Raymond McKenna, PT, PhD | School of Health Professions

Raymond McKenna, PT, PhD

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Clinical Associate Professor
Department of Physical Therapy
Stony Brook University

Phone: 631-444-6169
Email: raymond.mckenna@stonybrook.edu

Ray McKenna is Clinical Associate Professor in the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program at Stony Brook University. He has been a physical therapist since 1991 and a physical therapy educator since 1998. His initial undergraduate and graduate work focused on math, and he has brought that interest into the physical therapy program where his teaching responsibilities include courses in Research and Statistics and Evidence Based Practice. Ray is also certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He brings this expertise to his teaching responsibilities in Exercise and Movement and Health and Wellness courses. He also uses this expertise to facilitate an internship for physical therapy students with Stony Brook University.

Ray’s research interests include understanding the long term functional deficits in childhood survivors of cancer, investigating the effects of wellness programs on overweight and obese children and, most recently, inquiry into the effects of constraint-induced movement therapy on gait in children with hemiplegia.

Ray currently serves as a consultant to Sharon Martino, PT, PhD and Peter Morelli, MD in designing exercise interventions for the Fit Kids for Life program. Additionally, he is involved as a research collaborator assisting in the design and analysis of the research studies involving the Fit Kids for Life program. Ray has also served as a research and statistical consultant for several of his colleagues at Stony Brook as well as for faculty from other local universities.

Peer Reviewed Publications

Lau J, Regis C, Kaleda M, Burke C, McKenna R, Muratori L, (2022, May) Immersive technology to improve gait in persons with Parkinson’s disease, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.

Varedi, M., Lu, L., Phillips, N., Partin, R., Brinkman, T., Armstrong, G., Chase, E., Khan, R., Douglas, P., McKenna, R., Robison, L., Hudson, M., Ness, K. (2020). Balance impairment in survivors of pediatric brain cancers: Risk factors and associated physical limitations. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-020-00932-5.

Greenberg ET., Merrihue R., Mouzakitis C., McKenna R. (2020) Reliability and validity of clinical measures of assessing running step rate. Journal of Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation, and Disabilities. 6: 050.

Marshall TF., Alfano CM., Sleight., AG., Moser RP., Zucker DS., Rice E., Silver J., Raj VS., Fu JB., Padgett LS., Lyons K., Radomski MV., McKenna R., Pergolotti M. (2019) Consensus-Building efforts to identify best tools for screening and assessment for supportive services in oncology. Disability and Rehabilitation. DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2018.1555621.

Varedi M., Ness K, McKenna R. (2018) Balance deficits in long-term pediatric ALL survivors. Oncotarget, 9(66), 32554-32555.

Varedi M., Lu L., Howell C., Partin R., Hudson M., Pui C., Krull K., Robison L., Ness K., McKenna R. (2018). Peripheral neuropathy, sensory processing and balance in survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 36(22), 2315-2322.

Greco JL., Lamberg EM., McKenna RF., Muratori LM. (2018) Trends in availability and usage of biophysical agents among physical therapists in the United States. Journal of Physical Therapy Reviews, 23(2), 116-123.

Lyons, KD., Radomski, MV., Alfano, CM., Finkelstein, M., Sleight, AG., Marshall, TF., McKenna, R. and Fu, JB. (2017) Delphi Study to Determine Rehabilitation Research Priorities for Older Adults with Cancer. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 98(5): 904 – 914.

Varedi, M., McKenna, R. and Lamberg, E. M. (2017) Balance in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Pediatrics International, 59: 293–302. doi:10.1111/ped.13141.

Lamberg, EM., McKenna, RF. (2011) Development of an After-School Wellness Club to Promote Physical Activity and Healthy Lifestyle. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 9(1): 1-10.

Plack, M.M., Williams, S., Miller, D., Malik, F., Sniffen, J., Gilner, G., and McKenna, R. (2006) Collaboration between physical therapists and physical therapist assistants: Fostering the development of the preferred relationship within the classroom setting. Journal of Physical Therapy Education, 20(1): 3-13.

Plack, M.M., Driscoll, M., Blissett, S., McKenna, R., and Plack, T.P. (2005) A method for assessing reflective journal writing. Journal of Allied Health, 34(4): 199-208.

