- Leading authority on spinal cord injury to discuss the latest developments in assistive technologies for people with impaired mobility
- Professor William Holderbaum, Professor in Control Engineering in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Aston University, to deliver online public lecture
- Lecture takes place on 20 January 2021, as part of the Aston Talks series
It is estimated that there are 40,000 people in the UK living with spinal cord injuries (SCI), and every eight hours, someone is told that they may never walk again. An interruption of the neurological pathway from the brain to muscles and sense organs, or a complete lesion of the spinal cord at thoracic level that results in paralysis of the lower limbs has catastrophic consequences for patients.
So what practical assistive systems can scientists develop for people who have suffered spinal cord injuries?
Practical assistive systems research expert, Professor William Holderbaum, will explore the range of research and development activities in the field of spinal cord injury, when he delivers the next public lecture in the online series, Aston Talks, on Wednesday 20 January: “Assistive Technologies for People with Impaired Mobility”.
Professor Holderbaum explains: “The development of functional electrical stimulation (FES) systems can greatly improve outcomes for spinal cord injury patients, including where a complete lesion of the spinal cord has resulted in a loss of voluntary control of the bladder and bowel. FES systems can restore some normal motor activities to the muscles, meaning the patient is able to stand up and sit down, take steps, stand for a period of time and even cycle.
“There have been several studies that have shown how regular use of lower-limb FES systems by spinal cord injury patients can provide a number of important therapeutic benefits such as improved physical fitness and mental wellbeing.”
Professor Holderbaum joined the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Aston University in July 2019 as Professor in Control Engineering. He has published over 100 papers in leading journals and is also a regular keynote speaker at international conferences. Before joining Aston, Professor Holderbaum was Professor in Control Engineering at the Manchester Metropolitan University and he has also held academic posts at the University of Reading and the University of Glasgow.
His research specialisms are in mathematical modelling and control theory with applications mainly to health, energy, and robotics, including rehabilitation engineering.
The talk is part of the Aston Talks series, which showcases some of the research taking place at Aston University and its impact on society.
It is free to attend and open to all and will take place on Microsoft Teams Live from 18:30 to 19:30 on Wednesday 20th January 2021. Register your place in advance through Eventbrite.
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- Notes to editors
About Aston University
Founded in 1895 and a University since 1966, Aston is a long established university led by its three main beneficiaries – students, business and the professions, and our region and society. Aston University is located in Birmingham and at the heart of a vibrant city and the campus houses all the university’s academic, social and accommodation facilities for our students. Professor Alec Cameron is the Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive.