Silkwood-Sherer, Deborah
Professor and Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy
CHAIRPERSON
More about Deborah Silkwood-Sherer
Publications & Presentations
- Silkwood-Sherer DJ, McGibbon NH. Can hippotherapy make a difference in the quality of life of children with cerebral palsy? A pragmatic study. Physiother Theory Pract. 2020. DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2020.1759167.
- Owens, M, Silkwood-Sherer D. Informal dance intervention improves BMI and functional gait in an adolescent with cerebral palsy: A case report. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2019; 31(4), E26-E31. DOI: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000000653.
- Reubens R, Silkwood-Sherer D. Intervention for an adolescent with cerebral palsy during period of accelerate growth. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2016;(28):117-125.
- Lindroth, JL, Sullivan JL, Silkwood-Sherer D. Does hippotherapy effect use of sensory information for balance in people with multiple sclerosis. Physiother Theory Pract. 2015;31(8):571-581.
- Ustinova K, Silkwood-Sherer D. Postural perturbations induced by a moving virtual environment are reduced in persons with brain injury when gripping a mobile object. J Neurol Phys Ther. 2014;38(2):125-33.
- Silkwood-Sherer DJ, Killian CB, Long TM, Martin KS. Hippotherapy: An intervention to habilitate balance deficits in children with movement disorders: a clinical trial. Phys Ther. 2012;92(5):707-717.
- McGibbon NH, Benda W, Duncan BR, Silkwood-Sherer D. Immediate and long-term effects of hippotherapy on symmetry of adductor muscle activity and functional ability in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Archives Phys Med Rehabil. 2009;90:966-974.
- Silkwood-Sherer D, Warmbier H. Effects of hippotherapy on balance of persons with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study. J Neurol Phys Ther. 2007;31:77-84.
Credentials, Certifications & Awards
- Graduate, Education Leadership Institute Fellowship, American Physical Therapy Association 2017
- Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist – American Hippotherapy Certification Board
- Administration of Rehabilitation Facilities, DePaul University
Education
- DHSc, Physical Therapy, University of Indianapolis, 2007
- MS, Rehabilitation Administration, DePaul University, 1992
- BHS, Physical Therapy, University of Kentucky, 1978
Research Interests
- Assessment and treatment of postural control and balance
- Effects of equine movement (hippotherapy) on treatment of balance/postural control in adults and children with neuromuscular disorders
Membership in Professional Organizations
- American Physical Therapy Association
- American Hippotherapy Association, International
- American Hippotherapy Certification Board
- Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship
Current Licenses/Certifications Held
- Michigan Licensed Physical Therapist (#002421)
Courses Taught
- PTH 663: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Education
- PTH 680: International Learning Experiences
- PTH 703: Introduction to Hippotherapy
- PTH 690: Motor Learning Theory
- PTH 695: Ethics in Physical Therapy
- PTH 725: Research and Evidence Based Practice II
- PTH 765: Physical Therapy Seminar III
- PTH 766: Physical Therapy Seminar IV