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Anindo Roy, PhD

Academic Title:

Adjunct Associate Professor

Primary Appointment:

Neurology

Additional Title:

Director, Engineering Core, VA RR&D Maryland Exercise and Robotics Center of Excellence (MERCE)

Location:

Baltimore VAMC, Annex, 209 / 209 W Fayette St, Suite 214

Phone (Primary):

(410) 637-3241

Fax:

(410) 605-7913

Education and Training

1998   Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.), Major: Electrical Engineering, JMI University, New Delhi, India

2000   Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.), Engineering (Major: Control Systems), University of Sussex, Brighton, Sussex, UK

2005   Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Applied Science (Major: Engineering Science and Systems), Dissertation: “Robust Stabilization of Multi-Body Biomechanical Systems: A Control Theoretic Approach”, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

2006   Post-Doctoral Fellow (Neuromechanics), Georgia Institute of Technology (GeorgiaTech)/Emory University 

2009   Post-Doctoral Associate (Rehabilitation Robotics), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Biosketch

NAME: Roy, Anindo

eRA COMMONS USER NAME: ANINDOROY

POSITION TITLE: Associate Professor

EDUCATION/TRAINING

INSTITUTION AND LOCATION DEGREE (if applicable) Completion Date MM/YYYY FIELD OF STUDY
JMI University, New Delhi, India B.Tech. 1998  
University of Sussex, Brighton, UK M. Phil. 2000  
University of Arkansas at Little Rock, AR Ph.D. 2005  
Georgia Institute of Technology, GA Fellowship 2006  
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA Fellowship 2009  

A. Personal Statement.

Background: My training and research interests are in the areas of automatic control systems, rehabilitation robotics, biomechanics modeling, human-robot interaction control, and novel methodologies including robot-based and other instrumented assessments of physical and mobility function. After training under the pioneers of impedance control and rehabilitation robotics (Neville Hogan, Hermano Krebs), my work over the past 10 years has synergized these areas to address a single overarching need: develop and deploy therapeutic robotics and interactive information technologies to restore functional independence in those with mobility disabilitiesresulting from cerebrovascular disease (stroke) and other neurologic injuries, and aging. Toward this end, I have spearheaded the engineering development and clinical testing of an ankle robot exoskeleton (ABOT) for task-oriented neurorehabilitation, in stroke and other disability conditions.

Evidence Guided Technology Development: Since 2009 my research has focused on the design and testing of ABOT-assisted seated visually guided-evoked isolated ankle interventions, as well as treadmill-integrated gait training. The former has shown benefits in paretic ankle motor control and impairments leading improved overground walking, in both chronic and sub-acute stroke The latter has included clinical testing of a gait event-triggered adaptive control system that integrates ABOT into task-oriented treadmill walking exercise in chronic stroke survivors with residual hemiparetic gait deficits, such as foot drop. This technological breakthroughallows for the first time, a deficit-adjusted robotic gait therapy--one that links robotic support to specific functional deficits of hemiparetic gait in a manner that accommodates in real-time, step-to-step variability during walking thereby ensuring robust human-robot stability and patient safety. Its unique features include: customized therapy to individual gait deficit profiles, “on-the-fly” robotic tuning, calibration with recovery profiles, and performance-based/motor learning guided robotic progression, both step-by-step and across sessions, to optimize ankle neuromotor learning and maximize locomotor function. This approach has shown unprecedented benefits in chronic stroke, reversing foot drop, restoring push-off forces, and correcting heel-first landings, in just 6 weeks. This control framework is now being advanced to build and refine a clinical-data driven Artificial Intelligence (supervised machine learning) repository, the first of its kind in any brain injured population that would enable co-operative robotic training of walking, dynamic balance and real-world, diverse activities of daily living (ADL) mobility tasks in stroke. Engineering is already underway to provide clinicians/therapists, a “suite” of task- and disease-specific adaptive controllers that will provide individualized robotic prescription strategies.

Research Trajectory: Current research foci include: (1) Clinical testing of adaptive control ankle robotics for treadmill gait training (TMR) in chronic stroke and subjects with neuro-orthopedic injuries that cause foot drop, as well as investigating comparative efficacy of TMR against other therapeutic modalities such as traditional PT and TM-alone. While my prior work has focused on the effects of ABOT interventions on gait and balance biomechanics, new data suggest that individualized robotic therapies such as TMR may also positively impact cardiometabolic fitness in chronic stroke, a key aim of the proposed R01. Hence, my research has diversified to investigate longer-term (e.g. 3- or 6 months) TMR and its effects on health and mobility function beyond gait biomechanics and ankle neuromotor control (cardiometabolic/vascular, metabolic cost, muscle and molecular and epigenetic mechanisms); (2) Modifying ABOT adaptive controller to conduct training of ADLs beyond treadmill walking, include overground mobility sub-tasks such as stepping and staircase walking; (3) Development and clinical testing of a portable, low-cost ABOT to provide patients with continued ABOT therapy outside of the clinic/lab and after cessation of clinical studies; and (4) Development and testing of scalable and cost-effective telerehabilitation technologies (IVET) to disseminate proven task-oriented exercise models from point-of-care (center) into the home for those with stroke and age-related mobility deficits. This unique technology will enable translation of our protocols for safe, effective administration, and ultimately increase access, quality, and continuity of exercise rehabilitation therapies for chronic disease management.

