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Photo credit: John A. Rogers/University Of Illinois Researchers from Northwestern University and the University of Illinois have developed a discreet, wearable device that provides around-the-clock monitoring of both heart and skin health. The skin-like patch measures a mere five centimeters square and is designed to be worn directly on the skin, for example on a user's wrist much like a band aid.

I thought this was a neat idea, based on the lessons recently on cardiopulmonary health.

This may be old news from almost a year ago, but i found this on the Vanderbilt website about how Dr. Michael Goldfarb has been working on robotic legs that emulates healthy limbs. It explains his research and his building of these legs. I found in the article that Dr. Goldfarb was also named one of the top 10 innovators who changed the world in 2013 for developing an exoskeleton that allows paraplegics to stand up and walk.

Thought this might be helpful this next week in studying for the test. This topic alarms me in a way, because it is so important we are competent in this area. We need to research as much as we can about it. This article goes into detail the characteristics of dysphagia and how to approach treatment. One interesting fact in the article is that polypharmacy is related to it.

Since we are all students, I thought I'd research some tips for us on how to manage stress! One thing I struggle with is my anxiety with exams. I tend to focus so much of my time on studying and worrying whether or not I'm going to pass a test or not. I found that I need to make more time for myself, relax and let my brain breath. This article gives some wonderful tips on surviving exams: how to organize your notes and schedule time to study, rest and relaxation, and how to handle stress on exam day.

My good friend Ragi Doggweiler is a researcher and practicing physician in this field. Once located right here in Knoxville she has moved back to her homeland of Switzerland. We have often had conversations about what PT's could do for this population but until I revisited this paper I had not thought of the under-utilization of OT practitioners in this area. While PT can and does work on the physical aspects of these issues OT would greatly enhance the treatments in so many ways.

In my health psych class I did some research on this subject. There are many disparities when it comes to healthcare for individuals who may not feel comfortable with doctors and other healthcare professionals. I think it should be a goal to understand some of these issues and make people comfortable communicating personal concerns, goals, and desires without fear of discrimination.

That's a lot of great information!

This seems like about the only research out there on sex with an LE amputation. ABSTRACT: Sexual adjustment following lower extremity amputation was evaluated by interviewing 60 adults with recent amputations, 39 men and 21 women, after they had become independent in ambulation with a prosthesis. Among the men, 77% reported a substantial decrease in the frequency of sexual intercourse following amputation, while only 38% of the women reported a decrease.

This is the amputee coalition website. What an amazing resource for patients, families, and therapist. This website provides current research, peer support, and even has detailed discussion about how to deal with phantom pain. Great website and resource!

Thanks for sharing this Kellie

Br J Sports Med. 2014 Jun;48(12):957-65. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2012-091513. Epub 2013 Jan 18. Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Would you prioritize sleep if you knew it kept your immune system strong? That's the question the American Academy of Sleep Medicine wants you to ponder this week. Lost in the hoopla surrounding Independence day was the publication of some eye-opening (or eye-shutting) research by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine showing that the immune system responds sharply to sleep loss.

This article emphasizes the correlation between stress and sleep. No matter our age, everyone needs plenty of sleep to properly function. Sleep is a time for our bodies to "reboot". Just like stress, lack of sleep is harmful to one's overall well being. The article lists similar physiological effects that are caused from lack of sleep that our text book has listed for chronic stress. High stress levels and an inefficient amount of sleep wreak havoc on a persons immune system. It is always easier said than done, but we all could improve our health by finding ways to reduce stress and sleep more.

The Wii isn't just fun and games. It has serious health benefits according to a new study. Published in the journal Radiology, researchers showed that the Wii Balance Board helped patients with multiple sclerosis, or MS, reduce their risk of accidental falls. The study followed 27 participants as they used the balance board for 12 weeks.

Living in a community with ample open space is associated with more physical, occupational and social participation for adults with physical impairments, according to new research. Authors Amanda Botticello, PhD, MPH, and Nicolette Cobbold, BS, of the Kessler Foundation, West Orange, N.J., and Tanya Rohrbach, MS, of Raritan Valley Community College, Branchburg, N.J., explored associations between community and neighborhood land uses and community participation.

With most of the younger workers, they seem to believe themselves so entitled as part of the "Me" generation. It was very refreshing to see this 18-year-old have such tremendous and admirable goals. In relation to our subject matter, it will be interesting to follow her cancer research and hopefully see a cure during my lifetime.

I like this website because they post the latest news about the drugs that could treat some form of cancer. All information about cancer (types, treatment, prevention). From this website I found out that every 3th person in United States gets cancer. Also we can read how to live with cancer (coping skills, advice, medical research and information about palliative care). There are also recommendations on how an occupational therapist may help with assistive devices or adapted techniques to help you perform these activities easier. I thought this website was really educational and helpful.

The primary determinant of health for the average person is thought. Not genetics, not exercise or nutrition, but the mind. This has been shown over and over again by the scientific fields of psychoneuroimmunology, psychoneurocardiology, psychoneuroendocrinology, not to mention cancer research and all the various psychosomatic disorders that have been studied.

An anecdotal example of how "stress is the main killer". Interesting perspective.

FOUR STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH BURNOUT 1. Quit and Stay I first became acquainted with this strategy at a client engagement when I overheard a conversation taking place in the cubicle next to where I was hanging out.

This is a MUST read!! This is an incredible story of a woman who can smell Parkinson's disease. After making this assertion, some scientists came up with an experiment to test her claim. Her smell could be a breakthrough for finding an early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.

How interesting! I wonder what it is that creates the particular odor? Sounds like additional research is called for here.

This article explains what targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) is for UE prostheses, the functional capacity increase over conventional myoelectric controlled UE prostheses, and OT's role in rehab with this type of device and patient.

Here is a website that describes the research that is being done to help older drivers continue to drive in a safe manner. We all know that not being able to drive can limit our independence but can also diminish our quality of life.

This website describes a new piece of technology that helps with the recovery of burn victims. Researchers have found a way to use skin from an undamaged area, place it in a tube with an enzyme and spray the solution in the tube over the burn area to heal the site in a way that is much less painful than having a skin graph. this process can be a better option than a traditional skin graph because it takes less time for the patient to heal from, it can cover a larger portion of damaged skin from a smaller portion of undamaged skin, and the solution takes very little time to prepare.