About
Professor Stacey Dusing is a researcher specializing in pediatric physical therapy with a focus on motor development and intervention in infants and children, particularly those born preterm or with developmental disorders such as Hurler syndrome (MPS-IH). Her work includes assessing gross and fine motor skills, postural control, and gait characteristics in children with special health care needs. She has contributed to understanding the developmental outcomes following treatments like umbilical cord blood transplantation and stem cell transplantation in children with lysosomal storage diseases. Professor Dusing's research also emphasizes early intervention strategies, parent education in neonatal intensive care units, and the application of evidence-based practice guidelines in neonatal physical therapy. Her studies often utilize innovative assessment tools such as computerized pressure mats and electronic walkways to quantify motor function and postural variability in infants and children. Through multidisciplinary approaches, she has advanced knowledge on the complexity of motor behavior development and the importance of integrating motor skills with broader developmental domains in early childhood physical therapy.
Research topics
- Medicine
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Developmental psychology
- Computer Science
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Pediatrics
- Sociology
- Political Science
- Social psychology
- Nursing
- Communication
- Anthropology
- Audiology
- Clinical psychology
- Neuroscience
- Medical education
- Surgery
Selected publications
UNC Libraries · 2026-02-20
articleOpen accessSenior authorAIMS: Extremely premature birth puts infants at high risk for developmental delay and results in parent anxiety and depression. The primary objective of this study was to characterize feasibility and acceptability of a therapist-led, parent-administered therapy and massage program designed to support parent mental health and infant development. METHODS: A single cohort of 25 dyads - parents (24 mothers, 1 father) and extremely preterm (<28 wk gestation) infants - participated in the intervention. During hospitalization, parents attended weekly hands-on education sessions with a primary therapist. Parents received bi-weekly developmental support emails for 12 months post-discharge and were scheduled for 2 outpatient follow up visits. We collected measures of parent anxiety, depression, and competence at baseline, hospital discharge, and <4 and 12 months post-discharge. RESULTS: All feasibility targets were met or exceeded at baseline and discharge (≥70%). Dyads participated in an average of 11 therapy sessions (range, 5-20) during hospitalization. Lower rates of data collection adherence were observed over successive follow ups (range, 40-76%). Parent-rated feasibility and acceptability scores were high at all time points. CONCLUSIONS: Results support parent-rated feasibility and acceptability of the TEMPO intervention for extremely preterm infants and their parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Pediatric Physical Therapy · 2026-04-01
articleSenior authorBACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This systematic review explores interventions that improve object contact and exploration skills. Given the impact of object contact and exploration on many domains of development, there is a need to optimize these interventions. METHODS: We conducted a search of the literature involving object interaction. Data were synthesized to evaluate the effectiveness of different task-specific protocols. RESULTS: Our findings suggest that structured, repetitive practice, particularly under therapeutic guidance, improves object interaction skills in both full-term and preterm infants. Notably, home-based interventions delivered consistently for at least 2 weeks, yielded largest positive effect sizes. DISCUSSION: incorporating play-based, task-oriented activities into therapy can significantly enhance object exploration and contact skills. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of implementing structured, task-specific interventions in clinical settings to address motor skill deficits and support optimal developmental outcomes across populations.
