Bridging the Gap: How Dr. Bin Hu Is Bringing Neurological Care to Rural Alberta
In many rural communities across Alberta, getting care for a chronic neurological condition is not as simple as booking an appointment. It often means long drives on icy roads, taking time away from work or family, and waiting weeks or months between visits. For seniors, especially those living with Parkinson’s disease, these gaps can make everyday tasks significantly more challenging. Small changes in balance or gait might go unnoticed for too long, and without regular physiotherapy or specialist support, many people end up trying to manage most of their symptoms on their own. These challenges are well known in rural medicine, but they are personal for the people who live them. Patients talk about losing confidence in their movement and becoming increasingly isolated simply because the help they need is too far away.
This is the reality that stood out to Dr. Bin Hu, a neurologist at the University of Calgary and founding member of the Division of Translational Neurosciences at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute. Over the last decade, he has been working on a way to bring neurological therapy directly into people’s day-to-day lives, no matter where they live. What began as a simple question about why music helps people with Parkinson’s disease move more easily eventually became the Ambulosono project, an initiative that has since received over $3 million in funding. This project centers around wearable sensor technology that uses musical cues and AI-guided coaching to help patients relearn how to move confidently and independently. What makes Dr. Hu’s work especially meaningful is that it is designed with rural patients in mind. Ambulosono doesn’t replace clinical care, but offers many senior citizens in rural communities regular guidance, feedback, and a sense of connection between appointments, something that they have gone without for far too long.
In the interview that follows, Dr. Hu shares how Ambulosono began, why it resonates with patients living far from major medical centres, and what it might mean for the future of neurological care in rural communities.
1. In your own words can you describe the research you conduct, particularly regarding the Ambulosono project?
Dr. Hu explains that the idea for Ambulosono started with a simple question: how does music help people with Parkinson’s move better?
Years ago, during a visit to Singapore, Dr. Hu saw two physiotherapists use guitar music to encourage a patient with Parkinson’s to walk with smoother, more deliberate steps. That moment inspired the first sensor-based version of Ambulosono.
Parkinson's disease is characterized by a significant depletion of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, a region of the brain that is crucial for the modulation of motor movement1, 2. Prior brain imaging studies show that rhythmic audio cues can stimulate dopamine release and
help patients overcome small, shuffle-like steps3. Using these principles, Ambulosono detects the quality of each step and keeps music playing only when the patient walks with strong, healthy movements. When the steps get smaller, the music pauses. This creates a simple learning loop that teaches patients to use their ankles for better control and balance, rather than relying on the hip or knee. Dr. Hu says that when patients train this way, “you almost learn to walk again.”
Early trials in Vancouver, Lethbridge, the United States, and several sites in Asia have shown consistent improvements. Patients reported feeling steadier, becoming more active at home, and recognizing when their gait was starting to deteriorate. Some reported walking more around the house without thinking about it. Others said they could sense when their steps were shrinking and could correct it. Families noticed emotional benefits as well, often describing improved confidence and mood. These benefits were especially valuable in rural communities, where access to neurological physiotherapy is often limited. Ambulosono has since grown from an iPod tool into a modern app and sensor that connects to a patient’s own phone.
2. In your practice as a neurologist, what challenges do rural patients face when trying to access care?
Dr. Hu says that the most common challenge for rural patients trying to access care is a sense of isolation. Rural patients often travel long distances for appointments and may go months without seeing a specialist. Even small gestures, such as phone calls from the Abulosonos project coordinators, have provided patients with a sense of support and motivation. Dr. Hu notes that at a patient symposium in Calgary, a surprisingly large number of rural attendees came in person. For many, simply knowing that they are part of an active research community for their condition provides emotional reassurance.
3. How can your sensor and AI technology benefit people living in rural areas?
Dr. Hu believes that long term neurological care requires regular feedback, encouragement, and a sense of connection. In rural regions, these needs are difficult to meet because health professionals are few and travel is time consuming. Inspired by the challenges associated with accessing physiotherapy during the pandemic, Ambulosono now includes an AI agent that speaks with a natural voice and provides personalized guidance based on walking data, lifestyle patterns, and medication routines. The goal is to give patients consistent and supportive contact that feels human.
Dr. Hu also pointed to a cardiovascular trial in the United States where a virtual nurse checked in with patients every day. This simple interaction dramatically improved how often patients followed their treatment plans and measured their blood pressure. He believes that a similar approach can help rural patients stay engaged and prevent worsening disability.
4. What challenges remain in bringing this technology to rural communities?
According to Dr. Hu, the biggest barrier is funding. Non-drug therapies such as physiotherapy or gait training receive little support once a patient leaves the hospital, and many rural patients cannot afford frequent appointments or long term guidance. Without stable funding, people are left to manage chronic conditions on their own.
Dr. Hu hopes that more awareness of lifestyle based interventions will lead to stronger support. He believes that artificial intelligence can help fill gaps by providing reliable, low cost guidance. He encourages young clinicians and students to remember that the success of any treatment depends on how well patients can follow it in daily life. For rural residents, technology like Ambulosono may be one of the most practical ways to provide that ongoing support. Dr. Hu’s work shows that with the right tools, support, and creativity, meaningful neurological care can reach patients wherever they live.
References:
1. Zafar, S., Lui, F., & Yaddanapudi, S. S. (2025). Parkinson disease. In StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470193/
2. Sonne, J., Reddy, V., & Beato, M. R. (2025). Neuroanatomy, Substantia Nigra. In StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536995/
3. Ghai, S., Ghai, I., Schmitz, G., & Effenberg, A. O. (2018). Effect of rhythmic auditory cueing on parkinsonian gait: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 506. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-16232-5