Kristie Fay Bjornson, PT, PhD

Kristie Fay Bjornson, PT, PhD

Cerebral Palsy Program, Physical Therapy, Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics

Academic Title: Professor, Pediatrics

Research Center: Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development

"One of the most energizing experiences I have as a pediatric physical therapist is seeing a child accomplish a motor skill (such as walking) that was not thought possible because of the child's problems. Parents' excitement and miraculous belief when their child walks, even though "everyone said they would never walk," motivates me. I love the challenge of figuring out ways to study, measure and improve physical activity and life participation for kids with physical limitations. I strive to support these kids to "do what they want to do when they want to do it" and have full and meaningful lives."

  • Biography

    Kristie Bjornson, PT, PhD, PCS is a Pediatric Physical Therapist with over 40 years of clinical experience in settings such as the NICU, public schools, birth-to-three centers, home-based private practice, joint orthotic management with orthotists and at Seattle Children's Hospital (SCH) in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Bjornson is currently a professor in Developmental Medicine, Pediatrics at the University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital Research Institute.

    Dr. Bjornson was the project coordinator for the randomized clinical trial and meta-analysis of selective dorsal rhizotomy, botulinum toxin-A and a descriptive cross sectional study of intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy. Bjornson's doctoral work focused on the assessment of physical activity, health and quality of life in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy and normative ambulatory data for the StepWatch accelerometer. In 2008, she was awarded the Section on Pediatrics, APTA dissertation award along with the best manuscript published by a student in the Pediatric Physical Therapy Journal Jeanne Hughes award in 2009. Presently, Dr. Bjornson is exploring training interventions and orthotic management to optimize walking in children with cerebral palsy. Specifically these protocols examine the use of treadmill training, strength/power training and the ankle foot orthoses footwear combination (AFO-FC) orthotic management approach.

    A member of the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM), Ms. Bjornson has served on the Membership, Research, Adaptive Sports and Recreation Committees, served on the Board of Directors, been the Annual meeting Scientific Program Chair as well as secretary on the AACPDM Board of Directors. She has been an item writer for the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Pediatric Board Certification exam and has participated on the APTA Section on Pediatrics program and research committees.

    • Related Pages

    • Bjornson Lab

      Bjornson Lab

      The Bjornson laboratory’s research aims to improve the lives of children with cerebral palsy. We focus on gathering objective data around interventions in orthotics, gait training and power training that can dramatically enhance children’s balance, muscle strength, walking and general mobility in daily life.

  • Awards and Honors

    Award Name Award Description Awarded By Award Date
    Stephen M. Haley Research Award Pediatric Section, American Physical Therapy Association 2014
    Jeanne Hughes Award - American Physical Therapy Association American Physical Therapy Association Jan 1, 2009
    Pediatrics Dissertation Award American Physical Therapy Association, Section on Pediatrics 2008
    The Richmond Cerebral Palsy Award 1998 (co-recipient) 1998
    The Richmond Cerebral Palsy Award 1996 American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine 1996
    The Richmond Cerebral Palsy Award 1991 (co-recipient) American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine 1991

