Clinical Rehabilitation and Biomechanics Laboratory

The Clinical Rehabilitation and Biomechanics (CRAB) Laboratory

Mission: To improve the quality of life by reducing fall risks in older adults and in individuals with neurological disorders.

Research areas of interest: Gait and Posture, Fall Risk Reduction, Neuro-Rehabilitation

Director

  • Vennila Krishnan, PhD, PT
    Professor

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Collaborators 

  • Young-Hee Cho, PhD
    Psychology, CSULB
  • Rahul Soangra, PhD
    Physical Therapy, Chapman University
  • Joby John, PhD
    Mathematics Department, Chapman University
  • I-Hung Khoo, PhD
    Electrical Engineering, CSULB

1. Cognitive-Motor Interference during Dual-tasks in Older Adults

Collaborators

Our focus is to investigate the effectiveness of dual-task (DT) interventions in different levels of cognitive impairments in older adults and reducing the risk of falls. Specifically, we are investigating DT intervention’s effect in improving walking, cognition, clinical measures and quality of life.

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CRAB lab balance class

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CRAB lab balance

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assisted Personalized Fall Risk Assessment among Ambulatory Stroke Survivors using Wearable Sensors

Collaborators

Our long-term goal is to develop AI- assisted Fall risk assessment wearable tools specifically for Stroke Survivors. We aim to develop novel Machine Learning (ML) algorithms utilizing clinically relevant motor and cognitive features for fall risk assessment among stroke survivors. Our prior collaborated research investigated how 360° degrees turning was affected in post-stroke. In our current collaborative research, we will develop and test the feasibility of using wearable/ smartphone sensors with ML algorithms for personalized fall risk assessment among ambulatory stroke survivors when performing activities of daily living tasks.

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Fall Risk Assessment

3. Gait Rehabilitation in Chronic Stroke Survivors

Collaborators

Our focus is to design and develop novel rehabilitation interventions that are clinically relevant and are effective in treating individuals with various neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. We fabricated a shoe-insole device “Walk-Even” that provides real-time auditory guidance to post-stroke survivors to correct their asymmetrical gait.

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Gait Rehabilitation

Equipment

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CRAB Lab TMS

We use a range of techniques including Electromyography, Zeno electronic mat, Tekscan pressure sensor system, MobilityLab inertial sensors, Vicon three-dimensional motion tracking, Force plates, and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, apart from fabricating our own customized devices.