Vicki Mercer, PT, PhD

Research Background and Interests

Primary interests in postural control in older adults and in individuals with neurological disorders, particularly stroke. Previous research has involved analysis of kinematic, electromyographic, and force platform data to understand postural preparation for movement. More general interests in the areas of motor control, motor learning, and neuromuscular rehabilitation.

Current Research

•   Implementation of community fall prevention programs.

•   Exercise interventions for improving lateral stability and preventing falls in individuals recovering from stroke.

•   Stair descent in older adults - identification of strategies to decrease risk of falls.

• Limb Loading and Weight Transfer During Stroke Recovery (NIH/NICHD HD043907). This project, currently in the manuscript writing stage, was a longitudinal investigation of paretic lower extremity loading and weight shifting abilities in individuals from one to six months post-stroke.

Education

Ph.D., Washington University, St. Louis, MO, August, 1993, Movement Science

M.S., University of North Carolina (UNC), Chapel Hill, NC, May, 1988, Physical Therapy

B.S., University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, May, 1980, Physical Therapy

 Teaching

DPT Program

• Neuromuscular Assessment and Treatment I (PHYT 784)
• Neuromuscular Assessment and Treatment II (PHYT 785)
• Advanced Patient Management (PHYT 822)

 
Interdisciplinary PhD Program

• The Scientific Basis of Human Motion (HMSC 701)
• Topics in Motor Control and Motor Learning (HMSC 743)

Selected Publications

Mercer VS, Freburger JK, Chang S-H, Purser JL. Step test performance scores are related to measures of activity and participation in the first six months after stroke. Phys Ther. In press. 2009, 15 pages.

Lin Y-S, Reilly M, Mercer VS. Responses to a modified visual cliff by pre-walking infants born preterm and at term. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr. In press. 2009, 16 pages.

Mercer VS, Hankins CC, Spinks AJ, Tedder DD. Reliability and validity of a clinical test of reaction time in older adults. J Geriatr Phys Ther. In press. 2009, 15 pages.

Mercer VS, Gross MT, Sharma S, Weeks E. Comparison of gluteus medius electromyographic activity during forward and lateral step-up exercises in older adults. Phys Ther. In press. 2009, 14 pages.

Dusing SC, Kyvelidou A, Mercer V, Stergiou N. Characteristics of center of pressure movement variability in infants born preterm and full term. Phys Ther. In press. 2009, 15 pages.

Mercer VS, Chang S-H, Williams CD, Noble KJ, Vance AW. Effects of an exercise program to increase hip abductor muscle strength and improve lateral stability following stroke: A single subject design. J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2009;32(2):6-15.

Mercer VS, Freburger JK, Chang S-HJ, Purser JL. Measurement of paretic lower extremity loading and weight transfer after stroke. Phys Ther. 2009;89:653-664.

McCulloch KL, Mercer VS, Giuliani CA, Marshall S. Development of a clinical measure of dual-task performance in walking: reliability and preliminary validity of the Walking and Remembering Test. J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2009;32(1):2-9.

Cavanaugh JT, Mercer VS, Stergiou N. Approximate entropy detects the effect of a secondary cognitive task on postural control in healthy young adults: a methodological report. JNER. 2007; 4:42.

Tsai L-C, Yu B, Mercer VS, Gross MT. Comparison of different structural foot types for measures of standing postural control. JOSPT.  2006; 36(12):942-953.

Shubert TE, Schrodt LA, Mercer VS, Busby-Whitehead J, Giuliani CA. Are scores on balance screening tests associated with mobility in older adults? J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2006; 29(1):33-39.

Cavanaugh JT, Guskiewicz K, Giuliani C, Marshall S, Mercer VS, Stergiou N. Detecting altered postural control after cerebral concussion in athletes without postural instability. Br J Sports Med.  2005; 39(11):805-811.

Chang SH, Mercer VS, Giuliani CG, Sloane PD. Relationship between hip abductor rate of force development and medial-lateral stability in older adults. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2005; 86(9):1843-1850.

Reo JA, Mercer VS. Effects of live, videotaped, or written instruction on learning an upper-extremity exercise program. Phys Ther. 2004; 84:622-633.

Schrodt LA, Mercer VS, Giuliani CA, Hartman M. Characteristics of stepping over an obstacle in community dwelling older adults under dual-task conditions. Gait Posture. 2004; 19:279-287.

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

Mercer VS, Abrams S, Connelly C, Trabue L, West E. What are the effects of a distracting environment on clinical test scores in community dwellers over 65 years of age? J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2002; 25(1):16-20.

Rosemond C, Mercer VS. Educational programs to maximize function and mobility in long term care. Top Geriatr Rehab. 2002; 17(4):42-52.

Arnadottir SA, Mercer VS. Effects of footwear on functional tests in older women. Phys Ther. 2000; 80:17-27.

Schrodt L, Mercer VS. Dual-task performance of cognitive and balance tasks in older adults. Issues on Aging. 2000; 23(3):3-6.

Mercer VS, Sahrmann SA. Postural synergies associated with a stepping task. Phys Ther. 1999; 79:1142-1152.

Mercer VS, Sahrmann SA, Abrams RA, Buckles VD, Norton BJ. Age group differences in postural adjustments associated with a stepping task. J Motor Behavior. 1997; 29:243-253.

Professional Societies

Gerontological Society of America, 2008 - present

American Heart Association Stroke Council, 1995 - present

International Society for Posture and Gait Research, 1992 - present

Society for Neuroscience, 1991 - present

American Physical Therapy Association, 1985 - present