Research conducted for the mobility assessment takes place primarily in regional health care facilities such as inpatient acute, skilled nursing, inpatient rehabilitation, long term care, memory care, assisted living, and senior living facilities. Future plans include increasing participation in the home health setting. The focus of these projects encompasses the use of clinical outcome tools that may help identify the safest transition for patients from the hospital to home or other living facilities. Another area of study involves the investigation of human movement biomechanics. In particular, the research team is interested in understanding the contribution of faulty movement biomechanics to various lower extremity pathologies.
Research collaborations for these projects occur with the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston (Dr. Mansoo Ko, PhD), the University of Connecticut (Dr. Richard Bohannon, DPT, EdD with over 500 publications and 30 years of clinical experience), and local health care and senior living facilities. Therapists, nurses, and administrators of local medical facilities collaborate with this lab for data collection in the clinical/patient care environment.
Location: Acute Care, Skilled Nursing, and Inpatient Rehabilitation Clinical Sites
Dr. Braden
- Costa, D., Moore, R., Stanzel, R., Thornburg, C., Braden, H. Greenhouses and nursing homes: Changes in resident function over the course of one year, 2016-2019.
- Larsen, S., Luedecker, R., Morgan, C., Taylor, C., Braden, H. One year change in functional mobility for assisted living residents, 2014-2017.
- Baca, L., Towers, K., Squires, K., Braden, H. The use of interprofessional collaboration for physical therapy students on an inpatient versus outpatient clinical practicum, 2014-2017.
- Rew, A. Moyer, H., Braden, H. Inter-reliability an intra-reliability of standard manual muscle testing vs. hand-held dynamometry in testers of various experience levels, 2015-2016.
- Gale, J., Moyer, H., Severe, S., Braden, H. One year change in functional mobility for nursing home residents, 2013-2016.
- Davenport, K., Johnson, K., McKinney, S., Braden, H. Interprofessional education in face-to-face and online graduate curriculum, 2013-2016.
- Lawson, K. Martinez, G., Braden, H. The relationship of discharge gait speed to hospital readmission in the geriatric population, 2013-2015.
- Michael, R., Petrie, M., Braden, H. Effects of instructional media on learning in graduate health science classes, 2013-2015.
- Bohmfalk, M. Braden, H. Gait speed in fallers versus non-fallers in older adults, 2011-2013; Angelo State University DPT Top Research Award 2013 earned for this project.
Dr. Atkins
- Grimes D, Heuer N, Smithson C, Atkins LT. The influence of sagittal plane trunk position on patellofemoral joint stress during stair negotiation. 2016-2019.
- Denny T., Roberson J., Schultz J, Nicks K, Huckaby T, Atkins LT. Influence of weighted back squat depth on lower limb muscle activation in collegiate football athletes. 2014-2017.
Dr. Braden
Peer Reviewed Publications
- Moyer, H.,Gale, J., Severe, S., Braden, H., Hasson, S. (2017, accepted and in press). Outcome measures correlated to falls in nursing home residents - A pilot study. J of Physiotherapy Theory and Practice.
- Braden, H., Ko, M. (2016). Meaningful gait speed improvement after physical therapy intervention for slow versus moderate-normal walkers. Jac J of Physiotherapy and Exercise, 2(2): 1-6.
- Michael, R., Petrie, M. and Braden, H. (submitted). Learning outcomes and student perceptions of instructional media in online graduate nursing and face-to-ace graduate physical therapy curriculum. J of Physical Therapy Education.
- Braden, H., Bohmfalk, M., Ko, M. (submitted). Is slower gait speed a valid measure to discriminate between fallers and non-fallers in older adults? Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
- Ko, M., Hilgenberg, S., Hasson, S., Braden, H. (2014). Effect of bilateral step-up and down training on motor function in a person with hemiparesis. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 30: 597-602.
- Braden, H., Ko, M., Bohmfalk, M., Hortick, K., Hasson, S. (2013). Gait speed improves during physical therapy in general acute care, skilled nursing, and inpatient rehabilitation- a pilot study. Journal of Acute Care Physical Therapy, 4(1):20-25.
- Braden, H., Hilgenberg, S., Bohannon, R., Ko, M., Hasson, S. (2012). Gait speed is limited but improves over the course of acute-care physical therapy. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy,35(3):140-144.
- Braden, H. (2012). Self-selected gait speed: A critical clinical outcome. Lower Extremity Review, 4(11):43-48.
