Professor

Dr. Susan Kasser’s teaching and research within the Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science centers on physical activity and exercise in individuals with disabilities and chronic conditions. Her scholarship focuses on identifying the underlying mechanisms of postural dyscontrol in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and evaluating exercise-based interventions to mitigate balance impairment and reduce falls in those with the disease. Dr. Kasser also has extensive clinical experience. For the past 23 years, she has directed MS IDEAL, a campus-based fall prevention program offering tailored exercise and balance training for people with MS.

Research and/or Creative Works

Grants

  •  UVM Undergraduate Research Fellowship (Kaley Ahern), 2018. Computer-based cognitive training on balance and mobility in adults with multiple sclerosis. Role: Faculty Mentor.
  • Research Incentive Grant, CNHS University of Vermont, 2017-2018. Cortical involvement and cognitive motor interference during walking in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Role: PI (Co-I M. Cannizzaro).
  • Research Incentive Grant, CNHS University of Vermont, 2012-2013. Effects of functionally-based sensori-motor exercise on strength, balance, mobility, and physical activity in adults with multiple sclerosis. Role: PI.
  • Research Incentive Grant. CNHS University of Vermont, 2009-2010. Effects of cognitive-motor dual-tasking on postural control in adults with multiple sclerosis. Role: PI.
  • Research Incentive Grant, CNHS University of Vermont, 2008-2009. Health beliefs, intention and exercise behavior in multiple sclerosis. Role: PI.
  • Research Incentive Grant, CNHS University of Vermont, 2008-2009. Psychological health, falls and physical activity in adults with multiple sclerosis. Role: PI.

Publications

  • Bae M, Kasser SL. (2023). High intensity exercise training on functional outcomes in persons with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. 75, 104748.
  • Giroux C, Sogoloff B, Bergmans L, Bae M, VanNostrand M, Kasser SL. (2023). An exploratory study of community mobility in adults with multiple sclerosis across different ambulation levels. International Journal of MS Care.
  • VanNostrand M, Emberley K, Cairns E, Shanahan K, Kasser SL. (2023). Mobility and dual tasking in the everyday lives of adults with multiple sclerosis: a qualitative exploration. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 0161, 1-16.
  • VanNostrand M, Belanger B, Purin G, Kasser SL, Cannizzaro M. (2022). Cognitive-motor interference and cortical activation during walking and turning in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Motor Control. 26(4): 677-693.
  • VanNostrand M, Sogoloff B, Giroux C, Bergmans L, Kasser SL. (2022). Predicting falls in adults with multiple sclerosis using patient-reported measures: are perceptions of dual-tasking missing? Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. 68: 104115.
  • McCarty N, Sayer S, Kasser SL. (2022). Motivation for physical activity in adults with multiple sclerosis: a self-determination theory-based approach. International Journal of MS Care. 24(3): 117-123.
  • Little C, Moore C, Bean E, Peters D, McGinnis R, Kasser SL. (2022). A preliminary examination of the acute effects of axial loading on walking and turning in people with multiple sclerosis. Gait & Posture. 94:102-106.
  • Stoeckel K, Kasser SL. (2022). Spousal support underlying self-determined physical activity in adults with multiple sclerosis. Disability and Rehabilitation. 44(7):1091-1097.
  • Weed L, Little C, Kasser SL, McGinnis RS. A preliminary investigation of the effects of obstacle negotiation and turning in gait variability in adults with multiple sclerosis. Sensors 2021; 21(17):5806.
  • Martin, S, Kasser SL. The role of resilience: physical activity continuation after falling in adults with multiple sclerosis. 2021, Apr. Dis Health J. 14(2).
  • Stoeckel, K, Kasser SL. Spousal support underlying self-determined physical activity in adults with multiple sclerosis. 2020, Jul 15. Dis Rehabil.
  • Kasser SL, Zia A. The mediating role of resilience on quality of life in individuals with multiple sclerosis: a structural equation modeling approach. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2020.
  • Kasser SL, Jacobs JV, Sibold J, Marcus A, Cole L. Employing body-worn sensors to detect changes in balance and mobility after acute aerobic exercise in adults with multiple sclerosis. International Journal of MS Care. 2020;22(1):1-6.
  • Wood V, Kasser SL. Spousal support and self-determined physical activity in individuals with multiple sclerosis: a theory-informed qualitative exploration. Disability and Health Journal. 2020; 13(1):10835.
  • Kasser SL, Kosma M. Social Cognitive Factors, Physical Activity, and Mobility Impairment in Adults with Multiple Sclerosis. Behavioral Medicine 2018, 44(4):306-313.
  • Kasser SL, Goldstein A, Wood PK, Sibold J. Symptom variability, affect and physical activity in ambulatory persons with multiple sclerosis: understanding patterns and time-bound relationships. Disability and Health Journal. 2016; 1-7.
  • Kasser SL, Jacobs JV, Ford M, Tourville TW. Effects of balance-specific exercises on balance, physical activity, and quality of life in adults with multiple sclerosis. Disability and Rehabilitation 2015, DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2015.1019008
  • Kasser SL, Jacobs JV. Understanding and treating balance impairment in multiple sclerosis. JCOM 2014;21(9):419-431.
  • Kasser SL, Jacobs JV, Littenberg B, Foley JT, Cardinal BJ, Maddalozzo GF. Exploring physical activity in women with multiple sclerosis: associations with fear of falling and underlying impairments. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2014;93:461-469. PMID: 24398582.
  • Padgett P, Kasser SL. Exercise for managing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Phys Ther J 2013;93:723-728.
  • Kasser SL, Rizzo T. An exploratory study of fitness practitioner intentions toward fitness programming for individuals with multiple sclerosis. Disabil Health J 2013;6:188-194. PMID: 23769477.
  • Kasser SL, Lytle RK. Inclusive physical activity: promoting health for a lifetime (2nd Ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2013.
  • Padgett PK, Jacobs JV, Kasser SL. Is the BESTest at its best? A suggested brief version based on inter-rater reliability, validity, internal consistency, and theoretical construct. Phys Ther J 2013;92(9):1197-1207.
  • Kasser SL, Kosma M. Health beliefs and physical activity behavior in adults with multiple sclerosis. Disabil Health J 2012;5(4):261-268.
  • Jacobs JV, Kasser SL. Balance impairment in people with multiple sclerosis: Preliminary evidence for the Balance Evaluation Systems Test. Gait Posture 2012;36(3):414-8.
  • Jacobs JV, Kasser SL. Effects of dual tasking on the postural performance of people with and without multiple sclerosis: a pilot study. J Neurol 2011;259(6):1166-1176.
  • Kasser SL, Jacobs JV, Foley JT, Cardinal BJ, Maddalozzo GF. A prospective evaluation of balance, gait, and strength to predict falling in women with multiple sclerosis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2011;92:1840-6.

Associations and Affiliations

  • Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers
  • North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity
Susan Kasser

Areas of Expertise and/or Research

Postural control and fall risk in adults with multiple sclerosis, physical and psychological outcomes of exercise for individuals with multiple sclerosis, physical activity and health in people with multiple sclerosis

Education

  • Ph.D.; Oregon State University
  • M.S.; University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
  • B.S.; University of New Hampshire

Contact

Phone:
  • 802-656-7742
Office Location:

306D Rowell Hall

Courses Taught

  • EXSC 3600 - Adapted Physcial Activity
  • EXSC 3630 - Exercise in Chronic Conditions
  • EXSC 3400 - Motor Control and Learning
  • EXSC 6020 - Evidence-Based Practice in Physical Activity
  • EXSC 6650 - Activity Promotion in the Underserved