Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2006, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 1965, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2007, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2024, Biomedical Engineering

Transradial amputation and chronic hemiparetic stroke both significantly reduce an individual's ability and quality of life by severely limiting end effector (hand) function. The mechanism behind these functional losses differs greatly between the two populations, but many of the clinical goals remain the same. In individuals with transradial amputations, no changes have occurred at the level of the central nervous system. Rather, the losses involve the musculature and joints of the residual limb. To return function to these individuals requires a prosthetic device, with myoelectric devices being the most promising for the recovery of greater function. The bottleneck of motor control research in this area, however, is deriving user intent from the remaining neural control signals. Electromyography, or recording muscle activation induced by neuronal firing, provides an amplified neural control signal. However, such signals can be unreliable when measured from the skin, and the approach is further limited by the lack of remaining musculature of the residual limb. To remedy this shortcoming, we examined the use of chronically implanted intramuscular electrodes to improve prosthetic device controller stability, as well as introduced a novel regression method utilizing Synergy Theory to provide greater degrees of control from the limited available electromyographic signals. For individuals with moderate to severe chronic stroke, the most impactful and debilitating changes occur at the level of the central nervous system, with the peripheral end effector musculature remaining relatively intact in most individuals. However, the changes in descending drive from the central nervous system are so dramatic and impactful that extensor weakness and loss of independent joint control can outright prevent opening of the paretic hand. The expression of the flexion synergy during shoulder abduction loading renders approaches, such as functional electrical stimulation, function (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Robert Kirsch (Advisor); Dustin Tyler (Committee Member); Jun Yao (Committee Member); John Chae (Committee Member); Dominique Durand (Committee Chair) Subjects: Biomedical Engineering

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2023, Antioch Seattle: Clinical Psychology

Music's ability to influence emotional states and physical arousal has become an increasingly popular area of study. The wealth of literature around music and stress suggests a significant amount of interest in leveraging music to manage stress. However, as attention increases, the robustness of research becomes an increasing concern. This study investigates the current literature and proposes recommendations for the future studying of the psychological and physiological impacts of music as it relates to stress reduction. Existing literature was reviewed with a focus on the operationalization of key concepts of music and stress. The analysis showed considerable discrepancies in research design, operationalization of music, operationalization of the psychological aspects of stress, and operationalization of the physiological aspects of stress. The findings of this study have implications for future research design. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

Committee: Michael Toohey (Committee Chair); Michael Sakuma (Committee Member); Brad Lichtenstein (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Music; Psychobiology; Psychology

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2023, Industrial and Systems Engineering

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders in the workforce are highly prevalent, especially in material handling operations. In addition to completing physically demanding work that is required in this domain, workers must also manage concurrent mental demands present in their tasks. Few studies have examined the effect of concurrent mental demands in occupationally-relevant tasks. This study attempted to fill this void by quantifying the effects of varying degrees of cognitive loads and task precision demands on a material handling task by examining these effects on the kinematics and muscle activity of the trunk and shoulders. Methods: Twelve subjects lifted and placed a 5 kg box on a rack at one of three destination heights (low, middle, high) while under a simultaneous cognitive load (no load, simple load, complex load) and/or precision constraint (low precision, high precision). Cognitive load consisted of time-based arithmetic questions where participants were tasked with determining the amount of time remaining from a given time to a target time (e.g., Get to 4:00 PM from 3:15 for simple load or get to 4:10 PM from 3:27 PM for complex load). The primary dependent measures were the angular velocities of the trunk and shoulders as well as muscle activity in the erector spinae, rectus abdominus, external oblique, latissimus dorsi, and anterior deltoid muscles. Results: Significant decreases in angular velocities for both higher cognitive load complexities and higher precision conditions were observed. Additionally, lower 90th percentile normalized muscle activity values were observed as complexity and precision increased. Cumulative muscle activity, however, increased with these increases in complexity and precision. Conclusions: This study examined the impact of varying levels of cognitive and precision conditions on muscle activity and kinematics of the trunk and shoulders. Results indicated that increased complexity and precision led to longer lift t (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Carolyn Sommerich (Committee Member); Steven Lavender (Advisor) Subjects: Behavioral Sciences; Biomechanics; Engineering; Health Sciences; Industrial Engineering; Kinesiology; Occupational Safety

