Laura Prosser, PT, PhD

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Areas of Expertise: Research in the development of impaired movement and in designing treatment protocols for children with cerebral palsy that promote neural plasticity at a young age
Locations: Main Hospital
Appointments and Referrals: 1-800-TRY-CHOP (1-800-879-2467)

Education and Training

Board Certification

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Graduate Degree

PhD in Physical Therapy - Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
MS in Physical Therapy - University of Scranton, Scranton, PA
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Functional and Applied Biomechanics - National Institutes of Health

Titles and Academic Titles

Research Scientist

Departments and Services

Publications

Papers

2015

Kouvel K, Prosser L. Commentary on “Clinical Feasibility of 2-Dimensional Video Analysis of Active Cervical Motion in Congenital Muscular Torticollis.” Pediatr Phys Ther, 2015; 27:284. PMID: 26102171

2014

Dholakia K, Migliore S, Prosser L. Commentary on “Effects of short-term daily community walk aide use on children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy.” Pediatr Phys Ther, 2014; 26:317. PMID: 24979084

2013

Damiano DL, Prosser LA, Curatalo LA, Alter KE. Muscle plasticity and ankle control after repetitive use of a functional electrical stimulation device for unilateral foot drop in children with cerebral palsy. Neurorehabil Neural Repair, 2013; 27(3):200-7. PMID: 23042834

2012

Prosser LA, Curatalo LA, Alter KE, Damiano DL. Acceptability and effectiveness of a foot drop stimulator in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol, 2012; 54(11):1044-9. PMID: 22924431

Prosser LA, Ohlrich LB, Curatalo LA, Alter KE, Damiano DL. Feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a novel mobility training intervention in infants and toddlers with cerebral palsy. Dev Neurorehabil. 2012; 15(4):259-66 PMID: 22670679

Eranki A, Otto P, Curatalo L, Prosser L, Alter K, Damiano D, Sikdar S. Measurement of tendon velocities using vector tissue doppler imaging and curved m-mode in patients with cerebral palsy. Conf Proc IEEE Internat Ultrasonics Sym, 2012; 676-9.

Pierce SR, Prosser LA, Lee SCK, Lauer RT. The relationship between spasticity and muscle volume of the knee extensors in children with cerebral palsy. Pediatr Phys Ther, 2012; 24(2):177-182. PMID: 22466388

2011

Bland DC, Prosser LA, Bellini LA, Alter KE, Damiano DL. Tibialis anterior architecture, strength, and gait in individuals with cerebral palsy. Muscle Nerve, 2011; 44(4):509-517. PMID: 21755515

Prosser LA, Stanley CJ, Norman TL, Park HS, Damiano DL. Comparison of elliptical training, stationary cycling, treadmill walking and overground walking: Electromyographic patterns. Gait Posture, 2011; 33(2):244-50. PMID: 21215636

2010

Eranki A, Bellini L, Prosser L, Stanley C, Bland D, Alter K, Damiano D, Sikdar S. Measurement of tendon velocities using vector tissue doppler imaging: a feasibility study. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc, 2010; 1:5310-5313. PMID: 21096066

Prosser LA, Lee SCK, Barbe MF, VanSant AF, Lauer RT. Trunk and hip muscle activity in early walkers with and without cerebral palsy - a frequency analysis. J Electromyo Kinesiol, 2010; 20:851–859. PMID: 20472460

Prosser LA, Lee SCK, Barbe MF, VanSant AF, Lauer RT. Trunk and hip muscle activation patterns are different during walking in young children with and without cerebral palsy. Phys Ther, 2010; 90(7):986-997. PMID: 20430948 Author response to invited commentary Phys Ther, 2010; 90(7):999-1000. PMID: 20595189

Prosser LA, Lauer RT, VanSant AF, Barbe MF, Lee SCK. Variability and symmetry of gait in early walkers with and without cerebral palsy. Gait Posture, 2010;31:522-526. PMID: 20338763

Pierce SR, Prosser LA, Lauer RT. The relationship between age and spasticity in children with diplegic cerebral palsy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 2010;91(3):448-51. PMID: 20298838
Lauer RT, Pierce SR, Tucker CA, Barbe MF, Prosser LA. Age and electromyographic frequency alterations during walking in children with cerebral palsy. Gait Posture, 2010; 31:136-139. PMID: 19854058

2009

Lee SCK, Ding J, Prosser LA, Wexler AS, Binder-Macleod SA. A predictive mathematical model of muscle forces for children with cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol, 2009; 51(12):949-958. PMID: 19703211

Lauer RT, Prosser LA. Use of the Teager-Kaiser Energy Operator for muscle activity detection in children. Ann Biomed Eng, 2009;37(8):1584-1593. PMID: 19484385.

