RESEARCH & LABS
Our on-campus PT and wellness clinic allows faculty to offer expert PT care, maintain their skills and train students while providing community service.
Biomechanics and Motor Control Laboratory
3000 sq. ft. facility
We are currently recruiting individuals with cerebral palsy or ACL tears to participate in our research projects. If interested, please contact Dr. Chen [email protected] (for cerebral palsy study) or Dr. Tsai [email protected] (for ACL tears) for more details.
The Biomechanics and Motor Control Laboratory in the Department of Physical Therapy at GSU is a 3000 sq. ft. facility dedicated to the investigation of human movements associated with neuromuscular injuries and disorders with the goal of developing effective interventions and improving quality of life for patient populations, including individuals with cerebral palsy, ACL injury, knee osteoarthritis, or other lower extremity disorders.
Our laboratory collaborates with Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Children’s Health Care of Atlanta and is equipped with the expertise and state of the art technology to test hypotheses related to the kinetics, kinematics, and neuromuscular motor control strategies associated with normal and pathological human movements.
PEOPLE
Faculty
Liang-Ching Tsai, PT, PhD | Yu-Ping Chen, PT ScD
Current Students (DPT Class of 2024)
- Andie Daniell
- Lilly Khokhlan
- Jenny Tran
- Kristin Lauterbach
- Ashley Miller
The key equipment and resources of the BMCL at GSU are as follows:
- A 9-camera (T-series) Vicon motion capture system
- Two AMTI Optima force platforms
- Delsys wireless (16 IMU sensors) and wired EMG systems
- A Kin-Com dynamometer
- Portable ultrasound imaging units
- A GAITRite portable gait analysis system
- An 8-sensor APDM Mobility Lab system
- High-performance workstations and software
CONTACT INFORMATION
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Mayrlou Riddleberger Barnes Laboratory for Muscle Physiology
impaired skeletal muscle function
The research of the Mayrlou Riddleberger Barnes Laboratory for Muscle Physiology in the Department of Physical Therapy at GSU is focused on understanding the cellular-level mechanisms that explain the impaired skeletal muscle function (i.e., strength) that results from the following conditions:
- Work/exercise-induced and traumatic injury
- Estrogen deficiency
- Aging
- Fatigue
- Spinal cord injury
- Combined muscle and bone injuries
DIRECTOR
Gordon Warren, PhD
COLLABORATIONS
Georgia Institute of Technology
Texas A&M University
University of Georgia
University of Minnesota
U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research
U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine
Carolyn A. Crutchfield Laboratory for Movement Technologies
Physical Therapy and Biomedical Engineering
The laboratory aims to bring together Graduate and doctoral students, Clinicians, industry and researchers from engineering and Physical Therapy backgrounds to collaborate in interdisciplinary research projects.
NEWS
We have a new temporary laboratory space! While work continues on our permanent lab, we will be located on Level 9, 55 Park Place.
We presented a poster on our work developing a balance and mobility assessment tool, based on the Microsoft Kinect sensor, at the Georgia CTSA 4th Biennial Community Engagement Research Program Forum on April 25th 2019.
Balance and mobility testing using the Microsoft Kinect system and custom software.
ABOUT THE LAB
The Carolyn A. Crutchfield Laboratory for Movement Technologies was established for research and development in the areas of Physical Therapy and Biomedical Engineering, with the aim of improving function, mobility, health and wellbeing in individuals with various neurological disorders through use of new and existing technology.
Current areas of research include:
- developing new technologies using wearable sensors to study and understand human movement
- using gaming platforms, such as the Microsoft Kinect, to provide at-home balance and mobility training for individuals with cardiovascular accident (CVA)
- Development of new clinical pathways aimed at improving mobility in individuals with lower extremity amputations
- developing AR and VR software for rehabilitation
The laboratory aims to bring together Graduate and doctoral students, Clinicians, industry and researchers from engineering and Physical Therapy backgrounds to collaborate in interdisciplinary research projects.
CONTACT
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Sujay Galen, PT, PhD, FHEA
Chair, Department of Physical Therapy
Associate Professor
Office:
Department of Physical Therapy
Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing & Health Professions
Georgia State University
1228 Urban Life Building
Email:
[email protected]
RESEARCH PROJECTS
The Impact of an Ultra Light Manual Wheelchair on Wheelchair Skills and Performance of Individuals with Cerebral Vascular Accident
The purpose of this research study is to examine the impact of an ultralight wheelchair on wheelchair skills and performance in comparison to standard manual wheelchairs in individuals with stroke. Our research question is as follows: "Does an ultra light wheelchair improve functional mobility and skills performance in individuals with a cerebrovascular accident (CVA)?" In this study we hope to gain evidence that ultralight wheelchairs improve functional mobility and skills performance in individuals with stroke.