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2022, Industrial and Systems Engineering

While biomechanical models can be insightful to potential mechanisms that can contribute to low back pain, they require significant computing power and various technologies that are not readily available in settings such as clinics. On the other hand, lightweight sensing systems such as inertial measurement unit sensors (IMUs) can be integrated in wearable technologies to easily capture high level spine kinematics. While kinematics can be useful for identifying pain populations or tracking motion metrics for patients, they do not provide a look at the internal structures of the spine during dynamic motions. Several studies have attempted to bridge this disparity. Specifically, muscle coactivity of the trunk muscle groups can greatly impact the overall loading and shear forces on the spine, and several studies have attempted to only use kinematics to predict the trunk muscle forces during static exertions. The goal of this study was to present a methodology that can predict trunk muscle forces as a time series, during dynamic motions, which does not require electromyographic (EMG) signals. This was achieved by first, collecting a new dataset with motions that capture key spine kinematics using an EMG-assisted biomechanical model. Second, to use kinematic-derived variables from this data with deep learning methodologies to predict the trunk muscle forces. 30 healthy subjects performed a series of unloaded, bending, and twisting, during a standardized spine motion assessment while wearing EMG sensors on ten trunk muscles. Several variables were extracted from the time series, including velocities, muscle lengths, height, weight, and torso angles. Using several deep learning architectures, these variables were trained to map these variables to the ten muscle forces produced during the dynamic motions. Various deep learning architectures were investigated, however only three main architectures were reported and pursued. Assessed on an independent test set, the architec (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: William S. Marras (Advisor); Samantha Krening (Committee Member) Subjects: Industrial Engineering

Master of Science (M.S.), University of Dayton, 2022, Mechanical Engineering

Background: Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are external devices that are prescribed for people who were diagnosed with muscle weakness in the lower extremities. These devices are typically prescribed to accommodate the patients for their weak limb(s) by reducing toe-drag and improving ankle dorsiflexion. Previous work has looked at the effects of an AFO on ankle muscle activity during gait. However, there is a lack of information on how AFOs might influence knee muscle activity during gait under different walking conditions. This study examined the effects of a common posterior leaf spring plastic AFO (PAFO) and anterior shell carbon fiber AFO (CAFO) on knee muscle activity in a healthy population during three different treadmill conditions. It was hypothesized that the design of the CAFO, would create less demand on the knee extensors than either the PAFO or no AFO for all walking conditions. Methods: 15 healthy young adults were recruited for this repeated measures study. Noraxon EMG sensors were used to measure the muscle activity of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), and semitendinosus (ST) while walking on a treadmill at a comfortable pace. Individuals walked with no AFO, a PAFO and a CAFO during three treadmill conditions (flat, incline, decline). Then, all EMG data were exported to and analyzed using MATLAB, where they were filtered, demeaned, rectified, normalized, and then averaged. Results: Separate one-way ANOVAs were used to identify significant (p<0.05) differences in muscle activity between the AFO conditions during the flat, incline and decline treadmill walking conditions. During flat walking RF, VM and VL muscle activity was significantly lower when using the CAFO compared to both the PAFO and no AFO conditions. During incline walking RF and VM muscle activity was significantly lower when using the CAFO compared to the PAFO and VM and VL muscle activity was significantly (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Kimberly Bigelow (Committee Chair); Harold Merriman (Committee Member); Kurt Jackson (Committee Member); Allison Kinney (Committee Member) Subjects: Biomechanics; Mechanical Engineering; Philosophy; Physical Education; Physical Therapy

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2021, Biomedical Engineering

