Tagged: rehabilitation
Research Update: ENACT’s 2 Randomized Controlled Trials Have Completed Data Collection
We are excited to report that all three research projects supported by our Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) grant through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) have concluded data collection and final analyses are underway.
Through the diligent work of our center staff, our two RCTs achieved excellent retention, with both above 85% at 2-year follow up. In addition, we achieved high participation of underrepresented minorities (at nearly 30%) in both trials.
A class member learns the knee extension, one of the core exercises of the BOOST program
Continue below for project-specific updates:
Project 1 “Efficacy of a Modified Vocational Rehabilitation Intervention” (WORK-IT)–
Also called “Work-It”, our first of 2 randomized controlled trials investigated if a modified vocational rehabilitation intervention could affect work limitation outcomes among people with arthritis over two years of follow-up compared to people receiving a control intervention. Data collection concluded in December 2015 with the largest sample to date for an arthritis employment retention study! We anticipate disseminating primary results in 2016.
Project 2 “Can computer-based telephone counseling improve long-term adherence to strength training in elders with knee osteoarthritis?” (BOOST) –
Our second randomized controlled trial, the “BOOST” study, aimed to compare outcomes for participants with knee OA randomized to either a computer-based telephone counseling (TLC) or control group and determine whether or not TLC enhances adherence to and participation in exercise over 2 years. The study also aimed to determine the association of function and pain at 1 year and 2 years with adherence to the exercise program at the same time points. Data collection concluded in November 2015 and we anticipate disseminating primary results in 2016.
Project 3 “Community and Home Participation after Total Knee Replacement” –
ENACT’s third study, with both observational and qualitative arms, has concluded both data collection and analysis and results are being disseminated. This observational study aimed to explore home and community participation among persons with a total knee replacements at least 2 years to determine the risk factors associated with limited participation using the data from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST). The study also had a qualitative arm, which aimed to gain insight into people’s perceptions of factors that influence participation among people experiencing difficulties following a total knee replacement procedure. Two manuscripts are pending. PI Dr. Jessica Maxwell recently presented results from the qualitative arm of this study at the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting (APTA-CSM).
Look for upcoming manuscripts from ENACT and for presentations on these results and more at upcoming professional conferences in 2016!
ENACT Doctoral Fellows featured in “Health Matters – A Virtual Conference”
Boston University’s Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences held its first all-day, virtual health conference in September 2015. Health Matters – a Virtual Conference focused on innovative research and clinical approaches in health and rehabilitation.
Rawan, Aileen, Molly, and Julie (from left) prepare for filming
The agenda featured a discussion between ENACT’s 3 doctoral fellows and Director Julie Keysor, PhD, PT regarding the work and experience of students in the rehabilitation sciences doctoral program. Other topics including communication neuroscience, human movement, traumatic brain injury, intensive language intervention, child development, and more represented the range of Sargent College research, educational, and practice activities.
Missed the conference? Watch the full presentation here
ENACT Fellow Rawan Alheresh, PhD, OT Completes Doctoral Training Program
Rawan AlHeresh, PHD, OT
A huge congratulations to our former ENACT doctoral fellow, Rawan AlHeresh, PhD, OT on successfully defending her dissertation and completing her course of study with the Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences-Doctor of Rehabilitation Sciences Program at Boston University.
Dr. AlHeresh entered ENACT’s training program in July 2011 with a background in occupational therapy and experience as a full-time lecturer at the University of Jordan. There she also worked in Palestinian Refugee camps as part of a United Nations (UN) and World Health Organization (WHO) backed Community-based Rehabilitation program, where she developed an interest in participation outcomes among people with disabilities. The experience motivated her to pursue doctoral training in rehabilitation which she hopes to apply to improving health services, education, prevention and research in Jordan’s rehabilitation services and in the Middle East region. At ENACT, her research focused on outcome measurement in different participation areas for people with arthritis, specifically the workplace.
Upon completion of her degree requirements, Dr. AlHeresh was accepted as a post-doctoral fellow at Boston University’s Health and Disability Research Institute (HDRI). HDRI conducts collaborative, interdisciplinary research in the field of disability and rehabilitation research, making it a perfect fit for Dr. AlHeresh’s interests. Dr. AlHeresh is also working as a visiting scientist in the occupational therapy department at Tufts University.
We look forward to watching Dr. AlHeresh’s contributions to the field over the coming years. Congratulations Rawan!
ENACT To Be Part of Boston University’s Free Virtual Conference HEALTH MATTERS on September 17th, 2015
Boston University's Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences will hold Health Matters - a Virtual Conference on September 17th, 2015 from 9 am - 5 pm EST. The conference focuses on innovative research and clinical approaches in health and rehabilitation. Registration is required, but the event is free.
Speakers represent Sargent College faculty's range of health and rehabilitation professions, with an agenda that covers topics like communication neuroscience, human movement, traumatic brain injury, intensive language intervention, child development, and more. A feature of the work and experience of ENACT's doctoral fellows in the rehabilitation sciences doctoral program is scheduled for the 4:00 pm hour, just preceding ENACT collaborator Dr. Alan Jette's closing statement. See the full agenda here
To learn more about the conference or to register, click here
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Celebrates its 25-Year Anniversary
Today marks the 25 anniversary of the day that President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark legislation guaranteed protection for people living with disabilities against discrimination in areas such as employment, public services, telecommunications, and transportation as well as provisions requiring reasonable accommodation in public and private settings.
The law is largely considered a civil rights victory for disabled Americans, enabling individuals with disabilities to assert his or her right to fully participate in and contribute to their communities. Learn more about how the ADA has affected the lives of Americans living with disabilities by exploring the ADA Legacy Project. Explore ENACT's arthritis-related resources to learn more about arthritis-related disability and work retention strategies.
