Laboratory for Advanced Rehabilitation Research in Simulation

Join a study

LARRS is currently seeking volunteers for several research projects. Learn more

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Clinical Services

Through the Driving and Mobility Clinic, the team provides services to the community.

Staff provide clinical driving evaluations for patients with visual, cognitive, and behavioral conditions who seek medical clearance to drive. Request a driving evaluation.

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Vision

The Laboratory for Advanced Rehabilitation Research in Simulation (LARRS) commits to lead the field of rehabilitation science through state-of-the-art research and translation of research findings to improved health practices.

Mission

The research team aspires to be one of the front-line laboratories in the United States known widely for excellence in research and rehabilitation using different simulation technologies. For this purpose, an intertwined research and clinical program has been established focusing on mobility in neurological conditions.

The lab's research program is centered on two key areas: (1) the use of virtual reality (VR) technology to evaluate and train mobility deficits in neurological conditions, and (2) the use of physiological measures to explain underlying mobility deficits in virtual reality conditions.

The lab is specialized in VR technology such as driving simulation, VR treadmill, and VR headsets, and in physiological measures collected via eye tracking and electro-encephalogram. The clinical program, housed in the Driving and Mobility Service clinic of the School of Health Professions, renders evidence-based clinical services related to fitness-to-drive in medical conditions. The clinic offers four main services: (1) fitness-to-drive evaluations, (2) advice on car modifications, (3) driving simulator training, and (4) advice on transportation alternatives.

The lab's goals align well with the core research lines of the KU Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science: rehabilitation and health promotion in people with pain or neurological conditions.

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Research Collaboration

LARRS team members are currently engaged in projects with top researchers at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Presently, work is underway with the Shelley Bhattacharya, D.O., MPH, FAAFP, William Brooks, Ph.D., Jeffrey Burns, M.D., M.S., Kathleen Gustafson, Ph.D., Sharon Lynch, M.D., Kelly Lyons, Ph.D., Jonathan Mahnken, Ph.D., Jamie Myers, Ph.D., Rajesh Pahwa, M.D., and Catherine Siengsukon, Ph.D., PT.

At the national level, LARRS team members are collaborating with Jacob Sosnoff, Ph.D. (University of Illinois), and Julianne Schmidt, Ph.D. (University of Georgia). Continued long-term international collaborations include the French Institute of Science and Technology for Transport, Development, and Networks (Maud Ranchet, Ph.D.), and the University of Osaka (Jason Orlosky, Ph.D.).

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LARRS Team Members
Hannes Devos, Ph.D., DRS Director	Abiodun Akinwuntan, Ph.D., MPH, MBA Co-Director
Shelley Bhattacharya, D.O., MPH Affiliate Faculty	Linda D'Silva, Ph.D., PT Affiliate Faculty
Chun-Kai Huang, Ph.D. Affiliate faculty	Jamie Myers, Ph.D., RN Affiliate Faculty
Laurie Steen, OTR/L, CEAS I Driving Evaluations	John Estes, MPT Research Manager
Pedram Ahmadnezhad, M.S., PT Graduate Research Assistant	Maryam Sadeghi Graduate Research Assistant
Students
Alexis Bieker (DPT student) Christopher Denton (MD student) Jordan Eberhardy (DPT student) Rob Gibson (MD student)	Erin Holtmeier (DPT student) Kari Hughes (BSBIO student) Payton Lancaster (MD student) Courtney Moore (DPT student)