Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to footer content

College of Health and Human Services

Na-hyeon (Hannah) Ko, PT, DPT, PhD, PCS

Assistant Professor

Physical Therapy | 559.278.4862 | Office: PTIA 112

nahyeonko@csufresno.edu

Education

D.P.T., Physical Therapy
A.T. Still University, Meza, AR (2018)

Ph.D., Biokinesiology
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA (2016)

M.A., Motor Learning and Control
Columbia University, New York, NY (2011)

A.S., Life Science, Pre-medicine
Bellevue College, Bellevue, WA (2008)

B.S., Physical Therapy
Sehan University, South Korea (2005)

Courses Taught

  • PhTh 537/L Physical Therapy Management of Pediatrics
  • PhTh 529L Management of Neurologic Disorders in Physical Therapy II
  • PhTh 598 DPT Project
  • PhTh 555 Clinical Learning II: Gait, Balance, and Mobility Center
  • PhTh 508 Foundations of Patient Assessment and Clinical Management in Physical Therapy II

Dr. Na-hyeon (Hannah) Ko is an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at California State University, Fresno. She received her Ph.D. degree in Biokinesiology at the University of Southern California and M.A. degree in Motor Learning and Control at Columbia University. She obtained her B.S. in physical therapy at Sehan University, South Korea and post-professional Doctor of Physical Therapy at A. T. Still University. She is a board-certified pediatrics clinical specialist (PCS) specializing in early intervention (0-3 years) and children with neurological and genetic disorders. She has practiced in various clinical settings in New York and California. As a professor at Fresno State, Dr. Ko teaches physical therapy management of pediatrics and neurologic populations, and she is a co-director of Gait, Balance, Mobility Clinic on campus.

Dr. Ko’s research interests are neuroplasticity and neurorehabilitation for individuals with neurological disorders (e.g., cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, etc.) and also changes in neurophysiology in orthopedic issues such as chronic ankle instability and anterior cruciate ligament injuries. She is interested in investigating underlying neurophysiological mechanisms of motor control and motor learning when performing complex motor tasks using non-invasive brain stimulation such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Furthermore, she would like to develop neurorehabilitation interventions for individuals with neurological disorders to improve motor function and to improve neuromuscular control in orthopedic conditions by facilitating neuroplasticity in the brain by challenging motor tasks and non-invasive brain stimulation.

Dr. Ko enjoys hiking in the National Parks and riding her electric bike to explore the cities of Fresno and Clovis. She has a barista certificate and brews pour-over coffee every morning. She also likes to discuss and share ideas at happy hours.
Areas of Expertise/Research Interests
Pediatric physical therapy for early intervention, telehealth in pediatrics, neuroplasticity, neurorehabilitation, motor learning and control, non-invasive brain stimulation (transcranial magnetic stimulation), motor control in Parkinson's disease


Awards:
Principal investigator at Fresno State as a subcontract
2021-2024, National Institute of Health (NIH), Small Business Innovation Research Phase II, $32,557

Leg Dexterity: to study leg dexterity using the Valero-Leg Dexterity test in individuals with an ACL injury and/or ACL reconstruction surgery

APTA Centennial Scholar
American Physical Therapy Association, Centennial Scholar program, Jan 2021- Dec 2021

CSU Research, Scholarship, and Creativity Activities Awards
Chancellor’s Office and Provost, California State University, Fresno, AY 2019- AY 2022

Diploma in Innovation Award with $5,000 grant, Office of the Provost, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, Jul 2012 - May 2013


Professional Memberships:
Member, The American Council of Academic Physical Therapy
2023 - present

Member, American Physical Therapy Association
2010 - present

Member, Society for Neuroscience
2013 - current

Member, Society for Neural Control of Movement
2015 - 2016

Member, American Society of Biomechanics
2011 - 2016  

Member, The Movement Disorder Society
2013 - 2014

Member, Canadian Society of Biomechanics
2012 - 2013  

Publications:

Ko N, Laine CM, and Valero-Cuevas FJ. (2023). Ipsilateral corticospinal excitability corresponds to intermuscular coherence in the beta-band during a dynamic, unimanual task. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 5,1177004. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2023.1177004

Ko N, Balderama E, Sarmento C, and Roos J. (2023). The effectiveness of aquatic exercise on improving fatigue and quality of life in individuals with multiple sclerosis: A meta-analysis. Journal of Aquatic Physical Therapy, 31(1), p.20-29, DOI:1097/PXT.0000000000000022

Ko, N, Laine, C, Valero-Cuevas, F & Fisher, B. (2019). Unimanual, low-force instability control facilitates the corticospinal excitability in the ipsilateral M1 with no evidence of ipsilateral silent periods. Brain Stimulation: Basic, Translational, and Clinical Research in Neuromodulation 12, 583, doi:10.1016/j.brs.2018.12.934

Ko N, Laine CM, Fisher BE, and Valero-Cuevas FJ. (2016). Dynamic fingertip force variability in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Journal of Hand Therapy, 29(2):e8.

