We needed a common database of case studies of patients across Asian demographics of all ages and genders for all upper and lower limb abilities, and a baseline set of data from healthy patients to use as a benchmark for what would be considered the normal range of mobility within a specific age and gender demographic.
With such a large volume of data, we would be able to study the change in parameters across time and, based on comparable case studies, map the recovery trajectory for individual patients working towards a known normal range of mobility based on their age, gender, weight, ethnicity and other useful data.
The problem was that, given the size of the Singapore population, we simply didn’t have the number of cases available. However, having a large volume of data was critical in order to be able to detect patterns and map recovery timeframes and plan effective data-driven rehabilitation programmes. So, we looked for assistance from our Asian counterparts and created a consortium, which currently comprises partners from China, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan, with whom we could grow and share a common database. Research institutions in Australia and Switzerland have also expressed interest to join.
The Ability Data aims to create the world’s largest database of physical ability of people across age groups.
