Resources
Here are Links to Important Hand Therapist Organizations
The Hand Therapy Certification Commission (independent from AHTF) is the official organization for certification of hand therapy specialists. Information and advice for qualifying for the hand therapy exam is available directly from their website www.htcc.org.
The American Society of Hand Therapists (independent from AHTF) is the official membership organization of hand therapists. Information for membership is available directly from their website www.asht.org.
The American Society For Surgery of the Hand holds an annual meeting and now has an affiliate membership category for qualified hand therapists. Information for membership can be found at www.assh.org.
The American Association for Hand Surgery holds an annual meeting and offers a membership category to qualified hand therapists, Information for membership can be found at www.handsurgery.org.
The American Society of Peripheral Nerve holds an annual meeting and now offers affiliate membership for qualified hand therapists. Information for membership can be found at www.peripheralnerve.org.
The American Occupational Therapy Association. Information can be found at www.aota.org.
The American Physical Therapy Association. Information can be found at www.apta.org.
International Federation of Societies for Hand Therapy. Information can be found at www.ifsht.org.
International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand. Information can be found at ifssh.info.
Publications
Publications of projects of funded grants and scholarships supported by the AHTF alone and with collaborating entities: American Society of Hand Therapists and the Hand Therapy Certification Commission.
Dissemination of AHTF Funded Evidence
The following list shows the references to peer-reviewed publications that were made possible in full or part by AHTF research grants (names of grantees are bolded).
Burkhalter New Investigator Grant
Ogilvie KM, Mah AML, Klar K, Anthony A, Davidge KM, Clarke HM, Ho ES. Prevalence and predictors of elbow flexion contractures during early childhood following brachial plexus birth injury. J Hand Ther. 2024;37(3):446-452.
Doerrer SB, Walter JR, Priganc V, Winston K, Barth RW, Moss DP. The impact of shoulder pathology on individuals with distal radius fracture. J Hand Ther. 2023;36(1):33-44.
Stern BZ, Howe TH, Njelesani J. “I didn’t know what I could do”: Behaviors, knowledge and beliefs, and social facilitation after distal radius fracture. J Hand Ther. 2023;36(1):148-157.
McVeigh KH, Kannas SN, Ivy CC, et al. Dynamic stabilization home exercise program for treatment of thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis: A prospective randomized control trial. J Hand Ther. 2022;35(3):435-446.
Stern BZ, Njelesani J, Howe TH. Transitioning from hurting to healing: self-management after distal radius fracture. Disabil Rehabil. 2022;44(21):6277-6286.
Day JM, Lucado AM, Dale RB, Merriman H, Marker CD, Uhl TL. The Effect of Scapular Muscle Strengthening on Functional Recovery in Patients With Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. J Sport Rehabil. 2021;30(5):744-753.
Stern BZ. Self-management in adults after distal radius fracture: A mixed methods exploration. Dissertation. NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development; 2020.
Menegaldo A. Determinants of positive functional outcomes at 16 weeks after flexor tendon repair at a tertiary hospital in South Africa. A descriptive, analytical study. Master’s Thesis. University of Cape Town; 2019.
Menegaldo A. (2017). Xhosa translation of DASH and QuickDASH (2017). Available at: https://dash.iwh.on.ca/available-translations
Chai SC, Bear-Lehman J, Weinberg S, Nonken M. A preliminary analysis on the relationship between hand discomfort, perceived exertion, and hand function status among piano students. J Hand Ther. 2012;25(4):e12 – e13.
Nunes PM, de Oliveira DG, Aruin AS, dos Santos MJ. Relationship between hand function and grip force control in women with hand osteoarthritis. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2012;49(6):855-865.
de Oliveira DG, Nunes PM, Aruin AS, dos Santos MJ. Grip force control in individuals with hand osteoarthritis. J Hand Ther. 2011;24(4):345-355
Poole JL, Walenta MH, Alonzo V, Coe A, Moneim M. A pilot study comparing of two therapy regimens following carpometacarpal joint arthroplasty. Phys. Occup.Ther. Geriatr. 2011;29:(4):327-336.
