DR. RICHARD JOHN BEGG, MD

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This study looked at how to evaluate methods in human factors (HF)—the science of improving how people interact with systems—especially in health technology. Researchers interviewed 21 experts and found that while these experts typically don't evaluate HF methods regularly, they identified 5 main criteria for evaluation: effectiveness, efficiency, ease of use, acceptability, and impact. This is important because a clear framework for evaluating these methods can help organizations create safer and more effective health technology solutions. Who this helps: This benefits patients and healthcare providers by ensuring safer health technology is developed and used.

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This study looked at how older adults with knee osteoarthritis recover their balance after a fall, comparing them to healthy older adults. Researchers found that those with knee osteoarthritis had greater knee bending during a fall but less bending in their hips and upper body. This adjustment may help them stay upright, even if it means their body moves differently. Who this helps: This research benefits older adults with knee osteoarthritis and their healthcare providers by improving understanding of their balance challenges.

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This research studied how muscles in the legs work together while walking, comparing stroke patients with healthy individuals. They found that stroke patients showed significant differences in muscle activity, such as knee hyperextension while standing, due to muscle weakness and compensation strategies, while healthy participants experienced age-related muscle weakness. The study highlights the need for targeted muscle training in stroke patients to improve walking stability and reduce the risk of falls. Who this helps: This benefits stroke survivors by informing rehabilitation practices.

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This study looked at how visual feedback can help older adults with diabetes improve their foot placement when walking. It involved 48 volunteers who were assessed while walking on a treadmill; those with diabetes made the most mistakes in their foot placement, showing an average error primarily in the first few steps. The findings indicate that giving these older individuals visual cues about their step length and toe clearance can lead to better accuracy, which is important for fall prevention. Who this helps: Patients with diabetes and older adults at risk of falling.

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This study looked at how providing immediate visual feedback helps older adults with diabetes adjust their foot placement when walking. Researchers found that using visual cues improved the accuracy of foot landings by 30%, which is significant for preventing falls. This is important because better foot placement can help reduce the risk of injuries in older individuals with health issues. Who this helps: Older adults with diabetes.

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This study focused on improving the safety of health technology by using user-friendly design techniques and understanding human behavior. Researchers found that involving staff in site visits to gather feedback significantly improved their understanding of the problems and boosted teamwork, even when the effectiveness varied from site to site. For instance, staff reported better engagement and job satisfaction, highlighting the importance of adapting methods to fit specific situations. Who this helps: This helps healthcare staff and patients by making health technology safer and more effective.

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This study looked at how early progress during biofeedback treadmill training can predict long-term improvements for stroke patients. Researchers analyzed data from 15 patients and found that those who showed changes in their walking patterns during the first two training sessions had a 100% success rate in making further improvements later on. This information can help tailor rehabilitation programs for patients who need additional support, enabling them to recover more effectively. Who this helps: This helps stroke patients who are undergoing rehabilitation.

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This study looked at how aging affects the way people step over obstacles and maintain their balance. Researchers found that older adults tend to lift their feet higher when stepping over obstacles (especially with their non-dominant foot) to avoid tripping; however, they also have a harder time recovering their balance after a misstep. Specifically, older adults had a lower ability to maintain stability during balance recovery, indicating that while they adapt their movements for safety, it might not be enough to prevent falls. Who this helps: This helps older adults and their caregivers by highlighting the need for strategies to improve both foot clearance and balance recovery.

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This study looked at how the ankle helps lift the foot during walking to prevent it from dragging on the ground, focusing on how much energy and force are needed to increase the foot's clearance by 4 centimeters. Researchers found that while the required ankle force didn’t significantly increase, the tibialis anterior muscle (which helps with this movement) had to work harder. Specifically, it needed to increase from 2 to 4 N/kg to help lift the foot, indicating that assistive devices should focus on providing quick bursts of energy rather than just adding more force. Who this helps: This benefits patients using assistive walking devices and their designers.

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This study looked at how to better predict the success of gait training for stroke patients by analyzing data on foot clearance during movement. Researchers found that using specific methods to analyze this data can accurately predict training outcomes, achieving up to 95% accuracy. This is important because it can reduce the number of training sessions needed, saving time and resources for both patients and healthcare facilities. Who this helps: This helps patients recovering from strokes and their rehabilitation teams.

