LICENSURE

Delaware Physical Therapist #J1 0000993

HONORS/AWARDS

• Honorary Membership, Israeli Physical Therapy Society, 2007
• First Place: Junior Faculty: Bio-Medical/Basic Science Category: University of Maryland Aging Research and Women's Health Research Poster Day: "Low 25 (OH) D concentrations are associated with significant pain in older women, but not men: Findings for the InCHIANTI study," 2006
• Clinical Medicine Research Award, Gerontological Society of America. Paper: "Trunk Muscle Composition as a Predictor of Physical Function in the Health ABC Study: The Moderating Role of Back Pain," 2004
• Intramural Research Training Award, Post-Doctoral Fellowship, National Institute on Aging--National Institutes of Health , 2002-2004
• Presedential Fellowship Award, University of Delaware, 1993-1995
• Induction into Mortar Board National Honor Society, University of Delaware, 1992

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS/SOCIETIES (top)

• American Physical Therapy Association
  • Research Section
  • Orthopedic Section
• Gerontological Society of America
  

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Interventions for low back pain, rehabilitation strategies focused on trunk muscle function, and understanding factors that impact body composition and physical function in older adults

RESEARCH PROJECTS & GRANTS (top)

ACTIVE

• NIH 1K12HD055931-01 (PI: M. Mueller) 01/01/08-12/31/09 9.0 calendar (75%) NICHD Multicenter Career Development Program for Physical and Occupational Therapy (Comprehensive Opportunities in Rehabilitation Research Training-CORRT)
  
  The overall goal of this proposal is to establish a Multicenter Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Career Development Program (PT/OT CDP) designed to provide new investigators with the skills needed to lead research programs that validate rehabilitation approaches, optimize treatments, and incorporate new technologies to maximize the potential of all people. Role: Faculty Scholar
• R37 AG009901 (PI: J. Magaziner/M. Hochberg) 03/15/05 - 02/28/10 .60 calendar (5%)
  NIA $679,691
  The Sequelae of Hip Fracture in Men: An Epidemiological Study
  
  The primary aims of the proposed study are: 1) to describe the trajectories of components of bone strength, including bone mineral density, ultrasound properties, and bone geometry in men with hip fractures during the year after fracture and contrast this with these components in women with hip fractures; 2) to describe the trajectories of other aspects of non-bone components of body composition, including muscle and fat mass in men during the year after hip fracture and to contrast these with observations in women; 3) to describe the trajectories of physical activity, neuromuscular function, and functional performance in men and to compare these to trajectories observed in women during the year after hip fracture; 4) to describe the trajectory of motivation, depression, cognition, social support and social function, in men during the year after hip fracture, and to contrast these with women post hip-fracture; 5) to describe metabolic factors during the year after hip fracture and to compare trajectories observed in men and women; and 6) to determine the differences in selected aspects of bone, muscle, function, activity, and metabolism that are attributable to hip fracture vs. those that occur naturally in similarly frail older men who do not sustain a hip fracture. Role: Co-Investigator and Rehabilitation Scientist
• R01 AG029315 (PI: J. Magaziner/M. Hochberg) 03/01/07 – 05/31/12 .60 calendar (5%)
  NIA $531,497
  The Epidemiology of Bone Strength and Muscle Composition After Hip Fracture in Men
  
  This ancillary study is designed to extend the investigation of the hip fracture consequences further by examining trajectories of change in bone strength, bone metabolism, muscle composition, hormones, and markers of inflammation following hip fracture, and by comparing these changes in men and women during the year following a hip fracture. Role: Co-Investigator and Rehabilitation Scientist
• No Number (PI: G. Hicks) 06/1/07- 05/31/08 1.0 calendar
  University of Delaware Research Foundation, Inc. $25,000
  Trunk Muscle Training to Improve Function in Older Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Pilot Trial
  
  The purpose of this project is to examine the effectiveness of trunk muscle training augmented by neuromuscular electrical stimulation, to reduce pain and improve functional capacity of older adults with chronic low back pain. This work will serve to collect pilot data for future randomized trials on this topic

PENDING

• 1 R21 HD057274-01(PI: G. Hicks) 12/01/07 - 11/30/09 1.8 calendar (15%)
  Trunk Muscle Training + NMES: Improving Function in Elders with Chronic Back Pain
  
  The purpose of this project is to examine the effectivness of trunk muscle training, both volitionally and augmented by neuromuscular electrical stimulation, to reduce pain and improve functional capacity of older adults with chronic low back pain. This study also proposes to examine changes in trunk muscle composition with this intervention via MRI.
  Role: Principal Investigator

COMPLETED

• K12HD43489 (PI: P. Langenberg) 07/01/05 - 01/31/07 9.0 calendar (75%)
  NICHD Maryland's Organized Research Effort in Women's Health (MORE-WH) (Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health)
  
