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Physical Therapy - Research

The first step for all research projects is approval by The ³Ô¹ÏÌìÌà Institutional Review Board (IRB)or the Department of Occupational and Physical Therapy Review Board (DRB). Read the IRB Policy Manual to determine which review board is appropriate for your research proposal. contains the IRB policy manual and downloadable research application forms. Students should consult with their faculty research advisor before submitting an application to the IRB or DRB.

Department of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Review Board Guidelines(new tab)

Annual Research Night

Research Night is an annual Department of PT event that takes place during the fall semester.  Students in the third year of the program present faculty-directed student research as part of the final course in the Scientific Inquiry series.  These studies are systematic reviews of scientific evidence on a wide variety of clinically relevant topics. Additional faculty and student research may also be presented as time permits.  This yearly event is open to students, faculty, families, and friends.  In addition, clinicians can receive continuing education units (CEUs) for attending the event.  Yearly event announcements for CEUs can be found on the Clinical Faculty Development Webpage(new tab). Below you will find a breakdown of yearly presentations as well as copies of either the presentation and/or the corresponding professional poster.  In addition, notations are made for those presented at a national conference including the American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting.

Research Night 2022

Systematic Reviews from the DPT Class of 2023

Research Night 2022 Booklet(new tab)

Neurological

Virtual Reality for Gait and Balance in Adults with Unilateral Amputation: A Systematic Review(new tab)
Jessica Book, SPT
Kerri Breznak, SPT
Karllo Pozo, SPT
Hannah Woodeshcick, SPT
Renee Hakim, PT, PhD, Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist
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Clinical Applications of Virtual Reality in Adults with Concussion: A Systematic Review(new tab)
Alyssa Canone, SPT
Sarah Gordon, SPT
Erin Putnam, SPT
Nicholas Zenga, SPT
Renee Hakim, PT, PhD, Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist
Jennifer Schwartz, PT, DPT, Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Impact of Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy Post-Concussion in Adolescents: A Systematic Review(new tab)
Amanda Kindback, SPT
Matthew Moran, SPT
Jennifer Schwartz, PT DPT, Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist
Lori Walton, PhD, DPT, MScPT, MPH(s), CLT
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Acute Care

Impact of Standard vs. Modified Sternal Precautions on Function Following Median Sternotomy: A Systematic Review(new tab)
Bobbi Bailey, SPT
Diana Bonilla, SPT
Alexis Coval, SPT
Christina Haddican, SPT
Dana Maida, PT, DPT
Janette Scardillo, PT, DPT
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cardiopulmonary

Impact of Blood Flow Restriction Therapy on VO2max in Elite Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis(new tab)
Eric Bartlett, SPT
Brendan Betti, SPT
Lucas Hackett, SPT
Michael McGuire, SPT
Peter Leininger, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS
Joshua Prall, PT, DPT, EdD, OCS
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Home Health

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Trends in Home Health Physical Therapy(new tab)
Sarah Gordron, SPT
Tracey Collins, PT, PhD, MBA, GCS
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Impact of Assistive Technology on Quality of Life of Home-Dwelling Individuals with Parkinson's: A Scoping Review(new tab)
Alexa Cardella, SPT
Sarah Gordron, SPT
Tracey Collins, PT, PhD, MBA, GCS
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pediatrics

The Impact of Family-Centered Care on Motor Function in Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review(new tab)
Lauren Byrne, SPT
Diana Francechelli, SPT
Laura Iobst, SPT
Hailey Kenyon, SPT
Nicholas Rodio, PT, DPT
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Prenatal Lead Exposure and Health Outcomes Among Infants and Children in Bangladesh: A Systematic Review(new tab)
Briana Abrams, SPT
Alexa Cardella, SPT
Alesia Heimes, SPT
Meghan Nally, SPT
Lori Walton, PT, DPT, MScPT, MPH(s), PhD
Nicholas Rodio, PT, DPT
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Other Topics

