Ph. D. student Hiraku Nagahori (Interdisciplinary Health Sciences), Isabella Keefer (Physical Therapy), Derrick Smith (Physical Therapy), Brendan Yawn (Physical Therapy), associate professor Jing Nong Liang (Physical Therapy), and interim chair and associate professor Kai-Yu Ho (Physical Therapy) recently published a study focused on movement patterns in individuals with patellofemoral pain (PFP), one of the most common causes of knee pain. The study examined how consistently clinicians and researchers can measure the alignment and movement of the trunk, pelvis, and lower extremities during functional activities. Understanding the reliability of these measurements is important because healthcare providers often use movement assessments to track patient progress and guide rehabilitation programs.

This publication also highlights the strong collaborative research environment within the Department of Physical Therapy, with Ph.D. and students in the physical therapy department working alongside faculty mentors to advance knowledge in movement science and musculoskeletal rehabilitation.