Motion Analysis Laboratory
The Motion Analysis Laboratory of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences in the School of Health Sciences and Practice investigates a wide spectrum of disabilities that cause sensorial and motor impairments, functional limitations, and participation restrictions in infants, children, and adults who live with neuromotor disorders.
Location
Housed within Vosburgh Pavilion on the NYMC campus, the Motion Analysis Laboratory has reserved accessible parking space and ramps to the building for our study participants. See our campus map to see where we are located.
[AUDIO DESCRIPTION] Motion Analysis Laboratory. Division of Physical Therapy.
A patient is strapped into a rig with ping pong balls around his body, and balances on one foot while he’s viewed through a monitor.
[Dr. Santamaria] A motion analysis laboratory is a term that we use to refer to a room or space that is dedicated to collect and process movement data.
[AUDIO DESCRIPTION] Text, Victor Santamaria, Ph.D., MS.C., PT, PCS, Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy
[Dr. Santamaria] I'm Dr. Santamaria, and I am an assistant professor of physical therapy at NYMC.
[AUDIO DESCRIPTION] He navigates around a 3D environment on a computer with dots mapped in 3D space.
[Dr. Santamaria] One of the gold standard measurements in motion analysis lab is the use of infrared cameras.
[AUDIO DESCRIPTION] Flashing lights on cameras mounted to a metal beam in the lab face the rig.
[Dr. Santamaria] For example, we have a Vico system of eight cameras, and they detect the movement of reflective markers.
[AUDIO DESCRIPTION] Waveforms on a computer screen.
[Dr. Santamaria] And then we stick those markers on anatomical landmarks that then, later, we can use in the software to recreate a link model. And from there, we can compute and analyze the data.
[AUDIO DESCRIPTION] The subject leaps in place. The dots mapped in 3D space repeat his motion in the 3D environment.
[Dr. Santamaria] We also have force plates that we can use to compute the forces that the body exerts on the ground.
[AUDIO DESCRIPTION] A second harness is strapped to his waist.
[Dr. Santamaria] And then we can estimate postural balance, for example. And then we use electromyography, or EMG in short.
[AUDIO DESCRIPTION] A bank of lit cubes in a case with cables beside the rig.
[Dr. Santamaria] Those are sensors that we used to register muscle activity.
An advantage of having our motion analysis laboratory here at NYMC, and within this clinical network, is that we can use the lab for education purposes. So our doctor and physical therapy students can learn about the movement, visualize, and fully understand it here with all the equipment that we use for research purposes, but also, we will be bringing people with different disabilities. So the ultimate goal will be to improve the quality of life of people, children and adults, who live with motor disabilities.
[AUDIO DESCRIPTION] He holds a ball out and the man reaches for it. Later the man repeats his motion of balancing with his arms outstretched. Both motions are replicated by the markers in the 3D space.
[Dr. Santamaria] I honestly would like to see in three or five years the development of research collaborations. I would like to collaborate in this lab with professionals from different areas and disciplines, and even with researchers within this institution or from different institutions, because from my humble experience, I can tell you that interdisciplinary collaborations make a big impact on health.
[AUDIO DESCRIPTION] Text, New York Medical College. Chartered 1860. A member of Touro University.
[MUSIC FADES]
Research
The Impact of Postural Trunk Control Deficits to Communicate with Gaze-based Computers in Children with Motor Disabilities
In collaboration with Stefanie Blanco, SLP.D., CCC-SLP, TSSLD, ATP, and Vikas Grover, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, from the Speech-Language Pathology Division, we are investigating if postural equipment can be used to optimize trunk control to enhance communication skills when using gaze-controlled computers in children and adolescents aged 6-21 years old and who live with neuromotor disorders.
A Randomized Controlled Trial to Investigate the Effectiveness of an Intensive Seated Postural Intervention Delivered with Robotic and Rigid Trunk Support Systems
This is a collaborative study with Sunil K. Agrawal, Ph.D., from Columbia University's Robotic and Rehabilitation (ROAR) Laboratory; and Andrew M. Gordon, Ph.D., from the Biobehavioral Sciences Department and Center for Cerebral Palsy Research at Teachers College. We are studying the effect of a motor intervention to train postural and reaching control abilities in 6-to-17-year-old children with Cerebral Palsy who have difficulties with sitting independently. The intervention is fun and intensive, involving different age-appropriate games and objects to practice motor skills with the upper body. This study takes place at Columbia University Morningside Heights Campus and transportation reimbursements are offered.
A Clinical Study to Investigate the Potential Effectiveness of a Robotic Walker to Train Postural and Walking Abilities
This is a collaborative study with Sunil K. Agrawal, Ph.D., from Columbia University's ROAR Laboratory. We are investigating the effect of an intensive gait-oriented intervention delivered with a robotic walker in 6-to-17-year-old children diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and who need a walker to move about. The goal of this study is to investigate the potential benefits of the robotic-aided gait intervention in maximizing walking and postural control abilities. This study takes place at Columbia University Irving Medical Center Campus and transportation reimbursements are offered.
Contact Us
The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences is searching for participants with Cerebral Palsy to study the effect of postural control on communication skills with an eye-tracking computer. If you are, or know anyone, between 6-18 years old and have cerebral palsy, and may use an external communication system, you could qualify to participate in research. We have several ongoing research projects and collaborative research studies. For interested parties, inquiries, and further information, please contact us.
Motion Analysis Laboratory
Vosburgh Pavilion, #G17
40 Plaza West
Valhalla, NY 10595
(914) 594-4226
Victor Santamaria, Ph.D., M.Sc., PT, PCS
Director, Motion Analysis Laboratory
External Research and Clinical Collaborators
Andrew M. Gordon, Ph.D.
Teachers College, Columbia University
Biobehavioral Sciences Department
Jaya Rachwani, M.S., Ph.D., PT
CUNY Hunter College
Physical Therapy Department
Shivakeshavan Ratnadurai-Giridharan, Ph.D.
Cornell University
Burke Neurological Institute (BNI)
Tomoko Kitago, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Neurology, New York Medical College School of Medicine
Sunil K. Agrawal, Ph.D.
Columbia University
Mechanical Engineering Department
