For gait rehabilitation, a novel way to encourage patient involvement is to allow patients to use their upper limbs to assist their lower limbs. A modified recumbent stepper with computer control will be used to investigate self-assisted neurological rehabilitation. The recumbent stepper's mechanical design allows users to drive the lower limb stepping motion with upper limb and/or lower limb effort. The general working hypothesis is that allowing patients to use their upper limbs to assist their lower limbs during stepping will improve lower limb neuromuscular recruitment, motor learning, and motor performance. Additionally, short term practice of upper and lower limb stepping is predicted to translate to improved motor performance when stepping with lower limbs only. Results of this research plan may lead to the development of new gait rehabilitation devices that increase patient involvement. These devices could then be used at home, allowing individuals to practice more frequently which may accelerate motor recovery, improve fitness, and improve overall health. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
1F31NS056504-01
Application #
7148857
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-DIG-H (29))
Program Officer
Chen, Daofen
Project Start
2006-06-09
Project End
2009-06-08
Budget Start
2006-06-09
Budget End
2007-06-08
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$33,384
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Department
Biomedical Engineering
Type
Schools of Engineering
DUNS #
073133571
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48109
Huang, Helen J; Ferris, Daniel P (2010) Computer simulations of neural mechanisms explaining upper and lower limb excitatory neural coupling. J Neuroeng Rehabil 7:59
Huang, Helen J; Ferris, Daniel P (2009) Upper limb effort does not increase maximal voluntary muscle activation in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury. Clin Neurophysiol 120:1741-9
Huang, Helen J; Ferris, Daniel P (2009) Upper and lower limb muscle activation is bidirectionally and ipsilaterally coupled. Med Sci Sports Exerc 41:1778-89