Research & Publications
COVID-19 Rehabilitation
Patient and Caregiver Guide to managing COVID-19 recovery at home
This manual was created to address the gap in services which resulted from the COVID 19 pandemic’s severely restricting access to traditional rehabilitation services. The first iteration was first published in the Journal of International Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine . and is widely distributed through rehabilitation organizations nationally and abroad. The latest version, updated with additional evidenced based exercises, is available here, with translations to additional languages to come.
Home Based COVID-19 Rehabilitation Program: A pilot clinical trial
A randomized single blind trial to compare the feasibility and outcomes when home exercise programs are administered using an online therapy app to traditional exercise manuals. This study is funded through a CTSA grant from National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
PI: Joe Verghese, Anne Ambrose
Telemedicine during COVID and beyond, a practical guide and best practices multidisciplinary approach for the musculoskeletal physical exam
S. Wahezi, S. Yerra. Pain Physician Journal (accepted ) Wahezi SE, Mohamed SE, Lederman A, Beck AP.J Pain Res. 2019 Mar 20;12:1033-1039. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S181038. eCollection 2019.PMID: 30936741
Assessing the Efficacy of Virtual Reality Analgesia (VRA) in Pediatric Patients for Pain Control During Botulinum Toxin Injections (BTI) for Spasticity Management:
A randomized clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of virtual reality analgesia (VRA) for pediatric patients undergoing Botulinum toxin injections (BTI) for spasticity management. Virtual reality (VR) is a digital simulation of a three dimensional environment in which the user is capable of interacting with the generated world via computerized equipment such as gloves or a virtual reality head-mounted display (VRHMD). We propose a study comparing various VRHMD to provide VRA during pediatric BTI. It is our hypothesis that by using VRA, we will see a significant decrease in the overall pain and discomfort of our patients receiving BTI.
PI: Yuxi Chen, MD
AposTherapy Studies
APOS Registry
APOS Registry
Assessing the adherence and clinical benefits of AposTherapy in patients with knee and back complaints, in order to evaluate it as a conservative treatment that may supplement traditional pain medications and physical therapy in an at- risk urban inner city population.
Contact: Matthew Bartels, MD
The effect of AposTherapy® on pain and function in Knee Osteoarthritis population
AposTherapy is a home based exercise program utilizing personally calibrated biomechanical footwear that alters the ground reactive force and induces exercise with normal activity that may significantly improve function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Since patients with knee osteoarthritis have altered mechanics of motion contributing to or due to the presence of their condition. Capitalizing on the reported excellent adherence and clinical benefit of AposTherapy in patients with significant knee OA, we propose to evaluate this as a conservative treatment that may supplant/supplement traditional pain medications and physical therapy in an at-risk urban inner city population.
The effect of AposTherapy® on pain and function in an Axial Low Back Pain population (accordian)
AposTherapy is a home based exercise program utilizing personally calibrated biomechanical footwear that alters the ground reactive force and induces exercise with normal activity that may significantly improve function in patients with axial low back pain. Since patients with axial low back pain have altered mechanics of motion contributing to or due to the presence of their condition. Capitalizing on the reported excellent adherence and clinical benefit of AposTherapy in patients with significant axial low back pain, we propose to evaluate this as a conservative treatment that may supplant/supplement traditional pain medications and physical therapy in an at-risk urban inner city population.
The Effect of Footwear Generated Biomechanical Manipulation on Symptoms of Stress Urinary Incontinence
Footwear generated biomechanical manipulation (FGBMM) can be applied to create a home based dynamic lumbopelvic stabilization exercise program. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the use of FGBMM in addition to traditional pelvic floor therapy can prove beneficial for incontinence severity and quality of life for patients suffering from urinary incontinence.
PI: Anna Lasak, MD
3D Printing Lab
The 3D Printing Lab is involved in the design and production of custom rehabilitation tools and prosthetics for Montefiore Medical Center patients. Current areas of interest involve developing interfaces between 3D scanning, developing new techniques and methods of production to expand and improve the tools we provide our patients, and introducing 3D printing technology to under-served populations. The lab has also partnered with local colleges and academic institutions to meet PPE needs during the COVID crisis.
Contact: Stephanie Rand, DO
Musculoskeletal and Pain Medicine Studies
MiDAS ENCORE Study
A multi-centered study to compare patient outcomes following treatment with either the MILD procedure or epidural steroid injections (ESIs) in patients with painful lumbar spinal stenosis exhibiting neurogenic claudication and having verified ligamentum flavum hypertrophy as a contributing factor.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT02093520
Contact: Sayed E. Wahezi, MD
Recent Publications by our faculty:
Administrative Studies
Bartels MN. Physiatry as a Leader for Post Acute Care in Integrated Healthcare Systems. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2018 Sep 11. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2019 Apr;98(4):311-318.
Gitkind AI, Levin S, Dohle C, Herbold J, Thomas M, Oh-Park M, Bartels MN. Redefining Pathways into Acute Rehabilitation during the COVID-19 Crisis. PM R. 2020 Apr 29. doi: 10.1002/pmrj.12392. Online ahead of print.
