Deborah Thorpe, PT, PhD, PCS

Research Background and Interests

1. 1. Application of motor learning principles to physical therapy interventions for persons with cerebral palsy.
2. 2. Effects of aquatic-based intervention on functional outcomes in persons with cerebral palsy
3. 3. Development of lifespan community-based fitness programs for persons with developmental disabilities
4. 4. Effects of aging on functional outcomes in persons with developmental disabilities
5. 5. Profile of grip/load ratios in children with autism as compared to typically developing peers.

Current Research

1. Effects of aquatic resistive exercise on strength, gait parameters, energy expenditure, functional outcomes and perceived physical competence in persons with cerebral palsy.
2. Long term retention of cognitive strategies used to learn novel motor skills in children with cerebral palsy
3. The Differential Effects of Internal Versus External Focus of Attention on learning a Novel Motor Task in Children.
4. Evaluation of anticipatory control using grip/load ratios in adolescents and young adults with autism.

Education

B.S., Elementary Education (Emphasis Math and Science), West
Virginia University, Morgantown, WV (1979)

M.S., Early Childhood Motor Development and Motor Learning, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV (1983)

B.S., Physical Therapy, University of New England, Biddeford, ME (1988)

Pediatric Certified Specialist of the American Physical Therapy Association (1993)

Ph.D., Pediatric Physical Therapy, Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, PA (1998)

Teaching

DPT
Select lectures on pediatric content

PhD Program In Human Movement Science
Scientific Basis for Human Movement (HMSC 701- lecture on psychosocial influences on movement)

Selected Publications

Referred Papers/Articles

Thorpe, DE.  The role of fitness in health and disease: State 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. Accepted with revisions. Resubmitted to 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.

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 DE, 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.

Thorpe DE, Dusing SC, Moore CG. Repeatability of Temporo-Spatial Gait Measures in Children using the GAITRite Electronic Walkway. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2005; 86(12); 2342-2346.

Dusing SC, Mercer VS, Yu B, Reilly M, Thorpe DE. Trunk position in supine of infants born preterm and at term: An assessment using a computerized pressure mat. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2005; 17(1): 2-10.

Huang HJ, Mercer VS, Thorpe DE, Effects of different concurrent cognitive tasks on temporal-distance gait variables in children. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2003; 15(2):105-113.

Mehta TB, Thorpe DE, Freburger JK. Development of a survey to assess backpack use and neck and back pain in seventh and eighth graders. Pediactr Phys Ther. 2002; 14(4): 171-184.

Thorpe DE, Valvano JA. The effects of knowledge or performance and cognitive strategies on motor skill learning in children with cerebral palsy. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2002; 14(1): 2-5.

Thorpe DE, Reilly MA. The effect of aquatic resistive exercise on lower extremity strength, energy expenditure, functional mobility, balance, and self-perception in an adult with cerebral palsy; A retrospective case report. The Journal of Aquatic Physical Therapy. 2000; 8(2): 18-24.

Thorpe DE, Foxworth JL. The Use of Aquatic Resistive Exercise for a patient with anterior knee pain. Physical Therapy Case Reports. 2000; 3(3): 114-119.

Thorpe DE, Baker CP. Addressing Cultural Competence in Health Care Education. Pediatr Phys Ther. 1995; 7(3): 143-144.

Professional Societies

North Carolina Physical Therapy Association

North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA)

American Physical Therapy Association
Pediatric Section, Aquatic Section

American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine