Kessler Foundation awarded grants for cognitive, mobility research

The Kessler Foundation received multiple grants from the New Jersey Health Foundation for research projects that aim to improve cognition and mobility in patients with neurological disabilities, the foundation announced in a press release.

Peii “Peggy” Chen, PhD, a senior research scientist at the Kessler Foundation’s Center for Stroke Rehabilitation Research, was awarded a $35,000 grant for her project to improve safety during navigation using mixed-reality technology. Chen is developing the SafeNav app to address the high risk of falls among older adults, as well as stroke survivors.

“With decreased motor and cognitive abilities, the elderly are at risk for falls when they walk. In addition to old age, stroke is also a risk factor for falls,” Chen said in the release. “Furthermore, right brain damage is associated with a higher fall risk than left brain damage, which may be related to the greater prevalence of spatial neglect after right brain stroke than after left brain stroke.”

Erik Hummer, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at the foundation’s Center for Mobility and Rehabilitation Engineering Research, also received a $35,000 grant for his project to develop and assess a phase-specific, cycling feedback intervention system in pediatric cerebral palsy.

Hummer’s study will focus on a visual feedback system that can be used to help those with cerebral palsy balance how they pedal and improve the benefits gained from rehabilitative exercise.

“The goal of the feedback system is to help participants push more than they pull while pedaling, which can help the way they walk,” Hummer said in the release. “Measurements taken during all cycling show how participants’ muscles and brain activity change due to the visual feedback.”