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

  • Accelerometer Thresholds for Estimating Physical Activity Intensity Levels in Infants: A Preliminary Study. Sensors (Basel). 2024 Jul 09; 24(14).. View in PubMed
  • An Algorithmic Approach for Detecting Neuromotor Developmental Disabilities in Infants from Wearable Sensor Data. Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2024 Jul; 2024:1-4.. View in PubMed
  • Associations between EEG power and coherence with cognition and early precursors of speech and language development across the first months of life. PLoS One. 2024; 19(4):e0300382.. View in PubMed
  • Early full-day leg movement kinematics and swaddling patterns in infants in rural Guatemala: A pilot study. PLoS One. 2024; 19(2):e0298652.. View in PubMed
  • Similar early intervention referral rates following in-person administration of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 4th Edition versus Telehealth Administration of the Developmental Assessment in Young Children, 2nd Edition in the high-risk infant population. Early Hum Dev. 2024 03; 190:105971.. View in PubMed
  • Agreement Between the Gross Motor Ability Estimator-2 and the Gross Motor Ability Estimator-3 in Young Children With Cerebral Palsy. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2024 01 01; 36(1):37-40.. View in PubMed
  • Daily Quantity and Kinematic Characteristics of Leg Movement in a Child With SMA (2 Copies SMN2). Pediatr Phys Ther. 2023 10 01; 35(4):486-492.. View in PubMed
  • An “Engage to Sustain” Intervention to Improve Process Performance Measures in Ambulatory Care. J Ambul Care Manage. 2023 Oct-Dec 01; 46(4):284-297.. View in PubMed
  • Maternal perceived stress and infant behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pediatr Res. 2023 12; 94(6):2098-2104.. View in PubMed
  • Disparities in insecurity, social support, and family relationships in association with poor mental health among US adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sci Rep. 2023 06 15; 13(1):9731.. View in PubMed