Laura Covill, D.P.T., OCS, COMT
Professor, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

515-271-1552 (Office Phone)
515-271-1714 (Fax)
Areas of Expertise
Clinical Practice | Outpatient orthopedics and Pelvic Physical Therapy, MercyOne Physical Therapy South, 3310 SW 9th St., Des Moines IA. 515-244-5005 |
Professional Organizations, Committees and Boards |
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Service | Community:
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University:
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Education: |
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Doctorate in Physical Therapy, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts |
Masters of Health Science, University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana |
Bachelors of Science in Physical Therapy, Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York |
Certifications: |
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Iowa Physical Therapy License |
Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy, American Physical Therapy Association |
Certified Orthopedic Manual/Manipulative Therapist, North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy |
Certified Manual Physical Therapist, North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy |
Myers Brigg Type Indicator certification – certified to give and interpret the MBTI |
Certified Clinical Instructor, American Physical Therapy Association |
My present research focus is the use of yoga in rehabilitation.
Grant Activity
- IOER – Covill L, Utley C, Hochstein C The comparison of aquatic physical therapy interventions in elderly patients with balance problems: Ai Chi, multisystem aquatic program and conventional aquatic exercise-$9287, Jan 1 2011
- Iowa Physical Therapy Foundation Research Grant – Covill L, Utley C, Hochstein C; The comparison of aquatic physical therapy interventions in elderly patients with balance problems: Ai Chi, multisystem aquatic program and conventional aquatic exercise-$3409, Jan 18, 2011
- Covill L, Cook J. Comparison of academic performance in traditional and flipped classrooms and students’ attitudes of the flipped experience. Allied Health. 2019 Spring; 48(1):e1-e7.
- Wims MB, McIntyre S, York A, Covill L. The use of yoga by physical therapists in the United States. Int J Yoga Ther. 2017; 27:69-80.
- Covill L, Utley C, Hochstein C. Comparison of Ai Chi and Impairment-based aquatic therapy for older adults with balance problems: A clinical study. Ger Phys Ther. 2017; 40: 204-214.
- Vardaxis V, Covill L. Pain Effects and Activity Profiles of Hip Osteoarthritis Patients. In Papanikos GT ed. Physical Education and Learning. Athens Institute for Education and Learning, 2013 pp. 1-12
- Covill LG, Petersen SM. Upper extremity neurodynamic tests: Range of motion asymmetry may not indicate impairment. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. 2012 Oct: 28 (7): 535-41.
- Petersen SM, Covill LG. Reliability of the radial and ulnar nerve biased upper extremity neural tissue provocation tests. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. 2010; 26(7):476-482.
- Covill L, Ronnebaum J. Mobilization of patients status post-acute ischemic stroke treated with tissue plasminogen activator: using the evidence for clinical decision making. Dec 2008 Acute Care Perspectives
Platform presentations
- Utley C, Covill L. Comparison of Ai Chi and a Conventional Impairment-Based Aquatic Therapy program in Persons with Balance Deficits. APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Feb. 5-7, 2015
- Vardaxis V, Patel1 D, Schultze K, Covill L, Nettrour J, Mahoney C. Postural Control in Hip Osteoarthritis Patients Before and After Total Hip Arthroplasty. 7th World Conference of Biomechanics. July 6-11, 2014, Boston MACovill L, Vardaxis V. Evaluation of Dynamic Lower Extremity Stiffness in patients post Total Hip Arthroplasty- APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Jan. 21-24, 2013 San Diego, CA
- Vardaxis V, Covill L, Koepp L, Nettrour J, Mahoney C. Bilateral lower extremity stiffness during transition from stair descent to level walking in unilateral total hip arthroplasty patients and controls. European Society of Movement Analysis for Adults and Children, September 12-15, 2012, Stockholm, Sweden
- Weir J, Stachowiak K, Swinton S, Majewski E, Covill L. Inter-limb force differences during bilateral leg press strength testing: Magnitude and reliability. National Strength and Conditioning Association, July 11-14, 2012
- Vardaxis V, Covill L, Nettrour J, Mahoney C. Lower extremity EMG Co-Activation Patterns due to Hip Arthritis-International Society of Biomechanics, July 3-7, 2011 Brussels, Belgium
- Vardaxis V, Covill L. Pain Effect on Physical Activity Profiles of Hip Osteoarthritis Patients – 7th Annual International Conference on Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences: June 27-30, 2011 Athens Greece
Poster Presentations
- Hackett T, McIntyre S, Covill L The effect of yoga on physiological and psychological measurements in graduate healthcare students. Symposium on Yoga Research , Stockbridge, MA. October 15-17, 2018.
- McIntyre S, Wims M, Covill L. The effect of yoga on physiological and psychological measurements in graduate healthcare students: A pilot study. APTA combined Sections Meeting. Feb 15-18 2017.
- Rempe K, Covill L, Vardaxis V. Strength and range of motion deficits related to functional mobility post minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty. APTA combined sections Meeting. Feb 15-18 2017.
- Covill L, Cook J. Comparison of academic performance in traditional and flipped classrooms and student’s attitudes of the flipped experience. – APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Feb.24-27, 2016
- Wims M, McIntyre S, York A, Covill L. The use of yoga by physical therapists in the American Physical Therapy Association. APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Feb.24-27, 2016.
- Vardaxis V, Covill L, Mahoney C, Nettrour J. Surgical procedure effect on short and long term post-surgery activity levels of THA patients. International Conference on Ambulatory Monitoring of Physical Movement, Limerick Ireland, June 10-12, 2015
- Huegel A, Covill L, Mahoney C, Nettrour J, Nguyen V, Vardaxis V. Bilateral differences in lower extremity loading during sit-to-stand in unilateral hip OA patients before and after total hip arthroplasty. APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Feb 5-7, 2015.
- Schultze K, Covill L, Nettrour, J, Mahoney C, Vardaxis V. Static balance before and after total hip arthroplasty. APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Feb 5-7, 2015
- Covill L, Cook J. Student traits and attitudes toward the flipped classroom experience. DMU Research Symposium, December 4, 2014
- Covill L, Vardaxis V. Activities levels of patients post hip arthroplasty. 3rd International Conference on Ambulatory Monitoring of Physical Movement, Amherst MA June 17-18 2013
- Koepp, L, Covill L, Nettrour J, Mahoney C, Vardaxis V. Lower extremity stiffness during transition from stair descent to walking in unilateral THA subjects. APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Jan. 21-24, 2013 San Diego, CA
- Covill L, Weir J, Augustin MM, Campbell KK. Preliminary analysis of Lower extremity force asymmetry during leg press exercise. – Combined Sections Meeting APTA: Feb 9-12 2011, New Orleans, LA
- Petersen S, Covill L. The upper extremity neurodynamic test: within subject limb differences. Combined Sections Meeting, APTA – February 2009, Las Vegas NV
- Outstanding Research Award – DMU faculty award
- Outstanding Service Award – DMU faculty award
- Alpha Eta Society
DMU Directories
Email Laura Covill