Fresno State’s Dr. Nupur Hajela is working to integrate innovative technology into physical therapy and expand access to healthcare in the Central Valley.

Hajela, who is a professor and clinician, is using immersive virtual reality and mobile health unit-based outreach to deliver advanced medical care for Parkinson’s patients.

“When we are ready with technology, we can go after addressing some of the pandemic-related things and endemic-related things,” Hajela said. “I think it’s technology which can help us leverage some of our expertise.”

Hajela, using funds awarded via the Early Concept for Exploratory Research grant from CSU STEM-NET, is extending the free research-based clinical service.

She is employing Fresno State’s Mobile Health Unit to help access rural areas, expanding to Mariposa County in the fall. These are areas that typically don’t have healthcare specialists for Parkinson’s.

The unit is working to recruit participants for clinical research. They will provide health screenings and bring immersive VR-based physical therapy directly to people.

Additionally, she is laying the foundation for a transdisciplinary initiative that will combine technology and medicine in a new center on the Fresno State campus.

Currently, she is the co-director of the Gait Balance and Mobility Clinic, a pro-bono facility on campus, and director of Rehab Technologies and Outcomes Research at California Sport Science Institute.

High Prevalence of Parkinson’s in the Valley

Hajela’s focus on Parkinson’s stems from its large presence in the Valley.

“Fresno unfortunately has a big Parkinson’s population,” Dr. Hajela said. “Because of pesticides that some of the farmers are exposed to or their families are exposed to.”

People living in and around agricultural areas or receiving occupational exposure to pesticides have a high risk of Parkinson’s disease.

“There is much less awareness about Parkinson’s. So much so that when I get to see Parkinson’s patients, their disease has become much worse,” Hajela said. “The patients are not able to walk properly. They sometimes have freezing episodes.”

At GBMC, Parkinson’s patients participate in immersive rehabilitation, using VR headsets, that are designed to improve walking, balance, and independence.

This technology has fast-tracked improvement, resulting in patients needing fewer physical therapy sessions.

Students enrolled in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and undergraduates in STEM work alongside her as she mentors them.

“If they are accustomed to using such technologies, then they can be those providers in their communities,” Hajela said. “I want to create that pipeline of education for clinicians who are ready to embrace technology.”

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Expanding Use of Technology in Medicine

Hajela uses technology in her work as a clinician and is working to further unite the two in a center at Fresno State.

“What the center can do is help these underserved communities, whether it is through environmental factors related research or behavioral factors related research,” Hajela said. “Our Valley needs innovation.”

She integrates telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and AI powered gait assessment to monitor and manage care for patients — enhancing personalization and outcomes.

Now, she is working with other Fresno State faculty to create a cross-disciplinary space: the Center for Digital and Technological Innovation in Healthcare.

The “innovation village,” in collaboration with SSTEP inc., will unite fields of study to develop technology-driven solutions in healthcare.

This center will directly address health disparities for chronic diseases affecting the Central Valley — placing Fresno State at the forefront of driving accessible healthcare, Hajela said.

Looking ahead, Hajela envisions a world where technology-driven therapy empowers both patients and the next generation of clinicians and researchers.

“We have very good facilities, but people are working in silos,” Hajela said. “I think my vision for the Valley is a center for digital and technological innovation in health.”