  • Publications

    Other Publications

    • Bjornson K, Zhou C, Fatone S, Orendurff M, Stevenson R, Rahid S
      The Effect of Ankle-Foot Orthoses on Community-Based Walking in Cerebral Palsy: A Clinical Pilot Study.
      26901534 Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association, 2016 Feb 19
    • Bjornson K
      Time to take notice: what about fatigue?
      25892246 Developmental medicine and child neurology, 2015 Aug. : 57(8)700-1
    • Myers E, Davis BE, Stobbe G, Bjornson K
      Community and Social Participation Among Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder Transitioning to Adulthood.
      25725812 Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2015 Mar 1
    • Choi H, Bjornson K, Fatone S, Steele KM
      Using musculoskeletal modeling to evaluate the effect of ankle foot orthosis tuning on musculotendon dynamics: a case study.
      25640240 Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology, 2015 Feb 2 : 1-6
    • Choi H, Bjornson K, Fatone S, Steele KM
      Using musculoskeletal modeling to evaluate the effect of ankle foot orthosis tuning on musculotendon dynamics: a case study.
      25640240 Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology, 2015 Feb 2 : 1-6
    • Kang M, Bjornson K, Barreira TV, Ragan BG, Song K
      The minimum number of days required to establish reliable physical activity estimates in children aged 2-15years.
      25340374 Physiological measurement, 2014 Nov. : 35(11)2229-37
    • Kang M, Bjornson K, Barreira TV, Ragan BG, Song K
      The minimum number of days required to establish reliable physical activity estimates in children aged 2-15years.
      25340374 Physiological measurement, 2014 Nov. : 35(11)2229-37
    • Churchill SS, Kieckhefer GM, Bjornson KF, Herting JR
      Relationship between Sleep Disturbance and Functional Outcomes in Daily Life Habits of Children with Down Syndrome.
      25325444 Sleep, 2014 Oct 17
    • Van Wely L, Dallmeijer AJ, Balemans AC, Zhou C, Becher JG, Bjornson KF
      Walking activity of children with cerebral palsy and children developing typically: a comparison between the Netherlands and the United States.
      24579649 Disability and rehabilitation, 2014 : 36(25)2136-42
    • Dodds C., Bjornson KF, Sweeney J., Narayanan UG
      The Effect of Supported Physical Activity on Parental-Reported health-Related Quality of Life in Chidlren with Medical Complexity
      J Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, 2014
    • Kang M, Bjornson KF, Bairrera TA, Song KM
      The minimum nuimber of days required to establish reliable physical activity estimates in children aged 2-15 years
      Physiological Measurement, 2014 : 35((11))
    • Churchill SS, Kieckhefer GM, Bjornson KF, Herting JR
      Relationship between Sleep Disturbance and Functional Outcomes in Daily Life Habits of Children with Down Syndrome
      Sleep, 2014 : Oct. 1700023-14
    • Van Wely L, Dallmeijer AJ, Balemans AC, Zhou C, Becher JG, Bjornson KF
      Walking activity of children with cerebral palsy and children developing typically: a comparison between the Netherlands and the United States.
      24579649 Disability and rehabilitation, 2014 : 36(25)2136-42
    • Bjornson KF, Zhou C, Stevenson R, Christakis DA
      Capacity to participation in cerebral palsy: evidence of an indirect path via performance.
      23835350 Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 2013 Dec. : 94(12)2365-72
    • Bjornson KF, Zhou C, Stevenson RD, Christakis D
      Relationship of stride activity and participation in mobility-based life habits among children with cerebral palsy.
      24231402 Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 2013 Nov 11
    • Bjornson KF, Zhou C, Stevenson R, Christakis D, Song K
      Walking activity patterns in youth with cerebral palsy and youth developing typically.
      24160855 Disability and rehabilitation, 2013 Oct 25
    • Balemans AC, Fragala-Pinkham MA, Lennon N, Thorpe D, Boyd RN, O'Neil ME, Bjornson K, Becher JG, Dallmeijer AJ
      Systematic review of the clinimetric properties of laboratory- and field-based aerobic and anaerobic fitness measures in children with cerebral palsy.
      23022091 Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 2013 Feb. : 94(2)287-301
    • Ishikawa S, Kang M, Bjornson KF, Song K
      Reliably measuring ambulatory activity levels of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy.
      22892322 Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 2013 Jan. : 94(1)132-7 PMCID:PMC3645002
    • Sheiko M, Bjornson K, Lisle J, Song K, Eary JF, Conrad EU 3rd
      Physical activity assessment in adolescents with limb salvage.
      22871491 The Journal of pediatrics, 2012 Dec. : 161(6)1138-41
    • Bjornson KF, Yung D, Jacques K, Burr RL, Christakis D
      StepWatch stride counting: accuracy, precision, and prediction of energy expenditure in children.
      22543888 Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicine, 2012 : 5(1)7-14
    • Bjornson K, Coyner P
      Commentary on "Physiological demands of therapeutic horseback riding in children with moderate to severe motor impairments: an exploratory study".
      22735476 Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association, 2012 : 24(3)258
    • Fragala-Pinkham MA, O'Neil ME, Bjornson KF, Boyd RN
      Fitness and physical activity in children and youth with disabilities.
      23346116 International journal of pediatrics, 2012 : 2012162648 PMCID:PMC3546477
    • Bagley AM, Gorton GE, Bjornson K, Bevans K, Stout JL, Narayanan U, Tucker CA
      Factor- and item-level analyses of the 38-item activities scale for kids-performance.
      20964671 Developmental medicine and child neurology, 2011 Feb. : 53(2)161-6
    • Bjornson KF, Song K, Zhou C, Coleman K, Myaing M, Robinson SL
      Walking stride rate patterns in children and youth.
      22090075 Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association, 2011 : 23(4)354-63 PMCID:PMC3644998
    • Littleton SR, Heriza CB, Mullens PA, Moerchen VA, Bjornson K
      Effects of positioning on respiratory measures in individuals with cerebral palsy and severe scoliosis.
      21552079 Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association, 2011 : 23(2)159-69
    • Glew GM, Fan MY, Hagland S, Bjornson K, Beider S, McLaughlin JF
      Survey of the use of massage for children with cerebral palsy.
      21589684 International journal of therapeutic massage and bodywork, 2010 Dec 16 : 3(4)10-15 PMCID:PMC3088521
    • Bjornson K, Song K, Lisle J, Robinson S, Killien E, Barrett T, Zhou C
      Measurement of walking activity throughout childhood: influence of leg length.
      21242607 Pediatric exercise science, 2010 Nov. : 22(4)581-95
