Neuroplasticity

Algorithm measures quality of gait through smart watches

The Watch Walk algorithm could help reduce falls and fall-related injuries in elderly people, study shows. Participants aged 46 to 77 were instructed to wear a device on their dominant wrists for seven days. Photo by SHVETS … READ MORE

Canadian universities need to be more inclusive for Para athletes

Erica Gavel says U.S., U.K. schools do better job for Para athletes. Erica Gavel says Canadian universities need to make it a priority to provide Para athletes with better access to facilities, sports science, therapy, coaching, … READ MORE

March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month

March is a time to bring awareness to cerebral palsy but also a time to support and celebrate those who live with CP. Whether you have CP, know someone who does, or just want to learn more, this is a great opportunity to get involved … READ MORE

Cerebral palsy doesn’t cause death in adults, so why is it still listed as an underlying cause?

Listing cerebral palsy as the main cause of death for adults with the disease can contribute to a lack of understanding about how the condition interacts with various secondary illnesses and complications. Cerebral palsy should never … READ MORE

Preventive care lacking for disabled patients

Kim Bullock, MD, said she often hears directly from adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) about their difficulties with obtaining preventive care. Emily Ladau’s new book makes the world of disability … READ MORE

Pedestrians choose healthy obstacles over boring pavements, study finds

Up to 78% of walkers would take a more challenging route featuring obstacles such as balancing beams, stepping stones and high steps, research has found. The findings suggest that providing ‘Active Landscape’ routes in urban areas … READ MORE

Tips on how to prevent dementia as we grow older

Aging is inevitable, but there are ways to improve our ‘health span’ and prevent dementia. Aging Well: Avoiding Dementia. Dr. Howard Chertkow offers 15 pieces of advice that we can all follow to reduce our risk of dementia. The … READ MORE

Austerity & disabled people in the UK: Q&A with Frances Ryan

Dr. Frances Ryan is a journalist, broadcaster and author. Her weekly Guardian column, Hardworking Britain, has been at the forefront of coverage of austerity this decade. Ryan was highly commended Specialist Journalist of the Year at … READ MORE

Pediatricians get new guidance on Cerebral palsy

A pair of major health organizations are issuing new guidance to doctors about how to identify children with cerebral palsy and appropriately treat the condition. Emily Pineda, who has cerebral palsy, walks with the help of pediatric … READ MORE

Wheelchair dancer in the sky

Dangling upside down in your wheelchair 30-45 feet above a crowd of onlookers isn’t most people’s idea of a good time, but for Rodney Bell it’s ideal. Rodney Bell and Chloe Loftus hang high above a captivated Sydney audience … READ MORE

Non-invasive spinal modulation for Cerebral palsy

SpineX, a medtech company based in California, has developed the Spinal Cord Innovation in Pediatrics (SCiP) device, a non-invasive spinal cord neuromodulation technology that is intended to treat children with cerebral palsy. Conn … READ MORE

Sit-ski athletes learn new skills, gauge Paralympic dreams at Canmore camp

Sit-ski athletes learn new skills, gauge Paralympic dreams at Canmore camp. The camp offers athletes an opportunity to try sit-skiing, a sport that requires custom equipment and lots of upper body strength. Dave Gilson CBC Sarah … READ MORE

Building an accessible home to fit your life

I fell asleep outside the other night. Kelly and I had been reading books with Ewan on the patio couch, and when Kelly piggybacked him off to bed, I flopped over and closed my eyes. I didn’t plan on going to sleep. But frogs were … READ MORE

Calgary app developers want to make the city more accessible for people with disabilities

The creators of the app, Pedesting, are asking the public to test their beta version. The creators of an app designed for Calgarians with disabilities are looking for your help. The developers behind Pedesting want people of all … READ MORE

Adaptive groups level the playing field to allow everyone to enjoy sports

“We have seen that outdoor adaptive experiences increase people’s confidence, strength, independence, and feelings of acceptance. The sense of belonging to a supportive community can be life-changing. And the sense of … READ MORE

