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Professor
University of Nebraska at Omaha
I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Our research team has an overarching goal of improving quality of life and functional status for patients with
peripheral artery disease (PAD). Our group assesses gait biomechanics in patients with PAD to more closely
study the potential mechanisms leading to walking problems. Based on our early evidence of impaired baseline
function of these patients, we are developing rehabilitation programs that are more effective conservative
treatment approaches or that can be coupled with existing approaches such as supervised exercise and surgical
revascularization. The long-term objective of this proposal is to improve mobility and functional outcomes in
patients with PAD. We seek to build on our prior knowledge of gait deficiencies in patients with PAD, so we can
develop and implement appropriate interventions.
My research in the past 15 years has investigated walking performance in patients with PAD. This work has led
to the evaluation of existing treatment protocols and development of new potential treatment options. This project
builds logically from my previous work conducted with patients with PAD. Specifically, we have implemented an
ankle foot orthosis as an assistive device intervention in patients with PAD. Our prior research demonstrated
significant deficits in gait biomechanics in these patients, including an inability to generate normal torque and
power at the ankle. My research in the past 10 years has investigated walking performance in these patients and
evaluated currently available treatments. This work has led to the development of a new potential treatment
option, the AFO currently proposed. The NIH funded my doctoral work investigating the mechanisms contributing
to altered gait variability in PAD.
