Traci Bush, P.T., D.P.T., OTR/L, DHS

Chair, Program Director and Associate Professor, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Areas of Expertise

Ergonomics, Upper Extremity Orthopedics

About

Professional Organizations, Committees and Boards

Alpha Eta Honor Society
American Academic Council of Physical Therapy Education
American Occupational Therapy Association
American Physical Therapy Association
Higher Learning Commission, Peer Corps Reviewer
Iowa Occupational Therapy Association
Iowa Physical Therapy Association, Southwest District Chairperson

Service

Professional

Journal of Allied Health, Manuscript Reviewer
American Academic Council of Physical Therapy Education, Communications Committee

University

Integrity Committee
Graduate Council
College of Health Sciences Nominating and Bylaws Committee
Clinic Committee

Education:
Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of New England
Doctor of Health Sciences, University of Indianapolis
Master of Science in Physical Therapy, Des Moines University, Des Moines, Iowa
Bachelor of Health Science in Occupational Therapy, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri

Certifications:
Iowa Physical Therapy License
Iowa Occupational Therapy License

Research

Dr. Bush’s research and scholarly focus has been in the areas of shoulder orthopedics and physical therapist education.

Grant Activity

Plagiarism, Writing and Citing: An online, interactive tutorial for health professions students. American Physical Therapy Association Education Sections Research Grant. Co-author. $10,000.

“Influence of a School Based Walking Program on Healthy Lifestyle Choices of Parents and Their Children Aged 5 – 12 years. “ – Primary Investigator. Awarded by Iowa Osteopathic Educational Fund, 2010 – $4,026.60

“Effects of an exercise program compared to a walking program on bone mineral density and balance in persons over the age of 65.” – Primary Investigator. Awarded by Iowa Osteopathic Educational Fund, 2005 – $14,129.00

Publications and Presentations

Papers and Abstracts Published in Referred Journals

Bush TA, Bogdanove A, Goerdt C, Stapleton D, Vardaxis V. Comparative EMG analysis of shoulder girdle muscles during cardinal plane arm elevation at different body positions. JOSPT, 2018; 48(1):A87

Bush TA, Kotz S, Wolfensperger O, Pritchard J, Stapleton D, Vardaxis V. Electromyography Activation of the Shoulder Girdle Muscles During Abduction At Different Body Orientation Positions. JOSPT, 2017; 47(1):A70

Canby C, Bush T. Humanities in gross anatomy project: A novel humanistic learning at Des Moines University. Anatomical Sciences Education, 2009.

Canby C, Bush T. Humanities in gross anatomy project: a humanistic learning tool. Experimental Biology, 2009. Abstract.

Bush TA, Mork DO, Sarver KK, Weller D & Bravard SL. The Effectiveness of Shoulder Taping in the Inhibition of the Upper Trapezius as Determined by Electromyography. Phys Therapy. 1996;76(S28). Abstract.

Non-Peer-Reviewed Publication

Bush, TA. Elder Abuse. GeriNotes. Publication of the Geriatric Section of the American Physical Therapy Association. November. 2006

Peer-Reviewed Presentations

Gibbs M, Lowe JT, Bush T, Stapleton D, Vardaxis V. Shoulder muscle activation patterns during multiplanar arm elevation. American Society of Biomechanics (ASB) Annual Meeting, Rochester, MN, August 2018. Poster

Schossow J, Ashes J, Bush T, Stapleton D, Vardaxis V. Plane of arm elevation effect on scapulohumeral rhythm (SHR). American Society of Biomechanics (ASB) Annual Meeting, Rochester, MN, August 2018. Poster

Mann J, Estes J, Bush T, Stapleton D, Vardaxis V. Deltoid antagonistic co-activation at different arm elevation planes. International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology (ISEK) Biannual Meeting, Dublin, Ireland, June 2018. Poster

Estes J, Mann J, Bush T, Stapleton D, Vardaxis V. Multiplanar dynamic humeral elevation effect on scapulothoracic 3D kinematics. World Congress of Biomechanics (WCB), Dublin, Ireland, July 2018. Poster

Bush TA, Bogdanove AG, Goerdt CV, Stapleton D, Vardaxis V. Electromyography analysis of shoulder girdle muscles during cardinal plane arm elevation at different body positions. American Physical Therapy Association’s Combines Sections Meeting. February 2018. Poster

Cook J, Lowry K, Mercuris M, Bush T. Movement systems diagnoses and neuromuscular conditions: Student learning following an intensive laboratory experience. American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting. February 2018. Poster

Stapleton D, DeBoer S, Bush TA, Vardaxis V. Synergistic shoulder muscle activation during arm elevation in different body positions. American Society of Biomechanics Annual Meeting, August 2017. Poster

Vardaxis V, Maiden ME, Stapleton D, Blana D, Bush TA. Glenohumeral joint motion with arm elevation in the frontal and sagittal planes at common clinical evaluation body positions. International Society of Biomechanics Biannual Meeting, July 2017. Poster

Vardaxis V, Glazier MT, Stapleton D, Blana D, Bush TA. Effect of body position on the scapulothoracic motion during dynamic dominant arm planar elevation. International Society of Biomechanics Biannual Meeting, July 2017. Poster

Bush TA, Kotz S, Wolfensperger O, Pritchard J, Stapleton D, Vardaxis V. Electromyography Activation of the Shoulder Girdle Muscles During Abduction at Different Body Orientation Positions. American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting, February 2017. Poster

Bush TA. What to wear? Do older adults judge physical therapists by their attire? American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting. February 2016. Poster Presentation

Bush TA, Weir JP. Predicting physical therapy success based on undergraduate institution attended: A preliminary study. American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting. January 2013. Poster Presentation

Bush TA, Deshpande P. The effectiveness of a cross year peer tutoring program in academic performance for at-risk doctor of physical therapy students. American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting. February 2010. Poster Presentation

Bush T, Weir JP, Robel J, McCloy C. Effect of strain counterstrain and static stretching on hamstring muscle length. Des Moines University Research Symposium December 2010. Platform Presentation

Canby CA, Bush T. Humanities in gross anatomy project: A humanistic learning tool. American Association of Anatomists. April 2009. Poster Presentation

Awards and Honors