Inga Wang, OTR/L, PhD

Education

[digitalmeasures type="education" username="wang52" show_dates="true"]

Speaker Topics

• Stroke Rehabilitation: Robotic-assisted therapy of upper extremity function
• Aging research: Examine aging trends, biomarkers, and risk factors and develop norms (reference values) across the lifespan
• Rehabilitation Outcomes Research: computerized adaptive testing, item response theory, Rasch analysis, test equating/linking/crosswalk, responsiveness

Interests & Expertise

Inga Wang (former Ying-Chih Wang), Ph.D., OTR/L, is an Associate Professor with tenure at the School of Rehabilitation Sciences & Technology. Her research is centered around two primary areas: (a) outcomes measurement and normative research, and (b) stroke rehabilitation.

In the past, Dr. Wang has assisted Dr. Craig Velozo in various outcome research projects, focusing on computerized adaptive testing (CAT) and score equating, funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) and VA Rehabilitation Research and Development (RR&D). She has also assisted Dr. Zev Rymer, Vice President for Research at the RIC, on NIH-funded projects, including the Toolbox project. This project aims to provide investigators with a brief yet comprehensive measurement tool for assessing cognitive, emotional, sensory, and motor function in large cohort studies such as epidemiological studies, clinical trials, or clinical studies, as part of the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience. Over the years, she has published population-based reference values for motor performance measurements, including grip strength, dexterity, balance functions, and aging biomarkers across the lifespan.

With her background in neurorehabilitation and fellowship training in rehabilitation technology, Dr. Wang collaborates with engineers to assess the user experience and efficacy of upper limb robotic-assisted therapy for individuals with neurological disorders. In 2009, Dr. Wang was funded by a 5-yr NIDRR training center grant as a PI on Sub-Project on enhancing the functional and employment outcomes of individuals who experience a Stroke. Since 2021, Dr. Wang has been involved in NIDILRR's Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects, focusing on studying the feasibility and usability of SREx, iTbot, mR2A and other rehabilitation robotics in rehabilitation of the paretic arm, particularly in stroke survivors. The integration of these robotics with Azure app, Digital Twin, and HoloLens aims to enable therapists to interact with patients and control the devices remotely. The ultimate goal is to design high-functioning robotic devices for routine clinical neurorehabilitation and cost-effective options for home-based robot-assisted telerehabilitation.

Dr. Wang's current research interests are: (1) Aging research, including trends, norms, and risk factors prediction across the lifespan, (2) Robotic-assisted stroke rehabilitation, (3) Development of rehabilitation outcome measures, such as the iNeck risk assessment model for tech neck and neck pain prevention (TNNP), and (4) Development of biomarkers of aging and frailty index using publicly available data and electronic medical databases.

Selected Publications

[digitalmeasures type="publications" username="wang52"]

Selected Funded Grants

NIDILRR at Administration for Community Living (ACL) Projects for Translating the Findings and Products of Disability and Rehabilitation Research and Development into Practice #: 90DPKT0015-01-00, $999,995.
Mohammad H Rahman
9/1/2023-8/31/2028
Title: Translating Multifunctional Robotic Assistive Arm (mR2A) for Activities of Daily Living Assistance into Practice

MCW Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment, AHW-funded project, Improving Heart Health, Supporting Healthy Minds, and Dismantling Cancer, $50,000.
Xiaoyan Li
7/1/2023-6/30/2024
Title: A Preliminary Study Monitoring Motor Unit Properties in Acute Stroke

NIDILRR at Administration for Community Living (ACL) Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) #: 90DPGE0018-01-00, $1,490,000.
Mohammad H Rahman
9/1/2020-8/31/2023
Title: Multifunctional Robotic Assistive Arm (mR2A) for Activities of Daily Living Assistance

NIH R21 NS113716-02, $275,000.
Xiaoyan Li
7/1/2021-9/30/2022
Title: High-Density Surface EMG Based CMAP Scan for Motor Unit Number High-Density Surface EMG Based CMAP Scan for Motor Unit Number

MCW, Stroke Rehabilitation Center Grant - Clinical and Translational Seed Award, $49,996.
Jingsung Wang (UWM Principal), Erin McGonigle (MCW Principal)
11/1/2019-10/31/2020
Title: Determining Potential Benefits of Model-Free Learning Techniques for Improving Arm Motor Function in Stroke Survivors with Ideomotor Limb Apraxia

UWM Graduate School-Research Growth Initiative
Ying-Chih Wang
07/01/2013-06/30/2014
Title: Translating Modified Ashworth Scale into Neurophysiological, Quantitative Kinematic and Kinetic Values

Graduate School Research Committee Awards
Ying-Chih Wang
07/01/2012-06/30/2013
Title: Remove Air Bubbles Generated in the IV Lines during the Intravenous Cancer Therapy

NIDRR - GRANT # ED-H133B080031
Elliot J. Roth - MD
10/01/2008-9/30/2013
Title: Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Enhancing the Functional and Employment Outcomes in Individuals who Experience a Stroke Sub-Project: Development of a Return-to-Work Vocational Assessment Using Virtual Reality Technology and Navigation/Manipulation Interfaces

Boston ROC Network - Pilot Studies Award
Ying-Chih Wang
07/01/2011-06/30/2013
Title: Development of a Quantitative Spasticity Measure for Routine Clinical Practice

UWM – Stimulus for Extramural Enhancement & Development (CHS SEED GRANT)
Ying-Chih Wang
02/01/2010-12/31/2011
Title: Develop a Quantitative Spasticity Measure

NIH SUB-CONTRACT - CONTRACT NO.: HHS-N-260-2006-00007-C
William Z. Rymer
9/2006-8/2011
Title: NIH Toolbox for Assessment of Neurological and Behavioral Function.

UW-Madison/UW-Milwaukee Intercampus Research Incentive Grants
Ying-Chih Wang
07/01/2011-06/30/2012
Title: An EEG Triggered Robotic Stroke Rehabilitation Device # MIL PRJ491D

Honors & Awards

[digitalmeasures type="awards" username="wang52" show_dates="true"]

Affiliations

• BioRobotics Lab