• Jennifer Collinger, PhD, and Marco Capogrosso, PhD, Receive Inaugural University of Pittsburgh Hunter TBI Program Grants
  • Dr. Collinger’s research efforts are focused on developing brain-computer interfaces (BCI) designed to restore arm and hand function for individuals with quadriplegia, allowing them to communicate with a robotic arm and hand to perform functional tasks. Dr. Capogrosso’s research primarily focuses on developing new neurotechnologies to stimulate electrodes implanted in the brains of individuals who have experienced a spinal cord injury or stroke to allow them to regain control of their hands after paralysis.

• PM&R and Otolaryngology Team Publish Research in Muscle & Nerve
  • Michael C. Munin, MD, physiatrist, UPMC Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Libby J. Smith, DO, laryngologist, UPMC Department of Otolaryngology, published “Utility of laryngeal electromyography for establishing prognosis and individualized treatment after laryngeal neuropathies” in the peer-reviewed journal Muscle & Nerve.

• Disability Competent Care in Pediatric Milestones Published in JAMA Pediatrics
  • Amy J. Houtrow, MD, PhD, MPH, Angela M. Garcia, MD, and Jason Edinger, DO, UPMC Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation– along with Unoma Akamagwuna, MD, Baylor College of Medicine – published “Disability Competent Care in Pediatric Milestones” in JAMA Pediatrics.

• Adaptive Sport Opportunities at the NCAA Division I Level
  • Ryan Nussbaum, DO, physiatrist and assistant professor, and Connor Fultz, MD, sports medicine fellow, UPMC Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – along with Samatha Schroth of Northwestern University, Yetsa Tuakli-Wosornu, MD, MPH, of Yale University, and Allison Schroeder, MD, of University Hospitals – published “Document analysis of adaptive sport opportunities at Division-1 universities in the United States” in Disability & Health.

• Length of Stay Initiative by Drs. Harrington and Horton Featured on ABPMR Website
  • A length of stay initiative for the spinal cord injury unit at UPMC Mercy, developed by Amanda Harrington, MD, and John Horton III, MD, assistant professors, University of Pittsburgh Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, was a featured “exemplary quality improvement project” by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR).

• Michael C. Munin, MD, Receives 2024 AANEM Distinguished Researcher Award
  • The award recognizes those “who have made continuous significant contributions to clinical neurophysiological, neuromuscular, or musculoskeletal research.”

• Review of Patient-report and Caregiver-report Measures of Rehab Following ABI by Pitt Research Team
  • Researchers from the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pitt School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, along with colleagues from Drexel University and Medical University of South Carolina, published “Patient-report and caregiver-report measures of rehabilitation service use following acquired brain injury: a systematic review” in the journal BMJ Open.

• Pitt, UPMC Team Identifies Barriers to – and Training Needs for – Rehabilitation Clinicians’ Use of Mainstream Wireless Technologies in Practice
  • A team of researchers from Pitt, UPMC, and Kansas City University published “Rehabilitation clinicians' use of mainstream wireless technologies in practice: a scoping review” in February 2024. Brad Dicianno, MD, UPMC Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dan Ding, PhD, University of Pittsburgh Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology (RST), Lindsey Morris, OTD, OTR/L, Pitt RST, and Yifan Xiang, Pitt undergraduate student, worked along with Angad Salh, Kansas City University medical student, to publish the study in the peer-reviewed journal Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology.

• Dan Ding, PhD, associate professor and vice chair for research, University of Pittsburgh Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, is set to start the “Smart Tech for Paralysis (ST4P) Implementation Hub,” with the help of a $5 million donation. This will form a partnership between the University of Pittsburgh Department of Rehabilitation Science of Technology and UPMC Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation to ramp up activities on the spinal cord injury (SCI) inpatient unit and the Center for Assistive Technology (CAT). 
  • PM&R faculty, staff, and resident involvement: 
  • Lynn Worobey (Co-Director)
  • Mike Boninger (Senior Advisor)
  • Randy Huzinec (Associate Director for Clinical Services)
  • Drew Redepenning (Resident)
  • Mitch Bell (collaborator through ASSIST+)
  • Gwen Sowa (Advisory Board)
  • Brad Dicianno (Advisory Board)

   

