Physical Therapy division research highlights from summer 2025

January 16, 2026

Faculty in the Division of Physical Therapy contributed to new publications, presented work at national and international conferences, and received competitive grant funding throughout summer 2025. Here’s an overview of recent activities.

Publications in peer‑reviewed journals and books

Associate Professor Heather A. Feldner, PhD

Sloane, B., Hoffman, M., Logan, S., Kenyon, L., Steele, K., Feldner, H.A.
Comparison of three tracking methods to assess usage of two pediatric powered mobility devices for young children with cerebral palsy.

Associate Professor Mary Beth Brown, PT, PhD

Long, G.M., Giourdas, A.D., Fisher, A.J., Lahm, T., Coggan, A.R., Brown, M.B.
Effect of pre‑exercise dietary nitrate on skeletal muscle blood flow in a rat model of pulmonary hypertension.
DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00037.2025

Associate Teaching Professor Laura Johnstone, MPT, PhD, and Teaching Associate Gretchen Deutschlander, PT, DPT, OCS

Gries, M., Deutschlander, G., Durand, B., Johnstone, L.
Sex and gender reporting in gait literature: A scoping review.
DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2025.106635

Professor Chet Moritz, PhD, and Assistant Professor Soshi Samejima, PhD

Pfister, A., Samejima, S., Moritz, C.T., Ingraham, K.A.
Biomechanical effects of varying transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation amplitude during walking in individuals with spinal cord injury: A case series.
DOI: 10.1109/TMRB.2025.3605960

Pfister, A., Samejima, S., Moritz, C.T., Ingraham, K.A.
Multi‑system benefits of non‑invasive spinal cord stimulation following cervical spinal cord injury: a case study.
DOI: 10.1186/s42234‑025‑00183‑8

Tefertiller, C., Trumbower, R., Morse, L.R., Suggitt, J., Turner, A., Pradarelli, J., Gelenitis, K., Santamaria, A., D’Amico, J., Moritz, C., Field‑Fote, E.
Home‑based spinal cord stimulation therapy safely and effectively improves hand and arm function following spinal cord injury.
DOI: 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000200537

Associate Professor Sean D. Rundell, PT, DPT, PhD

Rundell, S.D., Meier, E.N., Jarvik, J.G., Friedly, J.L., … Goode, A.P.
Phenotypes of patients with symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis presenting for non‑operative care: Baseline data from the Lumbar Stenosis Prognostic Subgroups for Personalizing Care and Treatment (PROSPECTS) Study.
DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnaf099

Rowland, B., … Rundell, S.D., … Mauck, M.C.
Baseline characteristics of participants in the Biomarkers for Evaluating Spine Treatments clinical trial: A sequential multiple assignment randomized trial for chronic low back pain.
DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnaf073

French, M.A., … Rundell, S.D., Zeleznik, H., Resnik, L.
Advancing the implementation of patient centered outcomes in rehabilitation learning health systems: Insights from the 2024 LeaRRn Summit.
DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2025.07.020

Conference presentations and invited talks

Acting Assistant Professor Claire E. Child, PhD, and Associate Professor Mary Beth Brown, PT, PhD

International LAM Research Conference & LAMposium — Kansas City, Missouri (September 2025)

Identification of a “Ceiling Effect” Limitation to Use of 6MWT for Aerobic Exercise Prescription in Higher Functioning Individuals with Lymphangioleiomyomatosis.
Child, C.E., Enyeart, R.A., Babu, G., Ho, L.A., Brown, M.B.
Stress Urinary Incontinence is Prevalent in LAM.
Lanton, B., Gries, M., Child, C., Brown, M.B.
Invited talk (Brown): “Exercise in LAM: Journey from identification of patient need to the development of LAMFit.”

European Respiratory Society Congress — Amsterdam (September 2025)

Mobile app‑based home spirometry in lymphangioleiomyomatosis.
Costello, A., Borton, R., Ho, L.A., Child, C.E., Brown, M.B.

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine — Seattle (September 2025)

Brown presented: “Springboard to Success: Investigator‑Initiated Industry Funding.”

Professor Chet T. Moritz, PhD

Invited speaker, 4th ISCoS International Regional Symposium, Latin America and the Caribbean
“Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation to promote recovery after spinal cord injury.”
Keynote speaker, NIH Rehabilitation Research 2025
“Neurotechnology to promote long‑term recovery after brain and spinal cord injury.”

Associate Professor Heather A. Feldner, PhD

American Society of Biomechanics Annual Meeting — Pittsburgh (August 2025)

Muscle activity during walker‑based exoskeleton use in children with cerebral palsy.
Landwehr‑Prakel, K., Fragomeni, A., Bjornson, K.F., Moritz, C.T., Feldner, H.A., Steele, K.M.
Kicking it Off: Does Toddler Leg Muscle Activation while Driving Change with Posture?
McCreary, M., Ingraham, K., Feldner, H.A., Steele, K.M.

Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals Annual Conference — Philadelphia (September 2025)

Mobility, Redefined: Perspectives and Priorities from Those with Lived Experience.
Worobey, L., Mielo, C., Tempest, M., Speanberg, C., Feldner, H., Cotner, B., Hoffman, J.

Assistant Teaching Professor Kathleen Cummer, PT, DPT, PhD, and Associate Professor Cristine Agresta, PT, MPT, PhD

American Orthopedic Medical Society for Sports Medicine Annual Conference — Nashville (July 2025)

The effect of early blood flow restriction training on quadriceps muscle strength and functional performance following isolated anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A double‑blind randomized controlled trial.
Ohlsen, S.M., Hagen, M.S., Cummer, K., Telfer, S., Chin, K., Kweon, C., Gee, A., Agresta, C.

Associate Professor Cristine Agresta, PT, MPT, PhD

International Society of Biomechanics — Stockholm (July 2025)

Proof‑of‑concept for quantifying foot kinematics and movement demands during softball fielding.
Rossanigo, R., Machetti, A., DeRosia, K., Cereatti, A., Agresta, C.
A speed‑independent method for stride length estimation in running using foot‑mounted inertial sensors.
Rossanigo, R., Machetti, A., Manca, A., Agresta, C., Camomilla, V., Cereatti, A.

Associate Professor Murray E. Maitland, PT, PhD

Military Health System Research Symposium — Orlando (August 2025)

Comparing non‑linear mobility benefits of lower extremity prosthetics extracted from component analysis of standardized tests.
Maitland, M.E., Gries, M., Farrag, S., Carey, S.L., Wernke, M.M., Colvin, J.M., Humbert, A.T., Allyn, K.J.

Awarded grants

Associate Professor Cristine Agresta, PT, MPT, PhD

Adidas Athlete Assessments — Principal investigator
Two‑year project, total cost $419,281 (FTE: 0.30–0.40).

Associate Professor Mary Beth Brown, PT, PhD

Right Ventricular Response to Exercise Among Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
NIH K23, 1K23HL175186‑01A1 (NHLBI)
Award amount: $190,825 per year for five years
Role: mentor

Professor Chet T. Moritz, PhD

Data‑driven design of an under‑sensorized, movement‑monitoring hand wearable
Weill Neurohub Next Great Ideas program (#042NGI)
2025–2027, Co‑PI, $250,000 total
Cervical and Lumbar Spinal Cord Stimulation for Walking
Weill Neurohub postdoctoral fellowship to Marsalis Smith
2025–2027, $75,000 per year
Role: mentor

Other announcements

Research Capstone Journal Club

A new journal club launched this summer to give research capstone students and faculty opportunities to share their projects, talk about research methods, and build community.