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This research looked at how smart shoes equipped with special sensors can track and analyze a person's walking patterns outside of laboratory settings. The study found that these shoes can accurately measure how feet move and how high they clear off the ground, but they also face challenges with inaccuracies that need to be corrected using advanced techniques. This matters because it means that smart shoes could provide quick and reliable walking assessments in everyday life, potentially improving mobility for many people. Who this helps: This helps patients with mobility issues, doctors assessing patient progress, and designers of wearable technology.

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This study looks at new technologies in shoes that help people avoid tripping by detecting obstacles as they walk. Researchers reviewed various systems that use sensors and advanced technology to identify hazards and provide warnings to users. This matters because these innovations can help prevent falls, which are a serious risk for many individuals, especially the elderly. Who this helps: This benefits patients at risk of falls, including older adults and people with mobility challenges.

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This study looked at how diabetes affects the ability of older adults to adjust their walking patterns, specifically their step length and how high they lift their toes. The researchers found that older adults with diabetes made more errors when trying to match their step length and toe clearance to targets compared to healthy older adults, meaning they struggled more to adapt while walking. This matters because less ability to adjust walking can lead to a higher risk of falls, which is a serious concern for the safety of older individuals. Who this helps: This helps older adults with diabetes and their healthcare providers.

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This study looked at how well older adults with type 2 diabetes can adjust their walking when facing challenges like stepping over obstacles. Researchers found that older adults with diabetes took longer to balance themselves while adapting their steps and had more difficulty adjusting their foot position, leading to a higher risk of tripping on obstacles. Specifically, these individuals had the greatest errors in step lengths and lowest clearance from obstacles, which could increase their chances of falling. Who this helps: This information is beneficial for older adults with diabetes and healthcare providers focused on fall prevention strategies.

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This study looked at how stroke survivors who have trouble walking are at a higher risk of falling, mainly because they trip more often. Researchers found that the group of stroke survivors had a foot clearance of about 1% lower when they walked, meaning their feet were closer to the ground, which increased their chances of tripping. This is important because it shows that improving how these individuals walk can help prevent falls and injuries. Who this helps: This benefits stroke survivors and their caregivers by reducing fall risks and improving mobility.

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This research paper looks at how wearable sensors are used in powered ankle exoskeletons, which are robotic devices designed to help people walk better. The review covers advances in sensor technology over the last 20 years and explains how these sensors help the exoskeletons understand a user's walking intentions and improve their performance. The findings highlight the importance of these sensors in creating more effective and autonomous exoskeletons, which can greatly enhance rehabilitation and mobility for individuals with walking difficulties. Who this helps: Patients with mobility issues and rehabilitation needs.

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This study looked at how to predict when a person's foot is closest to the ground during walking, which is important because this is when they're most likely to trip and fall. Researchers used machine learning to analyze walking data from young adults and found they could predict this crucial moment with an accuracy of 0.07 seconds. This is significant because if we can accurately predict foot clearance in real-time, we can develop devices to help prevent falls, especially in older adults or those recovering from a stroke. Who this helps: Patients at risk of falls, particularly older adults and post-stroke individuals.

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This study looked at how using a cell phone while walking affects balance and stability. Researchers found that talking on a cell phone made people walk with a wider step and decreased how high their feet lifted off the ground, which can lead to a higher chance of falling. Specifically, talking while walking increased step width and decreased foot clearance significantly, making it riskier than texting or reading. Who this helps: This helps walkers, especially older adults or those at risk of falls.

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This study looked at how high the foot swings off the ground while walking among healthy Japanese people in their 50s, 60s, and 70s, a key factor related to the risk of tripping and falling. Researchers found that foot-ground clearance decreases with age: those in their 50s had a higher minimum foot clearance compared to those in their 60s (2.69 cm lower) and 70s (6.15 cm lower). Understanding these changes is important because they can help improve strategies for preventing falls in older adults. Who this helps: This research benefits older patients and their caregivers by providing insights for fall prevention strategies.

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This study looked at a special shoe insole designed to help prevent falls and injuries in older adults. Researchers found that older participants using the insole had a 0.43 cm increase in foot clearance and displayed improved walking mechanics, including more stability and better energy efficiency. This means that using these insoles can make a significant difference in keeping older adults safe while they walk. Who this helps: Older adults at risk of falls and injuries.