Effect of Music on Stress and Anxiety in Healthcare Students During Examinations: A Systematic Review(new tab)
Claire Cardillo, SPT
Makenna Enslin, SPT
Joshua Perez, SPT
Jacob Sacher, SPT
Anthony F. Carusotto, PT, EDd, DPT, CLT, WCC
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Impact of Mind-Body Interventions on Physical and Psychological Outcomes in Adult Refugees: A Systematic Review(new tab)
Maria Almodovar, SPT
Emily Burns, SPT
Amanda Kindback, SPT
Emily Loftus, SPT
Jennifer Schwartz, PT, DPT, Board Certified Specialist in Neurologic Therapy
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Impact of Service on Cultural Competency and Social Responsibility in DPT Students: A Systematic Review(new tab)
Taylor Baloga, SPT
Kameron Matthews, SPT
Matthew Schreck, SPT
Carli Tetla, SPT
Dana Maida, PT, DPT, GCS
Janette Scardillo, PT, DPT
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Impact of Exercise on Physical Health Outcomes in Incarcerated Women: A Systematic Review(new tab)
Alexa Cardella, SPT
Diana Franceschello, SPT
Sarah Gordon, SPT
Dylan Kane, PT, DPT
Nick Linko, PT, DPT
Mark Merli, PT, DPT
Dana Maida, PT, DPT, GCS
Nicholas Rodio, PT, DPT
Jennifer Schwartz, PT, DPT, Board Certified Specialist in Neurologic Therapy

Research Night 2021

Systematic Reviews from the DPT Class of 2022 

Research Night 2021 Booklet(new tab)

Neurological

Impact of Community-Based Boxing on Non-Motor Outcomes for Individuals with Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review(new tab)
Ileana Armendi, SPT
Christian Huckfeldt, SPT, CSCS
Dylan Kane, SPT, CSCS
Daniela Spagnoli, SPT
Dana Maida, PT, DPT, Board Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy
Jennifer Schwartz, PT, DPT, Board Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Long-Term Impact of Community-Based Boxing for Balance and Mobility in Persons with Parkinson's Disease(new tab)
Christian Huckfeldt, SPT, CSCS
Daniela Spagnoli, SPT
Renee Hakim, PT, PhD
Dana Maida, PT, DPT
Michael D. Ross, PT, DHSc
Jennifer Schwartz, PT, DPT
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Impact of Physical Activity on Post-TBI Depression in Adults: A Systematic Review(new tab)
Dominick Algeri, SPT, CSCS
Cristina Cacoilo, SPT
James Curley, ATC, LAT, SPT
Daniel Passafiume, SPT
Nicholas Rodio, PT, DPT
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Wearable Sensors for Balance and Mobility in Adults with Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review(new tab)
Lindsay Fitchett, SPT
Sarah Marie Neff Futrell, SPT
Tatiana Mishina, PTA, SPT
Ashley Scoyni, SPT
Renee M. Hakim, PT, PhD, Board-Certified Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Acute Care

Effectiveness of Supine Cycling Plus Early Mobility Interventions Versus Early Mobility Interventions Alone for Patient in the ICU: A Systematic Review(new tab)
Brittany Angrosina, SPT
Katey Merenyi, SPT
Taylor Powers, SPT
Janette Scardillo, PT, DPT
Dana Maida, PT, DPT, Board Certified Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Orthopedics

Effects of Unstable Surface Lower Extremity Resistance Training on Balance in Older Adults: A Systematic Review(new tab)
Thomas Helmstetter, SPT
Mark Merli, SPT
Ansis Ramolins, SPT
Peter Leininger, PT, PhD, OCS
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Blood Flow Restriction Therapy Effects on Function and Pain in Adults with Lower Leg Pathology(new tab)
Christopher Kovacs, SPT, CSCS
Nicholas Linko, SPT
Robert Spitz, SPT
Elijah Walker, SPT
Joshua Prall, PT, EdD, OCS
Peter M. Leininger, PT, PhD, OCS
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Home Health

