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About

Katherine Pauhl is a leading researcher in neurorehabilitation engineering, specializing in robotic-assisted gait training for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Her work centers on a novel paradigm: using robot-applied resistance during body-weight-supported treadmill training to enhance skilled walking recovery. Rather than simply offloading weight, Pauhl’s approach strategically introduces resistance to challenge the neuromuscular system, leveraging principles of motor learning to improve gait adaptability and real-world walking function. Her most influential paper, “Training with robot-applied resistance in people with motor-incomplete spinal cord injury: Pilot study” (2015, 55 citations), demonstrated that this targeted resistance can significantly improve walking performance in individuals who have already regained basic stepping ability. An earlier foundational study (2010, 53 citations) provided the proof-of-concept for this method, showing that augmenting sensory feedback through resistance promotes cortical and spinal plasticity. Pauhl’s contributions have opened a new avenue in SCI rehabilitation, moving beyond passive support to active, challenging training that better prepares patients for the demands of everyday environments. Her work is widely cited and continues to influence the design of next-generation robotic exoskeletons and gait training protocols.