RESEARCH
MEDICAL DEVICE
The Easy Breather Exercise Table was developed by a company called "Exhale Fully" in 2015. The purpose of the device is to facilitate breathing by utilizing the concept of abdominal displacement ventilation. The company approached UNCW to evaluate the device, prompting the development of two studies:
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Feasibility and Usability Study: "An Exploration of the Easy Breather Exercise Table for the Management of COPD Using Healthy Volunteers"
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Cross-Sectional Survey: "Managing Your COPD: A Survey of Current Therapies and Interest in a New Therapy"
I worked with an interdisciplinary team of faculty to navigate the studies as well as generate scholarship. Additionally, the feasibility and usability study gave rise to my interdisciplinary honors thesis where I examined three specific groups from the study sample.
Research team
AN EXPLORATION OF THE EASY BREATHER EXERCISE TABLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF COPD USING HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS
DESCRIPTION
The primary aim of this study was to determine if the recently developed Easy Breather Exercise Table could be used in follow-up studies in diseased populations. I had a variety of responsibilities spanning multiple aspects of this study. I co-developed grant proposals as well as the study protocol, which required careful attention to the literature surrounding COPD. In addition, it required the application of critical thinking to create an appropriate informed consent, obtain relevant data collection tools, and ultimately, synthesize information to produce a cohesive plan.
I also co-wrote the operating procedure that included a detailed description of a study visit, from scheduling, to the implementation of data collection. After completing the operating procedure, I was the primary individual responsible for utilizing it. That is, I scheduled participants, consented them, and collected the data associated with a study visit, from physiological measures like spirometry to binary measures like instructional compliance. This experience was transformative in my learning as it allowed me to utilize sophisticated technology like REDCap (electronic data collection software) while sharpening my interpersonal skills. I tested 55 participants and spent approximately 90 minutes with each person, which ends up being just over 82 hours.
I was fortunate to have an important role in the analysis, interpretation, and eventual dissemination of the data gathered from this study. The analysis associated with the first 40 participants constituted the data for my interdisciplinary honors thesis, as well as the interim analysis for the study. I was the primary individual responsible for the analysis of the first 40 participants. The interpretation and dissemination of the results associated with the device proved to be unique since the company that invented it was sponsoring the study. Careful introspection was necessary to ensure the most appropriate information was reaching both colleagues as well as the public.
Because our team was interdisciplinary in nature, coordinated efforts were important. Our own experiences motivated us to present on barriers and benefits associated with interdisciplinary teamwork. We were able to share our insights with other interdisciplinary teams.
PRESENTATIONS
Giordano DJ, Kerr JG, Boyce RW, Reel JJ, Sprod LK, Sinclair SM, Knight SL, Spencer SNP. Easy Breather Exercise Table: A Feasibility Evaluation of a Medical Device to Facilitate Gravity Powered Ventilation [abstract 1221]. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2018;50(suppl):282. Poster presented at: American College of Sports Medicine’s 65th Annual Meeting; May 29-June 2, 2018; Minneapolis, MN.
Giordano DJ, Kerr JG, Boyce RW, Reel JJ, Sprod LK, Sinclair SM, Knight SL, Spencer SNP. Early Feasibility Study of the Easy Breather Exercise Table for Further Study. Poster presented at: 13th UNCW Spring Student Research and Creative Scholarship Showcase; April 17-18, 2018; Wilmington, NC.
Giordano DJ, Kerr JG, Boyce RW, Reel JJ, Sprod LK, Sinclair SM, Knight SL, Spencer SNP. Early Feasibility Study of the Easy Breather Exercise Table for Further Study. Poster presented at: Annual UNCW College of Health and Human Services Research & Innovation Day; April 9, 2018; Wilmington, NC.
Giordano DJ, Kerr JG, Boyce RW, Reel JJ, Sprod LK, Sinclair SM, Knight SL, Spencer SNP. Early Feasibility Study of the Easy Breather Exercise Table for Further Study. Poster presented at: 2018 UNC Board of Governors Research Showcase; March 22, 2018; Wilmington, North Carolina.
Giordano DJ, Kerr JG, Boyce RW, Reel JJ, Sprod LK, Sinclair SM, Knight SL, Spencer SNP. Easy Breather Exercise Table: A Feasibility Evaluation of a Medical Device to Facilitate Gravity Powered Ventilation. Poster presented at: 2018 Southeast American College of Sports Medicine Regional Chapter Annual Meeting; February 15-17, 2018; Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Kerr JG, Reel JJ, Giordano DJ, Boyce RW. Evolution of the Exploration of a Pilot Medical Device: Easy Breather Exercise Table. Oral presentation at: New Hanover Regional Medical Center Cardiovascular Symposium; September 20-22, 2017; Wilmington, NC.
Giordano DJ, Kerr JG, Boyce RW, Reel JJ, Sinclair SM, Spencer SNP, Knight SL. Evolution of the Exploration of a Pilot Medical Device: Easy Breather Exercise Table. Poster presented at: 16th Annual Colonial Academic Alliance Undergraduate Research Conference; March 31-April 1, 2017; Elon, NC.
Giordano DJ, Kerr JG, Boyce RW, Reel JJ, Sinclair SM, Spencer SNP, Knight SL. Evolution of the Exploration of a Pilot Medical Device: Easy Breather Exercise Table. Poster presented at: 12th UNCW Spring Student Research and Creative Scholarship Showcase; March 28, 2017; Wilmington, NC.
