Examples of Proposed Research Projects
- Assess how stair and handrail design affects gait characteristics, postural control, the incidence of falls and the success of recovering from trips and oversteps
- Develop and test new stair-climbing mobility aids
- Evaluate the performance of assistive devices in winter conditions
- Develop and test new clothing and footwear designs that are easier for older people to don and doff and that provide greater comfort and safety in winter
- Test the stability of mobility aids (including walkers and wheelchairs) on various levels and inclined surfaces (including snow and ice) and during movement perturbations
- Examine the role of simulated visual feedback on locomotor rehabilitation therapies using Virtual Reality
- Optimize simulated physical movements and simulated visuals in order to best approximate those in the real world. Understanding the importance of these factors in rehabilitative research.
- Investigate the influence of different sources of sensory information (including visual, auditory, proprioceptive, vestibular, tactile, etc.) on task performance.
- Develop and test ubiquitous monitoring and prompting technologies to help people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias function more safely and with reduced caregiver stress at home
- Develop and test advanced robotic technologies to help with the physical care of mobility-dependent people at home and in healthcare facilities
(click this link for more info on iDAPT at Toronto Rehab)