Douris, P., McKenna, RF., Madigan, K., Cesarski, B., Costiera, R., and Lu, M. (2003) Recovery of Maximal Isometric Grip Strength following Cold Immersion. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 17(3): 509-513.

Liebler, E.J., Tufano-Coors, L., Douris, P., Makofsky, HW., McKenna, RF., Michels, C., and Rattray, S. (2001) The Effect of Thoracic Spine Mobilization on Lower Trapezius Strength Testing. Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy. 9(4): 207-212.

Funded Grant Activity

Martino, SA, Greco, J, McKenna, R. Weight bias and healthcare students: Presidential Mini Grant for Departmental Diversity Initiative, 2020-2021. Role: Co- Investigator

Martino S, McKenna RF. The effect of exercise intensity on cardiovascular health and body composition in children who are overweight or obese: A pilot study. $12,500. 2017-18. New York Physical Therapy Association. Role: Co-Investigator

Lamberg, EM, McKenna, R, Werner, M and Kremenic, I. Use of vacuum assisted socket technology with transfemoral amputees: An outcomes study to assess changes in function, balance, and quality of life, $80,000. Otto Bock Healthcare. Role: Co-Principal Investigator

Streb R, Lamberg E, McKenna R, Greenberg E. Co-investigator. Measurement of Medial Collapse during Bilateral and Unilateral Squat. $10,000. 2014-2016. Foundation for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Justus Lehmann Research Grant Award.

Lamberg E, McKenna R, and Werner M. Co-investigator. Use of vacuum assisted socket technology with transfemoral amputees: A pilot study to investigate the effect of brim height on kinematics, kinetics and comfort. $17, 885. 2011-2012 Otto Bock Healthcare

McKenna R, Sniffen J, Johnson R, Johnson, L, and Benz Scott L. Principal Investigator. Play Fit – Stay Fit! – A wellness program for childhood survivors of cancer and their families. $150,000, 2006-09 Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Lamberg E and McKenna R. Co-principal Investigator Move Your Feet! – A school- based wellness program. $5,000. 2006 W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

McKenna R. Principal Investigator. Quantifying Coordination between the Ankle and Knee during Normal Gait. Three-credits release time, 2000-01 NYIT-AAUP Research Grant Fund.

McKenna R. Principal Investigator. Analyzing the Lifting Mechanics of Two Different Groups Using Video Motion Analysis and SEMG. $500 and three-credits release time, 1999-2000 NYIT-AAUP Research Grant Fund. .

McKenna R. Principal Investigator. Investigation of Muscle Function during Dynamic Gripping Activities. $15,000, 1995-96. Foundation for Physical Therapy Doctoral Research Award.

McKenna R. Principal Investigator. Validation of a Computer Program for Modeling a Reach Task in Patients with Shoulder Pathology. $5,000, 1994-95 Foundation. for Physical Therapy Doctoral Research Award.

McKenna R. Athletic Orthopedic and Knee Center Doctoral Fellowship, $5,000, 1994 McKenna R. National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research Doctoral Fellowship, $20,000/year, 1992-93.

Peer Reviewed Scientific and Professional Presentations

Martino SA, McKenna RF, Czujko PN, Morelli P. (2022, Feb) The effect of exercise intensity on cardiovascular health and body composition: Results from 2 cohorts. APTA Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio, TX.

Martino SA, Agrawal A, McKenna RF, Morelli P (2021). The effect of exercise intensity on cardiovascular health and body composition: a pilot study. Virtual NYPTA Meeting.

Varedi, M., Lu L., Howell, C., Partin, R., Hudson, M., Pui, C., Robison, L., Ness, K., & McKenna, R. (2017, October) Peripheral neuropathy, function and quality of life in adult survivors of childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Poster presented at the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine’s 2017 Conference (ACRM), Atlanta, GA.

Greco J., Sniffen J., Lamberg E., Martino S., McKenna R., Zou C., Muratori L. (2016, February) Cognitive-motor interference in typically developing children: how much is too much? Accepted: Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, Anaheim, CA.

