Sensory Motor Performance Program

The Sensory Motor Performance Program (SMPP) at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) is devoted to the study  of musculoskeletal, neuromuscular and sensory disorders that are associated with abnormal control of posture and movement. Toward this aim, research is driven by the tight collaboration between a group of scientists specializing in diverse topics relevant to rehabilitation.  Faculty members have appointments at Feinberg School of Medicine and McCormick School of Engineering & Applied Science, both part of Northwestern University, as well as University of Chicago and Illinois Institute of Technology.

Research Centers at SMPP

SMPP is the host of two major research centers, Department of Education's-sponsored NIDRR RERC program, MARS-RERC, and National Institute of Health's-sponsored rehabilitation research network program, R24-Engineering for Neurological Rehabilitation .

Labs 

Applied Research in Musculoskeletal Simulation Lab
Biodynamics Lab
Economics of Movement
Electrophysiological Analysis of Gait and Posture
Hand Rehabilitation Lab
Limb Motor Control
Locomotion Lab
Muscle Fiber Lab
Neural Engineering Lab
Neuralplasticity Lab

Neuromechanics of Impaired Locomotion
Neuromuscular Control & Plasticity Lab
NUIN
Postural Robotics Lab
Reflex, Movement & Spasticity (RMS) Lab
Robotics Lab
Single Motor Unit Lab
Upper Extremity Mechanics Lab 

 

 

Research Faculty Profiles

Dr. Argall
Dr. Beer
Dr. Dhaher
Dr. Dvorkin
Dr. Fitzgerald
Dr. Hornby 
Dr. Kamper
Dr. Knikou
Dr. Kording 

Dr. Lopez-Ortiz
Dr. Miller
Dr. Mirbagheri
Dr. Murray
Dr. Mussa-Ivaldi
Dr. Patton
Dr. Perreault
Dr. Rymer

Dr. Shapiro
Dr. Stoykov
Dr. Theiss
Dr. Tresch
Dr. Wu
Dr. Zhang
Dr. Zhou

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more scientific content about SMPP.

Supporting Research

Every day SMPP researchers are making progress at understanding how the nervous system controls movement. The research is directly relevant for rehabilitation. This work is only made possible through the support of both public sources as well as the generous donations of private donors. Find out more information about donating to RIC.

Volunteering for research studies

At any point in time numerous research studies are being performed within SMPP.  For this reason we are frequently searching for subjects to volunteer in our research studies. Participate in a research study at SMPP.