Education and Mentorship: My direct teaching at the University of Maryland School of Medicine has entailed the development of new courses to meet the needs of students, and complement evolving research. I introduce elements from my own research into course content, such that future practitioners, scientists, and engineers are best trained for research/academic careers. My teaching approach blends lecture content with interactive, hands-on experiences for maximum engagement and impact. In order to attract the best engineering student talent for our neuro-robotics research and as part of the UM Board of Regents mission to “bridge campuses”, I teach a senior-level elective “Assistive robotics” and a graduate elective “Rehabilitation Robotics” at the University of Maryland, College Park. My formal mentoring (HP-STAR, MARC-USTAR Program, curriculum based Independent Study) has spanned across both education levels (STEM students, postdoctoral scholars, medical students) and disciplines (engineering, medicine, allied health sciences). My mentoring approach is highly “goal driven”, with emphasis on tangible outputs in the form of publications, posters, or presentations to set clear goals for mentees, while affording objective evaluation of/by the mentor. Many of my mentees are pursuing their pre- and postdoctoral careers at prestigious places (UC Irvine-Mechanical Engineering, Brown University-Computational Neuroscience, UMCP-Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Army Research Lab).

B. Positions and Employment.

2005-2006       Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA

2006-2009       Postdoctoral Associate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA

2009-2016       Assistant Professor of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

2012-pres        Chief Robotics Engineer, VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD

2016-pres        Associate Professor of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

2012-pres        Core Director, Robotics & Engineering, VA RR&D MERCE, Baltimore, MD

2014-pres        Faculty, Maryland Robotics Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD

2015-pres        Faculty, Office of Advanced Engineering Education, University of Maryland, College Park, MD

C.    Contribution to Science

Pioneering Ankle Robotics.Upper-body rehabilitation robotics emerged as a new field with the invention of impedance control (1985), but the field of lower-limb robotics remained undeveloped. My post-doctoral research (MIT, 2006-09) pioneered the design, development, and pre-clinical testing of a modular ankle robot exoskeleton (ABOT) designed to improve ankle contributions into gait and balance functions, after disabling stroke or other neurologic conditions that affect the lower extremity. ABOT is the first lower-limb exoskeleton that is impedance controlled (“assists as-needed” – the gold standard for safe, gentle human-robot interaction), modular (therapeutically isolates and targets the affected ankle, a joint critical to mobility function), and back-drivable (“gets out of the way”, as appropriate – that is, user does not perceive the robot’s end-point inertia, and does not have to learn robot dynamics). Impedance control and back-drivable hardware enables highly compliant behavior (“minimally intrusive”) to allow and encourage volitional dynamics (even for planes of movement that are unactuated), a fundamental requirement for motor learning (ML). Thus, the ABOT is a highly versatile platform to study motor learning and a training device suited for multiple therapeutic settings (seated, supine, upright). Moreover, ABOT design distributes the device mass in a manner that does not negatively alter hemiparetic gait pattern. This body of work has broken down previous technological barriers that impeded development of suitable rehabilitation robotics for lower-limb therapy. I am the co-inventor and served as the primary investigator for this research.

a.   Roy, A., Krebs, H.I., Williams, D.J., Bever, C.T., Forrester, L.W., Macko, R.M, Hogan, N. (2009). Robot-aided Neurorehabilitation: A Robot for Ankle Rehabilitation. IEEE Trans Robotics, 25:569-582.

b.   Khanna, I.,Roy, A., Rodgers, M.M., Macko, R.M., Krebs, H.I., Forrester, L.W. (2010). Effects of Unilateral Robotic Limb Loading on Gait Characteristics in Subjects with Chronic Stroke. J Neuro Engineering and Rehabilitation, 7:23.

Robotics as a Motor Learning Platform.My studies have utilized modular robotics (ABOT) for non-ambulatory (seated), isolated ankle training in subjects with hemiparetic deficits resulting from stroke. Coupling the ABOT with a novel visually evoked and visually guided task has proven to be a potent ML paradigm. Findings from multiple studies have shown that ABOT therapy even in a non-task specific context results in generalized benefits beyond the ankle, contrary to long-held model of task-specificity of training. Seated, computer-video interfaced ABOT therapy has demonstrated, in both chronic and early sub-acute phases of stroke, improved paretic ankle motor control (speed, smoothness, accuracy of ankle targeting) and reduced ankle impairments (range of motion, passive stiffness) that carry-over to gains in independent walking function evidenced by higher speeds (20%), improved spatial-temporal gait symmetry, more stable inter-limb dynamic weight transfer, as well as more stable standing balance. In this context, my work also shows that even a single, initial exposure to seated ABOT therapy session (~1 hour) leads to rapid motor adaptations in measures of paretic ankle motor control, which are retained at 48-hour retest. This paradigm has also enabled for the first time, investigation of reward integrated ABOT therapy on neurophysiologic adaptations associated with motor learning, in chronic stroke. High reward subjects exhibited faster learning in paretic ankle motor control concomitant with reduced EEG-measured contra- and frontal-parietal coherence and reduced left-temporal spectral power, suggesting that combining explicit rewards with ABOT therapy accelerates motor learning for restoring mobility. Finally, the versatility of this protocol can be gauged from its use in disease conditions beyond stroke, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Robot-aided ankle targeting show improved paretic ankle motor control measures similar to stroke, and are accompanied by changes in EEG measures of activation and networking, suggesting that this platform may be used to advance our understanding of the neuro-physiological mechanisms in motor learning-based recovery in persons with ankle motor deficits secondary to MS. This body of work provided the first-ever evidence of (a) Benefits of ABOT therapy in improving ankle function, (b) Translation of localized (ankle) to generalized whole-body functional benefits, (c) Short-term motor learning at the paretic ankle from a single bout of ABOT therapy, and (d) Reward-based effects of ABOT therapy in improving cortical dynamics. I have served as the primary and co-investigator for this research.

a.   Forrester, L.W., Roy, A., Krebs, H.I., Macko, R.F. (2011). Ankle training with a robotic device improves hemiparetic gait after a stroke. Neurorehabil Neural Rep, 25:369-377.
b.   Forrester, L.W., Roy, A., Krywonis, A., Kehs, G., Krebs, H.I., Macko, R.F. (2014). Modular ankle robotics in early sub-acute stroke: A randomized controlled pilot study, Neurorehabil Neural Rep, 28:678-687.
c.   Roy, A., Forrester, L.W., Macko, R.F. (2011). Short-term ankle motor performance with ankle robotics training in chronic hemiparetic stroke. J Rehabil Res Dev, 48:417-430.
d.   Goodman, R.N., Rietschel, J.C., Roy, A., Jung, B.C., Diaz, J., Macko, R.F., Forrester, L.W. (2014). Increased motivation during ankle robotic training enhances motor control and cortical efficiency in chronic hemiparetic stroke. J Rehabil Res Dev, 51:213-228.

