Kirsten K. Ness, PT, PhD

Kirsten K. Ness, PT, PhD

Assistant Member, St. Jude Faculty

Departments

Epidemiology and Cancer Control

Contact Information

Kirsten Ness, PT, PhD
Epidemiology and Cancer Control
MS 735, Room S-6010
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105-3678
Email: kiri.ness@stjude.org
Phone: (901) 595-5157
FAX: (901) 595-5845

Education

BA - College of St. Scholastica (1983)
MA - Augsburg College (1998)
MPH - University of Minnesota (2002)
PhD - University of Minnesota (2004)


Clinical Interests

  • Physical Therapy

Research Interests

  • Clinical and population measurement of physical performance and disability
  • Exercise and physical activity intervention for chronic disease in childhood
  • The impact of disability on quality of life and life satisfaction
  • Obesity and metabolic syndrome in long-term cancer survivors
  • Analysis of epidemiologic data

Current Research

  • Aerobic and Strengthening Exercise for Acute Leukemia (XRCISL), Principal Investigator
  • Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS), Co-Investigator
  • Establishment of a Lifetime Cohort of Adults Surviving Childhood Cancer (SJLIFE) Co-Investigator
    • Human Performance Assessment
    • SJLIFE6: Associations Between Range of Motion, Strength, Vestibular Function, Sensation, Gait and Physical Activity in Adult Survivors of Childhood Lower Extremity Bone Malignancies, Principal Investigator
    • SJLIFE9: Long -Term Renal Impairment in Survivors of Unilateral Wilms’ Tumor (Pilot Study) Co-Investigator
    • SJLIFE11: Balance and Vestibular Pathology in Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer Treated with Cisplatin, Principal Investigator
    • SJLIFE16: Neurocognitive function in long-term survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma exposed to thoracic radiation and Anthracycline- Cohort 1= Thoracic Radiation/no Anthracycline, Cohort 2= Radiation with Anthracycline, Co-Investigator
  • Motor Proficiency and Physical Activity in Adult Survivors of Childhood ALL (MTRPAL) Principal Investigator
  • Neurologic Morbidity and Disability in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Survivors (ALLNOC), Study Committee
  • Physical Performance, Disability and Quality of Life in Brain tumor Survivors (ACS RSGPB-06-210-01 CPPB), Principal Investigator
  • Study of Bevacizumab, a Humanized Monoclonal Antibody against Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), in Combination with Chemotherapy for Treatment of Osteosarcoma (OS2008) Co-Investigator for functional assessment and rehabilitation outcomes
  • Vibration Intervention for Bone Enhancement in Childhood Cancer Survivors (VIBE) Principal Investigator

Selected Publications

Gapstur R, Gross CR, Ness KK. Factors associated with sleep-wake disturbances in adult survivors of childhood brain tumors:  a review. Oncol Nurs Forum 2009 (in press).

Armstrong GT, Liu Q, Yasui Y, Huang S, Ness KK, Leisenring W, Hudson MM, Donaldson SS, King AA, Stovall M, Krull KR, Robison LL, Packer RJ. Long-term outcomes among adult survivors of childhood central nervous system malignancies:  a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. J Natl Cancer Inst 2009 (in press).

Thomas IH, Ness KK, Gurney JG. The authors respond (Re: Bone mineral density in young adult and survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia). Cancer 2009 (in press), letter.

Ness KK, Rao BN, Daw NC. More than physical function: HRQOL among children with lower extremity bone sarcoma. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009 (in press).

Majhail NS, Flowers ME, Ness KK, Jagasia M, Carpenter PA, Arora M, Arai S, Johnston L, Martin PJ, Baker KS, Lee SJ, Burns LJ. High prevalence of the metabolic syndrome after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Bone Marrow Transplant 43:49-54, 2009.

Hijiya N, Ness KK, Ribeiro RC, Hudson MM. Acute leukemia as a secondary malignancy in children and adolescents: current findings and issues. Cancer 115:23–35, 2009.

Gilchrist LS, Galantino ML, Wampler M, Marchese VG, Morris GS, Ness KK. A framework for assessment in oncology rehabilitation. Phys Ther 89:286–306, 2009.

Ness KK, Leisenring W, Goodman P, Kawashima T, Mertens AC, Oeffinger KC, Armstrong GT, Robison LL. Assessment of selection bias in clinic-based populations of childhood cancer survivors: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. Pediatr Blood Cancer 52:379–86, 2009.

