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Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of Wisconsin - Madison
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Research

Picture of Dr. Bill Boissonnault on the cover of JOSPTThe University of Wisconsin-Madison is considered to be one of the premier research institutions in the country, and the Physical Therapy Program is proud to contribute to this reputation. Faculty within our Program conduct research on a variety of topics, and their work spans from basic science to applied clinical research. Faculty are well-respected in their research and clinical fields, and give numerous presentations nationwide. Students not only have the opportunity to learn from accomplished clinicians, but from individuals who are striving to expand the knowlege base of physical therapy, health, and science in general.

Research Areas

The major research areas of Physical Therapy Program faculty are:

  • Understanding the abnormal lower extremity mechanics contributing to the development of injuries such as patellofemoral pain and hamstring strain (Heiderscheit)


  • Investigating physical therapists’ role in medical screening; identifying patients/clients who should be referred to a physician (W. Boissonnault)
  • The effects of sleep disordered breathing on the cardiovascular system (Morgan)


  • Epidemiology of the female athlete triad (Thein-Nissenbaum)


  • Content areas of physical therapy professional education, specifically women's health and joint manipulation (see journal cover picture above) (J. Boissonnault, W. Boissonnault)


  • Investigating factors which contribute to motion sensitivity (Dewane)
  • Influence of respiratory muscle work on redistribution of the cardiac output during exercise (Morgan)


  • Patient outcomes following surgery and/or physical therapy as they relate to co-morbidities, medication use and substance use (W. Boissonnault)
  • Determining the role of joint coordination variability during normal locomotion (Heiderscheit)


  • Physiological effects of electrical stimulation (Morgan, Sherry)
  • Teaching methods in physical therapy professional education (W. Boissonnault, Morgan)

Specific information on current and past research grants is also available.

students working on their research practicum project in Dr. Bryan Heiderscheit's lab

Student Roles in Research

An important component of our curriculum is the research track. Students receive instruction in research design and statistics germane to rehabilitation medicine, and become “good consumers” of published research through a review of articles relevant to physical therapy practice. Students participate in a research practicum (PT 642) that includes 60-80 hours of being mentored by experienced researchers. Due to the vast network of researchers available on our campus and community, students can work with mentors involved in a wide range of research activities; basic and clinical sciences, human and animal studies, qualitative and quantitative. At times, the practicum experience has led to students co-authoring journal publications and presenting research findings at National and State PT Association meetings. For example:

Trish Bartoli with Michelle Thorman            Jill Buelow with Bill Boissonnaulty  
Trish Bartoli (PT-2) explains her research with Dr. Bryan Heiderscheit on the reliability of the navicular drop test to Michelle Thorman, PT, MBA, WPTA President at the Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association's Spring 2004 Conference in Green Bay. Trish and Dr. Heiderscheit won best research poster at this conference!   Jill Buelow (PT-2) stands with Dr. Bill Boissonnault next to their poster entitled "Clinical Decision Making in Physical Therapist Professional Education: A Comparison of Two Teaching Strategies" during the Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association in February 2004.  

Student Publications:

Boissonnault W, J Bryan, K Fox. Joint Manipulation Curricula in Physical Therapist Professional Degree
Programs. Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 34(4):171-181, 2004.

LeMarbre G, S Stauber, RN Khayat, DS Puleo, JB Skatrud, and BJ Morgan. Baroreflex-induced sympathetic activation does not alter cerebrovascular CO2 responsiveness in humans. Journal of Physiology, 551:609-616, 2003.

Khayat RN, A Xie, AV Patel, A Kaminski, and JB Skatrud. Cardiorespiratory effects of added dead space in patients with heart failure and central sleep apnea. Chest, 123:1551-1560, 2003.

Thein JM, JC Orzehoskie. Lower Extremity Exercise Using Elastic Resistance. In: Page and Ellenbecker (eds), Scientific and Clinical Application of Elastic Resistance. Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, 2002.

Sherry JE, KM Oehrlein, KS Hegge, and BJ Morgan. Effects of burst mode transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on peripheral vascular resistance. Physical Therapy, 81:1183-1191, 2001.

Hollman JE and BJ Morgan. Effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on the pressor response to static handgrip exercise. Physical Therapy, 77:28-36, 1997.

Indergand HJ, and BJ Morgan. Effect of interference current on forearm vascular resistance in asymptomatic humans. Physical Therapy, 75:306-312, 1995.

Indergand HJ, and BJ Morgan. Effects of high-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on limb blood flow in healthy humans. Physical Therapy 74:361-367, 1994.


Student Poster Presentations:

Kristin Anderson, SPT and Kristin Olson, SPT along with Dr. Bryan Heiderscheit won first place in the 2005 Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association Research Poster Award for "Cushioned Insoles Reduce Impacts During Running."

Kristi Fox was the co-author of a poster with Dr. Bill Boissonnault entitled "Joint Manipulation Curricula in Physical Therapy Professional Degree Programs" presented at the 2005 American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections meeting.

Sarah Littler, SPT Elizabeth Sierra, SPT and Corey Somervilee, SPT co-authored a poster with Dr. Bill Boissonnault and Dr. Bryan Heidersheit entitled "Thrust Joint Manipulation Clinical Education Opportunities for Professional Degree Physical Therapy Students" presented at the 2005 American Physical Association Combined Sections meeting.

Jill Buelow, SPT, presented a poster at the 2003 APTA Combined Sections Meeting which she co-authored with Bill Boissonnault, PT, DHSc, FAAOMPT and Barb Morgan, PT, PhD entitled “A Comparison of Two Strategies for Teaching Differential Diagnosis Clinical Decision-Making.”

Trish Bartoli, SPT, presented a poster at the 2004 WPTA Spring Conference which she co-authored with Bryan Heiderscheit, PhD, PT entitled "Navicular Drop Test: Reliability and Validity." This poster won the Best Poster in Research Award.


 

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Physical Therapy - University of Wisconsin Department of Orthopedics & Rehabilitation
First published: 01/01/04 Last updated: 10/06/08 webmaster@surgery.wisc.edu
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