Colleen M. Karow, Ph.D.

Field Specialty

Adult Neurologic Communication Disorders and Dysphagia

Research Interests

See Also: Rapid Assessment of Problem Solving (RAPS)

Dr. Karow conducts research and program development in two areas of medical speech language pathology, cognitive-linguistic disorders and dysphagia.  Her research, at The Center for Cognitive Wellness and Neurologic Communication Disorders, has led to the development of, “Brain Aerobics for Seniors”.  This clinical program was designed to improve cognitive fitness in adults who are aging normally and those with Mild Cognitive Impairment.  Cognitive fitness training is provided in a 10-week program where participants engage in stimulation tasks across the domains of cognition including:  Memory, Attention Span & Processing Speed, Executive Function, Visual Spatial Skills, and Language.  The research is also examining the benefits of educational programs designed to enhance participants’ understanding of how to maintain or improve their cognitive wellness.  At the Center, Dr. Karow is also developing assessment and treatment paradigms for improving problem solving skills and is investigating the effects of web-interfaced stimulation programs for patients with neurological damage.

Dr. Karow has a lab at The Anderson Voice & Swallowing Center, where she conducts research with Dr. Mary Es Beaver, M.D., FACS to develop new diagnostic techniques and treatments for patients with dysphagia and laryngeal disorders.   At the Anderson Center both masters and Ph.D. students in Speech Language Pathology are engaged in research and clinical training.  Drs. Karow & Beaver most recently completed study investigated the difference between peripheral and central sensory processing disorders in stroke patients with normal laryngeal adductor reflex using endoscopy with sensory testing.

Education

  • M.S., Western Illinois University (1985)
  • Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin (1997)

Representative Publications

  • Sensory Processing Disorders in Stroke Patients with Normal Laryngeal Adductor Reflex.  Karow, CM & Beaver, M.  (in submission)

  • Incidence of bordetella pertussis and mycoplasma pneumonia infection in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic laryngotracheitis (AECL) or chronic laryngotracheitis. Beaver, M & Karow, CM.  (in submission).

  • Update on a Clinical Measure for the Assessment of Problem Solving.  Marshall, RC & Karow, CM.  American Journal of Speech Language Pathology (in press).

  • Problem Solving by Subjects With and Without Diffuse Neurologic Involvement. Marshall, CM McGurk, SR, Karow, CM &  Kairy, TJ. (2007) Volume 21, Issues 6-8.

  • Karow, CM & Connors, E (2003). Affective Communication in Normal and Brain Damaged Adults:  An Overview.  Seminars in Speech Lang, Vol. 24(2): 69-92.

  • Performance of subjects with and without severe mental illness on a clinical test of problem solving. Marshall, RC, McGurk, SR, Karow, CM, Kairy, TJ, & Flashman, LA. (2006). Schizophrenia Research, 81, 331-344.

  • Effects of Interactive Strategy Modeling Training on Problem-Solving by Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury.  Marshall RC, Karow CM, Morelli CA, Iden KK, Dixen J, & Cranfill TB.  (2004). Aphasiology, 18 (8), 659-673.

Courses Taught

  • ASP 506- Neural Bases of Speech and Language
  • ASP 526- Dysphagia
  • ASP 539- Motor Speech Disorders
  • ASP 626- Advanced Seminar in Neurologically-Based Communication Disorders

Contact Information

Colleen M. Karow
Associate Professor

Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology
University of Tennessee
439 S. Stadium Hall
Knoxville, TN 37996-0740

Phone: (865) 974-1789
Email: ckarow@utk.edu