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Associate Professor
Cardinal Hill Endowed Research Chair in Stroke and Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
Faculty Associate, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center (SCoBIRC), University of Kentucky
Joint appointment Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Kentucky
Email: lumy.sawaki@uky.edu
Phone: (859) 323-6226
Fax: (859) 323-1123
Dr. Lumy Sawaki joined the University of Kentucky Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in April 2008 as the appointed Cardinal Hill Endowed Chair in Stroke and Spinal Cord Rehabilitation.
Dr. Sawaki received her M.D. in 1991 from the Federal University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, where she also completed her medical residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation. She received her Ph.D. in clinical neurophysiology in 1999 from Kobe University in Japan. That same year, Dr. Sawaki came to the United States to complete a three-and-a-half year postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In 2002, she became a faculty member in the Department of Neurology at Wake Forest University in North Carolina.
Dr. Sawaki received a prestigious graduate research scholarship from the Ministry of Education of Japan in 1995 and was awarded the Presidential Award from the American Society of Neurorehabilitation in 2000. She went on to receive the Research Excellence Award from Wake Forest University in 2007. She served as Scientific Merit Review Board Member for the Department of Veterans Affairs from 2003 to 2010, who granted her the Distinguished Service Award for Rehabilitation Research and Development in 2010. In 2011, she was awarded the “Certificate of Appreciation for Excellence, Passion, Inspiration and Unfailing Leadership” by the American Occupational Therapy Association. She is a member of an international consortium called the “Walk Again Project.” This project unites the Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital and the University of Kentucky with researchers from other esteemed institutions, including Duke University (USA), Association for Assistance of Disabled Children (Brazil), the International Neuroscience Network Foundation, Technical University of Munich (Germany), BIA (France), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (Switzerland), the University of California-Davis (USA), and the Edmond & Lily Safra International Neuroscience Institute of Natal (Brazil). She also served as a charter member of the NIH Acute Neural Injury and Epilepsy Study Section.
Dr. Sawaki has a research foundation that focuses on stroke and spinal cord rehabilitation. She has received related grant awards from the Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation, American Heart Association, the Dana Foundation, Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, Department of Education and the NIH. She has a special interest in neuroplasticity and in the development of novel rehabilitative strategies to enhance functional motor recovery after stroke, brain injury, and spinal cord injury. Using techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, and functional magnetic resonance imaging, her goal is to explore and refine pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to be applied in the clinical setting.
Dr. Sawaki is married to Ted, a musician, with whom she enjoys having joyful and inspiring discussions about the amazing affinity of the brain for learning to play musical instruments and for relearning motor skills after neurological injuries. She is also an active supporter of animal rights and has a blue heeler mix, a Yorkshire terrier, and a calico cat.
- Van Eldik, LJ ; Sawaki, L.; Bowen, K.; Laskowitz, DT ; Noveck, RJ ; Hauser, B ; Jordan, L ; Spears, TG ; Wu, H.; Watt, K.; Raja, S ; Roy, SM ; Watterson, DM ; Guptill, JT "First-in-Human Studies of MW01-6-189WH, a Brain-Penetrant, Antineuroinflammatory Small-Molecule Drug Candidate: Phase 1 Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetic, and Pharmacodynamic Studies in Healthy Adult Volunteers." Clinical pharmacology in drug development 10, 2 (2021): 131-143. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Huber, JP ; Sawaki, L. "Dynamic body-weight support to boost rehabilitation outcomes in patients with non-traumatic spinal cord injury: an observational study." Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation 17, 1 (2020): 157. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Bell, SB ; Turner, B ; Sawaki, L.; DeWall, CN "When Brain Stimulation Backfires: The Effects of Prefrontal Cortex Stimulation on Impulsivity." Social cognitive and affective neuroscience (2020): [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Carrico, C.; Annichiarico, N ; Powell, ES ; Westgate, PM ; Sawaki, L. "Chronicity of Stroke Does Not Affect Outcomes of Somatosensory Stimulation Paired With Task-Oriented Motor Training: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial." Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translation 1, 1-2 (2019): 100005. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Anggelis, E ; Powell, ES ; Westgate, PM ; Glueck, AC ; Sawaki, L. "Impact of motor therapy with dynamic body-weight support on Functional Independence Measures in traumatic brain injury: An exploratory study." NeuroRehabilitation 45, 4 (2019): 519-524. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Powell, ES ; Westgate, PM ; Goldstein, LB ; Sawaki, L. "Absence of Motor-Evoked Potentials Does Not Predict Poor Recovery in Patients With Severe-Moderate Stroke: An Exploratory Analysis." Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translation 1, 3-4 (2019): 100023. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Carrico, C.; Westgate, PM ; Powell, Salmon ; Chelette, KC ; Nichols, L.; Pettigrew, LC ; Sawaki, L. "Nerve Stimulation Enhances Task-Oriented Training for Moderate-to-Severe Hemiparesis 3-12 Months After Stroke: A Randomized Trial." American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation 97, 11 (2018): 808-815. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Raut, N.; Nagar, VR ; Springer, JE ; Sawaki, L.; Salles, SS "Rehabilitation Outcomes in Spinal Abscess Patients With and Without a History of Intravenous Substance Abuse." American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation 97, 6 (2018): 397-400. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Powell, ES ; Korupolu, R ; Westgate, PM ; Carrico, C.; Reddy, L.; Sawaki, L. "Dose-response relationship of transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation in healthy humans: A proof of concept study." NeuroRehabilitation 43, 4 (2018): 369-376. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Powell, ES ; Carrico, C.; Salyers, E.; Westgate, PM ; Sawaki, L. "The effect of transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation on corticospinal excitability in chronic incomplete spinal cord injury." NeuroRehabilitation 43, 2 (2018): 125-134. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Rodrigues, TA ; Goroso, DG ; Westgate, PM ; Carrico, C.; Batistella, LR ; Sawaki, L. "Slow Versus Fast Robot-Assisted Locomotor Training After Severe Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial." American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation 96, 10 Suppl 1 (2017): S165-S170. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Ward, A.; Carrico, C.; Powell, E.; Westgate, PM ; Nichols, L.; Fleischer, A.; Sawaki, L. "Safety and improvement of movement function after stroke with atomoxetine: A pilot randomized trial." Restorative neurology and neuroscience 35, 1 (2017): 1-10. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Carrico, C.; Chelette KC, 2nd ; Westgate, PM ; Salmon-Powell, E.; Nichols, L.; Sawaki, L. "Randomized Trial of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation to Enhance Modified Constraint-Induced Therapy After Stroke." American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation 95, 6 (2016): 397-406. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Powell, ES ; Carrico, C.; Westgate, PM ; Chelette, KC ; Nichols, L.; Reddy, L.; Salyers, E.; Ward, A.; Sawaki, L. "Time configuration of combined neuromodulation and motor training after stroke: A proof-of-concept study." NeuroRehabilitation 39, 3 (2016): 439-49. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Carrico, C.; Chelette KC, 2nd ; Westgate, PM ; Powell, E.; Nichols, L.; Fleischer, A.; Sawaki, L. "Nerve Stimulation Enhances Task-Oriented Training in Chronic, Severe Motor Deficit After Stroke: A Randomized Trial." Stroke 47, 7 (2016): 1879-84. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Schildt, CJ ; Thomas, SH ; Powell, ES ; Sawaki, L.; Sunderam, S. "Closed-loop afferent electrical stimulation for recovery of hand function in individuals with motor incomplete spinal injury: early clinical results." Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference 2016, (2016): 1552-1555. [PubMed Link] |
