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Physical Therapy Research
The faculty and students in the Department of Physical Therapy engage in a variety of research. Learn more about the Physical Therapy research areas below.
Rehabilitation devices
Research involves testing and validation of assistive devices used by individuals to improve or compensate for impaired motor functions. Dr. Ustinova and her team have been currently testing the feasibility of using the NewGait rehabilitative device in patients with gait impairments due to stroke or Parkinson's Disease. This project has been sponsored through a contract with NewGait MI LLC company. Email Dr. Ustinova for more information.
Motion control and learning
Research includes the investigation of movement organization, impairments, and recovery in patients from various clinical populations. This includes patients who have been diagnosed with specific movement disorders, traumatic brain injuries, and those who have Parkinson's disease, autism, or have experienced a stroke. Many research projects are conducted in the motion analysis center, equipped with the system for motion analysis, electromyography, and force plates to examine kinematics and kinetic of movement patterns.
Recent publications on motor control and learning
- Ustinova KI, Leonard WA, Cassavaugh ND, Ingersoll CD (2011). Development of 3D immersive videogame to improve arm-postural coordination in patients with TBI. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 31:8:61.
- VanderHill MS, Wolf EE, Langenderfer JE, Ustinova KI (2014). The effect of actual and imaginary handgrip on postural stability during different balance conditions Gait Posture 40:652-657.
- Austin HM, Balendra N, Langenderfer JE, Ustinova KI (2018) Decomposition of leg movements during overground walking in individuals with traumatic brain injury. Brain Inj, 32(6):739-746.
Educational research in physical therapy
Dr. Schubbe researches Physical Therapists’ perceptions of preparedness to practice as culturally competent providers after graduation. The project examined how years in practice, influence of didactic, clinical, and life experiences, and self-reported behaviors contributed to perceptions of preparedness. Email Dr. Schubbe for more information.
Dr. Kopka's research involves the use of multiple forms of instruction in higher education including lectures, lab format, patient simulation including community partners, and the use of clinical case examples. Simulation-based education has been shown to have positive outcomes regarding student confidence related to a variety of clinical settings. According to studies from several health professions, following simulation, participants’ subjective levels of confidence have been found to increase. Email Dr. Kopka for more information.
Dr. Grossnickle has qualitative and quantitative research interests that explore pelvic floor physical therapy, educational aspects of teaching clinical reasoning using escape room simulation in physical therapy education, and therapeutic neuroscience education for persons with chronic conditions. Recent studies have included use of an innovative simulation escape room for immersing first year physical therapy students in their role; identification that pain education is as effective virtually as in-person for persons with low back pain; and identification that education altered emotionality, harm, control, and medication domains for people with chronic low back pain. Dr. Grossnickle collaborates with students for her studies as well as other faculty members. She also works with students who elect to participate in case report research during their final clinical year. Email Dr. Grossnickle for more information.
Diet, aging, and neurodegenerative disease process
Research involves exploring the effects of aging, diet and marine-based, omega-3 fatty acids on neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, microglial dysfunction, cognition and neurodegenerative disease processes in rodent models. Email Dr. Andraka for more information.
Ultrasound research
Dr. Andraka and his team use musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging to compare the effects of different types of mobilization interventions. Email Dr. Andraka for more information.