Adaptive Co-Robotics for Locomotor Rehabilitation. Task-oriented robotic gait therapy has not yet shown efficacy and has been negatively viewed by the AHA/ASA, DOD, and VA. This view is not without merit – despite contemporary lower-limb exoskeletons being technologically sophisticated, their design and underlying operation have generally not been aligned with fundamental tenets of ML. Further, hemiparetic gait with ankle motor deficits such as foot drop are considered refractory to therapeutic isolation (hence, treatment), managed with devices (cane or other assistive device, ankle foot orthotics-AFO) that confer safety when worn, but do not produce recovery; instead, reinforce abnormal compensations, or learned disuse. To integrate robotics into task-oriented locomotor practice safely and effectively necessitated a completely new approach and technological breakthroughs. My research pioneered the field of adaptive co-robotics for neuro-rehabilitation, defined here as co-operative interactive learning between a patient and a robotic device. Adaptive co-robotics in TM walking exercise (TMR) can safely accommodate the heterogeneity of hemiparetic gait, dynamically shape robotic actuation with the patient’s capacity and recovery to individualize functional locomotor learning for improving and promoting safe and efficient mobility. Further, adaptive controllers can operate in different modes to meet the changing needs and deficit profiles of patients, while providing high-volume practice at varying degrees of assist in a variety of ML contexts (goal-oriented, progressive challenge, performance feedback). At the heart of adaptive ankle co-robotics is my invention of an event-triggered, gait sub-task control system that enables precise timing of robotic assistance via real-time information from bilateral micro-switches embedded inside patient’s shoes to key functional gait deficits, to prevent human-robot destabilization and ensure safety. Accordingly, the ABOT is controlled and actuated in a manner to deliver ankle torques during critical instants, each with unique functional needs (“deficit-adjusted” approach): Concentric plantar-flexor torque to enable terminal stance push-off propulsion and concentric dorsi-flexor torque to facilitate foot-floor swing clearance. Robotic assist levels are matched to entry deficit severity and systematically progressed based on performance and data-driven mathematical models, a major advancement in robotic gait therapy that now enables truly individualized robotic prescriptions to assure individualized optimality in neuromotor functional performance (e.g. maximize floor clearance for those with foot drop). Our clinical findings show that 6-week TMR reverses foot drop, restores push-off, and corrects foot landing, with durable effects at 6 weeks after cessation of training, causing 85% users to self-discard their AFOs. No therapies have durably reversed hemiparetic gait deficits and improved gait patterning to an extent as TMR, leading to unprecedented benefits in independent mobility function. I am the inventor of the adaptive co-robotics control system, robotics progression algorithms/formulae, and have served as co-investigator for the clinical study.

a.   Forrester LW, Roy A, Hafer-Macko C, Krebs HI, Macko RF. Task-Specific Ankle Robotics Gait Training After Stroke: A Randomized Pilot Study,” J NeuroEngineering & Rehabilitation, 13:51, 2016.
b.   Roy A, Forrester LW, Macko F. Methods and Apparatus For Providing Deficit-Adjusted Adaptive Robotic Assistance For Gait Training. US Patent Pending, 14/549,370.
c.   Roy, A., Krebs, H.I., Barton, J.E., Macko, R.F., Forrester, L.W. (2013). Anklebot-Assisted Locomotor Training After Stroke: A Novel Deficit-Adjusted Control Approach,” In: Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. on Robotics and Automation, 2167-2174.
d.   Roy, A., Krebs, H.I., Macko, N.R., Macko, R.F., Forrester, L.W. (2014). Facilitating Push-Off Propulsion: A Biomechanical Model for Ankle Robotics Assistance for Plantarflexion Gait Training, In: Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, 656-663.

Robotics as a Clinical Measurement Instrument.Adequate ankle stiffness is critical to control forward body momentum and for “shock absorption” during walking. Hence, an accurate estimate of ankle stiffness is important for locomotor rehabilitation, potentially providing a measure of recovery and a quantitative basis to design treatment protocols. My study was the first ever to use ankle robotics to measure passive ankle stiffness in the frontal plane (inversion-eversion) in chronic hemiparetic stroke, of significant value given that frontal-plane mechanics is important in the maintenance of balance and prevention of injury under a variety of conditions. We found that frontal-plane passive stiffness of the paretic ankle is highly anisotropic (higher in inversion and lower in eversion) and significantly higher in chronic stroke than in age-matched healthy adults of a similar cohort. I conceived this study and served as the primary investigator.

a.   Roy, A., Krebs, H.I., Patterson, S.L., Bever, C.T., Forrester, L.W., Macko, R.F., Hogan. (2011). Measurement of passive ankle stiffness in subjects with chronic hemiparesis using a novel ankle robot. Journal of Neurophysiology, 105:2132-2149.
b.   Roy, A., Krebs, H.I., Patterson, S.L., Judkins, T.N., Khanna, I., Forrester, L.W., Macko, R.F, Hogan, N. (2007). Measurement of human ankle stiffness using the anklebot. In: Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics, 356-63.
c.   Roy, A., Forrester, L.W., Macko, R.F., Krebs, H.I. (2013). Changes in passive ankle stiffness and its effects on gait function in people with chronic stroke. J Rehabil. Res Dev, 50:555-72.