- Powell, ES ; Carrico, C.; Raithatha, R.; Salyers, E.; Ward, A.; Sawaki, L. "Transvertebral direct current stimulation paired with locomotor training in chronic spinal cord injury: A case study." NeuroRehabilitation 38, 1 (2016): 27-35. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Raithatha, R.; Carrico, C.; Powell, ES ; Westgate, PM ; Chelette Ii, KC ; Lee, K.; Dunsmore, L.; Salles, S.; Sawaki, L. "Non-invasive brain stimulation and robot-assisted gait training after incomplete spinal cord injury: A randomized pilot study." NeuroRehabilitation 38, 1 (2016): 15-25. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Sawaki, L.; Butler, AJ ; Leng, X.; Wassenaar, PA ; Mohammad, YM ; Blanton, S ; Sathian, K ; Nichols-Larsen, DS ; Wolf, SL ; Good, DC ; Wittenberg, GF "Differential patterns of cortical reorganization following constraint-induced movement therapy during early and late period after stroke: A preliminary study." NeuroRehabilitation 35, 3 (2014): 415-26. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Chelette, KC ; Carrico, C.; Nichols, L.; Sawaki, L. "Long-term cortical reorganization following stroke in a single subject with severe motor impairment." NeuroRehabilitation 33, 3 (2013): 385-9. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Danzl, MM ; Chelette, KC ; Lee, K.; Lykins, D ; Sawaki, L. "Brain stimulation paired with novel locomotor training with robotic gait orthosis in chronic stroke: a feasibility study." NeuroRehabilitation 33, 1 (2013): 67-76. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Skubik-Peplaski, C ; Carrico, C.; Nichols, L.; Chelette, K ; Sawaki, L. "Behavioral, neurophysiological, and descriptive changes after occupation-based intervention." The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association 66, 6 (2012): e107-13. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Kesar, TM ; Sawaki, L.; Burdette, JH ; Cabrera, MN ; Kolaski, K ; Smith, BP ; O'Shea, TM ; Koman, LA ; Wittenberg, GF "Motor cortical functional geometry in cerebral palsy and its relationship to disability." Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology 123, 7 (2012): 1383-90. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Starr, CJ ; Sawaki, L.; Wittenberg, GF ; Burdette, JH ; Oshiro, Y ; Quevedo, AS ; McHaffie, JG ; Coghill, RC "The contribution of the putamen to sensory aspects of pain: insights from structural connectivity and brain lesions." Brain : a journal of neurology 134, Pt 7 (2011): 1987-2004. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Wilson, TW ; Fleischer, A.; Archer, D ; Hayasaka, S ; Sawaki, L. "Oscillatory MEG motor activity reflects therapy-related plasticity in stroke patients." Neurorehabilitation and neural repair 25, 2 (2011): 188-93. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Wolf, SL ; Thompson, PA ; Winstein, CJ ; Miller, JP ; , ; Nichols-Larsen, DS ; Morris, DM ; Uswatte, G ; Taub, E.; Light, KE ; Sawaki, L. "The EXCITE stroke trial: comparing early and delayed constraint-induced movement therapy." Stroke 41, 10 (2010): 2309-15. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Starr, CJ ; Sawaki, L.; Wittenberg, GF ; Burdette, JH ; Oshiro, Y ; Quevedo, AS ; Coghill, RC "Roles of the insular cortex in the modulation of pain: insights from brain lesions." The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience 29, 9 (2009): 2684-94. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Sawaki, L.; Butler, AJ ; Leng, X.; Wassenaar, PA ; Mohammad, YM ; Blanton, S ; Sathian, K ; Nichols-Larsen, DS ; Wolf, SL ; Good, DC ; Wittenberg, GF "Constraint-induced movement therapy results in increased motor map area in subjects 3 to 9 months after stroke." Neurorehabilitation and neural repair 22, 5 (2008): 505-13. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Sawaki, L. "Emerging approaches in rehabilitation after brain injury." NeuroRehabilitation 23, 1 (2008): 1-2. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Sawaki, L.; Wu, CW ; Kaelin-Lang, A ; Cohen, LG "Effects of somatosensory stimulation on use-dependent plasticity in chronic stroke." Stroke 37, 1 (2006): 246-7. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Foster, DJ ; Good, DC ; Fowlkes, A ; Sawaki, L. "Atomoxetine enhances a short-term model of plasticity in humans." Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation 87, 2 (2006): 216-21. