Welcome to the Department Departmental Fast Facts Physical Therapy...the Jefferson Difference Description of the Profession Academic Programs in Physical Therapy Student Activities Faculty and Staff Directory External Links Fox Rehabilitation and Jefferson Announce OT and PT Endowed Scholarships (Scholarship for students interested in working with older adults) Student Handbooks - Dept. of Physical Therapy Important Notice Regarding Criminal Background and Child Abuse Clearances

Ann E. Barr, Ph.D., DPT Chair and Professor 830 Edison 215-503-8961 Ann.Barr@jefferson.edu

Educational preparation:

B.A. in Chemistry, Reed College, 1982
M.S. in Physical Therapy, Duke University, 1987
Ph.D. in Ergonomics and Biomechanics, New York University, 1997
Doctor of Physical Therapy, MGH Institute of Health Professions, 2006

Scholarly interests:

Mechanisms of pathophysiology in work-related musculoskeletal disorders, Ergonomics, Gait

Courses involved with at TJU:

Faculty Advisor for Graduate Research Assistants

Professional Organizations:

American Physical Therapy Association (A.P.T.A.)
A.P.T.A., Pennsylvania Chapter
A.P.T.A., Research Section
A.P.T.A., Orthopaedic Section
A.P.T.A., Education Section
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
Orthopaedic Research Society
Philadelphia Chapter, Society for Neuroscience

Honors and Awards:

1996   John J. O'Toole Safety Memorial Award, New York University

1997   Research Award, Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association, for presentation  by Barr AE, Ozkaya N, Nordin
M. Effect of computer mouse design on CTD risk  factors

2003   Eugene Michels New Investigator Award of the American Physical Therapy Association

2004   Research Award, Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association for Wellmon R, Barr AE, Newton R, Ruchinskas R, Stephens J. The effects of aging and task complexity on information processing speed when non-disabled young, middle- aged, elderly adults perform functional walking tasks

2005   Keynote Speaker, 2nd International Conference on Movement Dysfunction: Pain and Performance: Evidence and Effect, September 23 – 25, Edinburgh, UK

2006   Keynote Speaker, 1st Joint ESMAC-GCMAS Meeting, September 27 – 30, Amsterdam, ND

2007   Top Scored Poster in Hand and Wrist Section: Barr AE, Kietrys DM, Brown AM, Handy M, Amin M, Barbe MF. Repetitive motion leads to declines in reach motor performance in a rat model. Orthopaedic Research Society 53rd Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, February 2007

Editorial Positions:

Editorial Board Member, Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation
Editorial Review Board Member, Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy

Journal Peer-Review Activities:

Applied Biomechanics
Clinical Biomechanics
Journal of Hand Therapy
Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation
Journal of Orthopaedic Research              
Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy
Neuroscience Letters
Physical Therapy

Other Professional Activities:

Member of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, National
Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Manufacturing Sector Research Council

Scientific Review Committee, Foundation for Physical Therapy

NIH Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Sciences Study Section, ad hoc member

Presentations/Publications:

Peer-Reviewed Articles

Barbe MF, Elliott MB, Abelmagid SM, Amin M, Popoff SN, Safadi FF, Barr AE. Serum and tissue cytokines and chemokines increase with repetitive upper extremity tasks. J Orthop Res, In press

Elliott MB, Barr AE, Amin M, Barbe MF. Peripheral neuritis and changes in spinal cord neurochemicals are induced in a model of repetitive motion injury with minimal force and low repetition exposure.  Brain Research, In press

Carp SJ, Barr AE, Barbe MF. Serum biomarkers as signals for risk and severity of work-related musculoskeletal injury. Biomarkers in Medicine, 2(1): 67-79, 2008

Johnston TE, Barr AE, Lee SK. Biomechanics of recumbent cycling in adolescents with cerebral palsy with and without the use of a fixed shank guide. Gait Posture 27: 539-546, 2008

Thornton LJ, Barr AE, Stuart-Buttle C, Gaughan J P, Wilson ER, Jackson AD, Wyszynski TC, Smarkola C. Perceived musculoskeletal symptoms among dental students in the clinic work environment. Ergonomics, 51:4, 573 – 586, 2008

Barbe MF, Safadi FF, Popoff SN, Barr AE. Dose-response relationship between reach repetition and indicators of inflammation and movement dysfunction in a rat model of work-related musculoskeletal disorder. Temple University, Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine, Spring: 67 – 71, 2007

