Matthew Plow, PhD

Associate Professor
Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing

Matthew Plow, PhD, is currently an associate professor of nursing at ǿմý. His program of research is two-fold:

  1. Developing, testing and optimizing remotely-tailored, technology-based self-management, rehabilitation and wellness interventions among people with disabling conditions; and
  2. A specific focus on developing and testing biobehavioral models of fatigue among people with multiple sclerosis.

The long-term goal of Dr. Plow's research is to improve health, function and wellness among people with chronic disabling conditions.

Visit Dr. Plow's iWellResearch Lab 

Teaching Information

Teaching Interests

  • Exercise science
  • Disability and physical function
  • Clinical trial design
  • Mixed methods
  • Statistics

Research Information

Research Interests

  • Telehealth and telerehabilitation
  • Disability and wellness
  • Physical activity, sleep, physical function and activity pacing
  • Behavior change
  • Symptom science: fatigue

Research Projects

Current:

  • Principal Investigator, Comparing the effectiveness of fatigue management programs for people with multiple sclerosis. The purpose of this study is to compare 3 ways of delivering fatigue management programs (internet, teleconference, and one-to-one). . 
  • Principal Investigator, CLOSER_MS: Communicating with local or distance caregivers offering support and electronic resource. The purpose of this study is to conduct a large randomized pilot study in unpaid caregivers to compare the effectiveness of a highly tailored tele-coaching intervention (delivered via videoconference) to a low-resource web-only intervention on mental health outcomes. . 
  • Principal Investigator, Training nurse scientists to improve the outcomes of rehabilitation interventions in people with multiple sclerosis. The purpose of this training grant is to train nurse scientist to incorporate research methods that improve the outcomes of self-management and rehabilitation interventions. Mentor-Based Postdoctoral Fellowship in Rehabilitation. National Multiple Sclerosis Society (MB-2007-36752).
  • Principal Investigator, Identifying MS fatigue phenotypes to develop an artificially intelligent smartwatch app. The purpose of this study is to identify fatigue phenotypes and understand the relationship between fatigue impairments and fatigue impact to develop fatigue self-management interventions delivered via mobile apps. Department of Defense (MS160098). 

Completed: 

  • Principal Investigator, Developing and testing a SystemCHANGE weight management intervention in stroke survivors, American Heart Association: Beginning Grant-in-Aid (11BGIA7710003)
  • Principal Investigator, Randomized controlled trial of a teleconference fatigue management plus physical activity intervention in adults with multiple sclerosis. National Multiple Sclerosis Society (RG4665-A-1).
  • Principal Investigator, Examining a System CHANGE intervention in immune-mediated diseases. National Institutes of Health (1K01NR012975-01A1)
  • Principal Investigator, Examining the efficacy of computer tablets to promote behavior change in people with disabilities, Research Program Committee: Clinical & Translational Science Collaborative.
  • Principal Investigator, Promoting physical activity in adults with multiple sclerosis. National Institutes of Health (RO3HD060073-01A).
  • Principal Investigator, Evaluating the benefits of Nintendo Wii Fit in people with MS, International Consortium of MS Centers.
  • Principal Investigator, Compare the effectiveness of a group wellness intervention to physical therapy in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (R36 HS015554-01)

Publications

Selected Publications:

  • Plow, M., Packer, T. Mathiowetz, VG. Preissner, K., Ghahari, S., Sattar, A., Bethoux, B., Finlayson, M. REFRESH protocol: A noninferiority randomized clinical trial comparing internet and teleconference to in-person “Managing Fatigue” interventions on the impact of fatigue among persons with multiple sclerosis. BMJ Open. 2020;10(8): e035470
  • Plow, M., Moore, SM., Chang, J., Bachhal, F. Randomized controlled trial of SystemCHANGE intervention in neurological conditions. Patient Education and Counseling. 2020; 103(1):112-119.
  • Plow, M., Finlayson, M., Bethoux, F., Motl, R. Randomized controlled trial of a telephone-delivered physical activity and fatigue self-management interventions in adults with multiple sclerosis. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2019; 100(11):2006-2014.
  • Plow, M. Mangal, S. Geither, K. Golding, M. A scoping review of tailored self-management interventions among adults with mobility impairing neurological and musculoskeletal conditions. Frontiers in Public Health. 2016; 12(4):165

Education

Doctor of Philosophy
Rehabilitation Science
University of Minnesota
Bachelor of Arts
Athletic Training
Denison University

Residencies, Internships and Fellowships

Postdoctoral Fellowship, Funded by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Brown University
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Funded by National Multiple Sclerosis Society
University of Illinois at Chicago