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Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Medicine
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium, 1978

Master of Science in Neurophysiology and Rehabilitation Medicine
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium, 1980

Doctor of Philosophy in Neurophysiology
Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, 1992

Research in this lab is focused on understanding discoordination of the upper limb after stroke, in learning the involvement of brain plasticity in recovery, and in developing novel neurotherapeutic training programs to enhance motor control of the upper limb even years after a stroke.
Using multi-channel EMG and a 6 degree-of-freedom load cell, we can quantify discoordination in the impaired arm and begin to investigate the mechanisms underlying this reduction in muscle and torque combinations between the elbow and shoulder joints. One main objective is in understanding the relationship between the reduction in movement capabilities and brain reorganization. Determination of the nature of reorganization of motor cortices during controlled mechanical experiments in hemiparetic stroke subjects is expected to answer fundamental questions regarding brain plasticity and its effects on motor recovery.
Additional research interests involve the development of novel neurotherapeutic training programs using quantitative computer driven feedback that seek to improve the ability to produce necessary muscle and torque combinations for reaching and retrieval motions with the impaired arm. I am also planning some future work on pharmacological interventions that seek to alter spinal interneuronal bias. Abnormal interneuronal excitability is believed to be the source of altered spinal reflex activity following brain lesions and may very well be an important contributor to movement discoordination.

2001 Nominated ‘Profesor Extraordinario’ de la Universidad San Sebastian, Concepcion, Chile, for excellence in combining rehabilitation sciences with quantitative biomedical engineering techniques.

2000 RIC Women’s Board Award Direct Cost (DC) $25,000

1997 RIC Women’s Board Award (DC) $35,000

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles (selected)

-- Sukal TM, Ellis MD, Dewald JPA. Shoulder Abduction-Induced Reductions in Reaching Work Area Following Hemiparetic Stroke: Neuroscientific Implications. Exp Brain Res.

-- Beer RF, Ellis MD, Holubar BG, Dewald JP. Impact of gravity loading on post-stroke reaching and its relationship to weakness. Muscle Nerve. 2007 Aug;36(2):242-50.

-- Krainak DM, Parrish TB, Dewald JP. A method to capture six-degrees-of-freedom mechanical measurements of isometric shoulder and elbow torques during event-related fMRI. J Neurosci Methods. 2007 Apr 15;161(2):314-22.

-- Ellis MD, Acosta AM, Yao J, Dewald JP. Position-dependent torque coupling and associated muscle activation in the hemiparetic upper extremity. Exp Brain Res. 2007 Feb;176(4):594-602.

-- Yao J, Acosta AM, Dewald J. A biomechanics-based method for the quantification of muscle selectivity in a musculoskeletal system. J Biomech. 2006;39(8):1527-30. Epub 2005 Jun 15.

-- Ellis, M., Holubar, B., Acosta, A., Beer, R., & Dewald, J. Modifiability of Abnormal Isometric Elbow and Shoulder Joint Torque Coupling After Stroke. Muscle & Nerve. 2005 Aug;32(2): 170-8.

-- Keller T, Ellis MD, Dewald JP. Overcoming abnormal joint torque patterns in paretic upper extremities using triceps stimulation. Artif Organs. 2005 Mar; 29(3):229-32.

-- Deng J, Yao J, and Dewald J. Classification of the intention to generate a shoulder versus elbow torque by means of a time-frequency synthesized spatial patterns BCI algorithm. J Neural Eng. 2005 Dec;2(4):131-8. Epub 2005 Oct 25.

-- Yao J, Dewald J. Evaluation of different cortical source localization methods using simulated and experimental EEG data. Neuroimage. 2005 Apr 1;25(2):369-82.

-- Lowery MM, Stoykov NS, Dewald JPA, and Kuiken TA. Volume conduction in an anatomically-based surface EMG model. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 51(12): 2138-47, 2004

-- Beer RF, Dewald JP, Dawson ML, Rymer WZ. Target-dependent differences between free and constrained arm movements in chronic hemiparesis. Exp Brain Res. 2004 Jun;156(4):458-70.

-- Ricamato AL, Dhaher YY, Dewald JP. Estimation of active cortical current source regions using a vector representation scanning approach. J Clin Neurophysiol. 2003 Sep-Oct;20(5):326-44.

-- Koo TK, Mak AF, Hung L, Dewald JP. Joint position dependence of weakness during maximum isometric voluntary contractions in subjects with hemiparesis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2003 Sep;84(9):1380-6.

-- Burgess PR, Jones LF, Buhler CF, Dewald JP, Zhang LQ, Rymer WZ. Muscular torque generation during imposed joint rotation: torque-angle relationships when subjects' only goal is to make a constant effort. Somatosens Mot Res. 2002;19(4):327-40.