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This study looked at how the drug probenecid affects the way the body processes and responds to cephalexin, an antibiotic, in healthy people. When probenecid was taken with cephalexin, the levels of cephalexin in the blood significantly increased, making it more effective against certain bacteria. Specifically, the chances of the drug being effective against a common bacteria strain increased from less than 15% to nearly 100% when both drugs were taken together. Who this helps: This benefits patients needing treatment for infections, as well as doctors prescribing antibiotics.

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This study looked at how well different types of artificial intelligence, specifically Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks, could predict how our legs move when walking. Researchers collected walking data from 16 participants and found that LSTM autoencoders were the best at predicting leg movements with an accuracy error of just 2.82-5.31%. This research is important because improving the prediction of leg movements could lead to better designs for assistive devices, helping to prevent falls and improve balance. Who this helps: This helps patients who use assistive devices and those at risk of falling.

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This research paper looks at how new radar technology can help prevent falls in older adults by monitoring their walking patterns. It highlights that one in three people over 65 falls each year and discusses the potential of wearable radar devices to assess their risk of falling by analyzing their gait. The study points out areas where more research is needed, such as improving these devices and using machine learning for better risk assessments, which can help keep seniors safer. Who this helps: This benefits older adults and those who care for them.

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Researchers studied how stroke affects walking by measuring the distance that toes clear the ground during movement in 30 patients with chronic stroke. They found that using a new method, called Gait Asymmetry Indices (GAIs), can effectively show differences in toe clearance between the affected and unaffected legs, which helps identify issues in walking more accurately than older methods. This is important because it could improve how doctors monitor and treat walking problems in stroke survivors, reducing the risk of falls. Who this helps: Patients recovering from a stroke.

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This study explored how the medication probenecid, along with food intake, affects the behavior and effectiveness of flucloxacillin in 11 healthy volunteers. When taken with probenecid, the levels of flucloxacillin in the bloodstream increased significantly—up to 5.5 times higher—and the time it took to reach peak levels doubled compared to taking flucloxacillin alone. These changes mean that combining probenecid with flucloxacillin could greatly improve its effectiveness in treating infections like those caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Who this helps: This benefits patients who rely on flucloxacillin for bacterial infections, as well as doctors prescribing this treatment.

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This study looked at how a special kind of treadmill training that provides visual feedback can help improve foot clearance while walking, which is important for preventing trips and falls. Researchers tested 20 people—10 younger adults averaging 23 years old and 10 older adults averaging 77 years old. They found that after the training, the foot clearance increased significantly, with younger participants averaging 40.8 mm and older participants averaging 27.7 mm, showing that the training helped both groups to walk more safely. Who this helps: This helps older adults who are at risk of falling.

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This study looked at how well a type of artificial intelligence, called a long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network, can predict the movements of people's legs while walking. Researchers collected data from six young men walking on a treadmill and found that the model could accurately predict leg movements over time, with a very small error rate – for example, only a 0.047 meter difference in predicting how fast the thigh and shank (lower leg) were moving. Being able to predict these leg movements is important because it could help prevent falls and enhance the design of devices that assist people in walking. Who this helps: This helps patients who are at risk of falling and developers of assistive walking devices.

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Researchers studied how older adults adjust their walking step length compared to younger adults while receiving real-time feedback. They found that older adults made bigger mistakes in matching their steps to target lengths—averaging a larger error than younger adults when trying to step 10% longer or shorter than their usual length. This is important because better step length adjustment can help prevent falls, a common risk for older people. Who this helps: This helps older adults and their caregivers manage fall risks.

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This study looked at how giving people who had a stroke visual feedback about their foot clearance while they walked could help improve their walking and reduce their risk of falling. The researchers tested 150 participants, with some receiving this feedback during training sessions and others not receiving any feedback. They found that using real-time feedback could help improve how high people lifted their feet while walking, making them less likely to trip. Who this helps: This benefits stroke survivors by improving their mobility and reducing their risk of falls.

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Researchers studied how older adults' mental health affects their walking patterns by using wearable sensors to track their movements and having them fill out a mental health questionnaire. They found that better mental health scores were linked to more balanced walking, with a strong connection between mental well-being and left-right gait control. This is important because it suggests that keeping good mental health may help older adults walk more safely and reduce the risk of falls. Who this helps: This benefits older adults and their caregivers by improving understanding of how mental health impacts mobility.

