Marching to a different beat
NR Times reports on how Chroma is helping amputees prepare for prosthetics through neurologic music therapy (NMT).
Diabetes and neural tissue damage in the womb – new evidence
New evidence on the link between maternal diabetes and neural tissue damage in the fetus that can lead to profound disability or miscarriage has been uncovered.
Tech funding boost for MSK physio services
New funds have been allocated to enable UK physios to access technology that creates ‘digital pathways’ for musculoskeletal services.
Brain molecule ‘wake ups’ cells that could help tackle MS
An immunological molecule called fractalkine can boost the production of brain cells that produce myelin, a key factor in diseases such as MS, a study shows.
Step towards prevention of post-TBI disabilities
Scientists have found an antibody treatment approach that could prevent the secondary effects of TBI, such as sleep disruption, epilepsy and inflammation.
DoLS cases rise, as completion rate improves
The yearly number of applications to legally deprive a person of their liberty (DoLS), where they lack the mental capacity to consent to their care or treatment, has risen slightly in England, new figures show. In 2020/21, there were 256,610 Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) applications – up three per cent on the previous year, versus an average growth rate of 14 per cent between 2014/15 and 2019/20. DoLS is a legal procedure when an adult who lacks mental capacity to consent to their care or treatment is deprived of their liberty in a care home or hospital, in order to keep them safe from harm. In England, all deprivations of liberty that take place in a care home or hospital must be independently assessed and authorised by a local authority to ensure they are in the person’s best interests. The reported number of cases that were not completed as at year end in April 2021 was an estimated 119,740, around 10,000 fewer than the end of the previous year.
Tech firm Fourier supports physio students in Australia
The University of South Australia (UniSA) has signed an MoU with Fourier Intelligence which gives students access the latest rehab tech.
UniSA’s physiotherapy students are using an upper limb rehabilitation robot to treat stroke patients and people with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and traumatic brain injuries, thanks to the partnership.
ArmMotus M2 is being used to help rehabilitate patients with limited arm movements, allowing users to play competitive games with haptic feedback technology to recreate the experience of touch.
The device helps arm movements for people with neurological and musculoskeletal disorders, providing an immersive, interactive experience to improve upper arm strength, speed and accuracy, according to UniSA lecturer and research fellow, Dr Brenton Hordacre.
Stroke rehab tech gets £29m funding boost for trials
Israeli stroke rehab tech startup BrainQ has raised US$40m (£29m) in funds to support hospital trials among stroke survivors. The firm has now raised US$50m overall to support its progress of its tech, which aims to reduce disability and promote neurorecovery for stroke victims.
Via a brain computer interface, the company's frequency-tuned low intensity electromagnetic field therapy is designed to operate based on biological insights retrieved from brainwaves using explanatory machine learning tools.
These insights are aimed at imitating the natural processes of neural network synchronisation and promoting recovery processes.
Lack of exercise and poor nutrition could increase dementia risk
Poor diet and lack of exercise could influence the risk of cognitive decline (CD) and dementia long before their onset, a study suggests.
Scientists believe these factors can potentially influence hippocampal neurogenesis; the process by which the brain produces new brain cells.
The study, by researchers at King’s College London, suggests that altered neurogenesis in the brain could potentially represent an early biomarker for both CD and dementia.
Changes at neuro-physio provider Neurocare Physiotherapy
Neuro-physio provider Neurocare Physiotherapy, based north west England, is now part of complex case management and rehabilitation specialist A Chance for Life Ltd. For almost two decades, Neurocare Physiotherapy has treated patients across the North West for neurological conditions such as stroke, MS, Parkinson’s, foot drop, head injury and other disorders.
