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Katie F. Siengsukon, Ph.D., PT, DBSM, CHWC

Catherine F. Siengsukon portrait
Professor, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, and Athletic Training
csiengsukon@kumc.edu

Professional Background

Catherine (Katie) F. Siengsukon, Ph.D., PT, DBSM, CHWC, provides instruction in neuroscience, neurorehabilitation and sleep health promotion in the physical therapy and rehabilitation science doctoral degree programs at KU Medical Center. She is currently the course director for PTRS 852 Neurologic Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation I.

Siengsukon is frequently invited to present on promoting sleep health and integration of sleep health into physical therapy practice. She is board certified in behavioral sleep medicine (Diplomate in Behavioral Sleep Medicine; DBSM) and is a certified health and wellness coach (CHWC).

An active member of the American Physical Therapy Association, Siengsukon has served on the research committee for the association's neurology section. She is also past chair of the research committee for the Kansas Physical Therapy Association. Siengsukon is a reviewer for several journals and joined the editorial board of the Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy beginning in 2021.

Academic Background

Siengsukon earned a bachelor's degree in biology and a master's degree in physical therapy from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Mo. She received her doctorate in rehabilitation science from the University of Kansas and is the first graduate from the medical center campus to receive the Marnie and Bill Argersinger Award for Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation.


Research

Overview

As director of the Sleep, Health, and Wellness Laboratory, Siengsukon's line of research seeks to understand how sleep impacts function, learning and overall health – particularly with aging and in those with neurological conditions. She possesses a clinical background in outpatient physical therapy treating individuals with musculoskeletal and neurologic injury.

Siengsukon’s research interests are aimed at understanding how sleep impacts physical and cognitive function, learning and overall health in adults both with and without neurologic injury or disease (multiple sclerosis, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease).

Her current research focuses on examining the use of behavioral interventions to improve sleep in people with multiple sclerosis and after concussion, and understanding if improving sleep may be protective against the onset of chronic conditions including Alzheimer's disease and diabetes.

In October 2019, Siengsukon received the School of Health Professions Faculty Research Investigator Award. She has also received the 2014 Rising Star Award in Health Professions from the Women in Medicine and Science at KU Medical Center.

Lab Group Site
Sleep, Health and Wellness Laboratory

The research goals of this lab are to understand 1) how sleep impacts function, learning and overall health in adults with and without neurological conditions, 2) the interrelationship between sleep and other factors such as fatigue, cognition and pain, and 3) how addressing sleep issues may prevent or delay the onset of chronic conditions.