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PhD defence: Jakob Hansen

Measuring sit-to-stand kinematics for application in stroke patients

2021.08.10 | Graduate School of Health

Date Thu 19 Aug
Time 14:00 16:00
Location Meeting room 3 at the education department, Hammel Neurorehabilitation and University Research Clinic, Voldbyvej 15, 8450 Hammel and online

On Thursday 19 August at 14:00, Jakob Hansen defends his PhD dissertation entitled "Measuring sit-to-stand kinematics for application in stroke patients".

Hemiparesis is a frequent complication after stroke and is a weakness of one side of the body, often in combination with impaired muscle coordination and reduced postural control. This leads to an increased fall risk, especially during transfers like sit-to-stand (STS). Therefore, the STS movement has been investigated in stroke patients and other frail subgroups. One method used for this is optical motion capture, where the kinematics and kinetics of the STS are assessed. However, it can be especially difficult to measure the movement of the pelvis, as it is tucked into the chair. This is an issue, as the pelvis movement is essential to STS performance.

Therefore, the aim of this PhD proect was to establish biomechanical parameters related to fall risk in stroke patients and investigate how we can assist stroke patients to lower the fall risk. Further, the aim was to test and compare a variety of marker protocols for optical motion capture measurements of pelvis motion during STS.

In this PhD project it was established that certain biomechanical fall risk parameters were related to an increased fall risk in stroke patients and how an ankle-foot orthosis affected these parameters. Further, the PhD project provides a reference work for the optical motion capture data quality needed when measuring pelvis motion during STS. Lastly, a variety of pelvis marker protocols were tested in order to suggest a specific pelvis marker protocol for STS measurements.

This PhD project provides evidence for the biomechanical paramteres related to an increased fall risk in stroke patients with a hemiparesis during STS. This can be applied in the clinic to identify patients with increased fall risk and hence, the rehabilitation can be tailored to the individual needs. Further, the PhD project provides a reference work for the required data quality for pelvis measures during STS, along with a methodological suggestion on which marker protocol to use. This can aid other researchers also investigating the STS movement using optical motion capture.   

The summary is written by the PhD student.   

The defence is public and takes place in meeting room 3 at the education department, Hammel Neurorehabilitation and University Research Clinic, Voldbyvej 15, 8450 Hammel and online. Please read the attached press release for more information.

Contact:

PhD student Jakob Hansen

Mail: jaohan@rm.dk

Phone: (+45) 23959774

Read full press release

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