Peer Reviewed and Published Abstracts from Professional Presentations
- Moyer, H., Severe, S., Gale, J., and Braden, H. Outcomes of nursing home residents over time. (2016). Poster presented atThe Gerontological Society of America’s 69th Annual Scientific Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
- Larsen, S., Luedeker, R., Morgan, C., Taylor, C., Moyer, H., and Braden, H. Correlation of falls in assisted living residents. (2016). Poster submitted toThe Gerontological Society of America’s 69th Annual Scientific Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
- Larsen, S., Luedeker, R., Morgan, C., Taylor, C., Moyer, H., and Braden, H. Assisted living residents: Activity levels. (2016). Poster presented at theGraduate Research Symposium, San Angelo, TX.
- Moyer, H., Severe, S., Gale, J., and Braden, H. Functional changes in nursing home residents over time. (2015). Poster presented atThe Gerontological Society of America’s 68th Annual Scientific Meeting, Orlando, FL.
- Moyer, H., Severe, S., Gale, J., and Braden, H. Nursing home residents: Impairments and Function. (2015). Poster presented at theGraduate Research Symposium, San Angelo, TX.
- Moyer, H., Rew, A., and Braden, H. Inter-reliability and intra-reliability of standard manual muscle testing vs. hand-held dynamometry in testers of three clinical experience levels. (2015). Poster presented at TPTA Annual Conference, Arlington, TX.
- Moyer, H., Severe, S., Gale, J., and Braden, H. Trends for ambulatory nursing home residents. (2015). Poster presented at TPTA Annual Conference, Arlington, TX.
- Moyer, H., Gale, J., Severe, S., and Braden, H. Functional mobility as a fall risk predictor in active nursing home residents. (2015). Poster presented at APTA’s NEXT Conference and Exposition, National Harbor, MD.
- Braden, H. and Ko, M. Gait speed improvements and a cut-off for slow versus moderate-normal walkers. (2015). Poster presented at CSM National Conference, Indianapolis, IN.
- Moyer, H., Gale, J., Severe, S., and Braden, H. Functional mobility of residents in nursing facilities (2014). Poster presented at The Gerontological Society of America’s 67th Annual Scientific Meeting, Washington, DC.
- Gale, J., Moyer, H., Severe, S., and Braden, H. Fall risk predictors in active nursing home residents. (2014). Poster presented at Texas Physical Therapy Association (TPTA) Annual Conference, Galveston, TX.
- Braden, H., Ko, M., Bohmfalk, M., Hortick, K., Hasson, S. Does walking speed improve in acute care, skilled nursing, or inpatient rehabilitation? (2013). Poster presented at CSM National Conference San Diego, CA.
- Hughes, L., Keith, S., Braden, H. Motivating patients towards behavior change (2013). Course presented at the TPTA Annual Conference, Arlington, TX.
- Braden, H., Hilgenberg, S., Bohannon, R., Ko, M, Bohmfalk, M. Gait speed in acute care. (2012). Poster presented at APTA National Conference, Tampa, Florida.
Peer Reviewed Presentations
- Hughes, L., Newstead, A., and Braden, H. Exercise and Diabetes: Tools for Integrating Patient-Directed Practice, American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting Course, Anaheim, CA, 2016.
- Braden, H. Walking Speed and Its Implications-A Clinical Guide, Texas Physical Therapy Association Continuing Education Course, 2014.
- Hughes, L., Keith, S., and Braden, H. Motivating Patients Toward Behavior Change, TPTA State Conference and continuing education course offering, 2013.
- Braden, H. Walking Speed: An Informative Vital Sign, Texas Physical Therapy Association Midwest District, 2012.
- Braden, H. Skilled Nursing Unit and Gait Speed: Progress and Goal Writing, Shannon Medical Center Symposium, 2012.
- Braden, H. Gait Speed: A Friendly Assessment Tool, West Texas Rehabilitation Center, Outcome Assessment Seminar, 2012.
Dr. Atkins
Peer Reviewed Publications
- Gonzales JU, James CR, Yang HS, Jensen D, Atkins LT, Al-Khalil K, O’Boyle M. Carotid flow pulsatility is higher in women with lower cognitive capacity to walk and perform concurrent tasks. Gait and Posture. 54:271-276, 2017.
- Yang HS, Atkins LT, James CR. Examination of stride-to-stride independence of lower extremity and temporal variables during treadmill walking. Gait & Posture. 50:212-216, 2016.
- Gonzales JU, James CR, Yang HS, Jensen D, Atkins LT, Thompson BJ, Al-Khalil K, O’Boyle M. Different cognitive functions discriminate gait speed in middle-aged and older women. Gait & Posture. 50:89-95, 2016.