Pierce SR, Barbe MF, Barr AE, Shewokis PA, Lauer RT. Co-contraction during passive movements of the knee joint in children with cerebral palsy. Clin Biomech 22:1045-8, 2007

Johnston TE, Lee SCK, Barr AE. The Biomechanics of Submaximal Recumbent Cycling in Adolescents with and without Cerebral Palsy. Phys Ther 87: 572 - 585, 2007

Carp SJ, Barbe MF, Winter KA, Amin M, Barr AE. Cytokines and C-reactive protein in human serum are associated with severity of musculoskeletal disorders from overuse.Clinical Science, 112: 305-314, 2007

Barr AE. Tissue pathophysiology, neuroplasticity and motor behavioural changes in painful repetitive motion injuries. Manual Therapy 11: 173 – 174, 2006

Barbe MF, Barr AE. Inflammation and the pathophysiology of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Brain Behav Immun, 20: 423-429, 2006

Al-Shatti T, Barr AE, Safadi F, Amin M, Barbe MF. Increase in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in median nerves in a rat model of repetitive motion injury. J Neuroimmunol, 167: 13 -22, 2005

Barbe MF, Barr AE. Inflammation and the pathophysiology of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Brain Behav Immun, 20: 423-429, 2006

Barr AE, Barbe MF, Clark BD. Systemic Inflammatory Mediators May Contribute to Widespread Symptoms in Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders. Exercise Sports Sci Rev, 32(4): 135-142, 2004

Barr AE, Barbe MF, Clark BD. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the hand and wrist: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and sensorimotor changes. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, 34(10): 610-627, 2004

Clark BD, Al-Shatti TA, Barr AE, Amin M, Barbe MF. Performance of a High-repetition, high-force task induces carpal tunnel syndrome in rats. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, 34(5): 244-254, 2004

Barr AE and Barbe MF. Inflammation reduces physiological tissue tolerance in the development of work related musculoskeletal disorders. J Electromyo Kinesiol, 14(1): 77-85, 2004

Barr AE, Safadi FF, Gorzelany I, Amin M, Popoff SN, Barbe MF. Repetitive, negligible force reaching in rats induces pathological overloading of upper extremity bones. J Bone Mineral Res, 18(11): 2023-2032, 2003

Grant Ford M, Sitler M, Kozin S, Barbe MF, Barr AE. Effect of prophylactic brace on wrist and ulnocarpal joint biomechanics in a cadaveric model. Am J Sports Med, 31(5): 736-743, 2003

Clark BD, Barr AE, Safadi FF, Beitman L, Al-Shatti T, Barbe MF. Median nerve trauma in a rat model of work-related musculoskeletal disorder. J Neurotrauma, 20(7):681-695, 2003

Barbe MF, Barr AE, Gorzelany I, Amin M, Gaughan JP, Safadi FF. Repetitive motion causes local injury, systemic inflammation and reach pattern decrements in rats. J Orthop Res, 21:167-176, 2003

Barr AE, Barbe MF. Pathophysiological Tissue Changes Associated with Repetitive Movement: A Review of the Evidence. Phys Ther 82 (2):173-187, 2002

Barr AE, Goldsheyder D, Özkaya N, Nordin M. Testing apparatus and experimental procedure for posture-specific normalization of electromyographic measurements of distal upper extremity musculature. Clin Biomech 16(7):576-585, 2001

Barr AE, Badenchini IT, Forsyth-Bee M, Duff JM, Herring KM, Covit AB, Nordin M. Development of a physical examination for a company-based management program for work-related upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders. J Occup Rehabil 9(2):63-77, 1999

Barr AE, Siegel KL, Danoff JV, McGarvey CL, Tomasko A, Sable I, Stanhope SJ. Biomechanical comparison of the energy storing capabilities of SACH and carbon copy II prosthetic feet during the stance phase of gait in a person with below-knee amputation. Phys Ther 72(5):344 ‑ 354, 1992

Barr AE, Diamond BE, Wade CK, Harashima T, Pecorella WA, Potts CC, Rosenthal H, Fleiss JL, McMahon DJ. Reliability of testing measures in Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 72(4):315 ‑ 319, 1991

Barr AE, Kroll MA. Biomechanical muscle performance. Muscle Nerve (Suppl):S21 ‑ S25, 1990

