Biosketch

Dr. Diane Damiano is the Clinical Center’s director of biomechanics. A physical therapist by training, Dr. Damiano holds a PhD in research methods/biomechanics from the University of Virginia, a Master of Science in physical therapy from Duke University, and an undergraduate degree in biological sciences from Catholic University. She joins the Clinical Center from the Department of Neurology at Washington University in St. Louis.

Dr. Damiano’s area of expertise is in the investigation of both existing and novel rehabilitation approaches in children with cerebral palsy. Several years ago, she was one of the first researchers to recognize that spastic muscles were, in fact, weak and needed strengthening. Her work in this area has helped to revolutionize the treatment of these patients. Her most recent interest is in the role of physical activity in enhancing motor coordination and promoting neural recovery in those with brain injuries.

Her previous academic positions include an appointment at the University of Virginia Health Systems, where she she became an associate professor on the tenure track in the Department of Orthopaedics and also served as research director of the Motion Analysis and Motor Performance Laboratory.

Dr. Damiano is the recipient of numerous NIH grants, and has published more than 50 papers in peer-reviewed journals. She is a permanent member of the Musculoskeletal and Rehabilitation Sciences (MRS) NIH Study Section. She currently sits on the editorial board of Clinical Rehabilitation, was the previous editor for review articles for Gait & Posture, and is a reviewer for major journals in the fields of biomechanics and rehabilitation. Dr. Damiano is a past president of the Clinical Gait and Movement Analysis Society and the current president—the first physical therapist to serve in the role in the organization’s 61-year history—of the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine. She is a member of the scientific advisory board of the United Cerebral Palsy Research and Education Foundation.

Awards

Hughes Award, Pediatric Physical Therapy Journal, 2005; Annual Research Award, American Physical Therapy Assocation Pediatrics Section, 2000; Best Poster Award, American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine annual meeting, 2000; Ethel Hausman Clinical Research Scholars Award, United Cerebral Palsy Educational and Research Foundation, 1997-2000; American Physical Therapy Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship Award, 1996; Dorothy Briggs Memorial Scientific Inquiry Award, American Physical Therapy Association, 1996; Patricia Miller Research Award, American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, 1994, 1995; Fellow, American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, 1994

Selected Publications

Damiano DL, Vaughan, CL, Abel  MF (1995). Muscle response to heavy resistance exercise in spastic cerebral palsy, Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 37:731-739.

Damiano DL, Abel MF (1998). Functional outcomes of strength training in spastic cerebral palsy.  Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 79: 119-125.

Damiano DL, Martellotta TL, Quinlivan J, Abel MF. (2001). Deficits in Eccentric versus concentric torque in spastic cerebral palsy. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 33:117-122.

Damiano DL, Quinlivan J, Nelson K, Payne P, Abel MF (2002). What does the Ashworth really measure and are instrumented measures more valid and precise?  Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 44, 112-118.

Dodd K, Taylor N, Damiano DL (2002). Systemic Review of Strengthening for Individuals with Cerebral Palsy. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 83: 1157-64.

Tate O, Damiano DL (2002). Torque-EMG relationships in normal and spastic muscles. Electromyography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 42:34-57.

Bax M, Goldstein M, Rosenbaum P, Levitan A, Paneth N, Dan B, Jacobsson B, Damiano D. (2005). Proposed definition and classification of cerebral palsy, April 2005. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 47:571-576.

Damiano DL (2006). Activity, activity, activity: rethinking our physical therapy approach to cerebral palsy. Physical Therapy; 86(11):1534-40.

Moreau NG, Li L, Geaghan JP, Damiano DL (2008).  Muscle fatigue in cerebral palsy and the relationship to functional mobility. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (in press)

Wingert JR, Burton H, Sinclair RJ, Brunstrom J, Damiano DL (2008): Tactile object recognition and roughness perception in cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology (in press).