Microsoft word - debora gaebler.doc

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Provide the following information for the Senior/key personnel and other significant contributors in the Follow this format for each person. DO NOT EXCEED FOUR PAGES.
Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and eRA COMMONS USER NAME (credential, e.g., Rehabilitation, Professor, Department of Pediatrics IO N/TRAINING (Begin with baccalaureate or other initial professional education, such as nursing, include postdoctoral training and residency training if applicable.) University of Illinois Hospital & Clinics, Chicago Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago A. Personal Statement
My 25 year career has been dedicated to the care of children with disabilities. My particular research interest has involved
collaborative efforts in multisite trials for children with cerebral palsy. I have also had experience with multidisciplinary
research for children with cerebral palsy. I am active on many national committees that pertain to research and the
development of best practice for children with cerebral palsy including Cerebral Palsy International Research and the
American Academy of cerebral palsy
B. Positions and Honors
2007 – present
Professor, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pediatrics 1998 – present Clinic Chief, Pediatric Amputee Clinic - RIC 1985 – present Attending Physician, Pediatric and Adolescent Rehabilitation Program - RIC
Consultant:
1985 – present Children’s Memorial Hospital, Chicago
1989 – present Chicago Board of Education, Chicago
1994 – 1996 University of Illinois Clinic/Adults with Cerebral Palsy, Chicago
Honors
Isabella and Leonard Goldenson Technology and Rehabilitation Award, united Cerebral Palsy Foundation – June 24, 2005

Other Experience and Professional Memberships
Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine 2010 - Associate Editor
Neurotoxin Institute Advisory Council (NAC) 2010 - Advisor
Orthotics Prosthetic Education and Research Foundation - Board of Directors
American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation:
Steering Committee, Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine Fellowship: 1999-2008; Associate Member of the Board: 2000 - 2008 American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation: Pediatric Rehabilitation Special Interest Group (SIG) Chairperson 1996-1998; Liaison to the American Academy of Pediatrics National Committee on Children with Disability, 1993-1998 American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine: President 2009 - 2010 Member, Board of Directors, 2000- 2004 Program committee 2002-2003 Instructional Course Chairperson 2003-2004 American Academy of Pediatrics 1985-present Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Children with Disabilities - March 1995-present \ Section Membership, Chronic Illness & Disability, American Academy of Pediatrics, 1992-present United Cerebral Palsy Education Research Foundation – Cerebral Palsy International Research Professional Advisory Board, June 1991-present Pathways Awareness Foundation 1990-present
NIH Taskforce on Childhood Hypertonia: 1999 - present

C. Selected Peer-reviewed Publications
Deon L, Kalichman M, Booth C, Slavin K, Gaebler-Spira D. Pallidal Deep-Brain Stimulation Associated with Complete
Remission of Self-Injurious Behaviors in a Patient with Lesch-Nyham Syndrome: A Case Report. Journal of Child
Neurology, Published on-line September 22, 2011.
Hwang M, Kuroda M, Tann B, Gaebler-Spira D. Measuring Care and Comfort in Children with Cerebral Palsy: The Care
and Comfort Caregiver Questionnaire. PMR. 2011 Aug 17. [Epub ahead of print]

Hurley DS, Sukal-Moulton T, Msall ME, Gaebler-Spira D, Krosschell KJ, Dewald JP. The Cerebral Palsy Research
Registry: Development and Progress Toward National Collaboration in the United States. J Child Neurol. 2011 Jun 15.
(Epub ahead of print)
Gao F, Zhao H, Gaebler-Spira D, Zhang LQ. In vivo evaluations of morphologic changes of gastrocnemius muscle
fascicles and achilles tendon in children with cerebral palsy. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2011 May;90(5):364-71.
Wu YN, Hwang M, Ren Y, Gaebler-Spira D, Zhang LQ. Combined passive stretching and active movement
rehabilitation of lower-limb impairments in children with cerebral palsy using a portable robot. Neurorehabil Neural
Repair. 2011 May;25(4):378-85. Epub 2011 Feb 22.
Peng Q, Park HS, Shah P, Wilson N, Ren Y, Wu YN, Liu J, Gaebler-Spira DJ, Zhang LQ. Quantitative evaluations of
ankle spasticity and stiffness in neurological disorders using manual spasticity evaluator. J Rehabil Res Dev.
2011:48(4):473-82.
Lopez-Ortiz, Gladden K, Deon L, Scmidt J, Girolami G, Gaebler-Spira D. Dance Program for Physical Rehabilitation and
Participation in Children with Cerebral Palsy. Arts & Health 2011, iFirst article, 1-16.
Gao, F, Zhao H, Gaebler-Spira D, Zhang L. In Vivo Evaluations of Morphologic Changes of Gastrocnemius Muscle
Fascicles and Achilles Tendon in Children with Cerebral Palsy. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation:
May 2011 - Volume 90 - Issue 5 - pp 364-371

