A CVMM Collaborative Grant has led to the co-design and development a comprehensive digital rehabilitation program, which provides accessible recovery resources for stroke survivors transitioning home.
Spotlight on:
Dr Meghan Ambrens, Research Fellow
Falls, Balance and Injury Research Group
Neuroscience Research Australia
Professor Kim Delbaere
Senior Principal Research Scientist and Director of Innovation and Translation at the Falls, Balance and Injury Research Group, Neuroscience Research Australia
A bit about our researchers...
Dr Meghan Ambrens is an early career researcher working in the fall and injury prevention. Her research has focussed on translating research into practice, particularly the role of digital health in clinical care to improve patient outcomes.
Professor Delbaere has made major contributions to identifying risk factors for falls and sub-optimal ageing. Her overarching vision is for older Australians to understand and navigate better health trajectories through self-management.
Can you tell us about your project?
Our project co-designed and developed a comprehensive digital rehabilitation program that integrates a high-dose, tailored exercise program with usual care. Through extensive engagement, we brought together stroke survivors, clinicians, and multidisciplinary experts in neurology, cardiology, geriatrics, and rehabilitation to improve mobility outcomes.
Stroke survivors highlighted the difficult transition home and the need for accessible recovery resources, while clinicians saw the program’s potential to enhance patient engagement. By addressing these challenges, the program empowers individuals to manage their recovery more effectively, offering an innovative approach to rehabilitation that improves accessibility, independence, and quality of life.
Why was this CVMM funding so important?
CVMM funding was instrumental in informing the development of our digital rehabilitation program. A planned randomised controlled trial will evaluate its effectiveness, paving the way for broader implementation. By integrating exercise with digital health, it offers an accessible, scalable solution for stroke recovery, empowering individuals to manage their health conditions more effectively.
And, just for fun, any tips on what to watch in our down time?
Meghan: Great TV series: Man on the Inside – a retired Professor gets a new lease on life when he answers an ad placed by a private detective and becomes a mole in a secret investigation of a retirement residence in San Francisco.
Kim: Great movie: Thelma is a smart, funny, and compassionate take on ageing with dignity. In true Mission Impossible style, 93-year-old Thelma sets out to reclaim stolen money with her friend Ben and his scooter. Their adventure challenges society’s tendency to underestimate older adults, delivered with humour, warmth and a powerful message about resilience and independence.
Learn more about how wearable technology can be used to prevent falls in oder people in clinical settings