Kenton R. Kaufman, Ph.D.

The research of Kenton R. Kaufman, Ph.D., and his colleagues is focused on human locomotion. They evaluate and develop mobility aids, seek ways to improve health and performance through exercise, and work on the development of new techniques to improve patient care.

Focus areas

Current research is aimed at:

• Improving the rehabilitation of Wounded Warriors
• Developing advanced prosthetics and orthotics
• Improving wheelchair mobility
• Designing and developing a pressure microsensor that will measure muscle force in vivo
• Developing methods for field-based monitoring of human movement

Significance to patient care

In addition to the patient care focus of Dr. Kaufman's research, time is also devoted to direct patient care. The aims of the clinical program are to understand the influence of altered neuromuscular function on movement, provide recommendations for clinical treatment and perform outcome evaluations.

Health professionals treating patients with neuromusculoskeletal disorders evaluate and treat the patient based on information gained from visual observation, physical examination, manual muscle testing, and testing that is often done in a stationary position (e.g., X-ray, CT, MRI). However, these tests do not tell how a person is functioning.

In contrast, Dr. Kaufman and his team objectively measure dynamic functional impairments. This quantitative information can then be used as a basis for recommendation of a therapeutic intervention.

Professional highlights

• W. Hall Wendel, Jr., Musculoskeletal Research Professor, Mayo Clinic, 2007-present
• Co-Director, Biomechanics and Motion Analysis Laboratory, Mayo Clinic