Hands-on workshops or interactive activities will allow students to understand the basic principles of the technologies, plan clinical interventions and experiments and use the devices and tools in real applications.

Students will complete two tracks of workshops (one in the early afternoon and one during the late afternoon) on June 9 (Monday), June 10 (Tuesday), and June 12 (Thursday), based on selected preference and workshop availability. The content of each workshop will span all three days, so it is necessary to attend the three days to make the most of the workshop.

May 22, 2025: Workshop assignments have been posted!
Track A, Early Afternoon (14:00-16:00): WS1 (Rompeolas II), WS5 (Gondomar), WS6 (Rompeolas I), and WS7 (Monterreal/plenary hall)
Track B, Late Afternoon (16:15-18:15): WS2 (Moneterreal/plenary hall), WS3 (Gondomar), and WS4 (Rompeolas II)

July 7, 2025: SSNR2025 has now concluded, so we have closed the SSNR2024 Workshop Pre-Work page.

WS1 – Synergy-based multichannel functional electrical stimulation (FES) in gait rehabilitation
This workshop will introduce the application of multichannel functional electrical stimulation (FES) for gait rehabilitation. Students will learn how muscle synergy quantification can be used to drive FES and assess rehabilitation outcomes. The workshop will also introduce methods for designing a personalized synergy-based FES strategy. Through hands-on activities, Students will record and process electromyography (EMG) signals, compute muscle synergies, and reconstruct activation profiles targeting specific muscle synergies. They will also gain practical experience applying synergy-based FES using advanced devices provided by the organizers. Additionally, the workshop will provide clinical perspectives on the use of synergy-based FES, including its potential and challenges for improving gait rehabilitation in individuals with neurological disorders.
Hosted by: The Chinese University of Hong Kong: Prof. Vincent Cheung, Xiaoyu Guo; Politecnico di Milano: Prof. Emilia Ambrosini; Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (SRAlab) – Dr. José L. Pons’ lab: Jackson Levine, Xin Yu
Contributions by: Dr. R. J. Cotton, Dr. BJ Fregly
Techniques involved: FES, EMG, muscle synergies

WS1 Day 1: Muscle Synergies During Gait
(Hosted by The Chinese University of Hong Kong)
– What are muscle synergies?
– Identification of synergies from EMGs
– Hands-on recording EMG during gait and synergy extraction
– Different factorization algorithms for synergy extraction

WS1 Day 2: Muscle Synergies as a Biomarker of Impairment
(Hosted by The Chinese University of Hong Kong)
– Pathological muscle synergy in diseases
– Hands-on: Comparison of Day 1 collected synergies to sample data
– Synergy merging and fractionation
– Clinical perspectives of muscle synergies as a biomarker and their clinical relevance: Dr. R. James Cotton

WS1 Day 3: Muscle Synergies as a Driver of Personalized Precision Rehabilitation
(Hosted by Dr. Emilia Ambrosini)
– Introduction of FES and neuromodulation
– Hands-on calibration of stimulation profiles
– Programming FES stimulation profiles into the software
– Computational Design of Personalized Synergy-based FES Protocols using the Neuromusculoskeletal Modeling Pipeline: Dr. BJ Fregly

WS2 – Neuromusculoskeletal Modeling Pipeline Training Workshop
This hands-on workshop will introduce the Neuromusculoskeletal Modeling (NMSM) Pipeline (https://nmsm.rice.edu), which is open source Matlab-based software that adds Model Personalization and Treatment Optimization toolsets to the OpenSim musculoskeletal modeling software. Attendees will learn how to use the four tools available in the Model Personalization toolset and the three tools available in the Treatment Optimization toolset. Starting with a scaled generic OpenSim model and experimental motion capture, ground reaction, and EMG data, the Model Personalization toolset allows users to personalize 1) joint functional axes, 2) muscle-tendon model properties, 3) neural control model properties using muscle synergies, and 4) foot-ground contact model properties. Next, starting with this personalized model and the same experimental data, the Treatment Optimization toolset allows users to perform 1) Tracking Optimizations that closely reproduce a subject’s experimental joint motion, ground reaction, joint moment, and EMG data simultaneously using muscle synergy and/or joint torque controls, 2) Verification Optimizations that verify the muscle synergy and/or joint torque controls found by a Tracking Optimization can reproduce all available experimental data without tracking it, and finally, 3) Design Optimizations that perform predictive simulations to design a clinical intervention. The first day of the workshop will focus on the Model Personalization toolset, the second day will focus on the Treatment Optimization toolset, and the final day will focus on mini-simulation projects where students can explore the functionality of one or more tools more deeply.
Hosted by: Rice University – Prof. B.J. Fregly
Techniques involved: Modeling, simulation