    • Yocum A, McCoy SW, Bjornson KF, Mullens P, Burton GN
      Reliability and validity of the standing heel-rise test.
      20608857 Physical & occupational therapy in pediatrics, 2010 Aug. : 190-204
    • Yocum A, McCoy SW, Bjornson KF, Mullens P, Burton GN
      Reliability and validity of the standing heel-rise test.
      20608857 Physical & occupational therapy in pediatrics, 2010 Aug. : 30(3)190-204
    • Howlett JP, Mosca VS, Bjornson K
      The association between idiopathic clubfoot and increased internal hip rotation.
      19229661 Clinical orthopaedics and related research, 2009 May : 467(5)1231-7 PMCID:PMC2664440
    • Howlett JP, Mosca VS, Bjornson K
      The association between idiopathic clubfoot and increased internal hip rotation.
      19229661 Clinical orthopaedics and related research, 2009 May : 467(5)1231-7 PMCID:PMC2664440
    • Dillon ER, Bjornson KF, Jaffe KM, Hall JG, Song K
      Ambulatory activity in youth with arthrogryposis: a cohort study.
      19352250 Journal of pediatric orthopedics, 2009 March : 29(2)214-7
    • Dillon ER, Bjornson KF, Jaffe KM, Hall JG, Song K
      Ambulatory activity in youth with arthrogryposis: a cohort study.
      19352250 Journal of pediatric orthopedics, 2009 March : 214-7
    • Bjornson K
      Activity limitations: what are they really doing?
      18302636 Developmental medicine and child neurology, 2008 March : 50(3)166
    • Bjornson KF, Belza B, Kartin D, Logsdon RG, McLaughlin J
      Self-reported health status and quality of life in youth with cerebral palsy and typically developing youth.
      18164341 Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 2008 Jan. : 89(1)121-7 PMCID:PMC3653574
    • Bjornson KF, Belza B, Kartin D, Logsdon R, McLaughlin J, Thompson EA
      The relationship of physical activity to health status and quality of life in cerebral palsy.
      18703962 Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association, 2008 : 20(3)247-53 PMCID:PMC3644992
    • Bjornson KF, Belza B, Kartin D, Logsdon RG, McLaughlin J
      Self-reported health status and quality of life in youth with cerebral palsy and typically developing youth.
      18164341 Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 2008 Jan. : 121-7
    • Bjornson KF, Belza B, Kartin D, Logsdon R, McLaughlin J, Thompson EA
      The relationship of physical activity to health status and quality of life in cerebral palsy.
      18703962 Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association, 2008 : 247-53
    • Bjornson K, Hays R, Graubert C, Price R, Won F, McLaughlin JF, Cohen M
      Botulinum toxin for spasticity in children with cerebral palsy: a comprehensive evaluation.
      17606561 Pediatrics, 2007 July : 120(1)49-58 PMCID:PMC1920182
    • Bjornson KF, Belza B, Kartin D, Logsdon R, McLaughlin JF
      Ambulatory physical activity performance in youth with cerebral palsy and youth who are developing typically.
      17244693 Physical therapy, 2007 March : 248-57
    • Bjornson KF, Belza B, Kartin D, Logsdon R, McLaughlin JF
      Ambulatory physical activity performance in youth with cerebral palsy and youth who are developing typically.
      17244693 Physical therapy, 2007 March : 87(3)248-57 PMCID:PMC1852474
    • Waters E, Davis E, Mackinnon A, Boyd R, Graham HK, Kai Lo S, Wolfe R, Stevenson R, Bjornson K, Blair E, Hoare P, Ravens-Sieberer U, Reddihough D
      Psychometric properties of the quality of life questionnaire for children with CP.
      17209977 Developmental medicine and child neurology, 2007 Jan. : 49(1)49-55
    • Bjornson KF, Schmale GA, Adamczyk-Foster A, McLaughlin J
      The effect of dynamic ankle foot orthoses on function in children with cerebral palsy.
      17065944 Journal of pediatric orthopedics, 2006 Nov. : 26(6)773-6
    • Bjornson KF, Schmale GA, Adamczyk-Foster A, McLaughlin J
      The effect of dynamic ankle foot orthoses on function in children with cerebral palsy.
      17065944 Journal of pediatric orthopedics, 2006 Nov. : 773-6
    • Song KM, Bjornson KF, Cappello T, Coleman K
      Use of the StepWatch activity monitor for characterization of normal activity levels of children.
      16557143 Journal of pediatric orthopedics, 2006 March : 26(2)245-9
    • Song KM, Bjornson KF, Cappello T, Coleman K
      Use of the StepWatch activity monitor for characterization of normal activity levels of children.
      16557143 Journal of pediatric orthopedics, 2006 March : 245-9
    • Bjornson KF
      Physical activity monitoring in children and youths.
      16357656 Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association, 2005 : 17(1)37-45
    • McLaughlin JF, Felix SD, Nowbar S, Ferrel A, Bjornson K, Hays RM
      Lower extremity sensory function in children with cerebral palsy.
      15799135 Pediatric rehabilitation, 2005 Jan. : 8(1)45-52
    • Bjornson KF
      Physical activity monitoring in children and youths.
      16357656 Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association, 2005 : 37-45
    • Bjornson KF, Belza B
      Ambulatory activity monitoring in youth: state of the science.
      17057532 Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association, 2004 : 16(2)82-9
    • Bjornson KF, Belza B
      Ambulatory activity monitoring in youth: state of the science.
      17057532 Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association, 2004 : 82-9
    • Bjornson KF, McLaughlin JF, Loeser JD, Nowak-Cooperman KM, Russel M, Bader KA, Desmond SA
      Oral motor, communication, and nutritional status of children during intrathecal baclofen therapy: a descriptive pilot study.
      12690587 Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 2003 April : 84(4)500-6
    • Bjornson KF, McLaughlin JF, Loeser JD, Nowak-Cooperman KM, Russel M, Bader KA, Desmond SA
      Oral motor, communication, and nutritional status of children during intrathecal baclofen therapy: a descriptive pilot study.
      12690587 Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 2003 April : 500-6
    • Campbell WM, Ferrel A, McLaughlin JF, Grant GA, Loeser JD, Graubert C, Bjornson K
      Long-term safety and efficacy of continuous intrathecal baclofen.
      12418790 Developmental medicine and child neurology, 2002 Oct. : 44(10)660-5
    • McLaughlin J, Bjornson K, Temkin N, Steinbok P, Wright V, Reiner A, Roberts T, Drake J, O'Donnell M, Rosenbaum P, Barber J, Ferrel A
      Selective dorsal rhizotomy: meta-analysis of three randomized controlled trials.
      11811645 Developmental medicine and child neurology, 2002 Jan. : 44(1)17-25
    • Abel MF, Damiano DL, McLaughlin JF, Song KM, Graubert CS, Bjornson KF
      Comparison of functional outcomes from orthopedic and neurosurgical interventions in spastic diplegia.
      17206773 Neurosurgical focus, 1998 Jan 15 : e2

