Susan Murphy, ScD, OTR

 Susan Murphy smiling in front of green leaves
Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Research Professor
Institute of Gerontology and Professor of Internal Medicine
Medical School
[email protected]
Available to mentor
Susan Murphy, ScD, OTR
Susan Murphy smiling in front of green leaves
Professor
  • About
  • Links
  • Qualifications
  • Center Memberships
  • Research Overview
  • Recent Publications

  • Manage Your Profile

    • About

    Dr. Murphy is an occupational therapist by training and behavioral researcher focused on developing and translating relevant and effective interventions into practice to optimize management of chronic conditions. She has a particular interest in advancing telehealth and rehabilitation for people with scleroderma and leads the behavioral studies branch of the University of Michigan's Scleroderma Program. Dr. Murphy has expertise in patient-oriented and community-engaged research methods, social and behavioral clinical trial methodology, development and evaluation of competency-based research training, and real-time assessment techniques such as ecological momentary assessment and accelerometry.

    Links
    • TRACC-R Center

    Qualifications
    • Post-doctoral training
      University of Michigan Medical School, Gerontology, Ann Arbor, United States
      2002 - 2003
      Postdoctoral Fellowship
    • Post-doctoral fellowship
      Yale University, Epid & Public Health, New Haven, United States
      2000 - 2002
      Postdoctoral Fellowship

    Center Memberships
    • Center Member
      e-Health and Artificial Intelligence Initiative
    • Center Member
      Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation

    Research Overview

    Chronic condition self-management
    telehealth
    telerehab
    AI applications for behavioral and social science
    research best practinces training to improve efficiency in clinical trials

    Recent Publications

     See All Publications
    • Journal Article
      Examining the Impact of Perceived and Objective Cognitive Function on Social Participation in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis.
      VanNostrand M, Ehde DM, Murphy SL, Alschuler KN, Kratz AL, Fritz NE. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 2026 Apr 23; DOI:10.1016/j.apmr.2026.04.019
      PMID: 42034272
    • Journal Article
      Evaluation of the construct validity of the Michigan Fatigability Index (MIFI) short forms: a cross-sectional survey study.
      Kratz A, Carlozzi N, Murphy S, Braley T, Whibley D, Williams D, Fritz N, Abou L, Kallen M. J Patient Rep Outcomes, 2026 Apr 16; DOI:10.1186/s41687-026-01068-3
      PMID: 41989675
    • Journal Article
      201 Using a large language model to identify behavioral and social science research at the University of Michigan
      Harper A, Hanauer D, Kadri R, Lyden A, Janevic M, Kalpakjian C, Murphy SL. Journal of Clinical and Translational Science, 2026 May 9; 10 (s1): 65 - 66. DOI:10.1017/cts.2026.10406
      PMID: PMC13173121
    • Journal Article
      209 Career ladders and clinical research professionals: Results of a workforce development discussion across the CTSA consortium
      Eakin B, Ianni P, Freel S, Helm S, Jenkerson M, Murphy S. Journal of Clinical and Translational Science, 2026 May 9; 10 (s1): 69 - 69. DOI:10.1017/cts.2026.10414
      PMID: PMC13173043
    • Journal Article
      A community health worker-delivered intervention (STEPS) to support chronic pain self-management among older adults in an underserved urban community: protocol for a randomized trial.
      Janevic MR, Lindsay R, Brines E, Wisdom K, Robinson-Lane SG, Brewer R, Murphy SL, Piette J, Grijalva L, Anderson M, Clement J, Latimer C. Trials, 2025 Jun 2; 26 (1): 186 DOI:10.1186/s13063-025-08892-w
      PMID: PMC12128255
    • Journal Article
      Understanding use and predictors of compensatory cognitive strategies in people with multiple sclerosis
      Kim J, Murphy SL, Abou L, Alschuler KN, Ehde DM, Fritz NE, Kratz AL. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 2025 Oct 1; 102: DOI:10.1016/j.msard.2025.106710
    • Journal Article
      Considerations for Issues of Regression to the Mean and Contextual Effects in Clinical Trials for Pain in Rheumatic Diseases.
      Chen YT, Zhu G, Hassett AL, Clauw D, Murphy SL. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken), 2025 Aug 18; DOI:10.1002/acr.25636
      PMID: 40827008
    • Journal Article
      A Scoping Review on AI-Supported Interventions for Non-Pharmacological Management of Chronic Rheumatic Diseases.
      Shah N, Castellanos A, Chen YT, Piette JD, Bucher A, Murphy SL. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken), 2025 Jul 14; DOI:10.1002/acr.25612
      PMID: 40654107

    Featured News & Stories

         six women standing together smiling in front of posters
    Health Lab

    For scleroderma research, patients seen as essential co-creators

    As scleroderma research moves forward, involving patients with scleroderma in clinical trials can give researchers insight into what is most important for patients living with the condition.