“Underrepresented Voices: Experiences of Asian American Speech-Language Pathologists in Graduate Training and Clinical Practice”
Speaker: Linna Jingyu Jin, MScA, PhC, CCC-SLP, SLP(C)
Mentor: Carolyn Baylor, PhD
Authors: Linna Jingyu Jin, Carolyn Baylor, Melody Bishan Yang, Diane Kendall, Jenny Tsai, Bernadette Williams-York, Kathryn Yorkston
Abstract: Asians are uniquely underrepresented among speech-language pathologists (SLPs) but not in most other healthcare professions. This phenomenon suggests that there may be unique factors Asian Americans face in pursuing the SLP profession. This presentation will share findings from a qualitative study with Asian speech-language pathologists (SLP) who graduated from American graduate programs, and currently work in the United States. The key findings shed light on their racialized experiences navigating through graduate school and during clinical work, evidence of microaggressions that serve as barriers to their inclusion. However, participants described specific clinical values that diversity in cultural and linguistic knowledge contributes to their clinical work with adults with communication or swallowing disorders. Implications for health professions to empower students from underrepresented minority backgrounds using diversity, equity, and inclusion principles will be discussed.
“Understanding Vestibular Function in Parkinson Disease”
Speaker: Jennifer Brodsky, PT, DPT, PhC
Mentors: Valerie Kelly, PT, PhD and James O. Phillips, PhD
Authors: Jennifer Brodsky, James Phillips, Andrew Humbert, Carlos Garcia, & Valerie Kelly
Abstract: Prior research shows evidence of vestibular deficits in people with Parkinson disease (PD). However, many studies lack comparison to older adult participants, to distinguish age-related from disease-specific vestibular deficits in PD. Additionally, medication state is not consistently controlled in prior research, despite evidence that dopaminergic medications impact vestibular function. My overall objective is to address these gaps through two projects.
First, is a retrospective study of clinical vestibular diagnostic assessments from people with and without PD. Preliminary results show mixed central and peripheral vestibular dysfunction seen in people diagnosed with PD at the time of vestibular testing, with early signs of brainstem impacts and oculomotor dysfunction in people tested more than 1 year before their PD diagnosis. Second, I am preparing for an observational study to determine PD-specific changes in vestibular function and the effects of dopaminergic medication on vestibular function in people with PD.
This research has important implications for clinical practice by guiding rehabilitation approaches that target vestibular function in PD.
“Spinal Neuromodulation and Gait Training in Children with Cerebral Palsy”
Speaker: Siddhi Shrivastav, PT, MS, PhC
Mentor: Chet T. Moritz, PhD
Authors: Siddhi R. Shrivastav, Charlotte D. Caskey, Desiree Roge, Kristie F. Bjornson, Katherine M. Steele, Chet T. Moritz
Abstract: This purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of short burst interval treadmill training (SBLTT), and the combination of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) and SBLTT on spasticity, walking function and mobility in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Each participant first received SBLTT only followed by tSCS + SBLTT in a cross-over study design. There was an 8-week washout between the two interventions and a 12-week follow-up at the end of tSCS + SBLTT.
Spasticity measured by MAS scores reduced by 21% after SBLTT only and by 68% after tSCS + SBLTT. 38% reductions were observed in Tardieu scores after SBLTT only, and 60% after tSCS + SBLTT. Walking distance, speed, functional mobility, self-reported and community-based outcomes improved after both interventions. Improved spasticity and walking function were sustained for at least 3-months after stopping tSCS + SBLTT, during the follow-up period.