Rehabilitation Research

The staff of the Rehabilitation Department is involved in a number of research projects, with the goal of advancing the fields of physical therapy and orthopedics. The staff not only independently initiates projects, but also collaborates with many of the Hospital's other departments as well as other academic and clinical institutions.

Current Research Projects

Normative Data for Noninvasive
Kinesiologic Studies 
IRB: 93-047
Principal Investigator: Sherry Backus, PT, DPT, MA
Participating Section: Motion Analysis Lab

Co-Investigators: Howard Hillstrom, PhD; Jocelyn Frey, BS; Ben Musselman; Marcin Madej; Milo Lipovac; Andrew Kraszewski, MS; Frank Cordasco, MD; Robin Cassacio; Allison Brown, PT, MA; Mark Lenhoff, BS; Rebecca Zifchock, PhD; Drew Scrimgeour

The Effect of McConnell Shoulder Taping on EMG Activity and Force Production of the Glenohumeral Muscles  in Subjects with Anterior Shoulder 
IRB: 27-050
Principal Investigator: Sherry Backus, PT, DPT, MA
Participating Section: Motion Analysis Lab

Co-Investigators: Frank Cordasco, MD, MS; Robin Stoller, MSPT; Howard Hillstrom, PhD; Doreen Stiskal; Lee Cabell

A Comparison between Three Systems for the Quantifications of Lower Kinematic and Kinetic Gait Data 
IRB: 27-116
Principal Investigator: Sherry Backus, PT, DPT, MA
Participating Section: Motion Analysis Lab

Co-Investigators: Andrew Kraszewski, MS; Mark Lenhoff, BS; Howard Hillstrom, PhD; Allison Brown, PT, MA; Rebecca Zifchock, PhD

Understanding the Effects of the "Ankle Sprain Reducing Shoe" on Ankle Joint Kinetics, Kinematics, Electromyography & Neuromuscular Balance Control: A Pilot Study
IRB: 10-015
Principal Investigator: Allison Brown, PT, MA
Participating Section: Motion Analysis Lab

Co-Investigators: Rebecca A. Zifchock, PhD; Sherry I. Backus, PT, DPT, MA; Theresa Chiaia, PT, DPT; Howard J. Hillstrom, PhD; Yatin Kirane, MD Orth, PhD;
Rob A. Maschi, PT, DPT, CSCS; John Cavanaugh, PT, MEd, ATC; Jocelyn Frey, BS

The Effects of Fatigue on Pathomechanics and Electromyography in Female Runners with Iliotibial Band Syndrome 
IRB: 28-090
Principal Investigator: Allison Brown, PT, MA
Participating Section: Motion Analysis Lab

Co-Investigators: Rebecca A. Zifchock, PhD; S. Betty Chow, PT, MA; Howard J. Hillstrom, PhD; Sherry I. Backus, PT, DPT, MA; Andrew Kraszewski, MS; Mark Lenhoff, BS; Melanie Buckland, PT; Jennifer Crane, PT; John Kennedy, MD; Padhraig O'Loughlin, MD; Stephen Lyman, PhD

Compilation of a Registry of Normal, Healthy Runners for the Purpose of Comparison to Pathologic Individuals and Populations 
IRB: 28-031
Principal Investigator: Allison Brown, PT, MA
Participating Section: Motion Analysis Lab

The Effects of Surface Cross-Slope on Running Mechanics in Females with and without Iliotibial Band Syndrome 
IRB: 29-123
Principal Investigator: Allison Brown, PT, MA
Participating Section: Motion Analysis Lab

Co-Investigators: Rebecca A. Zifchock, PhD; Howard J. Hillstrom, PhD; Rob A. Maschi, PT, DPT, CSCS; Sherry I. Backus, PT, DPT, MA

The Validity and Reliability of a Post Operative Functional Milestone Scale after Spinal Surgery in the Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Population   
IRB: 27-143
Principal Investigator: Melanie Buckland, PT, DPT, ATP
Participating Section: Motion Analysis Lab, Pediatric Rehabilitation Center

Pilot Study Examining the Effect of Upper Extremity Intervention on Gait in Children with Cerebral Palsy   
IRB: 28-050
Principal Investigator: Michelle Carlson, MD
Participating Section: Motion Analysis Lab, Pediatric Rehabilitation Center

