Wheelchair News and Research

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Cancer drug helped delay progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in mice

Researchers at UBC’s School of Biomedical Engineering have discovered that an existing cancer drug could have potential as a treatment for muscular dystrophy.

1 Jul 2022

Existing cancer drug shows promise for treating patients with muscular dystrophy

Researchers at the University of British Columbia's School of Biomedical Engineering have discovered that an existing cancer drug could have potential as a treatment for muscular dystrophy.

29 Jun 2022

Despite a first-ever ‘right-to-repair’ law, there’s no easy fix for wheelchair users

Robin Bolduc isn't the type of person who takes "no" for an answer — particularly when it comes to fixing her husband's wheelchair.

2 Jun 2022

New biomarker may enable rapid, inexpensive diagnosis of Parkinson's disease

Researchers at Kobe University and Hiroshima University have successfully developed a biomarker that will enable Parkinson's disease to be rapidly and inexpensively diagnosed from blood serum samples.

26 May 2022

3D-printed bracelet may allow people with hand-impairment to use computers, play video games

People who lack the ability to use their hands from conditions like motor neurone disease and cerebral palsy may one day be able to play video games that require a handheld controller through the use of acustomisable, wearable 3D printed bracelet.

4 May 2022

Study: Pelvic fixation may not be necessary in some children with cerebral palsy and scoliosis

A new Michigan Medicine study finds that some children with cerebral palsy and scoliosis do not require pelvic fixation when undergoing growing rod treatment, potentially avoiding several complications.

18 Apr 2022

Washington state retools first-in-the-nation long-term care benefit

Patricia Keys, 71 and a stroke survivor, needs help with many everyday activities, such as dressing and bathing. Her daughter Christina, who lives near her mom in Vancouver, Washington, cares for her in the evenings and pays about $3,000 a month for help from other caregivers.

18 Apr 2022

Regular cycling can improve mobility in patients with myotonic dystrophy

A study led by McMaster University researchers has found that regular cycling can greatly improve mobility in patients with myotonic dystrophy (MD), a genetic disease that causes muscle degeneration.

11 Apr 2022

Refurbished walkers and wheelchairs fill gaps created by supply chain problems

Michele Lujan needed a wheelchair for her 52-year-old husband who had been hospitalized with covid-19. But she had lost her job, and money was tight.

11 Apr 2022

Government announces £2.5 million package to improve transport accessibility for disabled people

The government has today (29 March 2022) announced a £2.5 million package to support disabled people travel more confidently on our transport network as it reopens after coronavirus (COVID-19).

28 Mar 2022

First-of-its-kind, innovative application for wheelchair users living with tetraplegia

Brooks Rehabilitation recently announced that the MagTrack study, a collaborative research endeavor with the Georgia Tech School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has been successfully completed.

4 Mar 2022

To be one in a million: ‘Who thinks it’s going to be you?’

Monica Melkonian wanted the Johnson & Johnson covid vaccine. It was only one shot and then she would be protected against the virus. So she was thrilled when the vaccination clinic at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center on April 7 had her first choice.

2 Mar 2022

Cow's milk protein can trigger inflammation in multiple sclerosis sufferers

Multiple sclerosis sufferers often complain of more severe disease symptoms after consuming dairy products. Researchers at the Universities of Bonn and Erlangen-Nuremberg have now found a possible cause for this.

1 Mar 2022

‘Injections, injections, injections’: Troubling questions follow closure of sprawling pain clinic chain

On May 13 of last year, the cellphones of thousands of California residents undergoing treatment for chronic pain lit up with a terse text message: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, Lags Medical Centers will be closing effective May 19, 2021."

22 Feb 2022

Researchers develop 3D human spinal cord implants for treating paralyzed patients

For the first time in the world, researchers from Sagol Center for Regenerative Biotechnology at Tel Aviv University have engineered 3D human spinal cord tissues and implanted them in lab model with long-term chronic paralysis.

7 Feb 2022

A disabled activist speaks out about feeling ‘disposable’

In early January, one of the country's top public health officials went on national television and delivered what she called "really encouraging news" on covid-19: A recent study showed that more than three-fourths of fatalities from the omicron variant of the virus occurred among people with several other medical conditions.

4 Feb 2022

In California nursing homes, omicron is bad, but so is the isolation

Dina Halperin had been cooped up alone for three weeks in her nursing home room after her two unvaccinated roommates were moved out at the onset of the omicron surge. "I'm frustrated," she said, "and so many of the nursing staff are burned out or just plain tired."

31 Jan 2022