DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SCIENCES - RESEARCH

OVERVIEW


The Department of Rehabilitation Science is committed to excellence in research that contributes to the bodies of knowledge in occupational therapy and physical therapy. The discovery of knowledge, the integration of knowledge in teaching, and the application of knowledge to practice support the mission of the University, the College, and the Department.

Faculty and students currently are engaged in a variety of applied and basic research projects. They are studying, for example, tests and measures for diagnostic, predictive, and evaluative purposes; the effects of interventions; service delivery models; adaptation related to performance of everyday activities; neuromodulation of pain mechanisms; and teaching and learning.


RESEARCH


Sandra Arnold, PT, PhD

  • Development of a minimal data set to measure outcomes of children who receive school-based occupational therapy and physical therapy. Visit the SOM Research website for more information.

Helen Bryce, MA, OTR/L

  • Reducing caregiver burden for caregivers of loved ones with dementia
  • Learning strategies for adults in drug and alcohol recovery

Denise Bender, PT, JD, GCS

  • Innovative teaching and learning strategies in Allied Health education

Carol P. Dionne, PT, PhD, OCS, Cert MDT

Spine:

  • Effectiveness of mechanical diagnosis and therapy in patients who meet a clinical prediction rule for spinal manipulation.
  • Characteristics of lumbar disc disease

Amputation:

  • Physical therapy management of  patients following an Ertl osteomyoplastic transtibial  amputation procedure
  • Bone physiology and mechanics in osteomyoplasty amputation rehabilitation
  • Pilot study for the design of intelligent prosthetic leg for an individual with an osteomyoplastic transtibial amputation

Martha J. Ferretti, PT, MPH, FAPTA

  • Evaluation of Oklahoma’s early childhood intervention program, SoonerStart.

David Garrison, PhD

  • Intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms involved with the neuromodulation of pain perception using neurophysiological techniques
  • Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)  to study the effects common areas of brain activity involved with motor execution, passive observation (mirror neurons) and imagery of the same task.

Toby Hamilton, PhD, OTR/L

  • Adaptation and occupational health in the reentry of women from prison to community life
  • The role of personal narratives in promoting Occupational Adaptation during life transitions
  • Study of personal narratives of life, health, illness, and effects on performance of everyday activities

Steve Hoppes, PhD, OTR/L

  • Use of play as a therapeutic tool with elders
  • Impact of environment on functional performance of individuals with dementia
  • Teaching / learning process in allied health
  • Motivation of therapy with elders

Mary Isaacson, EdD, OTR/L, ATP

  • Assessing current best practices in the area of seating and mobility

Yih-Kuen Jan, PT, Ph.D.

Rehabilitation Biomechanics Research Program – dedicated to prevention and healing of soft tissue injury through advancing knowledge of biomechanics of the microcirculation and soft tissues.

  • Effectiveness of local cooling on enhancing tissue tolerance to pressure loading in people with SCI
  • Remodeling ANS and endothelium with exercise for preventing pressure ulcers in people with SCI
  • Skin blood flow oscillations and pressure ulcer risk in older adults with physical disabilities
  • Effect of power seat function usage on tissue viability in wheelchair users
  • Effect of biomechanical properties on microvascular response to plantar pressure in diabetic patients
  • Mathematical modeling of blood flow and oxygenation response to mechanical stresses

Lynn Jeffries, PT, PhD, PCS

  • Early intervention service delivery models
  • Bone density in children with cerebral palsy

Maria Jones, PT, PhD, ATP

  • Effects of power mobility on the development of young children with severe motor impairments

Thubi Kolobe, PT, PhD

  • Influences of childrearing practices and parenting on the development of children from various cultures
  • Validation of developmental assessments used with infants at risk for disabilities
  • Early interventions for infants with or at risk for developmental disabilities
  • Early self-initiated mobility in infants with disabilities

Vince Lepak, PT, MPH

  • Effectiveness of interferential current to treat urinary incontinence
  • Effects of the environment on the SAILS (Structured Assessment of Independent Living Skills) test for individuals with dementia

Irene McEwen, PT, PhD

  • Effects of power mobility on the development of young children with severe motor impairments
  • Development of a minimal data set to measure outcomes of children who receive school-based occupational therapy and physical therapy

Ken Randall, PT, MHR

  • The role of intuition in decision-making among novice physical therapy practitioners
  • Academic Integrity and ethical decision-making
  • Optimizing the learning of psychomotor skills
  • The use of Nutraceuticals in treating inflammation in ballet dancers

CONTACT INFORMATION


Department of Rehabilitation Sciences

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
1200 N Stonewall, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
Phone: (405) 271-2131, Email: Department Contact

 
 
   

Copyright 2000-2007, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences

   
Return Home Academic Programs Chairman's Message News & Events Faculty & Staff Research Continuing Education