Strengthening and Optimal Movement for Painful Shoulders in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury “STOMPS” (Foundation for Physical Therapy)

The STOMPS project is being conducted as part of a clinical research network in collaboration with the Department of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at the University of Southern California.  This clinical investigation is designed to evaluate the efficacy of an exercise program on shoulder pain in persons with paraplegia following spinal cord injury.  Participants are randomly assigned to receive either a 12-week home exercise program or education about shoulder care.  Pre- and post-intervention evaluations, performed at the Pathokinesiology Laboratory, will evaluate shoulder function, pain, and activity level.

Interventions for SCI Shoulder Function in Wheelchairs. (NIH 5 RO1 HD37098)

Following a Spinal Cord Injury, many individuals must rely on pushing a manual wheelchair for mobility. Better wheelchair designs and improved community accessibility have significantly increased work and recreational opportunities. Unfortunately, after many years of increased arm use, some persons develop disabling shoulder pain. In an attempt to reduce the demands placed on the shoulder during manual wheelchair propulsion, this project evaluates two therapeutic interventions: adjusting seating posture and exercise.

Quantified Custom Inserts - An Amputation Prevention Program for Diabetes Mellitus. (NIDRR H133G020002)

Structural irregularities in the forefoot are a common cause of injurious pressure concentrations during walking.  Persons with normal sensation recognize these areas of high pressure as painful and quickly seek relief.  Persons with diabetes, who lack sensation in their feet, frequently develop foot ulcers, which often lead to infection and amputation. 

Preservation of the patient’s limb depends on reducing the foot’s injurious pressure experienced while walking.  Today’s techniques of shoe and insert production are inconsistent and varied because no objective criteria for an effective shoe system has been developed.  This project is designed to identify the footwear factors that will reduce plantar pressures in the diabetic foot to a safe walking level.  GCMAS 2004 abstract.pdf   JGPT 2004 abstract.pdf

Strength Training Effectiveness Programs for Stroke (Foundation for Physical Therapy)

The Strength Training Effectiveness Programs for Stroke (STEPS) project is being conducted as part of a clinical research network in collaboration with the Department of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at the University of Southern California. This multi-center clinical investigation is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of various therapeutic treatment interventions in persons with stroke. Six-week treatment interventions include combinations of body-weight supported treadmill training, stationary bicycle ergometry, and lower extremity resistance exercises. In addition to clinical testing and isometric strength assessments, a subset of 20 subjects in the project will have quantitative gait evaluations at the Pathokinesiology Laboratory. Pre- and post-intervention gait evaluations will include stride analysis, motion and forceplate analysis, as well as dynamic electromyography.

Engineering Solutions for a Shoulder Preserving Wheelchair (NIDRR H133E020732)

The Engineering Solutions for a Shoulder Preserving Wheelchair project is being conducted in the Pathokinesiology Laboratory as part of a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC); Keep Moving: Technologies to Enhance Mobility and Function for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). This project is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of alternative propulsion systems for reducing the demands associated with manual wheelchair use. This includes a lever design, power-assisted push-rim design, and compliant push-rim design. A combined approach using laboratory-based experimentation and computer modeling techniques will be used to develop specific clinical criteria for prescription of currently available manual wheelchair propulsion devices. Upper extremity mechanical and muscular demands, and metabolic energy cost will be quantified from individuals with varying strength levels during wheelchair propulsion. Dynamic simulation, numerical optimization, and analysis techniques will be utilized to identify factors that may further reduce stress on the shoulder of individuals with SCI.

SCI Shoulder Function in Assistive Device Gait. (NIH 5 RO1 HD37544)

The Effect of Ankle-Foot Orthotic Design on Hemiplegic Gait. (NIDRR H133G000004)

Recovery & Rehabilitation of Gait in Stroke Patients.

SCI Shoulder Function with Wheelchairs and Transfers.

Pathomechanics of the Painful Shoulder in Quadriplegia.

Efficiency of Dynamic Elastic Response Feet for the Below knee Amputee.

Prosthetic Design for the Dysvascular Below knee Amputee.

Gait Mechanics of the Partial Foot Amputee.

Preventing and Treating Late Life Complications of Disabillity Through Improved Quantified Identification of Weakness - Post Polio as the Model.

Orthotics for Children with Myelomeningocele.