  This program is designed to foster interdisciplinary research in women's health among junior faculty scholars working together with senior mentors to bridge the gap between specialized training and independent research centers.
  Role: Faculty Scholar
• No Number (PI: G. Hicks) 07/01/05 - 06/30/06 (0%)
  UMB School of Medicine, Antioxidants and Functional Performance in Hip Fracture Patients
  
  The purpose of this project is to measure serum levels of antioxidants in stored serum samples collected from patients in one of the Baltimore Hip Studies cohorts at the baseline clinic visit to evaluate their predictive value for functional capacity in older persons at six and twelve months post-hip fracture.
  Role: PI

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS (top)

PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

1. Fritz JM, Wainner RS, Hicks GE. The Use of Non-Organic Signs and Symptoms as a Screening Tool for the Development of Chronicity in Patients with Acute Low Back Pain. Spine 25(15):1925-31, 2000
2. George SZ, Hicks GE, Vogt MT, Nevitt MA, Cauley JA. The Relationship Between Lumbar Lordosis and Radiological Variables and Lumbar Lordosis and Clinical Variables in Older, African-American Women. Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques 16(2):200-6, Apr 2003
3. Childs JD, Piva SR, Erhard RE, Hicks GE. Side-to-side weight-bearing asymmetry in patients with low back pain. Manual Therapy 8(3):166-9, Aug 2003.
4. Piva SR, Erhard RE, Childs JD, Hicks GE. Reliability of measuring iliac crest height in standing and in sitting positions using a new measurement device. Journal of Manipulative and Physiologic Therapeutics 26(7):437-41, Sept 2003
5. Hicks GE , Fritz JM, Delitto A, Mishock J. Interrater Reliability of Clinical Examination Measures for Identification of Lumbar Segmental Instability. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 84:1858-64, Dec 2003
6. Hicks GE , Simonsick EM, Harris TB, Newman AB, Weiner D, Nevitt M, Tylavsky F. Cross-sectional Associations Between Trunk Muscle Composition, Back Pain and Physical Function in the Health ABC Study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci . 2005 Jun; 60(7):882-7
7. Hicks GE , Fritz JM, Delitto A, McGill SM. Preliminary Development of a Clinical Prediction Rule for Determining Which Patients with Low Back Pain will Respond to a Stabilization Exercise Program. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2005 Sep; 86(9):1753-62.
8. Hicks GE, Simonsick EM, Harris TB, Newman AB, Weiner D, Nevitt M, Tylavsky F.
   Trunk Muscle Composition as a Predictor of Physical Function in the Health ABC Study: The Moderating Role of Back Pain. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci . . 60(11):1420-4, November 2005
9. Ericksen JJ, Bean JF, Kiely D, Hicks GE, Leveille SG. Does gynecological surgery contribute to low back problems in later life? An analysis of the Women’s Health and Aging Study. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2006 Feb;87(2):172-6.
10. Cecchi F, Debolini P, Lova RF, Macchi C, Bandinelli S, Bartali B, Lauretani F, Benvenuti E, Hicks GE, Ferrucci L. Epidemiology of Back Pain in a Representative Cohort of Italian Persons Aged 65 and Older: The InCHIANTI Study. Spine. 2006 May 1;31(10):1149-55.
11. Hicks GE, George SZ, Vogt MT, Nevitt MA, Cauley JA. Measurement of Lumbar Lordosis: Inter-Rater Reliability, Minimum Detectable Change and Longitudinal Variation. Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques. 2006 Oct;19(7):501-6.
12. Miller RR, Hicks GE, Shardell MD, Cappola AR, Hawkes WG, Yu-Yahiro JA,  Keegan A, Magaziner J. Association of Serum Vitamin D Levels with Inflammatory Response Following Hip Fracture * The Baltimore Hip Studies. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2007 62: 1402-1406.
13. Hicks GE, Shardell MD, Miller RR, Bandinelli S, Guralnik JM, Cherubini A, Lauretani F, Ferrucci L. Associations between vitamin D status and pain in older adults: The InCHIANTI study.In Press: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
14. Miller RR, Shardell MD, Hicks GE, Cappola AR, Hawkes WG, Yu-Yahiro JA,  Magaziner J. Association of Interleukin-6 with Lower Extremity Function Following Hip Fracture * The Role of Muscle Mass and Strength.  In press: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
15. Hicks GE, Gaines JM, Simonsick EM. Associations of back and leg pain with health status and functional capacity of older adults: Findings from the Retirement Community Back Pain Study. Manuscript submitted to Arthritis Care and Research.
16. Shardell MD, Hicks GE, Miller RR, Kritchevsky S, Andersen D, Bandinelli S, Cherubini A, Ferrucci L. Association of low vitamin D levels with the frailty syndrome in men and women. Manuscript submitted to the Journals of Gerontology Series A: Medical Sciences.
17. Hicks GE , Morone N, Weiner DK. Associations between degenerative spinal pathology and chronic low back pain in older adults: A comparative study of patients and controls. Manuscript submitted to Pain.

