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Functional Aging and Mobility Research Laboratory

Annalisa Na directs the Functional Aging and Mobility Research Laboratory to explore the interactions of multimorbidity diseases on functional outcomes in older adults. Her work attempts to understand strategies for reducing the risk of developing or exacerbating comorbidities among older adults with mobility-limiting pain. The goal is to design non-pharmacological pain management strategies that prolong physical function and mobility while aging in the community. Na leverages research, clinical expertise and multidisciplinary approaches in her research. This includes biomechanics, clinical reasoning, large data sets, psychosocial and behavioral mechanisms and implementation science to inform, develop and examine evidence-based, physical activity-based interventions. Her current studies examine various common multimorbidity among older adults at the highest risk for pain-related functional disabilities - specifically, cognitive decline (dementia, Alzheimer’s disease), musculoskeletal pain (arthritis), and metabolic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, obesity). Na’s research primarily occurs in the greater Philadelphia region and in collaboration with the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX (UTMB). Her research is currently funded by the National Institute of Aging of the National Institute of Health (K23AG081547 and L30AG074440). Na's research has also been funded by the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, Cell2Society of the College of Nursing and Health Professions at Drexel University, the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation at UTMB, the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research, Administration for Community Living Grant #90AR5009, and the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Implementation Science Multidisciplinary Team #UL1TR001439

Principal Investigator

Annalisa Na, PhD, PT, DPT

Annalisa Na, PhD, PT, DPT
Assistant Research Professor - Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences

Health Sciences Building, Room 11W41
60 N. 36th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Phone: 267.359.5576
Email: an838@drexel.edu

Publications

Research Gate | PubMed | Google Scholar

Non-pharmacological pain management for people living with dementia

Pain is the leading cause of functional decline in older adults. For people living with dementia (PLWD), pain is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Pain can manifest as behavioral and psychiatric symptoms of dementia. Such treatments often include pharmacological approaches that often do not directly address the problem, are ineffective, and lead to additional complications. Leveraging clinical and research experience and expertise, we hope to develop non-pharmacological, evidence-based pain management programs that resonate with patients and caregivers from diverse backgrounds.

Improving functional outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes mellites and knee osteoarthritis and/or arthroplasty.

This research aims to reduce knee osteoarthritis symptoms, specifically pain, to improve and achieve the physical activity needed to manage glucose control. Specifically, we are examining the Functional Recovery in Patients with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus following a Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty. This study is funded by the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research – Geriatric Research Grant. The pilot study aims to characterize the recovery pattern and expectations of functional outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus before and after receiving a primary total knee arthroplasty. The prospective follow up occurs preoperatively and postoperatively at 1-, 3-, 6-, 9, and 12- months for patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus. Additionally, we have multiple large data sets to characterize type 2 diabetes mellites and evaluate its influence on total knee arthroplasty.

Implementation Science Multidisciplinary Translational Team (MTT)

This MTT aims to use “Learning Health System” to overcome barriers of adopting evidence-based practice in the real world, and is funded by the National Institute of Health, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. Specifically, the team focuses on implementing self-management strategies to enable stroke patients to reduce adverse health outcomes such as exacerbating multiple complex comorbidities, health distress, and hospital readmission when discharged to the community. The team’s primary focus is to adapt existing evidence based practices with input from clinicians and patients and then conducts an implementation feasibility trial. My responsibilities include providing my musculoskeletal and multimorbidity expertise to explore and understand multimorbidity interactions.

Gait biomechanics to improve physical function and mobility

This research stemmed from my clinical observation that there is a lack of evidence-based practice to guide clinical reasoning for physical therapy practice, specifically with guiding clinical decisions when it came to movement adaptations. In the field of physical therapy, this resulted in a trial-and-error strategy that was inefficient. Therefore, this research has been aimed at determining whether known movement strategies associated with self-reported walking difficulty could be characterized and used to guide future interventions. We have identified several modifiable gait mechanics related to self-reported walking difficulty that are translatable to the clinic. This study was funded by the American Physical Therapy Association Academy of Orthopedics Physical Therapy. Our overall findings identified a strong relationship between self-reported walking difficulty and movement adaptations, and, therefore, will be used to guide the development of interventions.

List of internal collaborators:

  • Rose Ann DiMaria-Ghalili, PhD, RN
  • Laura Gitlin, PhD

List of external collaborators:

  • Thomas S. Buchanan, PhD, Delaware Rehabilitation Institute, University of Delaware
  • Stephen Fisher, PhD, PT, GCS, University of Texas Medical Branch
  • Zbigniew Gugala, MD, PhD, University of Texas Medical Branch
  • Mary K. Hastings, PT, DPT, MSCI, ATC, Washington University in St. Louis
  • Kenneth R. Ottenbacher, Ph.D., OTR University of Texas Medical Branch
  • Timothy A. Reistetter, Ph.D, OTR, University of Texas Health San Antonio