Research
Ability, Promise, Growth
The research efforts of the department complement the clinical programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy and assistive and rehabilitation technology. The goal of these research efforts is to optimize quality of life and independence of those whose functional capabilities are limited by disability, disease, injury, developmental delay or advancing age. The clinical training programs teach our students current best clinical practice, while our research efforts seek to improve our understanding of disability and disease, and to aid in defining the best clinical best practices of tomorrow. Research efforts range from animal studies of the anatomy and physiology of aging muscle to translational human studies in balance, aging, assistive technology, environmental accommodations, and neurodegenerative disease. While the specific systems and clinical populations under study vary across investigator, the common theme is to better understand the anatomical, physiological and psychosocial manifestations of disease, injury, and disability, and to identify optimal theoretically-driven intervention strategies.
Research Foci:
Aging
Research efforts in this area include studies of e-health to evaluate self management of chronic conditions in the elderly, studies of access to healthcare, including foreign-born elders, and rehabilitation methods across cultures. Studies include the neurobiological changes in post-natal maturation in the control of breathing, the anatomy and physiology of aging muscle, as well psychosocial practice across the lifespan, studies of parental stress when they have an infant in the neonatal intensive care unit, and development of occupational skills in children with and without disabilities.
Assistive Technology
Numerous studies are ongoing that evaluate the impact of assistive technology devices for people of all ages. The purpose of such “outcomes research” is to determine, “what works, for whom, and why” in order to improve AT clinical practices. Additional research efforts focus on the universal design of consumer products for easier use by people of all ages and ability levels. Studies also include the role of occupational therapists in transition programs for students with disabilities and the impact of assistive technology in maintaining the independence in persons with developmental disabilities as they age. Studies of issues related to the use of assistive technology by caregivers of the elderly.
Rehabilitation
Efforts are underway to assess the physiological and functional limitations of individuals when designing exercise and rehabilitation programs for individuals with osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, juvenile arthritis, as well at the elderly. CIRRIE (Center for International Rehabilitation Research Information and Exchange) facilitates the international exchange of expertise and information in the broad area of rehabilitation. The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technology Transfer (T2RERC) facilitates the commercialization of technologies for the elderly and for individuals with disabilities.
Balance Function
Rehabilitation sciences, in cooperation with department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences, is establishing a clinical falls center at the University at Buffalo. This clinical center is complemented by clinical research in spatial orientation, balance, and posture. Current research efforts seek to understand optimal rehabilitative efforts to reduce the risk of falls in those with vestibular disorders and in the elderly. The biomechanics of balance during common activity of daily living such as while walking and stair climbing is an area of active investigation