My research interests are in the development and clinical evaluation of novel neuroprosthetic and neurotherapeutic devices to restore motor function in individuals with CNS paralysis.
Neuroprosthetic devices substitute for lost neuromuscular function; neurotherapeutic devices facilitate recovery of lost neuromuscular function.
Current Research Activities
- Contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation (CCFES), a novel neurotherapeutic application of surface electrical stimulation aimed at helping stroke survivors recover voluntary hand function and ankle dorsiflexion.
- Combining CCFES with other neuromodulatory techniques such as non-invasive brain stimulation and custom hand therapy video games.
- Developing new treatments for muscle spasticity following neurological injuries.
Research Programs
- Neuroprosthetic Arm & Hand Recovery Following Stroke
- Contralaterally Controlled Functional Electrical Stimulation for Recovery of Hand Function Following Stroke
- Spasticity Relief following Stroke using Innovative Technologies.
Publications (Select)
Entire publication list can be found here.
- Cunningham DA, Roelle SM, Allexandre D, Potter-Baker KA, Sankarasubramanian V, Knutson JS, Yue GH, Machado AG, Plow EB. The effect of motor overflow on bimanual asymmetric force coordination. Exp Brain Res. 2017 Apr;235(4):1097-1105. doi: 10.1007/s00221-016-4867-2. Epub 2017 Jan 16. PubMed PMID: 28091708; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5350018.
- Wilson RD, Knutson JS, Bennett ME, Chae J. The Effect of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation on Shoulder Biomechanics: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Comparison to Physical Therapy. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2017 Mar;96(3):191-198. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000000677. PubMed PMID: 28099193; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5321785.
- Wilson RD, Page SJ, Delahanty M, Knutson JS, Gunzler DD, Sheffler LR, Chae J. Upper-Limb Recovery After Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing EMG-Triggered, Cyclic, and Sensory Electrical Stimulation. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2016 Nov;30(10):978-987. Epub 2016 May 24. PubMed PMID: 27225977; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5048487.
- Knutson JS, Gunzler DD, Wilson RD, Chae J. Contralaterally Controlled Functional Electrical Stimulation Improves Hand Dexterity in Chronic Hemiparesis: A Randomized Trial. Stroke. 2016 Oct;47(10):2596-602. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.116.013791. Epub 2016 Sep 8. PubMed PMID: 27608819; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5039083.
- Cunningham DA, Potter-Baker KA, Knutson JS, Sankarasubramanian V, Machado AG, Plow EB. Tailoring Brain Stimulation to the Nature of Rehabilitative Therapies in Stroke: A Conceptual Framework Based on their Unique Mechanisms of Recovery. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2015 Nov;26(4):759-74. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2015.07.001. Epub 2015 Sep 9. Review. PubMed PMID:26522911; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4630680.
- Fu MJ, Knutson JS, Chae J. Stroke Rehabilitation Using Virtual Environments. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2015 Nov;26(4):747-57. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2015.06.001. Epub 2015 Aug 1. Review. PubMed PMID: 26522910; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4630676.
- Knutson JS, Fu MJ, Sheffler LR, Chae J. Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for Motor Restoration in Hemiplegia. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2015 Nov;26(4):729-45. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2015.06.002. Epub 2015 Aug 14. Review. PubMed PMID: 26522909; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4630679.
- Makowski N, Knutson J, Chae J, Crago P. Control of Robotic Assistance Using Poststroke Residual Voluntary Effort. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng. 2014 Oct 31; doi: 10.1109/TNSRE.2014.2364273 Pubmed PMID: 25373107
- Knutson JS, Harley MY, Hisel TZ, Makowski NS, Chae J. Contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation for recovery of elbow extension and hand opening after stroke: a pilot case series study. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2014 Jun;93(6):528–539. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000000066 Pubmed PMID: 24508938
- Makowski NS, Knutson JS, Chae J, Crago PE. Functional electrical stimulation to augment poststroke reach and hand opening in the presence of voluntary effort: a pilot study. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2014 Apr;28(3):241–249. doi: 10.1177/1545968313505913 Pubmed PMID: 24270058
- Knutson JS, Hansen K, Nagy J, Bailey SN, Gunzler DD, Sheffler LR, Chae J. Contralaterally controlled neuromuscular electrical stimulation for recovery of ankle dorsiflexion: a pilot randomized controlled trial in patients with chronic post-stroke hemiplegia. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2013 Aug;92(8):656–665. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0b013e31829b4c16 Pubmed PMID: 23867888
- Makowski N, Knutson J, Chae J, Crago P. Interaction of poststroke voluntary effort and functional neuromuscular electrical stimulation. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2013;50(1):85–98. Pubmed PMID: 23516086