From the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences…
October 2024 Research Highlights reported by the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences.
Akiva Turner PhD, JD, MPH
Moya Alfonso PhD, MSPH
Akiva Turner, PhD, JD, MPH and Moya Alfonso, PhD, MSPH
Dr. Akiva Turner and Dr. Moya Alfonso, along with Dr. Justin Smith, a former PhD in Health Science student, and with colleagues at University of Saint Mary and Wichita State University have had their paper entitled, Testing the Psychometric Properties of the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale Among Residents in Skilled Nursing Facilities: A Pilot Study, accepted for publication in the Journal of Nursing Measurement.
Abstract: The Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale (RHDS) was created to determine the patient’s readiness for discharge to home from the hospital. The purpose of this study is to determine the scale’s internal consistency and predictive validity in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) setting. Methods: Participants (N = 30) over the age of 65 were conveniently selected from 10 different SNFs in the Midwest to complete the RHDS prior to discharge. Results: Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency was 0.917. Participants with higher RHDS scores, those who were male, respondents with less education, and participants with Medicare Advantage insurance were more likely to be re-hospitalized within 30 days of discharge to home. Conclusions: The results indicate that the RHDS has a good internal consistency in the SNF setting. Dr. Justin Smith, PT, DPT, PhD.
Jacqueline Hinckley, PhD, CCC-SLP
Multitasking is common in everyday life, and it can reveal how cognitive and language demands are managed. Dr. Jacqueline Hinckley and colleagues have developed an assessment tool that can help reveal how individuals who have had strokes manage in an everyday multitasking activity, and how their performance is related to cognitive or language impairments. The article entitled “A Multitasking Assessment for Aphasia: The Catalog Ordering Task” was published in the journal Applied Neuropsychology: Adult.
Sarah Ransdell, PhD
Dr. Ransdell published her article Climate Change and Health Attitudes Show Increased Belief in Human-caused Climate Change from 2015 to 2013 in an American University Sample in the International Journal of Education and Social Science. A climate change attitudes survey in 2023 showed that over 90% of university community members across a wide range of demographic, political and philosophical views believed in a human cause. Sixty-two percent from a very similar sample in 2015 believed in human cause (Ransdell, 2016). This community, like many others, is increasingly united by the idea that we have caused, and therefore have a responsibility, to mitigate climate change.
Ransdell, S. (2024). Climate change and health attitudes show increased belief in human-caused climate change from 2015 to 2023 in an American university sample. International Journal of Education and Social Sciences, Vol. 5 Issue 7. https://www.ijess.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/IJESSP24510269.pdf
Nardia Aldridge, PhD, OTR/L, DTM
Department of Occupational Therapy
Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences
Dr. Aldridge has co-authored and published pivotal research with her students on systemic racism within occupational therapy education, particularly focusing on the experiences of Black students. Her article, “Belonging: A Phenomenological Study of Systemic Racism Experienced Among Black Students in Occupational Therapy Programs,” published in the Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, is a key contribution to the discourse on diversity and inclusion in healthcare education. Her research is ongoing, now expanding to explore the experiences of Black occupational therapy educators and leaders in academia.
https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/vol7/iss4/5/
Additionally, Dr. Aldridge receiving a Quality of Life Grant for the HELPWISE project is a noteworthy accomplishment as it represents a multidisciplinary initiative that supports the development of a Community Health Education Longitudinal Service Learning Initiative—Healthcare Educators Leading Prevention, Wellness, and Intervention While Supporting and Empowering Communities. This project aims to enhance community health through collaborative education and service efforts, both of which are my passion.
Melissa Morris, PhD, RN, CPN, CHSE
Feasibility of Holographic Team Training Simulation: An Information Technology (IT) Perspective for Healthcare and Educational Institutions
This study explores the practicality and acceptance of holographic display technology in healthcare education, focusing on its integration into team training simulations from an IT support perspective. The findings highlight promising potential for its broader educational application.
Bajwa M., Morris M., Ghias W., & Linzels A. (2024). *Cureus*, 16(7). DOI: [10.7759/cureus.65380](https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.65380) |
Development of Distance Simulation Educator Guidelines in Healthcare: A Delphi Method Application
Through a modified Delphi method, this study established the first set of competencies for distance simulation educators, addressing the instructional challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research provides a foundation for future distance simulation as a teaching modality.