Upper limb amputation reduces patient functionality. While prosthetic hands attempt to minimize functional loss in trans-radial cases, their benefit is limited. Despite the availability of robotic hands capable of actuating 10+ Degrees of Freedom (DoF), even the most advanced commercial myoelectric (EMG) devices rarely allow control over more than one DoF. Natural hand control requires intuitive and simultaneous control over many DoF. Practical considerations further require that users not spend excessive time calibrating their devices or be exhausted by device use. Presently, experimental EMG controllers do not typically exceed 3-DoF classification or 2-DoF regression capabilities and must be retrained daily. Many controller limitations trace back to surface EMG (sEMG) properties. We evaluated chronically implanted EMG (ciEMG) properties in a human subject. Channel crosstalk was reduced compared to sEMG. Coupling ciEMG with an inverse-distance-weighted K-Nearest-Neighbor mapping allowed intuitive 3-DoF regression control over a virtual reality hand that remained stable for up to three months without retraining, as evaluated in a posture-matching task. Intuitive high-DoF control necessitates a sampling of user movements. The number of possible user movements grows combinatorially with DoF, and sampling all movements is prohibitive above 3-DoF. We found that simple movements can be extrapolated to complex movements using a linear-synergy-regression controller based on the synergy framework. When provided with a sufficient ciEMG channel count, the controller demonstrated stable 3-DoF and 4-DoF control in a posture-matching task for up to 8-10 months from a minimal user sampling set. Practical prosthetic systems require wearable devices that can be used for extended periods of time. This limits the computational complexity of controllers and their reliance on high-amplitude EMG. We demonstrated that combining the linear-synergy-regression controller with an (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Dustin Tyler (Advisor); Bolu Ajiboye (Committee Chair); Wyatt Newman (Committee Member); James Anderson (Committee Member) Subjects: Biomedical Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2020, Industrial and Systems Engineering

Office computer users experience work-related musculoskeletal disorders including pain in the neck, shoulders, and lower back. Previous researchers revealed that there were associations between the cognitive workload imposed by computer tasks and the increased biomechanical load which could eventually lead to adverse symptoms. However, there are limited data that describe how the different components of cognitive workload are associated with changes in computer users' biomechanical response to the work process. At the same time, although furnishings with lumbar support and relevant sitting guidelines have been provided in many office settings, there is limited evidence showing more supportive furniture is effective in reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among office computer users. This study investigated: 1) whether computer users are sitting in the suggested neutral position and using the backrest when working on different types of computer tasks; 2) how the causal (task complexity and time pressure) and assessment factors (mental demand, mental effort, and task performance) of cognitive workload are related with the variations in computer users' biomechanical responses; and 3) whether using a footrest can be used to promote the use of backrest in computer tasks. The first stage of this dissertation was an observational study in which computer users' sitting postures were observed and recorded discretely as the observed individuals worked on different types of computer tasks. The findings revealed that chairs' back supports were not being used effectively that the users did not rest their whole back against the backrest. Following the observational study, a laboratory experiment was conducted to investigate how the computer tasks that varied in their level of cognitive workload, which was assessed in terms of mental demand, mental effort, and task performance, are associated with the variations in the computer users' biomechanical responses (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Steven Lavender (Advisor); Carolyn Sommerich (Committee Member); Michael Rayo (Committee Member) Subjects: Biomechanics; Design; Industrial Engineering; Occupational Health

Master of Science, University of Toledo, 2020, Exercise Science

Context: Current treatment of shoulder injuries involves correcting scapular and glenohumeral biomechanics. However, researchers are evaluating if other parts of the body have an effect on upper extremity function. The lumbopelvic-hip complex (LPHC) has been shown to assist in the transfer of energy from the lower body to the upper extremity and has been suggested as a risk factor for many injuries. LPHC fatigue has been shown to decrease isometric shoulder peak torque values, however there is little research examining the effects of LPHC fatigue on isokinetic shoulder peak torque or muscle activation. Objective: To evaluate how shoulder muscle activation and peak torque during isokinetic motion is affected after LPHC fatigue. Design: Cross-sectional study Setting: Descriptive laboratory Patients: 8 physically active, healthy participants (3 Males and 5 Females; Age=20.38±1.85years; Mass=72.01±8.2kg; Height=169.88±8.24cm). Interventions: LPHC fatigue was induced through the McGill Core Fatigue protocol. Main Outcome Measurements: Peak torque was assessed by dominant shoulder, isokinetic (concentric/concentric) flexion/extension and abduction/adduction testing and carried out at 60֯/sec for five repetitions for both pre- and post- fatigue assessments. EMG muscle activation was recorded for the anterior deltoid (AD), middle deltoid (MD), pectoralis major (PM), latissimus dorsi (LD), upper trapezius, lower trapezius, rectus abdominus (RA), external oblique, and erector spinae (ES). Results: There was a significant decrease in EMG muscle activation of the AD, MD, LD, RA, and ES in the sagittal pane assessment. The PM muscle activity decreased during the frontal plane assessment. There was a significant decrease in peak torque during shoulder extension during sagittal plane assessment. There was no significant change in shoulder flexion, adduction, or abduction peak torque values. Conclusion: LPHC fatigue decreases shoulder muscle activity and extension torque p (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Neal Glaviano (Committee Chair); David Bazett-Jones (Committee Member); Grant Norte (Committee Member) Subjects: Kinesiology; Sports Medicine