Functional Movement Screen in Collegiate Football Players 
IRB: 29-078
Principal Investigator: John Cavanaugh, PT, MEd, ATC
Participating Section: Sports Rehabilitation and Performance Center

The Effect of Walking Speeds on Gait Symmetry in Individuals Who Undergone Total Hip Replacement Surgeries 
IRB: 28-114
Principal Investigator: Betty Chow, MPST, OCS
Participating Section: Motion Analysis Lab

Functional Movement Screen in Tri-athletes 
IRB: 10-031
Principal Investigator: Polly de Mille, RN, MA, RCEP, CSCS
Participating Section: Sports Rehabilitation and Performance Center

A Comparison of the Achievement of Functional Milestones and length of stay  for the hip replacement versus Hip Resurfacing Population in the Acute Care Setting 
IRB: 10-065
Principal Investigator: Danielle Edwards, PT, DPT
Participating Section: Motion Analysis Lab

Occupational Therapy Treatment Outcomes for Children Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy: Asessing the Effectiveness of Aquatic-Based Occupational Thearpy on Upper Extremity Functioning 
IRB: 29-085
Principal Investigator: Meghan Featherston, OTR/L
Participating Section: Pediatric Rehabilitation Center

Co-Investigators: Lorene Janowski, OTR/L; Krystal Solages

KT1000 ACL Injury in Skiers 
Principal Investigator: Greg Fives, PT, MSPT, SCS
Participating Section: Sports Rehabilitation and Performance Center

Co-Investigator: Scott Rodeo, MD

Reliability of Plantar Pressure Platforms 
IRB: 29-118
Principal Investigator: Jocelyn Frey, BS
Participating Section: Motion Analysis Lab

Co-Investigators: Howard Hillstrom, PhD; Jinsup Song, PhD; Joanne Jordan; Marian Hannan; Doug Gross; Mark Lenhoff, BS; Sherry Backus, PT, DPT, MA

Evaluation of the Results of ACL Reconstruction using Quadruple-strand Hamstring Autograft Patellar Tendon Autograft, and Allograft for ACL Reconstruction in New York City Firefighters 
Principal Investigator: Jo A. Hannafin, MD, PhD
Participating Section: Sports Rehabilitation and Performance Center

Co-Investigators: Ann Kelly; Haydee Brown; Carolyn Hettrich; Theresa Chiaia, PT, DPT

Intraarticular Corticosteroid Injection for Early-stage Idiopathic Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder 
Principal Investigator: Jo A. Hannafin, MD, PhD
Participating Section: Sports Rehabilitation and Performance Center

Co-Investigators: Jennifer Solomon, MD; Lisa Callahan, MD; Beth Shubin Stein, MD; Theresa Chiaia, PT, DPT

Kinematic Coupling Between the Sagittal and Transverse Planes of the Knee for Healthy Individuals during Passive Motion, Walking and Ascent/Descent of Stairs 
IRB: 27-111
Principal Investigator: Howard Hillstrom, PhD
Participating Section: Motion Analysis Lab

Co-Investigators: Rebecca Zifchock, PhD; Mark Lenhoff, BS; Sherry Backus, PT, DPT, MA; Andrew Kraszewski, MS; Allison Brown, PT, MA

Development of a Geometric Foot Model:  A Tool for Clinical Decision Making 
IRB: 26-071
Principal Investigator: Howard Hillstrom, PhD
Participating Section: Motion Analysis Lab

Co-Investigators: Jocelyn Frey, BS; Betty Chow, MPST, OCS; Allison Brown, PT, MA; Jinsup Song; Andrew Kraszewski, MS; Sherry Backus, PT, DPT, MA; Mark Lenhoff, BS; Jonathan Deland, MD; Philip Demp

Lower Extremity Realignment Therapy for the Treatment of Medial Knee Osteoarthritis - A Pilot Study 
IRB: 28-008
Principal Investigator: Howard Hillstrom, PhD
Participating Section: Motion Analysis Lab

Co-Investigators: Thomas Wickiewicz, MD; Lisa Mandl, MD; Christopher Chen, PhD; Carla Scanzello Mark Lenhoff, BS; Rebecca Zifchock, PhD; Allison Brown, PT, MA; Andrew Kraszewski, MS; Frank Cordasco, MD, MS; Carolyn Hettrich, MD; Sherry Backus, PT, DPT, MA; David Hunter; James Voo; Hollis Potter, MD; Jocelyn Frey, BS; Scott Rodeo, MD; Michael Shindle; Eric Bogner, MD; Stephen Lyman, PhD; Glenn Garrison,CPO; Helene Pavlov, MD; Peter Torzilli, PhD; Riley Williams, MD; Lawrence Gulotta, MD