  • Research Funding

    Grant Title Grantor Amount Award Date
    2014
    Ankle Foot Orthoses - Footwear Combination Biomechanics and Walking Activity in Cerebral Palsy Seattle Children's Research Institute - CHBD Stimulus Funds/CCTR Translational Research Ingnition Project 2014 - 2015
    On Track Longitudinal Project 2013 - 2016
    Activity and Participation in Ambulatory Cerebral Palsy Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award $632,903.00 Jan 1, 2009
    The Relationship of School Based Therapy Services on Transition to Adulthood American Physical Therapy Association $10,000.00 Jan 1, 2008
    Baclofen Safety and Efficacy Trials (BEST) Network American Physical Therapy Association $10,000.00 Jan 1, 2006
    StepWatch3 Accuracy for Energy Expenditure Prediction Research Intramural Funding Program, School of Nursing, University of Washington $01.01.08

Overview

Clinical Interests

Physical Therapy

Research Description

Kristie Bjornson, PhD, PT, PCS is a Board Certified Pediatric Physical Therapist with over 30 years of clinical experience in settings such as the NICU, public schools, birth-to-three centers, and at Seattle Children's Hospital. Since 1989 she has been the Research Coordinator for the Spasticity Management Clinic at Seattle Children's, serving as the project coordinator for the randomized clinical trials of selective dorsal rhizotomy, botulinum toxin-A and a descriptive cross sectional study of intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy. Ms. Bjornson's recent research has focused on the assessment of physical activity, health and quality of life in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy and normative ambulatory data for the StepWatch accelerometer. Presently, she has an NICHD K23 career development award focusing on the measurement of physical activity and participation in daily life of ambulatory children with cerebral palsy.

Research Focus Area

Neuroscience / Neurodevelopment