Kimberly Topp, PhD, PT

Professor Emeritus
Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science
+1 415 476-9449

Dr. Kimberly Topp is Professor and Chair Emeritus of the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science. She held the Sexton Sutherland Endowed Chair in Human Anatomy from the UCSF Academy of Medical Educators for 10 years. Her areas of expertise include anatomy and the application of anatomical knowledge to clinical problems and peripheral neuropathy research. She obtained her BS in Physical Therapy from Northern Arizona University and her PhD in Anatomy and Cell Biology from the University of California, Davis. After completing her post doctoral training in Neurobiology, Dr. Topp joined the UCSF faculty in 1993 and held joint appointments in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science and Anatomy.  She has received the American Association of Anatomists in 2010, and Honorary Fellow of The Anatomical Society (Great Britain and Ireland) in 2015. Dr. Topp has held leadership positions in the American Association of Anatomists and American Association of Clinical Anatomists, and is a Past President of the American Association of Anatomists. Although still actively engaged in research, teaching and service, Dr. Topp retired from UCSF in 2018.

Dr. Topp's areas of research interest are in structure-function relationships of peripheral nerve and in the application of research findings in the physical therapy clinical population. She has investigated chemotherapy induced neuropathy in a rat model and human patients. She and colleagues have evaluated sub-clinical and overt sensorimotor neuropathy in study participants with breast cancer treated with taxanes. They documented the sensory neuropathy and measured the correlation between severity of neuropathy and quality of life, level of pain, and balance impairments. These studies have been funded through a collaboration with Dr. Christine Miaskowski at UCSF. With collaborator Dr. Benjamin Boyd, Dr. Topp investigated structure-function relationships in normal and injured peripheral nerve. Their published findings using human cadavers supported the use of limb positioning sequences in the physical therapy clinic to induce quantifiable nerve strain during evaluation of nerve dysfunction. They also completed an investigation of biomechanics of the sciatic nerve and related symptomatology in study participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Their findings are directly applicable in physical therapy care for this patient population. Dr. Topp's perspectives on nerve biomechanics may be found in the Journal of Hand Therapy, 2012, and Gray's Anatomy, 41st Edition, 2016. Her collaborative work in physical therapist education may be found in Physical Therapy, 2016, and Journal of Physical Therapy Education, 2018.

Interests: Peripheral nerve, neuropathy, chemotherapy, anatomy

Publications: 

Excellence in Academic Physical Therapy: Promoting a Culture of Data Sharing.

Journal, physical therapy education

North SE, Kosior K, Altenburger P, Binder-Macleod S, Brechter J, Deoghare H, Topp K

Personal Autonomy and Self-Determination are Crucial for Professionalism in Healthcare.

Anatomical sciences education

Organ JM, Smith HF, Trainor PA, Allen K, Balta J, Beresheim AB, Brewer-Deluce D, Brown KM, Burrows AM, Byers KT, Byram JN, Cale AS, Carroll MA, Champney T, Cornwall J, Dayal MR, DeLeon VB, Dunnwald M, Ferrigno C, Finn GM, Fox GM, Geller PL, Guttmann GD, Harper N, Harrell KM, Hartstone-Rose A, Hildebrandt S, Hortsch M, Jackson J, Johnson LE, Lohman Bonfiglio CM, McCumber TL, Menegaz RA, Mussell JC, O'Loughlin VD, Otobo T, Oyedele O, Pascoe MA, Person D, Reidenberg JS, Robinson RE, Rogers KA, Ros MA, Ross CF, Sanders KA, Schmitt B, Schoenwolf GC, Smith TD, Smith TC, Sumner DR, Taylor AB, Taylor MJ, Teaford MF, Topp KS, Willmore KE, Wisco JJ, Yang J, Zumwalt AC

Anatomic maps of erogenous sensation and pleasure in the penis: are there difference between circumcised and uncircumcised men?

The journal of sexual medicine

Zaliznyak M, Isaacson D, Duralde E, Gaither TW, Naser-Tavakolian A, Bresee C, Stelmar J, Yuan N, Topp K, Garcia MM

Predictive Factors of Academic Success in Neuromusculoskeletal Anatomy Among Doctor of Physical Therapy Students.

Anatomical sciences education

Harmon DJ, Attardi SM, Waite JG, Topp KS, Smoot BJ, Farkas GJ

SIMILARITIES IN THE NEUROPATHY PHENOTYPE OF CANCER SURVIVORS WHO RECEIVED DIFFERENT CLASSES OF CHEMOTHERAPY DRUGS.

The journal of pain

Miaskowski C, Levine JD, Paul SM, Cooper B, Abrams G, Topp K, Cheung S, Henderson-Sabes J, Conley YP, Snowberg K, Alfaro E, Quinn M, Kober KM

A multidisciplinary team-based approach with lifestyle modification and symptom management to address the impact of androgen deprivation therapy in prostate cancer: A randomized phase II study.

