My research is about various aspects of our mobility, such as balance system strategies and physical activity. Since mobility and being able to be physically active are cornerstones for achieving and maintaining good health, my research is also about the interventions that make this possible, such as the Supported Osteoarthritis Self-Management Program. This program can help people with osteoarthritis live a good life and achieve good health, even with a chronic disease.

What sparked your interest in research?

Working with patients. That's when I discovered that there were issues concerning older people's balance system strategies that had yet not been researched.

Tell us about one of your ongoing research projects.

We have recently started a project with the aim to map and shed light on how people look upon their life situation, level of physical activity, health-related quality of life, and physical and mental health in relation to the COVID-19 restrictions. Via Facebook, we invite people over the age of 18 to participate in the study. Those who agree to participate need to answer an online survey. 

What breakthroughs do you hope for within your research area?

Using portable accelerometers make research on mobility possible in a completely different way than before, as we are now able to measure balance and movement even during physical activity. I hope this technology will be developed even further so that it becomes easier to interpret the collected data.

What do you consider to be the most significant contribution you have made to your research area?

Our intervention study on the Supported Osteoarthritis Self-Management Program from 2010 was the first RCT (randomized controlled trial) that examined the effects of the self-management program. Apart from that, I would say contributing tests of validity and reliability to the development of a portable Inertial Movement Measurement Unit.

Read more about Eva's research in Lund University's research portal