Spasticity & Motor Control

Spasticity and impaired motor control are among the most common and disabling consequences of neurologic injury and disease, affecting individuals with spinal cord injury, stroke, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and other upper motor neuron disorders. At the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at UTHealth, our research is dedicated to advancing the understanding, assessment, and treatment of disordered motor control across the continuum of neurologic recovery.

Leveraging a uniquely integrated clinical and research environment, including close collaboration with TIRR Memorial Hermann, one of the nation’s leading rehabilitation hospitals, we study spasticity and motor dysfunction from the acute injury phase through chronic care. Our work spans mechanistic investigations of neuromuscular and sensorimotor dysfunction, development and validation of clinically meaningful outcome measures, and evaluation of targeted interventions to improve voluntary movement, functional independence, and quality of life.

Ongoing research efforts include pharmacologic and interventional management of spasticity, rehabilitation-based strategies to optimize motor recovery, and innovative neuromodulation approaches designed to enhance neuroplasticity and motor learning. We also focus on identifying early predictors of maladaptive motor patterns and spasticity development, with the goal of informing preventive and precision-based treatment strategies.

Through interdisciplinary collaboration with engineers, therapists, and basic scientists, UTHealth PM&R investigators are committed to translating advances in motor control science into practical, patient-centered solutions. Our ultimate mission is to improve movement, function, and participation for individuals living with neurologic conditions by transforming how spasticity and motor impairment are understood and treated.