medRxiv · 2025-06-12
preprintOpen accessAbstract Introduction Innovative models are needed to improve access to early therapy for high-risk infants discharged from the NICU. This study aimed to 1) compare costs between in-person and telehealth early therapy, and 2) evaluate adoptability, feasibility, adaptations, and acceptability of each model. Methods and Materials Twenty high-risk NICU infants were enrolled before discharge and randomized to receive therapy via telehealth or in-person Baby Bridge programming until community-based services began. Weekly visits were scheduled, with flexibility for switching formats (telehealth or in-person) when agreed upon by the therapist and family. Cost, utilization, and adaptations were tracked. Parent satisfaction was assessed via a post-discharge questionnaire. Results One infant was withdrawn due to readmission prior to receiving Baby Bridge services. Completion rates were high (18/19, 95%). In-person sessions were significantly more expensive ($141.35 ± $51.10) than telehealth sessions ($46.29 ± $16.19; p<0.001). Telehealth sessions generated positive average net revenue ($61.45 ± $54.31), while in-person sessions incurred losses (-$44.96 ± $63.63; p<0.001). Medicaid-insured sessions incurred losses for both telehealth (-$10.36 ± 4.94) and in-person (-$85.56 ± 38.53), whereas privately insured sessions yielded positive net revenues for telehealth ($91.92 ± 32.35) and in-person ($5.78 ± 51.20) sessions. No group differences were found in time to first session or session frequency. Visit format adaptations occurred in both groups (17% of telehealth visits; 36% of in-person; p<0.03). Parent satisfaction was comparable across groups. Conclusion Telehealth therapy is significantly less costly and more financially sustainable than in-person therapy. Both delivery models were feasible, with high satisfaction reported by families. Flexibility in adapting visit format supports better access and uptake, especially within in-person models. Telehealth offers a promising alternative for early intervention in high-risk infants following NICU discharge.
OTJR Occupational Therapy Journal of Research · 2025-08-14 · 2 citations
articleOpen accessTo determine the feasibility and acceptability of the Baby Bridge telehealth model, aimed at expediting the time to therapy activation after neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge. High-risk infants needing therapy after NICU discharge had an in-person therapy visit in the NICU to consent and conduct standardized assessments, followed by weekly telehealth Baby Bridge services starting within 1 week of NICU discharge. Among eight families, the first Baby Bridge telehealth session occurred at an average of 6.0 ± 2.6 days following discharge. They received an average of 8.3 (±2.1) telehealth sessions over 9.2 (±3.5) weeks. All therapy sessions after NICU discharge were accomplished with telehealth rather than in-person sessions. Satisfaction surveys of the eight families indicated they were "very satisfied" with Baby Bridge telehealth services. Telehealth Baby Bridge services appear to be feasible and acceptable when implementing programming to improve early therapy access for high-risk infants.
Infancy · 2025-05-01
articleOpen accessSenior authorThis study investigated associations of gross motor delay and dyadic emotional availability (EA). Data were drawn from 99 children (Mean age = 8.79 [SD = 3.2] months, 47% Female, and 67% White) with and without motor delay and their caregivers. EA was quantified from five parent-child interactions collected over 12 months. Dyads with children with significant motor delay had significantly less growth in Total EA, Child EA, Sensitivity, Responsiveness, and Involvement compared to dyads with children with typical motor development. Children with mild motor delay differed from children with typical motor development in Involvement. Severity of motor delay was associated with risk to EA in that dyads of children with more significant motor delay had more difficulties with EA over time. Trial Registration: This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT02593825).
Pediatric Physical Therapy · 2025-08-22 · 1 citations
articlePURPOSE: To assess the concurrent validity of 2 wearable sensors, GENEActiv (GA) and MonBaby (MB), for tracking tummy time in full-term and preterm infants at home. METHODS: Nineteen full-term infants and 13 infants born preterm, aged 3 to 6 months, wore GA and MB sensors during caregivervideo-recorded active play at home over 3 days. Prone (tummy time) durations detected by each sensor were compared to video for validation. RESULTS: Both GA and MB sensors demonstrated excellent (κ = 0.86) and substantial (κ = 0.78) second-by-second agreement with video, respectively, for tracking tummy time. For cumulative tummy time, the GA showed higher accuracy with video (GA =60 minutes, video =58 minutes, difference =2 minutes) compared to MB (MB =43 minutes, video =47 minutes, difference =4 minutes). No differences in accuracy were found between the 2 sensors. CONCLUSION: Wearable sensors can accurately track tummy time at home and can support adherence to movement guidelines in infants. Establishing caregiver feasibility is crucial for broader use.
