Faculty Directory

Education

• B.E. Electrical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing
• M.S. Biomedical Eng., Vanderbilt University
• Ph.D. Biomedical Eng., Vanderbilt University
• Research Associate, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

Research interests include conducting diagnosis, passive and active movement training, and outcome evaluations of sensorimotor impairments in stroke survivors and children with cerebral palsy using custom rehabilitation protocols and intelligent rehabilitation devices, investigation of reflex and nonreflex factors contributing to movement impairments and spasticity at the multi-joint, single-joint, and muscle fascicle and tendon levels, investigation of musculoskeletal injury mechanisms, compensatory mechanisms post injury, and rehabilitation and prevention of injuries. Furthermore, strong effort is made to translate research from lab to new rehabilitation protocols to improve treatment of injuries/impairments in clinical practice. He has published more than 130 peer-reviewed journal articles.

http://pt.umaryland.edu/Research/Neuromechanics-Laboratory/ 

Project Description 1: Multi-Joint/DOFs Diagnosis and Treatment of Neurologically Impaired Arms

This project provides a robot-aided diagnosis and passive-active arm motor and sensory rehabilitation post stroke. The objectives are threefold: (1) quantify the progression of neuromechanical properties throughout the upper extremity during recovery from stroke, (2) address allocation of therapy resources between the arm and hand, and (3) examine the benefits of combining passive stretching with active movement training.  It captures the timeline for the advent of specific complications such as spasticity in the different joints and the extent to which they change over time and provides a guide for treatment. It investigates and assesses rehabilitation paradigms for targeting the multiple joints in the arm and/or the multiple fingers of the hand. Passive stretching and its interactions with active movement therapy are investigated. The multi-joint IntelliArm rehabilitation robot is capable of controlling and measuring the shoulder, elbow and wrist simultaneously in order to carry out multi-joint sensorimotor characterizations, forceful stretching, and robot-guided active movement training. The hand rehabilitation robot actuates each digit, allowing for stretching and movement assistance customized for each subject. Subacute stroke survivors participate in a blinded, controlled longitudinal intervention trial. Outcome evaluations in stroke survivors capture changes both in clinical measures of upper extremity performance and in neuromechanical properties. The study seeks to provide important data for deciding how best to devote limited resources to therapy. 

Project 2: Rehabilitation of Lower Limb Injuries or neurological disorders through Novel Offaxis Stepping Training

Although primary knee motions occur in knee flexion/extension, traumatic knee injuries and knee osteoarthritis (OA) are mostly caused by excessive off-axis loadings (frontal plane knee abduction/adduction and/or axial plane tibial rotation loadings). Similarly, the development and progression of knee injuries/OA are associated with excessive off-axis loadings. There has been a lack of rehabilitation protocols and devices to diagnose specific off-axis loadings associated with knee injuries/OA, followed by rehabilitation training of off-axis neuromuscular control and reducing excessive off-axis joint loads in clinical practice. We develop multi-axis stepping training and evaluation system and conduct offaxis neuromuscular rehabilitation training, which assesses multi-axis sensorimotor impairments, provides subject-specific real-time feedback on controlling excessive off-axis knee joint loads, and guides patients to improve off-axis sensory-motor performance during functional stepping movements. 

