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 [email protected].