Research & Education
Where to Start?
RESEARCH SKILL IS CUMULATIVE…START WITH WHERE YOU ARE.
- New idea!
- Explore the idea (literature review, fact finding, and collaboration).
- Formulate hypothesis (clarify and simplify question).
- Gather materials.
- Try the procedure with only a few subjects.
- Develop a solid protocol for measurement (include reliable measures and eliminate or control variables).
- Determine the number of subjects/items/measurements needed for the study.
- Determine costs and materials.
- Determine how data will be analyzed.
- Include everything in a written protocol and get review of the protocol.
- Request review by experts.
- Revise and submit for publication – be prepared to revise and resubmit for publication based on publication reviewer comments.
- Enjoy the final publication, and realize you are moving the profession forward.
Projects should have defined anticipated time frames
Research cannot always be precisely scheduled, as one cannot say they will have a great idea at exactly 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. Your work environment needs to be set up in a way that will allow research to happen.
First allowing oneself to have the mindset that research should be in the clinic, and then allowing some research time for thinking, literature review, etc., enables and empowers study and review of practice.
When you do have a good idea, sleep on it, discuss it, put it on the shelf, then take it back off at a time you can think about it more. If you do several ideas this way, you will find one day when a patient is cancelled, it is just the right amount of time to pick up that project and think about it a little more, or try it out.
Focusing on one project is good, but starting several projects and ideas over time is sometimes even better, as you may find yourself finishing them off as specific opportunity and time is available.
Rotate time with other staff in order to build in research time, or set specific hours where possible. Even one hour a week is cumulative, and the results help teach others that time spent is valuable and needed time.
Obtain and fill out standard project grant forms even if you are not requesting funding. This allows you to develop the project in an organized format that has been well taught out and developed over time, and is recognized by others doing research.
The protocol serves as a template for your study, including how your research can be done within other responsibilities, detailing time required, space, and materials, etc.
Writing the protocol is an education in itself, and any wise protocol writer seeks and appreciates comment from other professionals on approach and design.
Studies reviewed by hospital review committees help convince other hospital and educational staff of the merits and seriousness of your program in providing quality treatment.
You having a proposal approved helps other staff recognize and support the time needed for measurements, etc., the protocol is in essence an agreement in writing, with normal and necessary permissions for the study.
The increased visibility of the clinic through publications and peer reviewed presentations helps convince administrators of the value in supporting your continued clinical research and encourages grant authorities to award grants for your studies and programs.
Having established approved protocols also increases the likelihood of your having other projects approved, and recognition of the validity of therapy research by therapists in general, encouraging grant authorities to award grants to other therapists and therapy projects.
If you cannot do research yourself, at least help support others through enabling them some time for research, and participate in interest and study groups.
Your profession will be better off with your help, and we need all of the help we can muster if research is to realistically become part of the clinic.
Click Below for Past Awardee Lists
Grants
BURKHALTER New Investigator grant
| Year | Burkhalter Grant |
| 2025 |
Principal Investigator (PI): Jennifer Dodson, OTD, OTR/L, CHT. Co-Investigators: R. Glenn Gaston, MD, Bryan J. Loeffler, MD, Christopher J. Dy, MD, MPH, Calvin Chandler, MD, MBA, Ryan Serbin, Andrew Rees & Amy McQueen "Development and Validation of a Novel Patient-Reported Outcome Measure for Brachial Plexus Injuries" |
| 2024 | Nicole Hoover, MS, OTR, CHT for her research project entitled “Prevalence of Observed Thumb Metacarpophalangeal (MP) Collapse by Occupational and Physical Therapists: A Pilot Study.” |
| 2023 | Emily S. Ho, PhD, Med, OTReg (Ont), Lexi Davidson, BSc, MSc(c); Christine Novak, PhD, PT; & Samantha Anthony, PhD. Shouldering the Burdens of Adulthood — "An Exploratory Study on the Predictors of Lifelong Participation in Adults with Upper Limb Conditions" |
