About

Dr. Laura Rice is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. She earned her Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science and Technology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2010 and her M.S. in Physical Therapy from Duquesne University in 2004. Her research focuses on disability and health, with particular interest in preventing secondary impairments to enhance quality of life and community participation among wheelchair users. Her work also explores educational strategies to improve functional mobility, prevent secondary conditions, and promote effective use of assistive technologies that support health and well-being in individuals with disabilities.

Research topics

• Physical therapy
• Medicine
• Psychiatry
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Computer Science
• Gerontology
• Internal medicine
• Emergency medicine
• Human–computer interaction
• Psychology
• Environmental health

Selected publications

• An online fall prevention and management program for wheelchair and scooter users: clinicians’ perspectives

  Disability and Rehabilitation Assistive Technology · 2026-01-22

  articleSenior authorCorresponding

  This study demonstrates iROLL-O's potential effectiveness for fall prevention among PwMS and PwSCI who use WC/S full-time. Findings emphasise the importance of tailored, accessible programming for enhanced engagement. Clinicians valued iROLL's comprehensive, flexible approach. Future research should aim to refine online delivery and expand the evaluation of program efficacy.

  PublisherDOI

• Predictors of concern about falling among adults who use wheelchairs and/or motorized mobility scooters full-time: a cross-sectional study

  Disability and health journal · 2026-01-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  BACKGROUND: Concern about falling (CaF) can emerge after experiencing a fall or recognizing personal fall risk. High CaF may lead to activity curtailment, greater fall risk, and reduced quality of life and participation in full-time wheelchair/scooter (WC/S) users. Identifying predictors of CaF can help clinicians address CaF in rehabilitation interventions. OBJECTIVE: To examine predictors of CaF among individuals living with various health conditions who use WC/S full-time. METHODS: This cross-sectional online survey included adults who used WC/S full-time for at least one year and had experienced at least one fall in the prior three years. Path analysis identified predictors of CaF, measured by the Fall Concerns Scale for people who use WC/S (FCS-WC/S). RESULTS: 137 people who use WC/S full-time (63 % male, 37 % female) participated. Being younger (p < .05), being male (p <.05), having experienced at least one fall-related injury in the past year (p < .01), having a higher impact of chronic dizziness on physical, emotional, and functional well-being (p < .001), inability to get up from the ground independently (p < .01), and lower burden of depressive symptoms (p < .05) were predictors of increased levels of CaF. CONCLUSION: This study's findings suggest that the influences of CaF among people who use WC/S are multifactorial. Awareness of these predictors can help researchers and clinicians develop screenings to better identify people who use WC/S with high levels of CaF and develop treatment plans to effectively manage CaF.

  PublisherDOI

• Designing for the Intersection of Aging and Disability: Application of the TechSAge Technology Intervention Model

  The Gerontologist · 2025-03-18 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  As people live longer with disabilities acquired early in life, the additive effects of aging create unique challenges at the intersection of aging and disability. Technology interventions can minimize barriers and create facilitators to support performance of activities integral to health and quality of life. The absence of a theoretical framework to guide such interventions, in either gerontology or rehabilitation, created gaps in the knowledge base required to meet the needs of these individuals. We proposed the TechSAge Technology Intervention Model (TechSAge-TIM) to support activity engagement of older adults aging with long-term disabilities through technology design that bridges the gap between intrinsic capabilities and functional abilities (Mitzner, T. L., Sanford, J. A., & Rogers, W. A. (2018). Closing the capacity-ability gap: Using technology to support aging with disability. Innovation in Aging, 2(1), igy008. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igy008). We have since utilized the model to advance understanding of technology-based supports for persons aging with long-term mobility, hearing, and vision disabilities. We describe herein applications involving people with mobility disabilities. We identified unmet needs by exploring lived experiences and used the TechSAge-TIM to guide research and development of a seated Tele Tai Chi program for exercise/social engagement, smart bathroom technologies, and an automatic fall detection system for wheelchair users. These applications advanced the field of aging and disability and provided a roadmap for future research and development efforts.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Fall Prevention for Older Adults who use Wheelchairs and Scooters

  Innovation in Aging · 2025-12-01

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Abstract Falls are common among the ∼1 million older adults who use wheelchairs and scooters (WC/S) full-time, especially people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). Falls can result in injuries and concerns about falling (CaF) that limit active engagement in the community. To address these concerns, the individualized reduction of falls (iROLL) program was developed by an interdisciplinary team to meet the unique needs of people who use WC/S. iROLL applies a self-management approach to address topics including wheelchair skills, transfer activities, seated balance exercise, management of environmental factors, post-fall management, and maintenance of assistive technology. The program is delivered online. Participants asynchronously review pre-recorded lessons and synchronously meet with a physical or occupational therapist in groups of 2-5 participants. A pre/post, mixed methods study was used to examine the preliminary efficacy of iROLL. PwMS (n = 12) who use WC/S full time, age 62+/-12 years old, 92% female, participated in the study. After exposure to the six-week iROLL program, CaF significantly decreased (p &amp;lt; 0.01) and fall prevention and management knowledge significantly increased (p = 0.03). Participants reported a need for the program, valued peer learning, and attention to diverse influences on fall risk. This study is the first to examine the preliminary efficacy of an online fall prevention intervention for PwMS who use WC/S. While further evaluation is needed to examine iROLL’s impact on a larger and more diverse population, iROLL has good potential to meet a critical need for an underserved population of older adults aging with a disability.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Factors Associated With Concern About Falling Among Full-Time Wheelchair &amp; Scooter Users