Five pro tips for flying with a power wheelchair

You’ve seen the numbers and heard the horror stories. Reports from the Department of Transportation show that domestic airlines are still damaging or losing an average of 30 wheelchairs and scooters every day. Successfully Flying as … READ MORE

Modern approaches to AFOs

AFOs have made strides since their days of bulky and restraining leather and metal componentry. But even the customized thermoplastic devices used by much of the profession still have limitations, the experts say. WalkOn® Family of … READ MORE

Pedestrian navigation for accessible routes

Arts Commons is Calgary’s home for performing and visual arts. Listen | How local app developers plan to make downtown Calgary more accessible. 9:23 CBC Calgary Eyeopener with Angela Knight. Aired: Dec. 5, 2022 Pedesting … READ MORE

Wearable tech offers up-close look at infant development

Researchers at the Beckman Institute have developed a tool to measure stress regulation and parent-child bonding in young children. The device enables infants as young as one month to provide useful information from the comfort of … READ MORE

Lethbridge charity helps kids, young adults with special needs through horseback riding

Program helps people with various physical and mental disabilities, says executive director. The Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association provides adaptive riding programs for children and young adults with special needs. Saloni … READ MORE

Exercise that works for wheelchair users

Exercise is essential to preventing cardiovascular disease and living with a healthy heart, but finding exercise protocols and equipment that meet recommended criteria and work for wheelchair users can be very difficult. Paul Hopkins … READ MORE

Brain implants and wearables let paralyzed people move again

A “neural bypass” routes signals around the damaged spinal cord, potentially restoring both movement and sensation. Motion Restored: Luke Tynan, who was paralyzed in 2017 by a spinal cord injury, demonstrates the wearable system … READ MORE

A smart jumpsuit tracks infants’ motor development

A smart jumpsuit measures the spontaneous and voluntary movement of infants. Details on their mobility help in assessing abnormal neurological development. Image: Sampsa Vanhatalo, University of Helsinki Miia Soininen, University of … READ MORE

Rehab device enables stroke survivors with arm disabilities to do more training

A rehabilitation device can increase the amount of arm exercises stroke patients do without professional supervision, according to a new study. Patient playing the Balloons Buddies video game which aims to boost rehabilitation of … READ MORE

Wearable brain-machine interface could control a wheelchair, vehicle or computer

Combining new classes of nanomembrane electrodes with flexible electronics and a deep learning algorithm could help disabled people wirelessly control an electric wheelchair, interact with a computer or operate a small robotic vehicle … READ MORE

Short take on AFO effectiveness

Meta-analysis demonstrates AFOs improve gait, balance in stroke. Henning with WalkOn Reaction AFO. Otto Bock. Lower Extremity Review November 2021 In a recently published systematic review and meta-analysis, researchers from Korea … READ MORE

Long-term positive impacts and cost effectiveness of REACT for over 65s

The ‘REtirement in ACTion’ programme helps prevent physical decline, reduces the need for health care and is highly cost-effective for those in later life. REACT participants from the Easton group in Bristol. Alex Rotas photo Andy … READ MORE

Siblings of children with chronic health conditions may have increased mental health risks

Siblings of children with chronic health conditions could be at an increased risk for depression, according to a new report. Twins David (left) and Luke Bridle, 11, pictured after Luke heroically saved David from drowning in the bath. … READ MORE

Toronto boy whose parents raised $3M to treat his rare genetic disorder starts clinical trial

Michael Pirovolakis is the only participant in the groundbreaking clinical trial. Ioanna Roumeliotis, Perlita Stroh, CBC News Toronto August 15, 2022 After his parents desperately raised $3 million over three years trying to find a … READ MORE

AFO configuration can improve efficacy of the orthotic intervention on gait patterns in CP patients

Cerebral Palsy (CP) represents the most common cause of motor disability in childhood with dysfunctional gait being one of the main problems. Figure. The ankle-foot orthosis used in the study showing the 2 configurations: hinged AFO, … READ MORE

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