ULB research| Personal data | Research themes | Ongoing teaching | Publications |
FEIPEL Véronique
Units
Laboratory for Functional Anatomy
Person in charge of the Unit : Oui
Research in macroscopic and microscopic anatomy, from a descriptive, functional and palpatory point of view. Research in biomechanics (1) spatial electrogoniometry applied in vivo and in vitro, (2) evaluation of lumbar or cervical spine kinematics under normal and clinical conditions (disc herniation, Whiplash Syndrome, evaluation of the kinematics and effect of certain manipulation techniques), (3) three-dimensional imaging and kinematic analysis, musculoskeletal modelling, (4) functional anatomy of the wrist, (5) gait analysis, (6) analysis of spinal curvatures and posture. Research in neurobiomechanics.
Laboratory of Anatomy, Biomechanics and Organogenesis
Person in charge of the Unit : Oui
Education - Our LABO teaches anatomy to students of various programs, including medicine, dental sciences, veterinary sciences, physical therapy, occupational therapy, bioengineering, sports, nursing, pharmacy, medical biology and arts. Moreover, LABO members also teach human embryology. Research - The LABO is active in several fields thanks to its multidisciplinary staff and expertise: Biomechanics, Anatomy, Organogenesis, Embryology, Veterinary Sciences and Legal Medicine. State-of-the-art equipment is available. Clinics - The Center for Functional Evaluation (or CFE) organised by LABO offers patients, and their therapists, all services for following-up of locomotor and gesture disabilities linked to a variety of disorders (orthopeadics, neurology, etc). Clinical research is also performed at LABO. Logistics - The LABO is taking part in the organisation of various structures and international scientific events.
ULB Interdisciplinary Research Institute for Sports
Person in charge of the Unit : Oui
U-IRIS is intended to bring together research skills existing at ULB in the fields of sports and physical activity in order to stimulate collaboration and interdisciplinary research. The research carried out within U-IRIS could be the basis of evidence-based advice in various fields of sport and physical activity. ULB and each of U-IRIS partner groups, as well as their existing activities, platforms, infrastructures and collaborations, will gain in visibility, both internally and externally in a promising and rapidly evolving field. The research carried out by U-IRIS is designed to be both fundamental and applied. It is developed around five major axes: - clinics / sports medicine - high level sports / performance - rehabilitation / handicap and sports - sports and society (including education through sports) - prevention / public health / nutrition. The groups participating in U-IRIS represent the Faculties of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Medicine, Psychology and Educational Sciences, Motor Sciences, the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, the School of Public Health, the Research Department, ULB-Sports and the Erasme Academic Hospital.
Projetcs
Museum of Anatomy and Embryology Louis Deroubaix
The enhancement of the historical collections of the Musée d'Anatomie et Embryologie Louis Deroubaix and the reflection on the teaching of morphology have a triple interest: didactic, historical and museological. S. Louryan's interest in the history of medicine (and of our faculty in particular) has also led to a number of research projects.
The value of virtual reality in the assessment and management of the cervical spine
Virtual reality systems constitute a new and interesting approach to the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal musculoskeletal disorders, particularly chronic neck pain. The objective of this work was to evaluate the value of a commercial VR system in the measurement of neck range of motion and cephalic repositioning sense, in order to be able to integrate it in clinical routine.
kinematics of spinal manual therapy techniques and their effects n spinal kinematics
Three-dimensional electrogoniometric, electromagnetic tracking and optoelectronic study of the kinematics of spinal manipulation techniques in anatomic specimens, asymptomatic volunteers and patients. Analysis of active spine kinematics modifications after application of the technique. Application to other techniques (spinal traction, Mitchell, other techniques).
Functional evaluation of the lumbar spine using electrogoniometry
Using a commercial electrogoniometer, lumbar spine motion was analysed. Results from a reference population of more than 80 asymptomatic volunteers are available. Clinical application includes evaluation of lumbar kinematics in patients displaying various diseases of the lumbar spine. We analyse, besides maximal ranges, out-of-plane motion and motion patterns
Using homemade spatial linkages, a normal database of wrist kinematics for planar motion and for the complex movement of circumduction was established. This technique is applied in pre-surgical evaluation and during follow-up as well as in anatomical preparations to analyse the effect of partial arthrodeses or ligament lesions
The laboratory is currently involved in research into the identification of individuals in forensic anthropology. This work concerns the identification of individuals based on fragments of the lower limb (distal end of the femur and proximal end of the tibia). This research is carried out using the identified osteological collection created within LABO's Forensic Medicine and Anthropology Unit. They are based not only on conventional data collected during anthropometric measurements, but also on comparisons of these same measurements taken by CT-Scan.
This project aims at developping and constructing instrumentation, software and methodology needed for the application of spatial electrogoniometry to instantaneous analysis of the kinematics of various joints. Applications: in vitro and in vivo kinematics of ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, wrist.
Functional evaluation of the cervical spine using electrogoniometry
Using a commercial electrogoniometer, cervical spine motion was analysed. Results from a reference population of more than 100 asymptomatic volunteers are available. Clinical application includes evaluation of cervical kinematics in patients displaying various diseases of the cervical spine (Whiplash, disk hernia). We analyse, besides maximal ranges, out-of-plane motion and motion patterns
Macroscopic and microscopic anatomy
Comparative anatomy of the Achilles tendon : This project, carried out in collaboration between LABO, LAF, the Swedish School of Sports and the Histology Laboratory, aims to study the macroscopic and microscopic morphology of the human and primate Achilles tendon to clarify contradictions in the literature concerning the twisting of fibers, the existence of sub-tendons and the preferential location of overload lesions within the tendon. To this end, this study combines several in vivo and in vitro techniques to answer these questions, including classical dissection and morphometry, stereophotogrammetry, histology and medical imaging.
Posture, gait and motion analysis in subjects with low back pain
Chronic low back pain is a symptom often encountered throughout the world, and it has a considerable impact on society. When confronted with it, sufferers may adopt a behaviour that consists of avoiding any movement that could exacerbate the pain. This can lead to a vicious circle of fear, immobility and pain. This has a negative impact on rehabilitation, quality of life and morale. A wide range of therapeutic approaches can be used, including medication, manipulation, massage, physical activity, relaxation, biopsychosocial approaches and surgery, including lumbar arthrodesis, to reduce long-term pain. The contribution of functional analysis (statics, posture, movement, walking) to the development, diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of patients suffering from low back pain is promising, but clinical studies supporting its relevance are rare. With our study, we aim to help verify the clinical relevance of functional analysis by studying the static (spinal curvatures, posture) and dynamic (movement and walking) differences that we might encounter in people with lumbar arthrodesis compared with asymptomatic people, and to better understand the role of functional assessment and optimise its use in clinical practice.
Based on recent results demonstrating individually variable carpal morphology and biomechanics, a variable functional model of the carpus is advanced. According to this model, this project aims at bringing into relationship various morphological and functional features of the wrist. Repercussions are expected in the field of carpal pathology diagnosis and personalised therapeutic choice
The development of a spatial linkage suitable for the study of shoulder kinematics led to a comparative study of the results obtained by several different technological means (electrogoniometry, Flock of Bird, Ariel). Establishment of a normal database and clinical applications, especially in shoulder instability, are the aims of this project
