Course description: Principles and applications
of rehabilitative assessment and therapy, with special focus on the use of
technology to enhance access and consideration of the continuum of rehab care as
an optimization problem. Overview of sensorimotor systems, as related to human
performance and usability analysis. Models for access engineering and telerehabilitation, with focus
on accessible design strategies, telemonitoring and teletherapy, and wireless and augmentative
communication technologies. Rehabilitation biomechanics of interfaces for seated mobility and for manipulation tasks. Innovations in assessment and intervention strategies
for neurorehabilitation.
Includes hands-on laboratory demonstrations and a final project.
Instructor:
Prof. Jack Winters (8-6640, jack.winters@mu.edu), Office Hours: Tues-Thurs 11:00-12:30, Fri 11-11:50 & 1:00-2:00, or by appt.
Reading Material:
An
extensive web site at www.eng.mu.edu/wintersj/rehab/rehab167/, with assignments via D2L
Aims / Learning Objectives / Desired Outcomes:
You will develop a strong "systems" understanding of
the continuum of care for clinical rehabilitation, including from the context
of optimizing outcomes.
You will understand key terminology used by various medical
rehabilitation professionals and within the disability community, the
infrastructure that exists for clinical rehabilitation services,
and roles for rehabilitation engineers.
You will understand key aspects of sensorimotor systems as related to human
performance and design/evaluation of human-technology interfaces.
You will gain significant conceptual understanding of approaches for breaking down access barriers, and hands-on experience in using modern
telecommunications technologies, especially in the context of access technologies, telerehabilitation and the roles of consensus standards.
You will understand some basic principles and applications of
biomechanics to rehab devices and interfaces.
You will understand some of the challenges in neurorehab, and some of the emerging innovative strategies for therapeutic intervention and assessment.
Through a project and a presentation, you will have the opportunity
to share experiences and knowledge with your classmates.
You will get practice in applied problem-solving, and integrating professional/ethical
responsibilities with contemporary societal challenges in healthcare.
Grading:
30% Module Homeworks (one per module,
5 @ 6% each)
30% Module Quizzes (one per module, 5 @ 6% each)
10% Presentation (15 min plus 5 min discussion, for one of Modules 2-5)
30% Final Presentation (10%) and Report (20%)
Modules (each ~3 weeks, with one homework assignment
and one quiz):