Researcher

Title

• Assistant Professor, Faculty of medicine, Université de Montréal (2023)
• Researcher, CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre (2023)

• 2020-2023: Postdoctorate in neurophysiology of locomotion, Université Laval.
• 2016-2020: Doctorate in kinesiology/clinical biomechanics, Université de Montréal.
• 2013-2015: Master's degree in biomechanics, Université de Poitiers (France).
• 2010-2013: Bachelor's degree (equivalent) in Physiotherapy, Manar University (Tunisia)

Her research draws on the fields of biomechanics and neurophysiology to improve people's mobility. She has expertise in the biomechanical analysis of walking and posture in people with and without functional limitations. She is also interested in the use of robotic and interactive technologies for locomotor training of children and adolescents living with neuromotor disorders. Her research contributions aim to optimize and personalize the use of these technologies and to guide clinicians in their decision-making regarding the training of children and adolescents living with neuromotor disorders.

• Biomechanics of locomotion
• Assistive mobility technologies
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation
• Neurophysiology of locomotion
• Personalized rehabilitation
• Augmented reality
• Robotic technologies

Career Summary

Yosra Cherni has extensive experience in the analysis of movement in diverse populations (e.g., cerebral palsy, stroke, amputees). Over the years, she has been exposed to basic, clinical and applied research, from which she has developed a remarkable capacity for research, problem solving and collaboration in multidisciplinary teams.

During her doctorate in Biomechanics (Université de Montréal and Centre de recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine), she developed expertise in co-designing training protocols with clinicians, particularly those based on robotic technologies. She continued her career with a postdoctoral fellowship in neurophysiology at the Université Laval and Cirris, where she developed expertise in the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation during walking to assess corticospinal excitability in healthy individuals and those with cerebral palsy. Previously a researcher in charge of the biomechanics axis at TOPMED, a university center for innovation in health care, she also has experience in research and development of rehabilitation technologies with industrial partners. In August 2023, Yosra Cherni joined the School of Kinesiology and Physical Activity Sciences at the Université de Montréal as an Assistant Professor.

Laboratory

Laboratory of Neurobiomechanics and Neurorehabilitation of Locomotion (LNNL)

Awards and Distinctions

• Guest editor for a special issue "Multi-Modal Approaches to Assess the Impact of Orthopaedic Disease on Lower Extremity Joint Function and Health", Frontiers in Sports and Active Living (2023).
• Prize for the best oral presentation, Journée scientifique des stagiaires du CIRRIS, Québec, Canada. Title : Effet de l’entrainement spécifique à la marche sur l’excitabilité corticospinale chez des individus ayant subi un AVC : une revue systématique (2022).
• Postdoctoral fellowship, Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Santé (FRQS) (2020).
• Prize “Excellence, Expertise et Compétence,” CHU Sainte-Justine (2018).

Presentations

• Cherni Y, Bouyer L, Bretheau F, Mercier C. (2022). Effect of a complex walking task on corticospinal excitability and muscle activity in individuals with cerebral palsy: a multiple-case study., European Society of Movement Analysis for Adults and Children, Dublin, Irlande. Acte publié dans Gait and Posture, 97(1), S324-S325.
• Cherni Y, Turpin N, Laurendeau S, Robert M, Turcot K. (2022). Investigation of muscle synergy asymmetry during walking in individuals with cerebral palsy. International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology, Québec, Canada
• Cherni Y, Bouyer L, Mercier C. (2022). Effect of a complex locomotor task on corticospinal excitability and muscle coordination in healthy adults. International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology, Québec, Canada
• Cherni Y, Ballaz L, Lemaire J, Begon M. (2019). Effects of robot-assisted gait training on walking abilities of children with cerebral palsy. 26ième congrès annuel de la Société Francophone Posture Équilibre et Locomotion (SOFPEL), Montréal. Acte publié dans Neurophysiologie Clinique, 49(6), 421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neucli.2019.10.041
• Cherni Y, Ballaz L, Girardin G, Begon M. (2019). Robotic-assisted locomotion training improves walking abilities in children with bilateral cerebral palsy. European Society of Movement Analysis for Adults and Children (ESMAC), Prague, Czech Republic. Acte publié dans Gait and Posture, 65(1), 530-531. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2018.07.095

Publications

• Abid M, Cherni Y, Traverse E, Lavoie M, Sèbiyo-Batcho C, Mercier C. (2022). Facilitators and Barriers to Participation in Physical Activities in Children and Adolescents living with Cerebral Palsy: a scoping review. Disability and Rehabilitation, 29 (1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2022.2150327
• Cherni Y, Tremblay A, Simon M, Bretheau F, Blanchette A, Mercier C. (2022). Corticospinal Responses Following Gait-Specific Training in Stroke Survivors: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (23), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315585
• Cherni Y, Hajizadeh M, Dal Maso F, Turpin N. (2021). Effects of Body Weight Support and Guidance Force Settings on Muscle Synergy during Lokomat Walking. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 121(1), 2967–2980. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-021-04762-w
• Cherni Y, Desmyttere G, Hajizadeh M, Bleau J, Mercier C, Begon M. (2021). Effect of 3D printed foot orthoses on muscle activity and plantar pressures in patients with flatfeet: A Statistical nonParametric Mapping study. Clinical Biomechanics, 92(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2021.105553
• Cherni Y, Ballaz L, Lemaire J, Begon M. (2020). Effect of Low Dose Robotic-Gait Training on Walking Capacity in Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy. Neurophysiologie Clinique / Clinical Neurophysiology, 50(6), 507-519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neucli.2020.09.005
• Cherni Y, Desseauve D, Decatoire A, Veit-Rubin N, Begon M, Pierre F, Fradet L. (2019). Evaluation of ligament laxity during pregnancy. Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction, 48(5), 351-357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogoh.2019.02.009
• Cherni Y, Pouliot-Laforte A, Parent A, Marois P, Begon M, Ballaz L. (2018). Lower Limb Extension is Improved in Fast Walking Condition in Children Who Walk in Crouch Gait. Disability and Rehabilitation, 41(26), 3210-3215. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2018.1493158
• Cherni Y, Begon M, Chababe H, Moissenet F. (2017). Use of electromyography to optimize Lokomat® settings in a subject-specific gait rehabilitation training in post-stroke hemiparesis patients: a proof-of-concept study. Neurophysiologie Clinique/Clinical Neurophysiology, 47(7), 293-299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neucli.2017.01.008