Chief Research Analyst

tbuster@madonna.org

Phone: 402-413-4508

Office: Richard W. and Jacqueline B. Chapin Gait & Motion Lab

Mailing Address:
Institute for Rehabilitation Science and Engineering
Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital
5401 South Street
Lincoln, NE 68506

Professional Interests
Thad Buster received his Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, and completed his Master of Science degree in Exercise Science at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He completed an internship in Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation at Saint Elizabeth's Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska, and has extensive clinical experience in the field of exercise physiology. His research interests include the biomechanical analysis of gait and exercise interventions for persons with disabilities and chronic medical conditions.

Education

• M.S. Exercise Science (2010). University of Nebraska Omaha, Omaha, NE
• B.S. Exercise Science (1998). Wayne State College, Wayne, NE

Patents

• Burnfield JM, Shu Y, Taylor AP, Buster TW, Nelson CA (2011). Rehabilitation and Exercise Machine. U.S. Patent 8,007,405.
• Burnfield JM, Shu Y, Taylor AP, Buster TW, Nelson CA (2012). Rehabilitation and Exercise Machine. U.S. Patent 8,177,688 B2.

Selected Articles

• Burnfield JM, McCrory B, Shu Y, Buster TW, Taylor AP, Goldman AJ. Comparative kinematic and electromyographic assessment of clinician- and device-assisted sit-to-stand transfers in patients with stroke. Accepted, Physical Therapy.
• Buster TW, Burnfield JM, Taylor AP, Stergiou, N. Lower extremity kinematics during walking and elliptical training in individuals with and without traumatic brain injury. Accepted, Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy.
• Burnfield JM, Shu Y, Buster TW, Taylor A, McBride MM, Krause ME (2012). Kinematic and electromyographic analysis of normal and device-assisted sit to stand transfers. Gait and Posture, 36(3):516-522.
• Burnfield JM, Shu Y, Buster TW, Taylor A, Nelson CA (2011). Impact of elliptical trainer ergonomic modifications on perceptions of safety, comfort, workout and usability by individuals with physical disabilities and chronic conditions. Physical Therapy, 91(11)1604-1617.
• Nelson CA, Burnfield JM, Shu Y, Buster TW, Taylor A, Graham A (2011). Modified elliptical machine motor-drive design for assistive gait rehabilitation. Transactions of the ASME Journal of Medical Devices, 5:021001.1-021001.7.
• Burnfield JM, Shu Y, Buster TW, Taylor A (2010). Similarity of joint kinematics and muscle demands between elliptical training and walking: Implications for practice. Physical Therapy,90(2). 289-305