Macroscale Biomechanics

• Baghi, R., W. Yin, S. J. Lee, G. Oppizzi, Z. Li, P. D. Bowman, R. F. Henn and L.-Q. Zhang (2026). "Effects of Subject-Specific Robot-Guided Off-axis Stepping Training in Individuals with Medial Knee Osteoarthritis." IEEE Trans Neur Syst Rehab Eng: in press.
• Yin, W., G. Oppizzi, R. Baghi, M. Z. Huang, K. Koh and L.-Q. Zhang (2026). "Combining Cognitive and Sensorimotor Assessments to Facilitate Detection of Age-Related Cognitive Decline." IEEE Trans Neur Syst Rehab Eng: in press.
• Yun, X., K. Koh, J. Yu, Y. Ren and L.-Q. Zhang (2026). "AI-Facilitated Assessment of Cognitive Status based on Oculomotor Metrics." ENGINEERING Health & Rehabilitation Engineering: in press.
• Li, Z., R. Baghi and L.-Q. Zhang (2026). "Off-axis biomechanical alterations and related interventions in medial knee osteoarthritis: a mini review." Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences Volume 7 - 2026, 10.3389/fresc.2026.1759442.
• Lanza, M. B., S. Salehpour, O. Addison, L.-Q. Zhang, A. S. Ryan, J. M. Werner, M. Peña, A. Kim and V. L. Gray (2026). "A pilot study on aging-related effects on step performance: The role of muscle quality, size, and strength." Scientific Reports, 10.1038/s41598-026-57916-1.
• Koh, K., G. Oppizzi, R. Baghi, G. J. Kehs and L.-Q. Zhang (2025). "Loss of Joint Individuation and Abnormal Synergy Post Stroke in Upper Limb Movements." Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair 39(9): 715-727, 10.1177/15459683251340914.
• Baghi, R., W. Yin, S. Badhyal, A. Ramadan, G. Oppizzi, Z. Li, P. Bowman, F. Henn and L.-Q. Zhang (2025). "Determining the individual relationship between the step width and peak knee adduction moment during stepping in medial knee osteoarthritis." Clinical Biomechanics 128: 106619, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2025.106619.
• Li, Z., R. Baghi, G. Oppizzi, P. Bowman, F. Henn and L. Q. Zhang (2025). "Quantitative Assessment of Knee Pain and Proprioception in Tibial Rotation in Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis." J Orthop Res 43(10): 1748-1756, 10.1002/jor.70022.
• Baghi, R., Yin, W., Ramadan, A., Badhyal, S., Oppizzi, G., Xu, D., Bowman, P., Henn, F., and Zhang, L.-Q., 2025. Determining Individualized Foot Progression Angle for Reduction of Knee Medial Compartment Loading during Stepping. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 57, 33-43. doi: 10.1249/mss.0000000000003531
• Wang CY, Sadrieh FK, Shen YT, Oppizzi G, Zhang LQ, Tao Y. EgoFall: Real-Time Privacy-Preserving Fall Risk Assessment With a Single On-Body Tracking Camera. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng. 2025;33:2238-2250. doi: 10.1109/TNSRE.2025.3577550. PubMed PMID: 40478720.
• Lanza, M. B., R. Baghi, N. Frakes, S. Lateef, L. T. C. Martins, L.-Q. Zhang and V. L. Gray (2025). "Differences in muscle morphology assessed by ultrasound at various muscle regions and their impact on voluntary and involuntary force production." Scientific Reports 15(1): 9247, 10.1038/s41598-025-94158-z.
• Alabsi, R., Subramanya, T., Livesey, M. G., Kolakowski, L. C., Badhyal, S., Aroom, K., Zhang, L.-Q., Wang, M. O., and Gilotra, M. N., 2025. A Dual-Cup Reverse Shoulder Replacement Improves Impingement-Free Motion. Seminars in Arthroplasty: JSES. doi: https://doi.org/10.1053/j.sart.2024.12.004
• Xu, D., Kang, S. H., Lee, S. J., Oppizzi, G., and Zhang, L. Q., 2024. Multi-joint Assessment of Proprioception Impairments Poststroke. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 105, 480-486.
• Baghi, R., Alon, G., Oppizzi, G., Badhyal, S., Bowman, P., and Zhang, L. Q., 2024. Functional Electrical Stimulation of the Lateral Knee Muscles Can Reduce Peak Knee Adduction Moment during Stepping: A Pilot Study. Bioengineering (Basel). 11. doi: 10.3390/bioengineering11090881
