Therapeutic Intervention Motor Control Lab
Research Lab
The research that is conducted in the Therapeutic Intervention Motor Control Lab consists of two facets.
The first facet of research focuses on the central and peripheral neurophysiology underlying healthy and pathological motor control in humans. This research combines quantitative analysis techniques with data collection methods including kinetics and kinematics and surface electromyography.
- The specific aims for this research are to:
- Investigate the effects medication has on muscle (EMG) activation patterns that underlie bradykinesia in Parkinson's disease.
- Examine if there are physiological changes that change with disease progression in Parkinson's disease.
- Examine if there is a deficit in extensor neural activation in individuals with Parkinson's disease.
- Examine the effects of aging on muscle activation patterns.
The second facet of research involves the implementation of different therapeutic interventions.
- The specific aims for this research are to evaluate the effect different intervention strategies has in:
- Slowing down disease progression of Parkinson's disease.
- Altering physiological changes that occur with disease progression in Parkinson's disease.
- Improving functional abilities in individuals with Parkinson's disease.
- Improving quality-of-life in individuals with Parkinson's disease.
Lab Equipment
The Therapeutic Intervention Motor Control Lab consists of a Biodex where isokinetic and isometric data can be collected. Further, the kinetic and kinematic signals (angle, velocity, torque) from the Biodex are also able to be outputted to an external computer (A/D board) where the data can be collected using Labview and Matlab programs. The data can then be analyzed using custom Labview and Matlab programs.
The lab is also equipped with an 8-channel Delsys EMG system so that EMG signals can also be collected during the performance of various tasks.
The lab also has a Balance Master that is used to assess the effectiveness of various interventions on improving postural stability.
People
Julie A. Robichaud, PhD, PT
Manuscripts
Robichaud JA, Pfann KD, Vaillancourt, DE, Comella CL , Corcos DM. Force control and disease severity in Parkinson's disease. In press, Movement Disorders.
Robichaud JA, Pfann KD, Comella CL, Corcos DM. Asymmetric effect of Parkinson's disease on the performance of rapid single-joint movements: greater impairment of extension movements as compared to flexion movements. Exp Brain Res, 2004;
Pfann KD, Robichaud JA, Comella CL, Brandabur M, Gottlieb GL, Corcos DM. Reversal Movements in subjects with Parkinson's disease. Exp Brain Res, 2004;
Robichaud JA, Pfann KD, Comella CL, Corcos DM. Effect of Medication on EMG patterns in Individuals with Parkinson's Disease. Movement Disorders, 2002;17(5)650-960.
Robichaud JA, Brunt D, Tennant K. Spinal modulation of isometric contractions. Brain Research, 2002;950:64-73.
Presentations
Shapiro MB, Robichaud JA, Pfann KD, Corcos DM. Gains of the spinal feedback pathways are centrally modulated during fast goal-oriented movements in patients with Parkinson's disease. Society for Neuroscience, Nov. 2004.
Pfann KD, Robichaud JA, Shapiro MB, Corcos DM. Kinematic changes with disease severity in Parkinson's disease. Society for Neuroscience. Nov. 2004.
Corcos, DM. Robichaud JA. Motor Deficits in Parkinson's Disease
"Movement and Mobility: Essentials for Daily Living." American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education. Invited Speaker, Chicago, IL. Sept. 2004.
Robichaud JA. Neural Control of Movement, University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Physical Therapy, Invited speaker, March 11, 2004.
Robichaud JA, Pfann KD, Comella CL, Vaillancourt, DE, Corcos DM. Parkinson's disease: Measures of isometric contractions correlate with disease severity. Platform presentation, 2004, Combined sections APTA, Feb 2004.
Robichaud JA, Pfann KD, Comella CL, Corcos DM. Is there a muscular imbalance in Parkinson's disease? APTA Combined Sections. Tampa, FL, 2003.