Nancy Darr

Biography

Dr. Darr has been a practicing physical therapist since 1985, specializing in the areas of pediatrics and adult neurological rehabilitation. She has practiced in a wide variety of settings including adult and pediatric inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, acute care, and public health; She currently maintains a practice in early intervention and outpatient pediatrics at High Hopes Development Center. Dr. Darr is certified as a clinical specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.  Dr. Darr teaches in the areas of pediatrics and adult neurological rehabilitation. She is also the Academic Residency Director for the Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University and Belmont University.

Dr. Darr’s research interests include the development of mobility and postural control in children, as well as, assessment and intervention strategies for children with balance and mobility challenges. She is one of the developers of the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) and has performed extensive research on PBS psychometric properties and clinical applications. Dr. Darr is also involved in research examining the impact of adapted motorized ride on toys for children with limited mobility on motor skills, language, and socialization. Dr. Darr is a member of the APTA’s sections on Education, Neurology, Pediatrics and Research.

Publications and Presentations

Darr N, Franjoine MR, Campbell SK, Smith E. Psychometric Properties of the Pediatric Balance Scale using Rasch Analysis. Pediatric Physical Therapy. 2015.

Darr N, Franjoine MR. Examination of Functional Mobility in Children on the Cheap: Quick, Easy, and Inexpensive Clinical Measures. Section on Pediatrics Annual Conference, November 2015.

Darr N, Franjoine MR. Examining Functional Balance on the Cheap: Quick, Easy, Clinician-Friendly Measures. Section on Pediatrics Annual Conference, November 2015.

Franjoine MR, Darr N, Young B, Hake E: Examination of forward reach in children using a new methodology. Combined Sections Meeting, Indianapolis, IN, February 2015.

Bursch G, Darr N, Ward B, Bolan et al: A Comparison of the Effects of Three Different Types of Backpacks on Gait Characteristics in Middle School Children. Tennessee Physical Therapy Association, 2014.

Dagnan E, Gibbs D, Hallmark B, Brown RM, Darr N. Occupational and Physical Therapy Student Perspectives on Teaching Acute Care Management. Podium presentation at Tennessee Simulation Alliance Meeting, November 2014.

Darr N, Franjoine MR, Smith E, Campbell SK: Rasch Analysis of the Pediatric Balance Scale. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, 2014.

Darr N, Franjoine M, Young B: Effect of age, gender, balance dysfunction, and floor surface on single limb stance times in children. Section on Pediatrics Annual Conference, 2014.