Gunderson LA, Valle DR, Barr AE, Danoff JV, Stanhope SJ, Snyder‑Mackler L. Bilateral analysis of the knee and ankle during gait: an examination of the relationship between lateral dominance and symmetry. Phys Ther 69(8):640 ‑ 650, 1989

Barr AE, Duncan PW. Influence of position on knee flexor peak torque. J Ortho Sports Phys Ther 9(8): 279 ‑ 283, 1988

Book Chapters

Barbe MF, Driban J, Barr AE, Popoff SN, Safadi FF. Joint Anatomy and Cell Biology. In: Compendium in Skeletal Pathology, Khurana J (ed),John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken, NJ,  In press

Byl N, Barbe MF, Barr AE. Repetitive Strain Injury, in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, Volume 3: Treatment of Pathology and Injuries, Magee DJ, Zachazewski JE, Quillen WS (eds), Elsevier, Philadelphia, in press

Barbe MF, Barr AE. Physiology of muscle damage, inflammation and repair in the workplace in Skeletal Muscle Damage and Repair: Mechanisms and Interventions, Tiidus PM (ed), Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, accepted (invited
contribution), 2008

Barr AE. Systems approach to rehabilitation. In The Occupational Ergonomics Handbook: Interventions, Controls and Applications in Occupational Ergonomics, 2nd ed, Marras WS & Karwowski W (eds), Taylor and Francis CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2006: Chapter 34, 1 - 21

Barr AE. Approach to workplace management of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, In Rehabilitation of the Hand: Surgery and Therapy, 5th edition (Vol. 1), Mosby, 2002:996-1004

Barr AE. Biomechanics and Gait, in Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 7, Koval K, ed, American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Rosemont, IL, 2002:31-37

Barr AE and Bear-Lehman J. Biomechanics of the wrist and hand, in Basic Biomechanics of the Musculoskeletal System, 3rd edition, Nordin M and Frankel VH, eds, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 2001:358-387

Barr AE and Backus SI. Biomechanics of gait, in Basic Biomechanics of the Musculoskeletal System, 3rd edition, Nordin M and Frankel VH, eds, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 2001:434-457

Barr AE. Diagnostic testing - Gait analysis, in Orthopaedics: A Study Guide, Spivak JM, Di Cesare PE, Feldman DS, Koval KJ, Rokito AS,Zuckerman JD (eds), McGraw-Hill, New York, 1999:209-216

Proceedings Papers (Refereed)

Fedorczyk J, Barr AE, Amin M, Barbe MF. The presence of Substnace P in forelimb tendons in a model of upper extremity work-related musculoskeletal disorder. Proceedings of the Joint Annual Meeting of the ASSH and ASHT, San Antonio, TX, September 22, 2005, Won “Best Scientific Paper Award” at meeting

Wellmon R, Barr A, Newton R, Stephens J, Ruchinskas R.  Assessing the Information Processing Cost of Functional Task Performance Using Voice Reaction Time in Young, Middle-Age, and Elderly Adults. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy. 27(3):113-114, 2004

Wellmon R, Barr A, Newton R, Stephens J, Ruchinskas R.  Assessing the Information Processing Cost of Functional Task Performance Using Voice Reaction Time in Young, Middle-Age, and Elderly Adults. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity 12(3):398-399, 2004

Barr AE, Amin M, Barbe MF. Dose-response relationship between reach repetition and indicators of inflammation and movement dysfunction in a rat model of work-related musculoskeletal disorder. Proceedings of the HFES 46th Annual Meeting: 1486-1490, 2002

Barr AE, Safadi FF, Popoff SN, Barbe MF. Repetitive motion causes systemic inflammation and reach pattern decrements in rats. Proceedings of the American Society of Hand Therapists and Hand Surgeons 23rd Annual Meeting, Paper # JT06, 61-62, 2000

Barr AE, Safadi FF, Garvin RP, Popoff SN, Barbe MF. Evidence of progressive tissue pathophysiology and motor behavior degradation in a rat model of work related musculoskeletal disease. Proceedings of the IEA 2000/HFES 2000 Congress Vol. 5: 584-587, 2000

Barr AE, Özkaya N, Nordin M. Effect of computer mouse design on CTD risk factors of the forearm and wrist among skilled and novice users. Proceedings of the Marconi Input Device Research Conference ‑ 1997, Ergonomics Program, UCSF: paper # 12, 1997

