Kara Patterson

BScPT, MSc, PhD

Kara's headshot
Interim Department Chair
Associate Professor
416-946-8549

Dr. Kara Patterson received her physiotherapy training from Queen’s University and practiced clinically in Canada and the United States before returning to Canada to pursue graduate studies. She received her MSc and PhD in Rehabilitation Science from U of T and completed postdoctoral training at McGill University.

Research & Scholarly Activities

The overall goal of Dr. Patterson’s research program is to advance neurorehabilitation practice in order to improve gait and mobility outcomes for individuals living with neurological conditions and in particular stroke. Dr. Patterson’s research interests include 1) neural control of gait and how it is affected post stroke 2) motor re-learning of lower extremity movements post stroke and 3) measurement and neurorehabilitation of gait. Dr. Patterson's current projects focus on the use of dance- rhythm- and music-based interventions to improve gait, balance and psychosocial well-being. Her work is funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, CIHR and NSERC.

Teaching

  • Dr. Patterson is involved in the PHT 1001 and PHT 1104 courses.  She is responsible for teaching neurophysiology, motor learning and movement analysis.

Appointments

  • Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto
  • Senior Scientist, KITE Research Institute, University Health Network