NISE 2009

Development of a Research Thesis

Dr. Agrawal gave us the topic below for which we have done general research. We are now are attempting to work to refine the topic to a specific research area.

Rehabilitation Needs of

Older Adults with Parkinson: Limitations of
Physiotherapy and the Role of Assistive Technologies

On Thursday July, 2^nd we presented a summary of or initial research and the following research questions. This week we did additional research on the areas that were presented and met with Kyle Winfree to get more information regarding ALEX and to get input regarding our questions. I have included our current answers to the research questions.

n Could UD Exoskeleton be used with Parkinson patients? What modifications are needed?

Probably – Those details are yet to be defined

This is the most important point: If we understand well the symptoms of Parkinson gait and what kinds of assistance/corrections this group needs that will provide guidelines on how the control system in ALEX should be different to target this patient group. It will be important to extract the typical features that you see in Parkinson subjects during walking and how they differ from the gait of stroke subjects.

n How do UD devices compare with the other current devices (Lokomat) device?

Has not been defined- A detailed contrast of the capabilities of other devices to the ALEX would be beneficial. (Are there devices other than Lokomat that we should include?)

In your last presentation, you mentioned about a study performed in Baltimore for Parkinson. This study may bring out these features.

n What type of device would apply to Parkinson patients: Gravity Balancing Leg Orthosis (GBO), Active Leg Exoskeleton (ALEX), Swing Assist Unmotorized Exoskeleton(SUE)

ALEX and the “new ALEX” being constructed are the current focus.

n What types of exercise motions are most beneficial for Parkinson patients?

A variety of repetitive motions that simulate walking have been tested and appear to cause improvement in patient studies.

Again, this may have to be extracted clearly. If there was a therapist who deals with Parkinson patients, discussions with them may really help. Of course, some of these you should also be able to find in the literature.

n What types of base line and testing data would be needed prior and during a trial at UD?

Kyle indicated that the University of Delaware Physical Therapy Department conducts preliminary tests of patient capabilities prior to working with ALEX. We would need to research the types of data collected and how that data is used to conduct the study and draw conclusion following the study.

This is a good point. From what I have seen, no one here looks at PD patients. It will be good to find a few key people in our area who have this focus. We can go and talk to them.

n What on campus or related medical researchers could collaborate with the project and refer trial subjects?

A.I. DuPont also is able to provide a pool of child patients that may be able to be used for trials of new devices. What is the source of potential Parkinson’s patients?

Summary

We have done general research regarding Parkinson’s disease and Therapy devices. We have been introduced to the functions of ALEX. Our current thought would be to do a detailed examination of the capabilities of other devices (primarily Lokomat) to ALEX and to contrast weaknesses and strengths of each. Our goal would be to contribute to the future development and use of the ALEX robotic device. Our research would specifically include:

· Device controls – Hardware (Materials, Supports, joints, power)

· Device controls - Software / algorithms (Strength of force field, ability of field to not only correct but to stabilize motion, possible emergency stop)

· Effectiveness of Treatment – Study results showing the benefits of treadmill therapy with Parkinson’s patients. Patient feedback from those using the devices. Kyle can assist with feedback from Alex patients. For those using other devices, I can contact via blogs where they are already discussing their therapy and ask them to give a summary of there experience and complete a survey.

Need to do an extensive literature search using PubMed data base on studies conducted for robotic training with PD subjects.

You are on a great start!! Cheers

Gregg Stickler gstickler@ccps.org

Ken Ulrich kulrich@ccps.org

This week Ken and I researched robotic assistive and theraputic devices that can be used with Parkinsons patients.  Today we presented our research to our research group.  The researchers appeared interested in what we had found and there was a good discussion regarding the future of robotic thearpy research in general and here at UD.  We have been asked to complete and present a detailed research paper that focuses upon robotic therapy for parkinson patients.  We have also been invited to participate in a current study that is using a treadmill and robotic exoskeleton to provide therapy for stroke victims.

We are also continuing to develop student research projects that can be done by students in our math and science classes.  We have almost completed our first:  “Indoor Air Quality”.  While working on this Dr. Agrawals researchers were interested in the Vernier labpro interface and probes that we are using.  They may use some of them for their research.

During Week One Ken and I have begun research with Dr. Sunil Agrawal professor of mechanical engineering and have developed a plan/goals for our summer work.  Below is a description of our summer plan.

Background:

Ken and I have been friends since we coached football together 15 years ago. We see each other every day and his room is down the same hall as mine. Strangely, the first week of this program was the first time in all those years that we have had serious discussions about math and science content, instruction and the integration of the two utilizing technology. The first week of the program has allowed us to share teaching strategies, identify those that are transferable between our courses and begin to plan our future collaboration. Combined with the tours of research labs and presentations by UD researchers we are now excited about being given the opportunity to work together to improve math and science instruction at Rising Sun High.

