Stroke Research
Discovering novel interventions to improve movement capabilities among patients
with stroke has been a cornerstone of our research activities for many years.
Initial studies on the use of EMG biofeedback to improve upper extremity function
resulted in the identification of key factors predictive of restitution of
function with this approach. These key factors became the inclusion criteria
for what is today known as “constraint induced movement therapy” (CI
Therapy). We continue our studies on CI therapy as we explore the most effective
ways to deliver this approach as one form of focused training of the more impaired
upper extremity. Other clinical trials include examining improvement in arm
and hand control when the impaired cortex is stimulated repetitively either
through transcranial stimulation, or, in collaboration with our colleagues
in the Department of Neurosurgery, through direct implantation of stimulating
electrodes.
Investigators are also pursuing the use of mental motor imagery as a complementary
intervention to CI therapy in the rehabilitation of the upper limbs of patients
post-stroke.
Interventional
- Physical (S. Wolf et al EXCITE)
[NCMRR, NIH: HD/NS 37606]
- Behavioral
- Caregiver (P.
Clark et al) [NIH: NR07612]
- Clinician
- Virtual Environment (MIT)
- Visual imagery (Butler) [Emory CAM and VA Rehab R& D]
Mechanistic
- fMRI/TMS (FICIT) (D.
Good et al) [NIH: HD40984]
(Emory: K. Sathian, S. Wolf, A. Butler, H. Mao)
- Biomechanics (KEY) (J.
Alberts) (VA Merit Review)
- Molecular – Biomarkers as precursors to neuronal reorganization.
Facilities
Human Lab and Clinic (Center for Rehabilitation Medicine) 200 sq feet clinical
lab space for training and behavioral testing. Research lab contains Magtim200
single pulse TMS, 8-channel EMG, 2- Pentium 3Mhz Graphics Workstations, Polhemus
3D motion tracker, Labview and Matlab software
Personnel
- Steve Wolf, PhD PT
- Andrew Butler, PhD PT
- Jay Alberts, PhD
- Pat Clark. Ph.D RN
- Sarah Blanton, PT NCS
- Jennifer Breshears, PT
- Bill Freret
- Vanessa Cavelheiro, OT/L
- Veronica Rowe, OT/L
- Jean Ko
- Si-Woon Park, MD
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