Faculty & Staff

Margaret K. Covey, PhD, RN

Associate Research Professor
Department of Biobehavioral Health Science

NURS 226
UIC College of Nursing
845 South Damen Avenue (MC 802)
Chicago, IL 60612-7350

Phone: 312.996.9543
Email: mkcovey@uic.edu

Research / Discovery
Dr. Covey’s research focuses on lessening symptoms and improving functioning in daily life for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In a series of studies, Dr. Covey examined: (1) the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on breathlessness and respiratory muscle strength and endurance; (2) the effects of a home-based program of IMT and cycle ergometry training alone and in combination on symptoms and functional status; and (3) the effects of upper body strength training alone compared to the combination of upper body strength training combined with a self-efficacy-enhancing intervention on exercise adherence, symptoms, and functional status. In an ongoing study, Dr. Covey is comparing the effects of sequential resistance training followed by cycle ergometry training to concurrent resistance training and cycle ergometry training in people with severe and very severe COPD. People with severe disease often have a hard time doing more intense exercises (like working hard on a stationary bicycle or treadmill). Dr. Covey's current study starts subjects with a resistance training program targeted to the lower body to improve strength and endurance. Then, subjects begin a progressive aerobic training program using a stationary bicycle. This is a novel approach to pulmonary rehabilitation and may be more effective for lessening symptoms and improving functioning than more traditional methods (e.g., concurrent training) for people with very severe disease and very limited functional status.

Teaching / Learning
Dr. Covey guest lectures for NURS 573 (Measurement in Health Research). She also consults with students and faculty who have a research focus on exercise training and testing, the assessment of pulmonary function, and the use of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry for the assessment of body composition and bone density.

Service / Practice
Dr. Covey holds/has held offices in the American Thoracic Society, the Nursing Assembly of the American Lung Association, and the Sigma Theta Tau Alpha Lambda Chapter. Currently, she is on the grant review committee for the American Lung Association and a reviewer for Nursing Research and Heart and Lung.

Personal
Personal interests include training/showing dogs and gardening.

Current Research Projects:

• Nurse Managed: Sequential Resistance then Aerobic Training in COPD
• Center for Reducing Risks in Vulnerable Populations (co-director)