Lewis ES. Finger circumference measurements: inter- and intra-rater reliability. Hand Therapy. 2010;15(3):69-72.
Lewis ES, Fors L, Tharion WJ. Interrater and intrarater reliability of finger goniometric measurements. Am J Occup Ther. 2010;64(4):555-561.
Groth GN. Clinical decision making and therapists’ autonomy in the context of flexor tendon rehabilitation. J Hand Ther. 2008;21(3):254-260.
Cleary C, Sanders AK, Nick TG. Reliability of the skin compliance device in the assessment of scar pliability. J Hand Ther. 2007;20(3):232-238.
Groth GN. Current practice patterns of flexor tendon rehabilitation. J Hand Ther. 2005;18(2):169-174.
Shechtman O, Davenport R, Malcolm M, Nabavi D. Reliability and validity of the BTE-Primus grip tool. J Hand Ther. 2003;16(1):36-42.
Wuori JL, Overend TJ, Kramer JF, MacDermid J. Strength and pain measures associated with lateral epicondylitis bracing. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1998;79(7):832-837.
Evelyn Mackin Grant
Schwartz DA. Hands across the water: clinical observations of hand therapy practices in Great Britain and Norway. J Hand Ther. 2006;19(3):358-364.
Judy Bell-Krotoski Grab the Evidence Grant
McGee C, Skye J, Van Heest A. Graded motor imagery for women at risk for developing type I CRPS following closed treatment of distal radius fractures: a randomized comparative effectiveness trial protocol. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2018;19(1):202-215.
Flinn SR, Goodman G. Effective assessments to identify overuse injuries in unaffected limbs of persons with unilateral upper limb amputations. J Hand Ther. 2021;34(2):298-308.
Tri-Alliance Grant Honoring the ASHT Founders (formerly the Founders Grant)
Dewan N, Ziebart C, Dabbagh A, MacDermid JC. GoPro video-based therapist-rating of comprehensive-home-fall-hazard checklist shows excellent inter-rater reliability for postmenopausal women with distal radius fracture: A technical report. J Hand Ther. 2023;36(4):1028-1030.
Ziebart C, Dewan N, MacDermid J. Content validity of the comprehensive home fall hazard checklist, an observational study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2022;101(47):e31781.
Wolff AL, Ling DI, Casey EK, Toresdahl BG, Gellhorn AC. Feasibility and impact of a musculoskeletal health for musicians (MHM) program for musician students: A randomized controlled pilot study. J Hand Ther. 2021;34(2):159-165.
Wolff AL, Robbins L. Leveraging implementation science to prevent and reduce musculoskeletal overuse injury in musicians: A proposal for the study of a conceptual framework. J Hand Ther. 2021;34(2):315-322.
Yang N, Fufa DT, Wolff AL. A musician-centered approach to management of performance-related upper musculoskeletal injuries. J Hand Ther. 2021;34(2):208-216.
Babatunde FO, MacDermid J, Grewal R, Macedo L, Szekeres M. Development and usability testing of a web-based and therapist-assisted coping skills program for managing psychosocial problems in individuals with hand and upper limb injuries: mixed methods study. JMIR Hum Factors. 2020;7(2):e17088.
Babatunde FO. Optimising musculoskeletal health: Focus on exercise therapy and psychosocial interventions. Dissertation. McMaster University. 2020.
Ziebart C, Dewan N, Tuazon J, MacDermid J. Development of the Home Fall Hazard Checklist. Rehabil Res Pract. 2021;2021:5362197.
Hardison M, Black D, Roll SC. Effects of mind-body interventions on stress, anxiety and pain hand therapy patients. Am J Occup. Ther. 2018;72(4_Supplement_1), 7211515280p1.
Leitkam S, Bush TR, Beasley J, Buschman J. Concurrent validity of goniometric and 3D motion capture measurements of the hand and their effects on a model of finger functionality for clinical assessment. J Hand Ther. 2016;29(3):371-372.
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" |
|
2019
|
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
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