Summer Semester
DPTR 5002: Foundations in Physical Therapy, Lecturer
DPTR 6102: Movement Science II, Course Coordinator
DPTR 6402: Musculoskeletal Conditions II, Lecturer
DPTR 6501: Neuromuscular Conditions I, Lecturer
DPTR 7112: Applied Exercise Science, Lecturer
Fall Semester
DPTR 5101: Movement Science I, Course Coordinator
DPTR 6205: Clinical Skills – Prosthetics and Orthotics, Course Co-Coordinator
DPTR 5141: Human Growth & Development, Lecturer
DPTR 5151: Motor Control/Motor Learning, Lecturer/Lab Instructor
DPTR 5203: Clinical Skills - Therapeutic Intervention, Lecturer
DPTR 6612: Patient Care Seminar II, Instructor
Spring Semester
DPTR 5611: Patient Care Seminar I, Instructor
DPTR 7613: Patient Care Seminar III, Instructor
Dr. Christiansen’s clinical activity centers on helping patients recover from activity limitations resulting from musculoskeletal problems. A specific emphasis of his clinical practice is on helping older adults who are experiencing limitations in physical activity due to lower body musculoskeletal problems. There is a significant amount of overlap between his direct patient care and clinical research interests.
Funded Activity
Christiansen CL (PI), Stevens-Lapsley JE (Co-I), Sherk K (Co-I). Physical function outcomes related to prosthetic rehabilitation after dysvascular transtibial amputation ($25,000) IN REVIEW. The goals of this project are to: 1) describe physical function and 2) describe standard of care physical training intervention for patients following dysvascular transtibial amputation.
Christiansen CL (PI). Student Perceptions of Classroom Response System use in a Doctor of Physical Therapy Curriculum. President’s Teaching Scholars Program ($1500). The goals of this project are to: 1) determine DPT student perception of classroom response system use in the course DPTR5101-Movement Science I, and 2) determine if perceptions differ based on student learning styles, age, and sex.
Christiansen CL (PI). Improving Function after Total Knee Arthroplasty with Weight-Bearing Biofeedback. Foundation for Physical Therapy Research Grant 1/11-12/12 ($40,000). The major goals of this pilot study are to : 1) determine effects of the weight-bearing biofeedback intervention on WB asymmetry during sit-stand transitions and walking, 2) determine effects of the weight-bearing biofeedback intervention on functional activity performance, and 3) determine safety of the weight-bearing biofeedback intervention.
Schenkman MS (Co-PI), Corcos D (Co-PI), Hall D (Site-PI), Delitto A (Site-PI), Kohrt W (Co-I), Kluger B (Co-I), Christiansen CL (Co-I), Robichaud J (Co-I), Moore C (Co-I), Josbeno D (Co-I), Jain S (Co-I). Exploratory study of different doses of endurance exercise in people with Parkinson disease 1/12-1/15 ($3,000,000). The primary aim of this study is to test whether individuals with de novo Parkinson’s disease can achieve randomly assigned levels of mean exercise intensity (60-65% or 80-85% HRmax) and adhere to the exercise protocol.
Christiansen CL (Co-PI), Stevens-Lapsley JE (Co-PI). Limb Loading Asymmetry with Total Knee Arthroplasty. Bob Doctor Memorial Research Award 1/09-6/10 ($8,000). The major goals of this pilot study are to 1) examine the presence of lower limb loading asymmetry during and 2) examine the relationship between limb loading asymmetry and both functional mobility and muscle strength.
Schenkman M (PI), Carollo JJ, Christiansen CL, Davidson BS, Maluf KS, Solomonow M, Stevens-Lapsley J (co-investigators). Interdisciplinary Movement Science Laboratory. Academic Enrichment Fund New Strategic Research Initiative, School of Medicine. University of Colorado Denver 8/08 ($149,000). The major goal of this activity is to establish an interdisciplinary movement analysis lab for use by researchers across the health sciences campus.
Peer Reviewed Publications
Christiansen CL, Bade MJ, Weitzenkamp DA, Stevens-Lapsley JE. Factors predicting weight-bearing asymmetry 1 month after unilateral total knee arthroplasty: a cross-sectional study. Gait Posture. 2012; epub ahead of print.
Christiansen CL, Bade MJ, Judd D, Stevens-Lapsley JE. Weight-bearing asymmetry during sit-stand transitions related to impairment and functional mobility after total knee arthroplasty. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2011; 92:1624-1629.
Schenkman ML, Ellis T, Christiansen CL, Barón AE, Tickle-Degnen L, Hall DA, Wagenaar R. Profile of functional limitations and task performance among people with early and mid-stage Parkinson’s disease. Phys Ther. 2011;91:1339-1354.
Christiansen CL, Stevens-Lapsley JE. Weight-bearing asymmetry in relation to measures of impairment and functional mobility for people with knee osteoarthritis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2010;91:1524-1528.
Hsieh CT, Christiansen CL. The effect of approach on spike jump height for female volleyball players. Int J Sports Sci Coach. 2010;5:373-380.
Christiansen CL, Schenkman ML, McFann K, Wolfe P, Kohrt WM. Walking economy in people with Parkinson’s disease. Mov Disord. 2009;24:1481-1487.
Christiansen CL. The effects of hip and ankle stretching on gait function of older people. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2008;89:1421-1428.
Books and Chapters
Christiansen CL. Impaired Joint Mobility (Chapter 13). In: Guccione A, Wong R, Avers D, ed. Geriatric Physical Therapy, 3rd Edition. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2011.
Academy of Medical Educators “Excellence in Direct Teaching” Award. University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. May 2012