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2020, Medicine: Neuroscience/Medical Science Scholars Interdisciplinary

Respiratory failure is the leading cause of death in in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and spinal cord injury patients. Therefore, it is important to identify neural substrates that may be targeted to improve breathing following disease and injury. We show that a class of ipsilaterally projecting, excitatory interneurons located in the brainstem and spinal cord – V2a neurons – play key roles in controlling respiratory muscle activity in health and disease. We used chemogenetic approaches to increase or decrease V2a excitability in healthy mice and following disease or injury. First, we showed that silencing V2a neurons in neonatal mice caused slow and irregular breathing. However, silencing V2a neurons in adult mice did not alter the regularity of respiration and actually increased breathing frequency, suggesting that V2a neurons play different roles in controlling breathing at different stages of development. V2a neurons also pattern respiratory muscle activity. Our lab has previously shown that increasing V2a excitability activates accessory respiratory muscles at rest in healthy mice. Surprisingly, we show that silencing V2a neurons also activated accessory respiratory muscles. These data suggest that two types of V2a neurons exist: Type I V2a neurons activate accessory respiratory muscles at rest whereas Type II V2a neurons prevent their activation when they are not needed. Moreover, altering the excitability of just cervical spinal neurons using viral strategies suggests that these two V2a subtypes are both located in the cervical spinal cord. The effect of increasing and decreasing V2a excitability on accessory respiratory muscle activity was also tested in ALS model mice. Increasing or decreasing V2a excitability activates accessory respiratory muscles throughout disease progression in SOD1(G93A) ALS model mice. Finally, we demonstrate that increasing V2a excitability promotes recovery of diaphragm function following a high level C2 hemisection (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Mark Baccei Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Steven Crone Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Warren Alilain Ph.D. (Committee Member); Steve Davidson Ph.D. (Committee Member); Timothy Weaver Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Neurology

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2020, Biomedical Engineering

The objective of this project was to explore the use of myoelectric signals generated from muscles below the SCI level as command sources for a neuroprosthetic system. Using functional electrical stimulation, motor neuroprostheses can restore function after paralysis caused by spinal cord injury (SCI). Command signals derived from the user's volitional intent are required to control these devices. In current systems, command is provided by myoelectric activity from muscles above the injury level. For improved functional capabilities, advanced neuroprosthetic technology demands more command signals than are conventionally available. Previous studies suggest that axonal sparing is common even in injuries diagnosed as motor complete, in which no visible signs of muscle activity below the injury are observed. As a result of this sparing, it is possible, even in the absence of visible movement, for movement attempts to produce myoelectric activity detectable via electromyographic (EMG) sensors. This myoelectric activity could provide an innovative source for neuroprosthetic control. To characterize the prevalence of this activity, surface EMG recordings from lower-extremity muscles were performed during volitional movement attempts in individuals with motor-complete SCI. Significant below-injury muscle activity was identified in the majority of participants, with a smaller proportion producing high-quality signals which we theorized capable of providing neuroprosthetic control. To support this theory, as a proof-of-concept we demonstrated the successful control of an implanted hand grasp neuroprosthesis via EMG signals from the participant's toe flexor. This feasibility test, which included functional grasp measures, demonstrates the potential for below-injury signals to provide a novel form of neuroprosthesis control. Lastly, we implemented a biofeedback training protocol with the goal of improving signal quality from muscles which contained significant, but no (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: P. Hunter Peckham PhD (Advisor); A. Bolu Ajiboye PhD (Committee Chair); Kevin Kilgore PhD (Committee Member); Warren Alilain PhD (Committee Member); Michael Keith MD (Committee Member) Subjects: Biomedical Engineering

