School of Health Professions | Department of Physical Therapy
School of Health Professions | Department of Physical Therapy
Department of Physical Therapy

Research

Student & Faculty Research

As a physical therapy student, you’ll have the opportunity to become involved in research projects initiated by faculty and to spearhead meaningful community projects on your own. Research involvement gives students a dynamic view of how new techniques and philosophies emerge, while community learning projects allow you to gain experience in presenting wellness topics and developing solutions to address specific health issues, as well as to work hands-on with clients through the process.

Examples of recent research projects include:

  • The impact of exercise and stress management on cancer-related fatigue
  • Transition in Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis: What is the role of Physical Therapy?
  • The use of standardized patients in training healthcare students for interprofessional practice
  • A series of wellness presentations, fliers and brochures provided on campus to faculty, staff and students of the University
  • Development of an interactive exercise and educational website for people with traumatic brain injuries, cerebral vascular accidents, spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis
  • An online exercise program for people with cancer
  • Participation in the locomotor training program at Magee Rehabilitation, a member of the NeuroRecovery Network
  • A health fair at a neighborhood retirement community
  • The impact of exercise on falls in the elderly
     

Faculty Research Areas

Physical Therapy faculty are constantly performing research and engaging students to participate with them. Much of their work is done in the physical therapy department’s Motion Analysis Laboratory, located within the Patricia Leahy Memorial Research Laboratory, and in the BTE Technologies™ Rehabilitation Research Laboratory.

    • David Logerstedt PT PhD, SCS: Develop and implement clinical and translational treatment interventions to optimize knee function and return to activity and reduce the incidence of post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis in physically active individuals with a knee injury, specifically ACL and cartilage injuries.
    • Gregory Thielman PT EdD, ATC, CSRS: Kinematic Movement Analysis of reaching post-stroke/ Long Term follow-up of trained subject.
    • Sylvester Carter PT, MHS, PhD, CEEAA: An Evaluation of a Supervised Low-Intensity Hip Flexor Training Program for Reducing Minimum Toe Clearance Variability, An Investigation of the Ability of Minimum Toe Clearance Data Collected on Level Ground to Predict Minimum Toe Clearance on Carpeted and Uneven Surfaces, Investigating the effects of Transcranial Direct Stimulation and Functional Electrical Stimulation on Minimum Toe Clearance: A Case Series. 
    • David Logerstedt PT PhD, SCS
    • Eric Folkins DPT, OCS: Assessing students' ability to provide manual therapy techniques (cervical traction and manipulation) correctly and using motor learning principles to teach students correctly and efficiently.  
    • Lora Packel PT, PhD: Cardiovascular fitness and health promotion in people with cancer and other chronic illnesses.
    • Margie Roos PT DPT PhD, NCS
    • Gregory Thielman PT EdD, ATC, CSRS: Structuring practice to facilitate learning in stroke patients- Clinical and Kinematic 
    • Anne Galgon, PhD: Physical Therapy Management of Vestibular Disorders, Physical Therapy Management of Lateral Canal BPPV and Motor learning in the Postural Control system
    • Margie Roos PT DPT PhD, NCS: Treatment interventions that result in long-term improvements in function in people with stroke.
    • Lora Packel PT PhD: Cancer Rehabilitation
    • Eric Pelletier PT, DPT, PCS: Experiential Learning in Pediatric Physical Therapy Education; Determinants of Success in a Physical Therapy Program
    • Anne Galgon, PhD: Physical Therapy Management of Vestibular Disorders, Physical Therapy Management of Lateral Canal BPPV and Motor learning in the Postural Control system
    • Eric Folkins DPT, OCS: Testing various teaching strategies to enhance learning.
    • Eric Pelletier PT, DPT, PCS: Experiential Learning in Pediatric Physical Therapy Education; Determinants of Success in a Physical Therapy Program
    • Eric Pelletier PT, DPT, PCS: Experiential Learning in Pediatric Physical Therapy Education; Determinants of Success in a Physical Therapy Program
    • Carol Maritz PT, EdD, GCS: Falls in the older population; Pedagogy

Research Facilities

Our research occurs in the community,  in the physical therapy department’s Motion Analysis Laboratory located within the Patricia Leahy Memorial Research Laboratory, and in the BTE Technologies™ Rehabilitation Research Laboratory. 

Both labs are equipped with some of the most advanced technology in the field:

  • 8 camera Vicon Bonita B10 system with Nexus 2.0 and Bodybuilder Software
  • Bioness Unweighing device
  • Bertec nonconductive force plates
  • The MotionMonitor® data acquisition, analysis, and visualization system
  • MuscleLab 4020e-kit—Testing unit including light mat, 8 channel EMG,electric goniometer, accelerometer
  • LOGIQ e BT11—Ultrasound imaging including 12L-RS Probe, cart, printer, software
  • GT3XE-Plus Triaxial Activity Monitors
  • Biodex System 2 computerized dynamometer
  • Twin axis electronic goniometer
  • GaitRite computerized walkway system for gait analysis
  • Zeno 4x4' Walkway for measuring balance
  • Biodex dynamometer
  • BTE Primus RS Rehabilitation System
  • BTE-Eccectron
  • BTE Eval Tech Functional Testing System
  • Polhemus Liberty with 8 cabled sensors

Current Leahy and BTE Lab research and training projects include:

  • Analysis of upper limb training techniques in post-stroke individuals
  • Analysis of muscle activation patterns of quadriceps using open and closed kinetic techniques
  • Analysis of the reaching ability on the involved side of individuals who have had a stroke
  • Investigation of the efficacy of commonly used open and closed kinetic chain exercises of the lower extremity and how or if they make knee rehabilitation more efficient and effective
  • Investigation of the effects of a functional circuit training program on improvements in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Cognition, Depression and Cardiovascular risk factors in people post-stroke.