Media releases

• Participants needed for study on robotic rehab for multiple sclerosis

  Monday, February 03, 2020 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 3 February 2020 – R0024

  Kailynn Mannella’s dream is that one day every rehabilitation centre will have a robot delivering treatment to people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other conditions where the loss of limb function can severely impact daily life.

  But not just any robot will do.

  The Brock University master’s student is particularly keen about her lab’s ‘wristbot,’ a made-to-order haptic device used to study arm and wrist biomechanics and motor control.

  The only one of its kind in a Canadian university, Brock University’s wristbot can be used as a therapy tool to strengthen forearm muscles and improve neural control of the hand.

  Mannella wants to know if and how the wristbot could be an effective rehabilitation strategy for people living with MS and is calling for participants to get involved in this research.

  “We’re looking for anyone living with multiple sclerosis with any level of the disease, who is experiencing some sort of disability with their upper arm,” she says.

  Participants in the study undergo three, 35-minute sessions each week for six weeks. During the sessions, participants will be asked to trace an image with their hand using the wristbot. It is similar to a video game, but the robot adapts to the individual’s performance, providing assistance when needed.

  “We’re trying to get as many people involved in the study as we can,” says Mannella. “If people are in remission, we’ll still accept them.”

  The research team will evaluate biomechanical and functional changes throughout the weeks of training. These include wrist and grip strength, muscle activation and co-ordination.

  Rehabilitation robotics is becoming a widely studied and adopted form of therapy. It allows for delivery of a high dosage of exercise that can lead to strengthening and overall improvement in upper limb function.

  “The goal of the research is to improve hand functionality through the creation of a progressive training program — through the use of a robotic device — that would strengthen the forearm and wrist of people living with MS,” says Mannella.

  Mannella’s supervisor is Associate Professor of Kinesiology Michael Holmes, Canada Research Chair in Neuromuscular Mechanics and Ergonomics. He examines how the brain and nervous system generates muscle activity to coordinate complex hand movements.

  “To date, our work has focused on understanding hand and upper extremity function in healthy individuals,” says Holmes. “I always envisioned the wristbot would one day be used in populations with neurological impairments and Kailynn has been the driving force behind this happening. Her passion to improve the lives of people living with MS has led to this very important work.”

  The focus on MS is particularly relevant for Canadians. A 2018 Statistics Canada report says the prevalence of MS among Canadians may be one of the highest in the world.

  Participants of all ages are needed, and travel and parking costs will be reimbursed.

  Those wishing to participate in the study should contact Kailynn Mannella at km14ta@brocku.ca

  The wristbot used in the study was built by the Robotics, Brain and Cognitive Sciences research team at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT). Resembling a joystick, the wristbot allows Holmes’ team to examine how the forearm muscles control the hand, especially when encountering resistance and sudden, unexpected disturbances

  This research, and the wristbot, are part of Holmes’ Neuromechanics and Ergonomics Lab. Funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the lab features more than $150,000 in state-of-the-art biomechanics, neurophysiology and ergonomics equipment including motion capture cameras, robotics, brain stimulation and electromyography.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

  Brock University Marketing and Communications has a full-service studio where we can provide high definition video and broadcast-quality audio.

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  Categories: Media releases

• Expert Advisory: Super Bowl LIV a win for gender equity and diversity

  Monday, February 03, 2020 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 3 February 2020 – R0023

  When it comes to the Super Bowl, what happens before the game, in the commercials and at half-time is almost as important as who comes out on top.

  Brock University Professors Julie Stevens and Michael Naraine were watching the game closely on Sunday, Feb. 2 and called it an important step forward for multiple reasons.

  Stevens, Associate Professor of Sport Management and Director of Brock’s Centre for Sport Capacity, believes it was the most positive Super Bowl when it comes to gender equity.

  “There was a strategic and intentional inclusion of women,” she says. “There were many interesting gender-equity angles.”

  Stevens says a perfect example came early on when the NFL Next 100 pre-game spot was used to promote women such as American women’s soccer player and two-time Olympic gold medalist Carli Lloyd, who also later appeared in an ad for deodorant brand Secret. There were many young girls among the youth who ran onto the field before kickoff and the presence of Chicago Bears owner Virginia McCaskey, handing the game football to an eager and enthusiastic youth.

  “Outside the game, the commercials included bold statements by brands such as Tide, who included a Wonder Woman appearance, and Olay, whose ‘Make space for women’ sent a strong and positive message about supporting women in STEM,’” Stevens says.

  Although she didn’t win a Super Bowl title Sunday, the presence of San Francisco 49ers assistant coach Katie Sowers — both on the sidelines and in a high-profile TV spot — was also a big step forward, says Stevens.

  “Being a woman and an assistant coach in a hyper-masculine environment like the NFL means you’ve proven yourself through skill and expertise,” she says. “It means your competence as a coach is seen and respected.”

  Assistant Professor of Sport Management Michael Naraine was watching the Canadian Super Bowl broadcast Sunday and said there were still compelling TV spots despite the recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada confirming simultaneous substitutions to show Canadian ads over American.

  “We saw increased star power from Skip the Dishes and Bubly with Jon Hamm and Michael Buble,” Naraine says. “And we saw some not so-good-ads that were uninspiring and didn’t connect with the Canadian consumer looking for the wit, celebrity and shock value that is expected from Super Bowl ads.”

  Naraine was also impressed with the half-time show, which he called a “great display of Hispanic and Latino/Latina American culture with Shakira and Jennifer Lopez crushing it.”

  “The half-time show has become a massive point of attachment for both male and female consumers, particularly millennials who are reliving late 90s and early 2000 hits from J-Lo and Shakira,” Naraine says. “Music streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify will see increased traffic for the songs they performed and radio stations will follow suit. It’s an indication of the kind of bump this high-profile appearance yields.”

  Naraine also pointed out the NFL’s 100 All-Time List, which wrapped up a full season of celebrating the league’s 100th season.

  “The NFL has also done a great job celebrating its past and present,” he says. “The All-Time List included significant Black athletes like Jim Brown, Jerry Rice, Lawrence Taylor and others. It was also interesting to see OJ Simpson make the list — one of the most polarizing athletes of all time.”

  Brock University Sport Management Professors Julie Stevens and Michael Naraine are available for interviews in person, over the phone or from Brock’s broadcast studio.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews: 

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases