Influence of Cerebellar Dysfunction on Turning While Walking
Biomechanics Faculty: Dr. Carolin Curtze
Collaborators: Dr. Sarah Doss, Dr. Diego Torres Russotto
Project Description: Gait impairments are a hallmark of cerebellar ataxia that presents early in the disease and is one of the most debilitating features of ataxia associated with increased fall risk. The aim of this study is to assess turning dynamic stability and coordination of patients with cerebellar ataxia, through the use of body worn wireless sensors.
Walking Performance Improvement Following Revascularization Treatments in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease
Collaborators: Dr. Iraklis Pipinos, Dr. Jason Johanning
Research Associates: Dr. Hafizur Rahman
Research Technologists: Mahdi Hassan
Graduate Assistants: Ayisha Bashir, Zahra Salamifar
Project Description: The overall aim of this study is to understand how walking performance and gait biomechanics change following revascularization treatments. Patients with peripheral artery disease undergo either bypass surgery or endovascular/stenting surgery and are evaluated before and after six-months of surgery. We use advanced biomechanical tools to quantify the outcomes following the surgery. We also compare the preoperative and postoperative ambulatory function and gait biomechanics between bypass surgery and endovascular surgery for pain free and pain walking conditions in patients with peripheral artery disease.
Gait mechanics of children with Cerebral Palsy
Collaborators: Drs. Nickolas Nahm, Matthew Halanski, and Brian Knarr
Graduate Assistants: Jose Anguiano-Hernandez, Joseph Harrington
Project Description: We are investigating pre- and post-operative changes to walking mechanics following correction of knee flexion deformities in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Using motion capture, foot pressure, muscle activity, and metabolic tools we gain a wealth of information on how a patient walks. Our clinical collaborators at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center use these data to inform their surgical plan. In addition, we can objectively track improvements to overall mobility.