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Mary E. Stoykov, PhD

Prior to obtaining advanced degrees, Dr. Stoykov had extensive experience as an occupational therapy clinician at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (now known as the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab). Her interests are in clinical research including neural priming, bimanual therapy, investigation of the underlying neural mechanisms associated with improvements in severe post-stroke hemiparesis, bimanual conflict, and Huntington’s Disease. Dr. Stoykov was a fellow of the Summer Institute on Randomized Behavioral Clinical Trials (2014) sponsored by OBSSR at NIH and is currently working on an NIH funded clinical trial examining bilateral priming. She is part of the Arms & Hands Lab at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

Academic Focus: Post-stroke upper limb hemiparesis, bimanual conflict, neural mechanisms of upper limb recovery, and movement disorders.

Clinical Focus: Post-stroke upper limb hemiparesis, bimanual conflict, movement disorders, Huntington’s Disease

Education: PhD: University of Illinois, Chicago (2008)

Publications: 

  • Survivors of Chronic Stroke Experience Continued Impairment of Dexterity But Not Strength in the Nonparetic Upper Limb
    Barry AJ, Triandafilou KM, Stoykov ME, Bansal N, Roth EJ, Kamper DG
    Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2020 Jul; 101(7): 1170-1175.
    ISSN: 0003-9993
  • Home-based Upper Extremity Stroke Therapy Using a Multiuser Virtual Reality Environment: A Randomized Trial
    Thielbar KO, Triandafilou KM, Barry AJ, Yuan N, Nishimoto A, Johnson J, Stoykov ME, Tsoupikova D, Kamper DG
    Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2020 Feb; 101(2): 196-203.
    ISSN: 0003-9993
  • Development of an EMG-controlled Serious Game for Rehabilitation
    Ghassemi M, Triandafilou K, Barry A, Stoykov ME, Roth E, Mussa-Ivaldi FA, Kamper DG, Ranganathan R
    IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering. 2019 Jan;
    ISSN: 1534-4320
  • Editorial: Motor priming for motorRecovery: Neural mechanisms and clinical perspectives
    Madhavan S, Stoykov ME
    Frontiers in Neurology. 2017 Sep; 8(SEP):
  • Junior investigators thinking about quitting research: A survey
    Stoykov ME, Skarupski KA, Foucher K, Chubinskaya S
    American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2017 Mar; 71(2):
    ISSN: 0272-9490
  • Benefits of Using a Voice and EMG-Driven Actuated Glove to Support Occupational Therapy for Stroke Survivors
    Thielbar KO, Triandafilou KM, Fischer HC, O’Toole JM, Corrigan ML, Ochoa JM, Stoykov ME, Kamper DG
    IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering. 2017 Mar; 25(3): 297-306.
    ISSN: 1534-4320
  • Movement-Based Priming: Clinical Applications and Neural Mechanisms
    Stoykov ME, Corcos DM, Madhavan S
    Journal of Motor Behavior. 2017 Jan; 49(1): 88-97.
    ISSN: 0022-2895
  • Motor priming in neurorehabilitation
    Stoykov ME, Madhavan S
    Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy. 2015 Jan; 39(1): 33-42.
    ISSN: 1557-0576
  • Training finger individuation with a mechatronic-virtual reality system leads to improved fine motor control post-stroke
    Thielbar KO, Lord TJ, Fischer HC, Lazzaro EC, Barth KC, Stoykov ME, Triandafilou KM, Kamper DG
    Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. 2014 Dec; 11(1):
  • How one major medical facility put in place a multidisciplinary driver rehab program, beginning with a certified driver rehabilitation specialist
    Sullivan BE, Stoykov ME
    OT Practice. 2014 Jun; 19(10): 11-15.
    ISSN: 1084-4902
  • Transient impact of prolonged versus repetitive stretch on hand motor control in chronic stroke
    Triandafilou K, Ochoa J, Kang X, Fischer H, Stoykov M, Kamper D
    Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation. 2011 Jan; 18(4): 316-324.
    ISSN: 1074-9357
  • Active-passive bilateral therapy as a priming mechanism for individuals in the subacute phase of post-stroke recovery: A feasibility study
    Stoykov ME, Stinear JW
    American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2010 Nov; 89(11): 873-878.
    ISSN: 0894-9115
  • A pneumatic glove and immersive virtual reality environment for hand rehabilitative training after stroke
    Connelly L, Jia Y, Toro ML, Stoykov ME, Kenyon RV, Kamper DG
    IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering. 2010 Oct; 18(5): 551-559.
    ISSN: 1534-4320
  • Choice of participants crucial to poststroke research
    Stoykov ME
    International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation. 2010 Jan; 17(10): 557-558.
    ISSN: 1741-1645
  • Comparison of bilateral and unilateral training for upper extremity hemiparesis in stroke
    Stoykov ME, Lewis GN, Corcos DM
    Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair. 2009 Nov; 23(9): 945-953.
    ISSN: 1545-9683
  • A review of bilateral training for upper extremity hemiparesis
    Stoykov ME, Corcos DM
    Occupational Therapy International. 2009 Sep; 16(3-4): 190-203.
    ISSN: 0966-7903
  • Cortical stimulation for upper limb recovery following ischemic stroke: A small phase II pilot study of a fully implanted stimulator
    Huang M, Harvey RL, Stoykov ME, Ruland S, Weinand M, Lowry D, Levy R
    Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation. 2008 Mar; 15(2): 160-172.
    ISSN: 1074-9357
  • New directions in occupational therapy: Implementation of the task-oriented approach in conjunction with cortical stimulation after stroke
    Bravi L, Stoykov ME
    Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation. 2007 Nov; 14(6): 68-73.
    ISSN: 1074-9357
  • Evaluation of robotic training forces that either enhance or reduce error in chronic hemiparetic stroke survivors
    Patton JL, Stoykov ME, Kovic M, Mussa-Ivaldi FA
    Experimental Brain Research. 2006 Jan; 168(3): 368-383.
    ISSN: 0014-4819
  • Beneficial effects of postural intervention on prehensile action for an individual with ataxia resulting from brainstem stroke
    Stoykov MEP, Stojakovich M, Stevens JA
    NeuroRehabilitation. 2005 Jan; 20(2): 85-89.
    ISSN: 1053-8135
  • Simulation of Bilateral Movement Training Through Mirror Reflection: A Case Report Demonstrating an Occupational Therapy Technique for Hemiparesis
    Stevens JA, Phillips Stoykov ME
    Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation. 2004 Dec; 11(1): 59-66.
    ISSN: 1074-9357
  • Using motor imagery in the rehabilitation of hemiparesis
    Stevens JA, Stoykov MEP
    Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2003 Jul; 84(7): 1090-1092.
    ISSN: 0003-9993
  • Bilateral facilitation of motor control in chronic hemiplegia
    Cunningham CL, Phillips Stoykov ME, Walter CB
    Acta psychologica. 2002 Jan; 110(2-3): 321-337.
    ISSN: 0001-6918
  • The use of nerve blocks in conjunction with occupational therapy for complex regional pain syndrome type I
    Phillips ME, Katz JA, Harden RN
    American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2000 Jan; 54(5): 544-549.
    ISSN: 0272-9490
  • Work-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Use of Exposure Therapy in Work-Simulation Activities
    Phillips ME, Bruehl S, Harden RN
    American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 1997 Jan; 51(8): 696-700.
    ISSN: 0272-9490
  • The Use of Drama and Puppetry in Occupational Therapy during the 1920s and 1930s
    Phillips ME
    American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 1996 Jan; 50(3): 229-233.
    ISSN: 0272-9490