We are a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN):
Translational Research Network in Motor Disorder Rehabilitation: Advancing understanding of variability in motor control and learning, to enhance clinical practice (TReND)
Our mission
The theoretical understanding of human motor control and learning has a strong impact on the diagnosis and treatment of motor disorders, and vice versa. Recent progress has been made in the understanding of motor control and learning, particularly with respect to understanding the functional role of neuro-behavioural variability that is inherent to sensorimotor control. However, this progress has not yet been transferred appropriately into clinical therapy approaches. The goal of TReND is thus, to create a translational research network in the rehabilitation of motor disorders. The network is highly interdisciplinary with doctoral and senior researchers from fundamental research areas (movement science, neuroscience, computer science), clinical practitioners (physical therapy, occupational therapy, rehabilitation sciences, etc.) and partners from related industries. The overall aim is to systematically translate recent theoretical and methodological advances in motor control and learning research into clinical practice to enhance clinical diagnosis and motor rehabilitation. More specifically, we will investigate the functional role of variability in the sensorimotor coordination dynamics at the behavioural and neurophysiological levels in motor and mental disorders such as stroke, Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease. This will be addressed by three research objectives:
Our research objectives
- To investigate how different disorders affect the sensorimotor systems’ capability to exploit functional variability for stable and adaptive motor control
- To investigate how novel therapy concepts can enhance the capacity to exploit functional variability and treat motor disorders across different patient populations
- To develop novel approaches to translate the knowledge gain from our fundamental research into clinical practice.
Our innovation objectives
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To develop and evaluate clinical tools for the assessment and diagnosis of functional movement variability
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To compose guidelines and recommendations for restoring functional variability
Our doctoral candidates (DCs)
Through our training program, we develop the skills of our early career researchers to perform seminal research in the field of neuromotor control and learning and to translate their research results into practice to innovate the clinical sector.
Twelve doctoral candidates are part of the TReND doctoral network. Each DC works on a different aspect of the above mentioned mission and objectives by working within their individual research project.