Holly Jonely becomes the latest recipient of AAOMPT & OPTP research grant

At the recent American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT) Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, physical therapists gathered from all over for several days of learning and networking.

As an exhibitor at the event, OPTP was showcasing its manual therapy products and educational materials, but was also excited to continue an important tradition.

For more than 10 years, OPTP has worked with the AAOMPT to provide grants for important research within the manual physical therapy field. Once again in 2017, we were proud to offer this funding to enable more great work to be done.

This year’s grant recipient was Holly Jonely of The George Washington University and Johns Hopkins Hospital. She and her research team will be investigating how manipulation of the spine could lead to improved breathing. Here are more details on their project:

Project Name
Thoracic manipulation to improve pulmonary ventilation

Project Summary
Pathology in ventilatory function (VF) is often treated by pharmacologic agents. However, the orthopedic components of thoracic excursion (TE) made possible by combined movements from costovertebral (CVJ), costotransverse (CTJ) and sternocostal joints, are not targets of pharmacologic interventions yet might play a key role in mediating VF. 

To date, very few studies have systematically examined joint manipulation procedures involving the joints of TE for the purpose of improving TE. This exploratory pilot study seeks to do so, aiming to:

1. Examine the immediate effects as well as between-group effects of thoracic joint manipulation or sham intervention on VF and TE and;
2. Determine the effects of thoracic manipulation or sham intervention on VF and TE after three sessions of thoracic manipulation interventions.

Project Team
The research team includes one principal investigator and four co-investigators. All five members are physical therapists, with three who are AAOMPT fellows, one who specializes in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and patient care, and one who specializes in exercise physiology and pulmonary function.

• Principal Investigator: Holly Jonely ScD, PT, FAAOMPT
• Co‐Investigator: Josh Woolstenhulme, DPT, PhD
• Co‐Investigator: Dhinu Jayaseelan, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
• Co‐Investigator: Joseph Signorino, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
• Co‐Investigator: Ellen Costello, PT, PhD

 
Congratulations to Holly and her team. We wish them the best as they begin work on this exciting project!