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CAPS Research Network members

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Who we are

Since postural control is fundamental for a healthy life, we are a group of researchers from different backgrounds, from industry to academia to clinical, who have joined together in an industry based research network to use the CAPS® (Comprehensive Assessment of Postural Systems) devices as objective measures of human postural control in order to improve the translation of research to clinical practice and everyday life activities.

Our interests vary: some of us are interested in exploring the human postural system and understanding how it works in different conditions; others are interested in finding out how certain interventions are affecting patients; while others are interested in helping athletes achieve better performance or recuperate after a debilitating injury.

What unites us is the desire to bring research and clinical applications together and bridge the gap that has always been too wide between laboratories (where most of the research is conducted) and clinics (where the research results are needed).

We want to help clinicians be more successful with their patients by providing them with research based evidence so that they can easily see that what they are doing is indeed working for their patients.

Our consistent research philosophy is to use the scientific method to devise and publish our rigorous methodologies and results to advance knowledge in the area of human postural control.

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Mission Statement

The CAPS® Research Network is providing evidence, applications, and education for the people using the CAPS® systems.

Evidence

All the research projects run through the CAPS® Research Network aim to provide evidence of how to effectively use posturography in clinical settings as outcome measures for treatments as well as to provide basic understanding of the physiological phenomena involving the postural control system. This is made possible by the robust design and metrological characteristics of the posturographic instruments used to collect data, the CAPS® systems.

Applications

The goal of the various research projects is also to help define new protocols for the use of the CAPS® systems in clinical practice. By design, research protocols are broad and exhaustive to account for a better understanding of the phenomenon in question. On the contrary, clinical protocols need to be brief and to the point to optimize both the time the clinician spends with the patient and the treatment outcome. The CAPS® Research Network is uniquely positioned for translating research protocols into clinical protocols that can be easily implemented by the practitioner in their everyday routine care.

Education

To achieve the goal of bridging the gap between laboratory and clinic, a bottom up approach is needed: the research topics must come from the clinicians and must answer the questions they face in their daily interactions with patients. Clinicians recognize their need to become directly involved in research, but also recognize their need for training and guidance. Thanks to the extensive research experience and capabilities of its core members, the CAPS® Research Network is uniquely positioned to provide clinicians with the education required to translate their daily questions into solid evidence‑based research projects. Based on their interest and capabilities, clinicians approaching the network can be involved as:

  • data collector: contributing to the advance of evidence‑based clinical practice by participating in existing research projects;
  • researcher: developing a research project from the conceptualization of the hypothesis, the development of the protocol, the IRB approval, the data acquisition and analysis, to the publication process.

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Research Projects

Over years of research using the CAPS® systems as outcome measures, we realized that we needed to focus more on applied clinical research. Thus the CAPS® Research Network has been created as a Practice Based Reseach Network (PBRN) to bring together academic researchers, industry and clinicians.

Our theoretical research has been, and continues to be, directed to characterizing the metrological characteristics of the CAPS® systems and how they compare to other devices available on the market, as well as in identifying new testing protocols, for example to evaluate the psychophysical condition of individuals performing at‑risk activities (fitness for duty).

Our past applied research has focused on:

  • validating the theoretical Limit of Stability in elite basketball players;
  • characterizing the Sit‑to‑Stand results obtained with computerized posturography;
  • using posturographic results to investigate the effect of tone‑based therapy, vestibular rotational rehabilitation, and music listening/therapy (clinicalTrials.gov Registration #s: NCT00304564; NCT00121693; NCT01188161; NCT00368511);
  • using posturography for fall risk assessment (clinicalTrials.gov Registration #s: NCT00272272; NCT00719082);
  • determining the variability of posturographic data between subjects, both in the time and the frequency domains;
  • using posturography to assess how people perform Tai‑Chi, play golf or practice gymnastics (clinicalTrials.gov Registration #: NCT00374569).

Our current applied research involves using posturography:

  • for evaluating treatment efficacy and/or helping a clinician determine the best therapy for a given subject;
  • for performance enhancements of athletes in various disciplines;
  • for concussion sideline identification, management and return to play decisions;
  • for identifying and objectively quantifying falls risk in subjects in different physiological and pathological conditions;
  • for determining how everyday activities such as eye movements affect balance in healthy subjects and patients affected by different pathologies (clinicalTrials.gov Registration #: NCT02733055);
  • for determining balance changes during pregnancy (clinicalTrials.gov Registration #: NCT03067116);
  • for investigating the use of balance as a screening tool for Central Sensitization (clinicalTrials.gov Registration #: NCT03058003).

Our future research will continue to expand these research projects, as well as explore new clinical applications where the CAPS® systems can provide objective measures of physiological function, whether in sports, clinical or military applications.

As projects develop and are concluded, we will publish their results and update this page.

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Published Papers

This is the list of papers that have been published by the CAPS® Research Network members and use the CAPS® systems as objective outcome measures.

