Kei Masani, University of Toronto

Research

Functional Electrical Stimulation Muscle Fatigue Postural Control Spinal Cord Injuries Stroke Human Neuroprosthesis Functional Electrical Stimulator

Latest papers

Balance training alters extrapolated centre-of-mass and base-of-support dynamics and neuromechanical regulation of reactive stepping in people with incomplete spinal cord injury.
Journal of biomechanics · 2026 · senior author
Functional electrical stimulation for major depressive disorder: Protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial.
PloS one · 2026
Feasibility of a depth camera-based center of mass feedback system for closed-loop functional electrical stimulation therapy and visual feedback balance training.
Biomedical physics & engineering express · 2026 · senior author

All 117 publications

Latest funding

Co-designing a Smartwear Revolution: Augmenting Mobility, Independence, and Ability through Transformative Clothing Technology
SSHRC · 2024 · Co-investigator
$4,000,000
Transcutaneous functional electrical stimulation technologies for upright balance during standing and walking
NSERC · 2023 · Principal investigator
$84,000
Optimizing the recovery after spinal cord injury: a personalized assistive neuro-robotic paradigm
SSHRC · 2022 · Co-investigator
$125,000

All 11 grants and awards

117 publications.

01

Balance training alters extrapolated centre-of-mass and base-of-support dynamics and neuromechanical regulation of reactive stepping in people with incomplete spinal cord injury.

Lee JW, Chan K, Unger J, Mauceri S, Heffernan MG, Musselman KE, Masani K

Journal of biomechanics2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2026.113401 PMID: 42287774

02

Functional electrical stimulation for major depressive disorder: Protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Gholamali Nezhad F, Yu H, Demchenko I, Iwasa SN, DiNunzio S, Ghosh R, Zariffa J, Masani K, Lou W, Mulsant BH, Naguib HE, Popovic MR, Bhat V

PloS one2026

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0357381 PMID: 42721198

03

Feasibility of a depth camera-based center of mass feedback system for closed-loop functional electrical stimulation therapy and visual feedback balance training.

Lim D, Pei W, Lee JW, Musselman KE, Masani K

Biomedical physics & engineering express2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1088/2057-1976/ae89bc PMID: 42443112

04

Functional Electrical Stimulation Combined With Reactive Balance Training for Individuals With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomised Clinical Trial.

Heffernan MG, Chan K, Lee J, Cheung L, Inness EL, Masani K, Musselman KE

Neurorehabilitation and neural repair2026

DOI: 10.1177/15459683261454942 PMID: 42290217

05

Effects of multiple motor point stimulation on knee joint torque compared with conventional functional electrical stimulation.

Kozlowski B, Lim D, Gladish M, Arami A, Masani K

Biomedical engineering online2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1186/s12938-026-01578-7 PMID: 42141419

06

Reorganization of fractal gait dynamics by auditory cueing with scale-dependent control.

Hirata K, Rouhani H, Marshall T, Abe MO, Nakazawa K, Nozaki D, Masani K

Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01212.2025 PMID: 41979889

07

A pilot randomized controlled trial of neuromodulation-augmented balance training in people with multiple sclerosis: STIM-Balance Protocol.

Tajali S, Scandiffio J, Ali-Hassan Y, Lim D, Ghosh R, Atputharaj S, Musselman K, Simpson R, Masani K

PloS one2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0346491 PMID: 41990010

08

Comparison of methods for determining parameters related to ankle joint quasi-stiffness during quiet standing.

Lau K, Fok KL, Lee J, Masani K

PloS one2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0338581 PMID: 41973726

09

Standing balance therapy through portable and low-cost visual feedback training.

Shushtari M, Pei W, Lim D, Masani K

Biomedical engineering online2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1186/s12938-025-01507-0 PMID: 41540429

10

The Orthotic Effect of Functional Electrical Stimulation on Reactive Stepping for People With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury.