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Stefan, K ; Cohen, LG ; Duque, J ; Mazzocchio, R ; Celnik, P ; Sawaki, L.; Ungerleider, L ; Classen, J "Formation of a motor memory by action observation." The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience 25, 41 (2005): 9339-46. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Flöel, A ; Breitenstein, C ; Hummel, F ; Celnik, P ; Gingert, C ; Sawaki, L.; Knecht, S ; Cohen, LG "Dopaminergic influences on formation of a motor memory." Annals of neurology 58, 1 (2005): 121-30. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Sawaki, L. "Use-dependent plasticity of the human motor cortex in health and disease." IEEE engineering in medicine and biology magazine : the quarterly magazine of the Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society 24, 1 (2005): 36-9. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Kaelin-Lang, A ; Sawaki, L.; Cohen, LG "Role of voluntary drive in encoding an elementary motor memory." Journal of neurophysiology 93, 2 (2005): 1099-103. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Morgen, K ; Kadom, N.; Sawaki, L.; Tessitore, A ; Ohayon, J ; McFarland, H ; Frank, J ; Martin, R.; Cohen, LG "Training-dependent plasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis." Brain : a journal of neurology 127, Pt 11 (2004): 2506-17. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Morgen, K ; Kadom, N.; Sawaki, L.; Tessitore, A ; Ohayon, J ; Frank, J ; McFarland, H ; Martin, R.; Cohen, LG "Kinematic specificity of cortical reorganization associated with motor training." NeuroImage 21, 3 (2004): 1182-7. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Schambra, HM ; Sawaki, L.; Cohen, LG "Modulation of excitability of human motor cortex (M1) by 1 Hz transcranial magnetic stimulation of the contralateral M1." Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology 114, 1 (2003): 130-3. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Sawaki, L.; Werhahn, KJ ; Barco, R ; Kopylev, L ; Cohen, LG "Effect of an alpha(1)-adrenergic blocker on plasticity elicited by motor training." Experimental brain research 148, 4 (2003): 504-8. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Sawaki, L.; Yaseen, Z ; Kopylev, L ; Cohen, LG "Age-dependent changes in the ability to encode a novel elementary motor memory." Annals of neurology 53, 4 (2003): 521-4. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Sawaki, L.; Cohen, LG ; Classen, J ; Davis, BC ; Bütefisch, CM "Enhancement of use-dependent plasticity by D-amphetamine." Neurology 59, 8 (2002): 1262-4. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Donchin, O ; Sawaki, L.; Madupu, G ; Cohen, LG ; Shadmehr, R "Mechanisms influencing acquisition and recall of motor memories." Journal of neurophysiology 88, 4 (2002): 2114-23. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Sawaki, L.; Boroojerdi, B ; Kaelin-Lang, A ; Burstein, AH ; Bütefisch, CM ; Kopylev, L ; Davis, B.; Cohen, LG "Cholinergic influences on use-dependent plasticity." Journal of neurophysiology 87, 1 (2002): 166-71. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Bütefisch, CM ; Davis, BC ; Sawaki, L.; Waldvogel, D ; Classen, J ; Kopylev, L ; Cohen, LG "Modulation of use-dependent plasticity by d-amphetamine." Annals of neurology 51, 1 (2002): 59-68. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Kaelin-Lang, A ; Luft, AR ; Sawaki, L.; Burstein, AH ; Sohn, YH ; Cohen, LG "Modulation of human corticomotor excitability by somatosensory input." The Journal of physiology 540, Pt 2 (2002): 623-33. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Bütefisch, CM ; Davis, BC ; Wise, SP ; Sawaki, L.; Kopylev, L ; Classen, J ; Cohen, LG "Mechanisms of use-dependent plasticity in the human motor cortex." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 97, 7 (2000): 3661-5. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Sawaki, L.; Okita, T ; Fujiwara, M.; Mizuno, K. "Effects of subthreshold transcranial magnetic stimulation on choice reaction time and correlation with motor cortical activation." The Kobe journal of medical sciences 45, 3-4 (1999): 165-79. [PubMed Link] |
- Sawaki, L.; Okita, T ; Fujiwara, M.; Mizuno, K. "Specific and non-specific effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation on simple and go/no-go reaction time." Experimental brain research 127, 4 (1999): 402-8. [PubMed Link] | [ Full text ]
- Leite, HP ; Isatugo, MK ; Sawaki, L.; Fisberg, M "Anthropometric nutritional assessment of critically ill hospitalized children." Revista paulista de medicina 111, 1 (1993): 309-13. [PubMed Link] |