• Cunningham, D. J., Lawrence, J. E., Kovvur, M., Turner, K. E., Oppizzi, G., Xu, D., Zhang, L.-Q., Johnson, D. J., Mittwede, P., Sepehri, A., Brand, J., O'Toole, R. V., and Gage, M. J., 2024. Are extra locking bolts or fibular plating more important in extreme nailing of distal tibia fractures? A cadaveric biomechanical analysis. Injury. 111540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2024.111540
• Lateef S, Addison O, Zhang LQ, Gray V, Lanza MB. Exploring discrepancies in muscle analysis with ImageJ: understanding the impact of tool selection on echo intensity and muscle area measurements. J Ultrasound. 2024 Dec;27(4):973-977. doi: 10.1007/s40477-024-00934-4. Epub 2024 Jul 26. PubMed PMID: 39060718; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC11496482.
• Koh, K., Oppizzi, G., Kehs, G., and Zhang, L.-Q., 2023. Abnormal coordination of upper extremity during target reaching in persons post stroke. Scientific Reports. 13, 12838. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-39684-4
• Schneiderman, B. A., Oppizzi, G., Gupta, J., Burke, C. E., Munn, M., Wilkinson, B., Zhang, L.-Q., Jaeblon, T., O’Toole, R. V., and Sciadini, M., 2023. The Biomechanical Effects of Intramedullary Fixation to the Level of the Physeal Scar on Distal Tibia Fracture Stability. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Online ahead of print. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-23-00590
• Zhang, T., Wahl, A., Schneider, M., Xu, D., Hahn, A., Meredith, S. J., Packer, J. D., Leong, N. L., Zhang, L.-Q., R. Frank Henn III, and Jauregui, J. J., 2023b. Biomechanical Comparison of Four- vs Six-Strand Transosseous Suture Repair for Patellar Tendon Rupture. Journal of Knee Surgery. 2023 Apr 6. Online ahead of print. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-1766094
• Lee, Y., Gaebler-Spira, D., and Zhang, L.-Q., 2023. Robotic Ankle Training Improves Sensorimotor Functions of the Ankle in Children with Cerebral Palsy – A Pilot Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine - Clinical Rehabilitation. 12, 1-10. doi: 10.3390/jcm12041475
• Huang, M. Z., Rogers, M. W., Pizac, D., Gruber-Baldini, A. L., Orwig, D., Hochberg, M. C., Beamer, B. A., Creath, R. A., Savin, D. N., Conroy, V. M., Mangione, K. K., Craik, R., Zhang, L.-Q., and Magaziner, J., 2023. Effect of Multicomponent Home-Based Training on Gait and Muscle Strength in Older Adults After Hip Fracture Surgery: A Single Site Randomized Trial. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 104, 169-178.
• Korivand, S., Zhu, X., Jalili, N., Koh, K., Zhang, L.-Q., and Gong, J., 2023. Toward personalized rehabilitation employing classification, localization, and visualization of brain–arm movement relationships. Smart Health. 28, 100397. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smhl.2023.100397
• Oppizzi, G., Xu, D., Patel, T., Diaz, J. J., and Zhang, L. Q., 2023. Open reduction internal fixation of rib fractures: a biomechanical comparison between the RibLoc U Plus(®) system and anterior plate in rib implants. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 49, 383-391.
• Baghi, R., Kim, D., Koh, K., and Zhang, L.-Q., 2023. Characterization of the influence of the dominant tract on hand closing post stroke based on the Fugl-Meyer score. Scientific Reports. 13, 2611.
• Li, X., C. Huang, Z. Lu, I. Wang, C. S. Klein, L. Zhang and P. Zhou (2022). "Distribution of innervation zone and muscle fiber conduction velocity in the biceps brachii muscle." Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 63: Page 1-17, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2022.102637.