• Lee Fisher, PhD, and Elvira Pirondini, PhD, Rehab Neural Engineering Labs, were involved in the stroke study, “Epidural Stimulation of the Cervical Spinal Cord for Post-Stroke Upper-Limb Paresis,” which was selected among the top 20 medical achievements of the country in 2023 by the Clinical Research Forum. The work was among the very best of a large and competitive field of submitted nominations. It is a high honor and a remarkable accomplishment, given the level of quality, scientific rigor, and innovation in this year’s batch of nominated studies. The Clinical Research Forum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing leadership to the national clinical and translational research enterprise and promoting understanding and support for clinical research and its impact on health and health care.
• Sarah Laughlin, PhD, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, was nominated and accepted as a member of the National PKU Alliance (NPKUA) Research Registry Committee. She will collaborate with a group of PKU experts to review applications for use of the NPKUA Research Registry and applications for NPKUA to support recruitment to academic/industry-funded research.
• The National PKU Alliance is a vital voice for the PKU community. They work toward expanding PKU research and accelerating the timeline for a cure by investing in peer-reviewed and targeted research. They provide education and support to people living with PKU. They are the national voice for advocacy at the federal level.
  
  
• PM&R Study Suggests Executive Function Should Be Considered When Assessing and Attempting to Reduce Fall Risk in Older Chemotherapy-treated Cancer Survivors
  • A large research team comprised of Brendan McNeish, MD, assistant professor, University of Pittsburgh Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and colleagues published “Executive function is associated with balance and falls in older cancer survivors treated with chemotherapy: A cross-sectional study” in the Journal of Geriatric Oncology.

• Efficacy of Music-based Intervention in a Preclinical Model of Traumatic Brain Injury Study Published in Experimental Neurology
  • The data showed that the MBI improved motor, cognitive, and anxiety-like behavior vs. no music (p's < 0.05).

• Spinal Cord Stimulation Reduces Pain, Improves Balance in People with Lower Limb Amputation 
  • The proof-of-concept study was done through an interdisciplinary collaboration among engineers, physicians, and neuroscientists at Pitt, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Chicago.

• Temporal Profiles of P-Tau, T-Tau, and P-Tau:Tau Ratios in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Blood from Moderate-Severe TBI Patients and Relationship to 6-12 Month Global Outcomes Published in the Journal of Neurotrauma
  • This multi-site longitudinal study examines these concurrent profiles acutely (CSF and serum) and also characterizes the acute- to-chronic serum patterns.

Read More News Highlights from 2024 from the University of Pittsburgh Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

The Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopaedic and Spine Research publications share the latest news and research progress from our faculty and students, upcoming conferences and lectures, and in-depth profiles of the individuals working and training in our facility.

• Ferguson Laboratory Winter 2024 Publication
• Ferguson Laboratory Fall 2024 Publication

The Rehab Grand Rounds publications feature clinical case studies and new research from the Department that provide opportunities from CME-accredited learning.

• All Locked Up: The Treatment of Generalized Tetanus
  • Alyssa Zuziak DO, Lauren Kremm DO, and Lisa Godbold MD discuss the mechanism of action for the tetanus toxin, describe the acute presentation of tetanus and various forms of tetanus infection, and implement the management of diffuse and focal muscle rigidity during acute tetanus infection.

   

• Back from the Drawing Board: Useful Ideas About Chronic Axial Lumbar Pain
  • Joseph Shivers, MD, Jesse Champi, MD, and Michael Glicksman, MD, describe the skills needed in evaluating low back pain so that providers are better prepared to rule out serious pathologies while simultaneously minimizing unnecessary diagnostic tests and treatment strategies. They also discuss the importance of recognizing and managing psychosocial factors that are relevant to the overall treatment of low back pain, as well as increasing patient autonomy for those with axial low back pain by emphasizing patient-controlled treatments.

• UPMC PM&R Faculty, Residents, and Fellows Presented at the Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP) 2024 Annual Meeting
  • UPMC Rehabilitation Institute and the University of Pittsburgh Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation were well-represented at the 2024 Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP) Annual Meeting, which took place February 20-24 in Orlando, with more than 20 presentations by faculty, residents, and fellows.

• Tad Gorske, PhD, and Melissa Sutcliffe, PhD, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, served on a panel for a March 9^th event sponsored by The Greater Pittsburgh Psychological Association at Carlow University.
• They discussed the topic of integrating psychological evaluation and neuropsychological testing into professional practice with a group of psychologists and students.

• Recreational Therapy—It’s Not All Fun and Games
  •  Jeff Bisdee, therapeutic recreation specialist at the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute at UPMC Mercy, discusses different interventions and activities available through recreational therapy.