Master of Science, University of Toledo, 2019, Exercise Science

Context: The incidence of lower extremity injuries in runners stretches as high as 79.3%. Weakness or insufficient coordination of the quadriceps and gluteals can lead to overuse, strain, and compensatory movement patterns such as trunk flexion. The trunk accounts for roughly 50% of a person's mass, so changes in orientation can alter the mechanical demands that are places on the lower extremity. Additional trunk flexion is thought to increase the action of the hip extensors. There is a lack of evidence that isolates quadriceps and gluteal muscle activation during flexion-based running. Objective: To determine the effects of trunk flexion on quadriceps, gluteal, hamstring, and erector spinae (ES) EMG measures in a healthy running population. Design: Descriptive laboratory. Setting: Laboratory. Participants: 18 total participants (10 females, 8 male). Inclusion: recreational runner aged 18-39 who ran an average of 15 miles per week. Exclusion: current lower extremity or low back pathology or one that has caused pain within 6 months of the study. Intervention: The independent variable was the position of the trunk (preferred, flexed, and extended). All participants completed five successful running trials for each trunk position. Main Outcome Measures: EMG measures and 3D trunk and lower extremity kinematics and kinetics were analyzed across the stance phase of the running trials. Results: The activation of the quadriceps and hamstrings exhibited no significance across the conditions. The activation of the gluteals exhibited a significant difference between the flexed and extended position (45.06 ± 13.36% vs. 30.72 ± 12.47%). The activation of the ES exhibited a significant difference between the preferred and extended position (20.50 ± 10.66% vs. 34.78 ± 14.86%). There were no differences detected in knee or hip sagittal plane posture. Conclusion: Sagittal plane trunk positioning has an influence on the activation of the gluteals and ES during free running.

Committee: Neal Glaviano (Committee Chair); Amanda Murray (Committee Member); Lucinda Bouillon (Committee Member); Grant Norte (Committee Member) Subjects: Kinesiology

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2019, Athletic Training (Health Sciences and Professions)

Chronic low back pain is a difficult condition to treat due to its ambiguous nature. The pain that many people experience often does not correlate to a structural problem. Sufferers tend to experience different trunk and core muscle activation patterns, which leads researchers to believe that the brain creates adaptations to compensate for pain. Little research has been compiled on the motor activation patterns in the brain to look into this theory. This study uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to establish a novel motor neuroimaging paradigm for trunk and core musculature in healthy subjects during a trunk isometric task. Six healthy young adults (male, n=3; female, n=3)(age = 22.67 ± 3.14) with no significant history of low back pain within 8 weeks were recruited as participants. Participants were asked to perform a sustained, isometric trunk motor task while lying supine in an fMRI scanner. The total, mean, and maximum blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signals were assessed in the motor cortex. An intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and one sample t-test were conducted to assess if there were significant differences during the first and second scanning sessions between each participant and between all participants. The ICC(3,k)=0.873 for 30% MVIC target intensity indicates strong test-re-test reliability, and the 40% and 50% target intensities also demonstrated excellent test-re-test reliability. However, associated 95% confidence intervals were wide. The one sample t-test determined there was no significant change between sessions for all participants (p>0.05). The ICC and one sample t-test indicated that the methods have good test-re-test reliability and no significant difference between scanning sessions, however, the small sample size makes it difficult to confidently say the methods are reliable.