Rimmer J, Phillips S, Ness K, Lamberg E, Milazzo, M, Streb R, McKenna RF, Martino S, & Sisto S (2015, October 2015). The role of health care professionals in chronic disease prevention and health promotion. ACRM. Dallas, TX.

Varedi, M., McKenna, R., & Lamberg, E. (2015, June) Balance in children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A review. Poster presented at the American Physical Therapy Association’s 2015 NEXT Conference & Exhibition, National Harbor, MD.

Miale S, Varedi M, McKenna R. (2015, April) The role of rehabilitation and wellness in pediatric cancer survivors. Converging Sciences Summit, Stony Brook, NY. Breakout Session.

Varedi, M., McKenna, R., & Lamberg, E. (2015, April) Balance in children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A review. Poster presented at the Converging Sciences Summit, Stony Brook, NY.

Miale, S, McKenna, RF. (2014, October) The role of physical therapy across the patient care continuum in Pediatric Oncology. Platform Presentation at ACRM. Toronto, Canada.

Martino, SA, Lamberg, EM, McKenna R, & Sniffen, J. (2014, October) Postural balance, sensation, flexibility and strength in overweight and healthy weight children: Pilot cohort study. Poster Presentation at ACRM. Toronto, Canada.

Gudesblatt, M, Lamberg, EM, McKenna, R, Zarif, M, Burke, C, Gutman, M, Bumstead, B, Fafard, L, Seidel, C, Cruz, L, Fahie, S, Bohuslaw, J, Riley, S, Graffitti, L, and Muratori, L. (2012, October) Multiple sclerosis and gait impairment: moving from the subjective to the objective – Measurement as markers for disease progression. Poster session at the 28th congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, Lyon, France.

Gudesblatt, M, Lamberg E., McKenna R., Zarif M., Burke C., Gutman M., Bumstead B., Fafard L., Seidel C., Cruz L., Fahie S. , Bohuslaw J., Riley S., Graffitti L.,and Muratori, L. (2010, June) Objective gait measures as markers for disease progression in Multiple Sclerosis. Poster session presented at the 2010 Annual Meeting of Americas Committee on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, San Antonio, TX.

Yirce, L., Lamberg, E., & McKenna, R. (2009, February) Move Your Feet!—An afterschool wellness club. Proceedings of the 2009 APTA Combined Sections Meeting, LasVegas, NV.

McKenna, R., Sniffen, J., Johnson, R., Johnson, L., Benz-Scott, L., Block, P., Mattera, D., & Parker, R. (2008, October) Play Fit – Stay Fit!: A Comprehensive Wellness Program for Childhood Survivors of Cancer and Their Families. Proceedings of the 2008 American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Exposition, San Diego CA.

McKenna, R.F., Sniffen, J., Johnson, R., Mancini-Johnson, L., Benz-Scott, L., Block, P., Mattera, D., & Parker, R. (2008, February) Play Fit-Stay Fit: A comprehensive community-based wellness program for childhood survivors of cancer. Poster session presented at the Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, Nashville, TN.

Lamberg, E.M., & McKenna, R.F. (2008, February). Using community input to develop an after school wellness club. Poster session presented at the Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, Nashville, TN.

Streb, R., Demes, B. & McKenna, RF. (2008, February) Comparison of Movements in Subjects with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome and Subjects without Knee Pain. Poster session presented at the Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, Nashville, TN.

Streb, R., Demes, B., & McKenna, R. (2006, February) Lower limb movement strategies during select closed kinematic chain functional movements in patellofemoral pain syndrome and asymptomatic subjects. Poster session presented at the 2006 American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, San Diego, CA.

Lamberg,EM, McKenna, R, Werner, M,and Kremenic, I.(2014) The Role of Vacuum Assist Suspension During Gait. Poster session at Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, Las Vegas, NV,

Lamberg, EM, McKenna, R, Werner, M, and Kremenic, I. (2013) Dynamic assessment of transfemoral prosthetic suspension: Does vacuum hold better? Poster session at the AOPA 2013 O&P World Congress, Orlando, FL.

Lamberg, EM, Werner, M, and McKenna, R (2013, June). The effect of lowered transfemoral socket height on function when using a vacuum assisted suspension system. Poster session at the 2013 Annual Conference and Exposition of the American Physical Therapy Association, Salt Lake City, UT.

