The department’s clinical research is organized in several major themes, with several research projects within each area:
Stroke and Neurological Rehabilitation
Research on motor control and on stroke recovery and rehabilitation is ongoing, with several projects in collaboration with the Motor Performance Laboratory within the Department of Neurology, industry professionals, as well as the Robotics and Rehabilitation Laboratory (ROAR). The goals of research are to develop and test new devices for individuals with stroke or spinal cord injury, and to examine the effectiveness of earlier interventions and different exercise/therapy methods alongside the use of such robotic devices in motor recovery.
Pediatric Rehabilitation
Research within the pediatric population includes studies on the use of robotic devices as an aid to motor retraining, and examination of the utility of botulinum toxin for treatment of spasticity and improvement in energy expenditure in children with pediatric stroke or cerebral palsy. In addition to investigating energy expenditure and gait patterns, research is also looking into the effect of a home-based exercise program on overall physical activity and aerobic fitness in adolescents with CP.
Musculoskeletal & Neuromuscular Conditions and Exercise Physiology
Research on musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disease, such as multiple sclerosis and cerebellar ataxia, examines the effect and role of exercise in mitigating the symptoms of such conditions and diseases. Studies are done in collaboration with faculty in other departments, such as the Department of Neurology.
Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
Cardiopulmonary research includes close collaboration with faculty in other departments, such as Pulmonary Medicine and Cardiology. Research includes projects to determine the role of aerobic exercise in managing schizophrenia, and studies of heart failure with diastolic dysfunction. Additionally, research focusing on the factors of peripheral vascular disease and the physiological measures and indicators of potential limb loss is also being conducted.
Current Studies:
For more information, all documents to below studies are linked on the side of this page.
- Botulinum Toxin Injections and Energy Expenditure in Children with CP
- Robotic Hand Device for Adults with Stroke
- PRP Injections for Sacroiliac Joint Pain
- Aspirin for Exercise and Thermoregulation in MS
- Epidural Steroid Injection and Biomarkers in Lower Back Pain
- Upright Device and Postural Back Pain
For more information on our research studies please contact:
Nancy Lee, MS CEP
Research Exercise Physiologist
Tel: 212-305-9416
Email: nl2674@cumc.columbia.edu
Lauren Winterbottom, MS, OTR/L
Research Occupational Therapist
Phone: (212) 305-6722