Proposal: Gregg Stickler & Kenneth Ulrich would like to spend the five weeks in the NISE program working on two different types of projects simultaneously. The first project type would be weekly research with Dr. Sunil Agrawal. The second project type would be of our own design based upon math/science course content which would integrate Engineering Department research, equipment and scientists. These projects would result in investigations for our students to complete during the 2009-2010 school year.

We have been assigned to Dr. Sunil Agrawal’s robotics assisted devices research area. The projects there include a variety of biological applications that utilize robotics to simulate or enhance types of movement. After meeting Dr. Agrawal we are excited to learn more about his research and become involved in the projects that he will be assigning to us. While working with him we will set weekly goals that he will approve and review.

The second focus that we would like to be able have during the summer would be to develop several student investigations that are based upon research done from other areas within the University of Delaware Engineering Department. This would involve us visiting a variety of labs and scientists in order to gather materials and utilize laboratory equipment. We would then replicate the investigation using equipment that we have available at our school. (Primarily verneir probeware and common lab materials) Once designed the investigations would be completed by our math and science students at Rising Sun High School.

Summer

Plan: Our plan for the summer session would be to work to achieve weekly goals set by Dr. Sunil Agrawal (Robotics Research) and by ourselves (Investigation Design). The weekly goals would be posted on our blog space along with progress updates.

Robotic Devices –

Dr. Agrawal has already indicated that he would like us to work on a weekly goal / progress evaluation basis. We will meet with the entire Robotics research group on Friday 6/26 in order to learn both the broad goals of the group and the specific projects being done in each lab. We have tentatively decided upon our first weekly goal: “Current bio-robotic needs of the elderly” – Identify and contrast current geriatric bio-robotic devices / techniques with current geriatric deficiencies / needs in order to identify areas for future bio-robotic assisted devices for the aging population. We are excited about our work with Dr. Agrawal. Bio-robotics advances not only incorporate the latest engineering techniques but they improve quality of life for countless people. Applications currently include: assistance for developmentally challenged individuals, rehabilitation devices for injuries, assistance for elderly. With 1/3 of world population soon to be over the age of 65 and expected life spans continually increasing this field will only grow and expand in the future. There is a great potential for cross curricular connections in this area of research: Biology – Human Physiology, Technology – Robotics, Mathematics – Biometrics & Data Analysis, Environmental Science – Population Demography, Social Science – Geriatric Issues. We are looking forward to learning more and being given the opportunity to learn from the researchers and create applications for High School Students.

Investigation Design-

Following work at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, online instruction experience and the acquisition of computer lab stations and probeware, I have been designing investigations for the past several years. When Ken viewed samples of some of the investigations my students completed he realized many applications for his math students. As lead science teacher at Rising Sun High School I have worked with department members and presented at several county professional days to encourage the use of technology in student science investigations. Ken has not had instruction or access to these technologies in the past. After discussions this week Ken has indicated that many of these technologies could be used to improve his math instruction. He would work during the summer of 2009 to become familiar with the technology and would then implement it in his instruction next school year. Our plan would be to develop one investigation each week at the University of Delaware for use in our classrooms. The investigations would focus on currently taught math and science content and incorporate current research in UD labs. We would like to focus upon the following topics/labs:

Week 1 (6/29-7/3) Air Filters and Particle Size (Create Filters, Analyze Particle Collection, flow rates, particle concentrations)

Week 2 (7/6-7/10) Stored Energy & Structural Failure (Potential and kenetic energy, Generate Stress & Strain Curves, Contrast types of materials, )

Week 3 (7/13-7/17) Composite Materials & Strength (Create composite materials, repeat tests from week one)

Week 4 (7/20-7/24) Energy in Wave Form (Generate wave forms for sounds, Identify variables, Create an Instrument to Play a Song, relate to electromagnetic radiation)

Week 5 (7/27-7/31) EMR Conduction & Insulation (Light Sensors, portable radio, Investigate properties of electromagnetic, contrast types of energy)

This list is tentative and based upon one afternoon of discussion. If this type of work is approved we would generate a detailed description of the planned investigation the week prior to working on it. We would then like to be able to work in a related UD lab for ½ day with the project and would use our “Curriculum Sessions” to refine the project for use in our school.

2009-10

School Year

Our plan for the 2009-2010 school year will focus upon sharing instructional techniques and classrooms in order to provide our students the opportunity to perform science investigations which utilize their math skills. Specific goals for the year will include:

· Sharing our NISE summer experience with all Cecil County math and science teachers by presenting at our August 21^st professional day.

· Exchanging teaching strategies and resources with each other.

· Science students going to a math classroom for the analysis of data collected during their investigation.

· Labpro software and probes being incorporated into Ken’s math classes.

· Math students moving to a science classroom for investigations and data collection.

· Student experimental results being published, posted and saved for future reference of students the following year.

· Researchers from University of Delaware visiting Rising Sun High School science and math classrooms.

· Rising Sun High School Students visiting the University of Delaware Engineering Department.