Rehabilitation and Modulation of Pain (RAMP) Lab
UCF Division of Physical Therapy
Overview
The UCF RAMP Lab aims to advance the rehabilitation of patients with musculoskeletal pain by researching how treatments provided by physical therapists reduce pain and biopsychosocial factors associated with this response. Chronic pain is highly prevalent and disabling, impacting one in five individuals in the United States. Interventions provided by rehabilitation providers, including exercise, are safe and cost effective. However, reductions in pain after rehabilitation are only small to moderate. The RAMP lab investigates a mechanistic-based approach in which we examine underlying behavioral mechanisms of rehabilitation interventions and stratify treatment responders based on these factors. Our lab is also interested in examining variability in pain and investigating pain sensitivity, as well as pain-related psychological considerations, associated with response to rehabilitation interventions for pain. We use a variety of approaches to examine variability in pain and response to rehabilitation, including: psychophysical measures (Quantitative Sensory Testing-heat, cold, and pressure), clinical outcomes, and pain-related psychological factors. We conduct research in healthy and clinical populations, including: knee, shoulder, and low back pain.
One of the core values of our lab is to foster a rich learning experience for students. We always encourage new students to join the RAMP Lab. Students interested in joining the lab as a PhD student, Master’s Thesis student, or undergraduate research assistant should contact the laboratory PI at Abigail.Wilson@ucf.edu.
Available Equipment
- TCS II Thermal Stimulator (QST.Lab)
- Digital Algometer – Algomed (Medoc)
- Cold Pressor Unit (Thermofisher Scientific)
- Rehabilitation Tables
- Handheld Dynamometer
Who We Need
Doctoral Trainees: We are seeking highly motivated Ph.D. students with a physical therapy, rehabilitation, or kinesiology background to join our team. Students should have an interest and project focus in pain research. Potential PhD students interested in joining the lab should email their resume to Abigail.Wilson@ucf.edu
Undergraduate Students: Each semester, we offer a few undergraduate research opportunities with a competitive application process. Students interested in assisting in the lab should email their resume with a brief statement of your goals for working in the lab to Abigail.Wilson@ucf.edu. Undergraduate students are expected to be available to assist in the lab for 10 hours/week for at least two semesters. Undergraduate students assist with all aspects of research including data collection with opportunities to present at local conferences.
Meet Our Team
Director
Abigail Anderson, PT, DPT, Ph.D.
Students
Kaitlyn Lyons, MS, EP-C, CSCS
Ph.D. Student
Violette Gibbs
Ph.D. Student
Publications
Our laboratory makes a concerted effort to publish our findings in respected academic journals and present at regional, national, and international conferences. In addition to contributing to collective body of knowledge in a given field, presenting original data at conferences is a fun way for the lab’s students to enhance their self-confidence and network with other scientists.
- Wilson AT, Riley JL, Bishop MD, Beneciuk JM, Cruz-Almeida Y, Bialosky JE. Characteristics and outcomes of patients receiving physical therapy for low back pain with a nociplastic pain presentation: a secondary analysis. (2023). Visit publication page
- Wilson AT, Bishop MD, Beneciuk JM, Tilley H, Riley JL, Cruz-Almeida Y, Bialosky JE. (2023). Expectations affect pain sensitivity changes during massage. The Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 31:2, 84-92,. Visit publication page
- Wilson AT, Riley JL, Bishop MD, Beneciuk JM, Cruz-Almeida Y, Markut K, Redd C, LeBlond N, Pham PH, Shirey D, Bialosky JE. Pain phenotyping and investigation of outcomes in physical therapy: a prospective study in patients with low back pain. (2023). PLoS ONE, published online February 14, 2023, 1-16. Visit publication page
- Hanney WJ, Wilson AT, Smith T, Shiley C, Howe J, Kolber MJ. (2022). Personality type and chronic pain: the relationship between personality profile and chronic low back pain using Eysenck’s Personality Inventory. Neurosci; 3(4): 677-686. Visit publication page
- Hanney WJ, Munyon MD, Mangum LC, Rovito M, Kolber MJ, Wilson AT. (2022). Perceived barriers to accessing physical therapy services in Florida among individuals with low back pain. Frontiers in Health Services; 1-10. Visit publication page
- Wilson AT, Johnson AJJ, Laffitte Nodarse C, Hoyos L, Lysne P, Peraza JA, Montesino-Goicolea S, Valdes-Hernandez PA, Somerville J, Bialosky JE, Cruz-Almeida Y. (2022). Experimental pain phenotype profiles in community-dwelling older adults. The Clinical Journal of Pain. 38(7):451-458. PMID: 35656805. Visit publication page
- Hanney WJ, Kolber MJ, Salamh PA, Moise S, Hampton D, Wilson AT. (2021). The reliability of tensiomyography for assessment of muscle function in the healthy population: a systematic review. Strength & Conditioning Journal. 2021;00:00. Visit publication page
- Johnson AJJ, Wilson AT, Laffitte Nodarse C, Montesino-Goicolea S, Valdes-Hernandez PA, Somerville J, Peraza JA, Fillingim RB, Bialosky JE, Cruz-Almeida Y. (2021). Age differences in multi-modal quantitative sensory testing and associations with brain volume. Innovation in Aging. 5(3):1-14. Visit publication page
- Wilson AT, Riley JL, Bishop MD, Beneciuk J, Godza M, Cruz-Almeida Y, Bialosky JE. (2021). A psychophysical study comparing massage and conditioned pain modulation: a single blind randomized controlled trial in healthy participants. The Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapy. 27:426-435. Visit publication page
- Wilson AT, George SZ, Bialosky JE. (2019). Patient-defined outcomes for pain, fatigue, emotional distress, and interference with activities did not differ by age for individuals with musculoskeletal pain. PAIN Reports. Visit publication page
Contact
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UCF Rehabilitation and Modulation of Pain (RAMP) Lab
Education Complex and Gym, ED 174A
4000 Central Florida Blvd
Orlando, FL 32816