Occupational therapy

What pushing a wheelchair does to your back

When you push someone in a wheelchair, you may be hurting your back without knowing it. Researchers at The Ohio State University Spine Research Institute measured the forces on the spine caused by pushing a wheelchair, and discovered … READ MORE

Just a really happy baby

Isaac Heroux and his mom Julia Heroux at Isaac’s Walk, the first Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario Spirit Wheel Walk Run at Lemoine’s Point Conservation Area in Kingston, Ont. on Sunday June 26, 2016. … READ MORE

How to support workers with disabilities

All employees deserve access to tools to succeed at work. Disabilities offer a challenge for job seekers and the workplace. After spending 75 days in the hospital, 12 of which were in a coma, and then several months after that in a … READ MORE

Daily movement programme has positive impact on children’s learning

Following a daily movement programme can improve children’s physical development levels and has the potential to boost their chances in the classroom, researchers from Loughborough University have found. A Loughborough University … READ MORE

Garner’s “Woman of Steel” patiently works toward swimming goals

Hope Harrington wanted to swim more than anything until pectus carinatum, a deformity of the chest wall, stole that from her. Harrington’s sternum was twisted by 15 degrees; her heart was positioned dangerously close to her … READ MORE

Anti-gravity treadmill has physio patients walking on air

The AlterG is an anti-gravity treadmill being used for physiotherapy at the University of Alberta. Mariya Oleinikova (left) uses the AlterG anti-gravity treadmill under the watchful eye of physical therapy professor Kim Dao. Richard … READ MORE

Knee, hip rehab made easier with Waterloo developed system

System easier for patients and cheaper for clinics. Physiotherapy patients can get more accurate feedback on rehab exercises and clinics can save money thanks to a new system developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo. A … READ MORE

How accessible tech helps people living with disabilities

Apple “Designed for Everyone” campaign marks Global Accessibility Awareness Day. According to the World Health Organization, more than a billion people in the world are living with some sort of disability. That’s one in seven of … READ MORE

Stroke, MS patients walk significantly better with neural stimulation

Robert Bush has multiple sclerosis (MS), which sapped his ability to walk five years ago. Joseph McGlynn suffered a stroke that seriously impaired his left side, also five years ago. Neural stimulation helps Joseph McGlynn, left, who … READ MORE

Everything you need to know about horse therapy

More and more Canadians are horsing around with their healthcare. Horse therapy, also known as equestrian or equine-assisted therapy, is a versatile treatment program that has patients galloping to ranches and stables to recover from … READ MORE

Paid consultants help patients navigate Canada’s Byzantine health-care system

Andrée Colella had been in and out of hospital for months with bladder and bone infections when her husband, Tom, broke down and asked for help from an unconventional source: a private health-care advocate. Patient navigator, Jana … READ MORE

The rise of the private patient advocate

After bouncing around doctors’ offices in an effort to treat her debilitating back pain, Maureen had become discouraged with the lack of progress. She had seen multiple specialists yet nothing seemed to provide relief, and she began … READ MORE

Calgary doctor connects disabled children with accessible activities

Let’s make it easy for these kids. Dr. Sarah MacEachern is on a campaign to get kids with disabilities more physically active — and help parents make that happen. MacEachern, a first-year University of Calgary pediatric … READ MORE

New app offers personalized rehab therapy for stroke patients

A new, first-of-its-kind app is now available to support clinicians with decisions on best practice rehabilitation strategies for patients with arm impairment due to stroke. Easily find the right therapy for your patients’ goals … READ MORE

Pushing neuro-rehabilitation to its limits

Physiatrist Pablo Celnik is accustomed to getting referrals for sophisticated patients. What he is not used to is receiving referrals for patients accompanied by a film crew—until now, that is. Dr. Pablo Celnik. The Human Brain … READ MORE

Children experience long wait times for developmental specialists

Rutgers study also finds language barriers limit access. An estimated one in six children in the United States have development disorders such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or cerebral palsy, according to the … READ MORE

Horseback riding improves children’s cognitive ability

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 … READ MORE

The future of inclusive fashion is here

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 … READ MORE

Digital toolkit aims to prevent falls amongst the elderly

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 … READ MORE

MIT’s new wheelchair drives itself

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 … READ MORE

Game therapy: Serious video games help children with cerebral palsy

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 … READ MORE

Video games: A new therapeutic frontier for cerebral palsy

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 … READ MORE

Women had significantly greater involvement in knee OA-related health care before TKA

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 … READ MORE

Personal factors linked with increased risk of knee OA in the military population

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 … READ MORE

One sexy walker!

I love how designer Manuel Hess put it… “a walker doesn’t have to look like a disease itself.” Harsh but SO true! His proposal for a walker, called PROSUS, ditches the stigma and is instead designed with dignity in mind. By … READ MORE

It’s pretty beautiful: Wheelchair whiz kid learning to walk

‘It’s been really neat to watch because we never thought we would see it.’ Evelyn Moore, an Edmonton toddler who suffered paralysis after a tumour developed on her spine, is now standing on her own two feet with the … READ MORE

Extending your reach

Unlike most cold-climate wheelers, Dave Kott can’t wait until the first snowfall at his Minnesota home. It’s then that he can put to the test his newly improved, homemade snow plow that runs with the use of actuators, similar to … READ MORE

How a volunteer ‘voice bank’ helps the speech impaired

Ryan. Alex. Siri. These are names of robotic voices that are often programmed on electronic tablets. They also become default identities for people with speech disorders who rely on technology to communicate. John Gregoire of Windham, … READ MORE

Why Hire Engineers With Disabilities? They’re Practiced Problem Solvers

Why hire engineers with disabilities? They’re practiced problem solvers. Disabled engineers make great contributors—if they can get past the interview. On the Job: Kurt Driscoll had to go through endless interviews before finally … READ MORE

Engineers customize Christmas toys for disabled children

Because of her cerebral palsy, 4-year-old Scarlett Wilgis has trouble opening her hands and can’t get around without help. Her parents have scoured store shelves and websites for toys for her but have mostly been disappointed. … READ MORE

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