As a member benefit, TNOTA provides opportunities for members to recruit participants for their research.
Evidence based practice is vital to growing and sustaining our profession. Please support all OTs, OTAs, and students as they work on their research.
TNOTA members can fill out a research posting request form, below. Non-members may post their research requests on the TNOTA Facebook page.
Current Research Opportunities:
Study: Investigating Resources, Utilization, and the Impact on Community Reintegration for Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors in the Greater Chattanooga Area
Institution Name(s): The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Authors: Dr. Sara Lum, Jo Shoger, Cameron Jean, Becky Rice, Rebekah Biddle
Expiration Date of the Study: April 25, 2026
Description of the Study: We are conducting a research study exploring what community resources exist for traumatic brain injury survivors in the Chattanooga Greater Area and how survivors feel about their return to desired daily activities. We are seeking survivors of traumatic brain injury of any severity to complete a brief survey. Your input will offer valuable insight into what TBI-specific care is provided in the Chattanooga Greater Area, and the overall experience navigating that journey. We would appreciate your voluntary completion of a survey that takes approximately 15-minutes to complete. If you need assistance completing the survey, you may use a proxy to fill out the survey. The answers provided in the survey are to reflect the experience of the person living with a traumatic brain injury.This research has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (IRB Protocol #25-154).Your responses are anonymous and will directly contribute to informing the Chattanooga Greater Area of strengths and weaknesses in TBI-specific care provided in our community. Thank you for considering this opportunity to share your expertise.
Study: Reducing Stigma Through Education: Impact of a Substance Use Disorder Training for Occupational Therapists in Central and Southern Appalachia
Institution Name(s): East Tennessee State University
Authors: Kimberly Masker, OTD, OTR/L, CHT
Expiration Date of the Study: March 6, 2026
Description of the Study: I am conducting a research study that addresses substance use disorder (SUD) and how it continues to be a concern in Appalachia. Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in supporting individuals with SUD. This study seeks to explore how an educational course may enhance knowledge, confidence, and compassion in working with individuals affected by SUD.
I am looking for occupational therapists who are working in the central and south-central Appalachia region (https://www.arc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Subregions-in-Appalachia_2021_Map.pdf), are English speaking, have been in clinical practice for at least a year, are involved in at least 50% clinical practice (e.g., in a clinic at least 20 hours per week), and not practicing in pediatrics. Participants must be physically present in the United States.
This study involves an in-person educational course (CEU available), a pre- and post-test assessment, course evaluation, and an emailed follow-up evaluation 4 weeks after the course. The educational course will take place at the James H. Quillen Department of Veterans Affairs Campus, Building 2 (Ed Allen Hall, 1st floor, OTD Department), on March 7th, 2026, from 9:00am – 1:00pm.
Participation in the study is voluntary and is not a requirement to attend the education course. Please share this email and attached flyer with your occupational therapy employees and/or colleagues. If you have any questions, please contact me at masker@etsu.edu or at +1 423-439-7508
If you want to learn more about participating in the research study or to register for the educational session, please click on the following link: https://redcap.link/OTDCls2027SUD