mobility

In Canada, 10.6 per cent of individuals aged 15 and over have a mobility disability — meaning they experience difficulty or an inability to walk for 15 minutes without resting. At the Mobility Assistive Technology Evidence of Rehabilitation Science (MATTERS) Lab, researchers are harnessing digital innovation to transform care for this population.

Everything changed for Teri Thorson in the late 1990s when a serious car crash severed vertebrae running along her neck. Thorson lost much of her hand and arm mobility, as well as her ability to walk. Then 24 years of age, Thorson went from working in software, modelling, dancing and travelling to relearning how to do basic tasks, such as making a meal or getting dressed.

“I had already achieved a lot at that point in my life, but I was young enough to still be in the throes of figuring out who I was and what direction I wanted to take,” recalls Thorson.

Slick or snowy surfaces can be a significant barrier to outdoor recreation for the more than 22 per cent of Canadians over 15 years of age — about 6.2 million individuals — living with one or more disabilities. Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher Dr. Ben Mortenson explains how upgraded infrastructure and better access to specialized equipment could greatly enhance their lives. 

Lorna Smith knows that she is one of the lucky ones who experience very little pain directly following breast cancer treatment. Now in her 60s, Smith was diagnosed in early 2022 with the all-too-common disease that affects around 29,000 Canadians.

“I was startled by the diagnosis because I do not have a history of cancer in my family,” recalls Smith. “At the time, I did not feel immense fear, as I believed that the medical system had the tools to deal with it.”  

The Centre for Hip Health and Mobility (CHHM) has partnered with the Rehabilitation Research Program (RRP) at GF Strong to form the Centre for Aging SMART (Solutions for Mobility, Activity, Rehabilitation and Technology) at Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). Centre researchers and clinician-scientists are world leaders in aging and rehabilitation who are changing the lives of aging Canadians.

Humans are excellent at following objects with their eyes, such as a ball. However, we are less refined at tracking accelerating objects. New research led by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher Dr. Miriam Spering provides a clearer picture of the mechanisms behind this very human hindrance.  

The negative effects of high cholesterol on the heart are widely known, but a recent study led by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher Dr. Charlotte Waugh, revealed that fat deposits that build up in tendons can impede mobility.

The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) is launching a new project called the Healthy Brains, Health Aging Initiative, which will shed light on the many factors that influence brain health as we age, including lifestyle and the human microbiome.

Navigating the world with a mobility aid can be a challenging prospect for many people with physical disabilities. According to the findings of a study led by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher, Dr. Ben Mortenson, use of mobility devices may be associated with mental distress, particularly when confidence using them is low. 

Sheila Kerr knows the importance of keeping her joints strong. The 65-year-old retired physiotherapist and education coordinator developed osteoarthritis (OA) from a childhood injury and genetic predisposition. After decades of managing her symptoms by leading a healthy lifestyle, Kerr recently participated in a research study on shoe-worn insoles for people with knee OA to explore options that could provide more support for her knees.

“One thing you learn about osteoarthritis is that there are a whole host of tools you can use to manage your condition,” says Kerr.