Rehabilitation and Neural Engineering Laboratory

Able-Bodied Comparison Study for Prosthetics Development

Study Goal

The goal of this study is to provide performance values from an able-bodied control group to use as a comparison to results obtained for our other neuroprosthetic studies. 

Study Summary

We would like to compare performance of neuroprosthesis users to an able-bodied control group to provide a reference for the effectiveness of the neuroprosthetic technology.  Subjects will participate in a subset of these studies to provide control group data related to current ongoing experiments in our neuroprosthetics studies.  

Study Aims

1) Determine normal performance values for motor-control experiments where able-bodied participants use a non-invasive control interfaces, such as a joystick, surface EMG, or EEG recordings to control an end effector such as a computer cursor or robotic arm.
2) Characterize the response to sensory stimulation (visual, auditory, tactile, electrical, etc.) in a group of able-bodied participants. 

Inclusion Criteria

  • Age 18-65
  • Normal or corrected to normal vision

Exclusion Criteria

  • History of neurologic disease, motor impairment, or acute or chronic pain
  • Any implanted electrical device, such as a pacemaker or neurostimulator
  • Any indwelling port, such as used for past treatment of cancer
  • An indwelling pump, for treatment of diabetes
  • Currently being treated for cancer or in acute remission
  • Currently pregnant
  • Implanted metal rods, screws or plates as for stabilization of skeletal fractures in the region of the electrical stimulation 

Principal Investigator

Jennifer Collinger, PhD

For more information, call:

412-383-1077