Jefferson Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute Faculty work closely with clinicians and clinician-scientists to ensure our research addresses topics that matter for patients and their care team, and also to screen and assess participants enrolling in our clinical research studies. During Brain Injury Awareness month, we’re excited to highlight one of our clinician colleagues, Kimberly Miczak, PT, MSPT, NCS. Ms. Miczak is an Advanced Neurological Physical Therapist and Director of the Neurologic PT Residency at Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation. She shares more about her work in our interview.
1) What is your background, and how did you become interested in working on traumatic brain injury?
I am a physical therapist with 23 years of experience, always working with individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). I first became interested in this patient population when learning about it in PT school. I remember the professor explaining how challenging it can be since patients have multiple impairments and have very different paths to recovery. I love a challenge and enjoy new experiences, so when the opportunity arose to do an internship at a clinic that focused on post-acute rehabilitation for individuals with TBI in California, I jumped at the chance and fell in love with helping individuals with TBI.
2) Can you tell us about the brain injury research projects that you are involved in?
I am currently involved in the GetUp&Go project, which is helping individuals with TBI become more active. I perform screenings to ensure that individuals are healthy and safe to increase their levels of activity.
3) What are the potential impacts of this work?
Many Americans do not get the amount of exercise or physical activity that is recommended on a regular basis, and for individuals with TBI, their level of activity is even lower. This work is looking to demonstrate that individuals can make minor changes to their activity levels and experience benefits in multiple domains—in their levels of pain, sleep, mood, and physical condition—which are all important factors as all of us age and want to stay connected to meaningful activities in the home and community.
4) What has it been like to work with the team at the Institute?
The researchers have vast knowledge about scientific methodology and the current needs of individuals with TBI. Seeing their perspectives and learning more about research design has helped me to strengthen my skills related to treatment planning and interventions for individuals that I work with outside of research.
5) Is there something about brain injury care or research that you would like to help raise awareness of during Brain Injury Awareness Month?
Although research in the realm of TBI is challenging, it can be accomplished, and we need more of it! There are so many individuals living with TBI, and they and their health care providers deserve to know what kind of services will help them to live long, fulfilling lives.