Foundation for Physical Therapy Research Announces 2021 Research Grant Funding

The Foundation for Physical Therapy Research (FPTR) is awarding $360,000 to fund six research physical therapy grants. FPTR research grant funding helps pioneer new treatments, show the efficacy of existing treatments, and define the value of physical therapy services for patients, payers, and providers alike.

“Physical therapy research is critical to the future of the profession, and thanks to the support of our dedicated donors, FPTR is able to continue funding research and promising researchers that improve patient outcomes, improve treatments, and advance the profession,” said FPTR President, Paul A. Rockar, Jr., PT, DPT, MS, FAPTA. “The research funded by these grants will provide evidence that will improve care for patients that physical therapists serve every day.”

The 2021 research grant recipients are:

• Benjamin Binder-Markey, PT, DPT, PhD; of Drexel University: Binder-Markey is awarded the $40,000 Deusinger Family Research Grant for the application titled: ”Effectiveness of a Novel Multi-modal Intervention to Prevent Botulinum Neurotoxin Induced Muscle Stiffness.” This grant is supported through the Deusinger Family Endowment Fund.
• Mitchell Selhorst, MPT, DPT, PhD; of Nationwide Children’s Hospital: Selhorst is awarded the $100,000 Magistro Family Foundation Research Grant for the application titled: ”Psychologically-Informed Education intervention for Adolescents with Atraumatic Lower-Extremity Injuries.” This grant is supported through the Magistro Family Foundation Endowment Fund.
• Joshua Stefanik, MSPT, PhD; of Northeastern University: Stefanik is awarded the $40,000 Orthopaedic Research Grant for the application titled: ”Relation of walking cadence to knee joint loading, pain, and function.” Funding was made possible through the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Fund Endowment.
• Sarah Blanton, PT, DPT; of Emory University: Blanton is awarded the $100,000 Paris Patla Physical Therapy Research Grant for the application titled: “Evaluation of a Carepartner-Integrated Telehealth Gait Rehabilitation Program for Persons with Stroke.” Funding for this grant is made possible by the Paris Patla Endowment Fund.
• Alison Barnard, PT, DPT, PhD; of University of Florida: Barnard is awarded the $40,000 Pediatric Research Grant for the application titled: “Contracture Pathophysiology in Muscular Dystrophy.” Funding for this grant was made possible by the Pediatric Research Fund.
• Brad Corr, PT, DPT; of Boys Town National Research Hospital: Corr is awarded the $40,000 Foundation Research Grant for the application titled, “Powering Through Transition: Therapeutic Power Training for Adolescents and Adults with Cerebral Palsy.” This grant was made possible by the APTA Support the Profession Fund. This award will be named in honor of the 2021 VCU-Marquette Challenge.

This funding is awarded following a rigorous application process modeled after the National Institutes of Health – a process that sets FPTR apart in physical therapy research funding. A volunteer scientific review committee composed of experts in research and education reviews all applicants. FPTR’s unique focus on physical therapy research and peer review process sustains long-term research growth in this field. Since 1979, FPTR has awarded more than $20 million in grants, scholarships, and fellowships.

FPTR is currently accepting applications for the 2022 scholarships. For more information, visit Foundation4pt.org.