A5014734216- Spinal Cord Injury Research
- Muscle activation and electromyography studies
- Motor Control and Adaptation
- Cerebral Palsy and Movement Disorders
- Neuroscience of respiration and sleep
- Respiratory Support and Mechanisms
- Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
- Balance, Gait, and Falls Prevention
- EEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces
- Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation
- Biomedical and Engineering Education
- Nerve Injury and Rehabilitation
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
- Botulinum Toxin and Related Neurological Disorders
- Pain Management and Treatment
- Pluripotent Stem Cells Research
- Traumatic Brain Injury Research
- Experimental Learning in Engineering
- Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
- High Altitude and Hypoxia
- Engineering Education and Pedagogy
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea Research
- Sport Psychology and Performance
- Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
- Cardiovascular Effects of Exercise
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
2017-2025
Harvard University
2017-2025
Spaulding Hospital
2017-2024
Inspire Institute
2020
Emory University
2010-2017
Georgia Institute of Technology
2013-2017
Atlanta VA Medical Center
2017
University of Florida
2017
The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering
2015
Shepherd Center
2013-2014
Abstract Cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to permanent impairment of arm and hand functions. Here we conducted a prospective, single-arm, multicenter, open-label, non-significant risk trial that evaluated the safety efficacy ARC EX Therapy improve functions in people with chronic SCI. involves delivery externally applied electrical stimulation over cervical during structured rehabilitation. The primary endpoints were as measured by whether majority participants exhibited significant...
Background. Neural plasticity may contribute to motor recovery following spinal cord injury (SCI). In rat models of SCI with respiratory impairment, acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) strengthens synaptic inputs phrenic neurons, thereby improving function by a mechanism known as long-term facilitation. Similar hypoxia-induced facilitation be feasible in somatic pathways humans. Objective. Using randomized crossover design, the authors tested hypothesis that AIH increases ankle strength people...
To test the hypothesis that daily acute intermittent hypoxia (dAIH) and dAIH combined with overground walking improve speed endurance in persons chronic incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI).Nineteen subjects completed randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Participants received 15, 90-second hypoxic exposures (dAIH, fraction of inspired oxygen [Fio2] = 0.09) or normoxia (dSHAM, Fio2 0.21) at 60-second normoxic intervals on 5 consecutive days; was given alone 30...
The human motor system regulates arm mechanics to produce stable postures during interactions with different physical environments. This occurs partly via involuntary mechanisms, including stretch reflexes. Previous single-joint studies demonstrated enhanced reflex sensitivity compliant environments, suggesting gain increases enhance limb stability when that is not provided by the environment. study examined whether similar changes in are present throughout following perturbations...
Stretch reflexes contribute to arm impedance and longer-latency stretch exhibit increased sensitivity during interactions with compliant or unstable environments. This is consistent a regulation of compensate for decreased stability the environment, but specificity this modulation has yet be investigated. Many tasks, such as tool use, compromise along specific directions, tuned those directions could present an efficient mechanism regulating in task-appropriate manner. To effective, tuning...
The human motor system is highly redundant, having more kinematic degrees of freedom than necessary to complete a given task. Understanding how redundancies are utilized in different tasks remains fundamental question control. One possibility that they can be used tune the mechanical properties limb specific requirements For example, many such as tool usage compromise arm stability along directions. These only completed if nervous adapts arm, coupled tool, stable. purpose this study was...
To test the hypothesis that daily acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) combined with hand opening practice improves dexterity, function, and maximum in persons chronic, motor-incomplete, cervical spinal cord injury.Six participants completed double-blind, crossover study. Participants received (5 consecutive days) AIH (15 episodes per day: 1.5 minutes of fraction inspired oxygen [FIo2] = 0.09, 1-minute normoxic intervals) followed by 20 repetitions normoxia (sham, FIo2 0.21) + practice. Hand...
Abstract Spasticity attributable to exaggerated stretch reflex pathways, particularly affecting the ankle plantar flexors, often impairs overground walking in persons with incomplete spinal cord injury. Compelling evidence from rodent models underscores how exposure acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) can provide a unique medium induce plasticity key inhibitory pathways mediating excitability and potentially affect spasticity. In this study, we quantify effects of single AIH on able‐bodied...
Patterns of stereotyped muscle coactivation, clinically referred to as synergies, emerge following stroke and impair arm function. Although researchers have focused on cortical contributions, there is growing evidence that altered stretch reflex pathways may also contribute impairment. However, most previous studies passive, single-joint movements without regard their coordination during volitional actions. The purpose this study was examine the effects coordinated activity reflexes elicited...
Many common tasks compromise arm stability along specific directions. Such can be completed only if the impedance of is sufficient to compensate for destabilizing effects task. During movement, it has been demonstrated that direction maximal stiffness, static component impedance, preferentially increased directionally unstable environments. In contrast, numerous studies have shown such control not possible during postural tasks. It remains unknown these findings represent a fundamental...
Incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) often results in lifelong walking impairments that limit functional independence. Thus, treatments trigger enduring improvement after iSCI are high demand. Breathing brief episodes of low oxygen (i.e., acute intermittent hypoxia, AIH) enhances breathing and function rodents humans with chronic iSCI. Pre-clinical studies found AIH also causes the accumulation extracellular adenosine undermines AIH-induced plasticity. Pharmacologically blocking A2a...
Following stroke, individuals often are unable to activate their elbow and shoulder muscles independently. There is growing evidence that altered reflex pathways may contribute these abnormal patterns of activation or muscle synergies. Most studies investigating function following stroke have examined only individual joints at rest. Thus, the purpose this study was quantify multijoint contributions stereotyped synergies commonly observed stroke. We hypothesized coordination mirror coactivity...
Incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) often leads to partial disruption of pathways that are important for motor control walking. Persons with iSCI present deficits in walking ability part because inconsistent leg kinematics during stepping. Although kinematic variability is normal walking, growing evidence indicates excessive may limit and increase reliance on assistive devices (AD) after iSCI. The purpose this study was assess the effects iSCI-induced impairments overground We hypothesized...