Dr Amir Mohagheghi
Senior Lecturer in Biomechanics

Research area(s)

StartReact for the rehabilitation of arm movement in stroke survivors: Our team has found evidence supporting the use of StartReact—a phenomenon referring to the early initiation of prepared or pre-programmed movements (possibly) through neural pathways other than the corticospinal tract—in the rehabilitation of arm movements in stroke survivors. We have demonstrated that the inflexible coordination patterns between arm segments can be disrupted, leading to increased variability of movement coordination and improved movement accuracy when reaching for an object in this population.

In vivo examination of muscle and tendon architecture and mechanical properties: Muscle and tendon architectural and biomechanical properties can affect function. These characteristics are changed in clinical populations with neurological disorders (e.g. stroke, cerebral palsy). Dr Mohagheghi’s interest is focused on the effect of neurological disorders and efficacy of different therapeutic interventions on muscle and tendon properties and functional abilities. He has been a contributing author to the development of the UK national guideline for “Splinting for the prevention and correction of contractures in adults with neurological dysfunction” published 2015. 

Movement disorders and musculoskeletal injuries: many neurological and musculoskeletal disorders affect walking, balance, arm movement and coordination between limbs. In stroke survivors, we examine the effect of experimentation in a StartReact context on the recovery of arm movements. In patients with Parkinson's Disease, our focus is on improving balance instability using vestibular stimualtion.