Blaufuss’ study plans to determine whether ViBandz, a vibration device that can strap to different areas of the body, is a practical option for pediatric patients with neurological conditions going through physical or occupational therapy.

Vibration is a form of neurorehabilitation used to help patients reduce pain and regulate senses, and recent research shows it can help patients with mobility issues. Vibration therapy typically requires the patient or a caregiver to hold the device on the targeted area. However, ViBandz are hands-free, lightweight vibration devices that can be strapped over the targeted area. Blaufuss’ study will test ViBandz on 15 pediatric patients between 6 months old and 17 years old with a neurological condition causing abnormal movements of at least one body part to determine whether it is a practical option for this population.

Data will be collected through video recordings of the patient using the device and surveys completed by caregivers or older children. This data will help determine whether a new device needs to be created or whether the study needs to expand its resources and examine a larger group.

If ViBandz passes the clinical testing stages, Blaufuss hopes that the devices will be accessible for both clinical and home use.

 “Our goal as therapists is to enable our patients to participate in everyday life, but time spent in the clinic takes away from time at home, in school or in the community. My goal for ViBandz is to promote more efficient therapy in the clinic, as well as provide a simple tool for families to incorporate at home,” said Blaufuss.

Mann’s study plans to examine whether dry needling treatments affect post-surgical outcomes for pediatric patients who underwent an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with the usage of a quadriceps tendon autograft.

Physical therapists have noticed an increase in ACL reconstructions utilizing quadricep autografts. However, many patients struggle to regain strength in their quadriceps. Physical therapists are using a treatment called dry needling where thin needles are inserted into the muscle to provide stimulation and treat myofascial pain.

There is currently a lack of research in dry needling treatments for pediatric patients and how it could affect acute and subacute post-operative care and the strength of the muscle. However, Mann’s retrospective review showed pediatric orthopedic patients benefiting from dry needling treatments.

Mann’s study will analyze 30 patients between 10-20 years old who underwent ACL reconstruction with a quadricep autograft and are currently undergoing sports physical therapy at Children’s Mercy. Half of these patients will undergo two dry needling sessions while the other half serves as a control group. The study team will measure quadriceps before and after treatments to determine whether there was a change in strength.

Mann hypothesizes that when completed in the subacute post-operative phase dry needling will help increase the strength of the quadricep therefore improving patient outcomes.

“This study has the potential to improve post-surgical outcomes for so many individuals and allow Children’s Mercy to be the pioneer for advancing pediatric dry needling,” said Mann.

Maschmeier’s study plans to determine whether patient experience at Children’s Mercy has been affected by the recent changes to the fetal surgery program.

In 2024, the Fetal Health Center at Children’s Mercy reinstated the fetal surgery program with new standards that prioritize the following:

• Care protocols for specific diseases.
• Coordinated multidisciplinary consultations.
• Fetal surgery coordinators who can communicate complex information.
• A variety of educational materials.
• A dedicated helpline with 24/7 emergency support.

NRC Health, founded by the National Research Corporation, uses health surveys to evaluate health care quality and issue patient satisfaction scores. However, there is a lack of research analyzing whether NRC Health patient scores are affected by care changes in fetal surgery.

This study will evaluate changes in patient satisfaction scores by comparing NRC Health surveys obtained before and after the recent restructuring of the fetal surgery program. Maschmeier hypothesizes that the new enhancements to the program have improved the health care quality and overall patient satisfaction scores.

By determining the effectiveness of these changes, this study may go beyond fetal surgery and lead the way for improved patient experiences in the entire Fetal Health Center.

"At the end of the day, everything we do is about improving the experience for our patients and families. We've been very intentional about the changes we have made, and this study helps us understand what's working and where we can continue to grow," said Maschmeier.

Whitfield’s study plans to determine whether the recent change in treatment guidelines for chlamydia trachomatis has affected adolescent and young adult patients at Children’s Mercy.

Chlamydia trachomatis is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalent among adolescents and young adults. Treatment guidelines for chlamydia were updated in 2021 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Instead of a single dose of azithromycin administered in a clinic, patients undergo a multi-day regimen of doxycycline. Health care providers are concerned about adolescents maintaining treatment outside of a clinical setting due to the lack of privacy, and without treatment the STI can lead to significant reproductive health complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, epididymitis and infertility. However, there is little to no research on whether this change in therapeutic guidelines has affected adolescents and young adults.

Whitfield plans to perform a retrospective study analyzing data of approximately 272 patients tested and treated for chlamydia at Children’s Mercy’s Adolescent and Young Adult Specialty Clinic and former Teen Primary Care Clinic. The team will use this data to assess the rate of reinfection and whether patients follow current CDC treatment guidelines and retesting timelines.

“This study aims to provide clinicians with evidence to support individualized counseling of adolescents and young adults, enabling shared decision‑making and optimal selection of chlamydia treatment strategies,” said Whitfield.

Azadeh Wickham, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, Patient Care Services Research, is a co-investigator on this study.