  American Journal of Occupational Therapy · 2025-07-30

  article

  Abstract Date Presented 04/03/2025 This study identifies factors associated with concern about falling (CaF) among full-time wheelchair and scooter (WC/S) users. Findings help identify WC/S users who may develop CaF and inform OT interventions to manage CaF for WC/S users. Primary Author and Speaker: Elizabeth Walker Peterson Additional Authors and Speakers: Sahel Moein Contributing Authors: Laura Rice

  PublisherDOI

• Key Features Enhancing the Usability of a Mobile Health Application Designed for People Using Wheelchairs or Scooters Full Time: A Mixed-Methods Study

  American Journal of Occupational Therapy · 2025-07-30

  article

  Abstract Date Presented 04/04/2025 A study on features enhancing the usability of mobile health apps designed for people using wheelchairs or scooters (WC/S) full time is described. Findings inform best practices in the development and selection of mHealth apps for clients using WC/S. Primary Author and Speaker: Elizabeth Walker Peterson Additional Authors and Speakers: Laura Rice, Sahel Moein Contributing Authors: Toni Van Denend, Ziwei Li

  PublisherDOI

• The Attentional Demands of Wheelchair Operation

  Journal of Motor Behavior · 2025-05-04

  articleSenior author

  < 0.01). Seated balance may be the primary contributor to the attentional demands of wheelchair propulsion.

  PublisherDOI

• Environmental Influence on Cognitive-Motor Interaction During Wheelchair Propulsion

  Journal of Motor Behavior · 2025-06-27 · 1 citations

  articleSenior authorCorresponding

  ≥ 0.37). Wheelchair propulsion is attentionally demanding; however, environmental complexity did not exacerbate cognitive or motor dual-task costs.

  PublisherDOI

• Strengthening Community-University Engagement at Illinois to Support Aging and Disability

  Innovation in Aging · 2025-12-01

  articleOpen access

  Abstract University and community engagement creates meaningful and mutually beneficial partnerships that enriches learning experiences and provides a foundation for research that is relevant and impactful; addresses community needs; builds trust; and enhances the validity and application of the findings. At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the College of Applied Health Sciences has two research themes: CHART (Collaboration on Health, Aging, Research, and Technology) and CARD (Collaborations in the Advancement of Research on Disability). Together, they represent consortia of faculty across campus and are proactively developing community connections with local leaders, healthcare providers, community agencies, older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. We will demonstrate how CHART and CARD have played a critical role in fostering community and university partnerships with successful programs and events this past year, as part of our Age-Friendly University mission. We hosted an open house and tour of the McKechnie Family LIFE Home during Active Aging Week to showcase research innovations with smart home technologies and robotics for people of all ages and abilities. We conducted a symposium entitled “Community/University Engagement to Support Aging and Disability” with over 100 attendees that brought together community members and researchers to explore strategies for effective research partnerships. Presentations and a panel discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration and addressing the needs of diverse communities. These initiatives not only strengthen university-community connections but also pave the way for continued collaboration and implementation of research initiatives to promote meaningful change and enhance well-being of individuals across all generations and abilities.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Clinicians’ perspectives on the usability and usefulness of an mHealth fall risk assessment for individuals who use wheelchairs: a pilot study

  Disability and Rehabilitation Assistive Technology · 2025-12-01

  articleSenior authorCorresponding

  Wheelchair-related injuries due to tips and falls are a major concern among individuals who use wheelchairs. Although various types of equipment exist for assessing wheelchair-related fall risk, many are impractical in clinical settings due to their high cost. Smartphone-based mobile health (mHealth) solutions can offer an alternative by minimising the need for specialised equipment. This pilot study evaluated the usability and usefulness of Steady Wheels, a smartphone-based mHealth application designed to assess fall risks among individuals who use wheelchairs. The app's feasibility was explored through demonstrations and semi-structured interviews with rehabilitation clinicians. Participants highlighted the app's ease of use for individuals of all ages who use wheelchairs, in particular, novice users. They suggested enhancements to improve usability and usefulness, such as tracking progress over time and integrating additional fall risk factors. Although the findings are limited by the small sample size and focus on clinicians rather than wheelchair users, this pilot test provides initial support for the feasibility of Steady Wheels as a practical, low-cost tool for evaluating fall risk in clinical settings. Future research should include larger and more diverse samples to further validate and refine the app's functionality and clinical integration.

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Jacob J. Sosnoff

  American Physical Therapy Association

  87 shared

• Joseph Peters

  Michigan Technological University

  46 shared

• JongHun Sung

  Urbana University

  41 shared

• Libak Abou

  Michigan Medicine

  40 shared

• Wendy D. Bartlo

  University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

  38 shared

• Elizabeth Peterson

  University of Illinois Chicago

  26 shared

• Deborah Backus

  16 shared

• Michael L. Boninger

  University of Pittsburgh

  15 shared