Department of Physical Therapy
Gait, Balance and Mobility Research and Education Center
The Gait, Balance and Mobility Research and Education Center (GMBC) is a clinical research and training center for the evaluation and treatment of persons with gait, balance, and mobility disorders. Dr. Peggy R. Trueblood PT, PhD is the founder of this center. She specialized in the evaluation and treatment of people with neurological disorders including vestibular disorders and taught in the area of neurosciences for over 25 years. The faculty in the Department of Physical Therapy at Fresno State are well known for their expertise in the area of balance and falls. Students training in this center are well prepared to begin Fall Prevention programs in the community, as well as evaluate and treat patients with balance, gait, and mobility disorders.
Our mission is to provide a model practice center providing new and innovative ways to deliver health care services to people with gait, balance, and mobility problems in our community through applied research, provision of community- based services, education and training of future health care professionals. The center concentrates on three focus areas:
- Education and Training
Graduate and undergraduate students involved in the center are trained using highly specialized evaluation and treatment services for persons with gait, balance and mobility disturbances. - Model Practice
The needs of our senior population with gait, balance and mobility disorders require a practice model that focuses on maximizing independence through consumer education, prevention and healthy living lifestyle. Although the center was initially developed to respond to the needs of older adults at risk for falls in our community, we also have begun to develop a model practice in the assessment and treatment of children with neurological disorders affecting balance and gait. - Applied Research
Evidence-based research, conducted in the Center, has provided treatment and practice guidelines for persons (young and old) with gait, balance and mobility disorders.
The following services are offered:
- Complete Balance Evaluation
- Screenings for Balance Disorders
- Vestibular Clinical Evaluation
- Physical Therapy Consultative Services
- Community-based Individualized Balance Re-training Program
- Gait Program using Partial Body Weight Treadmill Training
- Community Outreach Fallproof Balance and Mobility Program
On-Campus Balance and Gait Intervention Program
This integrated clinical experience course is offered during both the fall and spring semesters. Students will be enrolled in the course during the second year of the program. The GBMC center offers a community-based intervention program for people with gait, balance, or mobility problems. This integrated course was developed to train physical therapy students in the assessment and treatment of patients/clients with complex conditions. Students are supervised by a faculty member that is a licensed physical therapist clinical instructor. Students are provided with the opportunity to learn examination, assessment, and intervention skills with a hands-on approach as they work with real-life clients with actual pathology. Students and faculty discuss each client's impairments and develop an individualized treatment plan.
The GBMC clinic runs one day per week during the fall and spring semester and patients/clients are scheduled during business hours. The patient/client is scheduled for a one-hour session. Clients may self-refer or be referred by a physician and/or a physical therapist.
Enrollment Criteria
1) Physician's clearance
2) Balance or gait problem
3) Able to ambulate with or without an assistive device
4) Fee of $300
If interested in participating, please contact us at (559) 278-2625 or email the Department A complete application and physician's clearance should be mailed to the Department of Physical Therapy 5315 Campus Drive M/S PT29 Fresno, CA 93740.