PhD: Walking manoeuvrability: investigating multimodal control of walking to tailor innovative reha

Human locomotion is typically studied along a straight path, either over ground or on a treadmill (Lacquaniti et al. 2012; Gonzalez-Vargas et al. 2015). However, few studies have focused on walking along curved trajectories, even though turning can pose a further postural threat to the task of walking straight (Jindrich & Qiao, 2009; Orendurff et al., 2006) representing a challenge for the elderly and people with neurological or musculoskeletal disorders, since the higher motor and cognitive demand involved leads to an increased risk of fall (Courtine & Schieppati, 2003; Dite & Temple, 2002; Godi, Nardone, & Schieppati, 2010; Guglielmetti, Nardone, De Nunzio, Godi, & Schieppati, 2009; Lowry, Brach, Nebes, Studenski, & VanSwearingen, 2012) 

The PhD project will progressively follow the development of three main objectives: 

1. exploring the integrated nature of multimodal control of walking manoeuvrability. 
Full body biomechanical analysis (Kinematics and Kinetic) on control of turning tasks (continuous curvilinear, U-turns, abrupt change of direction) in young healthy individuals will be realised exploiting different methodologies, e.g. muscular vibration, electro-tactile stimulation, to investigate the proprioceptive and mechanoreceptive contribution of walking navigation. 

2. investigations on ageing and musculoskeletal impairments. 
Ageing and painful musculoskeletal disorders will be modelled using investigation of control of walking navigation on elderlies and people with chronic pain conditions (e.g. Low Back Pain - LBP). The body of knowledge generated during the first objective will grant a focused experimental set-up to study these conditions highlighting the peripheral (towards sensory stimulation) and central (towards the previously developed model) deficiencies induced. At this stage of the research, uncontrolled experimental trials will test the effectiveness of innovative rehabilitation interventions (sensory enhancement and/or active training based) aimed at improving walking navigation abilities promoting passive and active dynamic stability of walking turning performance. 

3. tailored rehabilitation to recover or enhance walking manoeuvrability. 
Capitalising on the results of the preceding objectives, a randomised controlled trial study will be realised to test clinical effectiveness of the innovative rehabilitation concept reported above. 


To apply please send a cover letter and CV to the School of Sport Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences by 15th of October 2018. 
In your cover letter please explain why you are interested in the specific project and what you will bring to it, a possible further focus and why you are confident that you will be able to complete the PhD successfully. 
For information, Interviews will be held during the first half of November 2018 
 

Funding Notes

Responsibilities:

• Participation in funded research projects
• Teaching assistance on Research Methodology and Biomechanics
• Designing, recording, data interpretation
• Writing research papers and conferences presenting
• Collaborate with industry/academia to apply projects' results 

Profile:

• A strong Master degree (or equivalent) in mechanical, biomedical engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, similar areas
• Substantial programming skills (Matlab, Labview, C, C++, Java, Python), knowledge of biomechanics
• Experience with report writing, data analysis
• Excellent English skills
• The ability to work independently to deliver the project milestones

Perspective:

• a challenging job in the internationally recognised Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain

References

Courtine, G., & Schieppati, M. (2003). Human walking along a curved path. II. Gait features and EMG patterns. Eur J Neurosci, 18(1), 191-205. doi:2737 [pii] 
Dite, W., & Temple, V. A. (2002). Development of a clinical measure of turning for older adults. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 81(11), 857-866. doi:10.1097/01.Phm.0000030730.93135.50 
Godi, M., Nardone, A., & Schieppati, M. (2010). Curved walking in hemiparetic patients. J Rehabil Med, 42(9), 858-865. doi:10.2340/16501977-0594 
Guglielmetti, S., Nardone, A., De Nunzio, A. M., Godi, M., & Schieppati, M. (2009). Walking along circular trajectories in Parkinson's disease. Mov Disord, 24(4), 598-604. doi:10.1002/mds.22424 
Jindrich, D. L., & Qiao, M. (2009). Maneuvers during legged locomotion. Chaos, 19(2). doi:Artn 026105 
10.1063/1.3143031 
Lowry, K. A., Brach, J. S., Nebes, R. D., Studenski, S. A., & VanSwearingen, J. M. (2012). Contributions of Cognitive Function to Straight- and Curved-Path Walking in Older Adults. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 93(5), 802-807. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2011.12.007 
Orendurff, M. S., Segal, A. D., Berge, J. S., Flick, K. C., Spanier, D., & Klute, G. K. (2006). The kinematics and kinetics of turning: limb asymmetries associated with walking a circular path. Gait & Posture, 23(1), 106-111. doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2004.12.008