Restoring Movement in People with Paralysis

Restoring Movement in People with Paralysis

Project Title: Personalised approach to restoration of arm function in people with high-level tetraplegia
Funder: EPSRC
Duration: November 2018 - March 2023
Research Team: Dr Edward ChadwickDr Dimitra Blana, Martin Seyres, Dr Neil Postans (Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital - RJAH), Mr Simon Pickard (RJAH), Professor Rory O’Connor (University of Leeds).
Github Repository: https://github.com/AbdnBiomechEng/TechForParalysis

Project Summary

This project aims to develop efficient methods for personalising assistive technology to restore arm function in people with high-level spinal cord injury. We will use a combination of electrical stimulation to elicit forces in muscles no longer under voluntary control, and mobile arm supports to compensate for insufficient muscle force where necessary. We will use computational models specific to an individual's functional limitations to produce patient-specific interventions. The project will be in three phases: building a model to predict the effects of electrical stimulation on a paralysed arm with arm support, development of methodologies using this model to optimise the arm support and stimulation system, and testing of stimulation controllers designed using this approach. The project brings together experts in biomechanics and musculoskeletal modelling, spinal cord injury rehabilitation and assistive technologies.

Outcomes
Conferences:
  • Seyres M., Blana D., Postans N., O’Connor R.J., Pickard S., Chadwick E.K. Personalised approach to restoration of arm function in people with tetraplegia: electrostimulation assistance via optimal control predictions, BioMedEng Conference, London, September 2022
  • Seyres M., Blana D., Postans N., O’Connor R.J., Pickard S., Chadwick E.K. Personalised approach to restoration of arm function in people with tetraplegia: identifying muscle weakness, European Society of Biomechanics Conference, Porto, Portugal, June 2022
Invited Talks:

Chadwick E.K., Personalised approach using electrostimulation assistance via optimal control predictions, as part of the workshop "The state of the art in restoration of upper limb function for people with tetraplegia", 62nd International Spinal Cord Society Annual Scientific Meeting, Edinburgh, October 2023