| 2022 | Christine Mulligan, OTD, CHT, Celeste Freeman, OTR/L, CHT, and Giovanna Fichera, OTD student — "Implementing a Novel Splinting Technique Using 3D models for Patients with Scleroderma and Arthritis" |
| 2020 | Emily S. Ho, PhD, Med, OTReg (Ont) - "Musculoskeletal Characteristics of Elbow Flexion Contractures in Infants and Children with Brachial Plexus Birth Injury" |
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2019
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Brocha Stern, OTR, MOT, CHT – “Self-Management in Adults after Distal Radius Fracture: A Mixed Methods Exploration”. |
| 2016 | Joseph Day, PhD, MS, PT, B.S Project entitled: “The Effect of Scapular Muscle Strengthening on Functional Recovery in Patients with Lateral Epicondylalgia” Awarded by AHTF Board approval: |
| 2015 | Kim McVeigh, Stephanie Kannas, Cindy Ivy, Peter Murray. The Efficacy of Dynamic Stabilization of the First CMC: A Prospective Randomized Study. |
| 2009 | Corey Weston McGee OTR, CHT, PhD student, University of Minnesota Twin Cites. Required hand grip forces for successful manual task performance. Fund with conditions |
| 2008 | Erika Lewis EdD, MSPT, CHT Trigger finger treatment; an outcomes study. |
| 2008 | Marcio Jose dos Santos PhD, PT Modulation of grip force in individuals with osteoarthritis of the hands. |
| 2006 | Rebecca L. Von Der Heyde, PhD, OTR/L, CHT The effects of shared decision making on patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. |
| 2002 | Gail Groth OT Survey of Flexor Tendon Rehabilitation Practice Areas. |
| 2001 | Ayse Ozcan PhD, PT The age related sensorial changes in healthy subjects. ayse.edeer@dc.edu |
| 2000 | Orit Shechtman PhD, OT Using the torque-velocity test of the BTE-Primus to measure sincerity of effort of grip strength. |
| 1999 | Carla Cleary MPT, CHT & Kathy Sanders PT A comparison of potassium iodine and saline iontophoresis on scar pliability. |
| 1998 | Janet Poole PhD, OT Short term outcome following basal joint arthroplasty and occupational therapy, a pilot study |
| 1996 | Jennifer Wuori PhD The effects of bracing on grip strength and pain levels in lateral epicondyle |
| 1994 | Cathy Mishek O-Brien OT Health and comfort of the VDT workstations. |
| 1992 | Siaw Chui Chai, Ph.D Candidate. Hand Discomfort and Hand Function Status among Piano Students; University of New York; dept OT and Collega of Occupational Therapy, Malaisa |
Judy Bell-Krotoski "Grab the Evidence"
| Year | Grab the Evidence Grant (created 2002) |
| 2023 | Sarah Doerrer, PhD, OTR/L, CHT, CLT, for "The Impact of Early ADL participation on Functional Outcomes Post Distal Radius Fracture" |
| 2022 | Tara Packham, OTReg(Ont.), PhD, for "Reliability and Validity of Somatosensory Measurement Techniques: A Proof-of-Principle Measurement Study of Novel Tools to Evaluate Altered Sensation" |
| 2019 | Sandy C. Takata, OTR/L, OTD, for “Informing a Precision Medicine Approach to Post-Surgical Flexor Tendon Rehabilitation using Sonography.” |
| 2016 | Corey McGee, PhD, MS, OTR/L, CHT and Ann Van Heest, MD Graded Motor Imagery for Women at Risk for Developing Type I CRPS following Closed Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures: A Pilot Randomized Comparative Effectiveness Trial. |
| 2011 | Sharon Flinn, OTR, PhD Overuse injuries in the unaffected limbs of persons with hand amputations. Ohio State Uiversity. Columbus, Ohio. sharon.flinn@osumc.edu |
| 2008 | Raviniran Appuni BSPT, CHT Optimizing therapy dosage and use of hydrotherapy following rotator cuff repair; randomized, factorial study. |
| 2002 | Caroline Jansen PhD, PT Symptom-focused Severity of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. |
| 1992 | Aviva Wolff, OTR, EdD, CHT Planning and execution of grasp in children with hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy. Hospital for Special Surgery, New York |
Tri-Alliance Grant Honoring ASHT Founders
| 2025 |
Principal Investigator: Saurabh Mehta, PT, PhD, GCS |
| 2024 |
Holly Flanagan, BS, MSOT, OTRL, CL. |
| 2019 | Aviva Wolff, EdD, OT, CHT, for her project entitled “Effects of an Education and Prevention Program on Reducing Upper Extremity Injury in Musicians.” |
| 2016 | Neha Dewan PT, PhD Candidate and Joy MacDermid, PT, PhD. “Home safety leading to bone safety: Validation and feasibility testing for using GoPro video- technology to assess home fall risk in women following distal radius fracture”. |
| Folarin Babatunde PT, PhD Candidate, also McMaster University, mentored by Joy MacDermid, for the project “Physiotherapist-delivered internet-based behavior change intervention (i-bci) for managing psychosocial problems after a distal radius fracture: a pilot and feasibility study.” | |
