Paul Hansma

Research Overview

Dr. Hansma and his lab have invented and build the Osteoprobe to help people maximize their bone strength, of high importance to age-related osteoporosis. One year after a hip fracture, 30% of people are permanently disabled and 80% are unable to carry out at least one activity of independent living. Fortunately, the BoneScore measurement of bone strength, which is now FDA approved and available in several Santa Barbara clinics, supplements conventional DEXA measurements of bone loss to provide physicians a much better picture of the risk of bone fracture. This device can also monitor the effects of therapies designed to increase bone strength.

Aging can also be accompanied by chronic pain, anxiety and insomnia.  Fortunately, new, home-use biofeedback devices being developed by the lab can help reduce chronic pain and anxiety (completed studies) and may help with insomnia (studies in progress). These devices work by training people to lower activation of their sympathetic nervous system, that is to avoid the “fight or flight” response. These methods work best when coupled with education focused on retraining the brain. More information, including about future studies, is available on the hansmalab website.