Fall prevention post-stroke: Go-tech or No-tech

Abstract

Fall prevention is a very important goal of stroke rehabilitation. The intervention strategies used in rehabilitation of stroke patients have also undergone substantial changes in the past decade. One important factor underlying the changes are the tremendous advancements made in rehabilitation technology. Robotic assistive devices, virtual reality and noninvasive stimulation are some of advanced technologies used in contemporary practice in stroke rehabilitation. On the other hand, the use of such technologies involves several constraints, including high cost of the equipment, space limitations, and necessity of trained professional staff in its operation. Another important consideration is the sustainability of these interventions, because stroke is a chronic condition and one needs to continue to cope with the residual stroke impairments upon returning to community living. Hence, there is also a need to search for interventions that are economical and sustainable in the community-based and home-based settings. This presentation will present the current available evidence on different fall prevention strategies for people with stroke, including those involving the use advanced technologies and those that are “no-tech”.

 

Biology

Prof. Pang obtained his BSc in Physical Therapy and PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. Following his doctoral study, he was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to conduct stroke rehabilitation research in University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Prof. Pang joined the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2005. His current research is mainly focused on stroke rehabilitation, particularly issues related to bone health, and recovery of sensorimotor function. He has produced more than 120 journal papers and over 180 conference papers. His publications are highly cited and appear in various premier journals, including Stroke, Journal of Neuroscience, and Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

Prof. Pang’s research work is well-funded. He and his doctoral students have also won a number of local and international awards. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Journal, Associate Editor of Physiotherapy Canada, and also the President of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association.

Prof. Pang is a popular speaker and has delivered more than 120 invited lectures and workshops both locally and overseas. He had also been granted teaching awards by the University of Alberta and Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in recognition of his excellence in teaching.