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This study looked at how people with knee osteoarthritis (OA) respond to losing their balance, specifically whether they take one step or multiple steps to recover. Out of 24 participants, 58% used multiple steps, and these individuals showed worse results in tests of strength and mobility, like taking longer to get up and go (a difference of about 3 seconds) and walking less distance in two minutes (nearly 50 meters less). Understanding these differences is important because many people with knee OA fall regularly, and improving their response could help prevent injuries. Who this helps: This helps patients with knee osteoarthritis and their doctors.

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This study investigated a new antimicrobial compound called CORM-401, which releases carbon monoxide and shows the ability to fight harmful bacteria, including strains that resist common antibiotics. Researchers found that CORM-401 effectively inhibited the growth of bacteria, like Escherichia coli, while accumulating in the cells and disrupting their internal balance by affecting essential ions like potassium and zinc. This matters because it offers a potential new approach to treating infections, especially with rising antibiotic resistance. Who this helps: This helps patients with antibiotic-resistant infections and doctors seeking new treatment options.

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This research studied a new stent called the TIGRIS, designed for treating long blockages in specific arteries in the leg. In a trial involving 274 participants, the study found that the TIGRIS stent performed similarly to the existing LifeStent in terms of safety and effectiveness at 12 and 24 months, with primary success rates of about 60% to 63%. However, the TIGRIS stent had a significant advantage: it had a 0% rate of stent fractures compared to 32.7% for the LifeStent, which is important for minimizing complications. Who this helps: This benefits patients with leg artery blockages, particularly those requiring flexible stents for long lesions.

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This study looked at whether taking the antibiotic flucloxacillin with food affects how much of the drug gets into the bloodstream compared to taking it on an empty stomach. They found that while eating does lower the peak levels of the drug, the amount that reaches the bloodstream over time is still adequate for most patients. Specifically, the levels were about 20% lower overall when taken with food, but this difference does not impact how well the drug works for treating infections. Who this helps: This helps patients who are prescribed flucloxacillin, allowing them more flexibility in their medication routine.

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This study looked at how vitamin D levels affect pain and muscle strength in people with knee osteoarthritis during balance recovery. It found that those with low vitamin D (about 29% of participants) experienced more pain and had weaker knee function, making it harder to recover from balance tasks. This matters because it suggests that improving vitamin D levels could help reduce pain and improve movement in these patients. Who this helps: Patients with knee osteoarthritis.

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This study explored the use of a low-cost biofeedback system combining Microsoft Kinect and Nintendo Wii to help patients recover after total knee replacement surgery. One patient received this biofeedback during a six-week rehab, while three others went through standard rehab without the biofeedback. Both groups showed improvements in pain, function, and quality of life, but the patient using biofeedback had a notable increase in knee function, achieving a more normal movement pattern. Who this helps: Patients recovering from total knee replacement surgery.

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This study looked at ways to improve the analysis of walking patterns by adjusting for physical differences among people, like age and size. Researchers examined walking data from 910 participants, including children, adults, older adults, and those with Parkinson's disease. They found that a new method based on multiple regression provided clearer insights into walking traits, helping to better differentiate between healthy individuals and those with walking difficulties, which can improve patient assessments and treatments. Who this helps: This helps doctors and researchers who evaluate and treat patients with gait-related issues.

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This study looked at whether textured insoles could help ballet dancers better feel and control their ankles and improve their dance performance. Researchers tested 60 dancers over ten weeks, and those who wore textured insoles showed a significant improvement in their ankle awareness and performance compared to those who didn't use the insoles, with a notable score increase of 41.2% in ankle discrimination. This finding indicates that using textured insoles can enhance dancers' abilities, making them more effective in their training and performances. Who this helps: This helps ballet dancers and their instructors.

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This study examined the walking patterns of 45 patients who had knee replacement surgery, comparing them to 31 healthy individuals of similar age. Researchers found that the knee surgery patients had a lower knee adduction moment and knee extensor power, which indicates they were using their hips more effectively during walking to minimize stress on their knees. These findings highlight how patients can adapt their walking to protect their knee joints after surgery. Who this helps: This helps patients recovering from knee surgery.

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This research studied how carbon monoxide (CO) affects bacteria and their ability to take in iron and resist antibiotics. The scientists found that exposure to CO disrupts the way bacteria generate energy, as it alters key genes involved in respiration and iron acquisition, leading to more sensitivity to antibiotics. For example, CO caused significant changes in gene expression related to iron management. Understanding how CO impacts bacteria is important for developing better treatments that use CO-related therapies. Who this helps: This research benefits doctors and researchers looking for new ways to treat bacterial infections.

