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Richard A. Ferraro,PHD, PT

Department : Rehabilitation And Movement Sciences
Program/Division : Physical Therapy - D.P.T.(South Jersey)
Academic Title: Assistant Professor

Office Address:
200 College Drive - Jefferson Hall
2nd Floor, Room 225
Blackwood , NJ 08012
Phone: (856) 566-6455

Email: ferrarra@shp.rutgers.edu

Education
Degree	Degree Source	Year Awarded
MPT	College of Staten Island	2001
PHD, PT	Seton Hall University	2010

Publications
Title	Authors	Where and When
The effectiveness of transverse abdominis training on balance, postural sway and core muscle recruitment patterns: a pilot study comparison across age groups	Ferraro, R., Taylor, R., Garman, S., Parrot, JS., Kadlowec, J.	Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 31: 720-728, 2019
Heart Rate Response and Changes in Walking Velocity During the 12-Minute Walk Test in People with Multiple Sclerosis	Cohen. E.T., Muth, S., Dekerlegand, R., Ferraro, R., Meyer, L., Chen, D	International Journal of MS Care. 18(s1), 2017
Multi-Modal Measurement of Fatigue-Induced Gait Changes in a Person with Multiple Sclerosis during a 12-Minute Walk Test	Chen, D., Cohen, E.T., Muth, S., Ferraro, R., Meyer, L.	International Journal of MS Care. 18(s1), 2017
Effects of an inclined walking surface and balance abilities on spatiotemporal gait parameters in older adults	Ferraro, R., Pinto-Zipp, G., Simpkins, S., Clark, M.	Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy. Vol. 36 (1): 31-38 (2013 March ) , Publication ID: 22627491

Research
Research Interests
This current line of inquiry aims to provide a better understanding of the interaction between key core muscles and their relationship with pelvic and hip control specifically as they relate to balance and function. Results can then be applied to high fall risk populations, various hip pathologies (THA, labral tears, OA) and across age groups. Despite growing evidence that core training improves functional mobility and balance, most studies failed to elaborate on whether these results were due to improved neuromuscular activation or actual core muscle strength gains and hypertrophy. In addition, there is a paucity of data identifying the relationship of core activation and the effect it has on surrounding muscles that are intrinsically related to function of the lower extremity. This is an important distinction that has a myriad of clinical implications when training this group of muscles.
Current Projects: Currently in post data collection/data analysis and synthesis stage for pilot study titled: The effectiveness of transverse abdominis training on balance, postural sway and core muscle recruitment patterns: a comparison across age groups. This study is investigating the effectiveness of training the transverse abdominis in controlling balance and postural sway in three different age groups. Further, we hope to identify the pattern of muscle activation in hip, pelvic and other trunk muscles during neural activation of the transverse abdominis.
Current Projects: Long term effects of a single session transverse abdominis training on balance and postural sway: A Pilot Study. As an extension of the above project, seven participants (in three different age groups) were asked to return at 2 and 4 week intervals after initial training of training abdominis to determine possible long term effects and carryover of a one-time training session. Follow up session included measuring transverse abdominis thickness via ultrasound, postural sway and a dynamic balance test. This pilot has been accepted as a poster presentation at June 2018 NEXT conference in Orlando, Florida.

Research Grants
Title	Sponsor	Effective Dates	Role
Rutgers University-School of Health Profession Deans Intramural Grant	Rutgers University-School of Health Profession	2016	.

BioSketch
Title	Details
Richard Ferraro PT, PhD 2019	Richard Ferraro PT, PhD received his Masters in Physical Therapy in 2001 from the College of Staten Island and his PhD in Movement Science from Seton Hall University in 2010. Dr. Ferraro is an Assistant Professor who teaches the foundational science courses like Gross Anatomy and Kinesiology and Biomechanics as well as clinical coursework such as Prosthetics and Orthotics and aspects of the Musculoskeletal series in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program-South. His research focus is on core muscle training and activation and its effect on balance and lower extremity function.

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