Mariel Purcell
Papers
2
Total Citations
46
H-Index
2
About
Dr. Mariel Purcell is a leading researcher in spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation, with a primary focus on restoring cardiopulmonary fitness and functional mobility through innovative assistive technologies. Her work bridges the critical gap between early-stage recovery and long-term cardiovascular health, addressing the severe deconditioning that often follows paralysis. In her highly cited 2010 study (29 citations), Dr. Purcell pioneered a direct comparison of peak cardiopulmonary performance during robotics-assisted treadmill exercise versus arm crank ergometry in individuals with incomplete SCI. This work provided foundational evidence that robotic gait training can elicit cardiovascular demands comparable to upper-body exercise, challenging traditional rehabilitation paradigms. She further advanced the field with her 2013 investigation (17 citations) into robotic-assisted tilt-table therapy for early-stage SCI rehabilitation. This study demonstrated the feasibility and physiological benefits of initiating upright, weight-bearing activity soon after injury, mitigating the rapid decline in cardiopulmonary fitness and reducing coronary heart disease risk. Dr. Purcell’s contributions are instrumental in shifting SCI rehabilitation from passive management to active, technology-driven conditioning, offering patients a tangible path toward improved health outcomes and quality of life.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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