We are deeply committed to fostering the next generation of researchers by creating meaningful opportunities for student engagement at every academic level. Our research group has welcomed Bachelor of Science, Master's, and PhD students from diverse disciplines across Jordan, the United States, and beyond. Students involved in our projects have gained hands-on experience in scientific research, science communication, social media strategy, academic writing, and conference presentations.
Through mentorship and collaboration, many have contributed to peer-reviewed publications, participated in international research initiatives, and played an active role in translating complex scientific knowledge for public audiences. Below are a few examples of student-led research projects and scholarly outputs that have emerged from our group.
1. Richard Lu, Occupational Therapist. Richard was an occupational therapy doctorate student under the supervision of Dr. Rawan AlHeresh. He worked on the following project for his advanced doctoral experience. He was able to publish the findings in a Q1 journal, Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation.
ABSTRACT
Background: Physical activity at home provides significant benefits post-stroke. Adherence assessments contribute to objective evaluation of treatment effectiveness across settings.
Objectives: The aims of this study were to (1) conduct a systematic review with focus on analyzing the reporting quality of RCTs that incorporate home physical activity interventions among people post-stroke, and utilize a physical activity adherence assessment and to: (2) identify, group, and critically appraise physical activity adherence assessments within the identified studies.
Methods: A literature search for RCTs was conducted. Articles needed to (1) study adult, post-stroke participants, (2) include a physical activity intervention at home, (3) utilize a physical activity adherence assessment, (4) be published in English in a peer reviewed journal. Two independent reviewers assessed the reporting quality of each RCT for conformity to 39 Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) items, followed by an evaluation of adherence assessment methods.
Results: Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria and none of them reported all CONSORT items. The median number of “fully reported" items was 7 out of 39. Ten of the 11 RCTs employed the adherence diary as an assessment method. The adherence parameters of frequency and duration were applied with greater frequency than intensity and accuracy. No evidence of an objective method of adherence assessment was found.
Conclusions: This systematic review revealed suboptimal reporting of RCTs of physical activity interventions. The use of a diary with the post-stroke population at home was common, despite the lack of an objective method of adherence assessment. Stricter compliance to CONSORT guidelines and complementary direct adherence measurement is advised to improve activity adherence research.
Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10749357.2020.1803573
2. Megan Young. Occupational Therapist. Megan was a doctoral student of occupational therapy under the supervision of Dr. Rawan AlHeresh. She was also a research assistant who helped Dr. AlHeresh in her research lab. One of the most impactful projects Megan worked on was titled: Epidemiology of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors among refugees and asylum seekers: Systematic review and meta-analysis. She was co-author on this paper that was published in a Q1 journal, International Journal of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Risk and Prevention.
ABSTRACT
Background: This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis assessing cardiovascular disease incidence and risk factors among refugees and asylum seekers.
Methods and results: PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Embase databases were searched for studies in English from January 1, 1977, to March 8, 2020. Inclusion criteria were (1) observation of refugee history in participants; (2) diagnosis of CVD (coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, or CVD mortality) and risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, tobacco use, hyperlipidemia, obesity, psychosocial factors); (3) assessment of effect size and spread, (4) adjustment for sex; and (5) comparison with non-refugee migrants or natives. Data were extracted and evaluated by multiple reviewers for study quality. Of the 1158 screened articles, Participants from 7 studies (0.6%) involving 116.989 refugees living in Denmark, Sweden, and the United States were included in the systematic review, of which three studies synthesized the quantitative analyses. A fixed-effects model was created to pool the effect sizes of included studies. The pooled incidence of CVD in refugees was 1.71 (95% CI: 1.03, 2.83) compared with non-refugee counterparts. Pyschosocial factors were associated with increased risk of CVD in refugees but evidence on CVD risk factors varied by nativity and duration since resettlement.
Conclusions: Refugee experience is an independent risk factor for CVD. Robust research on CVD in displaced populations is needed to improve the quality of evidence, clinical and preventive care, and address health equity in this marginalized population globally.
Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772487522000022