Jennifer Stevens-Lapsley, PT, PhD, FAPTA

Professor, Director, Rehabilitation Science PhD Program, Vice Chair of Research, PM&R

Education and Licensure

  • University of Florida, Gainesville, Post-Doctoral Fellow, 2005
  • University of Delaware, Newark, DE, PhD, in Biomechanics, 2002
  • University of Delaware, Newark, DE, MS, in Physical Therapy, 1998
  • University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, BA in Biology, 1995
  • Licensure Information/Registration Number: Colorado #9104

See CV

Positions

Director, Rehabilitation Science PhD Program, Physical Therapy Program
Vice Chair of Research, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Associate Director of Research and Health Scientist, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System

Director, RESTORE Team

Professor with Tenure, Physical Therapy Program

Areas of Expertise

Implementation Science and Clinical Trials Geriatric Rehabilitation High-Intensity Rehabilitation Precision Rehabilitation (e.g., Predictive Analytics) Medically Complex Populations Osteoarthritis and Joint Arthroplasty Biobehavioral Training Home Health Skilled Nursing Facilities Outpatient Rehabilitation Consulting and Expert Review

Research

Research Interests

Geriatrics & Chronic Conditions Musculoskeletal & Orthopedics Rehabilitation Outcomes & Health Services Research

Research Profile

Funded/In Review Grant Activity

Ongoing Support 

 

Stevens-Lapsley (PI/Project Leader). Mobility Matters: Advancing Care in Skilled Nursing Facilities Conference.
NIH 1R13AG089983-01A1; 9/1/2025-6/30/2030. ($70,491 FY 2025). The goal of this proposal seeks support for a conference series dedicated to improving the outcomes of older adults by addressing the complexities of enhancing patient mobility within skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Mobility, a component of physical function, describes the ability to move and has a significant impact on older adults’ health, independence, and quality of life.

Allen (PI), Stevens-Lapsley (Co-I). Boosting Exercise Adherence in Knee Osteoarthritis (BOOST-OA). VA RRDT I01RD000435. 01/01/2026-12/31/31. The goal of this project is to test the effectiveness of BOOST-OA, a theoretically informed, scalable intervention to enhance adherence to home exercise among Veterans receiving PT for knee osteoarthritis.

Stevens-Lapsley (PI). Implementation of Routine Walking Speed Measurements in Older Veterans. VA RRTD I01 HX003877 (Intent to Fund). 6/1/2026-5/31/2030. The goal of this cluster randomized study is to integrate walking speed assessment into clinical practice to reduce adverse health events experienced by Veterans.

Stevens-Lapsley (PI). Implementation of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation after Total Knee Arthroplasty. NIH R01AG084683. 8/15/2024-7/31/2029 ($5,075,957). The goal of this implementation hybrid type I study is to evaluate the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation after total knee arthroplasty in real-world settings.

Stevens-Lapsley (PI). Multicomponent Telerehabilitation to Engage Veterans in Effective Self-Management of Complex Health Conditions. 4/1/2024-3/30/2028 ($1,200,000). The goal of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a multicomponent telerehabilitation program on medically complex Veterans.

Field-Fote (PI), Stevens-Lapsley (Co-PI). Training in Grantsmanship for Rehabilitation Research. NIH R25 HD074546; 2/9/2023-2/8/2028 ($166,781). This year-long research education program engages early-stage investigators in one-on-one expert mentorship in grantsmanship, grants management, career development, and development of peer-review skills for rehabilitation research.

Wherry, Sarah J., Stevens-Lapsley (mentor). VA RR&D Career Development Award 2 (CDA2) IK2RX003820; 4/1/2022-3/31/2027 ($949,720). Anabolic Versus Catabolic Skeletal Effects of Endurance or Resistance Exercise in Older Veterans.

Bade (PI), Stevens-Lapsley (Co-I). Swelling management after Total Knee Arthroplasty. NIH R21 AR082101; 8/2/2023-6/30/2026 ($581,469). The goal of this project is to determine if the utilization of an inelastic adjustable compression garment (INCOM) reduces postoperative swelling more than elastic TED hose (CONTROL).  

Stevens-Lapsley (PI). Improving Rehabilitation for Veterans After Total Knee Arthroplasty Using Individualized Recovery Trajectories. VA RR&D I01RX003770; 4/1/2022-3/31/2026 ($1,198,128). This study will examine the impact of a new clinical decision support tool for rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty.

Stevens-Lapsley (PI). Advancing Rehabilitation Paradigms for Older Adults in Skilled Nursing Facilities. NIH R01 AG072693; 7/1/2021-6/30/2026. ($2,488,060). The goal of this work is to implement and evaluate a high intensity resistance rehabilitation paradigm in skilled nursing facilities using a cluster randomized trial.

Publications & Presentations

 

Scholarly Agenda

Focused on identifying, integrating and advancing innovative evidence-based medicine and technology enabled solutions for older adults through highly effective and efficient research methods and partnerships. Dr. Stevens-Lapsley’s investigations use a multifaceted approach to evaluate intervention strategies designed to enhance the effectiveness of rehabilitation in older adult patient populations with an emphasis on joint arthroplasty and medically complex populations.

Within the last five years

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