Telerehabilitation Technologies:Our exercise programs have evolved to emphasize aerobic fitness and muscular endurance within the framework of movement quality practice to facilitate functional mobility and cardiovascular health for stroke survivors. This approach has been successfully used to safely and effectively progress complexity and intensity across a broad range of stroke deficit profiles. However, most of our protocols targeting adaptations in diverse outcome categories have been center-based, in part due to absence of scalable technologies, needed to safely and effectively administer home-based therapies. To remedy this, I have developed (co-inventor) a novel telerehabilitation tool (IVET) is a web/tablet-based application that “delivers” customized home exercise prescriptions emphasizing multi-segmental motor control and balance to promote long-term improvements in mobility, activities of daily life (ADLs) and fall risk. IVET is designed to improve safety, compliance, quality and sustainability of movement exercise practice in the home and delivers a high quality exercise stimulus using fewer resources in a way that is more convenient for participants. New published data show that users have high enthusiasm for IVET and are able to learn its features quickly and safely. Ongoing enhancements include integration of off-the-shelve wearables with IVET to capture physiological and movement measures.

a.   Hafer-Macko C, Naumes J, Macko RF, Roy, A. Technology Platform for Tele-Rehabilitation Implementation in Mysathenia Gravis at the Point-Of-Care. In: Proceedings of the IEEE-NIH Special Topics Conf. Health Care Innovations & Point-of-Care Technologies, 2016 (In-Press).
Macko RF, Forrester T, Francis P, Nelson G, Hafer-Macko C, Roy A. Interactive Video Exercise Tele-Rehabilitation (IVET) for Stroke Care in Jamaica. In: Proceedings of IEEE-NIH Special Topics Conf. Health Care Innovations & Point-of-Care Technologies, 2016 (In-Press).

Complete List of Published Work in MyBibliography: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/163RDNLat4V5P/bibliography/49505203/public/?sort=date&direction=ascending.

D.             Research Support

Current Research Support

1. VA RR&D Merit 1I01RX001699-01A1                               Roy (Co-PI)                                                            01/01/15 - 12/31/18

Adaptive ankle robot control system to reduce foot-drop in chronic stroke

The goal of this randomized controlled trial to compare the effectiveness of 6 weeks of treadmill aerobic exercise with and without ankle robotics as a means to improve gait and balance functions in chronic stroke.

2. VA RR&D B9215-C                                   Wittenberg (PI)                                                            01/01/11 - 12/31/17                

Center for task-oriented exercise & robotics in neurological disease

The focus of this center is to optimize functional recovery in individuals with mobility impairment due to stroke and other neurological conditions using a multi-systems approach investigating models of task-oriented exercise, robotics, and behavioral modification.

Completed Research Support

ORH N05-FY14Q1-S2-P01050                                              Macko (PI)                                                            10/01/15 - 09/30/16

Interactive Video Exercise Tele-rehabilitation (IVET)

This grant uses a “train-the-trainer” model for supervised group stroke exercise classes to develop a home Interactive Video Exercise Tele-rehabilitation (IVET) program embedded on smart devices.

ORH N05-FY15Q1-S1-P01504                                              Macko (PI)                                                            10/01/14 - 09/30/16

Exercise + MOVE for Chronic Disease Management of Rural Veterans

 Abell Foundation Award                                                                    Roy, Macko (Co-PI)                                  07/01/15 - 06/30/16

Bio-Based Software Engine for Adaptive Control of Modular Robots for Clinical Neuro-Rehabilitation

The goal of this project was to develop a portable ankle robot with a deficit adjusted control system to enable home-based ankle therapy for chronic stroke survivors.

VA RR&D Merit Pilot 1-IO1-RX000592-01                 Forrester (PI)                                                                     07/01/12 - 06/30/14

Developing a brain-machine interface for an ankle robot

This goal of this pilot project was to use non-invasive EEG to decode ankle movements performed in an ankle robot, first in a group of older nondisabled persons and then in a group of chronic stroke subjects.

VA Merit Review Pilot 1-I01-RX000351-01                      Forrester (PI)                                                              07/01/11 - 05/30/14

Ankle robotics training after stroke: effects on gait and balance

This study investigated two modalities (seated vs. treadmill) for using an impedance controlled ankle robot to improve gait and balance function among stroke survivors with chronic lower extremity hemiparesis.

Research/Clinical Keywords

Rehabilitation, Robotics, Recovery, Motor Control, Stroke, Biomechanics

Highlighted Publications

  1. Roy, A., Krebs, H.I., Williams, D.J., Bever, C.T., Forrester, L.W., Macko, R.M, Hogan, N. (2009). Robot-aided Neurorehabilitation: A Robot for Ankle Rehabilitation. IEEE Trans Robotics, 25:569-582.
  2. Roy, A., Krebs, H.I., Patterson, S.L., Bever, C.T., Forrester, L.W., Macko, R.F., Hogan. (2011). Measurement of passive ankle stiffness in subjects with chronic hemiparesis using a novel ankle robot. Journal of Neurophysiology, 105:2132-2149.
  3. Forrester LW, Roy A, Hafer-Macko C, Krebs HI, Macko RF. Task-Specific Ankle Robotics Gait Training After Stroke: A Randomized Pilot Study,” J NeuroEngineering & Rehabilitation, 13:51, 2016.
  4. Forrester, L.W., Roy, A., Krebs, H.I., Macko, R.F. (2011). Ankle training with a robotic device improves hemiparetic gait after a stroke. Neurorehabil Neural Rep, 25:369-377.