Committee: Dustin Grooms (Committee Chair); Janet Simon (Committee Member); Brian Clark (Committee Member) Subjects: Neurology; Sports Medicine

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2019, Biomedical Engineering

The complexity of human movement is vast, from the electrical signals generated by the brain to the multiple small muscle movements to complete a full action. This complexity is also reflected within the non-linear, non-stationary electrical nature of brain-to-muscle signals, the underlying mechanism of motor control. The aim of this dissertation was to explore these signals from their source, the brain, to their cessation, the muscles, during upper limb movement by applying engineering approaches. Presented in this dissertation is work to further the understanding of motor control in both the brain and muscles using advanced signal processing and machine learning techniques and the development of a novel device with novel sensors to measure muscle activity. The first two chapters provide a broad perspective of this dissertation's aim. Chapter 1 presents the relationship and contribution of this work to the field of biomedical engineering as a whole and explains how it supports the goal of using engineering to enhance biomedical knowledge and technology. Chapter 2 is a review of current engineering approaches for measuring and analyzing impaired motor control. Following these introductory chapters are experiments that either aid in motor control understanding or provide new techniques and technologies for monitoring motor signals. Aiming to further knowledge regarding underlying mechanisms of motor control, Chapter 3 presents a study of the function of an alternative brain pathway shown to be utilized post-stroke for motor-recovery, the pontomedullary reticular formation in the brainstem. By recording the electrical activity of neurons in this brainstem area, significant electrical activation trends were newly identified that characterize upper limb movement. These significant activation trends contribute to the current understanding of the brainstem's involvement during upper limb bilateral exertion and can be used to encourage neuroplastic changes post-stro (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: John Buford PhD (Advisor); Hojjat Adeli PhD (Advisor); Thomas Hund PhD (Committee Member); Asimina Kiourti PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Biomedical Engineering

Master of Science in Biological Sciences, Youngstown State University, 2018, Department of Biological Sciences and Chemistry

Suspensory behaviors require both strength and fatigue resistance of the limb flexors; however, the muscle mass of sloths is reduced compared to other arboreal mammals. Although suspensory locomotion demands that muscles are active to counteract the pull of gravity, it is possible that sloths minimize muscle activation and/or selectively recruit slow motor units, thus indicating neuromuscular specializations to conserve energy. Electromyography (EMG) was evaluated in a sample of three-toed sloths (B. variegatus: N=6) to test this hypothesis. EMG was recorded at 2000 Hz via fire-wire electrodes implanted into eight muscles of the left forelimb while sloths performed trails of suspensory hanging (SH), suspensory walking (SW), and vertical climbing (VC). All muscles were minimally active when performing SH. During SW and VC, sloths moved slowly (Duty Factor: 0.83–0.86) and activation patterns were consistent between behaviors; the flexors were activated early and for a large percentage of limb contact, while the extensors were activated later in the stride and showed biphasic (contact and swing) activity. EMG burst intensities were maximal for the elbow flexors and smallest for the carpal/digital flexors, and overall activation intensity was significantly greater for SW and VC compared with SH. Wavelet analysis indicated high frequency motor unit (MU) recruitment at low intensities for SH, whereas the opposite patterns of MU recruitment were similarly demonstrated for SW and VC, with the shoulder flexors and elbow flexor m. brachioradialis having the extremely low activation frequencies. Collectively, these findings support the hypothesis and suggest that sloths may selectively recruit smaller, fast-contracting MU for suspensory postures but have the ability to offset the cost of force production by recruitment of large, slow MU during locomotion.

Committee: Michael Butcher PhD (Advisor); Mark Womble PhD (Committee Member); Kenneth Learman PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Animals; Biology; Morphology; Physiology

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2018, Athletic Training (Health Sciences and Professions)

Background: Reports suggest that as many as 97% of dancers experience injury. Dance is very physically demanding and requires a great number of jumps with single leg landings. Dancers generally have poor fitness which can lead to fatigue. Fatigue alters movement and landing patterns and may contribute to dancers' injuries Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of fatigue on lower extremity muscle activation in dancers using a dance-specific fatiguing protocol and a functional dance landing test. Methods: A total of 18 healthy Ohio University Dancers were recruited to perform a drop landing task in coupe. This task was performed prior to and after fatigue. Surface electromyography was used to evaluate muscle contraction amplitude bilaterally and peroneus longus muscles at time of peak vertical ground reaction force. Main outcome measures: Pre- and post-fatigue muscle contraction amplitudes. Results: No statistical significance was found between pre- and post-fatigue conditions. Conclusion: Muscle contraction activity in the ankle and hip may not be affected by fatigue, suggesting that jump training in dance is sufficient to reduce the negative effects of fatigue. However, dancers may not accurately judge their fatigue levels and should be monitored for fatigue.

