
Sarah M. Schwab
Asst Professor
Health Sciences Building - 262
Phone 513-556-4508
Email schwabsr@ucmail.uc.edu
Professional Summary
Sarah Schwab, PT, DPT, PhD (she/her/hers) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation, Exercise, and Nutrition Sciences at the University of Cincinnati. She earned her DPT from the University of Cincinnati in 2018, MA in Experimental Psychology in 2020, and PhD in Experimental Psychology in 2022, studying the influence of physical therapist assistance on the motor control patterns of individuals with chronic stroke. Sarah’s current research examines the impact of contextual factors (environmental and personal factors) on the motor control of individuals with neuromotor disabilities. Sarah’s research has been funded by the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research and the Ohio Physical Therapy Association.
Education
PhD: University of Cincinnati 2022 (Experimental Psychology)
MA: University of Cincinnati 2020 (Experimental Psychology)
DPT: University of Cincinnati 2018 (Physical Therapy)
BS: University of Cincinnati 2015 (Health Sciences)
Research and Practice Interests
Motor Control & Motor Learning; Disability; Neurorehabilitation; Perception-Action; Nonlinear Dynamics & Complex Systems
Publications
Peer Reviewed Publications
Schwab, S.M., & Silva, P.L. (2023. ) Intellectual humility: How recognizing the fallibility of our beliefs and owning our limits may create a better relationship between the physical therapy profession and disability.Physical Therapy, , 103 (8 ) ,1-6 More Information
Schwab, S.M., Mayr, R., Davis, T.J., Silva, P.L., & Riley, M.A. (2023. ) Precision aiming performance with the paretic upper limb is associated with center of pressure patterns in individuals with chronic stroke.Gait & Posture, , 103 ,133-139 More Information
Dugan, S., Schwab, S.M., Seward, R., Avant, J., Zhang, T., Li., S.R., Eary, K., Mast, T.D., Riley, M.A., & Boyce, S. (2023. ) A qualitative analysis of clinician perspectives of ultrasound biofeedback for speech sound disorders.American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, , 32 (3 ) ,1252-1274 More Information
Schwab, S.M., Andrade, V., Santos Moreira, T., Cavanaugh, J.T., Vaz, D.V., & Silva, P.L. (2023. ) Narrowing the physiotherapy knowledge-practice gap: Faculty training beyond the health sciences.Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, , 39 (4 ) ,675-689 More Information
Schwab, S.M., Spencer, C., Carver, N.S., Andrade, V., Dugan, S., Greve, K., & Silva, P.L. (2022. ) Personal factors understood through the ecological-enactive model of disability and implications for rehabilitation research.Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, , 3 ,954061 More Information
Schwab, S.M., Carver, N.S., Forman, M.H., Abney, D.H., Davis, T.J., Riley, M.A., Paxton, A., & Silva, P.L. (2022. ) Child-caregiver interactions during a collaborative motor task in children with cerebral palsy: A descriptive exploratory study.Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, , 34 (2 ) ,255-277 More Information
Schwab, S.M., Dugan, S., & Riley, M.A. (2021. ) Reciprocal influence of mobility and speech-language: Advancing physical therapy and speech therapy cotreatment and collaboration for adults with neurological conditions.Physical Therapy, , 101 (11 ) ,pzab196 More Information
Angeli, J.M., Schwab, S.M., Huijs, L., Sheehan, A., & Harpster, K. (2021. ) ICF-inspired goal-setting in developmental rehabilitation: An innovative framework for pediatric therapists.Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, , 37 (11 ) ,1167-1176 More Information
Schwab, S.M., Grover, F.M., Abney, D.H., Silva, P.L., & Riley, M.A. (2020. ) Children and adolescents with cerebral palsy flexibly adapt grip control in response to variable task demands.Clinical Biomechanics, , 80 (105149 ) , More Information
Schwab, S.M., Andrade Pinto, V., Kloos, H., Riley, M.A., & Silva, P.L. (2021. ) Unpredictable task demands and motor performance in individuals with neuromotor disability: A scoping review.Physical Therapy Reviews, , 26 (3 ) ,177-187 More Information
Grover, F.M., Schwab, S.M., & Riley, M.A. (2020. ) Grip force-load force coupling is influenced by altered visual feedback about object kinematics.Journal of Motor Behavior, , 52 (5 ) ,612-624 More Information
Schwab, S.M., & Zeleznik, A.J. (2020. ) Using the language of the ICF to distinguish physical therapy and occupational therapy services in the acute care setting.Journal of Acute Care Physical Therapy, , 11 (1 ) ,40-43 More Information
Grover, F.M., Schwab, S.M., Silva, P.L., Lorenz, T., & Riley, M.A. (2019. ) Flexible organization of grip force control during movement frequency scaling.Journal of Neurophysiology, , 122 (6 ) ,2304-2315 More Information
Harpster, K., Sheehan, A., Foster, E.A., Leffler, E., Schwab, S.M., & Angeli J.M. (2019. ) The methodological application of goal attainment scaling in pediatric rehabilitation research: A systematic review.Disability and Rehabilitation, , 41 (24 ) ,2855-2864 More Information