Urologic oncology

Pollock Y, Zhang L, Kenfield SA, Van Blarigan EL, Rodvelt T, Rabow M, Macaire G, Weinberg R, Topp K, Friedlander T, Lin A, Fong L, Kim W, Ma B, Hough J, Lee M, Paciorek A, Ryan CJ, Chan JM, Small E, Aggarwal R

Treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema using negative pressure massage: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Lampinen R, Lee JQ, Leano J, Miaskowski C, Mastick J, Brinker L, Topp K, Smoot B

Association Between Physical Activity Levels and Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Severity in Cancer Survivors.

Oncology nursing forum

Wilcoxon A, Kober KM, Viele C, Topp K, Smoot B, Abrams G, Chesney M, Paul SM, Conley YP, Levine JD, Miaskowski C

Taking the Next Steps in Regenerative Rehabilitation: Establishment of a New Interdisciplinary Field.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Willett NJ, Boninger ML, Miller LJ, Alvarez L, Aoyama T, Bedoni M, Brix KA, Chisari C, Christ G, Dearth CL, Dyson-Hudson TA, Evans CH, Goldman SM, Gregory K, Gualerzi A, Hart J, Ito A, Kuroki H, Loghmani MT, Mack DL, Malanga GA, Noble-Haeusslein L, Pasquina P, Roche JA, Rose L, Stoddart MJ, Tajino J, Terzic C, Topp KS, Wagner WR, Warden SJ, Wolf SL, Xie H, Rando TA, Ambrosio F

Perceived stress is associated with a higher symptom burden in cancer survivors.

Cancer

Mazor M, Paul SM, Chesney MA, Chen LM, Smoot B, Topp K, Conley YP, Levine JD, Miaskowski C

Perturbations in neuroinflammatory pathways are associated with paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy in breast cancer survivors.

Journal of neuroimmunology

Miaskowski C, Topp K, Conley YP, Paul SM, Melisko M, Schumacher M, Chesney M, Abrams G, Levine JD, Kober KM

Deleterious Effects of Higher Body Mass Index on Subjective and Objective Measures of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Cancer Survivors.

Journal of pain and symptom management

Petrovchich I, Kober KM, Wagner L, Paul SM, Abrams G, Chesney MA, Topp K, Smoot B, Schumacher M, Conley YP, Hammer M, Levine JD, Miaskowski C

Age-related differences in patient-reported and objective measures of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy among cancer survivors.

Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer

Wong ML, Cooper BA, Paul SM, Abrams G, Topp K, Kober KM, Chesney MA, Mazor M, Schumacher MA, Conley YP, Levine JD, Miaskowski C

Contribution of Loss of Large Fiber Function to Pain in 2 Samples of Oncology Patients.

The Clinical journal of pain

Miaskowski C, Paul SM, Mastick J, Abrams G, Topp K, Smoot B, Kober KM, Chesney M, Schumacher M, Conley YP, Hammer M, Cheung S, Borsook D, Levine JD

Expression of mitochondrial dysfunction-related genes and pathways in paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy in breast cancer survivors.

Molecular pain

Kober KM, Olshen A, Conley YP, Schumacher M, Topp K, Smoot B, Mazor M, Chesney M, Hammer M, Paul SM, Levine JD, Miaskowski C

Associations Between Perceived Stress and Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Otoxicity in Adult Cancer Survivors.

Journal of pain and symptom management

Miaskowski C, Paul SM, Mastick J, Abrams G, Topp K, Smoot B, Kober KM, Chesney M, Mazor M, Mausisa G, Schumacher M, Conley YP, Sabes JH, Cheung S, Wallhagen M, Levine JD

Differences in symptom clusters before and twelve months after breast cancer surgery.

European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society

Mazor M, Cataldo JK, Lee K, Dhruva A, Cooper B, Paul SM, Topp K, Smoot BJ, Dunn LB, Levine JD, Conley YP, Miaskowski C

Impact of chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicities on adult cancer survivors' symptom burden and quality of life.

Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice

Miaskowski C, Mastick J, Paul SM, Abrams G, Cheung S, Sabes JH, Kober KM, Schumacher M, Conley YP, Topp K, Smoot B, Mausisa G, Mazor M, Wallhagen M, Levine JD

Guided Laparoscopic Video Tutorials for Medical Student Instruction in Abdominal Anatomy.

MedEdPORTAL : the journal of teaching and learning resources

Isaacson D, Green C, Topp K, O'Sullivan P, Kim E

Potassium Channel Candidate Genes Predict the Development of Secondary Lymphedema Following Breast Cancer Surgery.

