Research
Funded/In Review Grant Activity
Ongoing Support
Stevens-Lapsley J (PI). Improving rehabilitation for Veterans after total knee arthroplasty using individualized recovery trajectories. VA Merit Award RX003770-01A1. Partial salary funding.
Completed Support
Flynn S (PI); Struessel T (Co-I and University of 麻豆传媒高清 site coordinator), Stevens-Lapsley J. The Oaks: A Mobile Exercise and 麻豆传媒高清 Program for People with Osteoarthritis of the Knee. NIH R44 AG055341. 2/1/18-1/31/19 ($725,915). The goal is to develop and test of a minimum viable product of The Oaks, a perioperative, digital, education, assessment and guided exercise software application for adults with osteoarthritis of the knee awaiting total knee replacement surgery.
Stevens-Lapsley JE (PI), Schenkman M (Co-I), Kohrt W, Wolfe P, Struessel T (Clinical coordinator), Kluger B, Eckhoff D. Progressive Rehabilitation for Total Knee Arthroplasty. The major goal of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of a more intensive rehabilitation program compared to traditional rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty. National Institutes of Health (NIH) / Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD. Awarded 2011-2016 ($2.29 million)
Struessel T (PI), May J, Sonnenberg E, Carpenter K, Mintken P. An evidence based paradigm: student perceived barriers to learning to practice manipulation. The purpose of this study was to assess student-faced barriers to practicing evidence-based orthopedic interventions, specifically thrust manipulation. Grant awarded February 2008. Role: Primary Investigator. ($3000)
Stevens J (PI), Struessel T. Bade M. Optimizing lower extremity muscle function after total knee arthroplasty. American College of Rheumatology New Investigator Award. The goal of this study is to investigate quadriceps force and reflex inhibition after TKA and explore rehabilitation strategies to minimize these deficits after TKA. Role: clinical consultant. July 2007-June 2009. ($100,000).
Research Activity
Struessel T (PI), Nicole Sleddens, Lauren Hinrichs. Engagement, Well-Being and Joy in Work. A Qualitative Study of Physical Therapists. Ongoing 2020-present.
Sawyer E, Struessel T. Assessing and Improving Financial Literacy in PT Students. 2020-present
Stevens-Lapsley J (PI). Improving rehabilitation for Veterans after total knee arthroplasty using individualized recovery trajectories. VA Merit Award RX003770-01A1.
Flynn S (PI); Struessel T (Co-I and University of 麻豆传媒高清 site coordinator), Stevens-Lapsley J. The Oaks: A Mobile Exercise and 麻豆传媒高清 Program for People with Osteoarthritis of the Knee. The goal is to develop and test of a minimum viable product of The Oaks, a perioperative, digital, education, assessment and guided exercise software application for adults with osteoarthritis of the knee awaiting total knee replacement surgery.
Struessel T (PI), Sleddens N, Jones KJ. Quality Improvement Content in Physical Therapist 麻豆传媒高清: A Scoping Review Collaboration with University of Nebraska Faculty Katherine Jones PT, PhD, Nicole Sleddens PT. Completed 2022
Struessel T , VanZytveld C Gisbert R, Forster J, Nordon-Craft A. Knowledge and attitudes of physical therapy students across a longitudinal healthcare systems-focused patient safety curriculum. This longitudinal project will assess change in systems-focused patient safety knowledge and attitudes after introduction of new educational content. In review Dec. 2018.
Struessel T , VanZytveld C. Doctor of Physical Therapy student focus groups exploring experiences in clinic, with a focus on patient safety risk factors. Completed 2018.
Publications and Presentations
Scholarly Agenda
Priority areas for scholarship include engagement and joy in work within physical therapy, and healthcare system factors such as organizational culture and its impact on patient safety and clinician well-being.
Within the last five years
Peer Reviewed Publications
Gann EJ, Manago M, Struessel T. Upper extremity blood-flow restriction training applied during walking in an adult with a rare form of spina bifida: a case report. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. April 2025.
Sawyer E, Reinking M, Eigsti H, Struessel T. A Financial Literacy Pilot Project: Are Entering DPT Students Prepared to Manage Their Debt? Journal of Allied Health. Fall 2024; 53(3):196–202.