WS2 Day 1: Model Personalization toolset
– Introduction to the Model Personalization toolset
– Overview of the Model Personalization Toolset
– Details and Tutorials for each Model Personalization Tool:
1. Joint Model Personalization Tool
2. Muscle-tendon Model Personalization Tool
3. Neural Control Model Personalization Tool
4. Foot-ground Contact Model Personalization Tool
– Example Model Personalization Use Case

WS2 Day 2: Treatment Optimization toolset
– Overview of the Treatment Optimization Toolset
– Details and Tutorials for Each Treatment Optimization Tool
1. Tracking Optimization
2. Verification Optimization
3. Design Optimization
– Example Treatment Optimization Use Case

WS2 Day 3: Mini-simulation projects using both Toolsets
– Stroke Neurorehabilitation Project
– Knee Osteoarthritis Rehabilitation Project
– Bring-Your-Own Project

WS3 – Control of lower limb rehabilitation robotics
This workshop focuses on the control and interconnectivity of ankle robotic devices for rehabilitation. The workshop introduces the basic principles of the design of the lower limb robotics used, modifications made, software used and solutions adopted. Students will explore BusCan and ROS data transmission protocols, interconnection of external control devices to rehabilitation robotics, control drivers, rehabilitation robotic device parameter sharing, feedback, and parameters.
Hosted by: Hospital Los Madroños (HLM) – Alberto Canton Gonzalez, Javier Castilla Gomez; Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (SRAlab) – Dr. José L. Pons’ lab: Lorenzo Vianello;
Techniques involved: Robotics

WS3 Day 1: Control of Lower Limb Rehabilitation Robotics
– Introduction to Rehabilitation Robotics
– Introduction to Ankle M1
– Robotics Communications: CanBUS
– Implementation Work

WS3 Day 2: External Control
– Introduction to ROS and CORC
– Configure external control
– Implementation Work: Arduino, joystick, I2C-CAN converters

WS3 Day 3: Haptic connection
– Interconnection
– Collaborative robotics in rehabilitation
– Implementation Work
– Define new strategies

WS4 – Natural Integration of Bionic Limbs via Spinal Interfacing
Natural BionicS aims to create a fully integrated, symbiotic replacement for missing or damaged parts of the human body with artificial limbs that the user will feel and command as a true part of their body. This is achieved by the breakthrough concept of surgically creating bio-connectors to bidirectionally access the spinal cord circuitries. The bio-connector enables to extract information from spinal motor neurons, unravelling the neural code for movement, and to deliver information into the spinal circuitries by stimulating transplanted biological organs. The deciphered neural code provides the ability to replicate the movement of the missing limb on revolutionary robotic limbs that are designed for soft and natural mechanical interaction with the environment. The encoded stimulation will re-establish sensory input as occurring during natural movement, thereby closing the sensory-motor loop. This workshop will cover key aspects of sensory-motor integration, from impact of amputation of the sensory-motor system and the Bio-hub to state-of-the-art techniques in bionic limb design and interface methods. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on sessions, including electromyography (EMG) signal analysis, motor unit decomposition, and real-time prosthetic control. Moreover, interactive demonstrations will showcase cutting-edge developments in sensorized prostheses, soft robotics, adaptive artificial feet, and compensatory control methods. Participants will experience live testing of wearable haptic devices, supernumerary robotic limbs, and innovative prosthetic control approaches. Through this combination of theoretical insights, practical applications, and live demonstrations, the workshop aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the latest advancements in neural systems, prosthetic design and interface, control strategies, and assistive technologies.
Hosted by:
Imperial College London (ICL) – Prof. Dario Farina, Laura Ferrante, Jumpei Kashiwakura, Balint Hodossy, Patric Sagastegui Alva
Instituto Italiano di Technologia (IIT) – Prof. Antonio Bicchi, Giuseppe Milazzo, Eleonora Fontana, Alessia Silvia Ivani, and Emanuele De Bonis
Medical University of Vienna (MUW) – Prof. Oskar Aszmann, Dominik Dotzauer, Anna Boesendorfer
Relevant populations: Limb Loss, Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury
Techniques involved: mechatronic design and interfacing, variable stiffness, control of assistive devices based on residual motion capabilities, haptic feedback, SoftFoot Pro, SoftHand X

