Improving the mobility and physical activity of a stroke patient and a patient with traumatic brain injury
Providing an input for the compilation of a clinical treatment guide for patients with brain damage, giving an input to the Estonian Health Insurance Fund for the creation of new cost-based services (e.g. clinical 3D gait analysis), contributing to the development of an Estonian walking robot with medical equipment producer EQUA, producing individual orthoses (practically not used so far) for the improvement of arm functions, introducing new treatment methods to regulate muscle tone (injecting Botox in case of spasticity), adequate customization of aiding equipment and implementation of new ideas, developing home and workplace according to the SMART house principle.
Beneficiaries: producers and importers of aid equipment, producers of arm orthoses on individual grounds as a new service, drug sellers (Botox, Dysport, Baclofen – will be used by rehabilitation doctors), stakeholders in Estonia involved in developing a walking robot suitable for clinical environment.
The effectiveness of early rehabilitation (up to 1.5 years after the trauma) in patients with spinal cord injuries in achieving independence.
Providing an input to the Estonian Health Insurance Fund for the creation of new services, compiling a clinical treatment guide for patients with spinal cord injuries, contributing to the development of an Estonian walking robot, introducing new methods to regulate muscle tone (staring to use Baclofen pump in Estonia, injecting Botox in case of spasticity), producing individual orthoses (practically not used so far), adequate customization of aiding equipment and implementation of new ideas. Giving an input to the Estonian Health Insurance Fund for the creation of new cost-based services (e.g. clinical 3D gait analysis).
Beneficiaries: producers and importers of aid equipment, producers of arm orthoses on individual grounds as a new service, drug sellers (Botox, Dysport, Baclofen – will be used by rehabilitation doctors), stakeholders in Estonia involved in developing a walking robot suitable for clinical environment.
Rehabilitation, directing to active participation in the labour market and avoiding late complications in patients who have sustained spinal cord injuries more than 1.5 years ago.
The output of the research is to create an innovative example living environment, improving the employment of disabled people, providing an input to the Social Insurance Board for creating and
funding new services, compiling a clinical treatment guide for patients with spinal cord injuries, contributing to the development of Estonian walking robot, introducing new methods to regulate muscle tone (staring to use Baclofen pump in Estonia, injecting Botox in case of spasticity), producing individual orthoses (practically not used so far), adequate customization of aiding equipment and implementation of new ideas in the interest of medical equipment industry, providing expert opinions for exact planning of medical expenses covered by insurance companies.
Beneficiaries: companies who work with adjusting living environment, producers and importers of aid equipment, producers of arm orthoses on individual grounds as a new service, drug sellers (Botox, Dysport, Baclofen – will be used by rehabilitation doctors).
A health promotion study for school children aged 6 – 18: Early diagnostics of mobility and physical activity as the foundation for the formation of a working-age population.
Introducing measures that promote health in educational programmes, including increasing the number of physical education lessons, choosing footwear and clothes that support the correct gait pattern, developing school bags to be more ergonomic, introducing more ergonomically suitable chairs and desks into the classroom, providing an input for the achievement of more effective primary health care services through the school doctor, nurse and physiotherapist. Using clinical three-dimensional gait analysis in performing movement analysis.
Beneficiaries: producers of ergonomic school furniture, sport and health clubs which will be visited by more students and therefore their turnover may increase.
Improving early rehabilitation and developmental treatment of children with neurological damage by introducing innovative treatment methodologies
Adequate customization of aiding equipment and implementation of new ideas, contributing to the development of an Estonian walking robot with medical equipment producer EQUA, giving an input to the Estonian Health Insurance Fund for the creation of new cost-based services, producing individual orthoses (practically not used so far) for the improvement of arm functions, introducing new treatment methods to regulate muscle tone (injecting Botox in case of spasticity), developing home and workplace according to the SMART house principle, using clinical gait analysis to support movement analusis and to motivate clinical decisions.
A study of the effects and applicability of vibroacoustic therapy in the rehabilitation of brain and spinal cord injuries
Vibroacoustic (VA) therapy is a method of relaxation and therapy based on the interaction of music and low-frequency sound vibrations. It can be used for general relaxation as well as for physiotherapeutic purposes. As a result of the study, we hope to develop a methodology using VA
stimulation to restore mobility and physical activity, to create the possibilities for the preparation of highly qualified practicians through courses, practice, training, to provide an input to enterprises for the development of new products and services (different product developments in the field of vibroacoustic therapy, therapeutic sound backgrounds, etc.).
