Associate Professor
Physical Therapy

Contact Information
Office: Ricketts 306
Phone: 518-244-2066
Email: grasl@sage.edu

Degree Information

The Sage Colleges, Troy, NY. Doctor of Physical Therapy, 2011.

Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Provo, Utah. Doctor of Science, Geriatrics Tract, 2003.
Dissertation: A Comparison of Hip Versus Ankle Exercises in Elders and the Influence on Balance and Gait

Sage Graduate School, Albany, NY. Master of Science in Health Services Administration, 1997.
Thesis:  The Effectiveness of Clinical Pathways in Physical Therapy for Hip and Knee Joint Replacements

Sage Graduate School, Albany, NY. Certificate in Gerontology, 1997.

Russell Sage College, Troy, NY. Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy, 1991.

Certifications

NeuroDevelopmental Treatment. April 2011 (trained in 1997).

Certified in Vestibular Rehabilitation through the American Institute of Balance. October 2009.

ABPTS Geriatric Clinical Specialist. June 2003

Clinical Practice

Balance and Dizziness Physical Therapy, PLLC

Courses Taught

PTY 616 Patient/Client Management: Adult Neuromuscular System
PTY 768 Capstone Experience: Case Report and Evidence Based Practice
PTY 769 Capstone Experience: Faculty-Mentored Research Project
PTY 611 Motor Control: Theory and Application

Current Research

Gait, Balance and Cognitive Performance in Older Adults with Dr. Pat Pohl (received Schacht Faculty Research Grant)

Improving Balance by Education, Walking and the Wii (received Sage Internal Grant)

Recent Publications

Sullivan B, Harding L, Dingley J. Gras L. Improvements in dynamic balance using an adaptive snowboard with the Nintendo® Wii™. Games4Health. 2012;1(4):269-273.

Ungermann C, Gras L. Therapeutic Riding followed by Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation to Improve Balance and Gait in a Subject with Orthopedic Pathologies. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2011;17(12):1191-1195.

Figueiro M, Plitnick B, Rea M, Gras L, Rea M. Lighting and Perceptual Cues: Effects on Gait Measures of Older Adults at High and Low Risk for Falls. BMC Geriatrics. 2011;11:49.

Figueiro M, Gras L, Plitnick B, Rea M, Rea M. Lighting for Improved Postural Control in Older Adults with and without Risk for Falls. Age and Ageing. 2011.

Gras L, Hummer A, Hine, E. Reliability and validity of the Nintendo Wii Fit. Journal of Cybertherapy and Rehabilitation. 2009; 2(4):329-336.

Figueiro M, Gras L, Qi R, Rizzo P, Rea M, Rea MS. A novel lighting system for postural control and stability in seniors. Lighting Research and Technology. 2008; 40: 111-126.

Gras L, Levangie P, Goodwin-Segal T, Lawrence D. A comparison of hip versus ankle exercises in elders and the influence on balance and gait. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy. 2004; 27: 39-46.

Recent Research Presentations

Gras L, Leathem M, Darbyshire C. Adding Prayer to a Multifactorial Fall Prevention Program for a Person who had a Stroke. Festival of International Conferences on Caregiving, Disability, Aging and Technology (FICCDAT). Toronto, Canada, June 2011.

Gras L, Hummer A, Hine, E. Reliability and validity of the Nintendo Wii Fit. APTA's Combined Sections Meeting. February 2010; San Diego, CA. (poster presentation)

Gras L, Martin J, Surprenant T. The use of a lighted tilted frame with individuals who have had a cerebral vascular accident. APTA's Combined Sections Meeting. February 2010; San Diego, CA. (poster presentation)

Ungermann C, Gras L. Improvements in balance and gait with therapeutic riding: a case report. NYPTA Annual Conference. October 2009; Saratoga, NY. NYPTA Annual Conference. October 2009; Saratoga, NY. (platform presentation) 2009 Robert Salant Award in the Case Report Category, NYPTA- Oct 2009

Gras L, Hummer A, Hine, E. Reliability and validity of the Nintendo Wii Fit. NYPTA Annual Conference. October 2009; Saratoga, NY. NYPTA Annual Conference. October 2009; Saratoga, NY. (poster presentation)

Professional Organizations

American Physical Therapy Association
Neurology and Geriatrics Section Member
Neuro-Developmental Treatment Association

Service

Chair of Sage Graduate School Curriculum Committee