Faculty

Roberta A. Newton

P.T., Ph.D., F.G.S.A.

Dr. Newton received a B.S. degree in Biology from Mary Washington College, a B.S. in Physical Therapy from the Medical College of Virginia and a Ph.D. in Neurophysiology from the Medical College of Virginia.

She teaches courses related to postural and motor control; and fall and fall prevention in the older adult to advanced graduate students. See web links for the Fall Prevention Project at ww.temple.edu/older_adult.

Dr. Newton’s research is directed towards balance control and predictors of falls in older adults from diverse cultural backgrounds, and development of effective fall reduction programs. She has developed and validated the Multi-Directional Reach Test (MDRT) as a measure of balance stability in community dwelling older adults and older adults who are known fallers. She is an internationally recognized expert in the area of falls and fall prevention programming for older adults as evidenced by her publication and presentation record. She is the recipient of the Canadian Physiotherapy Silver Quill Award. Dr Newton is a Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia and a Fellow of the Gerontologic Society of America

Dr Newton has received funding from the Foundation for Physical Therapy, the National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), the Health and Human Services Administration (HRSA) and the PA Department of Aging and Health, and Temple University. Dr. Newton is currently serving on a HRSA funded grant for Temple University’s Institute on Aging, the Geriatric Education Center/PA. She serves on the National Council on the Aging Falls Free Coalition

Representative Publications:

Newton RA. Multi-Directional Reach Test: A practical measure for limits of stability in older adults. J Gerontol: Med Sci, 56A(3): M1-M5, 2001.

Lambert C, Sterbenz KA, Womack DE, Zarrinkhameh L, Newton RA, Adherence to a fall prevention program among community dwelling older adults. PT & OT in Geriatr, 18(3): 27-43, 2001.

Cromwell, RL, Newton RA, Carlton LG: Horizontal plane head stabilization during locomotor tasks. J Motor Behavior, 33(1):49-58, 2001.

Ruchinskas RR, Macciocchi SN, Howe GL, Newton RA. Predicting risk for fall: Forgetting the obvious. Rehabilitation Psychology, 46: 262-270, 2001.

Cromwell RL, Newton RA, Forrest G. Head stability in older adults during walking with and without visual input. Journal Vestibular Research, 11:105-114, 2001.

Newton RA. Physiotherapy in the Millennium. Physiotherapy Singapore, 4(4): 2-7, 2001.

Newton RA. Neural Systems Underlying Motor Control. In Montgomery PC, BH Connolly (eds): Motor Control and Physical Therapy. 2nd Edition, Chattanooga TN, Chattanooga Group Inc. 2002, pp 53-77.

Cromwell RL, Newton RA, Forrest G. Influence of vision on head stabilization strategies in older adults during walking. J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. 57: M442-M448, 2002.

Komagata S, Newton RA. Evidence-based appraisal of the effectiveness oftai chi on balance improvement and reduction of falls in older adults. J Gerontol Phys Ther 26(2):9-16, 2003.

Newton RA. Balance and falls among older people. Generations, 27(1):27-31, 2003

Cromwell RL, Newton RA. Relationship between balance and gait stability in healthy older adults. Aging and Physical Activity, 12: 90-100, 2004

Trader S, Cromwell RL, Newton RA. Balance abilities and related health factors of homebound older adults classified as fallers and non-fallers. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy 2003;26:3-8.

Hakim RM, Newton RA, Segal J, DuCette JP. A group intervention to reduce fall risk factors for community-dwelling older adults. PT & OT in Geriatr. 2004:22(1)1-20.

Rogers HL, Cromwell RL, Newton RA. Association of balance measures and perception of fall risk on gait speed: in multiple regression analysis. Experimental Aging Research 31:191- 203, 2005.

Newton RA, Edwards B. Falls and Gait Disorders. In Forciea M, Lavizzo-Mourey R, Schwab EP, Raziano DB(eds), Geriatric Secrets. Philadelphia, PA, Hanley Belfus/Elsevier, 2004, pp 67-73.

Newton RA. Prevention of falls at home: home hazard and safety assessment and management. Annals Long Term Care: Clinical Care and Aging. 2006;14:28-33.

Mitchell K, Newton RA. Association between elderly persons’ scores on the Tinetti Balance Subscale and assistive device use. Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 2006; 1(3): 183-189.

Cromwell, RL, Meyers PM, Meyers PE, Newton RA. Tae Kwon Do: An Effective Exercise to Improve Balance and Walking Ability in Healthy Older Adults. J Gerontol A Bio and Med Sci. 2007;62A:641-646.