The faculty of our physical therapy department is constantly engaged in research that is innovating the field of physical therapy. As a student of our program, you too will have the opportunity to participate in research, working side-by-side with expert faculty, peers, and other health professionals to make new discoveries and drive the physical therapy profession forward.
Learn about our research areas
The physical therapy department focuses on the following types of research:
Community & Education
When performing community-engaged research, our faculty consider how our work can benefit the people around us and improve the education of our students. You'll benefit from hands-on learning and start making an impact on the lives of others during your first year as a student through programs such as Yoga for Veterans, the IU Student Outreach Clinic, and sports camps for children with disabilities.
Musculoskeletal
Our faculty members researching musculoskeletal health are working to find new techniques, therapies, and devices to help people with orthopedic issues and other disorders. We have four labs dedicated to musculoskeletal health research: Musculoskeletal Function Imagine & Tissue Resource Core, Bone Physiology Lab, Skeletal Muscle Biology & Function Lab, and Applied Regenerative Medicine Lab.
Neuro-rehabilitation
Our faculty are working to expand our knowledge of how neurological processes affect rehabilitation and how modifications in behavioral health can lead to faster, more complete recoveries. As a student, you can get exposure to neuro-rehabilitation through our department-affiliated research destinations such as Indiana Center for Advanced Neurorehabilitation, IU Health Neuroscience Center, Rehabilitation & Integrative Therapy Lab, and Neurowellness Clinic.