Selected Abstracts

• Burnfield JM, Nelson CA, Buster TW, Taylor AP (2012). Affordable technology addresses walking and fitness deficits across rehabilitation continuum of care. 10th Annual Conference of the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association. San Diego, CA.
• Watt BP, Burnfield JM, Truemper EJ, Buster TW, Bashford GR (2012). Monitoring cerebral hemodynamics with transcranial doppler ultrasound during cognitive and exercise testing in adults following unilateral stroke. 34th Annual International IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Conference. San Diego, CA.
• Yeseta MC, Taylor AP, Buster TW, Shu Y, Burnfield JM (2012). Exercise endurance and functional mobility improve for individuals with physical disabilities after training on a motorized elliptical. Online proceedings, Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America’s 2012 Annual Conference.
• Burnfield JM, Yeseta M, Buster TW, Taylor AP, Shu Y (2012). Individuals with physical limitations can benefit from training on a motorized elliptical for community-based exercise. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 45(5 Supplement), pg. S360.
• Taylor AP, Lowndes BR, Buster TW, Shu Y, Burnfield JM (2012). Speed’s impact on pedar pressures at varying levels of body weight supported ICARE training. Proceedings, Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society 2012 Annual Meeting, pgs. 139-140.
• Shu Y, Taylor AP, Buster TW, Burnfield JM (2012). Clinicians’ motion and muscle activation patterns during body weight support treadmill training. Proceedings, Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society 2012 Annual Meeting, pgs. 230-231.
• Buster TW, Goulet C, Shafer D, Burnfield JM (2012). Comparison of kinematic demands of walking and elliptical training between individuals with and without mild to moderate multiple sclerosis. Proceedings, Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society 2012 Annual Meeting, pgs. 232-233.
• Burnfield JM, Hildner GA, Buster TW, Taylor AP, Shu Y (2011). Speed’s impact on muscle demands during partial body weight supported training on a motorized elliptical. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 92(10): 1700.
• Burnfield JM, Taylor AP, Buster TW, Shu Y, Goldman AJ, Nelson CA (2011). Use of Intelligently Controlled Assistive Rehabilitation Elliptical Trainer to Improve Walking and Fitness during Acute Stroke Rehabilitation. Stroke, 42(3), pg. e326.
• Goldman AJ, Buster TW, Taylor AP, Ediger MJ, Shu Y, Burnfield JM (2011). Muscle Demands of Device Assisted versus Clinician Assisted Sit-to-stand Transfers: Implications for Stroke Rehabilitation. Stroke, 42(3), pgs. e326-327.
• Burnfield JM, Goulet C, Buster TW, Cassel AJ, Mills J, Seow CM (2011). Comparison of velocity, muscle demands and perceived exertion during elliptical training and treadmill walking in individuals with and without multiple sclerosis. Annual Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association.
• Burnfield JM, Shu Y, Buster TW, Taylor AP, Merriman L, Nelson CA (2010). Comparison of lower extremity electromyographic (EMG) demands during ICARE training and walking. Online Proceedings, American Society of Biomechanics 34th Annual Meeting, pgs. 334-335.
• Buster TW, Taylor AP, Frazier M, Burnfield JM (2010). Kinematic analysis of five cardiovascular exercises. Online Proceedings, American Society of Biomechanics 34th Annual Meeting,pgs. 324-325.
• Hueftle AM, Balogh BJ, Taylor AP, Goldman AJ, Buster TW, Burnfield JM (2010). Stroke rehabilitation: A kinematic analysis of device-assisted and clinician-assisted sit-to-stand transfers. Online Proceedings, American Society of Biomechanics 34th Annual Meeting, pgs. 310-311.
• Burnfield JM, Buster TW, Taylor A, Keenan S, Shu Y, Nelson CA (2010). Intelligently Controlled Assistive Rehabilitation Elliptical (ICARE) Training: An Analysis of Lower Extremity Electromyographic (EMG) Demands with Varying Levels of Motor Assistance. Online Proceedings, Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America’s 2010 Annual Conference.
• Shu Y, Buster TW, Taylor A, Keenan S, Nelson CA, Burnfield JM (2010). Ergonomic redesign of elliptical trainer to promote greater safety, comfort and usability. Online Proceedings, Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America’s 2010 Annual Conference.
• McBride MM, Hueftle AM, Krause ME, Buster TW, Burnfield JM, Bashford GR, Taylor AP. Safe Patient Handling: A Kinematic Analysis of Device-Assisted Versus No Device Sit-to-Stand Motion. Online Proceedings, American Society of Biomechanics 2009 Annual Meeting.
• Burnfield JM, Roemmich RT, Scherr T, Buster TW (2009). Comparison of Vastus Lateralis and Medial Hamstring Electromyographic Activity Across Five Cardiovascular Exercises. Supplement to Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 41(5), pgs. S568-569.
• Buster TW, Roemmich RT, Doher NJ, Burnfield JM (2009). Comparison of Ankle Muscle Electromyographic Activity Across Five Cardiovascular Exercises. Supplement to Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 41(5), pg. S569.
• Taylor AP, Buster TW, Barber BR, Burnfield JM (2009). Comparison of Forefoot and Heel Pressures Across Fast Walking and Four Elliptical Trainer Conditions. Supplement to Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 41(5), pg. S242.
• Corbridge LM, Goldman AJ, Shu Y, Buster TW, Burnfield JM (2009). Clinician's Muscle Effort During Partial Body Weight Support Treadmill Training: Is it Hard Work? Presented, American Physical Therapy Association's 2009 Annual Conference and Exposition.
• Goldman AJ, Corbridge LM, Buster TW, Burnfield JM (2009). Partial Body Weight Support Treadmill Training During the Acute Phase of Stroke Recovery: Impact of Training Speed on Non-Hemiparetic Limb Stride Characteristics and Muscle Demands. Presented, American Physical Therapy Association's 2009 Annual Conference and Exposition.
• Burnfield JM, Barber BR, Buster TW, Taylor AP (2009). Plantar Pressures Vary Across Elliptical Trainers and Compared to Walking. Proceedings, 2009 Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society 14th Annual Meeting.
• Buster TW, Goldman AJ, Corbridge LM, Shu Y, Burnfield JM (2009). Partial Body Weight Support Treadmill Training: Clinician's Upper Extremity Muscle Activation During Facilitation of Hemiparetic Limb Movement. Proceedings, 2009 Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society 14th Annual Meeting.
• Burnfield JM, Corbridge LM, Goldman AJ, Rey ME, Ankeny AJ, Buster TW (2009). Influence of partial body weight support treadmill training walking speed on muscle activation and stride characteristics in adults with acute unilateral stroke. Presented, 2009 Annual Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association.
• Burnfield JM, Buster TW, Provorse A, Takahashi S (2007). Muscular demands during elliptical training compared to overground walking. Physiotherapy, 93(Supplement 1):S179.
• Takahashi S, Burnfield JM, Buster TW, Provorse AR (2007). Comparison of Gluteal Muscle Electromyographic Activity across Five Cardiovascular Exercises in Healthy Young Adults. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Volume 39:5 S255.
• Burnfield JM, Buster TW, Takahashi S (2007). Increased Diabetic Risk for Individuals with Disabilities - A Need for Adaptations and Monitoring. CDC's 30th Diabetes Translation Conference - Looking Back and Moving Forward, Abstract Book.
• Buster TW, Ginoza LM, Burnfield JM (2006). Comparison of lower extremity sagittal plane kinematics during overground gait, treadmill walking and elliptical training. Proceedings CD, American Society of Biomechanics, 30th Annual Meeting.
• Todd JB, Conley DS, Buster TW, Dyrstad SI, Strand JT (2000). Effect of rest interval length on multiple set high intensity bench press performance. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32(5): S150.

Invited Professional Presentations

• Burnfield JM, Salisbury M, Spellman C, Buster TW. Promoting Optimal Walking and Community Engagement in Those Living with Multiple Sclerosis. Nebraska TREND Symposium 2011. Lincoln, NE. Presented March 12, 2011.
• Burnfield JM, Buster TW. Neuroplasticity: Applying Guiding Principles to Help People Relearn to Walk Following an Injury. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), College of Education and Human Sciences, University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Lincoln, NE. April 8, 2009.

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