Sara Gombatto, MSPT, PhD
Pronouns: she/her
Professor
SDSU
Primary Email: [email protected]
Phone/Fax
Primary Phone: 619-594-3288
Building/Location
Exercise and Nutritional Science - 118
Files
Website Links
Education
- PhD, Washington University, Movement Science
- MS, Ithaca College, Physical Therapy
- BS, Ithaca College, Clinical Science
Certifications
Licensure information/Registration Number
New York State Physical Therapy License #020896-1
Courses
- DPT 881 Evidence Based Practice I
- DPT 882 Evidence Based Practice II
Research
I am interested in examining the mechanisms underlying chronic-recurrent low back pain. Using information from a physical therapy examination and a 3D movement analysis laboratory, I have investigated differences in movement characteristics between different subgroups of people with low back pain and between people with and without low back pain. Currently, I am examining the relationship between posture and movement and the development and persistence of a low back pain problem. I am particularly interested in how people move during functional activities. At SDSU, I plan to continue this research using 3-D movement analysis, but also plan to use new tools such as MRI and portable devices for movement analysis.
Publications
- Spoto MM, Gombatto SP: Diagnostic labels assigned to patients with orthopedic conditions and the influence of the label on selection of interventions – a survey of orthopedic clinical specialists. Physical Therapy Journal, 94(6):776-91, 2014.
- Scholtes SA, Norton BJ, Gombatto SP, Van Dillen LR: Variables associated with performance of an active limb movement following within-session instruction in people with and people without low back pain. BioMed Research International, Article ID# 867983, http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/867983, 2013.
- Gombatto SP, Norton BJ, Sahrmann SA, Strube MJ, Van Dillen LR: Factors contributing to lumbar region passive tissue characteristics in people with and people without LBP. Clinical Biomechanics, 28(3):255-261, 2013.