2021

V. M. Pedro, R. Lyon, E. Oggero, "USING NECK DISABILITY INDEX, NUMERICAL PAIN RATING SCALE AND COMPUTERIZED DYNAMIC POSTUROGRAPHY TO ASSESS CORTICAL INTEGRATIVE THERAPY IN PRACTICE BASED CLINICAL RESEARCH", Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 2021, Vol. 57(1), pp. 18-30.

V. M. Pedro, E. Oggero, "CORTICAL INTEGRATIVE THERAPY EFFECTIVENESS IN THE TREATMENT OF VERTIGO/BALANCE ISSUES", Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 2021, Vol. 57(1), pp. 31-43.

V. M. Pedro, E. Oggero, "COMORBIDITY CHARACTERISTICS OF ADULT PATIENTS WITH REPORTED NECK AND LOW BACK COMPLAINTS - AN OUTPATIENT CLINICAL POPULATION-BASED COHORT STUDY", Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 2021, Vol. 57(2), pp. 159-67.

N. C. Lim, V. M. Pedro, E. Oggero, "CORTICAL INTEGRATIVE THERAPY FOR THE TREATMENT OF MIGRAINES AND HEADACHES", Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 2021, Vol. 57(2), pp. 168-76.

V. M. Pedro, N.C. Lim, E. Oggero, "CORTICAL INTEGRATIVE THERAPY EFFECTIVENESS IN THE TREATMENT OF POST-CONCUSSION SYNDROME AND MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY", Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 2021, Vol. 57(2), pp. 191-8.

2020

F. R. Carrick, G. Pagnacco, M. Hunfalvay, S. Azzolino, E. Oggero, "Head Position and Posturography: A Novel Biomarker to Identify Concussion Sufferers" Brain Sciences 2020, 10, 1003; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33348759/.

T. M. Bennett, E. S. Brockie, J. A. Larsen, J. M. Nakamoto, M. J. McPhaul, E. Oggero, "Reference values of physiological parameters in children and adolescents – Methodological feasibility", Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 2020, Vol. 56(2), pp. 171-6.

2019

F.R. Carrick, A. Hankir, R. Zaman, C.H.G. Wright, "Metrological performance of instruments used in clinical evaluation of balance", Psychiatria Danubina, 2019; Vol. 31, Suppl. 3, pp 324–330.

M. Wilson, J. Deckert, J. Russell, B. Dai, Q. Zhu, G. Pagnacco, E. Oggero, "Computerized dynamic posturography for assessment of fatigue and concussion-related balance deficits in dancers", presented at the 29th Annual Conference of the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science, October 24-27, 2019, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

2018

F.R. Carrick, G. Pagnacco, A. Hankir, M. Abdulrahman, R. Zaman, E.R. Kalambaheti, D.A. Barton, P.E. Link and E. Oggero, "The Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder With Auditory Neurofeedback: A Randomized Placebo Controlled Trial Using the Mente Autism Device", Frontiers in Neurology, 2018, Vol. 9, Art. 537, https://doi:10.3389/fneur.2018.00537.

2017

P. Noone, G. Pagnacco, F.R. Carrick, N. Keiser, C.H.G. Wright, G.N. Waite, E. Oggero, "Using posturography in a practice‑based setting to investigate the effect of saccades in healthy subjects", Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 2017, Vol. 53, pp. 37‑42.

D.C. Paulus, G. Pagnacco, E. Oggero, "Using posturography to assess the effect of handgun recoil", Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 2017, Vol. 53, pp. 68‑73.

J.H. Cox III, W.X. Balcavage, M. Panta, R.W. Geib, E. Oggero, G.N. Waite, "Heart rate variability during sitting, standing, and treadmill exercise: a case study", Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 2017, Vol. 53, pp. 171‑8.

G. Pagnacco, P. Noone, E. Oggero, "Prospective study of some physical performance measures in young athletes", Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 2017, Vol. 53, pp. 212‑7.

C.C. Keiser, N.D. Keiser, G. Pagnacco, E. Oggero, "Repeated evaluations of fall risk and posturographic changes during pregnancy and post‑partum: a feasibility study", Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 2017, Vol. 53, pp. 269‑75.

2016

S. Gibbs, G. Pagnacco, E. Oggero, "Validity of the theoretical Limit of Stability in athletes ‑ Preliminary investigation", Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 2016, Vol. 52, pp. 10‑16.

2015

A. Rahmatullah, M. Panta, R.W. Geib, G.N. Waite, G. Pagnacco, E. Oggero, "Posturographic characteristics of computerized Sit‑to‑Stand tests: preliminary results", Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 2015, Vol. 51, pp. 64‑70.

G. Pagnacco, A.S. Klotzek, F.R. Carrick, C.H.G. Wright, E. Oggero, "Effect of tone‑based sound stimulation on balance performance of normal subjects: preliminary investigation", Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 2015, Vol. 51, pp. 56‑63.

