Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science

Professional Background
Dr. Kluding has been a physical therapist since 1992 with a clinical practice focus in neurological rehabilitation. She currently teaches neurologic rehabilitation courses in the DPT program and evidence-based stroke rehabilitation in the post-professional DPT program. She is actively involved in the American Physical Therapy Association as the research committee chair for the Kansas Chapter and serves on the nominating committee for the Stroke Special Interest Group for the Neurology Section. Dr. Kluding provides clinical services at Silver City Health Clinic for the uninsured and underserved individuals of Kansas City, Kan. She also currently supervises the physical therapy staff at the clinic.

Academic Background
Dr. Kluding began her academic career by earning a Bachelor of Science in biology from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. She continued her education at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and Rutgers University in Camden, N.J., where she earned her Master of Science physical therapy. After working for a number of years as a physical therapist, Dr. Kluding enrolled in the Health doctoral program (Movement Science track) at Seton Hall University. After earning her PhD in 2003, she joined the the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science as a faculty member.

Research Focus
Dr. Kluding’s current projects are focused on health promotion interventions for people with diabetes, and she collaborates with researchers in the Departments of Neurology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Endocrinology, and Clinical Pharmacology.  Dr. Kluding is also an Assistant Director of the General Clinical Research Center (GCRC), and directs the GCRC Exercise Physiology lab.

Recent Publications

See my publications on PubMed

Lab Group Site

Health Exercise and Aging (HEAL) Lab

The major goal of ongoing research in this lab is to improve the health and wellness of people with chronic disease or disability. Selected Current and Past Grants

Patricia Kluding (PI)
The Effect of Diabetes on the Benefits of Exercise after Stroke This clinical research project will examine whether the presence of Type II diabetes mellitus attenuates the benefits of aerobic and strengthening exercise for people with chronic stroke. US Department of Education, NIDRR Research Fellowship

Patricia Kluding (PI)
Foot Posture in People with Hemiplegia after Stroke.
This project will attempt to quantify pathological foot postures and explore the relationships between foot posture and function in people with hemiplegia following a stroke. School of Health Professions Research Committee, University of Kansas Medical Center