Lamberg, EM, Werner, M, and McKenna, R (2013) How low can we go? The effect of brim height with elevated vacuum suspension in transfemoral amputees. Presented as a Free Paper presentation at the 39th Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists, Orlando, FL,

Gudesblatt, M, Lamberg, E, McKenna R, Zarif M, Burke C, Bumstead B, Fafard L, Buhse M, Muratori, LM. (October 2012) Multiple Sclerosis & Gait Impairment: Moving from the Subjective to the Objective - Measurement as Markers for Disease Progression. Poster presentation for the 28th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis. Lyon, France.

Gudesblatt, M, Lamberg E., McKenna R., Zarif M., Burke C., Gutman M., Bumstead B., Fafard L., Seidel C., Cruz L., Fahie S. , Bohuslaw J., Riley S., Graffitti L.,and Muratori, L. (2010). Objective gait measures as markers for disease progression in Multiple Sclerosis, Accepted for the15th annual meeting of ACTRIMS, the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, San Antonio, TX.

Yirce, L., Lamberg, E., & McKenna, R. (2009) Move Your Feet!—An afterschool wellness club. Proceedings of the 2009 American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, LasVegas, NV.

Streb, R., Demes, B. & McKenna, R. F. (2008, February) Comparison of Movements in Subjects with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome and Subjects without Knee Pain. Poster session presented at the Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, Nashville, TN.

McKenna, R.F., Hasson, S., Pandya, A., & Maida, J. (1997, February) Effect of Wrist Position on Dynamic Grip Strength and EMG Activity of the Forearm Flexors and Extensors. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Houston Society for Engineering in Medicine and Biology, University of Houston, Houston, TX.

McKenna, R.F., Pandya, A.K., Hasson, S.M., Aldridge, A.M. & Maida, J. (1995, August) Refinement of the Anthropometrics of a Human Computer Model - A Preliminary Step in Developing a New Tool for Measuring Function. Poster session presented at the World Congress of Physical Therapy Conference, Washington, D.C.

McKenna, R.F., Hasson, S., Pandya, A., Aldridge A., & Maida, J. (1995, February) Integrating Anthropometry, Strength, and Motion Data into a Human Computer Model. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Houston Society for Engineering in Medicine and Biology, University of Houston, Houston, TX.

McKenna, R.F., Pandya, A.K., Aldridge, A.M., & Hasson, S.M. (1995, February) Refinement of the Anthropometrics of a Human Computer Model - A Preliminary Step in Developing a New Tool for Measuring Function. Poster session presented at the Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, Reno, NV.

McKenna, R.F., Chen, B., & Hasson, S.M. (1994, June) Reproducibility and Accuracy of Static and Dynamic Angle Measures with the Ariel Performance Analysis System (APAS™.) Poster session presented at the Joint American Physical Therapy Association/Canadian Physiotherapy Association, Toronto, Canada.

McKenna, R.F., Budd, E. Kinneman, C., & Rossi, M. (1993, June) Effect of Transverse versus Longitudinal Current Flow on Active Torque Production of the Quadriceps during Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation. American Physical Therapy Association Scientific Meeting and Exposition, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Abstracts

Yirce, L., Lamberg, E., & McKenna, R. (2009) Move Your Feet!—An afterschool wellness club. Proceedings of the 2009 American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, LasVegas, NV.

Sniffen, J., McKenna, R., Johnson, L., Johnson, R., & Benz-Scott, L. (2008) Partnering to Design and Implement a Wellness Program for Children Surviving Cancer [Abstract]. Proceedings of the 2008 Society for Disability Studies Annual Meeting, New York, NY.

Streb, R., Demes, B., & McKenna, R. (2008) Comparison of Movements in Subjects with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome and Subjects without Knee Pain [Abstract]. Journal of Orthopedic Sports Physical Therapy, 38(1): A40.

Lamberg, E.M., & McKenna, R.F. (2008) Developing a school based wellness club through community input [Abstract]. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 20(1).

