Japanese Royals follow children’s medical research
0th December
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The Crown Prince and Princess of Japan were briefed recently on a children’s rehabilitation project run by UNSW's school of safety science and the Sydney Children’s Hospital.
His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan and Her Imperial Highness Crown Princess Masako were given a presentation on the success of the joint UNSW-Children’s Hospital program during a visit to the Hospital.
The project – management of spasticity in children – is investigating the use of botulinum toxin as a means of improving upper limb function in children. Director of rehabilitation at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Dr Kevin Lowe, told the royal couple that small, controlled doses of the botulinum toxin temporarily blocked transmission of signals across the nerves that stimulate muscle contraction. This blocking action reduces abnormal muscle activity in movement disorders such as spasticity and allows the children to improve the use of their upper limbs.
But how do the researchers know that muscle activity and function have improved? This is where the biomechanics and gait laboratory in UNSW's school of safety science enters the project.
Laboratory director, Dr Andrew McIntosh said the laboratory uses three-dimensional motion analysis to study the dynamics of upper limb motion. The analyses have been conducted at set intervals before and after treatment with botulinum toxin and are assisting to better understand upper limb function and in identifying the benefits of this treatment.
The Japanese Imperial Family, especially the Emperor, have an interest in the treatment and rehabilitation of disabled children and the Crown Prince and Princess expressed an interest in seeing what Australia was doing to help children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.
After the short presentation by Dr Lowe and Dr McIntosh, the Prince and Princess spoke with some of the children involved in the project.
His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan and Her Imperial Highness Crown Princess Masako were given a presentation on the success of the joint UNSW-Children’s Hospital program during a visit to the Hospital.
The project – management of spasticity in children – is investigating the use of botulinum toxin as a means of improving upper limb function in children. Director of rehabilitation at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Dr Kevin Lowe, told the royal couple that small, controlled doses of the botulinum toxin temporarily blocked transmission of signals across the nerves that stimulate muscle contraction. This blocking action reduces abnormal muscle activity in movement disorders such as spasticity and allows the children to improve the use of their upper limbs.
But how do the researchers know that muscle activity and function have improved? This is where the biomechanics and gait laboratory in UNSW's school of safety science enters the project.
Laboratory director, Dr Andrew McIntosh said the laboratory uses three-dimensional motion analysis to study the dynamics of upper limb motion. The analyses have been conducted at set intervals before and after treatment with botulinum toxin and are assisting to better understand upper limb function and in identifying the benefits of this treatment.
The Japanese Imperial Family, especially the Emperor, have an interest in the treatment and rehabilitation of disabled children and the Crown Prince and Princess expressed an interest in seeing what Australia was doing to help children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.
After the short presentation by Dr Lowe and Dr McIntosh, the Prince and Princess spoke with some of the children involved in the project.
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