Ness KK, Leisenring WM, Huang S, Hudson MM, Gurney JG, Whelan K, Hobbie WL, Armstrong GT, Robison LL, Oeffinger KC. Predictors of inactive lifestyle among adult survivors of childhood cancer: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. Cancer 115:1984–94, 2009.

Ness KK, Hudson MM, Ginsberg JP, Nagarajan R, Kaste SC, Marina N, Whitton J, Robison LL, Gurney JG. Physical performance limitations in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study cohort. J Clin Oncol 27:2382–9, 2009.

Nagarajan R, Mogil R, Neglia JP, Robison LL, Ness KK. Self-reported global function among adult survivors of childhood lower-extremity bone tumors: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS). J Cancer Surviv 3:59–65, 2009.

Kaste SC, Metzger ML, Minhas A, Xiong Z, Rai SN, Ness KK, Hudson MM. Pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma survivors at negligible risk for significant bone mineral density deficits. Pediatr Blood Cancer 52:516–21, 2009.

Gurney JG, Krull KR, Kadan-Lottick N, Nicholson HS, Nathan PC, Zebrack B, Tersak JM, Ness KK. Social outcomes in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study cohort. J Clin Oncol 27:2390–5, 2009.

Ness KK, Hudson MM, Ginsberg JP, Nagarajan R, Kaste SC, Marina N, Whitton J, Robison LL, Gurney JG. Physical performance limitations in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study cohort. J Clin Oncol 27:2382–9, 2009.

Nathan PC, Ford JS, Henderson TO, Hudson MM, Emmons KM, Casillas JN, Lown EA, Ness KK, Oeffinger KC. Health behaviors, medical care, and interventions to promote healthy living in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study cohort. J Clin Oncol 27:2363–73, 2009.

Thomas IH, Donohue JE, Ness KK, Dengel DR, Baker KS, Gurney JG. Bone mineral density in young adult survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Cancer 113:3248–56, 2008.

Robien K, Ness KK, Klesges LM, Baker KS, Gurney JG. Poor adherence to dietary guidelines among adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 30:815-22, 2008.

Krull KR, Gioia G, Ness KK, Ellenberg L, Recklitis C, Leisenring W, Huang S, Stovall M, Robison LL, Zeltzer L. Reliability and validity of the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study Neurocognitive Questionnaire. Cancer 113:2188-97, 2008.

Nathan PC, Greenberg ML, Ness KK, Hudson MM, Mertens AC, Mahoney MC, Gurney JG, Donaldson SS, Leisenring WM, Robison LL, Oeffinger KC. Medical care in long-term survivors of childhood cancer: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. J Clin Oncol 26:4401-9, 2008.

Majhail NS, Flowers ME, Ness KK, Jagasia M, Carpenter PA, Arora M, Arai S, Johnston L, Martin PJ, Baker KS, Lee SJ, Burns LJ. High prevalence of metabolic syndrome after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Bone Marrow Transplant Aug 25, 2008. [Epub ahead of print]

Zeltzer LK. Lu Q, Leisenring W, Tsao JCI, Recklitis C, Armstrong G, Meterns AC, Robison LL, Ness KK. Psychosocial outcomes and health-related quality of life in childhood cancer survivors: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 17:435–446, 2008.

Mulrooney DA, Dover DC, Li S, Yasui Y, Ness KK, Mertens AC, Neglia JP, Sklar CS, Robison LL, Davies SM. Twenty years of follow-up among survivors of childhood and young adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML): a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. Cancer 112:2071–2079, 2008.

Dengel DR, Ness KK, Glasser SP, Williamson EB, Baker KS, Gurney JG.  Endothelial function in young adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 30:20–25, 2008.

Mulrooney DA, Ness KK, Neglia JP, Whitton JA, Green DM, Zeltzer LK, Robison LL, Mertens AC.  Fatigue and sleep disturbance in adult survivors of childhood cancer: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. Sleep 31:271–281, 2008.

Ness KK, Gurney JG, Zeltzer LK, Leisenring W, Mulrooney DA, Nathan PC, Robison LL, Mertens AC.  The impact of limitations in physical, executive and emotional function on health-related quality of life among adult survivors of childhood cancer:  a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil  89:128–136, 2008.

