The Mission

The mission of the Motor Rehabilitation and Learning (MRL) Lab (PI: Sydney Schaefer, PhD) at Arizona State University is to conduct human research on the aging brain that will be applied directly to clinical physical rehabilitative practice. We have a number of ongoing studies within the MRL Lab, as well as several community-based efforts. Please check out our full website for more details.

The Lab

We are part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering in Biological and Health Systems Engineering at Arizona State University. Want to learn more about the MRL Lab? Please email us at motorlab@asu.edu or call us at 480-965-3150. See map to the right to find us on campus.

Our lab houses a wide range of equipment for studying human movement control: a 15-sensor electro-magnetic tracking system for motion capture (MotionMonitor, Innovative Sports) interfaced with a virtual reality environment, clinical motor assessments (grip dynamometer, pegboard, tactile monofilaments), and standardized neuropsychological assessments for quantifying cognitive variables. We are also adjacent to other neurorehabilitative tools, including multi-camera Vicon systems for motion capture, split-belt instrumented treadmills, Bertec 3-D force platforms, multi-channel telemetric electromyographic (EMG)and pressure pad modules combined with motion analysis software, in-house systems for measuring and modulating brain activity such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroencephalography (EEG).  

The Impact

Research within the MRL Lab focuses on how the human nervous system learns new motor skills, and relearns existing ones during motor recovery following neural damage. Findings from this research are currently providing much-needed evidence to support and optimize the design of targeted rehabilitative training for older adults across a range of age-related physical disabilities. 

Physical Education Building East (PEBE)
ASU Tempe Campus
Just east of the bookstore