Brain Injury Australia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian Institute of Neuro-Rehabilitation, out of a mutual commitment to addressing the gaps in community-based neuro-rehabilitation services.

The two organisations have agreed to engage in joint public awareness and advocacy initiatives. They celebrated the inaugural Neuro-Rehab Awareness Day on 13th August, 2016, by issuing a joint press release calling on Australian governments to fund a National Community Centre of Excellence for Technology-Assisted Neuro-Rehabilitation Exercise and Research, where participants’ functional, health and quality of life outcomes are measured and the cost-efficiency of the technology-assisted exercise programs is also evaluated.

Acoording to Trish Leonard, who gave up a career as a corporate lawyer to care for her mother left paralysed by brain-stem stroke, the Institute’s mission is to maximise the life-long neuro-recovery of Australians living with disabilities caused brain or spinal cord injuries and neurological disease.

To achieve this, the institute aims to: “Deliver community based technology assisted neuro-rehabilitation exercise programs and research; create a ‘Knowledge Hub’ – an online resource for Australians with neurological conditions to support the maximisation of their life-long neuro-recovery; and deliver neuro-rehabilitation awareness and advocacy initiatives.”

Find out more about AIN here.

AIN are looking for people who had a stroke or brain injury over 3 months ago to take part in a study assessing the benefits of exercising with a robotic exoskeleton (HELLEN, pictured below).

Participants will be asked to attend the University of Newcastle twice a week for 12-weeks to participate in upright exercises assisted by HELLEN.

The aim of this study is to assess if robotic exercise therapy is beneficial for people with stroke and brain injury. If it is beneficial, this will allow AIN to recommend robotic therapy to more Australians as part of their ongoing rehabilitation.

Eligible study participants must have a severe mobility disability and need assistance for standing activities, reside in Hunter, and be over the age of 18 years.

Members of the research team are Assoc. Prof Neil Spratt, Dr Andrew Bivard, Jodie Marquez, Nicola Postol and Trish Leonard.

For more information about the study, please read the Participant Advertisement, and Information Statement.

To see if you are eligible to join this study, please contact:

Trish Leonard
Australian Institute of Neuro-rehabilitation: info@ain-rehab.org
Phone: 0498 479 422 www.hellen.org.au