University of Florida · NeuroscienceDystonia and Exercise Research Lab
Aparna Wagle Shukla · Gainesville, Florida
Research Focus
Dr. Aparna Wagle Shukla's lab at the University of Florida focuses on understanding how progressive resistance exercise can improve symptoms in patients with dystonia, a movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions. The lab employs advanced brain imaging techniques such as functional MRI and transcranial magnetic stimulation to study how this type of exercise may lead to beneficial changes in brain function for those suffering from dystonia. The ultimate goal is to enhance treatment options for patients who currently have limited responses to existing therapies.
dystoniaprogressive resistance exercisefunctional MRItranscranial magnetic stimulationbrain adaptation
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate the brain adaptation changes due to progressive resistance exercise in patients with focal cervical dystonia.
AIM 02Examine the relationship between brain changes and clinical outcome measures in dystonia patients.
AIM 03Evaluate the viability of a six-month resistance exercise program in improving symptoms of dystonia.
Skills the Lab Values
functional MRItranscranial magnetic stimulationexercise trainingdata analysisclinical trial design
Output against the department
Publications181top 42% of dept.278th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations4.8kbottom 35% of dept.435th of 671
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.