The Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA) is dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research in healthy ageing with the integration of medical engineering and artificial intelligence (AI) healthcare technologies, bringing forth personalised therapeutic and care solutions.
Ir Prof. ZHENG Yongping, Director of RISA, Henry G. Leong Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering, has pioneered 3D ultrasound imaging technology for muscle assessment. This innovation provides detailed visualisation of muscle structures, enables healthcare professionals to analyse patients’ gait and movement patterns based on the 3D images, and allows the risk of muscle loss to be assessed through AI-driven motion analysis. Furthermore, it offers visualised strength training guidance to elders, thereby making it possible to prevent, delay and reverse sarcopenia. Prof. Zheng has highlighted the application of the imaging technology in the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. By pinpointing lesions in specific midbrain regions through image analysis, the technology can improve diagnostic accuracy and facilitate evaluation of the risk for stroke among older adults.
Prof. Angela LEUNG Yee-man, Associate Director of RISA, Associate Head (Research) of the School of Nursing and Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Community Health Services, focuses on implementing the “intrinsic capacity” theory and the “Integrated Care for Older People” (ICOPE) model. Her team has developed a rapid screening tool which employs a standardised assessment framework to identify the health needs of older adults, empower them to maintain independence, and facilitate their quality of life. Through interdisciplinary collaboration among experts in nursing, physiotherapy, nutrition and speech therapy, her team has designed dual-task training programmes for individuals with mild cognitive impairment. The programmes incorporate samba-dance cognitive training, a tablet-based remote support system, nutrition plans, physical exercises and cognitive tasks to improve the functioning of senior citizens.
Prof. Elaine KWONG Yee-lan, Associate Director of RISA, Associate Professor in the Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies and a speech therapist, is developing ultrasound-based assessment tools that are portable and powered by AI algorithms for swallowing assessment. This technology addresses a gap in the traditional method by allowing swallowing assessments to be conducted in community or home settings without the need for X-rays and invasive endoscopy, thereby significantly enhancing diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.
Through continuous interdisciplinary collaboration, RISA is committed to propelling medical innovation through the expansion of its international collaborative network, positioning itself as a leader in global smart ageing research and innovation.