Bartels MN. Physiatry as a Leader for Postacute Care in Integrated Healthcare Systems.Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2018 Sep 11. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2019 Apr;98(4):311-318. Maintaining high quality multidisciplinary pain medicine fellowship programs: Part II: Innovations in clinical care workflow, clinical supervision, job satisfaction and postgraduation mentorship for pain fellows during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kohan L, Sobey C, Wahezi S, Brancolini S, Przkora R, Shaparin N, Spektor B, Moeschler S, Anitescu M.Pain Med. 2020 May 7:pnaa176. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnaa176. Online ahead of print.PMID: 32379882
Silver JK, Cuccurullo S, Weiss LD, Visco C, Oh-Park M, Karimi DP, Frontera WR, Fleming TK, Bosques G, Bhatnagar S, Ambrose AF, Nguyen VQC.Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2020 Apr;99(4):273-277. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001322.PMID: 31609732
Sharma R, Molinares-Mejia D, Khanna A, Maltser S, Ruppert L, Wittry S, Murphy R, Ambrose AF, Silver JK. Training and Practice Patterns in Cancer Rehabilitation: A Survey of Physiatrists Specializing in Oncology Care. PM R. 2020 Feb;12(2):180-185. doi: 10.1002/pmrj.12196. Epub 2019 Sep9.PMID: 31140751
Silver JK, Cuccurullo SJ, Ambrose AF, Bhatnagar S, Bosques G, Fleming TK, Frontera WR, Karimi DP, Oh-Park M, Sowa G, Visco C, Weiss L, Knowlton T.Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2018 Sep;97(9):680-690. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000000958.PMID: 29734233
Exercise and cognition Studies
Ospina LH, Wall M, Jarskog LF, Ballon JS, McEvoy J, Bartels MN, Buchsbaum R, Sloan RP, Stroup TS, Kimhy D. Improving Cognition via Exercise (ICE): Study Protocol for a Multi-Site, Parallel-Group, Single-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial Examining the Efficacy of Aerobic Exercise to Improve Neurocognition, Daily Functioning, and Biomarkers of Cognitive Change in Individuals With Schizophrenia I J Psychiatr Brain Sci. 2019; Epub 2019 Dec 30.
Sloan RP, Shapiro PA, McKinley PS, Bartels M, Shimbo D, Lauriola V, Karmally W, Pavlicova M, Choi CJ, Choo TH, Scodes JM, Flood P, Tracey KJ. Aerobic Exercise Training and Inducible Inflammation: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial in Healthy, Young Adults. J Am Heart Assoc. 2018;7: e010201. DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.118.010201.
Shoval A, Armstrong HF, Vakhrusheva J, Ballon JS, Bartels MN, Kimhy D. The Impact of Hypomania on Aerobic Capacity and Cardiopulmonary Functioning-A Case Report. Front Psychiatry. 2018 Dec 21;9:729.
Effect of aerobic exercise on cognition in younger adults: A randomized clinical trial.
Stern Y, MacKay-Brandt A, Lee S, McKinley P, McIntyre K, Razlighi Q, Agarunov E, Bartels M, Sloan RP.Neurology. 2019 Feb 26;92(9):e905-e916. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000007003. Epub 2019 Jan 30.PMID: 30700591
Additional Studies
Ambrose AF, Verghese T, Dohle C, Russo J. Muscle Overactivity in the Upper Motor Neuron Syndrome: Conceptualizing a Treatment Plan and Establishing Meaningful Goals.Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2018 Aug;29(3):483-500. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2018.03.004. Epub 2018 Jun 1.PMID: 30626510
The MIST Guidelines: The Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Consensus Group Guidelines for Minimally Invasive Spine Treatment. Deer TR, Grider JS, Pope JE, Falowski S, Lamer TJ, Calodney A, Provenzano DA, Sayed D, Lee E,Wahezi SE, Kim C, Hunter C, Gupta M, Benyamin R, Chopko B, Demesmin D, Diwan S, Gharibo C, Kapural L, Kloth D, Klagges BD, Harned M, Simopoulos T, McJunkin T, Carlson JD, Rosenquist RW, Lubenow TR, Mekhail N.Pain Pract. 2019 Mar;19(3):250-274. doi: 10.1111/papr.12744. Epub 2018 Dec 2.PMID: 30369003
Lee SW; Tiu T; Roberts J; Lee B; Bartels MN; Oh-Park M.Point-of-Care Ultrasonography Findings and Care Use Among Patients Undergoing Ultrasound-Guided Shoulder Injections. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. 97(1):56-61, 2018 Jan. Lee SW, Veeramachaneni R, Saleh IA, Morice K, Tiu T, Lo Y, Frison K, Bartels M. Footwear-Generated Dynamic Biomechanical Manipulation and Perturbation Training for Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain. PMR. 10(8):836-842, 2018. Epub ahead of print 2018 Feb 20.