Development and validation of the motor measures in the NIH Baby Toolbox®
Infant Behavior and Development · 2025-07-30 · 5 citations
articleOpen accessPhysical & Occupational Therapy In Pediatrics · 2025-05-04 · 11 citations
reviewSenior authorAIMS: Conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of motor intervention on social, communication, and cognitive skills in individuals (0-21 years) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS: Seven databases were used to search for randomized control trials (RCT) implementing a motor intervention for children with ASD; and measured social, communication, and cognitive outcomes. Twenty-three RCTs were selected with 66 outcomes and 636 participants (range of mean age: 4.3 - 12.3 years). RESULTS: = .18). In children above age nine, a 1-year increase in age corresponded to a 0.29 decrease in SSMD (less effective). CONCLUSIONS: Motor interventions have a positive impact and should be considered when planning interventions for children with ASD.
Reliability of the Somatosensory Test of Grip Force
American Journal of Occupational Therapy · 2025-07-30
articleAbstract Date Presented 04/03/2025 This study demonstrates that the Somatosensory Test of Grip Force (STOG) is a reliable tool for assessing force control in young children. Tools for assessing force control in early childhood are needed to support early intervention for pediatric OT practice. Primary Author and Speaker: Madison K. Bollinger Additional Authors and Speakers: Virginia W. Chu, Jaela Watkins Contributing Authors: Elsie Baker, Mary Alice Montgomery, Stacey Dusing, James Thomas, Olivier Rolin, Jonathon Jacobs, Robert Perera
Physical Therapy · 2025-02-01 · 1 citations
articleOpen accessSenior authorOBJECTIVE: Emotional availability (EA) describes caregiver-child emotional attunement and is critical to fostering adaptive development. Although early physical therapist interventions adopt a family centered approach, the impact of interventions on families is often not quantified. This study compares EA in dyads receiving usual care-early intervention (UC-EI) versus sitting together and reaching to play (START-Play) in addition to UC-EI. METHODS: Data were drawn from 106 children with neuromotor delay who were 7 to 16 months old at baseline (mean = 10.5 months) and from their caregiver (91% were mothers). The EA Scale, Fourth Edition, was scored from 5-min videotaped interactions collected at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months after baseline. Piecewise multilevel modeling controlling for baseline age and motor delay estimated short- and long-term effects between treatment groups. Additionally, within-group change over time was analyzed to understand if groups differed in direction of EA trajectories. Analyses were run aggregated across all participants and stratified by baseline severity of motor delay or caregiver reported education. RESULTS: When comparing EA between groups, there were significant positive short- and long-term effects of START-Play on adult EA (gs > 0.38), sensitivity (gs > 0.26), structuring (gs > 0.43), and nonintrusiveness (gs > 0.36). For dyads with mild or significant motor delay or whose parent reported less than a bachelor's degree at baseline, positive effects of START-Play were observed. CONCLUSION: Results support important clinical implications for the positive effect of START-Play on EA. Similar child-level treatment effects highlight that the key difference between START-Play and UC-EI may lie in the way intervention affects caregivers. START-Play may be more beneficial to dyads with higher versus lower risks to EA. IMPACT: Early physical therapist interventions can have a significant impact on parents, children, and the parent-child relationship. Measuring the effect of these interventions on the relationship is critical to optimizing the delivery of family centered care.
Recent grants
NIH · $11.3M · 2011
Efficacy of Motor and Cognitive Intervention for Infants Born Very Preterm
NIH · $2.7M · 2022–2025
Frequent coauthors
- 61 shared
Regina T. Harbourne
Duquesne University
- 53 shared
Sandra L. Willett
Nebraska Medical Center
- 49 shared
Lin‐Ya Hsu
- 34 shared
Michele A. Lobo
Sierra Lobo (United States)
- 33 shared
Kari S. Kretch
University of Southern California
- 31 shared
Barbara Sargent
- 28 shared
Natalie A. Koziol
- 27 shared
Lisa F. Brown
Virginia Commonwealth University
Labs
Education
- 2000
Ph.D., Biokinesiology
University of Southern California
- 1995
M.S., Biokinesiology
University of Southern California
- 1993
B.S., Physical Therapy
University of Southern California
Awards & honors
- FAPTA
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