• Clinical trials
• Research projects
• Research labs

Children and Disability

Health and Human Performance

Rehabilitation Engineering

Rehabilitation of Neurological Illness and Injury

Veterans

Vocational Rehabilitation

• Resident research projects

Research Labs: Health and Human Performance

Health and Human Performance: focusing on the evaluation and treatment of patients with cardiopulmonary and/or neuromusculoskeletal injury and disease, including degeneration.

Assistive Technology for Cognition Laboratory

Director: Tony Gentry, Ph.D., OTR/L
VCU Department of Occupational Therapy

The ATC Lab's mission is to improve the lives of individuals with cognitive disability by developing, researching and implementing ecologically valid treatment approaches focused on the use of environmental modifications and assistive technology. The ATC Lab is partnering with agencies and organizations to provide direct intervention, clinical training, clinical trials and software development. Current projects address the use of handheld computers (PDAs) as cognitive aids, demonstrating that these devices improve functional performance in everyday life, while reducing the level of handicap, in home and community settings. In addition, the Super School Computer Game software is under development and a Palm-based social script program is in beta version, under examination by a focus group of students with autism spectrum disorder. The lab also provides training workshops for clinicians, caregivers and individuals with cognitive disability. The ATC Lab director is developing a suite of online courses for clinicians and consumers. The first two courses, slated for launch in fall 2006, include PDA-Enabled Job Coaching and Assistive Technology for Cognition for Clinicians and Educators: Practical Applications.

More information:
Assistive Technology for Cognition Laboratory
Tony Gentry, Ph.D., OTR/L
Phone: (804) 840-7226
Email: logentry@vcu.edu

COOR (Clinical Biomechanics, Orthopedic and Sports Outcomes Research) Laboratory

Director: Lori Michener, Ph.D., PT, A.T.C., S.C.S.
VCU Department of Physical Therapy

This research laboratory is located in the Department of Physical Therapy. The lab contains equipment to examine the diagnosis and treatment outcomes and the mechanisms of upper quadrant, as it relates to musculoskeletal dysfunctions of the cervical spine and shoulder seen in general orthopedics and sports medicine. The primary focus of the lab is two-fold: to examine the diagnosis and treatment outcomes of upper quadrant disorders via clinical trials, and to elucidate the mechanisms of shoulder disorders to facilitate the design of interventions to reduce shoulder pain and restore the ability to perform activities and participate at work, home and sports.

More information:
COOR (Clinical Biomechanics, Orthopedic and Sports Outcomes Research) Laboratory
Lori Michener, Ph.D., PT, A.T.C., S.C.S.
Phone: (804) 828-0234
Email: lamichen@vcu.edu

Sensory Processing and Stress Evaluation Lab

Director: Shelly J. Lane, Ph.D., OTR/L
VCU Department of Occupational Therapy

The SPASE Lab in the Department of Occupational Therapy was set up in fall 2005. The lab is currently running the Sensory Challenge Protocol; a protocol that examines children's physiological stress responses to various sensory stimuli, including light, sound, touch, smell and movement. Sympathetic nervous system responses are measured through electro-dermal activity and salivary alpha amylase. Parasympathetic nervous system activity is quantified through measurement of cardiac vagal tone. Finally, activation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis is measured through collection and analysis of salivary cortisol. Data is collected and compared to behavioral reports related to sensory processing and anxiety. The current project examines responses to the Sensory Challenge Protocol in children with and without ADHD, and with and without sensory sensitivities. Other projects are planned.

More information:
Sensory Processing and Stress Evaluation Lab
Shelly J. Lane, Ph.D., OTR/L
Email: reynoldsse3@vcu.edu

The Sports Medicine Research Laboratory

Director: Brent Arnold, Ph.D.
VCU Department of Health and Human Performance

The Sports Medicine Research Laboratory is a 1400 square foot facility dedicated to the training of researchers and faculty research. This laboratory is located on the Monroe Park Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University. Under the direction of Brent L. Arnold, PhD, ATC, the laboratory provides research and instructional opportunities for faculty and graduate students in the masters and doctoral degree programs in Exercise Science and Rehabilitation and Movement Science at VCU. The general focus of the laboratory is lower extremity injury with emphases on anatomical, biomechanical, and proprioceptive factors contributing to injury. Current faculty research is focused on factors contributing to functional ankle instability.

More information:
The Sports Medicine Research Laboratory
Brent Arnold, Ph.D.
Phone: (804) 828-1948
Email: barnold@vcu.edu

Video Analysis Lab

Director: Marie Anzalone, Ph.D., OTR/L
VCU Department of Occupational Therapy

The Video Analysis Lab enables in-depth analysis of behavior based on video observations. Utilizing the Observer XT system from NOLDUS Information Technology, this lab enables complex and flexible coding of behavior. The Observer is a computerized system designed specifically to enable microanalysis of video or live observations of individuals or groups. The Observer can record and temporally relate such observations as postures, movements, positions, facial expressions, social interactions or contextual events. Current projects utilizing this lab include pilot analysis of maternal child play and teaching interactions in typically developing infants, analysis of sensory reactivity in children with and without ADHD and/or sensory processing disorders and sensory-based self-regulatory behaviors in children with sensory processing disorders or Autism Spectrum Disorder.

More information:
Marie Anzalone, Ph.D., OTR/L
Email: meanzalone@vcu.edu