The scant quantified knowledge base within the profession of prosthetics and orthotics (P&O) is due to a fundamental lack of research skills among clinical practitioners and educators within the profession. It is estimated that approximately 11% of individuals in the P&O profession possess a master's degree and less than 1% (about a dozen individuals) possess a terminal academic degree, i.e. a PhD (1). The only way to address the disconnect between clinically relevant basic science, and applied engineering research in P&O is to make a concerted effort to produce competent researchers who are sensitive to the clinical needs of the consumer requiring a prosthesis or orthosis as part of a comprehensive treatment plan of rehabilitative care. It is this need that provides the motivation for this training grant application. In direct response to the profession's own recommendation (AERTI Report, Appendix C) to pursue the formulation of graduate training programs, a PhD training program focused in prosthetics and orthotics in the School of Applied Physiology at the Georgia Institute of Technology is proposed. Twenty-five academic faculty from ten separate schools at three separate Universities and 21 clinical faculty from the general Atlanta area will be engaged in a unique program of advanced research and education training. The purpose of the proposed program is to prepare independent scientists through predoctoral, interdisciplinary research training in the rehabilitation priority, specifically rehabilitation related to prosthetics and orthotics, of the movement sciences. The objective of this training program is to provide an advanced theoretical basis in the biomechanics and neural control of movement for the skills required in rehabilitation research in the field of prosthetics and orthotics. Uniquely, Georgia Tech is in a position to advance the profession of prosthetics and orthotics in acquiring research skills and new knowledge through the integration of the only entry level masters degree program in P&O in the US and a PhD training program rich in integrated research in the biomechanics and neural control of movement. A flexible curriculum with a series of required and elective classes is presented to accommodate basic undergraduate preparation in engineering and the life sciences as well as pre- and post- professional applicants in the field. The plan of study lasts from 4-5 years culminating in a PhD degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology focused in prosthetics and/or orthotics.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Institutional National Research Service Award (T32)
Project #
5T32HD055180-03
Application #
7877008
Study Section
Pediatrics Subcommittee (CHHD)
Program Officer
Nitkin, Ralph M
Project Start
2008-05-01
Project End
2013-04-30
Budget Start
2010-05-01
Budget End
2011-04-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$244,281
Indirect Cost
Name
Georgia Institute of Technology
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
097394084
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30332
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Lawson, Delisa T; Cusack, William F; Lawson, Regan et al. (2016) Influence of Perspective of Action Observation Training on Residual Limb Control in Naïve Prosthesis Usage. J Mot Behav 48:446-54
Farrell, Brad J; Bulgakova, Margarita A; Sirota, Mikhail G et al. (2015) Accurate stepping on a narrow path: mechanics, EMG, and motor cortex activity in the cat. J Neurophysiol 114:2682-702
Selgrade, Brian P; Chang, Young-Hui (2015) Locomotor control of limb force switches from minimal intervention principle in early adaptation to noise reduction in late adaptation. J Neurophysiol 113:1451-61

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