• Zhang, C., M. Z. Huang, G. J. Kehs, R. G. Braun, J. W. Cole and L.-Q. Zhang (2021). "Intensive In-bed Sensorimotor Rehabilitation of Acute Stroke Survivors with Severe Hemiplegia Using a Wearable Ankle Robot." IEEE Trans Neur Syst Rehab Eng 29: 2252-2259.
• Rao, S., M. Huang, S. G. Chung and L.-Q. Zhang (2021). "Effect of Stretching of Spastic Elbow Under Intelligent Control in Chronic Stroke Survivors—A Pilot Study." Frontiers in Neurology 12(2226), 10.3389/fneur.2021.742260.
• Zhai, X., Q. Wu, X. Li, Q. Xu, Y. Zhang, S. Fan, L.-Q. Zhang and Y. Pan (2021). "Effects of Robot-Aided Rehabilitation on the Ankle Joint Properties and Balance Function in Stroke Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial." Frontiers in Neurology 12(1781): 1-13.
• Huang, M. Z., Y.-S. Yoon, J. Yang, C.-Y. Yang and L.-Q. Zhang (2021). "In-Bed Sensorimotor Rehabilitation in Early and Late Subacute Stroke Using a Wearable Elbow Robot: A Pilot Study." Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 15(228): 1-11.
• Shannon, S. F., Oppizzi, G., Schloss, M. G., Atchison, J., Nascone, J., Sciadini, M., Zhang, L.-Q., O’Toole, R. V., and Jaeblon, T., 2021. Do Fully Threaded Transiliac-Transsacral Screws Improve Mechanical Stability of Vertically Unstable Pelvic Fractures? A Cadaveric Biomechanical Analysis. J Orthop Trauma. 35, e18-e24. doi: 10.1097/bot.0000000000001857
• Lee, S. J., Y. Ren, A. H.-I. Chang, J. M. Press, M. C. Hochberg and L.-Q. Zhang (2020). "Plane Dependent Subject-Specific Neuromuscular Training for Knee Rehabilitation." IEEE Trans Neur Syst Rehab Eng 28(8): 1876-1883. Doi: 10.1109/TNSRE.2020.3005119
• Tsai, L.-C., Wu, Y.-N., Liu, S. Q., and Zhang, L.-Q., 2020. Changes in Muscle Stress and Sarcomere Adaptation in Mice Following Ischemic Stroke. Frontiers in Physiology. 11. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2020.581846
• Xu, D., Y.-N. Wu, D. Gaebler-Spira, F. Gao, N. J. Clegg, M. R. Delgado and L.-Q. Zhang (2020). "Neural and non-neural contributions to ankle spasticity in children with cerebral palsy." Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology 62(9): 1040-1046. doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.14506
• Johnson, A. J., S. Desai, C. Zhang, K. Koh, L.-Q. Zhang, T. Costales, R. V. I. O’Toole and T. T. Manson (2020). "A Calcar Collar Is Protective Against Early Torsional/Spiral Periprosthetic Femoral Fracture: A Paired Cadaveric Biomechanical Analysis." JBJS 102(16): 1427-1433. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.19.01125
• Riedel, M. D., Oppizzi, G., O'Hara, N. N., Zhang, C., Koh, K., Slobogean, G. P., Zhang, L.-Q., and O'Toole, R. V., 2020. Biomechanical comparison of distal femoral fracture fixation: Analysis of non-locked, locked, and far-cortical locked constructs. Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 38, 2573–2579. doi: 10.1002/jor.24756
• Hahn, A., N. N. O'Hara, K. Koh, L. Q. Zhang, R. V. O'Toole and W. Andrew Eglseder (2020). "Is intramedullary screw fixation biomechanically superior to locking plate fixation and/or tension band wiring in transverse olecranon fractures? A cadaveric biomechanical comparison study." Injury 51(4): 850-855.
• Kim, D., Koh, K., Cho, G.-R., and Zhang, L.-Q., 2020. A Robust Impedance Controller Design for Series Elastic Actuators using the Singular Perturbation Theory. IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics. 25, 164-174.
• Liu, J., Ren, Y., Xu, D., Kang, S. H., and Zhang, L.-Q., 2020. EMG-Based Real-Time Linear-Nonlinear Cascade Regression Decoding of Shoulder, Elbow and Wrist Movements in Able-Bodied Persons and Stroke Survivors. IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering. 67, 1272-1281. DOI: 10.1109/TBME.2019.2935182.