Kolber EA, Barr AE. The application of ideokinetic imagery and motor learning theory to reduce risk factors associated with computer keyboard use. Proceedings of the American Society of Hand Therapists and Hand Surgeons 19th Annual Meeting: 32-34, Atlanta, GA, September, 1996

Barr AE. Effect of VDT mouse design on task and musculoskeletal performance. Proceedings of the Marconi Input Device Research Conference ‑ 1996, Ergonomics Program, UCSF: paper # 10, 1996

Otis JC, Backus SI, Barr AE, Peterson MGE, Dayan AJ. Quantitative assessment of patient performance after major limb reconstruction. Proceedings of the Sixth International Symposium on Limb Salvage, Montreal, Quebec, Canada: xxv – xxxi,1991

Peer Reviewed Scientific and Professional Presentations

Barr AE (Program Coordinator), Barbe MF (Co-coordinator), Micholvitz SM (Co-coordinator), Byl NN, Gladson B, Amadio, PC. Upper Extremity Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Holistic Approach to Examination and Intervention, Educational Session, Hand Rehabilitations Section Program, APTA Combined Sections Meeting, New Orleans, LA, February 23 – 27, 2005 (8 hour educational program)

Barr AE. Evidence of painful conditions of musculoskeletal and neurological tissues in highly repetitive movements of the upper limb. Presentation and panel discussion as part of Key Session: Pain Symposium, Nordin M, Session Chair, 14th World Conference of Physical Therapy, Barcelona, Spain, June 7-12, 2003

Barr AE, Barbe MF. Inflammation reduces physiological tissue tolerance in the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. State-of-the-Art Research (STAR) symposium, sponsored by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) and The Ohio State
University Institute for Ergonomics, May 21 – 22, 2003

Barr AE. Ergonomic solutions for work-related musculoskeletal conditions: focus on osteoarthritis. Surgery and Rehabilitation of the Hand - 2002, Philadelphia, PA, March 9-12, 2002

Barr AE and Barbe MF. Evidence of Tissue Changes in Work-Related Injuries Associated with Repetitive Motion, Educational Session, Surgery and Rehabilitation of the Hand – 2001, Philadelphia, PA, March 10-11, 2001

Barr AE. Work-Related Problems of the Upper Extremity: Interventions and Ergonomic strategies, Educational Session, Surgery and Rehabilitation of the Hand - 2001, Philadelphia, PA, March 10-11, 2001

Barbe MF, Barr AE, Byl NN, Fedorczyk JM. Work-related Health Problems Associated with Repetitive Movement of the Upper Quarter: Evidence for Additional Examination and Treatment, Educational Session at Physical Therapy 2000: APTA Scientific Meeting and Exposition, Indianapolis, IN, June 15, 2000

Abstracts (2006 – 2008)

Hoglund LT, Barr AE, Heilman BP, Hillstrom HJ, Lockard MA, Reinus WR, Song J. Persons with Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis Exhibit Altered Knee Kinematics During a Sit- to-Stand Task. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Nashville, TN, February, 2008

Elliott M, Barr AE, Clark B, Amin M, Barbe M. Low rate high force reaching causes peripheral nerve injury, tissue inflammation and increases in spinal cord Substance P. Society for Neurscience Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, November, 2007

Hoglund LT, Barr AE, Heilman BP, Hillstrom HJ, Lockard MA, Reinus WR, Song J. Persons with Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis Exhibit Altered Knee Kinematics During a Sit- to-Stand Task, American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals 2007 Annual Scientific Meeting, Boston, MA, November, 2007

Rani S, Barbe MF, Barr AE, Litvin J. Role of PLF in remodeling of bone following injury. ASBMR, Hawaii, Sept 2007

Barbe MF, Barr AE. Decreased adaptive and increased inflammatory responses as a consequence of aging contribute to injury and sickness response in a rat model of WMSD. PREMUS 2007: 6th International Conference on Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders, Boston, MA, August 2007

Barr AE, Barbe MF. Behavioral declines and tissue pathophysiology in a rat model of WMSD respond to anti-inflammatory and ergonomic interventions.  PREMUS 2007: 6th International Conference on Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders, Boston, MA, August 2007

Rani S, Barbe MF, Barr AE,  Litvin J. Role of PLF in Bone Remodeling Following Injury. Experimental Biology 2007, Washington, DC, Apr/May 2007

