The goal of my work is to develop evidenced-based assessment and treatment(s) for mobility problems in older adults. We have identified modifiable impairment (risk factors) underlying mobility decline. Our work has emphasized the importance of muscle power impairments. Building upon this knowledge, rehabilitative intervention studies have been conducted, identifying the most effective of means of enhancing mobility. We have focused upon older adults in general and also stroke survivors.

Teaching Activities

I established and direct the residency training in Geriatric PM&R at HMS , having received grant support for this effort from the American Geriatrics Society in 2001. My resident mentees have produced a number of peer-reviewed presentations and manuscripts. Within HMS, I regularly teach medical students, geriatric and research fellows and participants in the HMS review course in Geriatrics. I am involved in educational programs of the AAPM&R, having directed courses each year since 1999.

Clinical Activities

In 1998, I established the PM&R consultation service at the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged, providing clinical care throughout their care continuum. In 2004, I left HRCA to become the medical director at the Spaulding Cambridge Outpatient Center. I provide consultation in the management of neuromusculoskeletal and rehabilitative problems. Additionally, I direct the Research Center for Lifelong Health and Fitness, through which our research, teaching and academic accomplishments are disseminated.

1. Kuo HK, Leveille SG, Yen CJ, Chai HM, Chang CH, Yeh YC, Bean JF. Exploring How Peak Leg Power and Habitual Walking Speed Are Linked to Late-life Disability: Data From the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2002. Am J PM&R. 2006;In Press.

2. Kuo HK, Bean JF, Yen CJ, Leveille SG. Linking C-Reactive Protein to Late-Life Disability in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2002. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2006; 61(4):380-7.

3. Kuo HK, Yen CJ, Bean JF. Association of Cardiovascular Fitness and Levels of C-reactive Protein: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2000. Int Jnl Card 2006; In Press.

4. Kuo HK, Yen CJ, Bean JF. Levels of homocysteine are inversely associated with cardiovascular fitness in women, but not men: data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2002. J Int Med. 2005;258(4):328-35.

5. Ericksen JJ, Bean JF, Kiely DK, Hicks GE, Leveille SG. Does gynecological surgery contribute to low back problems in later life? An analysis of the Women's Health and Aging Study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2006;87:172-6.

6. Herman S, Kiely DK, Leveille SG, O'Neill E, Cyberey S, Bean JF. Upper and Lower Limb Muscle Power Relationships in Mobility-Limited Older Adults. J Gerontol Med Sci. 2005 Apr;60A(4):476-80.

7. Bean JF, Vora A, Frontera WR. The Benefits of Exercise for Community-Dwelling Older Adults. In: Arch of Phys Med Rehabil. 2004 Jul;85(7 Suppl 3):S31-42.

8. Cuoco A, Callahan DC, Sayers S, Frontera WR, Bean JF, Fielding RA. Impact of muscle power and force on gait speed in disabled older men and women. J Gerontol Med Sci. 2004;59(11):1200-6.

9. Bean JF, Herman S, Kiely DK, Frey IC, Leveille SG, Fielding RA, Frontera WR. Increased Velocity Exercise Specific to Task (InVEST) Training: A Pilot Study Exploring Effects on Leg Power, Balance, and Mobility in Community-Dwelling Older Women. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2004;52(5):799-804.

10. Ouellette MM, LeBrasseur NK, Bean JF, Phillips E, Stein J, Frontera WR, Fielding RA. High-Intensity Resistance Training Improves Muscle Strength, Self-Reported Function, and Disability in Long-Term Stroke Survivors. Stroke. 2004;35(6):1404-9.

11. Laughton CA, Slavin M, Katdare K, Nolan L, Bean JF, Kerrigan DC, Phillips E, Lipsitz LA, Collins JJ. Aging, muscle activity, and balance control: physiologic changes associated with balance impairment. Gait Posture. 2003;18(2):101-8.

12. Sayers SP, Bean JF, Cuoco A, LeBrasseur NK, Jette A, Fielding RA. Changes in function and disability after resistance training: does velocity matter?: a pilot study. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2003;82(8):605-13.

13. Bean JF, Leveille SG, Kiely DK, Bandinelli S, Guralnik JM, Ferrucci L. A comparison of leg power and leg strength within the InCHIANTI study: which influences mobility more? J Gerontol A Bioi Sci Med Sci. 2003;58(8):728-33.

14. Bean JF, Kiely DK, Cairns KD, Morris IN. Influence of post stroke urinary incontinence on disability: the nursing home setting. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2003;82(3):175-81.

15. Bean JF, Kiely DK, Leveille SG, Herman S, Huynh C, Fielding R, Frontera W. The 6-minute walk test in mobility-limited elders: what is being measured? J Gerontol A Bioi Sci Med Sci. 2002;57(11):M751-6.

16. Bean JF, Kiely DK, Leveille SG, Morris J. Associating the onset of motor impairments with disability progression in nursing home residents. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2002;81(9):696-704; quiz 705-7,720.

17. Bean JF, Herman S, Kiely DK, Callahan D, Mizer K, Frontera WR, Fielding RA. Weighted stair climbing in mobility-limited older people: a pilot study. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2002;50(4):663-70.

18. Leveille SG, Bean JF, Bandeen-Roche K, Jones R, Hochberg M, Guralnik JM. Musculoskeletal pain and risk for falls in older disabled women living in the community. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2002;50(4):671-8.

19. Fielding RA, LeBrasseur NK, Cuoco A, Bean JF, Mizer K, Fiatarone Singh MA. High-velocity resistance training increases skeletal muscle peak power in older women. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2002;50(4):655-62.

20. Bean JF, Kiely DK, Herman S, Leveille SG, Mizer K, Frontera WR, Fielding RA. The relationship between leg power and physical performance in mobility-limited older people. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2002;50(3):461-7.

21. Liu W, Lipsitz LA, Montero-Odasso M, Bean JF, Kerrigan DC, Collins JJ. Noise-enhanced vibrotactile sensitivity in older adults, patients with stroke, and patients with diabetic neuropathy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2002;83(2):171-6.

22. Bean JF, Walsh A, Frontera W. Brace modification improves aerobic performance in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: a single-subject design. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2001;80(8):578-82.

23. Suzuki T, Bean JF, Fielding RA. Muscle power of the ankle flexors predicts functional performance in community dwelling older women. J Am Geriatr Soc.2001;49:1161-7.

24. Weiss A, Suzuki T, Bean JF, Fielding RA. High intensity strength training improves strength and functional performance after stroke. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2000;79(4):369-76; quiz 391-4.

25. Fielding RA, Violan MA, Svetkey L, Abad LW, Manfredi TJ, Cosmas A, Bean JF. Effects of prior exercise on eccentric exercise-induced neutrophilia and enzyme release. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;32(2):359-64.

26. Boppart MD, Aronson D, Gibson L, Roubenoff R, Abad LW, Bean JF, Goodyear LJ, Fielding RA. Eccentric exercise markedly increases c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase activity in human skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol. 1999;87(5):1668-73.