Kerr JG, Reel JJ, Giordano DJ, Sinclair SM, Boyce RW. Using an Inter-Professional Research Mentorship Model to Engage the Next Generation of Public Health. Poster presented at: Annual UNCW College of Health and Human Services Research & Innovation Day; March 27, 2017; Wilmington, NC.
Giordano DJ, Kerr JG, Boyce RW, Reel JJ, Sinclair SM, Spencer SNP, Knight SL. Evolution of the Exploration of a Pilot Medical Device: Easy Breather Exercise Table. Poster presented at: Annual UNCW College of Health and Human Services Research & Innovation Day; March 27, 2017; Wilmington, NC.
Giordano DJ, Knight SL, Boyce RW, Kerr JG, Reel JJ, Sinclair SM. Exploring Complementary Therapies for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Student Perspectives. Poster presented at: 4th UNCW Fall Student Research and Creative Scholarship Showcase; November 21, 2016; Wilmington, NC.
Giordano DJ, Knight SL, Boyce RW, Kerr JG, Reel JJ, Sinclair SM. Exploring Complementary Therapies for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Student Perspectives. Poster presented at: 12th Annual State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research & Creativity Symposium; November 5, 2016; Durham, NC.
Kerr JG, Reel JJ, Giordano DJ, Sinclair SM, Boyce RW, Campbell H. Using an Inter-Professional Research Mentorship Model to Engage the Next Generation of Public Health. Poster presented at: North Carolina Public Health Association 2016 Fall Educational Conference; September 14-16, 2016; New Bern, NC.
Giordano DJ, Kerr JG, Boyce RW, Campbell H, Reel JJ, Sinclair SM. Interdisciplinary Teamwork to Advance Potential Complementary Therapies for COPD. Poster presented at: 2016 Duke University Medical Center COPD Research Conference; June 4, 2016; Durham, NC.
Giordano DJ, Kerr JG, Boyce RW, Campbell H, Patton AW, Liddle HG, Reel JJ, Sinclair SM. Diverse Perspectives to Working on an Interdisciplinary Team. Poster presented at: 11th UNCW Spring Student Research and Creative Scholarship Showcase; April 25, 2016; Wilmington, NC.
Giordano DJ, Kerr JG, Boyce RW, Campbell H, Patton AW, Liddle HG, Reel JJ, Sinclair SM. Diverse Perspectives to Working on an Interdisciplinary Team. Poster presented at: 15th Annual Colonial Academic Alliance Undergraduate Research Conference; April 15-16, 2016; Williamsburg, VA.
Kerr JG, Boyce RW, Campbell H, Giordano DJ, Patton AW, Liddle HG, Reel JJ, Sinclair SM. Building an Interprofessional Team to Advance Complementary Therapies for COPD. Poster presented at: Annual UNCW College of Health and Human Services Research & Innovation Day; April 8, 2016; Wilmington, NC.
PUBLICATIONS
Kerr JG, Sinclair SM, Boyce RW, Campbell H, Giordano DJ, Reel JJ. Examining Evidence for Conventional versus Complementary Therapies to Address Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Journal of General Practice. 2016;04(02). doi:10.4172/2329-9126.1000247.
THESIS
Giordano DJ. Early Feasibility Study of the Easy Breather Exercise Table for Subsequent Investigation [interdisciplinary honors thesis]. University of North Carolina Wilmington; 2018.
AWARDS
UNCW Center for the Support of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CSURF) Distinguished Undergraduate Research Scholar
Fall 2016
FUNDING
UNCW Center for the Support of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CSURF) Undergraduate Travel Award
Friends of UNCW
Spring 2018
$1,000
Spring 2017
$1,000
MANAGING YOUR COPD: A SURVEY OF CURRENT THERAPIES AND INTEREST IN A NEW THERAPY
DESCRIPTION
The primary purpose of this study was to understand the therapeutic approaches that patients were choosing to utilize for COPD, as well as gauge interest in a new therapy. I helped create the survey, so I was required to research current available treatments. We utilized survey monkey to make the survey accessible electronically. In addition, we created a hard-copy version of the survey that I delivered to various locations in Wilmington, NC. I corresponded with doctors and nurses so that they could give the survey to interested patients. We created a Facebook page to market the survey and ultimately obtained over 850 responses.
We also disseminated information associated with this study. Our results provided practical information to researchers, doctors, and other healthcare professionals across the world.
PRESENTATIONS
Kerr JG, Reel JJ, Sinclair SM, Giordano DJ, Boyce RW. Exploring Conventional and Complementary Treatment Approaches for COPD Management. Poster presented at: North Carolina Society of Public Health Education Annual Meeting; October 26-27, 2017; Wilmington, North Carolina.
Kerr JG, Reel JJ, Giordano DJ, Sinclair SM, Boyce RW. Exploration of Current and Alternative Treatment Approaches for the Management of COPD. Poster presented at: Annual UNCW College of Health and Human Services Research & Innovation Day; March 27, 2017; Wilmington, NC.
Sinclair SM, Kerr JG, Giordano DJ, Beyer KB, Reel JJ. Exploring Interest in the Use of a Complementary Therapy Among Individuals with COPD [abstract PRS61]. Value in Health. 2016;19(7):A559. Poster presented at: The International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Health Outcomes Research (ISPOR) 19th Annual European Congress; October 29-November 2, 2016; Vienna, Austria.