Nursing research

Smoot B, Kober KM, Paul SM, Levine JD, Abrams G, Mastick J, Topp K, Conley YP, Miaskowski CA

Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy in Cancer Survivors.

Journal of pain and symptom management

Miaskowski C, Mastick J, Paul SM, Topp K, Smoot B, Abrams G, Chen LM, Kober KM, Conley YP, Chesney M, Bolla K, Mausisa G, Mazor M, Wong M, Schumacher M, Levine JD

Predictors of Altered Upper Extremity Function During the First Year After Breast Cancer Treatment.

American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation

Smoot B, Paul SM, Aouizerat BE, Dunn L, Elboim C, Schmidt B, Hamolsky D, Levine JD, Abrams G, Mastick J, Topp K, Miaskowski C

Program Director's Response.

Physical therapy

Topp KS

Differences in limb volume trajectories after breast cancer treatment.

Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice

Smoot B, Cooper BA, Conley Y, Kober K, Levine JD, Mastick J, Topp K, Miaskowski C

Gaps between patients' reported current and preferred abilities versus clinicians' emphases during an episode of care: any agreement?

Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation

Allen DD, Talavera C, Baxter S, Topp K

Teaching point of care ultrasound skills in medical school: keeping radiology in the driver's seat.

Academic radiology

Webb EM, Cotton JB, Kane K, Straus CM, Topp KS, Naeger DM

Side of cancer does not influence limb volumes in women prior to breast cancer surgery.

Lymphatic research and biology

Smoot B, Paul SM, Aouizerat BE, Elboim C, Levine JD, Abrams G, Hamolsky D, Neuhaus J, Schmidt B, West C, Topp K, Miaskowski C

The pattern of tibial nerve excursion with active ankle dorsiflexion is different in older people with diabetes mellitus.

Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon)

Boyd BS, Gray AT, Dilley A, Wanek L, Topp KS

Twelve tips for facilitating successful teleconferences.

Medical teacher

Chou CL, Promes SB, Souza KH, Topp KS, O'Sullivan PS

The impact of an interprofessional standardized patient exercise on attitudes toward working in interprofessional teams.

Journal of interprofessional care

Wamsley M, Staves J, Kroon L, Topp K, Hossaini M, Newlin B, Lindsay C, O'Brien B

Peripheral nerve: from the microscopic functional unit of the axon to the biomechanically loaded macroscopic structure.

Journal of hand therapy : official journal of the American Society of Hand Therapists

Topp KS, Boyd BS

Naturally occurring disk herniation in dogs: an opportunity for pre-clinical spinal cord injury research.

Journal of neurotrauma

Levine JM, Levine GJ, Porter BF, Topp K, Noble-Haeusslein LJ

Validation of a hip-worn accelerometer in measuring sleep time in children.

Journal of pediatric nursing

Kinder JR, Lee KA, Thompson H, Hicks K, Topp K, Madsen KA

Integrating surface anatomy learning with clinical skills training.

Medical education

Chou CL, Topp KS, Kruidering-Hall M

Upper extremity impairments in women with or without lymphedema following breast cancer treatment.

Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice

Smoot B, Wong J, Cooper B, Wanek L, Topp K, Byl N, Dodd M

Integrating surgical skills education into the anatomy laboratory.

The Journal of surgical research

Zaid H, Ward D, Sammann A, Tendick F, Topp KS, Maa J

Mechanosensitivity of the lower extremity nervous system during straight-leg raise neurodynamic testing in healthy individuals.

The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy

Boyd BS, Wanek L, Gray AT, Topp KS

Deviations in gait pattern in experimental models of hindlimb paresis shown by a novel pressure mapping system.

Journal of neuroscience research

Boyd BS, Puttlitz C, Noble-Haeusslein LJ, John CM, Trivedi A, Topp KS

Quantitative and clinical description of postural instability in women with breast cancer treated with taxane chemotherapy.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Wampler MA, Topp KS, Miaskowski C, Byl NN, Rugo HS, Hamel K

Multidisciplinary teaching of the musculoskeletal physical examination.

Medical education

Chou CL, Topp KS, O'Sullivan P

Case report: painful peripheral neuropathy following treatment with docetaxel for breast cancer.

Clinical journal of oncology nursing

Wampler MA, Hamolsky D, Hamel K, Melisko M, Topp KS

Strain and excursion in the rat sciatic nerve during a modified straight leg raise are altered after traumatic nerve injury.

Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society

Boyd BS, Puttlitz C, Gan J, Topp KS

Prosection vs. dissection, the debate continues: rebuttal to Granger.

Anatomical record. Part B, New anatomist

Topp KS

Exercise capacity and muscle structure in kidney recipient and twin donor.

Clinical transplantation

Painter P, Taylor J, Wolcott S, Krasnoff J, Adey D, Tomlanovich S, Stock P, Topp K

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