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Alma Merians, Ph.D., PT

Alma Merians, Ph.D., PT
Professor
Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences
Program: Physical Therapy (DPT)
Administrative Title: Associate Dean
Phone: (973) 972-7820
Email: merians@rutgers.edu
Office location:
65 Bergen Street
Stanley S Bergen, Room 718A
Newark, NJ 07107

About

Alma Merians received her degree in Physical Therapy from Columbia University and did graduate studies at New York University, receiving a Ph.D. in Pathokinesiology. She is Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences.
Her areas of teaching include motor control, motor learning and scientific inquiry. Her research focus developed as a result of her clinical physical therapy practice with pediatric and adult clients with neurological deficits. She studies basic mechanisms underlying neuromuscular control of human movement and sensorimotor learning and utilizes technology-assisted rehabilitation to re-train people with neurological diseases like stroke or cerebral palsy.
She and her collaborators at NJIT have developed robotics and virtual reality gaming simulations to be used in the rehabilitation of hand and arm function after stroke. They completed a 4 year RO1 grant from NIH to test this type of intervention in patients in the chronic phase post-stroke and have recently been funded to run a clinical study to further test the system in the acute phase post-stroke.

Education

B.S., Columbia University
Ph.D., PT, New York University

Professional Achievements

Best Paper at ICDVRAT Conference in Vina del Mar, Chile 2010
Best Paper at IEEE/ICME Proceedings International Conference on Complex Medical Engineering, Beijing, China 2007
Outstanding Service Award -New Jersey American Physical Therapy Association, 1995
Foundation of UMDNJ Excellence in Teaching Award, 1987

Research

The main focus of my work is to study basic mechanisms underlying neuromuscular control of human movement and sensorimotor learning and to utilize technology-assisted rehabilitation to re-train people with neurological diseases like stroke or cerebral palsy.
We were one of the pioneering groups to use interactive, adaptive robotics and virtual reality simulations for hand training in people with hemiplegia post-stroke. We have developed a library of 16 simulations that integrate adaptive, haptic robotics with complex, immersive three-dimensional externally paced gaming activities that use adaptive algorithms, activity scaling, haptic and visual effects to accommodat¬¬e to the wide range of impairments seen post-stroke and target specific skill re-acquisition.
Description of Current Projects
We are currently recruiting subjects for two projects. 1. Hand and upper arm rehabilitation in the acute phase post-stroke using interactive virtual environments 2. Home-based therapy for the upper extremity post-stroke using interactive virtual reality simulations.
Current Projects: We are currently recruiting subjects for two projects. 1. Hand and upper arm rehabilitation in the acute phase post-stroke using interactive virtual environments 2. Home-based therapy for the upper extremity post-stroke using interactive virtual reality simulations.

Title
Sponsor
Effective Dates
Role
Optimizing Hand Rehabilitation Post-Stroke Using Interactive Virtual Environments
Rutgers University, NJIT, Kessler Rehabilitation, Northeastern University
09/01/2017-5/31/2022
 PI
Optimizing Hand Rehabilitation Post-Stroke Using Interactive Virtual Environments
NIH
03/05/2013 – 02/28/2014
 Co-Investigator
Virtual reality rehabilitation of hand use after stroke. The major goal of this project was to investigate how post- stroke patients reach to and grasp real-world objects with their hemiplegic hand before and after virtual reality rehabilitation training.
NIH
3/2009 – 2/2013
 Co-Investigator
The Role of Feedback for Enhancing Motor Skill Learning in Geriatric Neurologically Impaired Populations
University of Medicine and Dentistry Foundation
1992
 PI
DDSA-N.J. Division of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities
Special Child Health Services Grant, N.J. Dept. of Health
1980 – 1981 & 1981 – 1982
 PI

