As a part of their educational experience, UAB Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PGY4 residents present findings from their scholarly activity projects as an introduction to research methodologies and practices.

Cynthia Francis, M.D. presented findings on sacral interface pressure mapping of hospital bed systems. This project compared two hospital beds and their effectiveness in reducing pressure put on the sacrum of patients who were lying at 0° and 30° of head evaluation in bed. Compared to the standard impatient bed, the project found that the wound care bed demonstrated lower sacral pressure at both angles. The results of this project suggest that the wound care bed may be a better option for preventing sacral pressure injuries for people with limited mobility while they are lying in bed.

Darien McNeill, M.D. presented on his scholarly activity, Adaptive Athletes and the Development of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs through a narrow passage in the wrist called the carpal tunnel, becomes compressed or irritated. The results of this project showed roughly 70% of adaptive athletes experienced carpal tunnel syndrome.

Vinayak Memula, M.D. presented on the topic, Use of Neurostimulants in Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury and Drug Use at Time of Injury. This project looked to examine functional gains during inpatient rehabilitation for individuals with a pre-injury history of illicit drug use and who were receiving Neurostimulants as part of their clinical care. Neurostimulants are used in patient with TBI to increase activity in the brain, particularly in areas involved with attention, alertness, and energy levels. The results showed that, regardless of toxicology results, all patient showed positive functional gains during inpatient rehabilitation. However, the group with the positive toxicology made gains in a less efficient manner than those in the negative toxicology group. This suggests that hospital admission toxicology reports can provide useful information to providers in planning rehabilitative care.

Jason Schroeder, M.D. presented Prevalence of Cubital Tunnel in Manual Wheelchair Using Adaptive Athletes. Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is a condition where the ulnar nerve (often called the “funny bone” nerve) becomes compressed or irritated at the elbow, specifically in the cubital tunnel, a narrow passageway on the inside of the elbow. Manual wheelchair using adaptive athletes rely heavily on their upper limbs. The results of this project show an increased prevalence of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow in manual wheelchair using adaptive sport athletes.

With the completion of their scholarly activities and subsequent graduation, residents are now moving onto their next career chapter. Dr. Francis is pursuing general inpatient PM&R at Encompass Health in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Memula is doing general PM&R at Northport Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, AL. Dr. McNeill will remain at UAB for a Pain Medicine Fellowship in the Department of Anesthesia. Dr. Schroeder is relocating to New Orleans, LA for an LSU Interventional Pain Medicine Fellowship. We wish them all the best!