Research

Research activities in the MSOP Lab focus on understanding associations among occupational performance, health, and well-being within the adult working population. This research aims to elucidate the underlying positive and negative mechanisms of health and performance relative to the transactions that occur as we participate in physical, social, and organizational environments and complete activities using various tools and technologies.

Primary health considerations of interest in MSOP studies include musculoskeletal disorders, stress, and burnout, and specific worker populations supported through MSOP research have included office workers, construction workers, sonographers, and dental hygienists. Research projects are typically observational or experimental in nature but all apply a multi-method approach to blend empirical, quantitative data with qualitative first-person, lived experiences.

A secondary focus of MSOP research is advancing preventive and rehabilitative care for upper extremity musculoskeletal conditions. This work includes integrating holistic, mind-body, and other integrative approaches into hand therapy, and translating musculoskeletal sonographic imaging from its traditional use in diagnosis into a clinical tool for occupational therapists and other rehabilitation professionals. Many conditions of interest intersect with worker health, such as repetitive strain (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome) and daily work engagement (e.g., fibromyalgia, arthritis). 

Read about our active and completed research projects by clicking on the links below.

Active Projects ⟩

• Enhancing Office Worker Wellness
• Musculoskeletal Disorder Risk Assessment in Dental Hygienists
• Work-Related Injuries in Sonographers
• Mind-Body Interventions in Hand Therapy

Completed Projects ⟩

• Applications of Sonography in Hand Therapy
• Early Identification of Median Nerve Pathology
• Sonographic Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Sonography for Male Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

Are you an Occupational Theraipst who is Interested in a Career in Work and Industry?

Listen to our YouTube chat with the American Journal of Occupational Therapy editor to learn more about occupational therapy’s role in supporting workers to live healthy and productive lives: