Neuromuscular and Electrophysiology Laboratory

Vikram Shenoy Handiru, PhD, directs the Neuromuscular and Electrophysiology Laboratory, part of Center for Mobility and Rehabilitation Engineering Research at Kessler Foundation. Lab team members study individualized and targeted noninvasive brain stimulation methods combined with sensor-based exergaming (exercise + gaming) to improve hand dexterity in stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI) populations. To study the underlying mechanisms of motor recovery in clinical populations, the team’s research involves acquiring the neurophysiological and neuromuscular data using electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) techniques.

One on-going study investigates the effectiveness and underlying neural mechanisms combining MRI, HD-tDCS, and MusicGlove exercises to develop individualized, home-based rehabilitation exercises. Over time, researchers pinpoint and validate the intervention-related changes in the cortical connectivity using EEG. In the end, this study will allow the team to understand the cortical dynamics of TBI rehabilitation upon brain stimulation.

Another pilot will investigate the feasibility of home-based, “REmote-Supervised Upper-extremity Motor Exercises (RESUME)” and HabilUp gaming exercises for upper-extremity motor functions at stroke survivors’ homes. As with other studies, the team will measure rehabilitation performance and follow progress.