Additional Publication Citations

 

  1. Roy, A., Iqbal, K. PID stabilization of a position-controlled manipulator with wrist sensor. Proceedings of the IEEE Conference on Control Applications, 1:209-14, 2002.
  2. Iqbal, K., Roy, A. PID controller design for the human-arm robot manipulator coordination problem. Proceedings of the IEEE International Symposium on Intelligent Control, 121-24, 2002.
  3. Roy, A., Iqbal, K. Contributors to postural stabilization: a modeling-simulation study. Proceedings of the IEEE-NIST Conference on Performance Metrics, 1-6, 2003.
  4. Iqbal, K., Roy, A., Imran, M. Passive and active contributors to postural stabilization. Proceedings of the IEEE Conference on Systems, Man & Cybernetics, 5:4502-07, 2003.
  5. Roy, A., Iqbal, K. PID controller stabilization of a single-link biomechanical model with multiple delayed feedbacks. Proceedings of the IEEE Conference on Systems, Man & Cybernetics, 1:642-47, 2003.
  6. Roy, A., Iqbal, K. PID controller design for first-order-plus-dead-time model via Hermite-Biehler theorem. Proceedings of the American Control Conference, 6:5286-91, 2003.
  7. Roy, A., Iqbal, K., Atherton, D.P. On using prioritized optimization in sampled-data control systems: a new variable weight. Proceedings of the IEEE Conference on Control Applications, 1:764-69, 2003.
  8. Roy, A., Iqbal, K., Atherton, D.P. New criteria for model reduction of sampled-data control systems. Proceedings of the IEEE International Symposium on Intelligent Control, 146-51, 2003.
  9. Roy, A., Iqbal, K. PID Stabilization of a position-controlled robot manipulator acting independently or in collaboration with human arm. Journal of Arkansas Academy of Sciences, 57:131-39, 2003.
  10. Roy, A., Iqbal, K. PID stabilization of a position-controlled manipulator with wrist Sensor. Society of Manufacturing Engineers Technical Paper, 129:1-7, 2003.
  11. Roy, A., Iqbal, K. PID Stabilization of a Single-Link Biomechanical Model with Control Effort Constraints. Proceedings of the IASTED International Conference on Control Applications, 441:018, 2004.
  12. Roy, A., Iqbal, K., Atherton, D.P. Optimum tuning of PI-PD controllers for unstable sampled-data control systems. Proceedings of the Asian Control Conference, 1:478-85, 2004.
  13. Roy, A., Iqbal, K. Analytical framework for constraining the initial control effort in a biomechanical model. Proceedings of the IEEE Conference on Control Applications, 1:562-67, 2004.
  14. Iqbal, K., Roy, A. Robust stabilization in a single-link biomechanical model: a time-domain analysis. Proceedings of the IEEE Conference on Systems, Man & Cybernetics, 1:847-52, 2004.
  15. Roy, A., Iqbal, K. Analytical framework for jerk minimization in a single-link biomechanical model with feedback delays. Proceedings of the IASTED International Conference on Biomechanics, 463:017, 2004.
  16. Iqbal, K. Roy, A. Stabilizing PID controllers for an inverted pendulum-based biomechanical model with position, velocity, and force feedback. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, 126(6): 838-43, 2004.
  17. Roy, A., Iqbal, K. Synthesis of stabilizing PID controllers for biomechanical models. Proceedings of the IFAC World Congress, 16:1–6, 2005.
  18. Roy, A., Iqbal, K. Optimization of goal-oriented voluntary movements. Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Engineering in Medicine and Biology, 4998-5001, 2005.
  19. Roy, A., Iqbal, K. PID controller tuning for first-order-plus-dead-time process via Hermite-Biehler theorem. ISA Transactions, 44(3): 363-78, 2005.
  20. Iqbal, K., Roy, A. Kinematic trajectory generation in a neuromusculoskeletal model with somatosensory and vestibular feedback. Proceedings of the IFAC Symposium on Modeling Control in Biomedical Systems, 363-68, 2006.
  21. Roy, A., Krebs, H.I., Patterson, S.L., Judkins, T.N., Khanna, I., Forrester, L.W., Macko, R.F, Hogan, N. Measurement of human ankle stiffness using the anklebot. Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics, 356-63, 2007.
  22. Iqbal, K. Roy, A. A novel theoretical framework for the dynamic stability analysis, movement control, and trajectory generation of a multi-segment biomechanical model. ASME Transactions on Biomechanical Engineering, 131(1):011002, 2009.
  23. Roy, A., Krebs, H.I., Williams, D.J., Bever, C.T., Forrester, L.W., Macko, R.F, Hogan, N. Robot-aided neurorehabilitation: a robot for ankle rehabilitation. IEEE Transactions on Robotics, 25(3): 569-82, 2009.
  24. Khanna, I., Roy, A., Rodgers, M.M., Macko, R.F., Krebs, H.I., Forrester, L.W. Effects of unilateral robotic limb loading on gait characteristics in subjects with chronic stroke. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 7(23), 2010.
  25. Forrester, L.W., Roy, A., Krebs, H.I., Macko, R.F. Ankle training with a robotic device improves hemiparetic gait after a stroke. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 25(4): 369-77, 2011.
  26. Roy, A., Forrester, L.W., Macko, R.F. Short-term ankle motor performance with ankle robotics training in chronic hemiparetic stroke. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 48(4): 417-30, 2011.
  27. Roy, A., Krebs, H.I., Bever, C.T., Forrester, L.W., Macko, R.F., Hogan. Measurement of passive ankle stiffness in subjects with chronic hemiparesis using a novel ankle robot. Journal of Neurophysiology, 105(5): 2132-49, 2011.
  28. Roy, A., Krebs, H.I., Barton, J.E., Macko, R.F., Forrester, L.W. Anklebot-Assisted Locomotor Training After Stroke: A Novel Deficit-Adjusted Control Approach. Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), 2175-2182, 2013.
  29. Roy, A., Forrester, L.W., Macko, R.F., Krebs, H.I. Changes in passive ankle stiffness and its effects on gait function in people with chronic stroke. Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development, 50(4): 555-72, 2013.
  30. Forrester, L.W., Roy, A., Goodman, R.N., Rietschel, J.C., Barton, J.E., Krebs, H.I., Macko, R.F. Clinical application of a modular ankle robot for stroke rehabilitation. NeuroRehabilitation, 33(1): 85-97, 2013.
  31. Goodman, R.N., Roy, A., Rietschel, J.C., Balasubramanian, S., Forrester, L.W., C.T. Bever. Ankle Robotics Training with Concurrent Psychophysiological Monitoring in Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Report. Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Biomedical Robotics & Biomechatronics, São Paulo, Brazil, 383-397, 2014.
  32. Roy, A., Krebs, H.I., Macko, N.R., Macko, R.F., Forrester, L.W. Facilitating Push-Off Propulsion: A Biomechanical Model for Ankle Robotics Assistance for Plantarflexion Gait Training. Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Biomedical Robotics & Biomechatronics, São Paulo, Brazil, 656-663, 2014.
  33. Goodman, R.N., Rietschel, J.C., Roy, A., Jung, B.C., Diaz, J., Macko, R.F., Forrester, L.W. Increased motivation during ankle robotic training enhances motor control and cortical efficiency in chronic hemiparetic stroke. Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development, 51(2): 213-228, 2014.
  34. Forrester, L.W., Roy, A., Krywonis, A., Kehs, G., Krebs, H.I., Macko, R.F. Modular ankle robotics in early sub-acute stroke: A randomized controlled pilot study. Neurorehabilitation & Neural Repair, 28(7): 678-87, 2014.
  35. Kang, C.Y., Conroy, S.S., Roy, A., Bever, C.T. Robotic Assay of Arm Reaching Movements in Diverse Neurologic Populations: Can Movement Features Be Reliable, Disease-Specific Diagnostic Biomarkers? Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics (ICORR), Singapore, 925-930, 2015.
  36. Barton, J.E., Roy, A., Forrester, L.W., Rogers, M., Macko, R.F. A Three-Dimensional Multi-Segmental Model of Balance Maintenance During Volitional Reaching, Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, 138(1):014502, 2016.
  37. Iqbal, K., Altmayer, K.S., Roy, A. PID Controller Synthesis for Improved Dynamic Stability in a DFIG Model. Proceedings of the IEEE Indian Control Conference (ICC), Chennai, India, 2015.
  38. Forrester, L.W.*, Roy, A.*, Hafer-Macko, C., Krebs, H.I., Macko, R.F.  Task-Specific Ankle Robotics Gait Training After Stroke: A Randomized Pilot Study. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 13:51, 2016 (*Shared first authors).
  39. Hafer-Macko, C., Naumes, J., Macko, R.F. Roy, A. Interactive Video Tele-Rehabilitation (IVET): Wireless Technology for Integrative Home Care. Technology Platform for Tele-Rehabilitation Implementation in Mysathenia Gravis at the Point-Of-Care. IEEE-NIH Special Topics Conference on Health Care Innovations and Point-of-Care Technologies (HI-POTC), Cancun, Mexico, 50-53, 2016.
  40. Macko, R.F., Forrester, T., Francis, P., Nelson, G., Hafer-Macko, C., Roy, A. Interactive Video Exercise Tele-Rehabilitation (IVET) for Stroke Care in Jamaica. IEEE-NIH Special Topics Conference on Health Care Innovations and Point-of-Care Technologies (HI-POTC), Cancun, Mexico, 150-153, 2016.
  41. Iqbal, K., Roy, A. Kinematic trajectory generation in a neuromusculoskeletal model with somatosensory and vestibular feedback. In: Modelling and control in biomedical systems (including biological systems), 363-68, First Edition, Feng D.D., Zaytoon J. Editors. Elsevier, 2006. ISBN: 978-0-08-044530-4.
  42. Krebs, H.I., Roy, A., Artemiadis, P.K., Ahn, J., Hogan, N. Beyond Human or Robot Administered Treadmill Training for Stroke. In:  Neurorehabilitation Technology. First Edition, Dietz V., Rymer W.Z., & Nef T., Editors.  233-52, Springer, 2012. ISBN: 1447122763.
  43. Krebs, H.I., Michmizos, K., Susko, T., Lee, H., Roy, A., Hogan, N. Beyond Human or Robot Administered Treadmill Training for Stroke. In:  Neurorehabilitation Technology, Second Edition, David J. Reinkensmeyer, Volker Dietz, Editors. 409-433, Springer International Publishing, 2016. eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-28603-7.
  44. Roy, A., Forrester, L.W., Macko, R.F. Adaptive Control of Modular Ankle Exoskeletons in Neurologically Disabled Populations. In: Adaptive Control for Robotic Manipulators, First Edition, Dan Zhang, Bin Wei, Editors. 172-207, CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Group, 2017.