Publications

Title Authors Where and When
Participant Adherence to a Video Game-Based Tele-rehabilitation Program: A Mixed-Methods Case Series
Fluet GG, Qiu Q, Cronce A, Sia E, Blessing K, Patel J, Merians A, Wohn DY, Adamovich S
Virtual Reality in Health and Rehabilitation. 1st edition.; 2021. Chapter 13; p.169-181.
Virtual Rehabilitation of the Paretic Hand and Arm in Persons With Stroke: Translation From Laboratory to Rehabilitation Centers and the Patient’s Home
Fluet G, Qiu Q, Patel J, Mont A, Cronce A, Yarossi M, Merians A, Adamovich S
Front Neurol. 2021;12:623261. eCollection
Virtual Rehabilitation of the Paretic Hand and Arm in Persons With Stroke: Translation From Laboratory to Rehabilitation Centers and the Patient’s Home.
Fluet G, Qiu Q, Patel J, Mont A, Cronce A, Yarossi M, Merians A, Adamovich S.
Front Neurol. 2021;12:62326
Development of the Home based Virtual Rehabilitation System (HoVRS) to remotely deliver an intense and customized upper extremity training.
Qiu Q, Cronce A, Patel J, Fluet GG, Mont AJ, Merians AS, Adamovich SV
Neuroeng Rehabil. 2020 Nov 23;17(1):155
Hand Focused Upper Extremity Rehabilitation in the Subacute Phase Post-stroke Using Interactive Virtual Environments
Merians AS, Fluet GG, Qiu Q, Yarossi M, Patel J, Mont AJ, Saleh S, Nolan KJ, Barrett AM, Tunik E, Adamovich SV
Front Neurol. 2020;11:573642
Autonomous use of the Home Virtual Rehabilitation System (HoVRS): a feasibility and pilot study
Fluet GG, Qiu Q, Cronce, A, Patel J, Adamovich S, Merians A.
Games Health J. 2019 Dec;8(6):432-438
Intensive virtual reality and robotic based upper limb training compared to usual care, and associated cortical reorganization, in the acute and early sub-acute periods post-stroke: a feasibility study
Patel J, Fluet G, Qiu Q, Yarossi M, Merians A, Tunik E, Adamovich S
. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2019 Jul 17;16(1):92
The Association Between Reorganization of Bilateral M1 Topography and Function in Response to Early and Intensive Hand Focused Upper Limb Rehabilitation on Ipsilesional Corticospinal Tract Integrity
Yarossi, M and Patel, J, Qiu, Q, Massood, S, Fluet, G, Merians, A, Adamovich, S and Tunik, E.
Front Neurol, 10:258, Mar 2019
Neural Patterns of Reorganization after Intensive Robot-Assisted Virtual Reality Therapy and Repetitive Task Practice in Patients with Chronic Stroke.
Saleh S, Fluet GG, Qiu Q, Merians A, Adamovich SV, Tunik E.
Front.Neuro, 04 2017
Motor skill changes and neurophysiologic adaptation to recovery-oriented virtual rehabilitation of hand function in a person with subacute stroke: a case study
Fluet G, Patel J, Merians A, Qiu Q, Yarossi M, Adamovich S, Tunik E, Massood S.
Disability and Rehabilitation. 2017; 39 (15):1524-1531
Virtual reality-augmented rehabilitation in the acute phase post-stroke for individuals with flaccid upper extremities: A feasibility study
Patel J, , Merians A, Qiu Q, Yarossi M, Adamovich S, Tunik E, Massood S, Fluet G.
Disability and Rehabilitation. 2017; 39(15):1515-1523
Does training with traditionally presented and virtually simulated tasks elicit differing changes in object interaction kinematics in persons with upper extremity hemiparesis?
Fluet G, Merians A, Qiu Q; Rohafaza M, VanWingerden A, Adamovich S
Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation; 2015, 22(3);176-84
Comparing integrated training of the hand and arm with isolated training of the same effectors in persons with stroke using haptically rendered virtual environments, a randomized clinical trial
Fluet G, Merians AS, Qiu, Q, Davidow A, Adamovich SV
J Neuroeng Rehab, 2014, 11(1):126
Virtual reality-augmented rehabilitation for patient in sub-acute phase post-stroke: a feasibility study
G G Fluet, A Merians, J Patel, A Van Wingerden, Q Qiu, M Yarossi, E Tunik, S Adamovich, S Massood
In Sharkey, P., Pareto, L., Broeren, J. and Rydmark, M., eds. (2014) Proceedings 10th International Conference on Disability, Virtual Reality and Associated Technologies (ICDVRAT) 2014. University of Reading, Reading, UK, pp480. ISBN 0704915467
Customized motor training for a person with upper extremity hemiparesis, using robots integrated with virtual reality simulations; a case report
Fluet G.G., Qiu, Q., Merians A.S., Saleh S., Lafond I., Ruano V, Delmonico A.R., Adamovich S.V.
JNPT 2012;36:79-86
Customized motor training for a person with upper extremity hemiparesis, using robots integrated with virtual reality simulations; a case report
Fluet G.G., Qiu, Q., Merians A.S., Saleh S., Lafond I., Ruano V, Delmonico A.R., Adamovich S.V.
Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy 13:335-345, 2012
Rehabilitation Applications using Virtual Reality for Persons with Residual Impairments following Stroke. In Virtual Reality Technologies for Health and Clinical Applications
Merians AS & Fluet G
(Series editor: P. Sharkey): Vol. 1: Applying Virtual Reality Technologies to Motor Rehabilitation, P.L. Weiss, E.A. Keshner, M.F. Levin (Eds), Springer, 2013
Customized motor training for a person with upper extremity hemiparesis, using robots integrated with virtual reality simulations; a case report
Fluet G.G., Qiu, Q., Merians A.S., Saleh S., Lafond I., Ruano V, Delmonico A.R., Adamovich S.V.
Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy 13:335-345, 2012
Robotically Facilitated Virtual Rehabilitation of Arm Transport Integrated With Finger Movement in Persons with Hemiparesis
Merians AS, Fluet GG, Qiu Q, Saleh S, Lafond I, Davidowm A, Adamovich SV
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation 2011, 8:27 (16 May 2011)