Committee: Jeffrey Russell (Advisor); Dustin Grooms (Committee Member); Jae Yom (Committee Member) Subjects: Dance; Health Sciences; Sports Medicine

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2018, Biomedical Engineering

Peripheral nerve cuff electrodes (NCEs) have been deployed in neuroprostheses restoring or modulating motor, sensory, and autonomic functions. They address myriad pathologies including stroke, spinal cord injury, amputation, seizure, chronic pain. As these applications encompass more indications, NCEs may be deployed in more anatomically-challenging locations while still delivering selective and stable stimulation and preserving the health of the implanted nerves. A novel class of reshaping electrodes with patterned regions of stiffness enable implantation in a widening range of anatomical locations. Patterning stiff regions and flexible regions of the electrode enables nerve reshaping while accommodating anatomical constraints of various implant locations ranging from peripheral nerves to spinal and autonomic plexi. We introduce the composite flat interface nerve electrode (C-FINE), flexible and small enough to be suitable for implantation near joints or other constrained locations. Benchtop testing verified the C-FINE does not exert ischemia-inducing pressure on nerves, even in the face of potential nerve swelling. Animal testing verified safety of C-FINE shells implanted on peripheral nerves for 3 months through a combination of nerve conduction studies and quantitative histology. Classically, this benchtop and animal testing followed by chronic observation of neuroprosthesis function have served as a proxy for directly measuring nerve health. We implanted the first-in-man C-FINEs on the proximal femoral nerves near the inguinal ligament of a man with cervical spinal cord injury. Over the first year of implantation we established the safety of C-FINEs in this anatomically constrained location directly via clinical electrodiagnostics. Future NCE designs can use these clinical results as a baseline for expected changes in a well-functioning neuroprosthesis. Previous NCEs have not been able to selectively activate hip flexors and knee extensors when i (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Ronald Triolo PhD (Advisor); Dustin Tyler PhD (Advisor); Dominique Durand PhD (Committee Chair); Stephen Selkirk MD/PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Biomedical Engineering; Neurology

MS, University of Cincinnati, 2017, Arts and Sciences: Biological Sciences

Snakes use many different modes of locomotion depending on their speed and structure of environmental surfaces. Long ago, Gray and Lissmann's pioneering use of frame-by-frame motion analysis facilitated defining four major modes of terrestrial snake locomotion that are still recognized. In common with nearly all limbless vertebrates, axial bending provides propulsion for three modes of snake locomotion, and the muscle activity responsible for this is known. By contrast, rectilinear locomotion can be performed with a straight body, and little is known about this mode beyond Lissmann's work. We integrated electromyograms and kinematics of boa constrictors to test Lissmann's hypotheses regarding the function of the costocutaneous superior (CCS) and inferior (CCI) muscles and the intrinsic cutaneous interscutalis (IS) muscle during rectilinear locomotion. The CCI muscles were active during static contact with the ground as they shortened and pulled the axial skeleton forward relative to both the ventral skin and the ground during the propulsive phase. The CCS muscles were active during sliding contact with the ground as they shortened and pulled the skin forward both relative to the axial skeleton and the ground during the recovery phase. Initial IS activity shortened the ventral skin, and subsequent isometric activity kept the skin shortened during most of static contact while overlapping extensively with CCI activity. The concentric activity of the CCI and CCS muscles supported Lissmann's predictions. Contrary to Lissmann, the IS had prolonged isometric activity, and the brief time when it shortened was not consistent with providing propulsive force.

Committee: Bruce Jayne Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Daniel Buchholz Ph.D. (Committee Member); Elke Buschbeck Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Biomechanics