Elliott MB, Barr AE, Amin M, Harris M, Barbe MF. The effects of systemic pro- inflammatory mediators on pain sensitization and psychosocial behavior in response to a repetitive motion injury. Experimental Biology 2007, Washington, DC, Apr/May 2007

Johnston T, Barr A, Lee S. The biomechanics of cycling in adolescents with and without cerebral palsy. World Physical Therapy 2007, Vancouver, BC, June 2007

Brown AM, Barbe MF, Handy M, Barr AE. High repetition-high force reaching and grasping is associated with motor performance decline in a rat model. Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, Boston, MA, February 2007

Johnston T, Barr A, Lee S. The biomechanics of cycling in adolescents with and without cerebral palsy. Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, Boston, MA, February 2007 (Gossman Graduate Student Research Symposium Selection)

Hobbs HK, Barr A, Amin M, Safadi FF, Barbe MF. Increased tendon calcification and bone mineralization protein in musculoskeletal tissues with repetitive reaching task. Orthopaedic Research Society 53rd Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, February 2007

Barbe MF, Amin M, Handy M, Barr AE. Ergonomic and NSAID interventions are effective in a rat model of WMSD. Orthopaedic Research Society 53rd Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, February 2007

Barr AE, Kietrys DM, Brown AM, Handy M, Amin M, Barbe MF. Repetitive motion leads to declines in reach motor performance in a rat model. Orthopaedic Research Society 53rd Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, February 2007

Fedorczyk JM, Barr AE, Barbe MF. Neurochemical Response in Forelimb Tendons in a Rat Model of Upper Extremity  WMSD. American Association for Hand Surgery Annual Meeting, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, January 2007

Elliott MB, Barr AE, Fedorczyk J, Amin M, Barbe MF. Substance P, NK1, and NMDA receptor 1 increase in spinal cord dorsal horns in a rat model of repetitive motion injury. Neuroscience 2006, Atlanta, GA, October 2006

Barbe MF, Harris MY, Handy M, Elliott MB, Barr AE. Repetitive motion injury is associated with increased serum cytokines and chemokines and altered psychosocial responses. Neuroscience 2006, Atlanta, GA, October 2006

Barbe MF, Safadi FF, Popoff SN, Amin A, M, Barr AE. Bone mineralization and inflammation genes increase in muscles as a consequence of age and performance of a high repetition task. Society for Bone and Mineral Research, M166, Sept 2006.

Fedorczyk JM, Barr AE, Barbe MF. The presence of CGRP in forelimb tendons in a rat model of upper extremity work-related musculoskeletal disorder. J Hand Ther 19(4): 452, 2006

Fedorczyk JM, Barr AE, Barbe MF. The presence of NMDAr1 in forelimb tendons in a rat model of upper extremity work-related musculoskeletal disorder. J Hand Ther 19(4): 451, 2006, Won the “R.L. Petzoldt Award for Innovation in Hand Therapy”

Kietrys DM, Barbe MF, Handy MJ, Barr AE. Development of inefficient upper limb movement patterns in a rat model of work-related musculoskeletal disorder. Physical Therapy 2006: APTA Annual Conference and Exposition, Orlando, FL, June 2006

Barbe MF, Amin M, Barr AE. Genes related to growth, inflammation and degeneration increase in muscles in temporally different patterns in a rat model of work-related musculoskeletal disorder. National Occupational Research Agenda Symposium 2006, Washington, DC, April 2006

Fedorczyk J, Barr AE, Amin M, Barbe MF. The neurochemical response in forelimb tendons in a rat model of upper extremity work-related musculoskeletal disorder, Orthopaedic Research Society 52nd Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, March 2006

Carp SJ, Barr AE, Barbe MF, Amin M, Winter, KA. Correlation of Serum Cytokines, Serum C-Reactive Protein and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder, J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 36(1):A31, 2006

Fedorczyk J, Barr AE, Amin M, Barbe MF. The presence of substance P and NMDAR1 in forelimb tendons in a model of upper extremity work-related musculoskeletal disorder. Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, San Diego, CA, February, 2006, Gossman Graduate Student Forum Finalist

Barbe MF, Handy MJ, Amin M, Barr AE. Increases in serum cytokines in a model of upper extremity work-related musculoskeletal disorder are reduced by secondary prevention interventions. 4th Annual Cytokines and Inflammation Meeting, San Diego, CA, January 2006.

Back to Faculty and Staff List