Angeli, J.M., Peck, M.N., & Schwab, S.M. (2019. ) Self-perceived scholastic competence, athletic competence, and physical appearance are enhanced in children and young adults with physical disabilities following a community-based running program.Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, , 31 (5 ) ,701-723 More Information
Angeli, J.M., Harpster, K., Huijs, L., Seid, M., Sheehan, A., & Schwab, S.M. (2019. ) Patient-centered goal setting in developmental therapy: Discordance between documented goals and caregiver-perceived goals.Pediatric Quality & Safety, , 4 (4 ) ,E199 More Information
Angeli, J.M., Harpster, K., Hanson, E., Sheehan, A., & Schwab S.M. (2019. ) Patient- and caregiver-identified preferences: Dimensions of change in developmental therapy treatment goals.Developmental Neurorehabilitation, , 22 (1 ) ,39-46 More Information
Presentations
Invited Presentations
Schwab, S.M., Carver, N.S., Cooper, D., Doren, S., & Boyne, P. (07-2023. ) Application of permutation entropy to detect motivational changes in fNIRS signals during gait .International Society of Posture & Gait Research World Congress, Brisbane, Australia. Level:International
Schwab, S.M. (05-2022. ) Innovative use of biomechanical tools and technologies to understand leader-follower dynamics .American Physical Therapy Association Academy of Research Biomechanics SIG Spring Webinar: Innovation in Biomechanics, Virtual. Level:National
Schwab, S.M., & Dugan, S. (04-2022. ) Better together: Advancing speech therapy and physical therapy collaborative practice .Implementation Science, MGH Institute of Health Professions. Level:National
Schwab, S.M., Grover, F.M., Cavanaugh, J.T., Silva, P.L., & Riley, M.A. (02-2022. ) Theme and variation: Capturing the complex, adaptive nature of motor behavior with nonlinear data analysis .Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, San Antonio, TX. Level:National
Li, S.R., Annand, C., Dugan, S., Schwab, S.M., Eary, K., Swearengen, M., Stack, S., Boyce, S., Riley, M.A., & Mast, T.D. (08-2021. ) An automatic, simple ultrasound biofeedback parameter for distinguishing accurate and misarticulated rhotic syllables .Interspeech, Brno, Czech Republic. Level:International
Schwab, S.M., Grover, F.M., Abney, D.H., Silva, P.L., & Riley, M.A. (11-2020. ) Unpredictable task demands facilitate grip control in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy .American Physical Therapy Association Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy Virtual Conference, Virtual. Level:National
Schwab, S.M., Carver, N.S., Forman, M., Abney, D.H., Riley, M.A., Paxton, A., & Silva, P.L. (11-2020. ) Collaborative motor task performance in children with cerebral palsy and their caregivers: A case series .American Physical Therapy Association Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy Virtual Conference, Virtual. Level:National
Schwab, S.M., Andrade Pinto, V., Riley, M.A., & Silva, P.L. (09-2020. ) Unpredictable task demands facilitate motor performance in individuals with neuromotor disability .Ohio Physical Therapy Association Virtual LEAP Conference, Virtual. Level:State
Schwab, S.M., Carver, N.S., Forman, M., Abney, D.H., Riley, M.A., Paxton, A., & Silva, P.L. (09-2020. ) Where you lead, I will follow: The influence of child-caregiver interactions on motor performance in children with cerebral palsy .Ohio Physical Therapy Association Virtual LEAP Conference, Virtual. Level:State
Schwab, S.M., Grover, F.M., Silva, P.L., & Riley, M.A. (02-2020. ) Task variability and grip control in unilateral cerebral palsy: A case study .Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, Denver, CO. Level:National
Peck, M., Angeli, J., & Schwab, S. (10-2018. ) Running toward enhanced self-concept: Wellness programming in children and young adults with developmental disability .American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine 72nd Annual Conference, Cincinnati, OH. Level:National
Angeli, J.M., Schwab, S.M., Garcia, M., Peck, M., & Long, J. (05-2018. ) A community-based running program enhances temporal-spatial parameters of gait in children and young adults with developmental disabilities .Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society Annual Conference, Indianapolis, IN. Level:National
Schwab, S.M., Angeli, J.M., Garcia, M., Peck, M., & Long, J. (05-2018. ) A comparison of two postural control measurement systems following a running intervention in children and young adults with developmental disabilities .Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society Annual Conference, Indianapolis, IN. Level:National
McGuire, M., Angeli, J., Bailes, A., Sunderland, J., & Schwab, S. (11-2017. ) Community collaboration to enhance participation in children and adolescents with developmental disabilities .American Physical Therapy Association Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy Annual Conference, Cincinnati, OH. Level:National
Poster Presentations