Congratulations to ENACT fellow Rawan AlHeresh, PhD, OT
ENACT is proud to announce that doctoral fellow Rawan AlHeresh, PhD, OT has successfully defended her dissertation and completed her course of study with the Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Science Doctor of Rehabilitation Science Program at Boston University.
Rawan first matriculated into ENACT's training program in July 2011. As our first doctoral fellow, it has been gratifying to watch her progress through the program and emerge as a competent scholar. We look forward to her upcoming contributions to the field of rheumatological rehabilitation.
Congratulations Dr. Rawan AlHeresh!
Full Presentation Slides from APTA-CSM Symposia Now Available
View Dr. Keysor's presentation "Epidemiology and Clinical Management", now available in ENACT's online Continuing Education resource area.
The presentation was given as part of Optimal Arthritis Management: Bridging Clinic to the Community, a 3-part symposia at February's American Physical Therapy Association-Combined Sections Meeting in Indianapolis, IN. The symposia was well-attended and feedback was enthusiastic. Fellow presenters included Mary Altpeter, MSW, PhD from the University of North Carolina's Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and Lori Schrodt, PT, PhD from Western Carolina University
OA Action Alliance releases Physical Activity Implementation Guide
The Osteoarthritis Action Alliance (OAAA) has recently released a new Implementation Guide to help agencies and organizations implement environmental and policy strategies for increasing physical activity among adults with arthritis.
Dr. Julie Keysor, ENACT Director and Chair of the OAAA Physical Activity Workgroup, supports the group's initiative to take this important next step: nationwide involvement to help people with osteoarthritis be more active and healthy.
Please help by spreading the news and ensuring that this guide gets into the right hands and reaches as many people as possible! Share the guide with your friends or colleagues. You can get started by sharing the Facebook and Twitter posts below!
Find the full guide here
Seen the NEW guide from @oaactionallianc yet? Find strategies to help adults w/ #arthritis increase physical activity http://t.co/LWngEwG8VO
— ENACT (@BU_ENACT) March 12, 2015
Doctoral Fellow Rawan AlHeresh to be published in IJRR
ENACT doctoral fellow Rawan AlHeresh, MS OTR, will be published in the International Journal of Rehabilitation Research. Keep an eye out for her article, "The Work Activity and Participation Outcomes Framework: A New Look at Work Disability Outcomes through the Lens of the ICF", later in 2015.
Please join us in congratulating Rawan on her achievement!
A Look Back: Images from 2014
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- Fellow Rawan AlHeresh presents at the 2014 American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland
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- A roomful of up-and-coming New Investigators in rehabilitation research listen in as Dr. David Felson starts off ENACT’s New Investigator Workshop on April 6th, 2014
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- Dr. Mary Slavin introduces a block of speakers from the Boston Rehabilitation Outcomes Center (Boston ROC) at ENACT’s New Investigator Workshop
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- Dr. Michael LaValley presents on methods in biostatistics at ENACT’s New Investigator Workshop
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- Center Director Dr. Julie Keysor welcomes attendees to the poster session on April 6th, 2014
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- Dr. Kelley Fitzgerald listens as one of the accepted investigators presents his work as part of the poster session
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- Attendees listen as Dr. Nancy Baker leads a round table mentorship session during the New Investigator Workshop
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- Dr. Alan Jette listens during the New Investigator Workshop round table mentoring sessions
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- Dr. Christine McDonough looks closely at the poster of a fellow new investigator during the April 6th poster session
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- Dr. Nancy Baker talks shop with an accepted new investigator during ENACT’s April 6th poster session
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- ENACT fellows Aileen Ledingham and Molly Vaughan browse through the April 6th Poster Session
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- ENACT staff wait at the registration table to welcome attendees to the 2014 Arthritis State of the Science Meeting
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- Dr. David Felson talks with an attendee as the 2014 Arthritis State of the Science Meeting prepares to open
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- The sponsor table for the 2014 Arthritis State of the Science Meeting offered free information and resources
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- NIDRR’s Dr. Teresa San Agustin speaks with one of the new investigators between sessions
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- State of the Science 2014: Where is the Field of Arthritis Rehabilitation?
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- Keynote speaker Dr. Jan K. Richardson during her talk “Moving Together, Changing Lives!”
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- ENACT doctoral fellow Aileen Ledingham listens during one of the Arthritis State of the Science meeting sessions
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- Dr. Alan Jette prepares to moderate the session titled ‘Promoting Activity and Participation in the Community’
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- Dr. Jessica Maxwell answers a question from the audience following her talk on total knee replacement
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- Dr. James Rimmer during his Arthritis State of the Science Meeting presentation in April 2014
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- Janet Yale of the Arthritis Society discusses the Canadian approach to arthritis policy during the SOS 2014 Policy Panel
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- ENACT Director Julie Keysor moderates the final panel ‘Reflections and Next Steps’
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- Dr. Glenn Pransky bring the employer perspective to the table during his talk at ENACT’s Arthritis State of the Science Meeting
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- Members of the BOOST exercise class warm up with stretches
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- Strengthening the body using only a ball and a wall!
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- Kelly Pesanelli helps a BOOST participant perform an exercise properly
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- ENACT doctoral fellow Aileen Ledingham helps a BOOST participant practice a step exercise
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- BOOST participant using weights to focus on strengthening
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- BOOST exercise class participants practicing various exercises
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- Kelly Pesanelli demonstrates a stretch during the BOOST strength training class
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- The BOOST class poses together – all smiles after a great exercise session!
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- ENACT celebrated the retirement of Associate Director Dr. Saralynn Allaire
