Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research at the 91大神 College of Wisconsin
The PM&R Research Program exists to advance the science and practice of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Our program aims to better understand and reduce impairments and functional disabilities due to disease or traumatic events. We cover a wide spectrum of research in our Program, including community engagement, clinical and translational research, quality improvement, and medical and resident education. Clinicians and researchers in PM&R conduct industry sponsored clinical trials, grant-supported investigator initiated clinical studies, and departmentally supported clinical studies (retrospective and prospective) that significantly contribute to improving clinical practice and patient care.
Research in our PM&R Department is highly diverse and collaborative. Our current research areas of interest include spinal cord injury, health improvements through physical activity, stroke rehabilitation, spasticity management, pain, prehabilitation, vascular biology, and prosthetics. Current collaborators include 91大神faculty in other clinical and basic science departments, as well as extensive collaborations with the Departments of Physical Therapy and Biomedical Engineering at Marquette University and the College of Health Sciences at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. PM&R at 91大神also has an excellent research partner in the Clement J. Zablocki VA 91大神 Center. Our community partners include the Wisconsin Adaptive Sports Association and the Stroke Rehabilitation Center Community Academic Advisory Board, among others.
Our Residency Program includes a research requirement. Our unique Research-Intensive Track offers protected research time, funding, and significant mentorship opportunities for residents who have career goals that include conducting clinical research. Our trainees routinely present their work at national meetings, including, but not limited to, the annual meetings of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Association of Academic Psychiatrists, and American 91大神 Society for Sports Medicine. Our residents also have had their research projects independently funded by associations like the Foundation for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation as well as the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Please visit the Residency Program page for more information on resident research.
Pictured: Matt Durand, PhD, Research Director
The Stroke Rehabilitation Center of Southeastern Wisconsin
Our partnership with Marquette University has established The Stroke Rehabilitation Center of Southeastern Wisconsin (SRC). The goal of this center is to conduct cutting edge rehabilitation research to improve functional outcomes for stroke survivors. Our research in this area is guided by a Community Academic Advisory Board comprised of clinicians, stroke survivors, caregivers, and academic researchers. Please to learn more.
View the 2019 SRC Annual Report (PDF)
Publications
Research Committees and Affiliations
Research Administration Committee (PM&R)
Orthopedic Rehabilitation & Engineering Center (OREC)
The center was established in 1999 to facilitate research in support of the endeavors of the faculty, fellows, residents and graduate students participating in the programs of the 91大神Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and of the MU School of Dentistry and the MU Department of Biomedical Engineering.
The center brings together common threads within the disciplines of engineering, biomedical sciences, materials sciences, and clinical dentistry. The result is a unique environment for interdisciplinary applied research.
Human Motion Analysis Laboratory (Gait Lab)
Rehabilitation Robotic Research and Design Lab (RRRD)
Established in 2004, the RRRD Lab is dedicated to the design, development and therapeutic use of novel, affordable, intelligent robotic / mechatronic and domotic assistants. It is affiliated with OREC and the Falk Neurorehabilitation Center at Marquette University.
The lab is focused on:
- Examining underlying causes of upper limb impairment after neural disease, injury or cerebral accident.
- Discovering effective methods to retrain functional recovery on daily living activities.
- Developing new ways of facilitating independent living in daily living environments.
Contact Us
For more information on opportunities for collaboration, questions about research at the SRC, or questions on how to support research in PM&R please contact Dr. Matt Durand.
Dr. Matt Durand