Kate Saul
katesaul@gmail.com
Upper limb movement dysfunction and compensations: a dynamic modeling approach to
improving upper limb rehabilitation
Katherine R. Saul PhD
Abstract: Clinical movement dysfunction and rehabilitation of the upper limb can pose a challenge to clinicians and researchers due to
concomitant injuries or disabilities and multiple concurrent treatments; the result is a lack of clear guidelines for clinicians regarding
treatment choices and variable functional outcomes following treatment. We apply mechanical engineering techniques to improve
treatment outcomes for neuromusculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb across the lifespan, using both computational simulation and
experimental methods to elucidate the most critical biomechanical and physiologic factors associated with improved function. I will
present my recent work in shoulder dyskinesis due to rotator cuff impairment in older adults and brachial plexus nerve injury. I will
discuss how I use computational simulation of the dynamics of functional movement to compare treatment options and predict
functional outcomes, explore muscle coordination and movement compensations exhibited by impaired patients, and provide a
foundation for clinical practitioners to optimize rehabilitation for their patients.
Project Outcomes:
Publications:
1. Crouch DL, Li ZL, Barnwell J, Plate J, Daly M, Saul KR. Biomechanical Computer Simulation of Nerve Transfer Strategies to
Restore Shoulder Function for C5-C6 Root Avulsion Injuries. Journal of Hand Surgery 2011: 36, 1644-51. PMID: 21903345
2. Saul KR, Hu X, Goehler CM, Daly M, Vidt ME, Velisar A, Murray WM. Benchmarking of dynamic simulation predictions in two
software platforms using an upper limb musculoskeletal model. In review at Computer Methods in Biomechanics and
Biomedical Engineering. 2013.
Dissertation:
Daly M. Adaptations following resistance training in the upper extremity of older adults. PhD Dissertation. Wake Forest University
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Winston-Salem, NC. May 14, 2011.
Abstracts:
Daly, M, ME Vidt, AP Marsh, KR Saul. Identification of muscle contributions to a forward reaching task using and induced
acceleration analysis. 35th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics. August 10-13, 2011. Long Beach, CA.
Crouch DL, Li Z, Barnwell J, Daly M, Saul KR. A Dynamic Simulation Approach to Evaluating Nerve Transfer Strategies Following C5C6 Brachial Plexus Injury. American Society of Biomechanics Meeting. 2011. Long Beach, CA.
Crouch DL, Li Z, Barnwell J, Daly M, Saul KR. Biomechanical evaluation of shoulder nerve transfer strategies following C5-C6 brachial
plexus injury using a dynamic optimization approach. VT-WFU School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Symposium. May 11,
2011. Blacksburg, VA.
Crouch D, Saul KR. Dependence of elbow flexion strength on shoulder joint rigidity. International Meeting on Surgical Rehabilitation
of the Tetraplegic Upper Limb. September 20-22, 2010. Paris, France.
Daly M, Vidt ME, and Saul KR. Induced acceleration analysis of individual muscle contributions to a forward reaching task. VT-WFU
School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Graduate Symposium. May 13, 2010. Winston-Salem, NC.
Daly M, Vidt M, Holzbaur KRS. Forward dynamic simulation of an upper extremity movement using computed muscle control. 33rd
Annual Meeting for the American Society of Biomechanics. August 26-29, 2009. State College, PA.
Grants funded based, in part, on preliminary data stemming from the R24 award:
NSF General and Age-Related Disability Engineering CBET-1159544
9/01/12-8/31/15
(PI: Saul)
Upper limb kinematics and muscular compensation during activities of daily living in older adults with rotator cuff
impairment
Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America and Orthopaedic
Research and Education Foundation
7/01/13-6/30/14
(PI: Saul)
Muscular mechanisms of Osseous Deformity Progression of the Glenohumeral Joint following Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy
Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center Research Career Development Core New Investigator Award
6/01/10-5/30/13
(PI: Saul)
Supported by P30 AG021332 (PI:Kritchevsky)
Rotator cuff function and muscle morphology in older adults with rotator cuff tear
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award NIH 1F31AG040921-01A1 7/01/12-6/30/15
(Fellow: Vidt)
Muscle function and compensation following rotator cuff tear in older adults
Role: Primary Sponsor