Research Interests

My training is in the areas of biomedical and mechanical engineering with research interests in rehabilitation robotics, human biomechanics, and biological control systems. My doctoral research (U. Arkansas, 2002-05) developed models to provide insight into the biomechanics and neural control of posture and voluntary movement. During my first postdoctoral fellowship at the Georgia Institute of Technology/Emory University (2005-06, Biomedical Engineering), I tested an exciting hypothesis that the brain does not control individual muscles but rather only a few functional muscle groupings, termed muscle synergies. This simple and functional partitioning has important implications for the design of neural prostheses and therapeutic interventions. My successful application of engineering methods to the study of human movement led to my second postdoctoral fellowship (2006-09, Mechanical Engineering) at MIT where I conducted research at the Newman Lab for Biomechanics & Human Rehabilitation, the birthplace of rehabilitation robotics, which focuses on helping individuals recover from neurologic injury and physical trauma. At MIT, I was trained by Drs. Neville Hogan and Hermano Igo Krebs. Professor Hogan pioneered impedance control (1984-85), the method for controlling human-robot interaction that is now widely accepted for safe and gentle interaction with frail populations. Dr. Krebs pioneered the field of rehabilitation robotics (1989-90). This mentoring left me well positioned to make my own seminal contributions as detailed in the following sections. Since receiving my faculty appointment at University of Maryland School of Medicine (2009) I have made substantive contributions to advance the field. Over the past 10 years, my work has synergized the areas of rehabilitation robotics, human biomechanics, neuroscience, neurology, physical therapy, and motor control to address a single overarching objective: to invent and clinically test lower limb therapeutic robotics aimed at enabling mobility performance beyond unaided capabilityin stroke and other neurologic conditions.