WS4 Day 1: Soft Bionics for Rehabilitation: Advances and Perspectives
(Hosted by IIT)
– Soft Robotics Towards Natural Upper Limb Prostheses
– Adaptive Artificial Feet: Prosthetics and Robotics Applications
– Upper-Limb Sensorized Prosthesis:  Challenges and Innovation
– Supernumerary Robotic Limbs for Stroke Rehabilitation: The SoftHand-X
– Compensatory Control Method for Upper-Limb Prostheses
– Hand-on testing: Upper limb prosthesis, developed haptic devices, SoftHand-X with occupational therapy objects

WS4 Day 2: Reintegration of sensory-motor stimuli
(Hosted by the Medical University of Vienna)
– Introduction Reintegration of Sensori-Motor Stimuli
– The physiologic basis of movement
– Impact of amputation of the sensory-motor system
– Restoring the sensory and motor functions: state of the art on Bionic Limb reconstruction (Surgery)
– Introducing key concept of Biohub – NBS
– Non-invasive methods for stimulation to trigger spinal reflexes
– Hands-on Experience of disrupting the feed-back (facial/digital system)

WS4 Day 3: Technology and methods for interfacing the neural system
(Hosted by Imperial College London)
– Basics of EMG for human-machine interfacing with examples of use case in real-world environment
– Identification of neural code of movement in high-density surface and intramuscular EMG
– Interfacing reinnervated muscles with high-density intramuscular EMG – Natural BionicS experiments
– Decomposition of motor unit activity from EMG; analysis of motor unit behaviour during isometric contractions
– Hands-on session: identification of neural code of movement in high-density surface and in intramuscular EMG
– Estimation of motor intent from the activity of motor units
– Hands-on session: estimation of motor intent from motor unit activity using dimensionality reduction approaches
– Trialing Assistive Technology with Virtual Subjects and Environments

WS5 – How to use ROS and ROS-Neuro with a brain-computer interface (BCI) system to connect external devices for rehabilitation and assistance
In this workshop, we want to present the steps in order to build a Brain Computer Interface (BCI) that allows users to control an external device. This technology can be used in the rehabilitation field using the EEG signals. We will use our open-source framework based on ROS called ROSNeuro, which facilitates the building of a BCI system. The workshop will be subdivided into three days to provide examples of BCI and the knowledge of a motor imagery BCI (MI-BCI) system.
Hosted by: University of Padua – Piero Simonetto, Paolo Forin, Luca Tonin
Tentative contributions by: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (SRAlab) – Dr. José L. Pons’ lab: Lorenzo Vianello
Techniques involved: BCI systems based on EEG signals, MI-BCI

WS5 Day 1: Introducing BCI systems based on EEG signals-
– General introduction on BCI, EEG and our approach
– Introduction on ROS and ROSneuro
– Introduction to the experimental setup
– Test on pre-registered signal to see the EEG
– Complete code for a blink detector
– Hands-on: Test the overall system with some volunteers

WS5 Day 2: Learning the organization and implementation of MI-BCI paradigm
– General concept about motor-imagery (MI) BCI
– Introduction on the control of an external device
– Complete code about a virtual wheel
– Hands-on: Perform a calibration phase for the virtual wheel with some volunteers
– Explanation of Fisher score and Gaussian decoder

