Shawn Roll is guest editor of latest AJOT on musculoskeletal conditions
January 23, 2017

By Mike McNulty

Assistant Professor Shawn C. Roll is the guest editor of the January/February 2017 issue of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy. The issue focuses on comprehensive summaries of evidence and multiple original research articles on the treatment of common musculoskeletal conditions, which are the second greatest cause of disability worldwide.

Roll combines his clinical occupational therapy skills with expertise in musculoskeletal sonography and industrial engineering/ergonomics. His research strives to advance the holistic understanding of musculoskeletal disorders and to effectively evaluate and provide prevention or rehabilitation interventions within adult populations.

“As a group, musculoskeletal conditions have a higher prevalence than many other common health conditions, and these disorders present a significant burden, both financially and functionally, to individuals and our society,” Roll said. “It is vital for occupational therapy providers to be knowledgeable about the impact of these conditions on health, wellness and function, and for our profession be actively involved in supporting the rehabilitation, as well as habilitation, of individuals with musculoskeletal conditions to improve quality of life and participation in daily occupational pursuits.”

Within the issue — the first published in 2017, throughout which the profession celebrates the 100-year anniversary of its 1917 founding — Roll co-authored two evidence reviews and an original article examining clinical outcomes for work rehabilitation services. Two of these articles in the issue were co-authored by USC occupational science doctoral student Mark Hardison PhD ’19.

Additional Trojans published within the issue include Assistant Clinical Professor Ashley Halle MA ’11, OTD ’12, Assistant Professor Natalie Leland, and alumni Rebecca Aldrich BS ’05, MA ’06, Donald Fogelberg PhD ’08, Doris Pierce MA ’88, PhD ’96 and Donna Breger Stanton MA ’79.

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