Schwab, S.M., Mayr, R., Davis, T.J., Riley, M.A., & Silva, P.L. (07-2023. ) Task-sensitive postural control patterns as a target for stroke rehabilitation .International Society of Posture & Gait Research World Congress, Brisbane, Australia. . Level:International
Schwab, S.M., Mayr, R., Davis, T.J., Riley, M.A., & Silva, P.L. (12-2022. ) Physical therapist postural assistance after stroke and underlying motor control strategies .World Federation for Neurorehabilitation 12th World Congress for Neurorehabilitation, Vienna, Austria. . Level:International
Schwab, S.M., Mayr, R., Davis, T.J., Silva, P.L., & Riley, M.A. (12-2022. ) Toward the promotion of task-sensitive postural control patterns in individuals with chronic stroke .World Federation for Neurorehabilitation 12th World Congress for Neurorehabilitation, Vienna, Austria. . Level:International
Li, S.R., Dugan, S., Schwab, S.M., Annand, C., Masterson, J., Boyce, S., Riley, M.A., & Mast, T.D. (08-2022. ) Comparing tongue movement vs. shape representations from ultrasound imaging of /ɑɹ/ articulatory strategies .International Conference on Speech Motor Control, Groningen, The Netherlands. . Level:International
Schwab, S.M., Mayr, R., Davis, T.J., Riley, M.A., & Silva, P.L. (02-2022. ) Movement time is associated with postural control in individuals with chronic stroke: A pilot study .Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, San Antonio, TX. . Level:National
Schwab, S.M. (02-2021. ) A consideration of liberal arts post-professional studies for the physical therapist .Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, Virtual. . Level:National
Li, S.R., Dugan, S., Annand, C., Schwab, S., Eary, K., Swearengen, M., Terrell, G.A., Stack, S., Boyce, S., Riley, M.A., & Mast, T.D. (12-2020. ) Classification of accurate and misarticulated rhotic syllables for simplified ultrasound biofeedback therapy .Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, Virtual. . Level:National
Schwab, S.M., Alt, J.M., Riley, M.A., & Silva, P.L. (02-2020. ) Emphasizing interactions: Advancing the movement system concept in physical therapy research and practice .Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, Denver, CO. . Level:National
Huijs, L., Schwab, S.M., Garcia, M.C., Livecchi, A., & Angeli, J.M. (02-2020. ) Meaningful interventions in developmental rehabilitation – It’s as easy as riding a bike .Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, Denver, CO. . Level:National
Grover, F.M., Schwab, S., Silva, P.L., Lorenz, T., & Riley, M.A. (07-2019. ) Online organization of grip force control during continuous scaling of load force oscillations .International Conference on Perception and Action, Groningen, The Netherlands. . Level:International
Grover, F., Schwab, S., Silva, P., Lorenz, T., & Riley, M. (07-2019. ) Online organization of grip force control during continuous scaling of load force oscillations .Progress in Motor Control, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. . Level:International
Schwab, S.M., Angeli, J.M., Harpster, K., Huijs, L., & Sheehan, A. (06-2019. ) Agreeing to disagree in pediatric goal setting? Discordance between documented goals and caregiver perception of goals .NEXT Conference & Exposition, Chicago, IL. . Level:National
Vargus-Adams, J., Angeli, J., Garcia, M., Livecchi, A., Long, J., Peck, M., & Schwab, S. (05-2019. ) A community-based running program enhances gait parameters in children and young adults with developmental disabilities .Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Orlando, FL. . Level:International
Schwab, S., Angeli, J., Harpster, K., & Hanson, E. (02-2018. ) Something to be desired: Dimensions of change in client-identified goals .Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, New Orleans, LA. . Level:National
Angeli, J., Harpster, K., Hanson, E., & Schwab, S. (09-2017. ) What does the finish line look like? A thematic analysis of desired end-of-treatment scenarios in client-identified goals .American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine 71st Annual Conference, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. . Level:International
Honors and Awards
2017 Regional Finalist, Regional Three Minute Thesis Competition, Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools
2017 Physical Therapy Rock Star, Ohio Physical Therapy Association
2019 Promotion of Doctoral Studies (PODS) Level I Scholarship, Foundation for Physical Therapy Research
2020 Outstanding Research Abstract, APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy
2020 Promotion of Doctoral Studies (PODS) Level II Scholarship, Foundation for Physical Therapy Research
2022 Student/Post-Doc Travel Award, APTA Academy of Research, Biomechanics SIG
2023 Physical Therapy Journal Editor's Choice Article
Courses Taught
-PSYC-5055 RES METH:PERC&ACT
-HLTH-3098 RES MTHDS HLTH SCI
MOTION DATA COLLECT & PROCESS
APPLIED DATA ANALYSIS I
Contact Information
Academic - Health Sciences Building - 262
Phone: 513-556-4508
schwabsr@ucmail.uc.edu