Title Authors Where and When
Learning in a virtual Eevironment using haptic systems for movement re-education: can this medium be used for remodeling other behaviors and actions
Merians AS, Fluet GG, Qui Q, Saleh S, LaFond I. Davidow A, Adamovich SV
J Diabetes and Science Technology, 2011, 5(2)
Robotically facilitated virtual rehabilitation of arm transport integrated with finger movement in persons with hemiplegia
Merians AS, Fluet GG, Qui Q, Saleh S, LaFond I. Davidow A, Adamovich SV
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation 2011, 8:27 (16 May 2011)
A Virtual Reality-Based System Integrated with fMRI to Study Neural Mechanisms Underlying Rehabilitation: A Proof of Concept Study
Adamovich S, August K, Merians A and Tunik E
Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience 2009;27(3):209-23
Sensorimotor training in virtual reality: a review
Adamovich SV, Fluet GG, Tunik E, Merians AS
NeuroRehabilitation. 2009;25(1):29-44.PMCID:PMC2819065
Virtual Reality to maximize function for hand and arm rehabilitation: Exploration of neural mechanisms
Merians A, Tunik E, Sergei V. Adamovich
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics 145, 2009
Innovative Approaches to Rehabilitation of Upper Extremity Hemiparesis Using Virtual Environments
Merians AS, Tunik E, Fluet G, Qui Q, Adamovich S
Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2009;45;123-33
Semsorimotor Training in a Virtual Reality Environment: Does it Improve Functional Recovery Post-Stroke?
Merians AS, Poizner HP, Boian R, Burdea G, Adamovich SV.
Neural Rehabilitation Neural Repair. Vol. 20 (2): (2006 )
Incorporating Haptic Effects Into Three-Dimensional Virtual Environments To Train The Hemiparetic Upper Extremity
Adamovich, S, Fluet G, Merians AS, Mathai A, Qinyin Q
IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng. 2009 Oct;17(5):512-20. Epub 2009 Aug 7. PMC
Coordination changes demonstrated by subjects with hemiparesis performing hand-arm training using the NJIT-RAVR robotically assisted virtual rehabilitation system
Qiu Q, Fluet GG, Lafond I, Merians AS, Adamovich SV
Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2009;1:11436. PMCID:PMC2819135
“Recovery of Hand Function in Virtual Reality: Training Hemiparetic Hand and Arm Together or Separately,”
S. Adamovich, G. G. Fluet, A. S. Merians, A. Mathai, and Q. Qiu
in Proc. 28th EMBC Annu. Int. Conf. Eng. Medicine Biol. Soc., Vancouver, Canada, August 2008, 3475-3478
Strategies for Incorporating Bilateral Training into a Virtual Environment
Merians AS, Lewis J, Qinyin Q, Fluet, G, Talati B and Adamovich S
IEEE/ICME Proceedings International Conference on Complex Medical Engineering, May, 2007, Beijing, China
Design of a Virtual Reality-Based System For Hand and Arm Rehabilitation
Adamovich S., Qinyin Q, Talati B. Fluet G and Merians AS
Proceedings IEEE International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics, Netherlands 2007
fMRI Analysis of Neural Mechanisms Underlying Rehabilitation in Virtual Reality: Activating Secondary Motor Areas
August K, Lewis JA, Chandar G, Merians A, Biswal B, Adamovich S.
Proceedings, IEEE EMBS, August 2006, p. 285.
Design of an fMRI Compatible System to Explore Neural Mechanisms Subserving VR Therapies
Jeffrey A. Lewis, K. August, Alma Merians, Bharat Biswal, Sergei Adamovich
