Department of Physical Therapy

Mitchell Batavia

Associate Professor of Physical Therapy

Mitchell Batavia

Phone: 212-998-9400
Email:

Dr. Mitchell Zackery Batavia, Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at New York University, holds a BS and diploma in Physical Therapy from the University of Delaware, an MA in Motor Learning from Columbia University and a PhD in Pathokinesiology  from New York University.  He completed a Robert Salant Post Doctoral Fellowship at NYU /NYU Med Center in 1998, and earned a Postgraduate Diploma  (PG Dip) in Epidemiology from University of London's, London School of of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 2008.  He is also a graduate of the professional training program in  the Feldenkrais Method (Toronto, 87).

Dr. Batavia has published around 20 journal articles and textbooks. His earlier books include  The Wheelchair Evaluation: A Practical Guide (1998 Butterworth Heinemann; 2004 Korean Translation), a "nuts and bolts" textbook  on wheelchair prescription and  Clinical Research for Health Professionals: A User-Friendly Guide (2001,  Butterworth Heinemann), an introduction to research/ scientific inquiry using metaphors to drive home challanging and often misunderstood concepts.  In Spring 2002, Dr. Batavia received the Goddard Award to fund his research on testing functional rotation abilities in non-disabled adults and in persons with Parkinson's disease.   In 2006, Batavia penned the comprehensive reference textbook  Contraindications in Physical Rehabilitation: Doing No Harm , (2006, Saunders/ Elsevier Best Seller) aimed at informing practice and improving patient care by bringing variant  physical rehabilitation safety guidelnes/ concerns under "one roof ."

More recently, Dr. Batavia authored The Wheelchair Evaluation: A Clinician's Guide 2nd Edition (2010, Jones & Bartlett). In this new edition, he dedicated four new chapters to address timely prescriptive issues as funding for equipment becomes tighter and documentation comes under increasing Medicare scrutiny. He also created animation and video clips in an accompanying CD for the book to assist teachers and learners. (see sample at  http://www.jbpub.com/Catalog/9780763761721/Resources/). The textbook has been adopted for use in accredited continuing education.

Dr. Batavia’s broad research interests include evidence-based practice/risk guidelines, instrument development, augmented feedback and wheelchair/seating & positioning. In addition to his teaching responsibilities and research, he has served as a manuscript reviewer for Perceptual Motor Skills, Butterworth Heinemann, and the Neurology Section of the American Physical Therapy Association.

 

He is currently developing a Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) textbook for classroom use that blends old and new technology.


Degrees Held

  • Ph.D New York University 1997
    Pathokinesiology
  • M.A. Columbia University 1986
    Motor Learning
  • B.S. University of Delaware 1981
    Physical Therapy

Diplomas Held

  • Epidemiology    Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip)  The London School of of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London (2004-2008)

  • Feldenkrais Method of Awareness Through Movement & Functional Integration   -  The Professional Training Program - Feldenkrais Foundation, Inc (Toronto; 1994-1997)

  • Physical Therapy  -  University of Delaware (1978 -1981)

Awards

  • 2008 : John G Gianutsos Award - NYU Langone MC/ Rusk Institute
  • 2006 : Marquis Who's Who in American Education
  • 2005 : AcademicKeys Who's Who in Education
  • 2004 : Marquis Who's Who in America
  • 2002 : Goddard Award
  • 1997 : Robert Salant Post Doctoral Fellow
  • 1997 : New York University Arch Award
  • 1994 : N.I.D.R.R. Traineeship for Physical Therapy Clinical Research Doctoral Studies
  • 1978 : DeWitt Wallace Reader's Digest Fellow - New York University Medical Center - Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine

Publications

  • D’Andrea SJ., Batavia M. Sasson N. Effect of Horticultural Therapy on Preventing the Decline of Mental Abilities of Patients with Alzheimer’s Type Dementia. Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture 2007-2008; XVIII, 9-13.
  • Batavia AI, Batavia M. Disability, chronic conditions, and iatrogenic illness. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2004;85(1):168-71
  • Gianutsos JG, Cohen JM, Batavia M. Test-retest reliability in performance of persons with hemiparesis to track by means of compatibly-displayed myoelectric feedback derived from upper limb muscles. Percept Motor Skills. 2004;98(1):19-30.
  • Batavia M. Contraindications for therapeutic massage: do sources agree? J Bodywork Movement Ther. 2004; 8(1): 48-57
  • Batavia M. Contraindications for superficial heat and therapeutic ultrasound: do sources agree? Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2004;85(6)
  • Sliwinski M, Sisto S, Batavia M, Chen B. A comparison of dynamic stability between total hip arthorplasty individuals and healthy older adults during walking. Gait Posture. 2004;19(2):141-7
  • Batavia M, Gianutsos JG.Test-retest reliability of the seated Functional Rotation Test in people with Parkinson's disease: a preliminary study. Percept Mot Skills. 2004 Aug;99(1):259-70.
  • Batavia AI, Batavia M. Karaoke for quads: a new application of an old recreation with potential therapeutic benefits for people with disabilities. Disabil Rehabil. 2003;25(6):297-300.
  • Batavia M, Gianutsos JG. Test retest reliability of the functional rotation test in healthy adults. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2003;96:185-196.
  • McDonough AL, Batavia M, Chen FC, Kwon S, Ziai J. The validity and reliability of the GAITRite system's measurements: a preliminary evaluation. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2001;82(3):419-25.
  • Batavia M, Batavia AI, Friedman R. Changing wheelchairs: anticipating problems in prescribing wheelchairs. Disabil Rehabil. 2001;23(12):539-548.
  • Batavia M, Gianutsos J, Vaccaro A, Gold JT. A do-it-yourself membrane-activated auditory feedback device for weight-bearing and gait training. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2001;82(4):541-545.
  • Batavia M., McDonough A.L. Demonstrating the stretch reflex; a mechanical model. Amer Bio Teacher. 2000;62(7).
  • McDonough AL, Chen FC, Batavia M. The effect of molded in-shoe orthotics on pressure distribution patterns on the foot. Phys Ther Case Reports. 1999;2(1):3-10.
  • Batavia M, Gianutsos J, Ling W, Nelson AJ. The Effect of Circumferential Wrist Pressure on Reproduction Accuracy of Wrist Placement in Healthy Young and Elderly Adults. J Geront: Med Sci.1999;54A(4):M177-M183.
  • Batavia M, Batavia A.I. Pressure sore in a man with tetraplegia and a poorly fitting wheelchair: a case report with clinical and policy implications. Spinal Cord. 1999;37: 140-141.