Bajwa M., Ahmed R., Lababidi H., Morris M., Morton A., Mosher C., & Palaganas J. C. (2024). *Simulation in Healthcare*, 19(1), 1-10. DOI: [10.1097/SIH.0000000000000707](https://doi.org/10.1097/SIH.0000000000000707)
Does Training with a Simulation Stethoscope Facilitate the Acquisition of Cardiopulmonary Knowledge and Confidence in Doctor of Physical Therapy Students?
This research demonstrated that a one-hour lab session using simulated stethoscopes significantly increased the cardiopulmonary assessment knowledge and confidence of Doctor of Physical Therapy students, suggesting it as a valuable supplement to their curriculum. Vatwani A., Morris M., Hill C. J., & Fernandez-Fernandez A. (2023).
Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice*, 21(2), 21. DOI: [10.46743/1540-580X/2023.2300](https://doi.org/10.46743/1540-580X/2023.2300)
Immersive Learning and Participatory Engagement: Connecting in the Online Classroom Through Virtual Reality
This study examined student engagement and learning in virtual classroom settings, revealing that immersive technology enhances the sense of presence and could be a viable alternative or supplement for health professions education.
Cavanaugh G., Condry H. M., Afable C. F., Morris M., De S., Madison H. E., & Weiner M. (2023). *International Journal of Distance Education Technologies (IJDET)*, 21(1), 1-19. DOI: [10.4018/IJDET.317364](https://doi.org/10.4018/IJDET.317364) |
Joanne Flanagan, ScD, OTR/L
Dr. Flanagan’s research contributes to the interprofessional advancement of identification of motor and play differences in infants at elevated likelihood for autism (ASD). She recently received a NSU HPD Research Grant to further her research and is currently collaborating with Dr. Elizabeth Fernandez, occupational therapy colleagues, and occupational therapy and medical students, conducting a longitudinal study to examine the psychometric properties of a newly developed infant screener, which she co-developed.
Published article: Flanagan, J., Demchick, B., Landa, R. Delany, J. & Reinoso, G. (2024). Early play behaviors in infants at elevated likelihood for Autism Spectrum Disorder. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78, 7804185050. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2024.050438;invited to present research in Brazil: Flanagan, J., (2024, March). II International Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Symposium – Autism: Pathways from Early Intervention to Adulthood, “Early Indicators of Autism: The Infant Motor and Engagement Scale (IMES),” Oral Presentation, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Flanagan, J., (2024, March). II International Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Symposium – Autism: Pathways from Early Intervention to Adulthood, ” Early Play Behaviors and Movement in infants Later Diagnosed with ASD,” Oral Presentation, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2024.050438
Ricardo C. Carrasco, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
My research agenda focus has shifted dramatically to studying humans as occupational beings and in the field of occupational science. Right now, I am studying role evolutions in unfamiliar cultures and indigenous populations. In doing that I am in the middle of an instrumentation project for the Scale of Occupational Disruption. I am conducting this project as an individual researcher with teams of faculty, students and the external community.
Carrasco, R., Peralta Catipon, T., Sy, M., & Fischl, C. (2024). Occupational science: Understanding Filipino occupations. In Sy, M., Pineda, R. C., & Fischl, C. (Eds.), Occupational Therapy in the Philippines: Theory, Practice and Stories. Carrasco, R. C. & Lala, S. (in press). Occupational Disruption: An Undeniable Reality for Occupational Beings, Part I. FOCUS Quarterly. Carrasco, R. C. & Lala, S. (Accepted for presentation, November 2024). Let’s Talk about Occupational Disruptions in Life and in Practice. 2024 Annual Conference Florida Occupational Therapy Association, Conversations that Matter. Nova Southeastern University, Clearwater, FL, United States Carrasco, R. C. & Lala, S. (Accepted for presentation, November 2024). Identifying and Measuring Occupational Disruption: Practical and Clinical Applications. 2024 Annual Conference Florida Occupational Therapy Association, Conversations that Matter. Nova Southeastern University, Clearwater, FL, United States Carrasco, R. C. (Accepted for presentation, October 2024). Demystifying Decades of Occupational Passion for Ikebana. SSO USA Research Conference, Durham, NC, United States. Carrasco, R. C. (Accepted for presentation, October 2024). Alternative Ikebana Experience as Viable Creative Healthy Occupation. SSO USA Research Conference, Durham, NC, United States. Yoshikawa, H., Carrasco, R. C., Lala, S., Sames, K., Rahaman, T. (September 2024). Introduction of Research Projects on Ikebana as Occupation. Japanese Society for the Study of Occupation, Hokkaidō, Japan.
https://doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2023.2182348
Alicia Fernandez-Fernandez, PT, DPT, PhD, CNT
Dr. Fernandez-Fernandez is nationally recognized for her research on neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) practice. Her research explores, among other topics: neonatal therapy referral patterns, neonatal therapy staffing, and neonatal practice analysis.
