Sara P. Gombatto, M.S., P.T., Ph.D.,
Professor
School of Physical Therapy
San Diego State University
Seminar Information
A wide array of different sensor technologies have been developed and tested with the goal of monitoring body posture and movement in clinical and free-living environments. In this presentation, Dr. Gombatto will provide examples of different sensor technologies and data streams that have been used to capture more detailed measures of lumbar spine posture, movement, muscle engagement, and strain in both laboratory and free-living environments. She will describe unique analytic methods used to characterize these data streams in people with and people without chronic low back pain. Last, she will provide insights on how these data can be useful for informing clinical decisions and supporting patient management.
Dr. Sara Gombatto is a Physical Therapist and Professor in the School of Physical Therapy at San Diego State University, where she co-directs the Rehabilitation Biomechanics Laboratory. Her research focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying chronic and recurrent low back pain, and developing interventions for its treatment and prevention.
Her laboratory work incorporates 3D movement analysis, mobile sensor technologies, and MRI to identify posture and movement patterns associated with low back pain. More recently, her research has emphasized the development and implementation of mobile health (mHealth) systems for low back pain management. In the clinical realm, her research includes the development and cultural adaptation of physical therapy and health system interventions aimed at improving spine pain management and addressing disparities in care among historically marginalized populations.
Dr. Gombatto’s research has been supported by the Foundation for Physical Therapy, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation.