Discover how the College of Public Health and Health Professions at the University of Florida is advancing the field through cutting-edge research that transforms lives. Our faculty, students, and collaborators engage in innovative studies that span clinical, translational, and basic science, addressing critical challenges in rehabilitation and movement science. From improving patient outcomes to pioneering new therapies, our research is dedicated to shaping the future of physical therapy and enhancing health and well-being for all.
Neuromuscular Research
The Neuromuscular Research Program focuses on developing effective treatments to help individuals with neurological disorders such as stroke, brain injury and spinal cord injury. Our multidisciplinary team, which includes scientists, clinicians and engineers is committed to conducting research that is meaningful to patients and leads to advancements in clinical practice and rehabilitation science.
Musculoskeletal Research
The Musculoskeletal Research Program aims to improve the delivery of rehabilitation care for individuals experiencing a variety of musculoskeletal pain related conditions including low back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain and knee pain. Our primary goals are to prevent the transition from acute to chronic pain, explore rehabilitation approaches to treat chronic pain and to better understand the underlying factors of effective treatments for these conditions.
Collaboration Publication Highlights
To see some of the research by the Collaboration Investigators, please visit the Brooks Rehabilitation Research Highlights listing.
Other Research Resources
The Brooks Rehabilitation Clinical Research Center has a listing of current research being conducted at their facilities.
The UF Clinical and Translational Science Institute has several resources for finding and participating in UF studies.
Clinicaltrials.gov has a searchable database of current and completed clinical studies from around the world.
Affiliate Centers
BREATHE
Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center
The UF BREATHE Center unites basic and clinician scientists across the university and beyond to understand challenges to breathing and airway defense and translate new findings into strategies for respiratory rehabilitation.
BRAIN
Brain Injury, Rehabilitation, and Neuroresilience Center
The UF BRAIN Center mission is to foster interactions between brain injury clinicians and researchers, harnessing collective strengths across UF to encourage cross-disciplinary collaborations and innovation in the field.
VA RR&D BRRC
Malcom Randall VA Brain Rehabilitation Research Center
At the BRRC, interdisciplinary teams of scientists conduct research to improve the effectiveness of neurorehabilitation. They work to improve current treatments as well as to create new treatments that help restore impairments caused by neurologic diseases and injuries such as stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury. BRRC investigators also study how such impairments affect Veterans as they age over time and how to treat those effects.
COAR
Center for Outcomes Analytics and Research
The Center for Outcomes Analytics and Research (COAR) at Brooks is instrumental in advancing data-driven, evidence-based practices to elevate the quality of rehabilitation care. They achieve this by enhancing clinical effectiveness in rehabilitation research through seamless collaboration between data teams, clinical teams and research professionals.