The Motor Assessment and Trial Readiness Studies (MATRS) Lab
The Motor Assessment and Trial Readiness Studies (MATRS) Lab advances clinical trial readiness for individuals with rare neuromuscular and neurodevelopmental disorders across the lifespan. Located in the VCU Department of Physical Therapy, the MATRS Lab accelerates trial readiness through:
- Clinical Endpoint Development: Developing and validating clinician-rated assessments (ClinROs), patient and caregiver outcomes (PROs), and wearable digital health technologies to capture meaningful changes in daily function.
- Functional Trajectory Mapping: Identifying key factors associated with variability in motor function trajectories to inform clinical trial design.
- Supporting Decentralize Trial Design: Developing remotely administered clinical outcome assessments and wearable technologies to improve accessibility for participants and ecological validity of clinical endpoints.
Current Projects
This study aims to advance clinical trial readiness for children with congenital myotonic dystrophy (CDM) by establishing responsive functional endpoints. The project aims to validate a clinical outcome assessments that captures physical ability across the full age and functional spectrum, and establish tools to monitor community-level ambulatory function in children with CDM.
Funding: NIH NINDS (1K23NS144702-01A1)
This study aims to adapt and evaluate motor function assessments for remote delivery in children with pediatric-onset myotonic dystrophy. By assessing motor performance in the home environment, this research seeks to establish reliable, accessible ways to track physical function over time. Ultimately, this work aims to reduce participant burden and support future clinical trials for children living with myotonic dystrophy type 1.
Funding: Child Health Research Institute (CHRI) Collaborative Grant Award
Director
Director, Motor Assessment and Trial Readiness Studies (MATRS) Lab
Assistant Professor
kieferm@vcu.edu
Collaborators
- Nicholas E. Johnson, MD, MSCI, FAAN, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Elise Townsend, DPT, PhD, PCS, MGH Institute of Health Professions
Current Students and Staff
- Shweta Naidu, PhD student REMS Program
Former Graduate Students and Post-doctoral Fellows
- Manolo Anleu Tuquer, Doctor of Physical Therapy Student, Virginia Commonwealth University