Fernandez-Fernandez, A. (2024). Variability of referrals for physical/occupational therapy intervention in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation,105, e165. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2024.02.580
Morey J. Kolber, PT PhD
Article Title: The effect of auto-generated corrective exercise programming on movement literacy among firefighters: a pilot study
Firefighters are at high risk for musculoskeletal injuries due to their job demands which include requirements to carry or drag heavy patients, climb stairs with a heavy load carriage, and breach entry into building and vehicles. These demanding work conditions not only increase injury risk, but imposes a considerable demand on the body, which over time escalates degenerative changes and impaired functional movement. This study sought to determine the efficacy of an determine the effect of automated corrective exercise programming utilizing the FMSTM PRO App on firefighters who where determined to be at increased risk of injury based on yearly physical assessment scores. Firefighters who were provided with the programming were followed for an average of 6-9 months to determine their long-term improvement. Results of the study indicated significant improvements in movement quality among participants with all participants maintaining unrestricted duty. At the follow up assessment, all participants received physical assessment scores placing them into a low risk injury category.
Kolber MJ, Hanney WJ. The effect of auto-generated corrective exercise programming on movement literacy among firefighters: a pilot study. Physiother Theory Pract. 2024 Apr 12:1-7. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2024.2341259.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38606538/
Samuel Cheng, PT, MS, ScD
Title: Validity and Optimization of the OpenCAP Motion Analysis System in Functional Assessment
Authors (Faculty Led Student Research Capstone Project) Brett Berkowitz, SPT, Alessandra Mondelli, SPT, Kaiwen Wu, SPT, Anessa Leyva, SPT, Reid Simmons, SPT, Rania Massad, DPT, M. Samuel Cheng, PT, MS, ScD
Capturing and analyzing motion is crucial for managing movement disorders. Researchers have started using smart mobile devices for this purpose due to their high-quality cameras and computing power. OpenCap, developed by Stanford University, is an open-source platform that computes movement dynamics using videos from two iOS devices. Data is processed in the cloud, eliminating the need for specialized hardware, software, and expertise. Its low cost, easy setup, cloud computing, and sophisticated algorithms make it an ideal tool for clinicians. This study aimed to validate OpenCap in assessing gait parameters and knee range of motion during squats using 43 healthy subjects without neuromusculoskeletal disorders.Two iPads with OpenCap captured subjects walking across a modular pressure sensor platform (Walkway, Tekscan) and squatting with a dial-lock knee brace. Devices were set at approximately 30- and 45-degree angles. OpenCap data were processed to obtain gait parameters and compared with Walkway results. Maximum knee flexion angles from OpenCap were compared with a fixed dial-lock brace set at 90 degrees. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) assessed agreement between OpenCap and Walkway gait parameters. ICC and Bland-Altman plots analyzed OpenCap’s accuracy in capturing maximum knee flexion during squats. Significance was set at α = 0.05. ICC showed high agreement between OpenCap and Walkway in cadence (0.959, 0.964), gait speed (0.931, 0.961), step width (0.917, 0.927), and stride length (0.969, 0.972) for 30- and 45-degree angles, respectively. More unsuccessful OpenCap trials occurred with video sync issues during squats at 30 degrees (14) compared to 45 degrees (4). No unsuccessful OpenCap trials were noted for ambulation. OpenCap squat trials showed a deviation of 0.746 (-5.392 to 15.404) and 0.411 (-4.936 to 18.069) from the locked 90-degree knee flexion for 30- and 45-degree angles, respectively. A significant negative correlation existed between deviation from 90 degrees and body weight (-0.585, p<0.001). The OpenCap system using two iPads demonstrated high validity by producing comparable results to the Walkway system. Camera angles did not significantly affect walking trials, but squat trials had issues at 30 degrees. Clinicians should use a 45-degree setup to avoid potential video synchronization issues. OpenCap is an open-source, markerless, 3D system using two iOS devices and cloud computing to capture and analyze human motion. It provides a time- and cost-effective solution for clinicians conducting quantitative movement analyses, regardless of experience. Clinicians should use 45-degree angles instead of 30 degrees to avoid video synchronization issues.