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College of Health and Human Services

Deborah Walker, PT, DPT, OCS, CEEAA

Associate Professor

Physical Therapy | 559.278.0491 | Office: PTIA 117

dewalker@csufresno.edu

Education

D.P.T, Physical Therapy
Regis University (2011)

M.P.T., Physical Therapy
University of Southern California (1990)

B.A., Psychology
California State University, Long Beach (1988)

Courses Taught

  • Orthopedic Management in Physical Therapy I
  • Orthopedic Management in Physical Therapy II
  • Physical Therapy Management in Geriatrics
  • Physical Diagnosis for Physical Therapists

Dr. Deborah Walker is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at California State University Fresno. She received her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California in 1990 and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree from Regis University in 2011. She has been  a Board Certified Specialist in Orthopedics since 1999.   Dr. Walker also held a Board Certified Specialty in Geriatrics from 2013 to 2023, and an X-Ray Bone Densitometry License from 2018-2022.  She has been a practicing physical therapist for twenty-six years in private practice and hospital-based outpatient orthopedic settings in addition to home health.

Dr. Walker began teaching full-time at Fresno State in 2014 and previously lecturered at California State University, Long Beach for one semester in Geriatric Physical Therapy. Dr. Walker's area of research is in the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation as a novel intervention for chronic orthopedic conditions.  She currently studies the effect of NMES on the lumbar multifidi for chronic low back pain.  Dr. Walker presented a presentation at the APTA 2026 Combined Sections Meeting in Anaheim, CA titled, "Why We're Missing the Boat on Multifidus Related CLBP with Underutilization of Triggered, Nmes Retraining."  Dr. Walker has also studied NMES for scapular dyskinesis, shoulder pain, chronic ankle instability, and chronic hip pain.  Dr. Walker teaches Orthopedic Management in Physical Therapy I and II.

Dr. Walker is married and has four grown children. She lives in the Coarsegold with her husband and 2 dogs.  She and her husband hike weekly in the Sierra Nevada.  Dr. Walker is currently taking flying lessons.
Membership in scientific/professional organizations:      
  • Member, American Physical Therapy Association (Orthopedic, Geriatric & Education Section): 1996 – current

Peer Reviewed Publications:

Walker DL, Hickey CJ. The Effect of Electrical Stimulation Cueing on a Competitive Powerlifter with Shoulder Pain and Scapular Dyskinesis: A Case Study. J Athl Enhanc. 2019; 8(1).  ISSN: 2324-9080.

Hickey CJ, Walker DL, Hosey KR, Ullucci PA. Triggered Electrical Stimulation Cueing to Address Hypofunctioning Peroneus Muscle in the Treatment of Chronic Ankle Instability: Two Repeated Single Case Designs.  J Physiother Rehabil. 2019; 3(2). DOI: 10.4172/jptr.1000119.

Walker DL, Hickey CJ, Tregoning MB. The Effect of Electrical Stimulation Versus Sham Cueing on Scapular Position During Exercise in Patients with Scapular Dyskinesis.  Int J Sports Phys Ther.  2017; 12(3)425-436.

Peer Reviewed Scientific and Professional Presentations:

Hicky CJ, Walker DL. "Why We're Missing the Boat on Multifidus Related CLBP with Underutilization of Triggered, Nmes Retraining." APTA 2026 Combined Sections Meeting in Anaheim, CA, February 12-14, 2026.

Hickey CJ, Walker DL. Significant Results of Six Treatments of Cued Electrical Stimulation on Clients
With Chronic Low Back, Hip and Ankle Pain CPTA Annual Conference. Burlingame, CA. September
24,2024.

Takeda M, Hickey CJ, Walker DL. The Effect of Therapist Cued Electrical Stimulation on Clients with Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain.  APTA 2022 Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio Texas, February 5, 2022.

Walker DL, Hickey CJ. The Effect of Electrical Stimulation Cueing and Exercise on Scapular Position
in a Patient with Scapular Dyskinesis and Shoulder Pain: A Case Study.  CPTA Annual Conference.
Santa Clara, CA. September 22, 2018.

A Pilot Study: A Comparison of Therapeutic Exercise with Remote Trigger Switch Electrical Stimulation Cueing, and Therapeutic Exercise with a Sham Cue, for a Motor Learning Effect in Scapular Dyskinesis. Trigger-switch-ES and three exercises resulted in significant changes in dyskinesis at 120° abduction (P<0.003). 

Abstracts:

A Pilot Study: A Comparison of Therapeutic Exercise with Remote Trigger Switch Electrical Stimulation Cueing, and Therapeutic Exercise with a Sham Cue, for a Motor Learning Effect in Scapular Dyskinesis  

Walker DL, Hickey CJ, Tregoning MB.  Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Human Service California State University, Fresno, Fresno, CA, USA.