Neuroplasticity

Robotic neck brace dramatically improves functions of ALS patients

Comfortable brace incorporates both sensors and actuators to restore roughly 70% of the active range of motion. A study participant wearing the neck brace. Photo and Video credit: Haohan Zhang and Sunil K. Agrawal, Columbia … READ MORE

Therapeutic horseback riding combined with cognitive exercises can help children with ADHD and Autism

Therapeutic horseback riding combined with brain-building exercises can improve the dexterity, coordination and strength of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, shows a study in Frontiers in Veterinary Science. Whispering … READ MORE

How reaching for toys could change Cerebral palsy therapy

A USC researcher is hoping to change the way physical therapists treat infants at risk of cerebral palsy by combining cognitive and physical activity. Photo: Julia Rendelman By Katharine Gammon, University of Southern California … READ MORE

The rig lets disabled people go offroading

The Rig is constructed with an aluminum frame, detachable bumper, and four inch off road bike tires. We designed this fully electric, ‘off road wheelchair’ to be as easy to maintain and repair as possible. It’s made mostly with … READ MORE

20% of disabled Albertans who need workplace modifications don’t get them

Advocates say employers are changing for the better. Experts say it’s often small adjustments that make a big difference for disabled staff in a work environment. Alexander Zemlianichenko, Associated Press Amy Tucker, CBC News … READ MORE

October is disability employment awareness month

Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) is an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of Disability Employment Awareness Month is to promote employment inclusion for people with disabilities and … READ MORE

Jaw-strengthening teether designed for children with Down syndrome

Hannah Ferrill, a Purdue University alumna in industrial design from Purdue’s College of Liberal Arts, has developed a jaw-strengthening teether for children with Down syndrome. Hannah Ferrill Chris Adam, Purdue University April 6, … READ MORE

Changes in older people’s central nervous system leads to compromised ability to sense movement

The central nervous system of older individuals responds to movement and initiates muscular contraction differently compared to young individuals. This is the result of a study led by researcher Simon Walker at the University of … READ MORE

An engineer, his Segway, and the ADA: A tale of the open road

Technology and legislation allowed Walter Marsh to work and to explore despite a debilitating heart condition. The author’s father, Walter Marsh, explored the lava fields of Craters of the Moon, in Idaho. Photo: Allison Marsh By … READ MORE

Video game representation

“Momma, you’ve gotta see this,” my 5-year-old son River says from the living room where he is playing Lego City Undercover on the Xbox. “I unlocked a wheelchair. It’s so cool.” As I roll into the room, I see his character, … READ MORE

SFU researchers working to improve quality of life for seniors in long-term care

The team looked at how to better protect older adults from hip fractures caused by falls. Hip protectors were worn in over 70 per cent of falls, and halved the risk for hip fracture. Injury Prevention and Mobility Laboratory IPML, … READ MORE

Canadian inventor creates the mountain bike of walkers

Chances are that if you think of someone who uses a walker, you picture them sedately making their way down a smooth sidewalk. Well, Rob’s Walkers are for those other walker-users, who like getting into the woods and going … READ MORE

Adaptive athlete takes the podium at 2019 Rebelle Rally off-road competition

Driving a hand-controlled Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross CUV, Air Force veteran Karah Behrend took second place at the 2019 Rebelle Rally, an eight-stage, women’s-only off-road competition. Behrend was the first adaptive athlete to … READ MORE

Kids’ physical activity before age 5 matters so much because of the developing brain

Both when planning family activities and choosing a child care provider, parents should be mindful of how much physical activity their children are getting. Family Influence. 2020 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for … READ MORE

AFO breakthrough helps children with Cerebral palsy walk and play

Children with Cerebral Palsy have more energy to play and be physically active for longer, thanks to specially designed orthotics. AFOs for kids with cerebral palsy improve stability. Pinterest photo Staffordshire University 9 June … READ MORE

Finding one’s way home

The Otic placode gives rise to the inner ear in vertebrates. A new study shows that even when it is transplanted to ectopic positions, the nerve cells that grow out of the transplanted ear can form functional connections in the brain. … READ MORE

Kids’ camps gone virtual this summer

Summer camps aren’t what they used to be, especially this year. The Alberta government’s surprise announcement to launch Phase 2 a week ahead of schedule, caught many off guard and though timely, was too late for many summer camp … READ MORE

Software recreates complex movements for medical, rehabilitation, and basic research

An open-source movement simulator that has already helped solve problems in medicine, paleontology, and animal locomotion has been expanded and improved, according to a new publication in the open-access journal PLOS Computational … READ MORE

New studies refute claims of fall prevention with AFO bracing

In 2011, a new custom ankle foot orthotic (AFO) brace, herein referred to as the Moore Balance Brace, was introduced to the podiatric community. From the outset, the Moore Balance Brace was marketed and promoted to prevent falls in … READ MORE

Imagining grasping may help restore hand function in spastic CP children

Children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP) have a preserved ability to imagine grasping with both hands, according to a new study. Recognise Apps for iOS in the  Apple App Store and for Android in ▶︎ Google … READ MORE

Surf therapy improves physical fitness of children with CP

Surf therapy is a viable therapeutic option to improve physical fitness among children living with physical disabilities due to cerebral palsy, a study says. Surf’s up, mate. These days, graduate student Kelli Hingerton is on the … READ MORE

New wearable sensor for people with incomplete paraplegia

A new electromyography biofeedback device that is wearable and connects to novel smartphone games may offer people with incomplete paraplegia a more affordable, self-controllable therapy to enhance their recovery, according to a new … READ MORE

Switch Control changed my world

I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to independently send my wife a text for the first time. Meet Todd Stabelfeldt. He’s been using Tecla since February 2014. We asked Todd to share with us his thoughts since introducing Tecla … READ MORE

DIY tools TalkBox and SenseBox help people with disabilities to communicate

The new devices, developed by a collaborative team based in the US, Canada, and Kenya, are easy to use and allow people in different cultural contexts to quickly enhance their ability to communicate. Figure 1. The first prototype (top … READ MORE

Back to eye-level: Trike gives Edmonton woman new perspective on mobility

‘You’re perceived completely differently. You’re standing up. You’re at eye level.’ Ceilidh Corcoran has had her new Dutch-designed bike for two weeks now. Ceilidh Corcoran, Instagram Wallis Snowdon, CBC … READ MORE

Power training helps children with CP meet mobility goals

A power-training program aimed at improving the function of children with cerebral palsy helped them meet mobility goals, a Dutch study reported. Daniel Ferreira is representing Canada at the World Bench Only Powerlifting Competition … READ MORE

Motion capture technology used to prevent falls in older people

Researchers from CAMERA are using Hollywood technology to assess the benefits of an exercise programme aimed at reducing the risk of falls in older people. Volunteers in their seventies donned motion capture suits for the study to … READ MORE

Gait analysis no better than ‘usual care’ in children with CP, study says

Individually tailored gait analysis interventions are not better than “usual care” interventions in children with cerebral palsy who are still able to walk without assistance and are not expected to require surgery, according to a … READ MORE

Recreation and Leisure Resource Fair – March 7, 2020

Event is FREE and open to all families. The purpose of the Recreation and Leisure Resource Fair is to provide information, resources, and education for families who are raising and supporting children and youth with special needs. … READ MORE

Mechanics, mobility, and motion capture: From Pixar to reality

When you watch a Pixar movie, have you ever wondered why the characters’ movements and facial expressions appear so vivid and realistic? Illustration by Eric Chung for rehabINK By Yilina Liubaoerjijin, John Christy Johnson, & … READ MORE

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