Research
Research is an important part of the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy. The advancement of pelvic and abdominal health physical therapy depends on research requiring the participation of investigators, research assistants and participants. We invite you to become involved in research. Whether you are an investigator with interests in launching or funding a research project or interested in participating in someone else’s research project or survey, we invite you to explore the opportunities and resources listed below. For the latest SoWH research-related updates, subscribe to our free newsletter!
The Academy supports research through the quarterly publication of its Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy, developing clinical practice guidelines (CPG) supported by evidence, funding research through grants or scholarships, promoting poster and platform presentations at the annual APTA Combined Sections Meeting, offering Academy members a platform to distribute their research surveys to its members and followers, donating to research through the partnership with the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research to increase research in women’s health and supplying the public with helpful resources gathered from the Academy, the American Physical Therapy Association, PT NOW and the NIH. Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest research-related updates and to get invited to participate in research studies!
Director of Research, 2018-2021
Meryl Alappattu, PT, DPT, PhD
research@aptapelvichealth.org
Active Studies
Listed below are research studies you can participate in! To submit a research study for publication our website, please submit your request here.
Confidence and Perceived Role of Physical Therapists in Treating Patients Who Are Pre- and Postpartum in the Outpatient Setting
Duration: 10 minutes
Deadline: 12:00 am EST, June 2, 2020
Open to: Licensed Physical Therapists
Pelvic Floor Health & Maternal Well-Being
Duration: 10 minutes
Deadline: 12:00 am EST, May 1, 2020
Open to: Licensed Physical Therapists who have at least one child younger than 12 months of age, are providing breast milk to a child to any degree and are at least 19 years old.
Resource Library
Journal of Women's Health Physical Therapy
Online & Print Publication
ChoosePT Provided by APTA
Resources to raise awareness about the benefits of PT
PT Now
Functional Limitation Reporting & Test Measures
MedlinePlus Women's Health
Medical Encyclopedia
NIEHS Women's Health
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
National Institute of Mental Health
Women and Mental Health
NCCIH
Women’s Health and Complementary Approaches
NIH
Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH)
NIMH
Office of Legislative Policy and Analysis (OLPA)
NIAID
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
FOM
Functional
Outcome Measures
NICHD
Activities & Collaborations / Women’s Health Research
Past Recipients of the Research Grant
To date, the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy has awarded $63,030 in research funding through its own Research Grant Program.
| Author | Year | Title | Amount Awarded |
| McVearry et al | 2013 | Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation vs. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Overactive Bladder: A Randomized Trial | $5,030 |
| Boissonnault et al | 2014 | Survey on Inappropriate Patient Sexual Behavior Directed Towards Unit ed States Physical Therapists; Prevalence, Risk and Reaction | $5,000 |
| Utsey et al | 2014 | Improved mobility and physical activity in the elderly through the Physical Therapy management of incontinence: a pilot study | $5,000 |
| Chiarello et al | 2014 | The Involvement of Diastasis Rectus Abdominis in Pregnancy-Related Pelvic Girdle Pain | $8,000 |
| Chaudhari et al | 2015 | Diaphragm and transverse abdominis function in patients with chronic pelvic pain vs. healthy controls | $5,000 |
| Stevermer et al | 2015 | Investigation of mobility across the continuum of pelvic pain associated with pregnancy | $5,000 |
| Wasserman et al | 2016 | Fascial Scar Mobilization Techniques in Treating Chronic Caesarian Section Scar Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial | $10,000 |
| Hartigan et al | 2017 | Pelvic floor muscle function and hip profiles in women with and without stress urinary incontinence | $10,000 |
| Fisher et al | 2018 (2019) | Reliability and Validity of the BodyScan® Scanner and Structure Sensor for Measuring Limb Volume | $10,000 |