McKenna, R.F., Sniffen, J., Johnson, R., Mancini-Johnson, L., Benz-Scott, L., Block, P., Mattera, D., & Parker, R. (2008) Play Fit-Stay Fit: A comprehensive community-based wellness program for childhood survivors of cancer [Abstract]. Proceedings of the 2008 American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Nashville, TN.

McKenna, R., Sniffen, J., Johnson, L., Johnson, R., & Benz-Scott, L. (2007) Play Fit – Stay Fit! Year 1 of a Comprehensive Wellness Program for Childhood Survivors of Cancer and Their Families [Abstract]. Proceedings of the 2007 Lance Armstrong Foundation Community Program Conference, Austin, TX.

Streb, R., & McKenna, R. (2006) Reliability of measurement of a VICON 370 motion analysis system during select functional tasks (Abstract). http://www.ptjournal.org/abstracts/pt2006/AbsAuthIndex.cfm

Streb, R., Demes, B., & McKenna, R. (2006) Lower limb movement strategies during select closed kinematic chain functional movements in patellofemoral pain syndrome and asymptomatic subjects [Abstract]. Journal of Orthopedic Sports Physical Therapy, 36(1): A60.

Southard, V., McKenna, R., & Hill, J., (2005) An Intervention to Address Falls Efficacy: A Pilot Study [Abstract]. Proceedings of the 2005 American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, New Orleans, LA.

Plack, M.M., Driscoll, M., Blissett, S., McKenna, R., & Plack, T.P., (2004) A method for assessing reflective journal writing [Abstract].

McKenna, R.F., Hasson, S.M., Pandya, A.K., & Maida, J.C. (1997) Effect of Wrist Position on Dynamic Grip Strength and EMG Activity of the Forearm Flexors and Extensors [Abstract]. Proceedings of 15th Annual Houston Conference of Biomedical Engineering Research, Houston, TX.

Hasson, S.M., McKenna, R.F., Jansen, C., Chen, F., & Schieb, D. (1996) Single dose of analgesic and NSAID medication: Effect on muscle soreness and performance [Abstract]. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 28 (5) suppl: 154.

Hasson, S.M., McKenna, R.F., Chen, F., Jansen, C., & Schieb, D. (1996) Effect of Muscle Damage on Indicies of Pain and Performance during Functional Tasks of Sit to Stand and Stand to Sit [Abstract]. Proceedings of 1996 American Physical Therapy Association Annual Scientific Meeting and Exposition. Minneapolis, MN.

McKenna, R.F., Pandya, A.K., Aldridge, A.M., & Hasson, S.M. (1995) Refinement of the Anthropometrics of a Human Computer Model - A Preliminary Step in Developing a New Tool for Measuring Function [Abstract]. Proceedings of the12th International Congress of the World Congress of Physical Therapy. Washington, D.C.

McKenna, R.F., Pandya, A.K., Hasson, S.M., Aldridge, A.M., & Maida, J.C. (1995) Integrating Anthropometry, Strength, and Motion Data into a Human Computer Model [Abstract]. Proceedings of the 13th Annual Houston Conference of Biomedical Engineering Research. Houston, TX.

McKenna, R.F., Pandya, A.K., Aldridge, A.M., & Hasson, S.M. (1995) Refinement of the Anthropometrics of a Human Computer Model - A Preliminary Step in Developing a New Tool for Measuring Function [Abstract]. Journal of Orthopedic Sports Physical Therapy, 21 (1): 62.

McKenna, R.F., Chen, B., & Hasson, S. (1994) Reproducibility and Accuracy of Static and Dynamic Angle Measures with the Ariel Performance Analysis System (APAS)™ [Abstract]. Physical Therapy, 74 (6) suppl: S55.

Rossi, M.D., & McKenna, R.F. (1994) A comparison on the effects of simulated and real microgravity exposure on the musculoskeletal, nervous, and cardiovascular systems [Abstract]. Physical Therapy, 74 (6) suppl: S166. 6

McKenna, R.F., Budd, E., Kinneman, C., & Rossi, M. (1993) Effect of Transverse versus Longitudinal Current Flow on Active Torque Production of the Quadriceps during Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation [Abstract]. Physical Therapy, 73 (6) suppl: S77.