WS5 Day 3: Add an external device to a BCI system
– Role of the control framework for BCI application
– Explanation of the exponential system
– Complete the code about the exponential system
– Hands-on: Test the overall system with the virtual wheel with some volunteers
– Hands-on: Test the system with a real robot

WS6 – Sensorless Assessment of Motor Function
This workshop explores advanced techniques for remote sensorless human function assessment. Participants will learn how to analyze motor function without requiring traditional markers or sensors, using cutting-edge dynamical shape analysis of human body shape. The applications covered include pathological motor and muscle function. Non-contact human movement analysis can be completed with smartphone videos. Human biomechanics can be derived from dynamic body shapes/meshes without markers. Dynamical shape data can be used to infer muscle activity and assess motor pathologies.
Hosted by: Instituto de Biomecánica de Valencia – Prof. Juanma Belda-Lois, Rosa Porcar Seder
Contributions by: Dr. R. James Cotton
Techniques involved: markerless movement analysis
SSNR2025 WS6 Flyer

WS6 Day 1: Accessible Markerless Motion Capture
(Hosted by Dr. R. James Cotton)
– Introduction to Markerless Motion Capture from Multiview and Monocular View
– Data Acquisition with Markerless Systems
– Hands-On Session: Capturing smartphone video, Reconstructing biomechanics, Observing and exporting raw data
– Challenges in anatomical landmark accuracy from marker-based methods
– Challenges with computer vision in some clinical populations

WS6 Day 2: Dynamic Body Shape to Biomechanical Insight (Move4D + Kinemov4D)
– Acquisition of High-Resolution Body Shape Data
– Model Construction and Analysis
– Biomechanical Interpretation
– Hands-On with Jupyter Notebooks: Load and analyze Move4D sample datasets
– Hands-On with Jupyter Notebooks: Compute kinematic variables (e.g., joint angles, CoM trajectories)

WS6 Day 3: Muscle Activation and Pathological Gait Assessment
– Dynamical Shape Analysis and Muscle Function
– Remote Functional Assessment
– Final Practical Challenge: Analyze pre-recorded pathological gait sequences
– Discussion & Wrap-Up

WS7 – Collecting and interpreting end-user feedback: Introduction to methods in design and implementation science
Many innovative devices go unused—how can you ensure yours is adopted by end-users? This workshop explores the intersection of Implementation Science and User-centered design, focusing on the critical role of end-user feedback on device development. Participants will learn practical methods for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting end-user feedback to refine their designs. Each session will begin with a didactic overview of feedback methodologies, including surveys, focus groups, interviews, and think-aloud or near-live testing. Following the introduction to each method, we will conduct interactive exercises where students will apply these techniques in real-time, and conclude with hands-on introduction to data analysis and interpretation to inform device improvements. Throughout the workshop, participants will engage in discussions, hands-on activities, and expert guidance to deepen their understanding of user-centered development. Break out of the research silo and discover how to effectively integrate end-user feedback to create devices that truly meet user needs.
Hosted by: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (SRAlab) – Prof. Miriam Rafferty, Courtney Celian
Techniques involved: End-user feedback methodologies, surveys, focus groups

WS7 Day 1: Introduction to methods for collecting and interpreting end-user feedback – Surveys
– Laying the foundation: Implementation Science & User-Centered Design
– Hands-On Experience: Survey Practice in Action
– Survey Science: Validated Tools & Best Practices
– Beyond the Numbers: Live Interpretation & Impact on Innovation

WS7 Day 2: Interpreting end-user feedback – Focus Groups and Interviews
– Unpacking Qualitative Feedback: Focus Groups vs. Interviews
– Live Focus Group Demonstration: Observing the Process in Action
– From Raw Data to Meaningful Insights: Processing & Analyzing Qualitative Feedback
– Interactive Data Interpretation: Translating Feedback in Action

WS7 Day 3: Real-Time Insights – Think Aloud & Near-Live Testing for Usability Evaluation
– Foundations of Real-Time Feedback: Think-Aloud & Near-Live Testing
– Hands-On Usability Testing: Observing Users in Action
– From Testing to Action: Analyzing & Integrating User Feedback
– Putting It All Together: Selecting the Right Feedback Method

Updated: May 22, 2025