Optimizing Lower Limb Realignment Surgery: Pilot Study of an Integrated Experimental & Computational   
IRB: 10-034
Principal Investigator: Howard Hillstrom, PhD
Participating Section: Motion Analysis Lab

Next Generation Baby Shoe ( Shoe Development Study) 
IRB: 28-068
Principal Investigator: Howard Hillstrom, PhD
Participating Section: Motion Analysis Lab

Co-Investigators: Kendrick Whitney; Jinsup Song,  PhD; Paul Scherer; Cherri Choate; Andrew Kraszewski, MS; Leon Root, MD; David Scher, MD; Corinne McCarthy, PT, DPT, MS; Melanie Buckland, PT, DPT, ATP; Jocelyn Frey, BS; Sherry Backus, PT, DPT, MA

Next Generation Baby Shoe - Medical Pilot Study 
IRB: 28-078
Principal Investigator: Howard Hillstrom, PhD
Participating Section: Motion Analysis Lab

Co-Investigators: Paul Scherer; Jinsup Song,  PhD; Cherri Choate; Andrew Kraszewski, MS; Leon Root, MD; David Scher, MD; Corinne McCarthy, PT, DPT, MS; Melanie Buckland, PT, DPT, ATP; Sherry Backus, PT, DPT, MA; Jocelyn Frey, BS; Kendrick Whitney

Lower Extremity Alignment, Gait and Joint Pathophysiology in Overweight and Normal Weight Children 
IRB: 10-016
Principal Investigator: Howard Hillstrom, PhD
Participating Section: Motion Analysis Lab

Co-Investigators: Sherry Backus, PT, DPT, MA; Mary Goldring, PhD; Mary Murray-Weir, PT, MBA; Maria Vogiatzi; Antal Zoltan, MD; Peter Torzilli, PhD; Daniel Green, MD, FAAP; Steven Murray, MS, PT; Christopher Chen, PhD; Maura Frank

Normal Runners Registry 
Principal Investigator: Rob Maschi, PT, DPT, CSCS
Participating Section: Sports Rehabilitation and Performance Center

Design, Development and Consistency of  a Hand Held Tibio-Fibular Torsion 
IRB: 27-037
Principal Investigator: Corinne McCarthy, PT, DPT, MS
Participating Section: Motion Analysis Lab

Lower Abdominal Strength and Hip Rotation in Typically Developing Children - A Pilot Study 
IRB: 10-081
Principal Investigator: Mary Murray-Weir, PT, MBA
Participating Section: Pediatric Rehabilitation Center

Co-Investigators: Christina Michaels, SPT; Theresa Chiaia, PT, DPT; Tara Bridger,SPT; Autumn Lebank, SPT; Hassan Ghomrawi,  PhD

Responsiveness of the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire. The Michigan Hand Questionnaire. The Patient-Rated Wrist / Hand Evaluation and Physical Impairment Evaluating Recovery in Metacarpal and Measures in Phalangeal following Hand Therapy 
IRB: 25-082
Principal Investigator: Carol Page, PT, CHT
Participating Section: Hand Therapy Center

The Effect of Accelerated Rehab following MPFL Reconstruction  
Principal Investigator: Beth Shubin Stein, MD
Participating Section: Sports Rehabilitation and Performance Center

Co-Investigators: Theresa Chiaia, PT, DPT

Differentiation of Hand Posture during Grasp in Typically Developing Children and Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study 
IRB: 29-073
Principal Investigator: Aviva Wolff, OTR/L, CHT
Participating Section: Hand Therapy Center

Past Research Initiatives

Best Knowledge Transfer Project: A Transatlantic Perspective to Improve Orthopaedic Care for Arthroplasty Patients
HSS Team:
JeMe Cioppa-Mosca, PT, MBA
Eileen Finerty, MS, RN, CIC
Suzanne Graziano, MSN, RN, ONC, CNA
John Reynolds, CEO
SWLEOC, UK Team:
Jane Harrison, PT, MSCP, SRP
Nicola Judge, MSC, BSc (Hons), RN, ANP
Sue King, MSc, DMS, SRN, ONC
Giles Mahoney, Project Lead