About the LIFE Laboratory
The LIFE Laboratory’s mission is to support aging in place for individuals with disabilities by modifying their environments and utilizing advanced technologies to meet their evolving needs.
Our goal is to develop and implement innovative, tailored environmental interventions for adults and older adults with mobility disabilities and chronic conditions. Led by Jaewon Kang, Ph.D., we provide evidence-based occupational therapy interventions that enhance functional independence and improve quality of life.
Through our work, we aim to make your LIFE more independent and fulfilling, empowering you to live confidently in your own space.
Current Research
Using Virtual Reality Technology to Increase Acceptance of Home Modifications for People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study
- This project, funded by the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF), explores the feasibility of using virtual reality (VR) technology to visualize potential home modifications for people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and their care partners through an interdisciplinary approach.
- By offering immersive experiences, we aim to help participants understand how these modifications can improve home safety while addressing functionality and aesthetics.
- Collaborators: Brett Fling, PhD at CSU (Health and Exercise Science); Mi Jung Lee, PhD at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB; Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences); Daejin Kim, PhD at Florida State University (Interior Design)
Development of an Instructional Manual for Conducting Remote Home Assessments for Individuals Living with Spinal Cord Injuries
- With funding from the AOTF, this project aims to develop an instructional manual for remote home assessments through a collaborative effort with individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) who use wheelchairs.
- This manual will support the use of 3D modeling technology to conduct remote home assessments, allowing individuals with SCI to receive timely home modifications from occupational therapists.
- Collaborator: Laura A. Rice, Ph.D., MPT, ATP at University of Illinois Urbana—Champaign (Health and Kinesiology)
Improving Referral Coordination of Rehabilitation Services at VA
- The purpose of this study is to improve the decision-making process for rehabilitation clinicians as they recommend or refer community care or telehealth services, focusing specifically on the needs of rural Veterans.
- It is funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Rural Health, Veterans Rural Health Resource Center – Gainesville.
- Principal investigator: Mi Jung Lee, PhD at UTMB
DocAI: Documentation assistance with AI
- This project aims to understand the documentation burden faced by clinicians and explore their readiness to adopt generative AI to help with their documentation workload.
Join Us
For Research Participants
Want to learn more about our projects and participate in our studies? Please reach out to us at life-lab@colostate.edu to get involved.
For Students
Looking for research opportunities? Whether you want to be a research assistant or pursue a PhD in Occupation and Rehabilitation Science with Dr. Kang, email jaewon.kang@colostate.edu to learn more.
Selected Recent Publications
Kang, J., Kreider, C., LeBeau, K., Mburu, S., Lee, M., Findley, K., Myers, K., & Romero, S. (In Press). Occupational therapists’ insights on family involvement in videoconferencing-based home assessments and modifications in the Veterans Health Administration: A descriptive qualitative study. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 79(3).
Kang, J., Lee, M., Kreider, C., LeBeau, K., Findley, K., Myers, K., & Romero, S. (2024). Beyond videoconferencing: Enhancing remote home assessments with 3D model technology. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2024.2424873
Lee, M., Kreider, C., Kang, J., Lebeau, K., Mburu., S., Findley, K., Myers., K., & Romero, S (2024). Home assessments and modifications: Comprehensive guide (v1). Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Rural Health (ORH). https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/VHA-OT-Connections/emerging_practice/Holistic Home Safety Evaluations
Kang, J., Lachs, E., Huang, K., Rice, L., & Rogers, W. A. (2024). Supporting older adults with mobility disabilities through voice-activated digital assistants and smart home technologies. Gerontechnology. 23(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2024.23.1.1055.12
Parab, K., Arora, A., Kang, J., & Mahajan, H. (2024). Exploring indoor home environment factors influencing fear of falling: A systematic review. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648241286332
Kim, D., Lee, M., & Kang, J. (2023). Exploring differences in home modification strategies according to household location and occupant disability status: 2019 American Housing Survey Analysis, Journal of Applied Gerontology, 43(3), 231-241. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648231202678
Selected Media Coverage
Martin, B. (2024, December 1). Navigating smart home tech. PN Magazine. 18-23. https://www.pvamidatlantic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024_PN_12-1.pdf
Vicente D. (2024, August 29). Translating international skills in occupational therapy into accessibility-focused research and instruction. Colorado State University College of Health and Human Sciences. Retrieved October 9, 2024, from https://chhs.source.colostate.edu/jaewon-kang-translating-international-skills-in-occupational-therapy-into-accessibility-focused-research-and-instruction/
For the latest updates on our work, please connect with Jaewon Kang, Ph.D. on LinkedIn.
