Not Finding What You're Looking For?
Developing probability distribution models from upper extremity free exploration trials to evaluate motor deficits in stroke patients
Stroke survivors vary greatly in their motor deficits and rehabilitative needs. Here, we gather unstructured upper limb movement data and seek to understand if there are patterns in their kinetics that reflect the underlying neuromuscular alterations. In doing so, we can improve our abilities to evaluate patients and design personalized rehab therapy.
Research Project
Visual Feedback of Kinematic Chain in a Redundant Novel Task
This study utilizes a wearable data glove system that translates hand movements into signals that control a cursor on a screen. We examined how participants learn a redundant novel task, which can be completed through various solutions.
Research Project
Multimodal Haptic Feedback for Plantar Sensory Substitution
The purpose of this study is to test the use of a system that can read the pressure pattern on the foot and “map” that pattern to another part of the body (i.e., legs, arms, or back).
Research Project
A Guide to Rock Climbing After a Long Break
Rock climbing is a rigorous sport that is very demanding on the whole body. From the fingertips to the toes, large forces are constantly being placed on small structures, which can create a potential for injury.
Blog
Locomotor Function Following Transcutaneous Electrical Spinal Cord Stimulation in Individuals with Hemiplegic Stroke
Despite advances in stroke rehabilitation, more than two-thirds of the 7 million stroke survivors in the U.S. still struggle to walk independently in their communities. Most current therapies focus on stimulating the brain areas that control leg movement, yet many stroke survivors continue to face issues like poor coordination, spasticity, and muscle weakness. We propose a different approach—using electrical stimulation of the spinal cord to improve walking after stroke.
Research Project
Sensor Technology Applied in Rehabilitation for Stroke (STARS)
The goal of the STARS project is to develop machine-learning algorithms that quantify impairments and function that impact gait and balance, using datasets obtained from advanced wearable sensors in individuals with stroke.
Research Project
TrayBall: Using LookingGlass
This system is a very straightforward use of the looking glass display system combined with a tracking device called the Leap® tracking device. It tells the computer where your hands are, and then we ask the patient to do a bimanual task to move a virtual tray to different locations in space without letting a ball roll off.
Research Project
Locomotor function following transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation in individuals with hemiplegic stroke
Despite advances in stroke rehabilitation, more than two-thirds of the 7 million stroke survivors in the U.S. still struggle to walk independently in their communities. Most current therapies focus on stimulating the brain areas that control leg movement, yet many stroke survivors continue to face issues like poor coordination, spasticity, and muscle weakness. We propose a different approach—using electrical stimulation of the spinal cord to improve walking after stroke. This study is looking for persons who have had a stroke to determine if spinal stimulation helps improve walking ability.
Age Range
18-99
Clinical Trial
A Focus on Women’s Health: Pelvic Floor Health, Exercise, Bone Density & More
Women’s Health & Fitness Day is celebrated every year to promote the importance of health awareness and physical activity in women. In recognition, here is a roundup of articles about pelvic floor health, exercise, bone density and more by Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s women’s health experts.
Blog
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Patient Featured in Science News Story About Chronic Pain Alternatives
Science News, an independent, nonprofit science news publication, recently featured Shirley Ryan AbilityLab patient Megan H. in a story about the growth in alternative treatments for chronic pain — and how many people living with chronic pain could benefit from a broad mix of treatments beyond pharmacological options.
News
Golf Programs
Join us for our new Golf Performance Class, led by specialized exercise physiologists and supervised by orthopedic physical therapists.
Service
Understanding and Applying Pain Science in Physical Therapy
Science has come a long way in helping individuals understand the experience of pain. Previously, pain was believed to be a result of a purely physical or anatomical issue, stemming from injury, illness or tissue damage.
Fortunately, a newer understanding of how pain works — pain science — takes a far more complex and nuanced view. Pain science moves away from the idea that tissue damage alone equates to pain. Rather, pain science suggests that the whole sum of a person — including biological, social and psychological factors — must be taken into account in order to fully understand their pain experience.
Fortunately, a newer understanding of how pain works — pain science — takes a far more complex and nuanced view. Pain science moves away from the idea that tissue damage alone equates to pain. Rather, pain science suggests that the whole sum of a person — including biological, social and psychological factors — must be taken into account in order to fully understand their pain experience.
Patient Story