NON-PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

1. Fritz JM, Hicks GE, Mishock J. The Role of Muscle Strength in Low Back Pain. Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Clinics of North America 2000; 9(4):529-548.

BOOK CHAPTERS

1. Fritz JM, Hicks GE. Exercise Protocols for Low Back Pain. In: Liemohn W, editor. Exercise Prescription and the Back. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2001: 167-182.

ABSTRACTS

1. Hicks GE , Fritz JM, Mishock J. The Reliability of Clinical Examination Measures Used for Patients with Suspected Lumbar Segmental Instability. Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, February 2000.
2. Piva SR, Erhard RE, Childs JD, Hicks GE. Reliability of measuring iliac crest height in standing and in sitting positions using a new measurement device. Fourth Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back and Pelvic Pain, Montreal Canada, November 2001.
3. Hicks GE , George SZ, Vogt MT, Nevitt MA, Cauley JA. Measurement of Lumbar Lordosis: Inter-Rater Reliability and Longitudinal Variation. Annual Meeting of the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, Cleveland, OH, 2002.
4. George SZ, Hicks GE, Vogt MT, Nevitt MA, Cauley JA. The Relationship Between Lumbar Lordosis and Radiological Variables and Lumbar Lordosis and Clinical Variables in Older, African-American Women. Annual Meeting of the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, Cleveland, OH, 2002.
5. VanSwearingen J, Brach JS, Hicks GE. Relation of Pathology, Impairment, and Disability in Women with Osteoarthritis of the Knee. Physical Therapy 2003: Annual Conference and Exposition of the American Physical Therapy Association.
6. VanSwearingen J, Brach JS, Hicks GE. Reliability of Performance-Based Measures of Impairment and Disability in Women with Osteoarthritis of the Knee. Physical Therapy 2003: Annual Conference and Exposition of the American Physical Therapy Association.
7. Hicks GE , Simonsick EM, Harris TB, Newman AB, Weiner D, Nevitt M, Tylavsky F. Cross-sectional Associations Between Trunk Muscle Composition, Back Pain and Physical Function in the Health ABC Study. 56 th Annual Scientific Meeting for the Gerontological Society of America, November 2003.
8. Hicks GE , Fritz JM, Delitto A, McGill SM. Preliminary Clinical Prediction Rule for Determining Response to a Lumbar Stabilization Program. Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, February 2004.
9. Hicks GE , Simonsick EM, Harris TB, Newman AB, Weiner D, Nevitt M, Tylavsky F. Trunk Muscle Composition as a Predictor of Physical Function in the Health ABC Study: The Moderating Role of Back Pain. 57 th Annual Scientific Meeting for the Gerontological Society of America, November 2004.
10. Miller RR, Cappola AR, Shardell M, Hicks GE, Hawkes W, Hebel JR, Yu-Yahiro J, Magaziner J. Inflammation And Muscle Strength In The Year Following Hip Fracture: The Baltimore Hip Studies. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting, Dallas, TX, November, 2006.
11. Hicks GE , Shardell MD, Miller RR, Bandinelli S, Guralnik JM, Cherubini A, Lauretani F, Ferrucci L. Low 25 (OH) D concentrations are associated with significant back pain in older women, not men: The InCHIANTI study. Presented at the American Geriatrics Society Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, May 2007.
12. Miller RR, Hicks GE, Shardell MD, Orwig D, Hawkes WG, Yu-Yahiro JA, Magaziner J. Effect of Home-Based Exercise on Markers of Inflammation in the Year Post Hip Fracture. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, November 2007.
13. Hicks GE , Shardell MD, Miller RR, Newman AB, Spencer M, Satterfield S, Nevitt M, Simonsick EM . Are There Racial Differences in Musculoskeletal Pain in Older Adults? Findings from the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, November 2007.
14. Hicks GE , Gaines JM, Simonsick EM . Impact of Low Back Pain on Health-Related Quality of Life in Continuing Care Retirement Communities. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, November 2007.

