Wheelchairs News and Research

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Disability simulations do more harm than good, study reveals

Professionals in the fields of education and rehabilitation psychology have long used disability simulations to try to promote understanding and improve attitudes about persons with disabilities.

12 Apr 2017

Pitt develops new motorized wheelchair that runs on compressed air

A new waterproof motorized wheelchair that runs entirely on compressed air was unveiled today at Morgan's Wonderland, a 25-acre theme park in San Antonio, Texas.

7 Apr 2017

VUMC’s Undiagnosed Diseases Network solves medical mysteries using advanced technologies

It's human nature to need answers. Patients with debilitating symptoms need a diagnosis — somewhere to place the blame, a starting point to search for answers.

14 Mar 2017

MS treatment prevents symptoms of severe disease from worsening for five years, study shows

A type of treatment for multiple sclerosis that 'resets' the immune system may stop progression of the disease in nearly half of patients.

21 Feb 2017

New infusion therapy may help avoid debilitating symptoms in Parkinson's disease patients

Constant infusion of a drug now used intermittently to "rescue" patients with Parkinson's from bouts of immobility may also help avoid these debilitating symptoms and smooth out their movement throughout the day, physician-scientists say.

14 Feb 2017

FDA approves new treatment for wide range of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Emflaza (deflazacort) tablets and oral suspension to treat patients age 5 years and older with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle deterioration and weakness.

9 Feb 2017

Orthopaedic research helps nurse recover from knee injury

Working as a bedside nurse requires extensive physical effort — pushing wheelchairs and beds, twisting and lifting, and long periods on your feet.

28 Jan 2017

Yoga may help improve quality of life in pediatric cancer patients, study reveals

Quality of life of patients doing yoga improved, according to the conclusions of “Results of a Pilot Yoga Intervention to Improve Pediatric Cancer Patients’ Quality of Life and Physical Activity and Parents' Well-being”.

16 Jan 2017

Scientists discover OGDHL and NRD1 genes linked to progressive loss of neurological function

An international team of scientists has discovered that the gene, OGDHL, a key protein required for normal function of the mitochondria -- the energy-producing factory of the cell -- and its chaperone, nardilysin (NRD1) are linked to progressive loss of neurological function in humans.

22 Dec 2016

TUM scientists develop new bionic stairclimbing wheelchair

People confined to a wheelchair are still confronted with insurmountable obstacles in everyday life – even in today’s more wheelchair-accessible society. There are often no elevators in a building – or if so, they’re out of order.

2 Dec 2016

Revitalise introduces ‘Keep Moving’ initiative to minimise risk of pressure injury

The national disabled people’s charity Revitalise has thrown its weight behind the campaign to eradicate pressure injury with a raft of initiatives for the disabled guests at its three accessible UK holiday centres.

18 Nov 2016

FDA approval of controversial drug for Duchenne muscular dystrophy raises concern and hope

In September, the Food and Drug Administration approved Exondys, a controversial treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy based on tenuous data from just 12 patients.

17 Nov 2016

Using the CLARITY Technique for Spinal Cord Rehabilitation and Repair

News-Medical speaks to Dr. Quentin Barraud about his work on spinal cord repair and how he uses the CLARITY technique in his research.

From Logos Biosystems 15 Nov 2016

Second annual conference at UofL focuses on improving access to quality health care for adults with IDD

Thanks to advances in medical science and a highly developed network of specialized pediatric health care services, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are much more likely to live into adulthood than they were several decades ago.

1 Nov 2016

Researchers design small compounds with potential to correct mitochondrial dysfunction

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is an inherited disorder that leads to a gradual loss of motor neurons and, eventually, paralysis. The condition is caused by genetic mutations that disrupts cells' energy factories, called mitochondria.

25 Oct 2016

Smart wheelchair may improve quality of life for disabled persons

A wheelchair controller that automatically avoids obstacles and knows when the user is tired or stressed is being developed by researchers in India. Details are described in the International Journal of Human Factors Modelling and Simulation.

20 Oct 2016

New web-based Crick wayfinding app helps navigate buildings

Scientists and staff at the new Francis Crick Institute in London will be able to negotiate their way around Europe's biggest biomedical laboratory with the help of a web-based wayfinding app.

20 Sep 2016

Sarepta Therapeutics wins accelerated approval from FDA for Duchenne muscular dystrophy drug

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Exondys 51 (eteplirsen) injection, the first drug approved to treat patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

19 Sep 2016

New research could pave way for safe, effective treatment for muscular dystrophy

New research has shown that the corticosteroid deflazacort is a safe and effective treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The findings, which appear this month in the journal Neurology, could pave the way for first U.S.-approved treatment for the disease.

9 Sep 2016

Researchers identify higher risk of early chemotherapy-related death in older patients with DLBCL

Although diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a curable disease in most patients aged 65 years or older, these patients are also at higher risk of chemotherapy-related death within the first 30 days of treatment.