Lee SW; Patel J; Kim SY; Miranda-Comas G; Herrera J; Bartels MN. Use of Opioid Analgesics in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain and Knee Osteoarthritis. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2019 Aug;98(8):e97-e98.
Stern Y; MacKay-Brandt A; Lee S; McKinley P; McIntyre K; Razlighi Q; Agarunov E; Bartels M; Sloan RP. Effect of aerobic exercise on cognition in younger adults: A randomized clinical trial. Neurology. 2019 Feb 26;92(9):e905-e916.
Deer TR, Grider JS, Pope JE, Falowski S, Lamer TJ, Calodney A, Provenzano DA, Sayed D, Lee E,Wahezi SE, Kim C, Hunter C, Gupta M, Benyamin R, Chopko B, Demesmin D, Diwan S, Gharibo C, Kapural L, Kloth D, Klagges BD, Harned M, Simopoulos T, McJunkin T, Carlson JD, Rosenquist RW, Lubenow TR, Mekhail N
Wahezi SE, Molina JJ, Alexeev E, Georgy JS, Haramati N, Erosa SA, Shah JM, Downie S.Cervical Medial Branch Block Volume Dependent Dispersion Patterns as a Predictor for Ablation Success: A Cadaveric Study. PM R. 2019 Jun;11(6):631-639. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2018.10.003. Epub 2019 Mar 15.PMID: 30367999
Staats PS, Chafin TB, Golovac S, Kim CK, Li S, Richardson WB, Vallejo R, Wahezi SE, Washabaugh EP 3rd, Benyamin RM; MiDAS ENCORE Investigators.Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2018 Oct;43(7):789-794. doi: 10.1097/AAP.0000000000000868.PMID: 30199512
Ambrose AF, Verghese T, Dohle C, Russo J. Muscle Overactivity in the Upper Motor Neuron Syndrome: Conceptualizing a Treatment Plan and Establishing Meaningful Goals.Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2018 Aug;29(3):483-500. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2018.03.004. Epub 2018 Jun 1.PMID: 30626510
The MIST Guidelines: The Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Consensus Group Guidelines for Minimally Invasive Spine Treatment. Deer TR, Grider JS, Pope JE, Falowski S, Lamer TJ, Calodney A, Provenzano DA, Sayed D, Lee E,Wahezi SE, Kim C, Hunter C, Gupta M, Benyamin R, Chopko B, Demesmin D, Diwan S, Gharibo C, Kapural L, Kloth D, Klagges BD, Harned M, Simopoulos T, McJunkin T, Carlson JD, Rosenquist RW, Lubenow TR, Mekhail N.Pain Pract. 2019 Mar;19(3):250-274. doi: 10.1111/papr.12744. Epub 2018 Dec 2.PMID: 30369003
Lee SW; Tiu T; Roberts J; Lee B; Bartels MN; Oh-Park M. Point-of-Care Ultrasonography Findings and Care Use Among Patients Undergoing Ultrasound-Guided Shoulder Injections. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. 97(1):56-61, 2018 Jan.
Lee SW, Veeramachaneni R, Saleh IA, Morice K, Tiu T, Lo Y, Frison K, Bartels M. Footwear-Generated Dynamic Biomechanical Manipulation and Perturbation Training for Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain. PMR. 10(8):836-842, 2018. Epub ahead of print 2018 Feb 20.
Lee SW; Patel J; Kim SY; Miranda-Comas G; Herrera J; Bartels MN. Use of Opioid Analgesics in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain and Knee Osteoarthritis. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2019 Aug;98(8):e97-e98.
Stern Y; MacKay-Brandt A; Lee S; McKinley P; McIntyre K; Razlighi Q; Agarunov E; Bartels M; Sloan RP. Effect of aerobic exercise on cognition in younger adults: A randomized clinical trial. Neurology. 2019 Feb 26;92(9):e905-e916.
Deer TR, Grider JS, Pope JE, Falowski S, Lamer TJ, Calodney A, Provenzano DA, Sayed D, Lee E,Wahezi SE, Kim C, Hunter C, Gupta M, Benyamin R, Chopko B, Demesmin D, Diwan S, Gharibo C, Kapural L, Kloth D, Klagges BD, Harned M, Simopoulos T, McJunkin T, Carlson JD, Rosenquist RW, Lubenow TR, Mekhail N Wahezi SE, Molina JJ, Alexeev E, Georgy JS, Haramati N, Erosa SA, Shah JM, Downie S.Cervical Medial Branch Block Volume Dependent Dispersion Patterns as a Predictor for Ablation Success: A Cadaveric Study. PM R. 2019 Jun;11(6):631-639. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2018.10.003. Epub 2019 Mar 15.PMID: 30367999
Staats PS, Chafin TB, Golovac S, Kim CK, Li S, Richardson WB, Vallejo R, Wahezi SE, Washabaugh EP 3rd, Benyamin RM; MiDAS ENCORE Investigators.Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2018 Oct;43(7):789-794. doi: 10.1097/AAP.0000000000000868.PMID: 30199512
