A recent Ontario Brain Institute survey conducted through Zoomer Media revealed that over 85% of Canadians regularly think about their brain health. Yet only half of those surveyed use tools like smartwatches, smartphones, and apps to monitor factors affecting their brain health—such as sleep, physical activity, and mood. Why the gap? Many find these technologies too costly or complicated and worry about how their personal data might be used.

To address this issue, OBI developed CORTEX (COmmunity-based Real-world neuroTech Experience), a program designed to help people manage their brain health with technology. In 2023-24, Rhea Health introduced its Active Recovery app for individuals with persistent concussion symptoms, becoming the latest technology tested in real-time.

Rhea Health was founded by Dr. Michael Hutchison – an expert in using kinesiology for rehabilitation purposes – alongside a top clinical research team in brain health at the University of Toronto. Dr. Hutchison and his colleagues contributed to reshaping how concussions are managed, moving away from the traditional rest-and-wait approach, and focusing on early, purposeful, and progressive exercise to speed up recovery.