Debbie Thorpe, PT, PhD, PCS

Education and Training:

Clinical Research Curriculum (NIH K30-RR022267), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2004-2007

PhD, Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, PA 1998, Pediatric Physical Therapy

Pediatric Certified Specialist (PCS), American Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, 1993, (10 year certification) - recertified 5/2004

BS, University of New England, Biddeford, ME, 1988, Physical Therapy.

MS, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 1983, Early Childhood Motor Development and Motor Learning

BS, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 1979, Elementary Education (Emphasis Math and Science)

Rank:

Associate Professor

Expertise:

Pediatrics (Developmental Delay), Fitness

Teaching:

HMSC 701(PhD Curriculum): Scientific Basis of Human Movement- motor learning, motor control
PHYT 820; Advanced Patient Management II- Module on Cerebral Pasly
PHYT 862: Developmental Disabilities Across the Lifespan: An Interdisciplinary Approach. Teach on aging with cerebral palsy.
PHTY 726 : Therapeutic Exercise- teach aquatic lecture and laboratory.

Research interests:

Fitness in persons with DD across the lifespan, aquatic interventions, developing maximum and submaximum testing protocols for persons with DD or who are severely impaired.

Current Projects:

UIC Obesity Research Project on Prevalence, Adaptations and Knowledge Translation in Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities from Diverse Race/Ethnic Backgrounds. NIH/NIDRR
Role: consultant ( PI-Rimmer)
10/1/2010-9/30/2011

Study of Secondary Conditions and Aquatic Intervention in Adults with Cerebral Palsy.
NIH/NCRR
Role: PI
8/1/2006-7/31/2011

Representative publications for each area of interest:

Thorpe DE. The role of fitness in health and disease: status of adults with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 2009; 51, (s4): 52-58.

David FJ, Baranek GT,Giuliani CA, Mercer VS, Thorpe DE. Grip and Load for Coordination during Precision Grip in Persons with Autism. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 2009; 21(2): 205-211.

D.A. Rubin, R.G. McMurray, D.E. Thorpe, J.S. Harrell, and A.C. Hackney. Vigorous physical activity and cytokines in adolescents. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2008; 103(5):495-500.

Rubin DA, McMurray RG, Harrell JS, Hackney AC, Thorpe DE, Haqq, AM. Insulin resistance and cytokines in adolescents; the role of weight status and exercise: Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental 2008; 57(5):683-690.

Dusing SC, Thorpe DE, Poe M, Rosenberg A, Mercer V, Escolar M. Gross Motor Development of Children with Hurler Syndrome Post Umbilical Cord Blood Transplant. Physical Therapy, 2007; 87(11): 1433-40.

Fowler E, Kolobe T, Damiano D, Thorpe D, Brunstromm J, Coster W, Henderson R, Morgan D, Pitetti K, Rimmer J, Rose J, Stevenson R. APTA Pediatric Research Summit: Promotion of Fitness & Prevention of Secondary Complications for Children with Cerebral Palsy. Physical Therapy, 2007; 87(11): 1495-1510.

Ondrak K, Thorpe DE. Physiologic responses of adolescents with cerebral palsy when walking on land and in water: A case series. Aquatic Physical Therapy. , 2007; 15(2): 10-15.

Dusing SC, Thorpe D, Mercer V, Rosenberg A, Poe M, Escolar M. Temporal and Spatial Gait Characteristics of Children with Hurler syndrome, Post Umbilical Cord Blood Transplant. Physical Therapy. 2007; 87(8): 978-985.

Dusing SA, Thorpe DE. A Normative Sample of Temporal and Spatial Gait Parameters in Children using the GAITRite ® Electronic Walkway. Gait and Posture, 2007; 25: 135-139.

Dusing SC, Thorpe DE, Rosenberg A, Mercer V, Escolar M. Gross Motor Abilities in Children with Hurler Syndrome. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 2006; 48: 927-930.

Thorpe DE, Reilly, MA, Case LE. The Effects of an Aquatic Resistive Exercise Program on Ambulatory Children with Cerebral Palsy. The Journal of Aquatic Physical Therapy. 2005;13(2): 21-34.