New President and Board Members Elected to the Association of Academic Physiatrists

Gwendolyn Sowa, MD, PhD, Endowed Professor and Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at the University of Pittsburgh/UPMC and Director of the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, has been elected president of the Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP), the largest membership society for academic physiatry, at their 2021 Virtual Conference. Dr. Sowa is joined by seven newly elected members of the AAP’s Board of Trustees.

Modern Tennis Trends Among Risk Factors for Higher Rates of Tennis Elbow

Risk factors for higher incidence of tennis elbow, a painful tendon condition, among recreational tennis players include frequency of play, wrist stretching before matches, and using a one-handed backhand and Kevlar racquet strings, according to a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting.

Physical Therapy Led to Lower Mortality Among Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19

Patients recovering from COVID-19 who had a course of physical therapy in the hospital had lower incidence of mortality compared to those who did not, according to a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting.

New Model May Help Us Better Understand Cancer-Related Disability in Humans

A novel preclinical mouse model of pancreatic cancer may promote better understanding of the mechanisms that lead to disability in human cancer patients, according to the findings of a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting.

“CrashCourse” Program Makes Teen Football Players More Aware of Concussion Risks and Why to Report Symptoms

How can we teach high school football players about concussion risks to prevent delays in reporting, diagnosing and treating this serious medical condition? The “CrashCourse” program appears more effective than older approaches when it comes educating teen athletes on the urgency of reporting concussion symptoms, according to a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting.

Patients on Chronic Opioids Likely to Live in Disadvantaged Neighborhoods, Have Worse Anxiety and Depression

People treated with chronic opioid therapy for pain are more likely to live in socially disadvantaged areas and self-report worse anxiety, depression and pain that interferes in their lives, according to a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting.

Extreme Sports Training Reduces Helplessness in People with Chronic Disability Even Months Later

Physical training for an extreme sporting event can decrease feelings of helplessness in individuals with chronic disability as long as four months after the event’s completion, according to a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting in Orlando.

Bilateral Amputee Sprinters Outperform Unilateral Competitors in Paralympic Games

Bilateral lower extremity amputee sprinters outperformed their unilateral competitors in all race finals at recent Paralympics Games, suggesting that high-tech prosthetics provide a distinct athletic advantage, according to a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting in Orlando.

Gender & Ethnic Diversity Still Lacking in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Professional Ranks

Women and members of various ethnic groups are still significantly underrepresented in the medical field of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), with only 39.23 percent of current residents being women and 10.59 percent identifying as Hispanic or Black. Diversity gaps must be addressed in recruitment efforts in the future, according to a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting in Orlando.

Opioid Risk Reduction Program Helps Reduce Suicide Rate at VHA Facility

A reduction in suicides among patients at a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facility may be due to a multispecialty opioid risk reduction program that included addiction management treatment, according to a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting in Orlando.

Alternative Medicine Improves Quality of Life in Acute Rehab, Study Shows

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies show effectiveness at improving quality of life for patients of various diagnoses in acute rehabilitation, in-patient facilities, according to preliminary data from a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting in Orlando.

Exercise Habits Set Early in Life May Lead to Better Physical Fitness, BMI & Performance in Adulthood

Good exercise habits formed in adolescence correlate positively with exercise habits in adults, and adults with good exercise habits have better physical performance and appropriate body-mass index scores for their age, according to a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting in Orlando.