Dr. Janet Larson’s research helps people with chronic lung disease enjoy more active lives.
July, 2014
“Knowing that you have contributed to the body of evidence that is helping people make their lives better is very rewarding,” says Janet Larson, PhD, RN, FAAN, a University of Michigan School of Nursing (UMSN) professor and division chair. “I’ve always had an intellectual curiosity about research and the whole process that goes with it. In the beginning of my career, I considered a few different opportunities but decided to go the clinical route because I like interacting with people.”
Now, with more than two decades of research focused on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Dr. 
Larson is considered a leading expert in the exercising of people with COPD. Her contributions have led to new ways of thinking about exercise and physical activity of people with COPD. Even in her first National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grant (R01), her work challenged accepted assumptions.
Larson is considered a leading expert in the exercising of people with COPD. Her contributions have led to new ways of thinking about exercise and physical activity of people with COPD. Even in her first National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grant (R01), her work challenged accepted assumptions.“In my early research, we had a group of people with moderate to severe COPD doing home-based stationary bicycle training and we were able to increase their aerobic activity,” says Dr. Larson. “Prior to that, people thought people with COPD were too sick to exercise with sufficient intensity to increase their aerobic capacity. Now that’s ancient history.”
Now Dr. Larson is refining an intervention for light physical activity. “All the traditional physical activity guidelines focus on moderate to vigorous activity, and for these people, it seems unrealistic,” says Dr. Larson, “We’re not trying to make athletes out of them, but getting them on their feet more can have a very positive impact on their daily lives.” Dr. Larson often welcomes students into her research. “I love to get students involved,” she says. “They are really energetic, they look at our research from different perspective and it adds richness to the team.”
Recent UMSN graduate Jonathan Bickmann worked with Dr. Larson on a pilot project studying stigma in COPD. “Dr. Larson was an amazing mentor,” he says. “She has a wealth of knowledge and I could tell she really wanted me to get as much as possible out of my research experience. I was able to meet with her and get advice whenever I needed help. I gained an understanding of nursing research and learned a lot about myself through this challenging yet rewarding experience.”
Dr. Larson also leads a Journal Club for faculty members and honors and graduate students with similar interests. Each member of the group takes turns presenting and critiquing a published piece of research. “It’s a great way for the students to learn,” says Dr. Larson. “It helps them pull together everything they’ve learned if they can critique other people’s science.”
Dr. Larson is a leader in the School of Nursing where she is Chair of the Division of Acute, Critical, and Long-Term Care, and she has held leadership positions in national organizations such as American Thoracic Society, Respiratory Nursing Society, Midwest Nursing Research Society, and the NIH Center for Scientific Review.