Current research foci include: (1) Clinical testing of adaptive control ankle robotics for treadmill gait training (TMR) in chronic stroke and subjects with neuro-orthopedic injuries that cause foot drop, as well as investigating comparative efficacy of TMR against other therapeutic modalities such as traditional PT and TM-alone. While my prior work has focused on the effects of ABOT interventions on gait and balance biomechanics, new data suggest that individualized robotic therapies such as TMR may also positively impact cardiometabolic fitness in chronic stroke, a key aim of the proposed R01. Hence, my research has diversified to investigate longer-term (e.g. 3- or 6 months) TMR and its effects on health and mobility function beyond gait biomechanics and ankle neuromotor control (cardiometabolic/vascular, metabolic cost, muscle and molecular and epigenetic mechanisms); (2) Modifying ABOT adaptive controller to conduct training of ADLs beyond treadmill walking, include overground mobility sub-tasks such as stepping and staircase walking; (3) Development and clinical testing of a portable, low-cost ABOT to provide patients with continued ABOT therapy outside of the clinic/lab and after cessation of clinical studies; and (4) Development and testing of scalable and cost-effective telerehabilitation technologies (IVET) to disseminate proven task-oriented exercise models from point-of-care (center) into the home for those with stroke and age-related mobility deficits. This unique technology will enable translation of our protocols for safe, effective administration, and ultimately increase access, quality, and continuity of exercise rehabilitation therapies for chronic disease management.

Grants and Contracts

Active

01/01/17 - 09/30/17      PIs: Richard F. Macko, Anindo Roy

“Portable Deficit-Adjusted Ankle Robot for Neurologically Disabled Populations” Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII)

Total Direct Costs: $115,000

 

01/01/15 - 12/31/18       PIs: Richard F. Macko, Anindo Roy

                                    “Adaptive ankle robot control system to reduce foot-drop in chronic stroke.”

VA RR&D Merit Review (1I01RX001699-01A1)

Total Direct Costs: $1,097,835

 

01/01/11 - 12/31/15       (Co-I, 62%) PI: Richard F. Macko

                                    “Task-oriented exercise & robotics in neurological disease.”

                                    VA RR&D Center of Excellence Grant (B9215-C)

                                    Total Direct Costs: $4,153,100

 

10/01/15 - 09/30/16       (Co-I, 12%) PI: Richard F. Macko

“Interactive Video Exercise Tele-rehabilitation (IVET).”

VA Office of Rural Health (ORH) (N05-FY14Q1-S2-P01050)

                                    Year 1 Direct Costs: $308,900, Year 2 Direct Costs: $309,375

 

10/01/14 - 09/30/16       (Co-I, 11%) PI: Richard F. Macko

“Exercise + MOVE for Chronic Disease Management of Rural Veterans (eMOVE).”

VA Office of Rural Health (ORH) (N05-FY15Q1-S1-P01504)

                                    Year 1 Direct Costs: $308,108, Year 2 Direct Costs: $308,077

 

07/01/12 - 06/30/14       (Co-I, 5%) PI: Larry W. Forrester (under no cost extension)

“Developing a brain-machine interface for an ankle robot.”

VA RR&D Merit Review Pilot (1-IO1-RX000592-01)

Total Direct Costs: $190,120

 

06/01/15 - 05/30/16       (Co-PI, 100%) PI: Anindo Roy, Richard F. Macko, Larry W. Forrester

“Bio-Based Software Engine for Adaptive Control of Modular Robots for Clinical Neuro-Rehabilitation,” Abell Foundation (Top Innovation Award)

Total Direct Costs: $50,000 [Funding Continues as of April 29, 2017]

In the News

  1. CNN.com, “Robotic workout for stroke sufferers”, August 15, 2005.
  2. CNN Live edition of Pioneers, May 14, 2006.
  3. Press Release, US Department of Veterans Affairs, “Veterans affairs researchers study benefits of robot for ankle rehabilitation”, June 15, 2009.
  4. TMCnet.com, “Robotics- new anklebot may help in rehabilitation of stroke survivors”, June 29, 2009.
  5. RobotXWorld™.com, “New Anklebot May Help In Rehabilitation of Stroke Survivors,” June 29, 2009.
  6. Institute of Federal Health Care, Veterans health care news, July 3, 2009.
  7. Yahoo News®, “Veterans affairs researchers study benefits of robot for ankle rehabilitation”, July 10, 2009.
  8. Stroke Connection, American Stroke Association, “New developments in rehab”, July-August, 2008.
  9. The American Veteran (episode #407), US Department of Veterans Affairs, July 2008.
  10. Advances in Aging, Gerontology Program Newsletter at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, “Study evaluates benefits of ankle robotic training in chronic stroke survivors”, 13(1): 1-3, Spring 2009.
  11. VA Research Currents, Office of RR&D, US Dept. of Veterans Affairs, “Robotic stroke rehab”, Aug, 2009.
  12. Baltimore WBFF Fox 45 News Channel Prime Time News Interview, March 2010.
  13. VA Maryland Health Care System, “Researchers Use Robotics to Help Stroke Survivors”, May 14, 2013.
  14. The Baltimore Sun, “Forward strides for stroke survivors: Ankle robots help participants retrain gait in study at the Maryland VA,” June 2, 2013.
  15. VA Office of R&D (ORD) film [YouTube], “Anklebot aids in stroke recovery,” November 14, 2013. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vMjc3ohxqw
  16. US Department of Veterans Affairs - Veterans Health Administration, “Anklebot Giving Hope to Stroke Victims,” December 19, 2013. http://www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/2013/December/Anklebot-Giving-Hope-to-Stroke-Victims.asp
  17. American Heart Association (AHA) “AHA Stroke Maryland” (“Top 15 Global Innovations of 2014”), 2014. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTFkbdJ4Xug
  18. The American Veteran, US Department of Veterans Affairs, 2014.
  19. Baltimore WMAR ABC 2 News Channel, November 2014.
    1. Abell Foundation Top Innovation Award, “Bio-Based Software Engine for Adaptive Control of Modular Robots for Clinical Neuro-Rehabilitation,” 2015. Press Release

Professional Activity

Peer-Review Activities* and Editorial Boards

*Note: number in parenthesis after each listing indicates number of papers reviewed in that year.