Ko N, Laine CM, Fisher BE, and Valero-Cuevas FJ. (2015). Force variability during dexterous manipulation in individuals with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience 7, 151. DOI:10.3389/fnagi.2015.00151

Fassola I, Lawrence E, Dayanidhi S, Ko N, Leclercq, C, and Valero-Cuevas FJ. (2013). Is osteoarthritis of the thumb strictly an orthopedic condition. In Proceedings of the 1st International Thumb Osteoarthritis Workshop, Newport, RI (Vol. 13, p. 12)



Peer-Reviewed Scientific Presentation

Ko N, Catrina, L, Chow, B, and Sarmento VM C.
Tibialis anterior corticospinal excitability comparison between ACL injury and chronic ankle instability during single-limb stand. American Physical Therapy Association, Combined Section Meeting, San Diego, CA, Feb 22-25, 2023

Ko N
Promoting early intervention physical therapy services in rural areas using telehealth. California Physical Therapy Association, Anaheim, CA, Sep 24-25, 2022 Podium presentation

Stinecipher H and Ko N
Differences in single-limb stability during dynamic tasks in individuals with chronic ankle instability and ACL injuries. California Physical Therapy Association, Anaheim, CA, Sep 24-25, 2022

Sarmento C, Roos J and Ko N
The effectiveness of a multimodal approach to teaching gross anatomy courses in a doctor of physical therapy program. Experimental Biology, Philadelphia, PA, April 2-5, 2022

Ko N
Promoting Physical Therapy Services for Children (0-3 years) who reside in remote areas in the Central Valley of California via Teletherapy – Centennial Scholar Capstone project mini presentation (recorded), American Physical Therapy Association, Combined Section Meeting, San Antonio, TX, Feb 2-5, 2022

Ko N, Sano C, and Clementi H
Differences in postural control strategies after ankle and knee injuries, measured by concurrent MEP responses in LE muscles from the motor cortex during single limb stand on firm and foam surfaces. Society for Neuroscience, Chicago, IL, Nov 8-11, 2021

Hajela N, Ko N, Wubenhorst N, Trask E, and Kwon B
Virtual clinical learning: an innovative telehealth model for physical therapy education during COVID -19 and beyond. 2021 Combined Section Meeting, American Physical Therapy Association, Orlando, FL, Feb 24-27, 2021

Ko N and Cope N
Forced use therapy vs. standard treatment for upper extremity rehabilitation in patients with subacute stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis. California Physical Therapy Association, Virtual meeting, Oct 3-4, 2020

Hatai J and Ko N
The effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on gait speed and motor function during turning gait and straight-line gait in Parkinson’s disease – A meta-analysis. California Physical Therapy Association, Virtual meeting, Oct 3-4, 2020

Hajela N, Ko N, Wubenhorst N, Trask E, and Kwon B
Scope of Telehealth Physical therapy in Gait Balance and Mobility Community Clinic:Clinical Education and Service Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond. Launching into Telehealth: 2020 Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Virtual Telehealth Conference June 19, 2020

Ko N, Ashimoto K, and Adame-Walker J
Is aquatic exercise effective compared to no interventions on improving fatigue and quality of life in adults with multiple sclerosis exhibiting mild to moderate symptoms: A meta-analysis. Platform Presentation, 2019 Tri-State Physical Therapy Conference, California Physical Therapy Association, Las Vegas, NV, Oct 11-13, 2019

Rivera, M, Shirk BB, Ghanadan, N, Trueblood, P, and Ko N
The effects of a multimodal program on gait parameters in persons with Parkinson’s disease. 2019 Tri-State Physical Therapy Conference, California Physical Therapy Association, Las Vegas, NV, Oct 11-13, 2019

Ko N, Laine CM, Valero-Cuevas FJ, and Fisher B
Unimanual, low-force instability control facilitates the corticospinal excitability in the ipsilateral M1 with no evidence of ipsilateral silent periods. International Brain Stimulation, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Feb 24-27, 2019

Laine C, Ko N, Valero-Cuevas FJ, and Fisher B. Ipsilateral corticospinal excitability and contralateral corticomuscular drive are related phenomena. Society of Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, Nov 3-7, 2018

Ko N, Laine CM, Fisher B, and Valero-Cuevas FJ
Dynamic fingertip force variability in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Platform Presentation in Hand Rehabilitation Section, American Physical Therapy Association, Combined Sections Meeting, Anaheim, CA, Feb 17-20, 2016.

Ko N, Laine CM, Nagamori A, Hooyman, A, DiConti-Gibbs, A, Lerner J, Fisher BE, and Valero-Cuevas FJ
Distinctive control strategy of dynamic fingertip force in individuals with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease and its clinical implications. The American Society of Biomechanics, Columbus, OH, Aug 5-8, 2015

Ko N, Fisher B, and Valero-Cuevas FJ
Distinctive motor control strategies in Parkinson’s disease during an unstable object manipulation and its implications to clinical evaluation. Society for the Neural Control of Movement, Charleston, SC, Apr 20-24, 2015.

Ko N, Lawrence EL, Fisher B, and Valero-Cuevas FJ
While still able to manipulate unstable objects, individuals with Parkinson’s disease exhibit distinct neural control strategies. 7th World Congress of Biomechanics, Boston, MA, Jul 6-11, 2014.

Ko N, Lawrence EL, Dayanidhi S, DiConti A, Lerner J, Winstein C, Requejo P, Fisher B, and Valero-Cuevas FJ
The Strength-Dexterity test can detect differences in dynamic control of fingertip forces between individuals with Parkinson’s disease and non-disabled older adults. Society of Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, Nov 9-13, 2013

Ko N, Holt B, Reyes A, Park H, and Valero-Cuevas FJ
Development of interactive virtual video game for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Summer School on Neurorehabilitation, Elche, Spain, Sep 15-20, 2013

Ko N, Kurse M, and Valero-Cuevas FJ
Musculoskeletal model of arm position for casting for splinting and muscle selection for botulinum toxin in individuals with Cerebral Palsy. Canadian Society for Biomechanics, Vancouver, BC, Canada, June 6-9, 2012.