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Jody Ann Feld

Assistant Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery
Orthopaedic Surgery, Physical Therapy
311 Trent Drive, Durham, NC 27710
311 Trent Drive, 5th Floor, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


Dr. Feld is physical therapist and clinical researcher with a specialization in adult neurological rehabilitation. She joined the faculty in 2011. Dr. Feld's expertise is used across the curriculum in foundational and advanced practice courses in area of neurological rehabilitation and gait. Dr. Feld's research focuses on the investigation of the complexity and interdependence of the multiple systems underlying gait and cognitive performance, situational awareness, physical activity, falls, and participation in the community post stroke and in aging populations. Specifically, her research focuses on improving clinical decision making for multidisciplinary healthcare providers targeting personalized rehabilitation at a critical time in recovery post stroke (early after discharge) when stroke survivors are adapting to life at home with disability. In addition, Dr. Feld has an interest in developing collaborative learning experience for students and clinicians in healthcare professions with an emphasis on the concept of disability in healthcare and benefits of adaptive sports for persons with disabilities.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Assistant Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery · 2021 - Present Orthopaedic Surgery, Physical Therapy, Orthopaedic Surgery
Assistant Professor in Neurology · 2020 - Present Neurology, Stroke and Vascular Neurology, Neurology
Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences · 2018 - Present Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, University Institutes and Centers
Senior Fellow in the Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development · 2021 - Present Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Institutes and Centers

Recent Publications


Comparative Predictive Validity of Fall-Risk Screening Assessments in Subacute Stroke.

Journal Article Journal of neurologic physical therapy : JNPT · April 2026 Background and purposePoststroke fall prevention is hindered by inaccurate prediction of imminent fallers. We compared the predictive validity of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), 10-m gait speed, and a novel, step te ... Full text Cite

A Methodological Protocol and Considerations for Transcranial Ultrasonic Stimulation in Exploratory Clinical Human Studies.

Journal Article J Vis Exp · December 12, 2025 Transcranial ultrasonic stimulation (TUS) is emerging as a non-invasive neuromodulatory technique capable of delivering millimeter-precision stimulation at whole-brain depths. Research efforts have increasingly focused on its translational potential. Promi ... Full text Link to item Cite

Predictive validity of obstacle-crossing test variations in identifying fallers after inpatient rehabilitation for stroke.

Journal Article Top Stroke Rehabil · September 2025 BACKGROUND: The ability to step over an obstacle is often evaluated as part of fall-risk and balance assessments. Although different obstacle-crossing tests exist, their comparative predictive validity in stroke is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To examine the predi ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


combining RTMS & aErobic exerciSe TO tReAT depression and Improve pOst-stroke walkiNg(RESTORATION)

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by Medical University of South Carolina · 2024 - 2029

Virtual Activities of Living for Occupational Rehabilitation

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Barron Associates · 2025 - 2027

Physical Resiliencies: Indicators and Mechanisms in the Elderly Collaborative (PRIME Collaborative)

ResearchAssociate Research Professor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2017 - 2024

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Education


University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · 2019 Ph.D.
Stony Brook University · 2005 D.P.T.