Nancy Darr
Professor
College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
DSc Loma Linda University; MS (Physical Therapy) University of Southern California; BA (Zoology and Psychology) Ohio Wesleyan University
Location: McWhorter Hall 343
615-460-6713nancy.darr@belmont.edu
Biography
Dr. Darr has been a practicing physical therapist since 1985, specializing in the areas of pediatrics and adult neurological rehabilitation. She has practiced in a wide variety of settings including adult and pediatric inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, acute care, and public health; She currently maintains a practice in early intervention and outpatient pediatrics at High Hopes Development Center. Dr. Darr is certified as a clinical specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. Dr. Darr teaches in the areas of pediatrics and adult neurological rehabilitation. She is also the Academic Residency Director for the Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University and Belmont University.
Dr. Darr’s research interests include the development of mobility and postural control in children, as well as, assessment and intervention strategies for children with balance and mobility challenges. She is one of the developers of the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) and has performed extensive research on PBS psychometric properties and clinical applications. Dr. Darr is also involved in research examining the impact of adapted motorized ride on toys for children with limited mobility on motor skills, language, and socialization. Dr. Darr is a member of the APTA’s sections on Education, Neurology, Pediatrics and Research.
Development of balance and postural control in children
Development and refinement of the Pediatric Balance Scale
Pediatric vestibular function
Adapted ride on toys (Go Baby Go) and development of motor, social and language skills
American Physical Therapy Association
Belmont University Faculty Scholarship Award
Loma Linda University Doctoral Research Award
Michaels N, Darr N, Alama C, Callahan C, Jacobs T, Rungee A, Youngblood M. The Effect of Aquatic Exercise on Balance in Ambulatory Individuals With Down Syndrome: An Interventional Feasibility Study. The Journal of Aquatic Physical Therapy. 2023;31(2):41-49.
Liotta-Kleinfeld L, Darr N, Lemmonds T, Plummer. The Development and Evaluation of a Pediatric Interprofessional Education (IPE) Experience for Occupational and Physical Therapy Graduate Students. Occupational Therapy In Health Care. 2023;37(4):461-475. DOI:10.1080/07380577.2022.2051781
Franjoine MR, Darr N, Young B, LaForme Fiss A, McCoy S. Examination of the effects of age, sex and motor ability level on balance capabilities in children with cerebral palsy, GMFCS levels I, II, III, and Typical development using the Pediatric Balance Scale. Developmental Neurorehabilitation. 2022:15(2);115-124. DOI: 10.1080/17518423.2021.1943033
Arps K, Darr N, Katz J. Effect of adapted motorized ride-on toy use on developmental skills, quality of life, and driving competency in nonambulatory children age 9-60 months. Assistive technology. 2023;35(1):83-93. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2021.1956643
Gegan, M, Plummer T, Darr N. An Exploratory Study of The Perceptions of Footwear for Individuals who use Lower Limb Orthotics. Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2020;18(4):Article 8
Darr N, Using Adapted Ride-on Motorized Toys to Enhance Movement and Participation. On-line course. NDTA.org. August, 2019.
Darr N, Franjoine MR, Campbell SK, Smith E. Psychometric Properties of the Pediatric Balance Scale. Pediatr PhysTher. 2015;27(4):337-48.
Darr N. Evidence based practice part II: Searching the literature. NDTA Network. 2013;20(1).
Darr N. Evidence Based Practice Part 1: Developing a researchable questions. NDTA Network. 2012;19(4):1-18.
Franjoine MR, Darr N, Young B, Held S, Kott K. The performance of Children Developing Typically on the Pediatric Balance Scale. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2010;22(4):350-359.
Grindstaff TL, Christiano K, Broos AM, Straub DA, Westphal KA, Darr NS. Assessment of a Practice Effect in Serial Sensory Organization Testing Scores of Healthy Adults. Perceptual and Motor Skills. 102:379-386, 2006.
Kroger AM, Mitchell SY, Smothers JH, Welch AM, Halle JS, Darr NS, Greathouse DG. The Influence of Gender, Foot Dominance, and Lower Extremity Side on Neural Conduction in the Deep Fibular and Sural Nerves. Section of Clinical Electrophysiology Newsletter, 2003;2(2):3-4.
Bowie EA, Brimer KM, Kidder MS, Wallis ML, Darr NS, Halle JS, Greathouse DG. Median and Ulnar Nerve Conduction Studies in Young Adult Violinists. Medical Problems of Performing Artists. 2000; 123-128..
Henderson J, Brown SE, Price S, Darr NS. Foot Pressures during a Common Ballet Jump in Standing and Supine Positions. Medical Problems of Performing Artists. 1993;8:125-131.
Lewis K, Norton C, Darr N, Cauthen H. Normative Values for Instrumented Gaze Stabilization Visual Acuity Test Following Fatigue. Abstract accepted for presentation at APTA Combined Sections Meeting, 2024.
Franjoine MR, Norton C, Darr N, Young B. Examining the effects of Otitis Media on Children’s Balance using the PBS-2. Poster presentation at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting, San Diego, CA. February 2023.
Hedden K, Quigley K, Darr N, Fontana R, Newman K, Betters K. Reliability of the Physical Abilities and Mobility Scale within a Pediatric Acute Care Setting. Poster presentation at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting, San Diego, CA. February 2023.
Franjoine M, Darr N, Young B. Ability of the PBS-2 to Differentiate Balance Dysfunction in Children ages 2 to 13 Years. Platform presentation at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio Texas. February 2022.