-- Dewald, JPA, Beer, RF. Abnormal joint torque patterns in the paretic upper limb of subjects with hemiparesis. Muscle & Nerve 24 (2): 273-283, 2001.

-- Dewald, JPA, Sheshadri, V, Dawson, ML, Beer, RF. Upper limb discoordination in hemiparetic stroke: Implications for neurorehabilitation. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation 8(1) 1-12, 2001.

-- Beer RF, Dewald JPA and Rymer WZ. Deficits in the coordination of multijoint arm movements in hemiparetic subjects. Evidence for disturbed control of limb dynamics. Experimental Brain Research 131 (3): 305-319, 2000.

-- Schmit BD, Dewald JP, Rymer WZ. Stretch reflex adaptation in elbow flexors during repeated passive movements in unilateral brain-injured patients. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2000. Mar;81(3):269-78.

-- Dewald, JPA, Beer, RF, Given JD, McGuire, J.R., and Rymer, WZ. Reorganization of flexion reflexes in the upper extremity of hemiparetic subjects. Muscle Nerve. 1999 Sep;22(9):1209-21.

-- Beer, R.F, Dewald, J.P.A, Rymer, WZ. Disturbances of Voluntary Movement in Stroke: Problems of Planning or Execution? Progress in Brain Research 123: 455-60, 1999.

-- Beer, RF, Given, JD, Dewald, JPA. Task-dependent weakness at the elbow in patients with hemiparesis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1999 Jul;80(7):766-72.

-- Schmit BD, Dhaher Y, Dewald JP, Rymer WZ. Reflex torque response to movement of the spastic elbow: theoretical analyses and implications for quantification of spasticity. Ann Biomed Eng. 1999 Nov-Dec;27(6):815-29.

-- Reinkensmeyer DJ, Dewald JP, Rymer WZ. Guidance-based quantification of arm impairment following brain injury: a pilot study. IEEE Trans Rehabil Eng. 1999 Mar;7(1):1-11.

-- Reinkensmeyer DJ, Dewald JPA, and Rymer WZ. Robotic devices for physical rehabilitation of stroke patients: fundamental requirements, target therapeutic techniques, and preliminary work, Technology and Disability. 5: 205-215, 1996.

-- Dewald JP, Given JD, Rymer WZ. Long-lasting reductions of spasticity induced by skin electrical stimulation. IEEE Trans Rehabil Eng. 1996 Dec;4(4):231-42. Review.

-- Given JD, Dewald JP, Rymer WZ. Joint dependent passive stiffness in paretic and contralateral limbs of spastic patients with hemiparetic stroke. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1995 Sep;59(3):271-9.

-- Dewald JP, Pope PS, Given JD, Buchanan TS, Rymer WZ. Abnormal muscle coactivation patterns during isometric torque generation at the elbow and shoulder in hemiparetic subjects. Brain. 1995 Apr;118 ( Pt 2):495-510.

-- Dewald JPA and Given JD. Electrical Stimulation and Spasticity Reduction: Fact or Fiction. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation: State of the Art Reviews. 8: 507-522, 1994.

-- Buchanan TS, Moniz MJ, Dewald JP, Zev Rymer W. Estimation of muscle forces about the wrist joint during isometric tasks using an EMG coefficient method. J Biomech. 1993 Apr-May;26(4-5):547-60.

-- Leduc A, Lievens P, and Dewald JPA. The influence of multidirectional vibrations on wound healing and on regeneration of blood- and lymph vessels. Lymphology 14(4): 179-85, 1981.

Book Chapters

-- Katz RT, Dewald JPA, and Schmit BD. Spasticity. In: Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 2nd edition, edited by Braddon RL. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company, 2000.

-- Rymer WZ, Dewald JPA, Given JD, and Beer RF. Abnormal synergies in hemiparetic stroke: origins and implications for movement control. In: Progress in Motor Control: Bernstein's Traditions in Movement Studies, edited by Latash ML. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 1998.

-- Dewald JPA and Rymer WZ. Factors underlying posture and movement in spastic hemiparesis. In: Spasticity: mechanisms and measurement, edited by Thilman A, Burke D, and Rymer WZ. Stuttgart-New York: Springer Verlag. p. 123-138, 1993.

-- Dewald JPA. Sensorimotor neurophysiology and the basis for neurofacilitation therapeutic techniques. In: Stroke rehabilitation, edited by Brandstater ME and Basmajian JV. Baltimore-London-Los Angeles-Sydney: Williams & Wilkins, p. 109-182, 1987.