstrated his technique for treating balance issues in patients with peripheral neuropathy using ankle foot orthoses (AFOs), and a team of researchers theorized about … READ MORE

Can AFOs help prevent falls?

Studies suggest that ankle foot orthoses can improve balance in some individuals, so it might seem logical that they would also help prevent falls. But the medical literature has yet to reveal a direct connection between AFOs and … READ MORE

Virtual reality project can boost confidence of new wheelchair users

A group of designers has made a virtual reality system that lets people push a real wheelchair through a virtual world. Fjord, a design and innovation consulting company, began the system as an “empathy project” with the intent of … READ MORE

Young patients with cerebral palsy, other disabilities, benefit from therapeutic horseback riding

About 20 young Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) patients with cerebral palsy or other physical challenges had the opportunity to go horseback riding recently, an accomplishment many “didn’t realize they could achieve,” as one … READ MORE

Reminiscing and hoping for a successful school year

As I say every year, I cannot believe how fast summer goes by, and I’m a mom of two. Back-to-school time always has me reflect on my own school days. Having cerebral palsy and going through the school system is quite an experience. … READ MORE

Understanding hypotonia

Diagnostic challenges should not delay clinical intervention. Hypotonia, or abnormally low muscle tone, is by itself not a disorder but a symptom of an enormous array of issues—many of which can be difficult to diagnose accurately. … READ MORE

« 1 … 11 12 13 14 15 16 »