Smart Orthopaedic Supports to Encourage Activity of Elderly People (ORTOSMART)

 

Project no.: SV5-0234

Project description:

Hypothesis of our investigation is that the techniques for quantitative ultrasound-based assessment of microstructure and dynamic properties of cerebral tissue would assist in differentiating normal age-related brain changes from ND at an early stage. Thus, a novel non-invasive and inexpensive assessment method of changes in the microstructure and dynamics of brain tissue and anatomical structures is proposed. This method combines primary radiofrequency dynamic ultrasound-based assessment with focal tissue motion analysis technology, and would be analyzed by fusing magnetic resonance imaging and conventional transcranial sonography. This novel method is expected to help finding new biomarkers of ND at an early stage and distinguish normal vs. pathological brain aging in a patient-friendly way. Biomarkers for AD and PD represent important tools supporting the clinical diagnosis and the choice of potential therapeutic options. When applied early, therapeutic interventions are much more effective to sustain healthy aging. Moreover, they would be of great help for the selection of cohorts of homogeneous patients for clinical trials with new disease-modifying derivatives.

Project funding:

Projects funded by the Research Council of Lithuania (RCL), Projects carried out by researchers’ teams


Project results:

During the project, joints supportive and sparing smart textile orthopaedic knee supports with variable compression and integrated heating element will be developed and produced, investigations of compression changes will be carried out, methodology of the optimal use of the support will be developed in order to optimize muscle strengthening and motion control during exercise, investigation on muscle strengthening and movements management will be carried out, influence of the used orthopaedic supports and exercises on the psychophysiological working capacity of motor system, quality of life and successful ageing will be estimated.

Period of project implementation: 2017-10-02 - 2019-12-31

Project coordinator: Lithuanian Sports University

Project partners: Kaunas University of Technology

Head:
Daiva Mikučionienė

Duration:
2017 - 2019

Department:
Department of Production Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design