Heffernan MG, Lee J, Chan K, Inness EL, Masani K, Musselman KE

Artificial organs2025

DOI: 10.1111/aor.70018 PMID: 41074617

Co-designing a Smartwear Revolution: Augmenting Mobility, Independence, and Ability through Transformative Clothing Technology

Co-investigatorSSHRC2024New Frontiers in Research Fund - Transformation

Principal investigators: Mushahwar, Vivian

$4,000,000

Transcutaneous functional electrical stimulation technologies for upright balance during standing and walking

Principal investigatorNSERC2023Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Principal investigators: Masani, Kei

Keywords: Electroneurophysiology; Functional Electrical Stimulation; Human; Lower Limb; Motor Control; Muscle; Neuroprosthesis; Posture

$84,000

Optimizing the recovery after spinal cord injury: a personalized assistive neuro-robotic paradigm

Co-investigatorSSHRC2022New Frontiers in Research Fund - Exploration

Principal investigators: Arami, Arash

Keywords: spinal cord injury; neuromechanics; optimal control theory; artificial intelligence; wearable exoskeleton; functional electrical stimulation; neurophysiological analysis; neurorehabilitation

$125,000

Development and validation of a clinically feasible, novel therapy for improving standing balance and reducing falls

Principal investigatorCIHR2019Collaborative Health Research Projects (NSERC partnered)

Principal investigators: Musselman, Kristin E; Alizadeh-Meghrazi, Milad; Masani, Kei

Keywords: Functional Electrical Stimulation; Postural Control; Spinal Cord Injuries; Stroke

$297,385

Control of dynamic standing using functional electrical stimulation

Principal investigatorNSERC2017Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Principal investigators: Masani, Kei

$168,000

Development of novel method to reduce muscle fatigue using functional electrical stimulation

Nominated PICIHR2016Project Grant

Principal investigators: Masani, Kei

Keywords: Functional Electrical Stimulation; Human; Muscle Fatigue; Neuroprosthesis

$301,976

Advanced Electrical Stimulation Technology for Neuroprostheses and Neuromodulation Applications

Co-investigatorNSERC2015Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

Principal investigators: Popovic, Milos

$146,900

Neuroplasticity induced by functional electrical stimulation

Principal investigatorNSERC2014Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Principal investigators: Masani, Kei

$25,000

Development of novel tool to reduce muscle fatigue during rehabilitation using functional electrical stimulation

Nominated PICIHR2013Operating Grant - PA: IMHA New investigators - Bridge Funding

Principal investigators: Masani, Kei

Keywords: Functional Electrical Stimulator; Muscle Fatigue; Neuroprosthees

$100,000

Novel methodology to reduce muscle fatigue during functional electrical stimulation

Nominated PICIHR2010Operating Grant

Principal investigators: Masani, Kei

Keywords: Functional Electrical Stimulation; Muscle Fatigue; Neuroprostheses

$120,364

From CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC funding decisions: CIHR since 2008, NSERC since 1991 and SSHRC since 1998, including their latest published competition results.

Frequent collaborators

Kinesiology
Physical Therapy
Department of Physical Therapy
Surgery
Family Medicine
Medicine/Neurology
Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Other

1 shared papers, latest 2021

Luc Noreau

Faculty

1 shared papers, latest 2017

David Ditor

Kinesiology

1 shared papers, latest 2017

Write to this professor

A short, specific email works best. This draft uses one of their recent papers; replace the parts in brackets with your own details before sending.

Applying for

Paper to mentionMention their NSERC grant from 2023

Subject: Prospective PhD student: Functional Electrical Stimulation Dear Professor Masani, My name is [your name], and I am a [your current degree or role] at [your institution]. I am applying for a PhD position starting in [term and year]. I read your paper "Balance training alters extrapolated centre-of-mass and base-of-support dynamics and neuromechanical regulation of reactive stepping in people with incomplete spinal cord injury." (2026), and it connects closely to my own work on [your research topic]. [One or two sentences on what you did and what you learned.] I also saw your NSERC-funded project "Transcutaneous functional electrical stimulation technologies for upright balance during standing and walking" (2023), and I would be glad to contribute to work in that direction. Are you accepting new PhD students for [term and year]? I have attached my CV and transcripts, and I would be glad to talk at a time that suits you. Thank you for your time. Kind regards, [your name]