Beth Smith, PT, DPT, PhD

Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy

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Overview

Dr. Smith focuses on the development of neural control of movement during infancy and evaluates interventions for neural and functional development in infants with or at risk for developmental delay. She directs the Infant Neuromotor Control Laboratory.

Research Funding

  • 2/24 Healthy Brain and Child Development National Consortium
    NIH · U01DA055362 · Sep 30, 2021 – Jun 30, 2027 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • Mobile Health Intervention to Promote Positive Infant Health Outcomes in Guatemala
    NIH · R33HD107983 · Sep 1, 2021 – Aug 31, 2026 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Mobile Health Intervention to Promote Positive Infant Health Outcomes in Guatemala
    NIH · R21HD107983 · Sep 1, 2021 – Aug 31, 2023 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Emergence of arm reaching behavior and lateralization of motor control in infancy
    NIH · R01HD101641 · Sep 17, 2020 – Jan 31, 2026 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Locomotor learning in infants at high risk for cerebral palsy
    NIH · R01HD098364 · Mar 18, 2020 – Feb 28, 2025 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • Wearable Sensors for Early Identification of Poor Neurodevelopment in Guatemala
    NIH · R21HD096521 · Jul 15, 2019 – Jun 30, 2021 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Neural correlates of the development of reaching in infants at risk for developmental delay
    NIH · R03HD096137 · Jul 15, 2018 – Jun 30, 2021 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Cortical Preparation for Postural Responses in Parkinson's Disease
    NIH · F32HD070796 · May 1, 2011 – Sep 30, 2011 · Role: Principal Investigator

Publications

  • Using a treadmill intervention to promote the onset of independent walking in infants with or at risk for neuromotor delay. Phys Ther. 2013 Nov; 93(11):1441-6.. View in PubMed
  • Vitamin D and depressive symptoms in children with cystic fibrosis. Psychosomatics. 2014 Jan-Feb; 55(1):76-81.. View in PubMed
  • Muscle activation patterns in infants with myelomeningocele stepping on a treadmill. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2013; 25(3):278-89.. View in PubMed
  • Systematic review and evidence-based clinical recommendations for dosing of pediatric supported standing programs. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2013; 25(3):232-47.. View in PubMed
  • Keeping your balance while balancing a cylinder: interaction between postural and voluntary goals. Exp Brain Res. 2012 Nov; 223(1):79-87.. View in PubMed
  • Effects of magnitude and magnitude predictability of postural perturbations on preparatory cortical activity in older adults with and without Parkinson’s disease. Exp Brain Res. 2012 Oct; 222(4):455-70.. View in PubMed
  • The interaction of postural and voluntary strategies for stability in Parkinson’s disease. J Neurophysiol. 2012 Sep; 108(5):1244-52.. View in PubMed
  • Gait parameter adjustments for walking on a treadmill at preferred, slower, and faster speeds in older adults with down syndrome. Curr Gerontol Geriatr Res. 2012; 2012:782671.. View in PubMed
  • Vibration-induced motor responses of infants with and without myelomeningocele. Phys Ther. 2012 Apr; 92(4):537-50.. View in PubMed
  • Patterns of gait variability across the lifespan in persons with and without down syndrome. J Neurol Phys Ther. 2011 Dec; 35(4):170-7.. View in PubMed