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RCSI research and innovations on concussion and balance rehabilitation feature on science show

  • Research
RCSI research and innovations on concussion

Sports performance is on the agenda for evening's episode of RTE One programme, "10 Things to Know About...", and research into concussion, human movement, balance and dizziness by RCSI experts will be at the forefront of this programme. This episode, featuring Dr Dara Meldrum of RCSI's School of Physiotherapy and Professor John M. O'Byrne, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, RCSI, the sixth in the series, will broadcast on RTE One at 8.30pm tonight.

Ireland is a nation of sports lovers, both watching and playing, but playing high energy sports can come with its own dangers. Tonight, the presenters of "10 Things to Know About...", will look at some of the advances in science and technology which are helping sportspeople to limit, prevent or recover from injury, and improve sports performance.

Dr Dara Meldrum, Lecturer in RCSI's School of Physiotherapy is collaborating with Kitman Laboratories and they are seeking to use technology to improve motion monitoring and data collection methods to further the understanding of the increased risk of lower muscle injuries after concussion. In the episode, presenter Jonathon McCrea visits RCSI to see how Dara's research and work into vestibular rehabilitation is informing the development of a digital health platform which will aim to rehabilitate inner-ear symptoms of concussion such as dizziness and imbalance

Dara will also test Jonathan with the Equitest machine housed in the physiotherapy department at Beaumont Hospital which is a high end computerised platform that measures balance. Can Jonathon maintain his balance on the machine that is used to monitor and treat or reduce symptoms of imbalance.

Professor John M. O'Byrne, an Orthopaedic Surgeon and Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at RCSI will also inform viewers on the dangers of concussion and speak on how concussion in sport is treated from pitch side right through to if the patient needs to undergo surgery.

"10 Things to Know About...", is presented by Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain, Kathriona Devereux and Jonathan McCrea, who investigate some of the most exciting and ground-breaking science projects underway in Ireland. Each episode is themed on a certain scientific topic which gives ten key learnings to viewers on that research area.

In the seventh and final episode of the series, Kathriona Devereux visits RCSI and speaks to Donncha Ryan (Department of Surgical Affairs) about his recently-developed virtual reality app which is the world's first fully interactive virtual reality medical training simulator, allowing users simulate emergency room management of a patient following a road traffic accident.