Wu YN, Hwang M, Ren Y, Gaebler-Spira D, Zhang LQ. Combined Passive Stretching and Active Movement
Rehabilitation of Lower-Limb Impairments in Children With Cerebral Palsy Using a Portable Robot. Neurorehabil
Neural Repair. 2011 Feb 28
Peng, Q., Park, H.-S., Shah, P., Wilson, N., Ren, Y., Wu, Y.-N., Liu, J., Gaebler-Spira, D. J., and Zhang, L.-Q., 2010.
Quantitative Evaluations of Ankle Spasticity and Stiffness in Neurological Disorders Using a Manual Spasticity
Evaluator. J Rehab Res Develop. accepted for publication.
Wu Y-N, Ren Y, Goldsmith A, Gaebler-Spira D, Liu S, Zhang L-Q. “Characterization of spasticity in cerebral palsy:
dependence of catch angle on velocity,” Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, June 2010; 52(6): 563-569.
Katholi B, Soltys N, Schmidt J, Heelan J, Kuiken T, Gaebler-Spira D. The fitting of unilateral shoulder disarticulation
prosthesis after electrical burn injury: A case report. Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine: An Interdisciplinary
Approach. – 2009; 229-233
Akmer M, Krosschell K, Gaebler-Spira D. Treadmill Training with Partial Body-Weight Support in children with
Cerebral Palsy: A systematic Review. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, Volume 51(4): 268-275: 2009
Gaebler-Spira D. Case Scenarios for Training in Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine. Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation
Medicine: An Interdisciplinary Approach. – 2008; 89-91
Pratt B, Baker KW, Gaebler-Spira D. Participation of the child with cerebral palsy in the home, school, and community:
A review of the literature; Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, Volume 1, Number 2 / 2008

Desch LW, Gaebler-Spira D and the Council on Children with Disabilities. Prescribing Assistive Technology Systems:
Focus on Children With Impaired Communication. Pediatrics June 2008; 121(6):1271-1280
Sanger, t, Bastian A, Brunstrom J, Damiano D, Delgado M, Dure L, Gaebler-Spira D, Hoon A, Mink J, Sherman-Levine
S, Welty L, The Child Motor Study Group. “Prospective Open-Label Clinical Trial of Trihexyphenidyl in Children with
Secondary Dystonia due to Cerebral Palsy”, Journal of Child Neurology, 2007: 22; 530
Bourke-Taylor H, O’Shea R, Gaebler-Spira, D. “Conductive Education: A functional Skills program for Children with
Cerebral Palsy”, Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 2007: 27(1): 45-62.
Sanger T, Chen D, Delgado M, Gaebler-Spira D, Hallett M, Mink J, The Taskforce on Childhood Motor Disorders .
“Definition and Classification of Negative Motor Signs in Childhood” Pediatrics, November 2006: 118(1): 2159-2167.
Kamper D, Yasukawa A, Kenley B, Gaebler-Spira D. “Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Treatment of Cerebral Palsy on Potential Impairment Mechanisms: A Pilot Study”. Journal of the American Physical Therapy Association, Spring 2006, 18(1): 31-38 Yasukawa A, Cofre R, Kahn L, Buhrfiend C, Gaebler-Spira D. “Shoulder Support for Children with Subluxation: A Case Study”. Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, July 2005; 17(3):74-79 Senner J, Logemann J, Zecker S, Gaebler-Spira D. “Drooling, saliva production, and swallowing in cerebral palsy”. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, Dec 2004 Lebiedowska M, Gaebler-Spira D, Burns R, Fish J. “Biomechanic Characteristics of Patients with Spastic and Dystonic Hypertonia in Cerebral Palsy”. Arch Phys. Med. Rehabil. June 2004; 85: 875-880 Wright P, White K, Gaebler-Spira D. “Exploring the Relevance of the Personal and Social Responsibility Model in Adapted Physical Activity: A Collective Case Study”. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education 2004; 23:71-87. Schmidt B, Gaebler-Spira D. “Mechanical Measurements of the Effects of Intrathecal Baclofen Dosage Adjustments in Cerebral Palsy”. Am. Journal Phys. Med. Rehabilitation 2004; 83:33-41 Yasukawa A, Malas BS, Gaebler-Spira D. “Efficacy of Maintenance of Elbow Range of Motion of Two Types of Orthotic Devices: A Case Series”. JPO Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics 2003; 15(2):72-77. Sanger T, Delgado M, Gaebler-Spira D, Hallett M, Mink J. “Classification and Definition of Disorders Causing Hypertonia in Childhood.” Pediatrics, January 2003; 111(1): 89-97. Gaebler-Spira D, Revivo, G: “The use of Botulinum Toxin in Pediatric Disorders” Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Clinical. N. Am. 2003; 14:703-725 Garcia R, Gaebler-Spira D, Sisung C, Heinemann A. “Functional Improvement After Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury”. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2002; 81(6): 458-63. Gormley M, Gaebler-Spira D, Delgado M. The Use of Botulinum Toxin Type-A in Pediatric Patients with Cerebral Palsy: A Three Center Retrospective Chart Review. Journal of Child Neurology, February 2001 Schneider J, Gutierrez A, Gaebler-Spira D. Health-Related Quality of Life and Functional Outcome measures for Children with Cerebral Palsy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology 2001; 43:601-608 Graham H, Aoki R, Autti-Ramo, Gaebler-Spira D. Recommendations for the use of Botulinum toxin type A in the management of cerebral palsy. Gait Posture 11/2000; p67-69. D. Research Support
Title of Project: Research Center on Technologies for Children with Orthopedic Disabilities
Goal of the projects are to assess and develop robotics to enhance function in children with cp for gait
Role-Co-PI for RIC
CPIR
Title of Project: Dance for Motor Learning in Children with Cerebral Palsy.
Goal of the study is to understand motor segmentation and motor learning in children with cerebral palsy using
classical dance training.
Role: Co-PI
HHSN267200603421C
Title of Project: Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act Pediatric Drug Study: Use of Oral Baclofen for Treatment of
Spasticity of Cerebral Palsy in Children.
The major goals of the project are to develop pharmokinetic and pharmodynamic parameters of oral baclofen use in
children with cerebral palsy, establish efficacy and safety.
Northwestern University
Title of Project: Cerebral Palsy Registry The major goals of the project are to enroll children with cp for research recruitment as well as long term functional outcome. Title of Project: Low Cost portable Telerehabilitation System for Intelligent Stretching and Remote assessment of
Hypertonic Elbow Joint.
The major goals of the project are to initiate stretching for spastic elbow and ankle with a portable mechanical unit.
Completed Research Support