G. Pagnacco, F.R Carrick, C.H.G. Wright, E. Oggero, "Between‑subjects differences of within‑subject variability in repeated balance measures: consequences on the Minimum Detectable Change", Gait & Posture, 2015, Vol. 41, pp. 136‑140, https://doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2014.09.016

2014

R.W. Geib, H. Li, G.N. Waite, G. Pagnacco, E. Oggero, B.L. Roberts, "Using posturography to measure balance control during seated Tai Chi", Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 2014, Vol. 50, pp. 235‑41.

G. Pagnacco, F.R. Carrick, C.H.G. Wright, E. Oggero, "In‑situ verification of accuracy, precision and resolution of force and balance platforms", Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 2014, Vol. 50, pp. 171‑8.

2013

F.R. Carrick, G. Pagnacco, E. Oggero, S.E. Esposito, J.L. Duffy, D. Burton, M. Antonucci, J. Shores, D.M. Stephens, "The effects of Off Vertical Axis and Multiplanar Vestibular Rotational Stimulation on Balance Stability and Limits of Stability", Functional Neurology, Rehabilitation, and Ergonomics, 2013, Vol. 3 No. 2‑3, pp. 341‑360.

R.W. Geib, B.L. Roberts, H. Li, G. Waite, G. Pagnacco, E. Oggero, "Using posturography to assess expertise among Tai Chi practitioners", Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 2013, Vol. 49, pp. 195‑200.

E. Oggero, F.R. Carrick, G. Pagnacco, "Frequency content of standard posturographic measures", Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 2013, Vol. 49, pp. 48‑53.

2012

G. Pagnacco, F.R. Carrick, P.B. Pascolo, R. Rossi, E. Oggero, "Learning effect of standing on foam during posturographic testing ‑ Preliminary findings", Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 2012, Vol. 48, pp. 332‑9.

E. Oggero, R. Rossi, P.B. Pascolo, G. Pagnacco, "A novel methodology to evaluate the psychophysical condition of individuals performing at‑risk activities", Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 2012, Vol. 48, pp. 316‑23.

2011

K.R. Holt, P.L. Noone, K. Short, C.R. Elley, H. Haavik, "Fall risk profile and quality‑of‑life status of older chiropractic patients", Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 2011, Vol. 34, No. 2, pp. 78‑87, https://doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2010.12.010.

R. Donatelli, K. Carp, G. Pagnacco, J. Adams, "Original research: Skill level and balance in golf", Lower Extremity Review, July 2011.

F.R. Carrick, G. Pagnacco, E. Oggero, S. Sullivan, D. Barton, S. Esposito, G. Leisman. R. Melillo, "The effects of whole body rotations in the pitch and yaw planes on postural stability", Functional Neurology, Rehabilitation, and Ergonomics, 2011, Vol. 1 No. 2, pp. 167‑179.

R.W. Geib, H. Li, E. Oggero, G. Pagnacco, P. Lam, M. Moga, G. Waite, "Using Computerized Posturography to Explore the Connection Between BMI and Postural Stability in Long‑Term Tai Chi Practitioners", Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 2011, Vol. 47, pp. 288‑293.

G. Pagnacco, E. Oggero, C.H.G. Wright, "Biomedical instruments versus toys: a preliminary comparison of force platforms and the Nintendo Wii Balance Board", Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 2011, Vol. 47, pp. 12‑17.

2008

G. Pagnacco, E. Oggero, F.R. Carrick, "Repeatability of posturographic measures of the mCTSIB static balance tests ‑ a preliminary investigation", Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 2008, Vol. 44, pp. 41‑46.

2007

F.R. Carrick, E. Oggero, G. Pagnacco, "Posturographic changes associated with music listening", Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2007, Vol. 13, Issue 5, pp. 519‑26, https://doi:10.1089/acm.2007.7020.

F.R. Carrick, E. Oggero, G. Pagnacco, J.B. Brock, T. Arikan, "Posturographic testing and motor learning predictability in gymnasts", Disability and Rehabilitation, 2007, Vol. 29, Issue 24, pp. 1881‑9, Epub 2007 Feb 9, https://doi:10.1080/09638280601141335.

2006

F.R. Carrick, E. Oggero, G. Pagnacco, "Balance impairment and music therapy: posturographic changes associated with the Nolwenn effect", 6th Mediterranean Congress of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Europa Medicophysica, Mediterranean Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Vol. 42, Issue 3, Suppl. 1, Sept. 2006; pp.82‑83.

F.R. Carrick, E. Oggero, G. Pagnacco, J.B. Brock, T. Arikan, "Posturographic testing and motor learning predictability in gymnasts", 6th Mediterranean Congress of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Europa Medicophysica, Mediterranean Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Vol. 42, Issue 3, Suppl. 1, Sept. 2006; pp.80‑82.

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