We are delighted to announce that Professor Joanne Yip, Associate Dean of SFT, has been awarded over HK$5 million from the Collaborative Research Fund (CRF) 2024/25 administered by the esteemed Research Grant Council (RGC). This funding is for her project titled "Optimising Spinal Curvature Corrective Outcomes in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: An Investigation into Spinal Flexibility, Biomechanical Behavior and Predictive Modeling", in collaboration with The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the University of Hong Kong.
Prof. Yip's funded project intends to enhance treatment for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) by focusing on their spinal flexibility during the clinical decision-making process. The project includes a randomised controlled trial to test a new soft brace against observation for those with a Cobb angle smaller than 25°. Additionally, a deep learning predictive model will be developed to assist clinicians in creating effective treatment strategies and understanding the progression of AIS. The project also involves developing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-compatible robotic device for real-time spinal curvature adjustment and a finite element model to study AIS biomechanics. The trial will compare the effectiveness of the soft brace with observation and rigid bracing groups, and examine in-brace correction, brace failure rates, and quality of life to guide future treatment strategies and brace designs.
Established by the RGC, the CRF supports multi-investigator, multi-disciplinary projects to encourage research groups to engage in creative and high-quality cross-disciplinary/cross-institutional projects.
Congratulations to Prof. Yip again on receiving funding through the CRF!
