Clinical research network publishes methods paper.

Appearing in the February issue of the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is an article titled "The Physical Therapy Clinical Research Network (PT-ClinResNet): Methods, Efficacy, and Benefits of a Rehabilitation Research Network," (DOI: 10.1097/ PHM.0b013e31816178fc). The authors are Carolee Winstein, PT, PhD, FAPTA; Patricia Pate, MPT, NCS; Tingting Ge, MS; Carolyn Ervin, PhD; James Baurley, MS; Katherine J Sullivan, PT, PhD; Samantha J Underwood, MS; Eileen G Fowler, PT, PhD; Sara Mulroy, PT, PhD; David A Brown, PT, PhD; Komelia Kulig, PT, PhD; James Gordon, PT, EdD, FAPTA; and Stanley P Azen, PhD.

The article describes the vision, methods, and implementation strategies used in building the infrastructure for PTClinResNet. PTClinResNet was a multisite physical therapy clinical research network created to assess the effects of strengthening exercises designed to improve muscle performance and movement skill in patients with physical disabilities. The $1.5 million project, funded by the Foundation and completed in March 2007, was headed by Winstein and Gordon of the Department of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at the University of Southern California (USC). The coordinating center was at USC, with satellite sites at Northwestern University, Missouri State University, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, and 23 outpatient clinics in the greater Los Angeles area.

Brown received a Foundation doctoral student support grant in 1993. He is Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, Northwestern University.

Fowler received a Foundation doctoral student support grant in 1995. She is Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery; Director of Research and Education, UCLA Center for Cerebral Palsy; and Faculty, Tarjan Center for Developmental Disabilities, UCLA.

Mulroy received a Foundation doctoral student support grant in 1989. She is Director of the Pathokinesiology Laboratory, Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center, and Adjunct Faculty, Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at the School of Dentistry, USC.

Sullivan received Foundation doctoral student support grants in 1996 and 1997. She is Associate Professor of Physical Therapy, Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at the School of Dentistry, USC.

Winstein received Foundation doctoral student support grants in 1986 and 1993. She is Professor in the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, School of Dentistry, and in the Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine, USC.