Pierce SR, Lauer RT, Prosser LA, Mohamed FB, Dougherty JB, Faro SH, Betz RR. Incidental findings during functional magnetic resonance imaging: ethical and procedural issues. Am J Phys Med Rehabil, 2009; 88(4):275-277. PMID: 19190484

2008

Johnston TE, Prosser LA, Lee SCK.  Differences in pedal forces during recumbent cycling in adolescents with and without cerebral palsy, Clin Biomech, 2008; 23(2):248-251. PMID: 17950505

Books

Chapters

Prosser LA, Damiano DL. Biomechanical and neuromuscular aspects of motor development in children with cerebral palsy. In: De Ste Croix M, Korff T, eds. Paediatric Biomechanics and Motor Control: Theory and Application. UK: Routledge; 2011. 

Posters and Presentations

2012

Prosser LA, Ohlrich LB, Curatalo LA, Alter KE, Damiano DL. Novel mobility training in prewalking toddlers with cerebral palsy. American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Annual Meeting, Sep 2012, poster. Dev Med Child Neurol 2012; 54(s6):23.

Damiano D, Prosser LA, Curatalo L, Alter KE. Short term effects of a functional electrical stimulation device on tibialis anterior muscle size and ankle control during gait in cerebral palsy. American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Annual Meeting, Sep 2012, platform. Dev Med Child Neurol 2012; 54(s6):40.

Bellini LA, Prosser LA, Alter KE, Damiano DL. Effects of functional electrical stimulation on ankle muscle activity in children with cerebral palsy. Gait & Clinical Movement Analysis Society Annual Meeting, May 2012, poster.

Prosser LA, Curatalo LA, Alter KE, Damiano DL. Acceptability of a functional electrical stimulation device for foot drop in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. Association of Children's Prosthetic-Orthotic Clinics Annual Meeting, Apr 2012, platform.

Prosser LA, Ohlrich L, Curatalo LA, Alter KE, Damiano DL. Mobility training to improve motor ability in toddlers with cerebral palsy – a pilot study. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Pediatrics section, Feb 2012, poster. Pediatr Phys Ther 2012; 24(1):120-121.

Eranki A, Otto P, Curatalo L, Prosser L, Alter K, Damiano D, Sikdar S. Measurement of tendon velocities using vector tissue doppler imaging and curved m-mode in patients with cerebral palsy. IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium, Orlando, FL, Oct 2011, poster. In press, Conf Proc IEEE.

2011

Prosser LA, Bellini LA, Alter KE, Damiano DL. Effectiveness of a novel functional electrical stimulation device to improve unilateral footdrop in cerebral palsy. American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, Oct 2011, platform. Dev Med Child Neurol 2011; 53(s5):36-37.

Damiano DL, Prosser LA, Stanley CJ. Effectiveness of elliptical training and motor-assisted cycling for improving lower extremity coordination, strength and function. European Academy of Childhood Disability Annual Meeting, Rome, Italy, Jun 2011, platform. Dev Med Child Neurol 2011; 53(s3):22.

Otto P, Curatalo L, Eranki A, Prosser L, Damiano D, Alter K, Sikdar S. Quantitative tracking of tendon motion from ultrasonic imagery using curved m-mode. Ultrasonic Imaging and Tissue Characterization Symposium, Arlington, VA, Jun 2011, platform.

Prosser LA, Bellini LA, Beideman GR, Alter KE, Damiano DL. Short-term effects of the WalkAide functional electrical stimulator on gait in individuals with cerebral palsy. Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society Annual Conference, Bethesda, MD, May 2011, platform.

2010

Eranki A, Sikdar S, Stanley C, Prosser L, Bellini L, Bland D, Alter K, Damiano D. Measuring tendon velocities using vector tissue doppler imaging. Acoustical Society of America Annual Meeting, Cancun, Mexico, Nov 2010, platform. J Acoust Soc Am 2010;128(4):2305.

Prosser LA, Bland D, Bellini LA, Alter KE, Damiano DL. Relationship of tibialis anterior muscle architecture to ankle function during gait in children with asymmetric cerebral palsy. American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, Sept 2010, poster. Dev Med Child Neurol 2010; 52(S5):84-85.

Eranki A, Bellini L, Prosser L, Damiano D, Sikdar S. Measurement of tendon velocities using vector tissue doppler imaging: a feasibility study. Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, Sep 2010, platform.

Prosser LA, Stanley CJ, Norman T, Park HS, Damiano DL. Electromyographic comparison of overground walking, treadmill walking, stationary cycling, and elliptical stepping. Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society Annual Conference, Miami, FL, May 2010, platform.

 

2009

McRae C, Prosser LA, Hunt K. Recreational cycling for the child with a spinal cord injury using functional electrical stimulation. Annual Howard H. Steele Conference, Lake Buena Vista, FL, Dec 2009, platform.