Graber J, Churchill L, Struessel T, O’Malley S, Bade M, Stevens-Lapsley J. Developing usage guidelines for outpatient rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty: A Delphi study. J Ortho Sports PT 2023: Doi:
Carmichael, J., Flynn, S., Struessel T ., Bini, S., Bade, M. Stevens-Lapsley, J. Assessment of a Downloadable Application with Avatar Guidance for PT-Prescribed Home Exercise after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A 30-Day Usability and Feasibility Study. Advances in Aging Research, 11, 98-115. July 2022.
Struessel T , Sleddens N, Jones K. Quality Improvement in physical therapy education: A Scoping Review. Physical Therapy. June 2022.
Burns M. Struessel T . Language discordance and telephone interpretation complicates Pain Neuroscience 麻豆传媒高清 in physical therapy management of a patient with acute low back pain. Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. January 2022.
Adams, R, Dudley J, Struessel T . Physical therapy to address fall risk in an individual with neurofibromatosis. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. January 2021.
Struessel T , VanZytveld C, Forster J, Gisbert R, Nordon-Craft A. Knowledge and attitudes of physical therapy students across a longitudinal healthcare systems-focused patient safety curriculum. Journal of Allied Health. May 2020. (Winner J. Warren Perry Award for best reviewed article of the year)
Peer Reviewed Abstracts/Presentations
Sawyer E, Reinking M, Gorman I, Eigsti H, Struessel T. Financial Literacy: Are Matriculating DPT Students Prepared to Manage Their Debt? 麻豆传媒高清al Leadership Conference. Combined Sections Meeting. Boston, MA. Feb. 2024.
Hernandez M., Richardson V, Struessel T. The (Un)grading approach in a Capstone course: Is the Master Adaptive Learner in our sights? APTA 麻豆传媒高清al Leadership Conference. Philadelphia, PA. Oct. 2023.
- Winner of Physical Therapy Learning Institute (PTLI) Influencer Award given for a presentation that has the potential to have a positive influence toward excellence in PT education and is consistent with the vision and mission of PTLI.
Gann EJ, Manago M, Struessel T. Upper-Extremity Blood-Flow Restriction Training during Lofstrand Walking in a Person with Diastematomyelia: A Case Report. 麻豆传媒高清 Chapter APTA Annual Meeting. Golden, CO. Oct, 2023.
Hansen S, Mann S, Struessel T . Down Syndrome with Ligamentous Laxity: Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation in an 18-Year-Old Dancer. Combined Sections Meeting. San Diego, CA. Feb. 2023.
Hansen S, Mann S, Struessel T. Down Syndrome with Ligamentous Laxity: Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation in an 18-Year-Old Dancer. 麻豆传媒高清 APTA Fall Conference, Breckenridge, CO. Sept 2022.
Struessel T (presenting author) Carmichael, Joel; Flynn, S; Bini, S; Bade, M; Stevens-Lapsley, J. App-based Home Exercise after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Pilot Study. 麻豆传媒高清 APTA Fall Conference, Breckenridge, CO. Sept 2022.
Sawyer E; Gorman I; Eigsti H; Struessel T . Financial Literacy: Are Matriculating DPT Students Prepared to Manage Their Debt? 麻豆传媒高清al Leadership Conference. Milwaukee, WI. Oct. 28-30, 2022.
Magnusson D, Smith A, Struessel T , Lorimer I, Moseley O, Dannemiller L. Addressing Social and Structural Determinants of Health through a Community of Learning Cases.” 10th Annual AME 麻豆传媒高清 and Innovation Symposium. March 2, 2022
Carmichael, Joel; Flynn, S; Struessel T ; Bini, S; Bade, M; Stevens-Lapsley, J. App-based Home Exercise after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Pilot Study. APTA CSM Feb 2022. San Antonio, TX.
Struessel T (presenting author) Sawyer E; Gorman I; Eigsti H; Financial Literacy: Are Matriculating DPT Students Prepared to Manage Their Debt? 麻豆传媒高清 Chapter APTA Rocky Mountain Conference and PT Expo. September 2021.
Struessel T , Van Zytveld C. Forster J, Gisbert R, Nordon-Craft A. Knowledge and Attitudes of Physical Therapy Students across a Longitudinal Healthcare Systems-Focused Patient Safety Curriculum. Combined Sections Meeting. Feb.15, 2020.
