Stacey Dusing, P.T., Ph.D.

Assistant professor

E-mail: scdusing@vcu.edu

Professional interests

Stacey Dusing, Ph.D.  is a member of the Department of Physical Therapy as well as a faculty member of the VA-Leadership Education in Neurodevelopment Disabilities (LEND) program. She teaches courses on infant and child development, assessment and treatment in pediatric physical therapy. She is the director of the Motor Development Lab. Dusing’s primary research interests include the impact of prematurity on motor control and coordination, physical therapy interventions for infants, and motor development in children with lysosomal storage disorders and hearing impairments.  

Dusing is currently a visiting professor at the University of Delaware in the Department of Physical Therapy, while participating in a NIH Funded Career Development Program (Comprehensive Opportunities in Rehabilitation Research Training, CORRT). She is investigating motor control, posture and motor learning in infants during the first six months of life with her mentors James “Cole” Galloway and Mark Staunton. Dusing continues to coordinate the pediatric content in the DPT program. She will return to VCU Physical Therapy in June 2010. 

Education

• Ph.D. Human Movement Science (2006), University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

• M.S. Human Movement Science (2002), University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

• B.S. Physical Therapy (1997), Daemen College, Amherst, NY

Selected publications

Refereed publications
Becker E, Dusing S. Participation is Possible: A Case Report of Integration into a Community Performing Arts Program. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. In press.

Dusing SC, Kyvelidou A, Mercer VS, Stergiou N. Characteristics of Center of Pressure Movement Variability in Infants Born Preterm and Full Term. Physical Therapy. Under review.

Dusing SC, Murray T, Stern M. Parent Preferences for Motor Development Education in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Pediatric Physical Therapy. 2008 winter; 20(4):363-8.

Martin HR, Poe MD, Reinhartsen D, Pretzel RE, Roush, Rosenberg AE, Dusing SC, Escolar ML. Methods for assessing neurodevelopment in lysosomal storage diseases and related disorders: a multidisciplinary perspective. Acta Paediatrica 2008: 97(s457), 69–75.

Dusing SC, Thorpe DE, Poe MD, Rosenberg AE, Mercer VS, Escolar ML. Gross Motor Development of Children with Hurler syndrome After Umbilical Cord Blood Transplant. Physical Therapy.  2007: 87(11), 1433-1440.

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), 978-85.

Dusing SC, Thorpe DE. A Normative Sample of Temporal and Spatial Gait Parameters in Children and Adults Using the GAITRite ® Electronic Walkway. Gait and Posture.  2007: 25(1), 135-9.

Dusing SC, Thorpe D, 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, Dusing SC, Moore CG.  Repeatability of Temporo-Spatial Gait Measures in Children using the GAITRite ® Electronic Walkway. 5, 2005:86 (12) 2342-2346. .

Dusing SC, Rosenberg AE, Heimenz J, Piner S, Escolar M. Gross and Fine Motor Skills of Children with Hurler’s Syndrome (MPS-IH) Post Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation: A Case Series Report. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 2005:17(4):264-267.

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. Pediatric Physical Therapy. 2005; 17 (1) 2-10.

Dusing SC, Skinner AC, Mayer ML. Unmet Need for Therapy Services, Assistive Devices and Related Services: Data from the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs. Ambulatory Pediatrics 2004; 4: 448-454.

Invited publications
Dusing SC. Commentary: Developmental Outcomes in Children with Mucopolysaccharidosis 1H (Hurler Syndrome) After Stem Cell Transplantation.  Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. 2007 Sep; 49(9):646.

Non-refereed publications
Dusing SC, Rosenberg AE, Paez S.  Physical Therapy for Children with MPS Disorders – Information for Parents. Courage (A publication from the National MPS Society) 29(4): 36. Also available at www.mpssociety.org.

Dusing SC, Rosenberg AE, Paez S.  Physical Therapy for Children with MPS Disorders – Information for Professionals. Courage (A publication from the National MPS Society) 29(4): 37. Also available at www.mpssociety.org

Book chapters
Rosenberg AE, Dusing SC: Pediatric Physical Therapy.  In: Pagliarulo M, ed. Introduction to Physical Therapy, 3rd ed. New York: Moseby-Yearbook, 2006.

Grant funding

Does Early Postural Intervention Effect Sitting Balance or Reaching in Infants Born Preterm.  American Physical Therapy Association, Section on Pediatrics, Planning Grant. Jan.1, 2009-June 30, 2010. Role PI

Motor Control, Coordination, and Motor Learning of Infants.  Comprehensive Opportunities in Rehabilitation Research Training Program. NIH/ K12. June 15, 2008-June 14, 2010.   Competitive Renewal. June 15, 2010-June 14, 2011.  Role: PI.

Feasibility of Conducting A Premature Infant-Specific Developmental Education Program as an Intervention in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to Reduce Maternal Prematurity Stereotyping and Enhance Infant Motor Development. Clinical Research Feasibility Fund, General Clinical Research Center, Virginia Commonwealth University. GRCR Grant M01 RR00065. Sept. 1, 2007- Aug. 30, 2008 (Extended Aug. 1, 2009) Role: PI

Enhancing Pediatric Physical Therapy Education through Simulated Experiences. Center for Teaching Excellence, Small Grant. Virginia Commonwealth University, Jan. 1, 2007 – Aug. 15, 2007.  Role PI

Smith Graduate Research Grant. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Aug. 1, 2005-July 31, 2006. Role: PI

Promotion of Doctoral Studies II Award. American Physical Therapy Association, Physical Therapy Foundation. 2005-2006.

Mary McMillian Doctoral Scholarship. American Physical Therapy Association, Physical Therapy Foundation. 2003

Key professional service activities

Clinical Biomechanics - Reviewer

American Physical Therapy Association Pediatric Section, Co-Chair Neonatology Special Interest Group. June 2008-2011.

Physical Therapy Journal - Reviewer
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology - Reviewer

Virginia Physical Therapy Association, Pediatric Special Interest Group Central District Representative. October 2007- present

Back to faculty listing