Research

Motion Analysis Laboratory

The Aspire Centre for Disability Sciences, in conjunction with the Royal National Orphopaedic Hospital (RNOH), supports a new state of the art motion analysis laboratory. The ability to accurately measure movement has numerous clinical uses and the Laboratory is in heavy demand.

wheelchair user and dummy wheelchair user in laboratory

Wheelchair user

Dimitri Coutya,

moving from kerb to grass in the Motion lab. The dummy in the background is used when studying the effects of pushing a wheelchair user.

The Laboratory is equipped to study both wheelchair users, walkers and those who carry out manual handling and lifting, such as personal assistants and carers. It includes a variety of surfaces and slopes to allow for measurements that correspond accurately to the conditions found in the 'real world'.

Recently, RNOH Spinal Injury Centre consultant Dr Angela Gall has been using the Laboratory in her work with patients with incomplete spinal cord injuries. She is studying the effectiveness of motion analysis in the planning of Botox injections to improve walking patterns and has found the Laboratory a great benefit to her studies.

Children with cerebral palsy have also benefitted from the Laboratory, with technical measurements taken to help plan surgeries that can significantly improve walking and movement development in these young people.