PhD Projects for Prospective Students
 top of page
Lifespan Gait
Contact person: Dr Noel Lythgo
Gait maturation is a major developmental milestone in early childhood. In contrast, gait changes in the elderly usually signal the need for a change of lifestyle and possibly supported living. There is an indisputable need to acquire reference data in order to examine the variability in healthy people and mechanisms of gait maturation, malfunction and decline. Current decisions about the quality or abnormality of gait are based on limited reference data that is unrepresentative of specific age groups.
Technology now available at the Rehabilitation Sciences Research Centre allows the easy collection and examination of numerous gait parameters over many trials for large groups of people within a laboratory or field setting. The current generation of instrumented gait mats, such as the GAITRite walkway system for example, allows gait to be comprehensively examined since large amounts of data can be collected in relatively short periods of time. High speed 3-dimensional motion analysis systems combined with force plates allow the collection of complex information such as lower limb joint powers and moments, foot clearance, joint angular data and segment accelerations. Importantly, these systems allow the mechanisms of gait to be examined. The specific aims of this work are to: (1) develop a reference data set of walking in healthy people (2) identify markers of gait maturation and decline; (3) better understand mechanisms of gait maturation and decline; and (4) better understand gait in even (level ground) and uneven terrain (e.g. stairs or steps) and terrain requiring a sudden stop or turn.
(N.B. Parts of this project would be suitable for AMS, Honours, or Masters students)
top of page
Muscle stiffness reduction in healthy and pathological populations
Contact person: Dr Noel Lythgo, Prof Mary Galea
Short resting lengths of the lower limb muscles restrict mobility and can lead to acute injuries such as Achilles tendon rupture or chronic injuries such as plantar fasciitis. In populations recovering from pathologies such as a stroke, high levels of muscle stiffness in the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles restrict movement by reducing the amount of dorsi and plantar flexion in the stance phase of gait. Basically, reductions in the range of lower limb motion predispose a person to injury and lessen the capacity of people recovering from pathology to live independently or move freely within the community.
The aim of this research is threefold. Firstly, to develop innovative measurement techniques (eg. muscle length) in order to better understand the mechanisms behind muscle stiffness. Secondly, to ascertain the value of intervention programs designed to prevent, alleviate or reduce muscular stiffness. By so doing, the degree or extent of departure from normal movement can be determined and the progressive changes resulting from intervention strategies can be assessed. The specific interventions to be undertaken involve eccentric exercise programs, muscle and neural stimulation by vibration systems, PNF and traditional stretching. Thirdly, to examine the effects of different whole body vibration systems upon muscle stiffness and length-tension especially in people recovering from stroke.
(N.B. Parts of this project would be suitable for AMS, Honours, or Masters students)
top of page
Amputee Gait
Recent advances in lower limb prosthetic design (knee and foot devices) claim to improve walking smoothness, movement efficiency and physical function by reducing factors such as hip hiking (reduces energy cost), increasing foot-ground/obstacle clearance and push-off power (increases walking speed and ability to avoid obstacles such as a step or low barrier). Although work has provided valuable information about the characteristics of amputee gait in level terrain, it has not provided any insight into the characteristics of amputees when traversing uneven or winding terrain commonly encountered in “everyday” life. These terrains are challenging since they may require a sudden increase or reduction in speed (e.g. pedestrian crossings), a sudden change in direction to avoid an object such as a pothole or accommodation of an object such as a step or stair.
This project has four aims. Firstly, to examine the gait patterns of a group of unilateral above knee amputees in even (flat ground) and uneven (containing a step or small obstacle) terrain, and in terrain that requires a change of direction. Secondly, to examine the effect of knee and foot prosthetic devices (traditional versus novel) upon amputee gait in these terrains. The selected knee devices have different braking and damping qualities, whereas the selected foot devices differ in stiffness or rigidity. Specifically, gait patterns will be examined in terrain that requires level walking at preferred and fast speeds, step ascent and descent, obstacle avoidance and steering control. A second aim is to ascertain the effect of knee/foot device (traditional versus novel) upon daily physical activity, duration and function. The final aim is to develop superior gait models through software development to record amputee gait. The gait patterns of the amputees will be recorded by a high-tech “state of the art” motion analysis system housed in the Movement Laboratory at the RSRC. The system simultaneously records distance and speed measures of gait and measures of muscular force and timing. This information is then used to derive precise measures of limb movement such as 3D joint angles, limb rotary forces and muscle activation.
(N.B. Parts of this project would be suitable for AMS, Honours, or Masters students)
top of page
Sensorimotor integration in the hand
Contact Person: Prof Mary Galea, Dr Clarissa Martin
 The purpose of this project is to investigate some of the mechanisms underlying sensorimotor integration in the hand, through observation of performance of a simple manipulative task. The hand is the primary way by which we interact with the environment. Through exploration and manipulation of everyday objects, we are able to learn about our environment and perform essential tasks. This project will explore the mechanisms of sensorimotor integration in people with central or peripheral nervous system injury using a simple grasp and lift task. Information about force generation at the fingertips is collected from two highly sensitive strain gauge transducers located within the grasping surfaces of the test object (Figure 1)
Participants for this project will have either suffered a first time stroke, have a diagnosed peripheral neuropathy affecting the hands, or have another neurological disease (e.g. MS). Clinical assessments of neurological function (sensory, motor and functional tasks) will be performed. Participants will then be asked to grasp the test object using a precision grip, lift it approximately 5cms vertically and hold it in this position for approximately 5 seconds before gently replacing the object back on the table and releasing their grip. Characteristics of the test object, such as the weight, curvature and texture will be systematically varied between lifting trials. Grip force, loading force and minimum force required to prevent the object dropping will be recorded.
top of page
|
School of Physiotherapy
