Faculty Bio Detail
Benjamin Boyd - PT, DPTSc, OCS
Assistant Professor
Physical Therapy
Email: bboyd1@samuelmerritt.edu
Program:Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Telephone: 510.869.6511 ext. 4913
Address: Samuel Merritt University, 450 30th Street, Suite 3722
Oakland - CA 94609
Research Interests:
My research interests include the mechanosensitivity of the nervous system during limb movement and function through the use of neurodynamic testing. This includes examination of the biomechanical properties of the nervous system through ultrasound imaging and physiological responses to peripheral nerve movement through electromyographic, symptomatic and range of motion examinations. In particular, I am interested in the effects of nerve injury on nerve mobility, sensitivity and limb function. Recent studies have included the impact of peripheral neuropathy and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on lower extremity mechanosensitivity. My current research focuses on the alterations in muscle tone, symptom reproduction and limitations in mobility produced by specific limb movements in the upper and lower extremity in an effort to establish the response to movement of the healthy nervous system.
Courses Taught at Samuel Merritt University:
Publications and Presentations:
Fellowships, Grants, and Awards:
Assistant Professor
Physical Therapy
Email: bboyd1@samuelmerritt.edu
Program:Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Telephone: 510.869.6511 ext. 4913
Address: Samuel Merritt University, 450 30th Street, Suite 3722
Oakland - CA 94609
Research Interests:
My research interests include the mechanosensitivity of the nervous system during limb movement and function through the use of neurodynamic testing. This includes examination of the biomechanical properties of the nervous system through ultrasound imaging and physiological responses to peripheral nerve movement through electromyographic, symptomatic and range of motion examinations. In particular, I am interested in the effects of nerve injury on nerve mobility, sensitivity and limb function. Recent studies have included the impact of peripheral neuropathy and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on lower extremity mechanosensitivity. My current research focuses on the alterations in muscle tone, symptom reproduction and limitations in mobility produced by specific limb movements in the upper and lower extremity in an effort to establish the response to movement of the healthy nervous system.
Courses Taught at Samuel Merritt University:
PT 711 - Patient/Client Management - Musculoskeletal I
PT 712 - Patient/Client Management - Musculoskeletal II
PT 716 - Patient/Client Management - Musculoskeletal III
PT 751 - Physical Therapy Case Studies I
PT 752 - Physical Therapy Case Studies II
PT 755 - Research I.
Publications and Presentations:
PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS:
1. Boyd, BS; Puttlitz, C; Gan, J; Topp, KS. 2005. Strain and excursion in the rat sciatic nerve during a modified straight leg raise are altered after traumatic nerve injury. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 23; 764-770.
2. Topp, KS; Boyd, BS. 2006. Structure and Biomechanics of Peripheral Nerve: Nerve’s Responses to Physical Stresses and Implications for Physical Therapy Practice. Physical Therapy, 86 (1): 92-109.
3. Boyd, BS; Puttlitz, C; Noble-Haeusslein, L; Constance, J; Trivedi, A; Topp, KS. 2007. Deviations in gait pattern in experimental models of hindlimb paresis demonstrated by a novel pressure mapping system. J Neurosci Res, 85: 2272-2283.
4. Boyd, BS; Wanek L; Gray AT; Topp KS. 2009. Mechanosensitivity of the lower extremity nervous system during straight leg raise neurodynamic testing in healthy individuals. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, in press. / POSTER
PRESENTATIONS:
1. Boyd, BS; La Greca, M; Parker, K; Stadtjerr, E; Appleford, T; Topp, KS. Strain and excursion in the rat sciatic nerve during a modified straight leg raise are altered after traumatic nerve injury. CPTA Annual Conference, Anaheim, CA, October 23, 2004.
2. Boyd, BS; Puttlitz, C; Gan, J; Topp, KS. Strain and excursion in the rat sciatic nerve during a modified straight leg raise are altered after traumatic nerve injury. Experimental Biology Conference, March 4, 2005.
3. Boyd, BS; Puttlitz, C; Satyendra, L; Topp, KS. Nerve biomechanics and features of gait are altered in rats after mild crush injury to the sciatic nerve. Experimental Biology Conference, April 30, 2006.
4. Boyd, BS; Puttlitz, C; Topp, KS. Translational comparisons of altered nerve biomechanics and functional assays in focal sciatic nerve compression injuries and systemic disease. Graduate Student Association Career and Research Day, University of California, San Francisco, February 28, 2007.
5. Boyd, BS; Keeney-Roe, A; Gray, AT; Topp, KS. Ultrasound imaging of the tibial and common fibular nerves in the popliteal fossa during lower extremity limb movements. Experimental Biology Conference, April 8, 2008.
6. Boyd, BS, Wanek L, Gray, AT, Topp, KS. Effects of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and peripheral neuropathy on mechanosensitivity of lower extremity neurodynamic testing. CPTA Annual Conference, Oakland, CA, September 27, 2008.
PLATFORM PRESENTATIONS:
1. Boyd, BS. Ankle position affects pain, muscle activity and range of motion during a straight leg raise neurodynamic test in healthy controls. International Federation of Orthopaedic and Manipulative Therapists Conference, Rotterdam, Netherlands, June 12, 2008.
Fellowships, Grants, and Awards:
RESEARCH AWARDS AND GRANTS:
1. California Physical Therapy Fund (06/2002-06/2003). Mechanical neurodynamics in the sciatic nerve of sprague-dawley rats following acute local compression injury.
2. Graduate Student Research Award (04/2007-05/2008). Effects of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and peripheral neuropathy on mechanosensitivity during lower extremity neurodynamic testing.
3. Faculty Research Grant (05/2009). The effects of scapular depression on mechanosensitivity during upper limb neurodynamic testing.
HONORS AND AWARDS:
2002 Graduate Student Distinguished Achievement Award, San Francisco State University (MSPT)
2005 – 2006 Kean Graduate Fellowship Award, University of California, San Francisco
2005 – 2006 Mary McMillan Doctoral Scholarship Award, Foundation for Physical Therapy
2007 – 2008 Graduate Student Research Award, University of California, San Francisco
2008 Graduate Student Distinguished Achievement Award, San Francisco State Universtiy (DPTSc)