Effects of verbal texting on gait performance
The objective of this study is to observe the effects of verbal texting on gait speed and quality in both open and closed environments. We hypothesize that a) verbal texting while walking (VTW) will have a greater negative impact on gait speed and quality than manually texting and walking (MTW) in both open and closed environments; and b) VTW will have a greater negative impact than MTW on gait parameters in older adults compared to younger adults.
The effect of motion-sensor driven visual biofeedback on the ability to maintain neutral spine in participants with low back pain
One of the most common interventions for low back pain includes stabilization exercises where the patients are asked to perform various exercises while keeping the spine neutral (neither flexed, extended or rotated). Traditionally, the therapist determines that the neutral position is achieved simply by visual observation. The goal of this study is to determine the amount of lordosis (where lordosis is the normal inward curvature of the lumbar and cervical regions of the human spine) in different positions and during common activities. The second goal is to study the effectiveness of using motor-sensor driven visual feedback while training individuals to achieve neutral spine during exercises.
PEOPLE
Principal Investigator
Dr. Sujay Galen, PT, PhD, FHEA
Chair, Department of Physical Therapy
Associate Professor
Research Interests:
- Development of outcome measures and assessment tools for clinical application, including smart sensors and wireless devices
- Human movement analysis using 3D motion capture systems and electromyography
- Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)
- Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques including Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Current Students
DPT Class of 2024
- Carson Hagan
- Joy Smith
- Maggie Strickert
- Meredith Calhoun
Industry Collaborators
- Permobil Group, Sweden
- NuStep LLC., Ann Arbor, MI
- DorsaVi Ltd., New York, NY
- MyndTec Inc., Mississauga, ON Canada
Academic and Clinical Collaborators
- Dr Emily Buchman OTD, OTR/L – Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
- Dr Joseph Roche BPT, Dip. Rehab. PT, Ph.D. – Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
- Dr Nora Fritz Ph.D., P.T., D.P.T., N.C.S. – Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
- Dr Marie Pepin PT, DPT, MSPT, OMPT – Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
- Dr Nick Siekirk M.S., Ph.D. – Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
- Dr Allon Goldberg – University of Michigan, Flint, MI
Physical Therapy and Wellness Clinic
offering
expert physical therapy consultations, evaluations, and interventions
Patients may access therapy services by referral from another health provider (usually a physician).
To make an appointment, contact Amanda Stillings; [email protected]
CONTACT
Georgia State University Physical Therapy and Wellness Clinic
108 Student Center West
Atlanta, GA 30303
OVERVIEW
The Georgia State Physical Therapy and Wellness Clinic offers expert physical therapy consultations, evaluations and interventions to anyone with accepted insurance plans for musculoskeletal and neuromusculoskeletal problems affecting function. We offer an array of specialized services, including computerized gait analysis. We also have clinicians certified in dry needling and manual therapy techniques including manipulation. Our providers are certified specialists in orthopedics, sports, neurology, pediatrics, and geriatrics. Many of our providers specialize in working with patients with musculoskeletal injuries of the extremities, spine problems, chronic pain, injured athletes, injured workers, and patients with neurological insults and degenerative conditions. Practice providers also perform gait evaluations. All providers adhere to the Ethical Code of Conduct and Standards of Practice of the American Physical Therapy Association and to Georgia State bylaws, and conform to the scope of practice and licensure laws and regulations for physical therapy practice in Georgia.
SERVICES PROVIDED
In each therapy discipline, we provide consultation, evaluation, intervention and patient/family education to resolve identified impairments and to maximize patients’ physical function. The range of services provided includes consultation, patient evaluation, treatment planning and physical therapy interventions.
If the initial evaluation findings are consistent with the pre-existing or referring diagnosis, treatment goals are established and a treatment plan is designed and initiated with the consent of the patient. If not, the therapist will consult the referring physician prior to initiating therapy. Achievement of goals is the primary method utilized by therapists to assess effectiveness of therapeutic intervention.
OTHER AVAILABLE SERVICES
We offer an array of specialized services, including computerized gait analysis.