Published Books

  • Batavia M. The Wheelchair Evaluation: A Clinician's Guide. 2nd Edition. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett, 2010 (link)
  • Batavia M. Contraindications in Physical Rehabilitation: Doing No Harm. St Louis MO: WB Saunders; 2006. (link)
  • Batavia M. Clinical Research for Health Professionals: A User-friendly Guide. Boston: Butterworth Heinemann, 2001 (link)
  • Batavia M. The Wheelchair Evaluation: A Practical Guide . Boston: Butterworth Heinemann, 1998 (Korean 2004) (link)

 

Dissertation

  • Batavia, M. The effect of circumferential wrist pressure on reproduction accuracy of wrist placement in healthy young and elderly adults. Dissertations, Academic (Ph.D.) --New York University, 140 pp 1997 ISBN: 9780591474398 (link)

Presentations

  • Effect of Horticultural Therapy on Preventing the Decline of Mental Abilities of Patients with Alzheimer’s Type Dementia
    D’Andrea SJ., Batavia M. Sasson N. (Presentation by first author) Effect of Horticultural Therapy on Preventing the Decline of Mental Abilities of Patients with Alzheimer’s Type Dementia. American Horticultural Therapy Association 36th Annual Conference Lexington, Kentucky, Oct 30- Nov 1, 2008. Platform presentation D, Oct 31
  • Evidence-Based Practice
    Batavia M. Hudson Valley District Meeting, APTA . New York Medical College 7- 9:00 P.M. Feb 15th, 2006 (with computer station lab)
  • Evidence-Based Practice
    Batavia M. Greater New York District Meeting, APTA New York University 6- 7:30 P.M. Oct 17th, 2005
  • Test-Retest Reliability of a Functional Rotation Task Performed by Seated Persons with Parkinsonism
    Gianutsos JG, Batavia M, Milin M, Lambrou S, Jaiswal A. Academy Annual Assembly, San Francisco CA. "Test-Retest Reliability of a Functional Rotation Task Performed by Seated Persons with Parkinsonism." Poster presentation 191, November 3, 2000
  • Concurrent Validity of a Functional Rotation Test
    Gianutsos JG, Batavia M, Jaiswal A, Milin M, Lambrou S. Academy Annual Assembly, San Francisco CA. "Concurrent Validity of a Functional Rotation Test". Poster presentation 230a, November 3, 2000
  • Tissue Compliance Meter: A Reliability Study
    Batavia M, McDonough AL, Ziai J. Physical therapy 1999: Meeting & Exposition of the American Physical Therapy Association, Washington D.C. "Tissue Compliance Meter: A Reliability Study Physical Therapy." Poster presentation 118S, June 6, 1999
  • The differences between static angles and angular velocities as measured on a clock by standard goniometry, the Ariel Performance System, and the Qualysis MacReflex Motion Analysis System
    Garcia R, Batavia M, Ling W, McDonough A.. Physical Therapy 1996: APTA Scientific Meeting and Exposition - San Diego, CA. " The differences between static angles and angular velocities as measured on a clock by standard goniometry, the Ariel Performance System, and the Qualysis MacReflex Motion Analysis System." Platform presentation, 1996
  • Concurrent validity of a dynamic movement measured by Ariel Performance Analysis system, the Qualisys MacReflex Motion Analysis System, and an electrogoniometer
    Batavia M., Garcia R. Physical Therapy : APTA Scientific Meeting and Exposition - Minneapolis, Minn.,. "Concurrent validity of a dynamic movement measured by Ariel Performance Analysis system, the Qualisys MacReflex Motion Analysis System, and an electrogoniometer." Platform presentation,1996.

Research Interests

  • Evidence-Based Practice/ Contraindications / Risk Guidelines 
  • Augmented sensory feedback/ Motor control
  • Seating and positioning / Wheelchair
  • Parkinson's Disease / Neurological physical therapy