Rheumatology Commons^™

Enhancing Physician Perspectives Of Skilled Occupational Therapy Services For Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis, Valerie S. Trinidad

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

This Capstone Project, with a focus in research, sought to identify a relationship between self-reported functional performance and participation restriction as described by satisfaction with one’s execution or participation in a described occupation. A correlational study design was employed under the mentorship of Dr. Thomas Decker, EdD, OTD, OTR/L who oversaw all IRB processes, documentation, study development and deployment, as well as co-authored and provided mentorship for creation of a publishable manuscript of this project. The established Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and the newer Keele Assessment of Participation (KAP) were the two outcome measures of focus for surveying …

The Natural History Of Modic Changes - A 5- And 15-Year Follow-Up Study, Parnian Saremi

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Modic changes (MCs), defined as bone marrow lesions adjacent to the vertebral endplate seen on MRI, have been associated with back pain. There are different types of MCs, with different histopathological correlates. This community-based study sample comprised 110 men from the Twin Spine Study, with baseline, 5-year, and 15-year follow-up MRIs. Following training and reliability testing, 1320 endplates (T12-S1) were evaluated for MC presence, type, and dimensions at each time point. Results demonstrated that Type 2 Modic Changes (MC2) were the most common type, with approximately half located at the two lowest disc levels. However, Type 1 Modic Changes (MC1) …

The Quality Of Intervention Reporting In Trials Of Therapeutic Exercise For Hip Osteoarthritis: A Secondary Analysis Of A Systematic Review, Louise C. Burgess, Thomas C. Wainwright, Khara A. James, Johan Von Heideken, Maura D. Iversen

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Background: Therapeutic exercise is recommended as a core treatment for hip osteoarthritis (HOA). Whilst it is widely accepted that exercise can improve pain and disability, optimal type and dose of exercise are yet to be agreed upon. This may, in part, be attributed to the wide variation and inadequate reporting of interventions within the literature. This study evaluates the quality of intervention reporting among trials of therapeutic exercise in HOA.

Methods: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were sourced in a systematic review, completed in August 2020. Two raters independently used the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) and Consensus on …

Joint Protection Programs For People With Hand Arthritis, Pavlos Bobos

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The fact that Joint Protection Programs (JPP) can reduce pain and improve function is based on small, but definitive Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), conducted in the 1980s. However, changes over time in the nature of hand use, the rapid expansion of technology, and improvements in our understanding of health literacy mean that these programs are now outdated. Further, problems with adherence to JPP are well documented. The purpose of this thesis was 1) to conduct a scoping review to map all the available evidence around joint protection programs in published and unpublished studies 2) to evaluate the effectiveness of joint …

Measures Of Pediatric Function And Physical Activity In Arthritis, Anna E. Greer, Maura D. Iversen

Exercise Science Faculty Publications

Physical function can be assessed through physical examination with the use of performance-based measures and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Each form of assessment provides a unique contribution to the understanding of the impact of rheumatologic conditions on the patient. PROMs of physical function (PF) are an important component of the assessment of children with arthritis and have been included in the recommended core set of measures for childhood arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions. These measures provide the child’s or parent’s perspective of function within the context of daily living. Measures of PF include both generic measures, which are designed for use …

Assistive Utensil: A Spork For Hand Tremors And Spatial Awareness, Ana Font Hernandez, Jacob Kabariti, Troy Taylor

Publications and Research

In this poster, we present a 3D printed solution for hand tremors and special awareness. Our spork is an assistive device designed and 3D printed for patients suffering from scleroderma, systemic sclerosis, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, drug withdrawal, etc. The scale-based handle will act as a counterweight to offset the contents on the other end and reduce shakiness. The larger grip allows an easy and comfortable hold. The product will be 3D printed for a customizable fit and at an affordable price. Lastly, the product will include a haptic feedback sensor to assist the visually impaired in locating food contents on …

Animal Models Of Rheumatoid Pain: Experimental Systems And Insights, Bradford D. Fischer, Adeshina Adeyemo, Michael E. O’Leary, Andrea Bottaro

Andrea Bottaro

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Primary Care, Priti Patel

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The Capstone Project is focused on communicating, influencing and educating other health care professionals regarding the role of occupational therapy in the future model of primary care delivery initiated by the adoption of the Affordable Care Act and the Triple Aim Initiative. Currently, primary care, the largest health care platform in United States, is not inclusive of occupational therapy services. Occupational therapists have the scope, knowledge and understanding to be part of the redesigned team model of primary care. Educating those currently working in primary care about adding occupational therapy services can have a significant impact on the profession of …

Safety Of Infusing Rituximab At A More Rapid Rate In Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results From The Rate-Ra Study, Charles H. Pritchard, Maria W. Greenwald, Joel M. Kremer, Norman B. Gaylis, William Rigby

Dartmouth Scholarship

As recommended in the current prescribing information, rituximab infusions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) take 4.25hours for the first infusion and 3.25hours for subsequent infusions, which is a burden on patients and the health care system. We therefore evaluated the safety of infusing rituximab at a faster rate for an infusion period of 2hours in patients with RA.

Pressure Pain Threshold Testing Demonstrates Predictive Ability In People With Acute Whiplash., David Walton

David Walton

No abstract provided.

Predictors Of The Use Of Physical Therapy Services Among Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis, Maura D. Iversen, Ritu K. Chhabriya, Nancy Shadick

Maura Daly Iversen

Background. Although physical therapy is a proven and recommended intervention for managing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), few studies have explored correlates of physical therapy service use among people with RA. Objective. The purposes of this study were: (1) to describe physical therapy use among people with RA and (2) to identify biopsychosocial factors associated with physical therapy use. It was expected that use of physical therapy services would be lower than previously reported, considering recent medical advancements, and that including contextual factors may lead to identification of new factors associated with physical therapy use. Design. This was a cohort study. Methods. …

Predictors Of Exercise Behavior In Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis 6 Months Following A Visit With Their Rheumatologist, Maura D. Iversen, Anne H. Fossel, Kelly Ayers, Allison Palmsten, Hai Wei Wang, Lawren H. Daltroy

Maura Daly Iversen

Background and Purpose. When factors that influence exercise behavior are known, health care professionals can more likely design and modify patient education materials targeted to promote exercise behavior. This study aimed to identify predictors of exercise behavior in patients with rheumatoid arthritis 6 months after a visit with their rheumatologist.

Subjects and Methods. Twenty-five rheumatologists and 132 patients with rheumatoid arthritis participated. One hundred thirteen patients (85.6%) completed the 6-month follow-up. Rheumatologists and patients completed baseline questionnaires and were audiotaped during a subsequent visit. Physical function and exercise behavior were ascertained via questionnaire 6 months following the visit. Multivariate logistic …

Risk Factors For Persistent Problems Following Whiplash Injury: Results Of A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, David Walton

David Walton

No abstract provided.