Overview
Professor Clinical Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Director Curriculum Physical Therapy Division
Co-director M.E.N.D. Research Laboratory
Coordinator Research and Education Geriatric Residency
Adjunct Faculty Neurology Division, Movement Disorders, Wexner Medical Center
516 Atwell Hall
453 W. 10th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210
Phone: 614-293-0214
Fax: 614-292-5921
Email: kegelmeyer.1@osu.edu
Primary Professional Areas of Interest
Research Focus
Deb Kegelmeyer’s main research focus is mobility and exercise in aging individuals or those who have neurodegenerative disease. These focus areas cover diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson, and Huntington’s disease and involve investigating the ability of individuals to perform functional mobility in a safe manner including examination of underlying systems such as balance, gait and cognitive function.
Dr. Kegelmeyer is co-director of the M.E.N.D. lab (Mobility and Exercise for Neurodegenerative Disorders) with Dr. Anne Kloos and Dr. Sandra Kostyk. The MEND Lab researchers created a HD Exercise Video with support from the OSU Huntington's Disease Center of Excellence and the OSUMC Service Board.
Dr. Kegelmeyer is investigating novel ways to prevent injurious falls and subsequent institutionalization through a unique study examining the impact of a program designed to identify at-risk individuals and treat them before they have a fall. She is also one of a handful of researchers investigating mobility issues in individuals with Huntington’s disease and Lewy Body Dementia.
The Ohio State M.E.N.D. lab is one of a handful around the world involved in this area of research. To date they have published studies advancing knowledge regarding best outcome measures for physical therapists to use in these populations as well as a novel study of assistive devices and their impact on gait in individuals with basal ganglia disease.
Dr. Kegelmeyer is also a co-author on an international publication "Guidelines for Physiotherapy in Huntington's Disease" produced by the European Huntington Disease Network, of which she is a member. She strives to help improve quality of life for individuals with diseases that are less prevalent and therefore garner less attention from mainstream researchers, such as Huntington’s disease.
She is currently funded by the Institute for Optimal Aging, the Vaughan Family fund and the Mangurian Fund.
Recent Research
Kegelmeyer D, Kloos A, Fritz N, Fiumedoro M, White S, Kostyk S, “Impact of tetrabenazine on
gait and functional mobility in individuals with Huntington’s disease”. Journal of Neurological
Sciences. Oct 2014;347(1-2):219-223 doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2014.09.053
AD Kloos, NE Fritz, SK Kostyk, GS Young, DA Kegelmeyer. Clinimetric properties of the
Tinetti Mobility Test, Four Square Step Test, Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, and
spatiotemporal gait measures in individuals with Huntington's disease. Gait & posture 40 (4),
647-651 doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2014.07.018.
Kegelmeyer DA, Parthasarathy S, Kostyk SK, White SE, Kloos AD. Assistive devices alter gait patterns in Parkinson disease: Advantages of the four-wheeled walker. Gait & posture. 2013: 38 (1), 20-24 doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2012.10.027.
Recent Presentations
Kegelmeyer DA, Presenter. “Neuromuscular Changes in Aging: Advanced Concepts.” Presented
at the Exercise and Physical Activity in Aging Conference II: Blending Research and Practice
July 28th-30th, 2016 in Indianapolis, IN, USA
Kegelmeyer DA, Presenter. “Neuromuscular Changes in Aging: Advanced Concepts.” Presented at the Exercise and Exercise Prescription, Physical Activity and Aging Conference: Research in Practice held May 30 and May 31, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Kegelmeyer DA, Presenter. "Management of the Elderly." Presented at 4th International Congress of Neuronal Plasticity and Brain Restoration(2012). Merida, Mexico.
Courses Taught
- Geriatrics
- Neurologic Rehabilitation
- Pathology
- Differential Diagnosis
- Complex Case Studies
Education
1983: BS Physical Therapy, The Ohio State University1990: MS Allied Medical Professions, The Ohio State University
2004: DPT Physical Therapy, Institute of Health Professions, MGH