Kessler Researchers Travel to Expand Research
By Nicky Miller
This spring and summer Kessler Foundation’s scientists are traveling the globe, to present their research, moderate events, and build connections with the goal of improving the lives of people with disabilities.
International Multiple Sclerosis Cognition Society, Amsterdam
John DeLuca, PhD, senior vice president of research and training, at Kessler Foundation presented on strategy training in multiple sclerosis. His presentation offered other scientists data and information to move their studies forward.
One Twitter follower @NoColorLights says, “And again he offered us irrefutable data: restore and compensate might not be exclusive; we know how to do it (since 100 years ago) but it requires effort and statistical significance is not effect and might mean few benefit to patients.”
The International Multiple Sclerosis Cognition Society, brings together researchers and health professionals with an interest in cognition in MS and all related areas.
Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis, Slovenia
Dr. DeLuca was the main speaker during the opening lecture at the annual Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis conference, held June 20-22, 2019. Dr. DeLuca spoke regarding “Cognition and Consequences for Learning, Rehabilitation and Social Participation.”
The Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis Conference is the main European event for Healthcare professionals, researchers and patient representatives to share their knowledge and experiences and collaborate on topics related to rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis.
PErvasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments, Greece
Other scientists who visited Europe for conferences involving rehabilitation research are Drs. Glenn Wylie, DPhil, director of the Rocco Ortenzio Neuroimaging Center at Kessler Foundation. Dr. Wylie attended the PErvasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments conference in Rhodes Greece, and is part of the program committee.
The PErvasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments conference is a highly interdisciplinary conference that focuses on computational and engineering approaches to improve the quality of life and enhance human performance in a wide range of settings, in the workplace, at home, in public spaces, urban environments, and other. The conference showcases technologies that help improve the quality of life for people in different populations. Elderly people with conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson's, and cerebral palsy, could benefit from these technologies. PETRA’s main focus is that, as people with health conditions age, technology will make their lives easier.
Organization for Human Brain Mapping Annual Meeting, Italy
Dr. Wylie, joined Dr. Ekaterina Dobryakova PhD, research scientist at the Center for Traumatic Brain Injury Research at the Organization for Human Brain Mapping Annual Meeting. This annual meeting covers the latest international research across modalities in human brain mapping.
13th International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine World Congress, Japan
Peii Chen, PhD, senior research scientist and Olga Boukrina, PhD, research scientist, at the Center for Stroke Rehabilitation Research attended the 13th International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine World Congress.
Drs. Chen and Boukrina spoke at a symposium titled, “Enhancing Caregiver Preparedness in Stroke Patients” and presented on a study that was published in “Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation” in 2016, co-authored by Dr. Chen, Denise Fyffe, PhD and Kimberly Hreha. The study showed that stroke survivors with spatial neglect increased a caregiver’s burden and stress tremendously. It revealed that caregivers spent almost all waking hours supervising their loved ones.
Dr. Chen also teamed up with Katsuhiro Mizuno, to teach a workshop on prism adaptation.
“Dr. Mizuno’s RCT (randomized controlled trial) is one of the highest cited studies in prism adaptation treatment,” says Dr. Chen. “His group recently translated the Kessler Foundation Neglect Assessment Process (KF-NAP) into Japanese, and I am looking forward to meeting him in person and discussing potential collaborations.”
The International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine World Congress, serves as the global agency for Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.
TOBI X 10th Annual PRP & Regenerative Medicine Symposium, Chicago, IL
Representing the Center for Spinal Cord Injury Research, Dr. Nathan Hogaboom, PhD, associate research scientist, attended the TOBI X 10th Annual PRP & Regenerative Medicine Symposium. The conference, is hosted by The Orthobiologics Institute and brings together physicians and researchers from across the globe to discuss scientific and clinical updates about these procedures, as well as current and future needs.
Dr. Hogaboom, was joined by Dr. Gerard Malanga of the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, and collaborated on two posters. The studies they shared concluded that a single injection of micro-fragmented adipose tissue improved pain, function, and quality of life, and that age was the greatest predictor of changes; so, younger participants had greater improvements.
The data used in the studies is from four sites across the country, including California, Georgia, New Jersey, and New York.
Association of People Supporting Employment, St. Louis, Missouri
In St. Louis, Missouri, Elaine Katz, senior vice president of grants and communications and John O’Neill, PhD, director of center for employment and disability research, attended the National Association of People Supporting Employment Conference. They presented research on our employment studies and met with members to provide them with information to help people with disabilities in the employment field.
The Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) is the only national conference focused solely on the advancement of Employment First. The conference focuses on state-of-the-art strategies to ensure equitable employment for all citizens with disabilities.
13th European Union Supported Employment, Amsterdam
Earlier in May, Katz and Dr. O’Neill also attended the 13th European Union Supported Employment Conference, in Amsterdam, which is identical to the National Association of People Supporting Employment Conference, and welcomes professionals to share information about how to create a better workforce for people with disabilities.
