Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy
Associate Chair of DPT Education
Director, DPT Program

1540 Alcazar St., CHP 155,
Los Angeles, CA 90033

Julie Tilson is a Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy at the USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, Director of the USC DPT program and Associate Chair of DPT Education. She specializes in understanding the most effective methods for translating rehabilitation research into clinical practice. Dr. Tilson teaches evidence-based practice in USC’s doctor of physical therapy program and to clinicians nationally and internationally. Her curricula emphasize active learning and the integration of scientific research, clinical expertise and patient perspectives into clinical decision making.

Dr. Tilson is co-author of Evidence Based Physical Therapy, 2nd ed. (FA Davis, 2019) and has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed publications. Her clinical area of specialty is vestibular rehabilitation, and she holds emeritus status as a board-certified specialist in neurologic physical therapy from 2003 to 2023.

• Masters of Science, Biomedical and Clinical Investigations, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2009
• Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, 1998
• Bachelor of Science, Physical Education: Exercise Physiology, University of California, Davis, 1995

See Julie Tilson’s curriculum vitae.

@EBPDPT

• Tilson JK, Martinez CA, MacDowell S, D’Silva LJ, Howard R, Roth HR, Skop KM, Dannenbaum E, Farell L. Use of the knowledge to action model improved physical therapist adherence to a common clinical practice guideline across multiple settings: a multisite case series. BMC Health Serv Res. 2022;22(1462).
• Park S, Liu C, Sánchez N, Tilson JK, Mulroy SJ, Finley JM. Using Biofeedback to Reduce Step Length Asymmetry Impairs Dynamic Balance in People Poststroke [published online ahead of print, 2021 Jun 1]. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2021.
• Martinez C, Tilson JK. Controlled comparison of a flipped classroom evidence-based practice course delivered online or on-campus [published online ahead of print, 2021 Jan 5]. BMJ Evid Based Med. 2021;bmjebm-2020-111522.
• David N, Lindblad AJ, Widyahening IS, Bernado W, Chi C, Cowdell F, Becker K, Constantine S, East C, Myrhaug HT, Johnson SG, Jack E, Thompson R, Achilleos H, Berg RC, Snibsøer AK, Puscasiu L, Bartelink M, van Peet P, McCurtin A, Berti F, Tilson JK, Tikkinen KAO, Albarqouni L, Hoegen P. Ten papers for teachers of evidence-based medicine and health care: Sicily workshop 2019. BMJ Evid Based Med. Published Online: 10 November 2020.
• Cartabellotta N and Tilson JK. The ecosystem of evidence cannot thrive without efficiency of knowledge generation, synthesis and translation. J Clin Epidemiol. 2019;110:90-95.
• Lee JH, Baker LL, Johnson RE, Tilson JK. Effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation for management of shoulder subluxation post-stroke: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Clin Rehabil.2017;31(11):1431-1444.
• Rose DK, Nadeau SE, Wu SS, Tilson JK, Dobkin BH, Pei Q, Duncan PW. Locomotor Training and Strength and Balance Exercises for Walking Recovery After Stroke: Response to Number of Training Sessions. Phys Ther. 2017;97(11):1066-1074.
• Hershberg JA, Rose DK, Tilson JK, et al. The Interface of Clinical Decision-Making with Study Protocols for Knowledge Translation from a Walking Recovery Trial. J Neurol Phys Ther. 2017;41(1):59-67.
• Phillips AC, Lewis LK, McEvoy MP, Galipeau M, Glasziou P, Moher D, Tilson JK, Williams MT. Usability testing of the Guideline for Reporting Evidence-based practice Educational interventions and Teaching (GREET): Stage 3 of the development of a reporting guideline. BMC Med Educ. 2016;16:237
• Tilson JK, Mickan S, Howard R, Sum JC, Zibell M, Cleary L, Mody B, Michener, L. Promoting physical therapists’ use of research to inform clinical practice: part 3 – long term feasibility assessment of the PEAK program. BMC Med Educ. 2016;16(1):144.
• Tilson JK, Marshall K, Tam JJ, Fetters L. A bibliometric analysis of statistical terms used in American Physical Therapy Association journals (2011-2012): evidence for educating physical therapists. BMC Med Educ. 2016;16(1):118.
• Tilson JK, Loeb K, Barbosa S, Jiang F, Lee KT. Use of tablet computers to promote physical therapy students’ engagement in knowledge translation during clinical experiences. J Neurol Phys Ther. 2016;40(2):81-89.
• Kaplan SL, Tilson JK, Levine S, George SZ, Fay D, Hack L, Jewell DV, Wainner R. Strategies for Using the APTA Section on Research Evidence-Based Practice Curriculum Guidelines. J Phys Ther Educ. 2016;30(2):23-31.