PRESENTATIONS (top)

1. Hicks GE, Fritz JM, Mishock J. The Reliability of Clinical Examination Measures Used for Patients with Suspected Lumbar Segmental Instability. APTA Combined Sections Meeting, February 2000.
2. Hicks GE, George SZ, Vogt MT, Nevitt MA, Cauley JA. Measurement of Lumbar Lordosis: Inter-Rater Reliability and Longitudinal Variation. Special Poster Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, Cleveland, OH, 2002.
3. VanSwearingen J, Brach JS, Hicks GE. Relation of Pathology, Impairment, and Disability in Women with Osteoarthritis of the Knee. Physical Therapy 2003: Annual Conference and Exposition of the American Physical Therapy Association.
4. Hicks GE, Simonsick EM, Harris TB, Newman AB, Weiner D, Nevitt M, Tylavsky F. Cross-sectional Associations Between Trunk Muscle Composititon, Back Pain and Physical Function in the Health ABC Study. 56th Annual Scientific Meeting for the Gerontological Society of America, November 2003.
5. Hicks GE, Fritz JM, Delitto A, McGill SM. Preliminary Clinical Prediction Rule for Determining Response to a Lumbar Stabilization Program. Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, February 2004.
6. Hicks GE, Simonsick EM, Harris TB, Newman AB, Weiner D, Nevitt M, Tylavsky F. Trunk Muscle Composition as a Predictor of Physical Function in the Health ABC Study: The Moderating Role of Back Pain. 57th Annual Scientific Meeting for the Gerontological Society of America, November 2004.
7. Simonsick EM, Hicks GE. Role: Co-Chair. Symposium: Translating Research Methods to the Clinical Environment. 58th Annual Scientific Meeting for the Gerontological Society of America, November 2005.
8. Simonsick EM, Hicks GE. Role: Co-Chair. Symposium: The Epidemiology of Obesity. 59th Annual Scientific Meeting for the Gerontological Society of America, November 2006.
9. Hicks GE, Bean J, Ericksen JE, Hanada E. The Relevance of Core Muscle Integrity for Older Adults: An Update of the Evidence. Presented at the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Annual Assembly, Boston, MA, September 2007.
10. Hicks GE, Shardell MD, Miller RR, Newman AB, Spencer M, Satterfield S, Nevitt M, Simonsick EM. Are There Racial Differences in Musculoskeletal Pain in Older Adults? Findings from the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, November 2007.
11. Hicks GE, Gaines JM, Simonsick EM. Impact of Low Back Pain on Health-Related Quality of Life in Continuing Care Retirement Communities. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, November 2007.

INVITED PRESENTATIONS (top)

1. Fritz JM and Hicks, GE. Annual Conference and Exposition of the American Physical Therapy Association. Diagnosis and Treatment of Lumbar Segmental Instability, June 2007.
2. Fritz JM and Hicks GE. Annual Meeting of the West Virginia Physical Therapy Association. Segmental Instability of the Lumbar Spine: Principles and Application to Physical Therapy Practice, October 2000.
3. Hicks GE. University of Pittsburgh and Centers for Rehab Services. An Evidence-Based Approach to Management of Lumbar "Instability," March 2006.
4. Hicks GE. University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Lumbar Segmental Instability: Prognosis and Treatment, April 2006.
5. Hicks GE and Manal TJ. Annual Conference and Exposition of the American Physical Therapy Association. Translating the Evidence: Monday Morning Techniques Involving Acute Low Back Pain Treatment Classification, June 2007.
6. Hicks GE and Manal TJ. Five-day course sponsored by the Israeli Physical Therapy Society, Haifa, Israel. Treatment Based Classifications of the Spine: An Evidence-Based Journey for the Physical Therapist, November 2007.
7. Hicks GE. Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. Evaluation and Management of Lumbar "Instability," November 2007.

SERVICE (top)

• FELCOM Laboratory Representative, Clinical Research Branch, National Institute on Aging--National Institutes of Health - 2003-2004
• Abstract Reviewer, Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association - 2003-present
• Abstract Reviewer, Annual Scientific Meeting for the Gerontological Society of America - 2004-present
• Admissions Committee, Entry-Level Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD - 2004-2005
• Faculty Recruitment Committee, Department of Depidemiology and Preventative Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD - 2004
• Member, Orthopedic Section Research Committee, American Physical Therapy Association - 2005-present
• Co-Convener, Epidemiology of Aging Interest Group Symposium, Gerontological Society of America - 2005-present  
• Moderator, Orthopaedic Research Platform Sessions, Combined Sections Meeting of teh American Physical Therapy Association - 2005-present
• Clinical Staff Recruitment Committee, University of Delaware Physical Therapy Clinic, Neward, DE - 2005
• Manuscript Reviewer
• Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - 2004-present  
• Journal of Gerontology, Medical Services - 2004-present
• Geriatric Nursing - 2005-present
• Pain - 2006-present
• Physical Therapy - 2006-present
• Canadian Medical Association Journal - 2007-present
• Pain Medicine - 2007-present
• Editorial Board Membership
• Journal of Gerontology, Medical Services

STUDENTS & TRAINEES (top)

COURSES TAUGHT (top)

• PHYT 808 Spine Management
• PHYT 606 Research