Injury Rehab and Biomechanics Engineering Research
Neuromotor rehabilitation and biomechanics, combined, provide strategies to study and improve the ability for an individual to plan and execute movement so that they may reinstate their sport performance and return to life’s activities after injury.
As part of this work, CIRP researchers collaborate with CHOP's Center for Rehabilitation to conduct neuromotor rehab and biomechanics engineering research. Current injury rehab research projects conducted at the Neuromotor Performance Lab involve developing technology to quantify specific motor impairments in children with cerebral palsy.
Through these injury rehab and biomechanics engineering research efforts, CIRP contributes to the advancement of technology and interventions for improved recovery and treatment after injury to ensure the health of children through all stages of life.
- Age-Related Falls
Falls are the leading cause of injury among the elderly and a major public health concern. One in three adults over the age of 65 falls each year. Of those who fall, 20 to 30% suffer moderate to severe injuries and increase their risk of early death. A team of researchers are studying if they are able to detect a phenomenon in the brain that can indicate when someone will fall in order to develop a technology to prevent injury from falling.
Principal investigator: Valentina Graci PhD
Funding: National Institute of Health and National Institute of Aging
Localizing EEG Recordings Associated with a Balance Threat During Unexpected Postural Translations in Young and Elderly Adults
In this study published in IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, researchers from CIRP and the Drexel University School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems found that a single sensor near the mastoid bone could serve as a marker to detect responses to unexpected postural disturbance in youth and elderly adults. The study also explored age and sex differences in EEG activity during postural perturbations.
Read the abstract.
Principal investigator: Valentina Graci PhD
Funding: National Institute of Health and National Institute of Aging
- Neuromotor Rehabilitation
A New Methodological Approach to Characterize Selective Motor Control in Children with Cerebral Palsy
In this study published in Frontiers of Human Neuroscience, researchers aimed to report the development and feasibility of a new approach measuring muscle activation patterns during joint tasks that may underlie impaired selective motor control (SMC). Researchers studied the muscle activation patterns at the hip, knee, and ankle of 15 children and compared results of those with cerebral palsy to those without. Results showed signs of coactivation, mirror movement, synergy, and overflow during single-joint lower limb tasks that may help quantify the type and degree of impairment in SMC. These findings established feasibility of a new methodological approach to quantify muscle activation patterns using electromyography and biofeedback during movement.
Read the abstract.
Principal Investigators: Laura Prosser PT PhD, Valentina Graci PhD
Funding: CHOP Center for Rehabilitation
A MEG Compatible, Interactive HR Game Paradigm for the Study of Visuomotor Reach-To-Target Movements in Young Children and Clinical Populations: The Target-Touch Motor Task
In this study, researchers developed a novel, interactive magnetoencephalography (MEG) compatible reach-to-target task that is designed for use with young children. Traditional MEG tools are challenging for young children and some individuals with a physical disability. Researchers created a game that can be played using a conventional computer monitor or during MEG recordings via projector. The game is called “Target-Touch Motor Task” (TTMT). Results show that TTMT is feasible for use with young children and also opens new opportunities for future study of motor function across the lifespan, including children with physical limitations.
Read the abstract.
Principal Investigators: William Gaetz PhD, Laura Prosser PT PhD, Valentina Graci PhD
- Pressure Injury
Innovative Chair to Prevent Pressure Injuries in Persons Living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
Pressure injuries affect more than 2.5 million individuals in the United States each year. Commonly known as bedsores or pressure ulcers, pressure injuries are wounds caused by prolonged physical pressure, for example, by sitting in the same position for a long time. In Collaboration with the Drexel University School of Nursing and Health Professions, CIRP researchers are studying dementia patients to determine how to prevent injury from prolonged seating. They aim to develop and test an innovative, inexpensive, easy-to-use chair to reduce the prevalence of pressure injuries among people living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Findings and future research will look specifically at pressure injury prevention for children with long-term stays in the NICU.
Site Principal Investigator: Valentina Graci, PhD
Funding: National Institute of Health and National Institute of Aging
- Return To Driving Among Teen Drivers After ACL Reconstruction Surgery
There are currently no guidelines on return-to-driving among teens after ACL reconstruction surgery. Through an innovative partnership with CHOP’s Division of Orthopedic Surgery, researchers including Elliot Greenberg, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS and Theodore Ganley, MD aim to inform the development of evidence-based recommendations to guide clinical decision-making for return-to-drive in young drivers after ACL surgery. This project brings together several areas of CIRP research, including the NJ-SHO Center for Integrated Data and Young Driver Safety.
Principal Investigators: Valentina Graci, PhD
Funding: CHOP Foerderer Award
Watch a video taking you inside the Sled Laboratory by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute:
