»Research

Dr. Jo Armour Smith’s program of research investigates how postural control of the trunk is adapted in response to pain, aging and skill training, and the mechanisms underlying these adaptations. Her current research focuses on the adaptations in trunk control that are associated with persistent low back pain, as these adaptations may contribute to the recurrence of symptoms. She uses a neuromechanical approach that blends biomechanics and neuroscience to study how the nervous system and musculoskeletal system interact to produce movement in healthy individuals and individuals with back pain. Research in the Neuromechanics of Human Movement Laboratory (NOHMLab) explores trunk muscle activity, trunk motion, and associated cortical function during controlled postural perturbations and during more complex functional tasks like walking and turning.

Initial work in the NOHMLab will examine the relationship between cortical function and impairments in postural control in individuals with persistent low back pain. Translational studies will also quantify changes in cortical function in response to physical therapy intervention. Clinical studies will then investigate the effectiveness of motor learning exercise interventions for enhancing postural control in individuals with acute and persistent low back pain, with the ultimate goal of increasing the understanding of mechanisms underlying the transition from acute to persistent back pain and enhancing physical therapy treatment of this disorder.  

Dr. Jo Armour Smith
Location: Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus
josmith@chapman.edu

As part of a series of collaborative clinical research studies with Dr. Steven Cramer’s Neural Repair Lab at UCI, Dr. McKenzie and DPT students have been involved in the inception and implementation of innovative approaches to stroke rehabilitation that incorporate cutting edge technology into emerging models of neurorehabilitation for stroke.  The interdisciplinary research team includes neurologists, post-doctoral fellows, M.D./Ph.D. and Ph.D. students, physical and occupational therapists, bioengineers and bioengineering graduate students, computer scientists, and undergraduates.

Dr. Alison McKenzie
Location: Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus
amckenzi@chapman.edu

Dr. Susan Duff’s program of research investigates the development and recovery of prehensile skill following peripheral or central neural injury. She is interested in how individual resources and opportunity influence motor learning and control of hand and arm movement. Current research in the Dynamic Prehension Laboratory (DPL) focuses on quantitative assessment of interlimb coordination in children and adults with hemiparesis as well as the design of innovative interventions to accelerate and expand the development and recovery of prehensile skill. The lab is now examining the efficacy of technology-based interventions to augment arm movement and learning in young infants with unilateral dysfunction. Although her work is grounded in development and pediatrics she has expanded to include collaborations examining prehensile training programs for persons with incomplete spinal cord injury and work examining the efficacy of priming with training to expand the window of recovery for persons with hemiparesis. Her expertise in pediatrics brings a creative touch to this expansion across the lifespan.

Dr. Susan V Duff
Location: Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus
duff@chapman.edu

Dr Natalia Sanchez’ research aims to understand the individual factors that shape gait behaviors in healthy and pathological populations during changing walking demands. For this research, the lab integrates experimental methods in motor control, biomechanics, and physiology and machine learning methods for analyses. The long-term goal of our research program is to identify individual-specific factors that can serve as intervention targets during therapies aimed at restoring gait in people after injury, with special emphasis on survivors of cerebrovascular accident or stroke.  Dr Sanchez’ research has been funded by the American Heart Association and National Institutes of Health.  

Dr. Natalia Sanchez
Location: Harry and Diane Rinker Health Sciences Campus
sanchezaldana@chapman.edu