| 2015 | Karen Harpster, OT. Co-PI: Jenny Dorich. OT Improving hand function using a McKie thumb splint or kinesiology tape for thumb‐in‐palm deformity in children with cerebral palsy: A pilot study. |
| 2014 | Shawn C. Roll, PhD, OTR/L, , CWCE, RMSK, PI, David Black, PhD, Janice D. Rocker, MS, OTR/L, CHT, Aimee Aguillon, OTR/L, CHT: “Effects of Mind-Body Interventions on Stress, Anxiety, and Pain in Hand Therapy Patients |
| 2013 | Sam Leitkam, MS (PhD Candidate), Tamara Reid Bush, MS, PhD and Jeanine Beasley, EdD, OTR, CHT, FAOTA: Concurrent Validity of Goniometric and 3D Motion Ann M Lucado, PT, PhD, CHT Scapular Muscle Strength and Activity in Recreational Tennis Players with Lateral Epicondylalgia.Capture Measurements of the Hand and their Effects on a Model of Finger Functionality for Clinical Assessment. |
Joint AFSH and AHTF Collaborative Research Grant
| Year | Title | PIs |
| 2025 |
Assessing Thumb Stability During Key Pinch: A Pilot Study of a Novel Test |
Nicole Hoover, MS, OTR, CHT, and Jessica Hanley, MD. |
| 2024 |
At-Home VR for Phantom Limb Pain: Optimizing Targeted Brain Rehabilitation Therapy |
R. Glenn Gaston, MD, Marcie Siebert, OTR/L, CHT |
| 2023 | Physical and Mental Health Service Delivery in Pediatric Hand Surgery and Therapy | Emily S. Ho, BScOT, MEd, PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.), Kristen M. Davidge, MD, MSc, FRCSC |
| 2022 | Evaluation of Patient & Family Treatment Goals for Children with Brachial Plexus Birth Injury | Jenny Dorich, PhD, MBA, OTR/L, CHT, Roger Cornwall, MD |
| 2021 | Standardizing Thumb Arthritis Therapy (START) | Kenneth Means, Jr., MD, Caitlin Murphy, OT, CHT, Aviram Giladi, MS, MD |
| 2014 | The First Dorsal Interosseous: A Dynamic Stabilizer Of The Radially Subluxed Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint? | Corey McGee, PhD, CHT, Virginia O'Brien, OT, CHT, Sara Van Nortwick, MD, Julie Adams, MD, Ann Van Heest, MD |
AOTF-ASHT-AHTF Hand in Hand
| Year | Title |
Pls |
| 2025 | Mas Fuerte (Stronger): Exploring the Role of Spanish-Language Video Education in Distal Radius Fracture Recovery | Sarah Doerrer, PhD, OTR/L, CHT, CLT, and mentor Roger Ideishi, JD, OT/L, FAOTA (GWU) |
Scholarships
Janet Albrecht Memorial Scholarship
| Year | Janet Albrecht Memorial Scholarship (created 2019) |
| 2025 | Victoria Delgado, OT |
| 2024 | Holly Flanagan, BS, MSOT, OTRL, CL. |
| 2023 | Rebecca J. Zorn, MS, OTR/L |
| 2022 | Andrew Naylor, OTR/L |
| 2019 | Danielle Stairs, MS, OTR/L – preparation to sit Hand Therapy Certification Examination. |
EVELYN MACKIN TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP FOR EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
| Year | Mackin Travel Grant (created 2005) |
| 2024 | Aviva Wolff, EdD, OT, CHT. "Healing Hands: Advanced Upper Extremity Rehabilitation Training in War-Torn Areas.”" |
| 2023 | Nathan Short, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, CHT, for "Equipping Ukrainian Therapists in Upper Extremity and Hand Rehabilitation" |
| 2013 | Jane Fedorczyk, PT, PhD, CHT, ATC, Guatamala; Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, Drexel University. |
| 2011 | Jennifer Frydle OTR/LCHT. Education exchange in Peru. Oregon Health and Science University. Portland Oregon. |
| 2009 | Elizabeth Mayland MS, OTR, CHT-Loyola University Medical Ctr. Tendon transfers for tetraplegia. Fund with conditions |
| 2009 | Gail Groth OTR, CHT, PhD student, University of Wisconsin Madison. Heighten awareness of international hand therapy practice, flexor tendon rehabilitation. Fund with conditions. |
| 2007 | Susan Blackmore, MS, OTR/L, CHT Surgicorps Trip to Equador, South America |
| 2005 | Debby Schwartz, OTR, CHT Hands Across the Water, A trip to Norway and London. |
AHTF Orthotics Educational Scholarship
| Year | Scholarship |
| 2025 | Linda Parocua and Kyla Salisbury |
| 2024 | Anna Gray, PT. |
| 2023 | Maya N. Bell, M.Ed.,OTD,OTR/L. Lieutenant Commander, US Navy, Doctor of Occupational Therapy |
Mary Kasch Scholarship
| Year | Scholarship |
| 2025 | Michelle Hauprich, OTR/L |
| 2024 | Elizabeth Levens |
| 2023 | Oliver Dela Rosa |
| 2022 | Tarannum Siddiqui |
| 2021 | Amber Opitz |
| 2020 | Katherine Siwy |
| 2019 | Ashley Coudron DeCo |
| 2018 | Chavi Perelman |
| 2017 | Sarah DiDomenico Ogburn |
| 2016 | Brocha Stern |
| 2015 | Marti Simpson |
| 2014 | Julie To |
| 2013 | Karen Heap |
GRANTS
Supporting novice or experienced researchers who are able to expand the scientific evidence, visibility, and quality of upper extremity and hand rehabilitation.
DONATIONS
Support our mission of promoting high impact clinical and fundamental upper extremity research. Your generosity makes a difference! Support your profession through a tax‑deductible gift today.