Prosser LA, Lee SCK, Van Sant AF, Barbe MF, Lauer RT. Temporal and frequency characteristics of trunk and hip muscle activity patterns in early walkers with and without cerebral palsy. Annual Meeting of the American Society for Biomechanics, State College, PA, Aug 2009, poster.

Lauer RT, Pierce SR, Tucker CA, Barbe MF, Prosser LA. Electromyographic responses to aging in children with cerebral palsy. Annual Meeting of the American Society for Biomechanics, State College, PA, Aug 2009, poster.

Pierce SR, Prosser LA, Lee SCK, Lauer RT. Relationships between spasticity of the knee extensors and muscle mass in children with cerebral palsy. Annual Meeting of the American Society for Biomechanics, State College, PA, Aug 2009, poster.

Prosser LA, Lee SCK, Lauer RT, Van Sant AF, Barbe MF. Trunk and hip muscle activity patterns in early walkers with and without cerebral palsy. College of Health Professions Research Day, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, Apr 2009, poster.

Prosser LA, Lee SCK, Van Sant AF, Barbe MF, Lauer RT. Trunk and hip muscle activity patterns in early walkers with and without cerebral palsy. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, Feb 2009, poster.

Wright S, Edwards L, Prosser LA, Tokay AM, Lee SCK. Strength training using NMES in children with cerebral palsy: relationship between stimulation dose, changes in strength, and muscle cross sectional area. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, Feb 2009, platform. Pediatr Phys Ther 2009; 21(1):97.

Lauer RT, Prosser LA. Teager-Kaiser Energy Operation for Muscle Activity Assessment in Pediatric Gait. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, Feb 2009, poster.

2008

Tokay AM, Prosser LA, Lee SCK. Triceps surae strength training does not reduce dorsiflexion PROM in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, Sep 2008, platform. Dev Med Child Neurol 2008; 50(S4):3.

Lee SCK, Ding J, Prosser LA, Tokay AM, Binder-Macleod S. A mathematical model approach for estimating central activation and maximum force potential in skeletal muscle of children with cerebral palsy. American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, Sept 2008, poster. Dev Med Child Neurol 2008; 50(S4):74-75.

Prosser LA, Klima DW, Rabel MC. Shoulder biomechanics during wheelchair propulsion in individuals with spinal cord injury: A systematic review. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Nashville, TN, Feb 2008, poster. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2008;38(1):A1.

Johnston, TE, Prosser LA, Lee SCK.  Pedal forces during cycling in adolescents with and without cerebral palsy. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Nashville, TN, Feb 2008, platform. Pediatr Phys Ther 2008; 20(1): 94.

 

Awards and Honors

2011, Nominated for the 2012 Gayle G. Arnold Award for Research Excellence from the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine. Prosser LA, Curatalo LA, Alter KE, Damiano DL. Acceptability and effectiveness of a foot drop stimulator in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. (Presented at the AACPDM  Annual Meeting 2011)

2011, NIH Fellows Award for Research Excellence

2010, AACPDM Travel Scholarship

2009, “Dean’s Award for Excellence” (First place). Prosser LA, Lee SCK, Lauer RT, Van Sant AF, Barbe MF. Trunk and hip muscle activity patterns in early walkers with and without cerebral palsy. College of Health Professions Research Day, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 

2006, “Best Poster Presentation.” Ding J, Lee SCK, Tokay A, Prosser L, Stackhouse S, Wexler AS, Binder-Macleod SA. Modeling Isometric Contractions of Leg Muscles for Children with Cerebral Palsy. 3rd Annual Center for Biomedical Engineering Research Symposium, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 

2004, Service Excellence Award (recognized by the families of patients), Children’s Specialized Hospital 

2000, Honors graduate, University of Scranton, magna cum laude 

1996-2001, Loyola scholarship, University of Scranton 

1996, National Merit Scholar Semi-finalist

Editorial and Academic Positions

Editorial Positions
Editorial board member

2013-present, Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics

Reviewer

2015-present, Journal of Motor Behavior
2014-present, Developmental Neurorehabilitation 
2013-present, Journal of Applied Biomechanics 
2013-present, Disability and Rehabilitation 
2012-present, Pediatrics 
2012-present, Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 
2011-present, Transactions on Neural Systems & Rehabilitation Engineering 
2011-present, Physical Therapy 
2011-present, Prosthetics and Orthotics International 
2010-present, Journal of Biomechanics 
2007-present, Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 
2007-present, Pediatric Physical Therapy 

Academic and Institutional Committees

2012-present, Member, Scientific Review Committee, Center for Rehabilitation, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Leadership and Memberships

Memberships in Professional Organizations

1998-present, American Physical Therapy Association - Neurology, Pediatrics, and Research sections 
2005-present, American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine 
2010-2012, Gait & Clinical Movement Analysis Society 
2009-2012, American Society of Biomechanics 
2005-2009, International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society