Development and testing of an ERGOMETER for and experiment in functional recovery after spinal cord injury
UCL/Southampton/RNOH Stanmore, Application: £14,095, Sep 2012
A cycling exercise machine is being designed with associated electric motor and electronics. The machine will be used with a commercial virtual reality racing game and a remote monitoring device. The design will allow us to do an experiment that tests the hypothesis that is the combination of electrical stimulation and voluntary drive to the paretic muscles that has the best therapeutic effect, seen in improved walking ability. This grant will fund the development of a prototype and tests with volunteers at the RoyalNationalOrthopaedicHospital prior to our application for another grant to perform a proof of concept and feasibility study on a larger group of subjects./ Students are doing most of the development, but this initial grant will pay for parts, materials and technician time. If the experiment gives a positive result, the system will be suitable for clinical use.
Considered by Scientific Committee 12 Jun 2012. Funding approved by the Board of Trustees 15 Aug 2012.