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This study looked at how people with knee osteoarthritis (OA) respond to falls compared to people without OA. Researchers found that those with OA had a harder time regaining their balance, moving more slowly and showing less strength in their hips and knees, especially when they had to think (like counting backward) or handle physical tasks (like clearing an obstacle). This matters because it highlights the challenges faced by people with OA when they fall, showing they are less able to prevent injuries. Who this helps: This helps patients with knee osteoarthritis and their doctors by providing insights into fall risks and recovery strategies.

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This study looked at how a specific carbon monoxide-releasing molecule (CORM-3) affects bacteria that lack heme, which are typically considered the main targets for such treatments. The researchers found that CORM-3 not only inhibited the growth of these bacteria but also triggered responses that increased iron and zinc levels while disrupting cell membranes. These findings highlight that CORMs can affect bacteria in ways other than through heme, which is important for developing new antimicrobial therapies. Who this helps: This helps patients by paving the way for new effective treatments against bacterial infections.

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This study looked at how older adults can recover their balance after losing it while walking. Researchers tested 15 older adults, aged around 73, and found that using a single step to regain balance was more effective than taking multiple steps. Specifically, single-step recovery resulted in a better margin of stability and allowed for more time to respond, which is crucial for preventing falls. Who this helps: This research benefits older adults at risk of falls by highlighting the importance of single-step strategies for maintaining balance.

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This study focused on developing a simple, affordable capsule that protects sensitive medications as they pass through the stomach, allowing them to be released effectively in the small intestine. Researchers tested a special polymer coating on capsules and found that this coating significantly improved their ability to withstand stomach acid, especially in pigs. This research is important because it helps create better drug delivery methods, potentially improving treatments for gut-related disorders. Who this helps: Patients with gastrointestinal issues and doctors treating them.

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This study explored how differences in pressure on the bottom of the feet, called plantar pressure asymmetry, can help identify foot problems. Researchers examined 51 people—31 without issues and 20 with foot pathologies—and found that those with foot problems had significantly higher pressure differences in key areas, particularly at the third toe joint and the outer heel. This discovery is important because measuring these pressure differences could improve how doctors diagnose and treat various foot conditions. Who this helps: This helps patients with foot pathologies by providing a better diagnosis and potential treatment plans.

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This study examined how carbon monoxide-releasing molecule-3 (CORM-3) affects bacteria that do not produce heme, a vital component in many respiratory proteins. Researchers found that CORM-3 caused significant changes in gene activity compared to a control that did not release carbon monoxide, indicating that CORM-3 impacts bacteria in ways beyond just interacting with heme. This is important because it reveals new potential targets for CORM-3's effects, which could lead to better understanding of its roles in bacterial behavior and new therapeutic applications. Who this helps: This benefits researchers and medical professionals studying bacterial infections or developing new treatments.

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This study looked at how a device called a solid ankle foot orthosis (AFO) affects walking in children with cerebral palsy (CP) compared to healthy children. It involved 51 children with diplegic CP and 34 healthy kids, measuring things like stride length and walking speed. The results showed that using an AFO improved walking patterns in children with CP, making their movements more similar to those of healthy children, especially in areas like stride length and swing time. Who this helps: This helps children with cerebral palsy and their caregivers by providing evidence on the benefits of using ankle foot orthoses for walking.

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This study focused on understanding how people lose balance when they trip, especially in older adults. Researchers developed a method to calculate the time available to recover balance after a trip (called available response time or ART) and found that, on average, this time is just 0.11 seconds when someone trips over their own feet. They identified five key factors that can increase this response time, which means older adults might be at a higher risk of falling if their movement patterns are not optimal. Who this helps: This helps older adults and their caregivers by identifying risks associated with falling.

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This study looked at how aging affects balance while walking, focusing on how people maintain stability when their steps are wider or narrower than usual. Researchers tested 30 young men and 26 older men and found that older adults had less consistent control of their balance, particularly with their non-dominant foot, when walking with wider or narrower steps. This matters because poor balance increases the risk of falls, especially for older adults. Who this helps: This research helps older adults and healthcare providers aiming to reduce fall risks.