2004                             Reviewer, Computing, Communications and Control Technologies (1)

2004                             Reviewer, IASTED Journal of Control and Intelligent Systems (1)

2005                             Reviewer, IASTED Journal of Control and Intelligent Systems (1)

2005                             Reviewer, Journal of Experimental Psychology (1)

2005                             Reviewer, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering (7)

2005                             Reviewer, Joint IEEE and European Conference on Control and Decision (1)

2006                             Reviewer, IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (3)

2006                             Reviewer, ASME Journal of Biomechanical Engineering (1)

2006                             Reviewer, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering (1)

2006                             Reviewer, Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development (2)

2007                             Reviewer, American Control Conference (2)

2007                             Reviewer, Computers in Biology and Medicine (1)

2007                             Reviewer, IEEE International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics (3)

2007                             Reviewer, International Federation of Automatic Control World Congress (1)

2007                             Reviewer, International Journal of Adaptive Control (1)

2008                             Reviewer, Medical Engineering and Physics (1)

2010                             Reviewer, IEEE Transactions on Robotics (1)

2010                             Reviewer, Mathematical Biosciences (1)

2010                             Reviewer, Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation (3)

2011                             Reviewer, Journal of Motor Behavior (1)

2012                             Reviewer, IEEE International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (2)

2012                             Reviewer, IASTED International Conference on Robotics and Application (2)

2012                             Reviewer, IEEE Transactions on Mechatronics (1)

2013                             Reviewer, PLoS ONE (2)

2014                             Reviewer, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (1)

2014                             Reviewer, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science (1)

2014                             Reviewer, ASME Journal of Mechanisms and Robotics (1)

2014                             Reviewer, IEEE Transactions on Human-Machine Systems (1)

2014                             Reviewer, Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair (1)

2015                             Reviewer, IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (1)

2015                             Reviewer, BMC Neurology (1)

2016                             Reviewer, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation (2)

2017                             Reviewer, Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair (1)

2017                             Reviewer, IEEE International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics (ICORR) (2)

 

Professional Course Development

2016                             Graduate Course in Rehabilitation Robotics (ENPM 808J, 3 credits)

                                    Professional Master’s Program in Engineering – Robotics 

                                    Office of Advanced Engineering Education (OAEE)

                                    Maryland Robotics Center, University of Maryland, College Park

Description: This first-of-its-kind graduate course provides the theoretical knowledge of automatic control systems deployed in rehabilitation robots and insight into selection of appropriate control systems based on different robots targeting different disability conditions, provides information about the design and development considerations underlying different rehabilitation robots taking into account clinical and biomechanical needs of the targeted disabilities, introduces experimental techniques used in human movement science to enable understanding of how bioinstrumentation is used to evaluate human performance, and provides knowledge about the state of the art.

 

Profession Tutorials and Workshops

2010 “Design, control, and mechatronics perspectives on the MIT-anklebot” Workshop on Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Robotics for Upper and Lower Extremity, ASME Dynamic Systems and Controls Conference, IFAC Symposium on Mechatronic Systems, Cambridge, MA

Description: 1‐day tutorial to provide a concise yet broad‐based introduction to key topics in the field of rehabilitation and therapeutic robotics, such as basic neuroscience and rehabilitation, impairment based approaches, design and control of devices from a mechatronics perspective, and clinical implications. Target audience included researchers in the areas of dynamics systems, controls, robotics, and mechatronics not necessarily in this area of rehabilitation and therapeutic robotics.

2010 “Lower Extremity Robotics in Stroke Rehabilitation: Intervention Development and Research Directions” Scientific Updates in Exercise, Robotics, and Neuro-Rehabilitation Webcast, Baltimore, MD

Description: 1-day webcast symposium sponsored by the Geriatrics Research, Education, and Clinical Center, which attracted >100 attendees.

2011 “Research in robotics post stroke” Stroke Seminar for Health

Professions – Student Training in Aging Research (HP-STAR) Program Trainees, University of Maryland School of Medicine/Office of Student Research

2011 “Going Distal: Lower Extremity Robotics for Chronic and Acute Stroke” Workshop on Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Robotics for Upper and Lower Extremity, 33rd Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS), Boston, MA

Description: 1‐day tutorial to provide a concise yet broad‐based introduction to key topics in the field of rehabilitation and therapeutic robotics, such as basic neuroscience and rehabilitation, impairment based approaches, design and control of devices from a mechatronics perspective, and clinical implications. Target audience included researchers in the areas of dynamics systems, controls, robotics, and mechatronics not necessarily in this area of rehabilitation and therapeutic robotics.

2014 “Ankle Robotic Gait Therapy in Stroke: Some “Success” Stories Organized Workshop (“Physiology and Robotics, A Happy Marriage”), IEEE International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, São Paulo, Brazil

2014 “Robotic Gait Therapy - The Pitfalls and Success Stories: Are we finally getting it right?” Organized Workshop (“Human Robot Interaction”), IEEE International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, São Paulo, Brazil

2014  “Motor Learning and Robotic Therapy: A Happy Therapeutic Marriage” Maryland Comprehensive Stroke Conference, Baltimore, MD

Description: Contribute to the knowledge base of providers caring for the complex stroke patient in the state of Maryland. Target audience included physicians, registered nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, rehabilitation providers, paramedics and any provider caring for the stroke patient.