Kenton R. Kaufman, Ph.D.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of asymmetrical spinal loads on degenerative disc disease (DD) with age.

This study is designed to support evidence-based practice and optimal care by evaluating how different configurations of two types of carbon fiber custom dynamic orthoses (CDOs) influences outcomes following traumatic lower extremity injury.

The objective of this study is to implement and test an innovative fall-prevention/perturbation training program integrated with the standard rehabilitation pathway for patients with lower extremity limb-loss and limb salvage.

The purpose of this study is to see how you walk with an investigational new type of ankle-foot prosthesis that has been developed, which can allow motion in more than one direction.

The overarching goal of this proposed research is to develop a system of objective measures that can be used to quantify activity and neuromuscular control in the patient’s upper extremity.

The purpose of this study is to identify if there is variability across sensors at different orientation on healthy subjects.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of Livio© hearing aids and Apple Watch© to detect falls when subjects with normal/abnormal vestibular function experience controlled, postural disturbances on a treadmill. We will also assess the interaction mechanism of vestibulocolic and vestibulospinal reflex in fall prevention.

The purpose of this study is to better understand how individuals with brachial plexus injuries feel about the use of a powered upper extremity orthosis. The study aim is to explore their requirements for assistance with activities of daily living, as well as their desires pertaining to overall function in their daily life.

This study will assess if the functional performance and musculoskeletal outcome of transfemoral amputees are improved after receiving a Microprocessor Knee (MPK) compared to a Non-Microprocessor Knees (NMPK).

The purpose of this study is to compare the functional performance of individuals with transtibial amputation using two types of prosthetic foot designs: carbon fiber versus fiberglass composite.

The purpose of this study is to measure body temperature, heart rate, and activity with the newly developed disposable sensor and compare data to that collected by existing gold standard devices in order to quantify accuracy of the new device.  The comfort and durability of the adhesive used in the new sensor will also be evaluated.

The purpose of this study is to measure body temperature and activity with a newly developed disposable sensor and compare data to that collected by existing gold standard devices in order to quantify accuracy of the new device. The comfort and durability of the adhesive used in the new sensor will also be evaluated.

The purpose of this study is to validate trunk kinematic and velocity measurements calculated using a wearable inertial measurement unit (IMU) while the subject experiences controlled, postural disturbances on a treadmill.

The purpose of this study is to compare different rigid removable dressing systems that are used to heal and protect a limb following an amputation by measuring the healing of the surgical incision and the activity level of patients following surgery.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect that a new fall prevention training program has on the fall incidence of long-term care facility residents at high-risk of falling.

The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of immobilization on activity of healthy adults.

Taking in-clinic measures of elbow flexor electromyography from individuals who have had surgical brachial plexus reconstruction to aid in the design of a future upper extremity assistive orthosis.

The purpose of this study is to measure the electromyographic (EMG) activity in adults who have been affected by a brachial plexus injury. Results from this study will aid in the design of assistive upper extremity orthotic devices.

The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the relationship between the electrical activity that causes muscle shortening and the resulting contraction in the skeletal muscle using very small pressure sensors

The purpose of this study is to investigate motor unit recruitment during  isometric contractions in human muscles.

The purpose of this study is to learn about and measure changes in muscle contraction that happen as healthy people age. The connection between electrical activity causing muscles to contract and the pressure created as muscles contract will be studied.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the changes in the force production by the leg muscles that may occur while taking prednisone.

The overall main purpose of this investigation is to characterize the electromechanical pathophysiology of the skeletal muscle in individuals with glucocorticoid-induced myopathy.

This project has three main objectives. First, we will extend our previously successful rehabilitation protocol to a larger set of active-duty service members who have suffered combat-related lower limb trauma. Second, we will assess the extent to which the benefits of improved motor skills conferred by the rehabilitation protocol are retained following training. Third, we will identify, evaluate, and implement existing low cost technologies for measuring trunk control, the training outcome of critical importance, which may be used in lieu of expensive fixed motion capture systems.

This study aims to establish the clinical feasibility and utility of using the Leg Dexterity test as an objective measure of recovery of neuromuscular control after unilateral ACL injury or ACLr across multiple leading sports rehabilitation centers.

The purpose of the study is to develop, design and implement an easy-to-use, cloud-enabled software for patients with low back pain and evaluate the effect of the system on compliance and quality of life. We hypothesize that a device which measures compliance to physical therapy regimens in patients with low back pain will increase patient participation.

The purpose of this study is to collect movement, muscle activity, and physical activity measurements in healthy older adults, during everyday activities.  This information will be used for the creation of a computational model of the spine to help predict injury risk.  

The purpose of this study is to begin introducing objective measurements to the prosthetic and orthotic device optimization process. The long-term goal of this program is to improve patient satisfaction and functional performance while reducing timelines to achieve these goals.

The purpose of this pilot phase study is to assess functionality and ease of use of an exercise monitoring system and decide whether any modifications are necessary before beginning a larger study using this system.

The purpose of this study is to assess daily living activity levels of patients before and after total hip replacement, and to correlate these activities of daily living to those usually obtained with disease-specific questionnaires.

The purpose of this study is to check the accuracy with which two treadmills move or can purposely throw off the balance of someone standing on them.

The purpose of this study is to assess arm activity in the free living environment before and after treatment of a brachial plexus injury. The information collected in this study may give insight into the outcomes of treatment.

The goal of the proposed study is to develop and validate a myoelectrically-controlled power-assist upper extremity exoskeleton (powered exoskeleton) to assist with upper extremity motion in patients with traumatic peripheral nerve injuries who have inadequate motor function.

The purpose of this study is to measure the joint angles and range of motion for daily activities in adults who have had brachial plexus reconstruction surgery. Results from this study can help to improve the surgical planning for restoration of upper extremity function. There is also potential for results from this study to aid in the design of assistive upper extremity orthotic devices.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy with which a programmable treadmill delivers controlled postural disturbances under real world use scenarios (i.e., with a subject on the treadmill belt).

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the validity and repeatability of lower extremity kinematics calculated using inertial measurement units and subject specific calibrations compared to the gold-standard motion analysis during walking and activities of daily living.