- James CR, Atkins LT, Yang HS, Dufek JS, Bates BT. Kinematic and ground reaction force accommodation during weighted walking. Hum Mov Sci. 44:327-37, 2015.
- Yang HS, Atkins LT, Jensen DB, James CR. Effects of constrained arm swing on vertical center of mass displacement during walking. Gait & Posture. 42(4):430-34, 2015.
- James CR, Atkins LT, Dufek JS, Bates BT. An exploration of load accommodation strategies during walking with extremity-carried weights. Hum Mov Sci. 35C: 17-29, 2014.
- Loyd L, Gilbert K, Sizer P, Atkins LT, Sobczak S, Brismee JM, Pendergrass T. The relationship between various anatomical landmarks used for localizing the first rib during surface palpation. Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy. 22(3):129-33, 2014.
- Atkins LT, James CR, Sizer PS, Jonely HS, Brismée JM. Reliability and concurrent criterion validity of a novel technique for analyzing hip kinematics during running. Physiotherapy Theory & Practice. 30: 210-217, 2014.
Peer Reviewed and Published Abstracts from Professional Presentations
- Atkins LT, James CR, Yang HS, Sizer PS, Brismeé JM, Sawyer S, Powers CM. Changes in patellofemoral pain resulting from repetitive impact landings is associated with the magnitude and rate of patellofemoral joint loading. International Patellofemoral Pain Research Retreat. LaTrobe University, Melbourne, Australia. 2017 (accepted for presentation July 2017)
- Gonzales JU, Kim Y, Yang HS, Jensen D, Atkins LT, James CR. Lap time variation predicts task error during dual-task walking in cognitively healthy women. ACSM Annual Meeting, 8 th World Congress on Exercise is Medicine and World Congress on the Basic Science of Exercise and the Brain. Denver, Colorado. 2016 (platform)
- James CR, Atkins LT, Yang HS, Dufek JS, Bates BT. Prediction of calcaneal bone competence from biomechanical accommodation variables measured during weighted walking. Proceedingsofthe Annual Meeting of the Gait & Clinical Movement Analysis Society. Memphis, TN. 2016 (poster).
- Atkins LT, Yang HS, James CR. Effects of video feedback on joint and limb mechanics during single limb landing in a female at risk of patellofemoral osteoarthritis: a single subject analysis. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Gait & Clinical Movement Analysis Society. Newark, DE. 2014 (Platform).
- Atkins LT, Yang HS, James CR. Effects of video feedback on joint and limb mechanics during single limb landing in a female at risk of patellofemoral osteoarthritis: a single subject analysis. Proceedings of the Arthritis State of the Science Meeting. Pentagon City, VA. 2014. (Poster)
- Atkins LT, James CR, Sizer PS, Jonely H, Brismée JM. Reliability and concurrent criterion validity of a novel technique for assessing frontal plane hip kinematics during running. Br J Sports Med.48(6):e1, 2014:.Int’l Patellofemoral Pain Research Retreat, Vancouver, BC. 2013. (Poster)
- Atkins LT, Dufek JS, Bates BT, James CR. Prediction of load accommodation strategies during walking from lower extremity kinematic variables. Proceedingsofthe Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics. Omaha, NE. 2013. (Poster)
- Lohman CM, Smith MP, Dedrick GS, Atkins LT, Jarman N, Brismée JM. Reliability and validity of musculoskeletal ultrasound for identification of humeroradial joint chondral lesions: a preliminary investigation. J Athl Train.8(3):S-123, 2013. Las Vegas, NV. (Platform).
- Atkins LT, Dufek JS, James CR. Evaluation and classification of load accommodation strategies during walking with extremity-carried weights: A pilot study. Proceedings of the Annual meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics. Gainesville, FL. 2012 (Poster).
