Research
Disability Biomechanics and Systems Integration
A key focus of this programme, led by the Aspire Chair Professor Ferguson-Pell, is the prevention of secondary complications of impairments, particularly those people with spinal cord injury. We have four main areas of research within this programme:
Pressure ulcer prevention
Although people with spinal cord injuries face particular risks of developing pressure ulcers, this problem is in fact much larger with as many as 20% of inpatients in district general hospitals throughout Europe experiencing pressure ulcers. The ACDS team is tackling the problem on several fronts.
Disuse Osteoporosis
Immediately after a spinal cord injury, bone density begins to diminish below the level of injury. This loss can be as great as 40% just one or two years after injury. Research at ACDS is investigating the causes to determine whether - in addition to inactivity - changes in blood flow to the bone after injury influences the rate of bone density loss.
Injuries associated with wheelchair use
There is extensive evidence that shows that prolonged over-exertion during wheelchair propulsion can result in chronic damage to the shoulder joint.
The ACDS research team have developed new ways to assess whether wheelchair users are excessively stressing their upper limbs and are investigating ways to reduce the risks of injury associated with long term wheelchair use. Studies are also underway to investigate whether children with spinal injuries are even more at risk of damage in the short term due to their lower strength and the greater weight, relatively, of the wheelchair.