Beneficiaries: rehabilitation institutions, health centres and clubs, spas.
Osteoporosis study
Studying the musculoskeletal system to assess the risks of the incidence of osteoporosis; developing and implementing an osteoporosis risk test in cooperation with entrepreneurs.
A study of posture disorders
Assessing the condition of the body muscles and posture of children aged 9 – 11. During exercises the activity of core muscles is monitored and their strength is measured. The study is concerned with how the chosen exercises influence the development of posture and strengthen the core muscles in case of regular training. The aim is to determine the most effective core muscle exercises, the effect of the exercises on the improvement of posture, to use these exercises regularly in the school system, thereby avoiding later posture disorders and posture-related complaints in puberty.
Beneficiaries: sport and health clubs or spas as well as producers of furniture and its accessories.
Creating and publicizing a database of curative mud and mud treatment
The aim is to collect and systematize information about curative mud from Estonia and abroad. At the moment the database includes about 600 entries. Users of the database include specialists and companies in the field from Estonia and abroad.
Organic-biochemical studies of curative mud
Diverse organic-biochemical studies of different muds found in Estonia, including peat – determining active ingredients and their uses to be applied in medicine, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries and elsewhere.
Beneficiaries: managers of mud deposits (holders of digging permits, producers of natural products, producers and vendors of curative mud products).
Clinical studies to assess the effects of curative mud (Haapsalu sea mud and lake muds)…
A study of the curative effect of mud in case of work-related musculoskeletal diseases, so-called repetitive strain disorders, of the working-age population, caused by working in a forced position, stereotyped movements, and overstrain of specific muscle groups. The incidence of musculoskeletal diseases is relatively high in different occupational fields and they are one of the main factors to lower workers’ performance and the quality of work life; therefore, the use of preventative treatment (such as balneological treatment) becomes important. In addition to different questionnaires the study uses modern methodologies – data acquired with Laser Doppler to assess the condition of blood vessels and myometry to assess muscle tension. As a result of the study, methods will be developed for restoring the capacity for work in people with arm and shoulder girdle problems.
Beneficiaries: all enterprises that use mud procedures and make mud products, rehabilitation doctors, occupational health doctors
Developing a massage cream of Haapsalu curative mud that works on the basis of bioactive agents
The aim is to develop an industrial technology to extract substances from Haapsalu sea mud that have an effect on the human body – humic acids – and on the basis of this develop different products.
Beneficiaries: pharmaceutical companies, massage salons, spas, health and sports clubs, sellers of natural products.
A study of the treatment effects of the massage cream
The aim is to show the positive effect of the massage cream made of curative mud.
Beneficiaries: pharmaceutical companies, massage salons, spas health and sports clubs, sellers of natural products.
A study of the quality of life after a six-day spa treatment
The aim of the study is to look at the effects of a six-day spa treatment on the quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis at the end of their treatment as well as six months after the treatment. If the effectiveness is proven, the need for longer treatment packages will be lost, thus making it possible for the number of users-beneficiaries to be increased.
Beneficiaries: spas.
Developing different therapy products of mud ground with a disintegrator
The aim is to develop new products that can be used in mud therapy (applications, mixtures) that are based on the theory of grinding with disintegrator and homogenization.
Beneficiaries: producers and sellers of natural products, masseurs, spas.
Creating mud baths for hands and feet
The aim is to modernize local mud therapy by creating modern aiding equipment for this. The amount of used mud as well as the cost of the procedure are reduced and in a longer term it will spread to the masses as the therapy can also be conducted at home and work.
Beneficiaries: producers of the baths, spas, health centres, producers of curative mud, renters of aiding medical equipment
Designing an original patient bedside table
The aim is to develop a model of a patient bedside cabinet for the use of bedridden patients in hospitals and medical nursing homes. The construction and mechanism of the cabinet’s side table should differ from the ones in use. The aim is to achieve ease of use, simplicity of design and operational reliability.
Beneficiaries: hospitals, rehabilitation institutions, producers of specific furniture and its parts.