Teresa Jacobson Kimberley, PT, PhD, FAPTA is Professor and Director of the Brain Recovery Lab in the Department of Physical Therapy. She is also a research associate at Harvard Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery. Her lab’s cross-disciplinary focus is to understand the pathophysiology of sensory-motor impairment and facilitate recovery for people with neurologic disorders. The career-long impact of her work is reflected in numerous awards, including Physical Therapy’s highest honor of being named a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association.

She has led or contributed to over 15 randomized clinical trials investigating neuromodulation paired with rehabilitation in neurologic disorders. She is funded by the National Institutes of Health and private foundations. She also serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Physical Therapy. In addition to her own directed research, Dr. Kimberley has over ten years experience in working with industry partners to design, execute, and investigate novel interventions.

  • BS, Physical Therapy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
  • PhD, Rehabilitation Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Stroke, dystonia, transcranial magnetic stimulation, functional neuroimaging, vagus nerve stimulation, clinical trials, sensorimotor impairment, functional recovery

Dr. Kimberley has published numerous papers - some titles are highlighted below. You can view a complete listing of Dr. Kimberley's publications on Google Scholar or in her CV. 

Vagus Nerve Stimulation Paired with Rehabilitation for Upper Limb Motor Impairment Function After Ischemic Stroke: Sub-group Analysis of the VNS-REHAB Trial

Transcranial magnetic stimulation to assess motor neurophysiology after acute stroke in the United States: Feasibility, lessons learned, and values for future research. 

Effects of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in adductor laryngeal dystonia: a safety, feasibility, and pilot study. 

The effects of continuous oromotor activity on speech motor learning: speech biomechanics and neurophysiologic correlates. 

Voluntary and magnetically evoked muscle contraction protocol in males with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: safety, feasibility, reliability, and validity.

 

see google scholar profile

 

In addition, Dr. Kimberley regularly presents at conferences and industry events. Please see her CV for a complete list of presentations.

Implementing VNS paired with rehabilitation for stroke recovery at Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery. 

Effects of Vagus nerve stimulation paired with rehabilitation for recovery of arm function post stroke: pivotal trial results at NORTHSTAR Seminar Series. 

Recently cleared by the FDA—Novel Brain Stimulation treatments coming to a clinic near you at 4th International Brain Stimulation conference. 

Physical and Occupational therapy in focal dystonia at Summer School of Rehabilitation in Movement Disorders. 

Step IV: Prevention, Prediction, Plasticity, and Participation at Summary Panelary.

Contact Information

Awards and Honors

APTA, Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, Excellence in Research Award, 2022

The purpose of the award is to acknowledge a physical therapist and Neurology Section member who has demonstrated continuing excellence in research related to neurological physical therapy science, theory, practice, or education. 

Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association, 2021

The Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association, the association’s highest membership category, serves as inspiration for all physical therapists to attain professional excellence. This honor is eligible to APTA physical therapist members or life member physical therapists who have demonstrated unwavering efforts to advance the physical therapy profession for more than 15 years.

Faculty Award for Excellence in Research, 2019

The purpose of this award is to honor a distinguished MGH Institute of Health Professions (IHP) faculty member who has a sustained distinctive program of research that is recognized nationally and internationally for; 1) creating new knowledge that significantly impacts the scientific basis of his or her field of practice, and 2) advances the research mission of the IHP.

Distinguished Visiting Professor, 2016

University of Technology, Sydney

Outstanding Leadership and Service to the Neurology Section, 2013

American Physical Therapy Association

Excellence in Research Mentoring Award, 2024

First given in 2020, the purpose of this award is to honor a MGH Institute of Health Professions faculty who has excelled as mentor. Mentoring could include research mentoring, professional development and research networking, and guidance on integrating teaching and research. Faculty research mentors at the associate or professor rank are eligible.