Schultz KA, Ness KK, Whitton J, Recklitis C, Zebrack B, Robison LL, Zeltzer L, Mertens AC. Behavioral and social outcomes in adolescent survivors of childhood cancer: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. J Clin Oncol  25:3649–3656, 2007.

Majhail NS, Ness KK, Burns LJ, Carter A, Francisco L, Sun CL, Forman SJ, Bhatia S, Baker KS.  Late effects in survivors of Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treated with autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation: a report from the Bone Marrow Transplant Survivor Study. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 13:1153–9, 2007.

Gurney JG, Donohue JE, Ness KK, Glasser SP O’Leary M, Baker KS. Health knowledge on symptoms of heart attack and stroke in adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Ann Epidemiol 17:778–81, 2007.

Gurney JG, Tersak JM, Ness KK, Landier W, Matthay KK, Schmidt ML. Hearing loss, quality of life, and academic problems in long-term neuroblastoma survivors: a report from the Children’s Oncology Group. Pediatrics 120:e1229–1236, 2007.

Brachlow AE, Ness KK, Mcpeeters ML, Gurney JG. Comparison of indicators for a primary care medical home between children with autism or asthma and other special health care needs: National Survey of Children’s Health. Arch Pediatr Adoles Med 161: 399–405, 2007.

Perkins JL, Kunin-Batson AS, Youngren NM, Ness KK, Ulrich KJ, Hansen MJ, Petryk A, Steinberger J, Anderson FS, Baker KS. Long-term follow-up of children who underwent hematopoeitic cell transplant (HCT) for AML or ALL at less than 3 years of age. Pediatr Blood Cancer 49:958–63, 2007.

Nathan PC, Ness KK, Greenberg ML, Hudson M, Wolden S, Davidoff A, Laverdiere C, Mertens A, Whitton J, Robison LL, Zeltzer L, Gurney JG. Health-related quality of life in adult survivors of childhood Wilms tumor or neuroblastoma. A report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. Pediatr Blood  Cancer 49:704–715, 2007.

Ness KK, Baker KS, Dengel DR, Youngren N, Sibley S, Mertens AC, Gurney JG. Body composition, muscle strength deficits, and mobility limitations in adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.  Pediatr Blood Cancer 49:975–981, 2007.

Baker KS, Ness KK, Steinberger J, Carter A, Francisco L, Burns LJ, Sklar C, Forman S, Weisdorf D, Gurney JG, Bhatia S.  Diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular events in survivors of hematopoietic cell transplantation: a report from the Bone Marrow Transplant Survivor Study.  Blood 109:1765–72, 2007.

Steele JR, Raymond RL, Ness KK, Alvi S, Kearney I. A comparative study of sociocultural factors and young adults' smoking in two midwestern communities. Nicotine Tobac Res. 9 Suppl 1:S73–82, 2007.

Ness KK, Gurney JG. Adverse late effects of childhood cancer and its treatment on health and performance. Ann Rev Public Health 28:279–302, 2007.

Nathan PC, Jovcevska V, Ness KK, D’Agostino NM, Staneland R, Urbach SL, Barron M, Barrera M, Greenberg ML. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in pediatric survivors of cancer. J Pediatrics; 49:518–25, 2006.

Gurney JG, Ness KK, Sibley SD, O’Leary M, Dengel DR, Lee JM, Youngren NM, Glasser SP, Baker KS. Metabolic syndrome and growth hormone deficiency in adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Cancer 107:1303–1312, 2006.

Fraser CJ, Bhatia S, Ness KK, Carter A, Francisco L, Arora M, Parker P, Forman S, Weisdorf DJ, Gurney JG, Baker KS. Impact of chronic graft versus host disease on the health status of hematopoietic cell transplantation survivors: a report from the Bone Marrow Transplant Survivor Study. Blood; 108.2867–73, 2006.

Schultz, KP, Ness KK, Nagarajan R, Steiner ME. Adnexal masses in infancy and childhood. Clin Obstet Gynecol 49:464–479, 2006.

Gurney JG, Ness KK, Rosenthal J, Forman SJ, Bhatia S, Baker KS. Visual, auditory, sensory, and motor impairments in long-term survivors of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation performed in childhood — results from the Bone Marrow Transplant Survivor Study. Cancer 106:1402–1408, 2006.

Last update: June 2009

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