Friel Lab Studies Across the Years

Together with Dr. Andy Gordon's lab, testing whether combining non-invasive brain stimulation with bimanual training can increase the efficacy of bimanual training. In progress. Grants 1, 6; publication 14.

Together with Dr. Aiko Thompson's lab, testing whether spinal reflex conditioning can decrease reflex amplitude in adults with CP. In progress in Dr. Devina Kumar's lab. Grant 4.

Together with Dr. Edmund Hollis' lab, testing whether robotic training can amplify the rate and/or amount of recovery that people with spinal cord injury experience after a peripheral nerve transfer surgery. 

In progress. Grant 2.

When the pandemic was preventing people with disabilities from receiving therapies, together with the Sabrina Cohen Foundation and DPI Fitness, we measured the effects of virtual exercise in people with chronic neurological impairments. Publication 1.

Together with Dr. Andy Gordon's lab, tested whether the efficacy of unimanual and bimanual training is impacted by how a child's brain is organized. Good news, all kids improved equally! Grants 5, 8, 9, 10. Publications 18, 41

Together with Blythedale Children's Hospital, tested the feasibility of a robotic rowing game in children with weakness on one side of the body. Children enjoyed the training, gave loads of helpful feedback, and improved hand and arm function.

Many adults with CP do not believe that their  function can be improved. This study tested feasibility of combined tDCS and robotic training to improve movement. The process was feasible, and participants showed improvements that some never saw as possible. Grant 7, publication 38.

With Dr. Gordon and Dr. Bleyenheuft's labs, the Friel lab has found that training can reorganize the brains of kids with CP. TMS brain mapping and functional MRI were used to study brain plasticity. Grants 5, 8, 9, 10; publications 20, 22, 33, 43.

Movement requires skilled sensation. This is well known, but can be difficult to accurately measure sensation. The Friel and Gordon labs measured sensation in kids with CP using existing tools, and created/validated new measurement platforms. Sensation impairments greatly impact a person's ability to move. Grant 3, publications 16, 35, 46.

The Friel and Gordon labs studied patterns of brain organization and how it impacts function. They found that there are many aspects of how brains are wired that affect movement and sensation, but also found that kids with CP can improve after intensive hand training independent from their brain organization. Grants 1, 3, 5, 8, 10; publications 11, 18, 19, 20, 23, 25, 33, 35, 40, 41.

The Friel and Gordon labs are aware that the most effective available hand/arm therapies are very time-intensive. They have been studying factors that could make therapies more efficient. Kids need time to just be kids. Families need more unstructured time in their lives. Some factors might include how engaging an intervention is seen by kids, and training on skillful movements rather than play. Grant 1, Publications 4, 43.

The lab has had the joy of collaborating with many labs. Topics include the use of non-invasive brain stimulation to boost the efficacy of training (publications 29, 30), use of botox to control drooling (publications 21, 26), improving TMS methodology (publication 27), and swallowing issues in kids with CP (37, 44)