Franjoine M, Darr N, Young B. Performance of Children Developing Typically on the Pediatric Balance Scale, 2nd Edition. Platform presentation at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting; February 2021 (virtual).
Micheals N, Alama C, Callahan C, Jacobs T, Rungee A, Youngblood M, Darr N. Pilot Study: Effect of Aquatic Exercise on Balance in Children and Adolescents with Down Syndrome. Platform Presentation at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting; February 2021. (Virtual)
Darr N, Franjoine M, Young B. Reliability of the Pediatric Balance Scale, Second Edition. Poster presentation at the APTA Combined Sections meeting. February 2020. Denver CO. (Abstract) Pediatr Phys Ther. 2020;32(1):Ee2. Also presented at the Neurodevelopmental Treatment Association annual conference (virtual) April, 2021
Darr N, Plummer T, Kleinfeld L, Cronin G, Cadey E, Strattman J. Impact of Adapted Motorized Ride-On Toys as an Intervention Tool on Motor Skills, Socialization, and Participation in Young Children Ages 8 to 60 Months. Poster Presentation. Neurodevelopmental Treatment Association Annual Conference. March 2019.
Darr N. Using Adapted Ride-on Motorized Toy Cars to Enhance Movement and Participation. Conference session at the NDTA annual Conference. Charlotte NC, March, 2019
Franjoine M, Darr N, Young B. Can the PBS Differentiate Balance Ability in Preschoolers with Cerebral Palsy? Poster Presentation at American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine Annual Conference, Atlanta Georgia, October 2018. (Abstract) Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2018;98(12):e156
Darr N and LEND faculty. Interprofessional Course on Developmental Disabilities Including Congenital ZIka. Nashville TN, January 2018; Knoxville TN, April 2018
Kleinfeld L, Lemmonds T. OT, PT, and SLP Collaboration for Early Literacy. Vanderbilt Schools SLP conference. Nashville TN, August 2018
Darr N, Franjoine M, Young B. Performance of Preschool Age Children on the Pediatric Balance Scale: A Comparison of Capabilities among Children with Typical Development and Cerebral Palsy GMFCS Levels I, II, and III. Platform presentation at: APTA Combined Sections Meeting. San Antonio, TX, February 2017.
Darr N, Franjoine M, Young B. Effect of age, gender, balance dysfunction and floor surface on tandem stance in children. Poster presentation at: APTA Combined Sections Meeting. February 2016. Anaheim, CA (Abstract) Pediatric Physical Therapy. 28(1):E8 E54, Spring 2016
Darr N, Franjoine M, Young B. Minimal Detectable Difference and Meaningful Change for Children with Cerebral Palsy on the Pediatric Balance Scale. Poster presentation at IV STEP 2016: Prevention, Prediction, Plasticity, and Participation. Columbus Ohio, July 14-19, 2016
Franjoine MR, Darr N. Examination of Functional Balance in Children on the Cheap: Quick, Easy, and Inexpensive Clinical Measures – Part 1. APTA Section on Pediatrics Annual Conference, Pittsburgh PB, November 8, 2015
Franjoine MR, Darr N. Examination of Functional Mobility in Children on the Cheap: Quick, Easy, and Inex-pensive Clinical Measures – Part 2. APTA Section on Pediatrics Annual Conference, Pittsburgh PB, November 8, 2015
Franjoine M, Darr N, Young B. Evaluation of a new methodology for examining forward reach in children. Poster presentation at: APTA Combined Sections Meeting, February 2015, Indianapolis, IN. [Abstract] Pediatr Phys Ther. 2015;27(1)E1-8.
Darr N, Garvey T, Hunt J, Kleinfeld L, Lane A. Talk to Each Other: Helping Faculty Create Meaningful IPE Activities Through Guided Reflection and Collaboration. Poster Presentation at the American Occupational Therapy Association National Meeting. Nashville, TN, April 16, 2015.
Kleinfeld L, Darr N, Garvey T, Plummer T. Occupational and Physical Therapy Student Perceptions of Interprofessional Learning. Poster Presentation at the American Occupational Therapy Association National Meeting. Nashville, TN, April 16, 2015.
Darr N, Franjoine MR. Smith E. Campbell SK. Young B. APTA Section on Pediatrics Grant. Validation of the Pediatric Balance Scale using Rasch Analysis. Awarded funding for statistical and interpretive support for Rasch Analysis of the Pediatric Balance Scale
Tennessee Physical Therapy Association. Typical Performance on the
Revised Pediatric Balance Scale and on Selected Standing Balance Items in Children, Ages 2 through 13 Years. Awarded funding for data collection supplies.
New York Physical Therapy Association. Typical Performance on the
Revised Pediatric Balance Scale and on Selected Standing Balance Items in Children, Ages 2 through 13 Years. Awarded funding for data collection supplies.
Darr N, Robison J. National Hemophilia Foundation Grant: The Effect of Inframalleolar Orthotics on Temporal Gait Characteristics and Foot Pressures in Children with Hemophilia. Joint project with the Vanderbilt Medical Center Hemophilia Clinic. Awarded funding for equipment and salary
Darr N. (PI). Belmont University Teaching Center Time Out Grant. Flipped Classroom in Physical Therapy Curricula
Darr N. PI. Service Learning Task Force Grant: Awarded funding for supplies for Sports Day Service Learning Project