Selected recent publications:

• VanSwearingen JM, Perera S, Brach JS, Wert DW, Studenski SA. Exercise to improve gait efficiency: impact on activity and participation in older adults with mobility limitations.  Phys Ther [Special Issue]; (accepted, May 2011)
• Brach JS, Perera S, VanSwearingen JM, Hile E, Wert D, Studenski SA.  Challenging gait conditions predict 1-year decline in gait speed in older adults with apparently normal gait.  Phys Ther [Special Issue]; (revised, March 2011)
• Julius LM, Brach JS, Wert DW, VanSwearingen JM.  Perceived effort of walking:  relation to gait, physical function, activity, fear and confidence in walking in older adults with mobility limitations.  J Am Geriatr Soc (submitted 4/2011)
• Huang WNW, VanSwearingen J, Perera S, Cham R, Studenski SA.  Multitasking effects on gait among older adults with mobility limitation. Gait and Posture (submitted 4/2011)
• Newell A, VanSwearingen JM, Hile ES, Brach JS. The modified gait efficacy scale: establishing the psychometric properties in older adults.  Phys Ther (accepted May, 2011)
• Hornyak V, VanSwearingen JM, Brach JS.  Meaurement of gait speed.  Top Geriatr Rehab (accepted May, 2011)
• Hile ES, Brach JS, Perera S, Wert DM, VanSwearingen JM, Studenski SA. Initial support and maximum hold time: impact on tandem stance test.  Phys Ther (submitted Jan/2011)
• Brach JS, McGurl D, Wert D, VanSwearingen JM, Perera S, Cham R, Studenski S.  Validation of the smoothness of walking. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2011;66A:136-141.
• Dunlap P, Perera S, VanSwearingen JM, Wert D, Brach JS.  Transitioning to a narrow path:  the impact of fear of falling in older adults. Clinical Biomechanics (submitted, 2/2011)
• Wert D, Brach JS, Perera S, VanSwearingen J. The impact of gait biomechanics and gait characteristics on the energy cost of walking in older adults with impaired mobility.  Phys Ther 2010; 90:977-985.
• Huang WNW, Perera S, VanSwearingen J, Studentski SA.  Physical performance measures predict the onset of basic ADL difficulty in community-dwelling older adults.  J Am Geriatr Soc 2010;58:844-852.
• Hess R, Brach J, Piva S, VanSwearingen J.  Walking skill can be assessed in older adults: validity of the figure-of-8 walk test.  Phys Ther 2010;90:89-99.
• Wert D, Talkowski J, Brach J, VanSwearingen J.  Characteristics of walking, activity, fear of falling and falls in community dwelling older adults by residence. J Geriatr Phys Ther (accepted 2/2009).
• VanSwearingen JM, Perera S, Brach JS, Cham R, Rosano C, Studenski SA.  A   randomized trial of two forms of therapeutic activity to improve walking: effect on the energy cost of walking. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2009; 64A: 1190-1198. (doi:10.1093/gerona/glp098)
• Huang WNW, VanSwearingen J, Brach J. Gait variability in older adults: observational rating validated by comparison with a computerized walkway gold standard. Phys Ther 2008;88:1146-1153.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Dr. Jessie VanSwearingen
Phone: (412) 383-6634
Email: jessievs@pitt.edu