R-736-02 - UCPF Stanford University
Title of Project: Childhood Hypertonia of Cerebral Origin: An Open-Label Trial of Trihexphenidyl (Trihexyphenidyl)
Treatment Effects
The goals of this multi-center prospective open-label study of Trihexphenidyl in children with upper and lower extremity
dystonic hypertonia due to static encephalopathy were to validate these findings in a larger sample with a more objective
and comprehensive set of outcome measures.
Role: Co-Investigator
Stanford University
Title of Project: Intelligent Stretching and Outcome Evaluation of Spastic Ankles in Children with CP
The goals of the project are to treat children with CP and spastic ankle using a novel device and evaluate the outcome in
terms of both biomechanical and reflex properties
Role: Co-Investigator.
Medtronics
Title of Project: Energy Expenditure, Nutritional Status and Quality of Life in Children with Spasticity who Undergo
Intrathecal Baclofen Treatment
The aim of this pilot project is to determine the impact of intrathecal baclofen treatment on energy balance, growth,
nutritional status and quality of life in children with spasticity.
Role: PI
R-746-03
United Cerebral Palsy Research & Educational Foundation Title of Project: Randomized, Double-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Study of Upper Extremity Function with Botulinum
Toxin A
The goal of this study was to provide evidence that Botulinum Toxin A injection is an effective method to treat spasticity
affecting upper extremity function in children with cerebral palsy.
Role: PI
5 R01 NS43143-04 - NIH/NINDS
Title of Project: Effects of Baclofen on Muscle Strength in Cerebral Palsy
The aims of this project are to quantify the changes in torque production, spasticity and selective control as a result of
intrathecal baclofen therapy in spastic cerebral palsy.
Role: Co-Investigator
Title of Project: Research Initiative Pilot Grant Program. A Clinical Trial of Early Physical Therapy to Promote
Development of Locomotion in Infants with White Matter Injury
The major goals of the project are to determine if early institution of a kicking program improves ambulation and effect
on diagnosis of CP.
Role: Co-Investigator
1F32DC008265
Title of Project: Determining Reliability of the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS)
The major goals of the project are validate the CFCS as a major classification tool for communication in children with
cerebral palsy.

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