• Liphart J, Gallichio J, Tilson JK, Pei Q, Wu SS, Duncan PW. Concordance and discordance between measured and perceived balance and the effect on gait speed and falls following stroke. Clin Rehabil. 2016;30(3):294-302.
• Ilic D, Nordin RB, Glasziou P, Tilson JK, Villanueva E. A randomised controlled trial of a blended learning education intervention for teaching evidence-based medicine. BMC Med Educ. 2015;15:39.
• Phillips AC, Lewis LK, McEvoy MP, Galipeau J, Glasziou P, Hammick M, Moher D, Tilson JK, Williams MT. A Delphi survey to determine how educational interventions for evidence-based practice should be reported: stage 2 of the development of a reporting guideline. BMC Med Educ. 2014;14:159.
• Phillips AC, Lewis LK, McEvoy MP, Galipeau J, Glasziou P, Hammick M, Moher D, Tilson JK, Williams MT. A systematic review of how studies describe educational interventions for evidence-based practice: stage 1 of the development of a reporting guideline. BMC Med Educ. 2014;14:152.
• Mickan S, Atherton H, Roberts NW, Heneghan C, Tilson JK. Use of handheld computers in clinical practice: a systematic review. BMC Med Inform and Decis Mak. 2014:14:56.
• Tilson JK, Mickan S, Sum JC, Zibell M, Dylla J, Howard R. Promoting physical therapists’ use of research evidence to inform clinical practice: part 2 – a mixed methods evaluation of the PEAK program. BMC Med Educ. 2014:14:126.
• Tilson JK, Mickan S. Promoting physical therapists’ use of research evidence to inform clinical practice: part 1 – theoretical foundation, evidence, and description of the PEAK program. BMC Med Educ. 2014:14:125.
• Ilic D, Nordin RB, Glasziou P, Tilson JK, Villanueva E. Development and validation of the ACE tool: assessing medical trainees’ competency in evidence based medicine. BMC Med Educ. 2014;14:114.
• Ilic D, Nordin RB, Glasziou P, Tilson JK, Villanueva E. Implementation of a blended learning approach to teaching evidence based practice: a protocol for a mixed methods study. BMC Med Educ. 2013;13:170.
• Mickan S, Tilson JK, Atherton H, Roberts NW, Heneghan C. Evidence of effectiveness of healthcare professionals using handheld computers: A scoping review of systematic reviews. J Med Internet Res. 2013;15(10):e212.
• Nadeau SE, Wu SS, Dobkin BH, Azen SP, Rose DK, Tilson JK, Cen SY, Duncan PW. Effects of Task-Specific and Impairment-Based Training Compared with Usual Care on Functional Walking Ability After Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation LEAPS Trial. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2013; 27: 370-380.
• Rose DK, Behrman AL, Nadeau SE, Martin AD, Schofield RS, Tilson JK, Cen SY, Lu X, Wu SS, Azen S, Duncan PW. Does Exercise Tolerance Testing at 60 days Post-Stroke Predict Rehabilitation Performance? Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2013; 94(7):1223-1229.
• Phillips AC, Lewis LK, McEvoy MP, Galipeau J, Glasziou P, Hammick M, Moher D, Tilson JK, Williams MT. Protocol for development of the guideline for reporting evidence based practice educational interventions and teaching (GREET) statement. BMC Med Ed. 2013:13(9).
• Tilson JK, Wu SS, Cen SY, Feng Q, Rose DR, Behrman AL, Azen S, Duncan PW for the LEAPS Investigative Team. Characterizing and identifying risk for falls in the LEAPS study: a randomized clinical trial of interventions to improve walking post-stroke. 2012;43:446-452.
• Tilson JK, Kaplan SL, Harris JL, Hutchinson A, Ilic D, Niederman R, Potomkova J, Zwolsman S. Sicily Statement on Classification and Development of Evidence-Based Practice Learning Assessment Tools. BMC Med Ed. 2011; 11:78.
• Duncan PW, Sullivan KJ, Behrman AL, Azen SP, Wu SS, Nadeau SE, Dobkin BH, Rose DK, Tilson JK, Cen SY, and Hayden SK, for the LEAPS Investigative Team.  Body-Weight–Supported Treadmill Rehabilitation after Stroke. N Engl J Med. 2011; 364(21):2026-2036.
• Sullivan KJ, Tilson JK, Cen SY, Rose DK, Hershberg J, Correa A, Gallichio J, McLeod M, Moore C, Wu SS, Duncan PW. Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Sensorimotor Function After Stroke: Standardized Training Procedure for Clinical Practice and Clinical Trials. 2011;42:427-432.
• Tilson JK. Validation of the modified Fresno Test: assessing physical therapists’ evidence based practice knowledge and skills. BMC Med Ed. 2010, 10:
• Tilson JK, Sullivan KJ, Cen CY, Rose DK, Koradia CH, Azen PA, Duncan PW for the LEAPS Investigative Team. Meaningful gait speed improvement during the first 60 days post stroke: Minimal Clinically Important Difference. Phys Ther. 2010; 90(2):196-208.
• Glasziou P, Chalmers I, Altman DG, Bastian H, Boutron I, Brice A, Jamtvedt G, Farmer A, Ghersi D, Groves T, Heneghan C, Hill S, Lewin S, Michie S, Perera R, Pomeroy V, Tilson J, Shepperd S, Williams JW. Taking healthcare interventions from trial to practice. 2010;341, 384-387.