Impact of Home Health Care on Readmission Rates for Adults Diagnosed with Acute Stroke(new tab)
Julianne Burrill, SPT, CSCS
Stephanie Creegan, SPT
Paul Sciascia, SPT
Forrest Terpe, SPT
Tracey Collins, PT, PhD, MBA, Board Certified Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Value of Home Health Physical Therapy for Acute Stroke: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review(new tab)
Lindsay Fitchett, SPT
Tracey Collins, PT, PhD, MBA, Board-Certified Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Impact of Home Health Physical Therapy on Readmission Rates in Frail Older Adults: A Literature Review(new tab)
Ileana Armendi, SPT
Tracey Collins, PT, PhD, MBA, Board-Certified Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Other Topics

The Effectiveness of Complementary/Alternative Medicine For Pain Management In Postpartum Women: A Systematic Review(new tab)
Colleen Berry, SPT
Nicholas Capobianco, SPT
Bryan Gorczyca, SPT
Jamie Hreniuk, SPT
Renee Hakim, PT, PhD, NCS
Lori Walton, PhD, DPT, MS, MPH(s), CLT
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Key Anxiogenic Factors in Taking Objectively Structured Clinical Examinations Among Healthcare Students: A Systematic Review(new tab)
Danielle Higgins, SPT
Meghan Kimball, SPT
Devanshi Shah, SPT
Raven Thomas, SPT
Anthony F. Carusotto, PT, DPT, EdD, CLT, WCC
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Research Night 2020

Systematic Reviews from the DPT Class of 2021, will be presented at APTA Virtual CSM 2021 

Research Night 2020 Booklet(new tab)

 Neurological

The Effects of tDCS on Motor Performance in Adults with Ataxia: A Systematic Review
Alaina Evans, SPT
Ashley Genello, SPT
Rachel Kurtz, SPT
Rachel Outten, SPT
Renée M Hakim, PT, PhD, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy

Jennifer Schwartz, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy

The Effects of Medical Cannabis on QOL and Movement in Persons with PD: A Systematic Review

Kailyn Angelo, SPT
Kaitlyn Brogan, SPT
Claire Lacon, SPT
Nicole Sanchirico, SPT
Renée M Hakim, PT, PhD, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy

Impact of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) Cycling on Cardiovascular Fitness in Adults with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury (SCI): A Systematic Review

Katherine Broderick, SPT
Elizabeth Eichenlaub, SPT
Kathleen O'Reilly, SPT
Morgan Rentzheimer, SPT

Janette Scardillo PT, DPT, Certified Brain Injury Specialist
Jennifer Schwartz, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy 

 Orthopedics

Role of Diagnostic Ultrasound in Assessing Acromiohumeral Distance and Managing Shoulder Pathologies in Physical Therapy
Steven Browning, SPT, CSCS
Erin Ciarrocca, SPT
Bridget Duffy, SPT
Anthony Puglisi, SPT

Peter Leininger, PT, PhD, Board-Certified Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy 

 

Acute Care

Effects of Music on Heart Rate and Blood Pressure for Patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU): A Meta-Analysis
Kayla Brown, SPT
Elizabeth DiGiovine, SPT
Emily Harvan, SPT
Amanda Trumpore, SPT
Anthony Carusotto, PT, DPT, Certified Lymphedema Therapist
Renée M Hakim, PT, PhD, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy

Impact of Initiating PT in the Emergency Department for Older Adult Fallers: A Systematic Review
Erin Hultberg, SPT
Rachel Kosty, SPT
Lauren Wyant, SPT
Vanessa Zimmerman, SPT
Dr. Dana Maida, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist In Geriatric PT 

 

Home Health

The Use of Smart Homes to Assist Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Kaitlyn Brogan, SPT
Tracey L. Collins PT, PhD, MBA, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist In Geriatric Physical Therapy

Impact of Home Health Physical Therapy on Readmission Rates for Individ