February KITE Trainee Innovations Showcase

The Trainee Innovations Showcase is an opportunity for trainees to share their work with members of the public, showcase that research in simple terms, and recruit participants for UHN Research studies.

This month's edition of the series will highlight the work of the following trainees:

Derrick Lim

Title: Development of a Novel Balance Therapy using Functional Electrical Stimulation and Visual Feedback Balance Training

This research aims to develop a standing balance therapy that combines functional electrical stimulation (FES) and visual feedback balance training (VFBT). Currently, the system is designed to use either a depth camera or a Wii Balance Board to track the user's body movements. During VFBT, physiologically appropriate stimulation is applied to the user's ankle muscles to support their standing. Development of this system will be useful to help individuals with spinal cord injury rehabilitate their standing balance control.

Interactive component: Visual feedback balance training

Lianna Montanari, MSc Candidate

Title: Using a Spatial Navigation Task to Identify Early Cognitive Decline 

This research seeks to examine how hearing and cognitive abilities affect spatial navigation abilities in older adults. During the experiment, older adults with hearing loss and/or memory concerns will complete various navigation and listening tasks in virtual reality. The findings may provide valuable insights into how sensory and cognitive domains of health interact in these at-risk populations and, in turn, help detect early signs of cognitive decline.

Interactive component: Cognitive Assessment (e.g., Montreal Cognitive Assessment) & VR Headset

Ranna Napoles, MSc Candidate

Title: (In)Accessible Design: Lived Experiences of Adult Wheeled Mobility Device Users in the Built Environment

This research aims to understand the impact of the built environment and its features affect accessibility, maneuverability, and navigation for people who use wheeled mobility devices (i.e. wheelchairs, mobility scoo. Adult wheeled mobility device users are interviewed about their experiences with barriers and facilitators they encounter while out and about in public spaces. Their experiences will help inform and provide insight on the kinds of barriers that wheeled mobility device users face which will ultimately help inform accessibility standards and guidelines—hopefully contributing to a barrier-free environment in the future.