Rao Lab

The Rao Lab at CUIMC is focused on clinical and translational research in Aging and Degenerative disorders around three themes:

• Detection of early markers of sensorimotor impairments and functional limitations
• Examine mechanisms underlying sensorimotor impairments
• Design and test targeted exercise interventions

Our inter-disciplinary research group includes Movement Scientists, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapists, Exercise Physiologists, Neurologists, Engineers, Biostatisticians and Psychologists.

Research Areas

• Participants
  • Movement Disorders
    • Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Cerebellar Ataxia, Essential Tremor
  • Aging, MCI and Dementia
• Measurement
  • Balance
  • Gait
  • Hand coordination
  • Exercise capacity
  • Fatigue
  • Physical Activity
  • LifeSpace
  • Upper limb function
  • Quality of Life

Programs in Physical Therapy

The Rao Lab collaborates with students and faculty in the Doctor of Education in Movement Sciences (Physical Therapy) program, jointly administered by Teachers College and the Irving Medical Center at Columbia University. Students with an interest in Aging and Degenerative disorders are invited to join the lab to study balance, gait, hand coordination, exercise capacity, fatigue and physical activity. We also work with Doctor of Physical Therapy students interested in pursuing a research elective.

Learn More About the Doctor of Education in Movement Science (Physical Therapy)