Professor

Nora Riley, PhD, PT

Nora Riley PT, PhD is a professor of Physical Therapy in the College of Health and Human Services. Riley received her degree from University of Iowa. My favorite part of teaching is observing the students' clinical decision making skills grow from the first day of class to the day before graduation. To be a small part of that development is a gift.

Contact Us

Center for Health Sciences Education 258

563-333-6416

RileyNoraA@sau.edu

Education and Training

PhD, University of Iowa, Physical Therapy
MA, University of Iowa, Physical Therapy
BA, St. Louis University, Physical Therapy
Certified Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy
Completion of Vestibular Rehabilitation Competency Course

Licensure and Certification

Specialty Certification Neurologic
Licensed in State of Iowa 0213

Recent Publications

Quinn L, Riley N, Tyrell C, Judd D, Gill-Body K, Hedman LD, Packel A, Brown D, Nabar N, Scheets P. A framework for movement analysis: Core Concepts and recommendations for clinical practice. Physical Therapy. 2021. 101(9):1-8.
Gill-Body K, Hedman LD, Plummer L, Wolf L, Hanke T, Quinn L, Riley N, Kaufman R, Verma A, Quiben M, Scheets PL. Movement System Diagnoses for Balance Dysfunction: Recommendations from the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Movement System Task Force Physical Therapy. 2021.101(9): 1-12.
Hedman LD, Quinn L, Gill-Body K, Brown DA, Quiben M, Riley N, Scheets PL. White Paper: Movement System Diagnoses in Neurologic Physical Therapy. J Neurol Phys Ther. 2018. 42(2):110-117.
Quinn L, Riley NA, Judd D, Tyrell C. A motor control-based framework for movement analysis of tasks across patient Populations. APTA Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio, Tx (Educational Session). February, 2022
Hedman L, Riley NA, Gil-Body K, Quinn L. Moving Forward with the Movement System. Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Annual Conference, Virtual (Educational Session). August, 2021

Presentations

Judd DL, Tyrell CM, Plummer LS, Riley NA. Approaches to integrating movement system principles in entry-level DPT and residency curricula. APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts (Educational Session), February 2024.
Gil-Body K, Hedman LD, Plummer LS, Riley NA. How Movement Experts Use Movement Analysis to Guide the Diagnostic Process. ANPT Annual Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Educational Session), October 2022.
Quinn L, Riley NA, Judd D, Tyrell C. A motor control-based framework for movement analysis of tasks across patient populations. APTA Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio, TX (Educational Session), February 2022.
Hedman L, Riley NA, Gil-Body K, Quinn L. Moving Forward with the Movement System. Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Annual Conference, Virtual (Educational Session), August 2021.
Gil-Body K, Hedman L, Riley NA. Standardized Task Analysis for Movement System Diagnoses: Application to Individuals with Balance Problems. APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Denver, CO (Educational Session), February 2020.
Quinn L, Riley NA. Movement System 2 – Task Analysis in Neurologic Physical Therapy. Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Synapse Education Center (Webinar), April 2019.

Courses Taught

Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology

This course provides an in-depth overview of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology with special emphasis on relationships to both normal human function and dysfunction resulting from maldevelopment or injury to the nervous system. These relationships are fundamental to understanding the signs and symptoms that clients will present in the clinic initially, as well as the progression or regression of the patient during therapy. Correlated laboratories will introduce procedures used for the clinical examination of sensory and motor systems.

Neurologic Differential Diagnosis

This course is designed to enhance the student's ability to develop pattern recognition skills for conditions or diseases across the human body systems. Hypothesis development and testing as it pertains to the physical therapy differential diagnosis will be emphasized. This course also addresses appropriate physical therapist interventions, to include referral for conditions or diseases that are not within a physical therapist's scope of practice. Cases of patients having multiple conditions will be used so that students must determine which condition or disease drives the intervention.

Neuromuscular Therapeutics

Focus on the physical therapy management of adult patients with neuromuscular disorders related to injury (e.g., cerebral vascular accident, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury) or degeneration (e.g., Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis) of central and peripheral components of the neuromuscular system. Elements related to examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, and outcomes will be highlighted. Concepts related to motor control and motor learning will be incorporated throughout the course. Related research will be used to support interventions and assessment of outcomes.