Matt Miller, PT, DPT, PhD Receives NIH Grant to Advance Research on Aging and Cognitive Impairment

200We are excited to announce that Matt Miller, PT, DPT, PhD has been awarded a National Institutes of Health (NIH) $1.2 million grant from the National Institute on Aging (NIA).

The grant, a Paul B. Beeson Emerging Leaders Career Development Award in Aging (NIA K76), will support Dr. Miller's research from July 2024 to May 2029. This prestigious K76 award is designed to support early-stage clinician-investigators who are establishing research programs and demonstrating leadership in the field of aging research. Its goal is to develop a new generation of clinician-scientists who can lead the field, mentor others, and develop groundbreaking research.

Dr. Miller’s research focuses on improving rehabilitation service delivery for older adults with cognitive impairment, ranging from mild cognitive impairment to dementia. His work engages rehabilitation clinicians, patients, caregivers, and national experts, to understand the barriers to identifying cognitive impairment and to develop meaningful strategies to address these challenges in clinical practice.

“We will develop strategies that therapists can use and guide their own practice,” said Dr. Miller. “Physical therapists are especially well-poised to address cognitive impairment because they see a large volume of older adults who experience this challenge.”

Nearly 1 in 5 older adults in outpatient physical therapy have cognitive impairment, making this research crucial for enhancing patient care and outcomes.

We congratulate Dr. Miller on this significant achievement and look forward to the impact his research will have on the field of aging and rehabilitation.