Peer Reviewed Presentations
- Atkins LT, James CR, Yang HS, Sizer PS, Brismeé JM, Sawyer S, Powers CM. Changes in patellofemoral pain resulting from repetitive impact landings is associated with the magnitude and rate of patellofemoral joint loading. Annual meeting of the South Central Region of the American Society of Biomechanics. Dallas, TX 2017 (podium)
- Yang HS, James CR, Sizer PS, Saywer SF, Kumar NA, Kim JY, Atkins LT. Effects of adding arm weights on gait performance in healthy subjects. Annualmeetingofthe South Central Region of the American Society of Biomechanics. Dallas, TX 2017 (podium)
- Atkins LT, James CR, Powers CM, Sizer PS, Brismee JM, Sawyer SF, Yang HS. Relationships between patellofemoral pain, patellofemoral joint reaction force, and movement biomechanics during single limb landing in active women. Endowed Lecture Series Symposium. Lubbock, TX 2016. (Poster)
- Atkins LT, Yang HS, Jensen DB, Gonzales JU, James CR. Exploring the differences between middle-aged and older women during multitasking gait activities: preliminary findings. Sex and Gender Based Medicine & Women’s Health Conference. Lubbock, TX 2015. (Poster) “3 rd Place Poster Award”
- Gonzales JU, James CR, Yang HS, Jensen D, Atkins LT, Al-Khalil K, O’Boyle M. Influence of preclinical cognitive decline on mobility in women: preliminary findings. Sex- and Gender-Based Medicine & Women’s Health Symposium. Lubbock, TX. 2015 (poster)
- Yang HS, Atkins LT, Jensen DB, James CR. Effects of constrained arm swing on vertical center of mass displacement during walking. Annualmeeting of the South Central Region of the American Society of Biomechanics. Dallas, TX 2015. (Platform)
- Yang HS, Atkins LT, James CR. Analysis of stride dependence during gait using autocorrelation. Annual meeting of the South Central Region of the American Society of Biomechanics. Dallas, TX 2014. (Platform) “Best Podium Presentation Award”
- Atkins LT, Yang HS, James CR. Effects of video feedback on joint and limb mechanics during single limb landing in a female at risk of patellofemoral osteoarthritis: a single subject analysis. Annual meeting of the South Central Region of the American Society of Biomechanics. Dallas, TX 2014. (Platform)
- Atkins LT, Yang HS, James CR. Effects of video feedback on joint and limb mechanics during single limb landing in a female at risk of patellofemoral osteoarthritis: a single subject analysis. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Student Research Week, Lubbock, TX, 2014. (Poster)
- Yang HS, Atkins LT, James CR. Analysis of stride dependence during gait using autocorrelation. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Student Research Week. Lubbock, TX, 2014. (Poster)
- Atkins LT, Dufek JS, Bates BT, James CR. Prediction of load accommodation strategies during walking from lower extremity kinematic variables. Annual meeting of the South Central Region of the American Society of Biomechanics. Dallas, TX 2013. (Platform) “Best Podium Presentation Award”
- Lohman CM, Smith MP, Dedrick GS, Atkins LT, Jarman N, Brismée JM. Reliability and validity of musculoskeletal ultrasound for identification of humeroradial joint chondral lesions: a preliminary investigation. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Student Research Week. Lubbock, TX, 2013. (Poster) “Best Practices Research Award”
- Atkins LT, Dufek JS, James CR. Evaluation and classification of load accommodation strategies during walking with extremity-carried weights: A pilot study. Annual meeting of the South Central Region of the American Society of Biomechanics. Dallas, TX. 2012. (Platform)
- Atkins LT, James CR, Sizer PS, Jonely HS, Brismée JM. Reliability and concurrent criterion validity of a novel technique for analyzing hip kinematics during running. Annual Meeting of the Texas Physical Therapy Association. San Antonio, TX, 2012. (Poster)
- Loyd BJ, Sobzcak S, Brismée JM, Atkins LT, Pendergrass T, Sizer PS, Gilbert KK. The relationship of anatomical landmarks used during first rib palpation and localization. Annual Meeting of the Texas Physical Therapy Association. San Antonio, TX, 2012. (Poster)
- Atkins LT, Ayres LD, Delano AE, Bybee RF. The value of patient education in the treatment of patients with low back pain. Angelo State University Student Research Showcase. San Angelo, TX, 2008. (Poster)
Dr. Braden
Principal Investigator
- $15,000
- Aging in Place in Assisted Living Facilities: Assessing Physical Changes and Predictors of Change
- Oct 2016 – Sept 2017, Angelo State Grant
Principal Investigator
- $14,350
- Longitudinal Changes in Functional Mobility for Nursing Home Residents Over 1 Year
- Oct 2015 – Sept 2016, Angelo State Grant
Co-Principal Investigator
- $45,000
- Mobile Technology Usage for Enhancing Patient Care in Geriatric, Indigent, and Underserved Populations
- Jan 2014 - May 2015, Telemedicine College Instructional Enhancement Grant
Co-Principal Investigator
- $14,970
- Does a Back Squat with Toes Forward cause Muscular Imbalance of the Vastus Medialis Oblique and Vastus Lateralis?
- September 2013 - August 2014, Research Enhancement Grant
Dr. Atkins
Principal Investigator
- $2500
- The effects of video-based movement retraining on landing performance and patellofemoral joint reaction forces in females with patellofemoral pain.
- Texas Physical Therapy Foundation
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