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

  • Determining if wearable sensors affect infant leg movement frequency. Dev Neurorehabil. 2018 Feb; 21(2):133-136.. View in PubMed
  • Maintaining mental health and function for the long run in cystic fibrosis. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016 Oct; 51(S44):S71-S78.. View in PubMed
  • Immediate Effect of Positioning Devices on Infant Leg Movement Characteristics. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2016; 28(3):304-10.. View in PubMed
  • Daily Quantity of Infant Leg Movement: Wearable Sensor Algorithm and Relationship to Walking Onset. Sensors (Basel). 2015 Aug 04; 15(8):19006-20.. View in PubMed
  • Mobility and Ambulation for Patients with Pulmonary Artery Catheters: A Retrospective Descriptive Study. J Acute Care Phys Ther. 2015 Aug; 6(2):64-70.. View in PubMed
  • Survey of collaborative mental health providers in cystic fibrosis centers in the United States. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2015 May-Jun; 37(3):240-4.. View in PubMed
  • Commentary on: “Standing Programs to Promote Hip Flexibility in Children With Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy”. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2015; 27(3):249.. View in PubMed
  • Consistency in Administration and Response for the Backward Push and Release Test: A Clinical Assessment of Postural Responses. Physiother Res Int. 2016 Mar; 21(1):36-46.. View in PubMed
  • Effects of amplitude cueing on postural responses and preparatory cortical activity of people with Parkinson disease. J Neurol Phys Ther. 2014 Oct; 38(4):207-15.. View in PubMed
  • Commentary on “measuring postural stability in young children with cerebral palsy: a comparison of 2 instruments”. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2014; 26(3):338.. View in PubMed