Physical Therapy Research at UIndy
In addition to teaching, faculty in the Krannert School of Physical Therapy are dedicated researchers who investigate new and innovative ways to treat patients with a wide array of needs, from rehabilitation following injury or surgery, to managing the effects of chronic illness. Students in the Krannert School of Physical Therapy work closely with faculty on research efforts in the classroom, in our Movement Science Lab, and in the community.
Human Movement Sciences Laboratory
The University of Indianapolis Human Movement Sciences Laboratory (HML) is located on the main floor of the Health Pavilion. HML is where faculty, students, and community stakeholders across the College of Health Sciences can better understand the kinetics and kinematics of human movement!
Research Equipment
- 3D Motion Capture (Vicon Nexus)
- Force Plates (AMTI)
- Walking Belt (ZenoMetrics)
- Inertial Measurement Units (XSens)
Contact the Lab Director
Adriana Alamilla
miltkoa@uindy.edu
Adriana Alamilla's LinkedIn
A sampling of current research
We are examining the local and systemic effects of various forms of clinical neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on human skeletal muscle. Changes in microvascular oxygenation and total hemoglobin concentration during and after neuromuscular electrical stimulation with blood flow restriction has most recently been the focus of our research.
- KSPT Faculty: Jim Bellew, PT, EdD, MS
- Internal Collaborator: Trent Cayot, PhD, UIndy Exercise Science
- UIndy DPT Students: Sam Somesan, Sofia Simpson, Joe Northam, Trevor Edgerton, Dawson Labaw
We are studying the use of performance test measures (FMS, Y-Balance test, Hop testing, Agility testing) along with demographic information to identify HS athletes that are at increased risk of sustaining a lower extremity injury. Varsity athletes have baseline testing prior to the season followed by injury surveillance by the athletic training staff at the school.
- KSPT Faculty: Ed Jones, PT, DHSc
- Internal Collaborator: Jessica Jochum, PhD, Program Director of Athletic Training
- External Collaborator: Community Health Network, Franklin Central High School
- UIndy DPT Students: Alyssa Quinlan, Ben Hodges, Caitlin Casey
- UIndy MSAT Students: Cheyenne Koki, Addison Smith
We are also studying the functional performance of injured athletes at the time that the are released to return to play after a lower extremity injury. Athletes had baseline tests prior to the season and injured athletes are re-tested when released following their injury. Among the items we are examining is determining which is a better comparison of function: The baseline measures of the injured limb or the contralateral limb at time of return to play.
- KSPT Faculty: Ed Jones, PT, DHSc
- Internal Collaborator: Jessica Jochum, PhD, Program Director of Athletic Training
- External Collaborator: Community Health Network, Franklin Central High School
- UIndy DPT Students: Melissa Huff, Hannah Jones, Michaela O'Brien
- UIndy MSAT Students: Jamal Armoush, Amanda Annee
We are investigating the current clinical practice guidelines for various shoulder pathologies related to various conservative and surgical treatment approaches.
- KSPT Faculty: Paul Salamh, PT, DPT, PhD
- External Collaborator: Derek Clewly, PT, DPT, PhD (Duke University); Amee Seitz, PT, DPT, PhD (Northwestern University); Jeremy Lewis, PhD, FCSP (University of Limerick, Ireland and Qatar University, Qatar)
- UIndy DPT Students: Matthew Cornett, Merissa Ross, Chase Wattenbarger
Research Partners
- Community Health Network (Indianapolis, IN)
- Community Rehabilitation Hospital (Indianapolis, IN)
- Franciscan Health (Mooresville, IN)
- Franklin Central High School (Franklin, IN)
- NeuroHope of Indiana (Indianapolis, IN)
- Powerhouse Athletics (Franklin, IN)
- Rock Steady Boxing, Inc. (Indianapolis, IN)
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (Chicago, IL)
- Texas Children's Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine (The Woodlands, TX)
- The Climb/Indiana Parkinson Foundation (Indianapolis, IN)