News

MSOP Students Present at 2017 OT Summit of Scholars
June 5, 2017

Mark Hardison, PhD Candidate, and Sandy Takata, PhD Student, recently presented research findings at the 2017 Occupational Therapy Summit of Scholars hosted by Boston University. Both presentations provided updates on data being obtained and analyzed in the Lab’s R01-supported study. 

Mark presented a poster with findings of the validity and reliability of a video observation protocol being used to evaluate the postures and hand activities of dental hygienists. This observation protocol will be used to identify variability in exposure to physical tasks across dental hygienists, providing the necessary information for where to best target preventive interventions to reduce the high rates of musculoskeletal injuries in dental professionals.

Sandy’s paper presentation was entitled, “Relationship of Internal Carpal Tunnel Measurements to External Wrist-Ratio: Implications for Prevention of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.” Using sonographic imaging to measure the internal size and shape of the carpal tunnel, we have determined that these internal measurements are not necessarily directly related to the external boney structure of the wrist. Because the external shape of the wrist has been identified as a predictive factor for carpal tunnel syndrome, the finding that internal measurements differ from these external measures may provide new information that will help us to further improve our ability to identify individuals at risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Sandy received an OT Summit of Scholars Student Award for her abstract — Congratulations, Sandy!