Proceedings of IWVR 2006, August 2006
A virtual reality (VR)-based exercise system for hand rehabilitation after stroke Presence
Adamovich S. V., Merians AS., Boian R., Tremaine M., Burdea G. C., Recce M. and Poizner H
2005;14;161-174
An Innovative Approach to the Rehabilitation of Hand Function Post-Stroke
Adamovich S.V., Merians A.S., Boian R, Burdea G.S., Poizner H
Proceedings of the 17th Annual International Conference on Technological Innovations in Disability, Garches Institute, B. Bussel, editor, Paris, France, 2004, pp. 252-262
(2004) Development and Application of Virtual Reality Technology to Improve Hand Use and Gait of Individuals Post-Stroke
Deutsch, JE. Merians, AS. Adamovich, H. Poizner, and G. Burdea
Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, Special issue on motor system plasticity, recovery and rehabilitation, Vol. 22(3-5), pp. 341-386
A Virtual Reality (VR)-based exercise system for hand rehabilitation after stroke
Adamovich S. V., Merians AS., Boian R., Tremaine M., Burdea G. C., Recce M. and Poizner H
Proc. 2nd Int. Workshop on Virtual Rehabilitation, Piscataway, NJ, 2003
Virtual Reality-Augmented Rehabilitation for Patients Post Stroke: Three Case Studies
Merians AS, Jack D., Boian R., Tremaine M., Burdea G.C Adamovich S., Recce M., and Poizner, H
Physical Therapy 2002, 82:898-915
2002 Haptics and Virtual Reality Used to Increase Strength and Improve Function in Chronic Patients Post-stroke: Two Case Reports
Deutsch JE, Merians AS, Burdea G, Boian R, Adamovich S. Poinzer H
Neurology Report 2002;26:2:78-85
2002 Haptics and Virtual Reality Used to Increase Strength and Improve Function in Chronic Patients Post-stroke: Two Case Reports
Deutsch JE, Merians AS, Burdea G, Boian R, Adamovich S. Poinzer H
Neurology Report 2002;26:2:78-85
2002 Haptics and Virtual Reality Used to Increase Strength and Improve Function in Chronic Patients Post-stroke: Two Case Reports
Deutsch JE, Merians AS, Burdea G, Boian R, Adamovich S. Poinzer H
Neurology Report 2002;26:2:78-85
Virtual Reality-Based Post Stroke Rehabilitation
Boian R., Sharma A., Han C., Merians A., Burdea G., Adamovich S., Recce M., Tremaine M., and Poizner H.
Proceedings of Medicine Meets Virtual Reality Conference 2002 Conference, Newport Beach, CA. January 23-26 2002 IOS Press, 64-70
Virtual Reality-Based Stroke Rehabilitation
Jack D., Boian R., Merians A., Tremaine M., Burdea G.C., Senior Member,IEEE, Adamovich S., Recce M. and Poizner H
IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 9, (308-318) 2001
A Virtual Reality-Based Exercise Program For Stroke Rehabilitation
Jack D., Boian R., Merians A., Adamovich S.,Tremaine M., Recce M., Burdea G.C. and Poizner H
ASSETS 2000: Fourth ACM SIGCAPH Conference on Assistive Technologies, Arlington Virginia, November, 2000
Motor Learning after Unilateral Brain Damage
Winstein C J, Merians A S, Sullivan K J
Neuropsychologia (1999) 37, 975-987
Virtual reality to maximize function for hand and arm rehabilitation: exploration of neural mechanisms
Merians A., Tunik E and. Adamovich S
Innovations in Rehabilitation Technology; Israel
Technological Applications to the Study of Limb Apraxia in Apraxia
Poizner H, Merians A, Clark M A, Rothi L, Heilman K
Rothi L & Heilman K eds. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. (1997)
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