19 March 2008
Novita, Research
Novita President, Andrew Downing (left), with Senior Rehabilitation Engineer, David Hobbs, at the presentation of the 2008 Fulbright Professional Scholarship in Perth.
Research into treatment for cerebral palsy is about to take a whole new direction, thanks to a South Australian ‘star’ who has received a prestigious Australian-American Scholarship.
David Hobbs, a Senior Rehabilitation Engineer at NovitaTech, has been awarded a 2008 Fulbright Professional Scholarship to undertake research into the field of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES). FES is a method of artificially stimulating human muscles using an external electrical stimulus, and the scholarship will allow David to spend three months investigating the use of FES to improve functioning and quality of life for children living with cerebral palsy (CP).
In August, David will head to the United States to investigate FES with researchers at the renowned Cleveland FES Center and the Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia.
‘FES was first used 40 years ago to artificially stimulate human muscles, primarily in people with spinal cord injury or after a stroke,’ David says.
‘FES research today is focused on CP, Australia’s most common childhood disability. CP is a neurological condition that impairs physical function, often resulting in stiff, tight muscles and unpredictable movement that makes walking either impossible or very hard work.
‘Recent FES trials involving children with CP have shown very positive results, particularly for children who have difficulty walking. Small scale trials show that FES treatment can improve walking patterns and coordination, resulting in easier and more energy efficient walking.’
Novita currently supports more than 1000 South Australian children living with physical disabilities, with CP affecting around 60% of Novita’s clients.
‘Through my work with Novita I see the impact of this disability on children every day. I’m hoping to use the opportunities and experiences I will gain through this scholarship to develop an FES program that will improve the lives of children across Australia – and the world – who are facing the many challenges of life with CP.’
The Fulbright program is the largest educational scholarship of its kind, created by US Senator J William Fulbright and the US Government in 1946. Aimed at promoting mutual understanding through educational exchange, it operates between the US and 150 countries. In Australia, the scholarships are funded by the Australian and US Governments and corporate partners and administered by the Australian-American Fulbright Commission in Canberra.
David is one of 24 talented Australians to be recognised as a 2008 Fulbright Scholar. He accepted the scholarship in March from the US Ambassador to Australia, Mr Robert D McCallum Jr, at a special ceremony in Perth. David was also joined at the event by Novita’s President, Professor Andrew Downing (pictured).