• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • MyUSA
  • Library
  • USAHS Shop
  • Continuing Education
  • Request Information
  • Apply Now

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

Clinical Excellence Through Graduate Education

Menu
  • Academics
    • DEGREE PROGRAMS ― Click here to browse all of our degree programs
    • College of Rehabilitative Sciences
      • Occupational Therapy Programs
        • Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
        • Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
        • Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD)
      • Physical Therapy Graduate Programs
        • Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
        • Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT)
      • Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP)
    • College of Health Sciences
      • Master of Health Administration (MHA)
      • Master of Health Science (MHS)
      • Doctor of Education (EdD)
      • School of Nursing
        • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
        • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
        • Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates
      • Continuing Education
        • Clinical Orthopedic Residency
        • Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship
        • Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
        • Physical Therapy Online Courses for International Students
      Close
    • Admissions & Aid
      • Admissions & Aid

        USAHS focuses on providing the best and more appropriate academic and financial aid counseling throughout the admissions process. Whether applying to a first-professional, campus based program or a post-professional distance program, an assigned Enrollment Advisor is available to assist you from application to acceptance.

        Admissions & Aid Home
      • Application Deadlines
      • Catalog/Handbook
      • Financial Aid
      • Academic Calendar
      • COVID-19 Information
      Close
    • About
      • General
        • History
        • Accreditation
        • B Corp Certified
        • Student Achievement Data
        • Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
        • News
        • Diversity and Inclusion
        • Partnerships
      • People
        • Alumni
        • Leadership
        • Board of Directors
        • Careers
        • Student Ambassador Program
        • Our Faculty
        • Contact Us
      • Campuses
        • San Marcos, CA
        • St. Augustine, Florida
        • Miami, FL
        • Austin, Texas
        • Dallas, Texas
      • Campuses and Locations
      • Admission Questions? Get In Touch
      Close
    • Events
    • MyUSA
    • USAHS Shop
    • Continuing Education
    • Blog

    June 2022 Leave a Comment

    Is DPT Worth It?

    Is DPT Worth It?

    Is a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree Worth It? If you’re dreaming about helping patients restore their mobility and quality of life, and you’re exploring what it would take to become a physical therapist, you may be wondering, “Is a degree in physical therapy worth it?” The answer to this question depends, of course, on your personal career goals. Some people choose to become physical therapist assistants because only a two-year associate degree is required. It’s true that pursuing a doctorate takes time and effort; however, there are countless advantages to earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. To that end, let’s look at some of the factors that make a Doctor in Physical Therapy (DPT) degree the best first step on an exceptional career Read more

    Recent University News

    The OT Pinning Ceremony: Marking the Move from Classroom to Pract … Video Included

    The OT Pinning Ceremony: Marking the Move from Classroom to Pract …

    Students Explore the Emotional Aspect of Stuttering Video Included

    Students Explore the Emotional Aspect of Stuttering

    Searching for Equity: The Library’s LGBTQIA2+ Resources

    Searching for Equity: The Library’s LGBTQIA2+ Resources

    A Day in the Life of a Nurse Manager

    A Day in the Life of a Nurse Manager

    More Like This

    • USAHS
    • All stories
    • Videos
    Home of USA.edu - Health Sciences
    Menu
    • Academics
      • DEGREE PROGRAMS ― Click here to browse all of our degree programs
      • College of Rehabilitative Sciences
        • Occupational Therapy Programs
          • Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
          • Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
          • Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD)
        • Physical Therapy Graduate Programs
          • Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
          • Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT)
        • Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP)
      • College of Health Sciences
        • Master of Health Administration (MHA)
        • Master of Health Science (MHS)
        • Doctor of Education (EdD)
        • School of Nursing
          • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
          • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
          • Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates
        • Continuing Education
          • Clinical Orthopedic Residency
          • Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship
          • Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
          • Physical Therapy Online Courses for International Students
        Close
      • Admissions & Aid
        • Admissions & Aid

          USAHS focuses on providing the best and more appropriate academic and financial aid counseling throughout the admissions process. Whether applying to a first-professional, campus based program or a post-professional distance program, an assigned Enrollment Advisor is available to assist you from application to acceptance.

          Admissions & Aid Home
        • Application Deadlines
        • Catalog/Handbook
        • Financial Aid
        • Academic Calendar
        • COVID-19 Information
        Close
      • About
        • General
          • History
          • Accreditation
          • B Corp Certified
          • Student Achievement Data
          • Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
          • News
          • Diversity and Inclusion
          • Partnerships
        • People
          • Alumni
          • Leadership
          • Board of Directors
          • Careers
          • Student Ambassador Program
          • Our Faculty
          • Contact Us
        • Campuses
          • San Marcos, CA
          • St. Augustine, Florida
          • Miami, FL
          • Austin, Texas
          • Dallas, Texas
        • Campuses and Locations
        • Admission Questions? Get In Touch
        Close
      • Events
      • MyUSA
      • USAHS Shop
      • Continuing Education
      • Blog
      • Request Information
      • Apply Now
      Categories
      Close
      • Physical Therapy PT
      • Occupational Therapy OT
      • Speech-Language Pathology SLP
      • Nursing MSN & DNP
      • Health Administration MHA
      • Editorial
      • News
      COVID-19 Updates
      Blog home  >  Occupational Therapy OT  >  Alumnus Partners wit…

      April 2019 St. Augustine, FL, Miami, FL Leave a Comment

      Alumnus Partners with Virtual Reality Company and Children’s Clinic to Create Therapeutic VR Application

      One of the core values at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is “promoting excellence and innovation in education,” and Dr. Jon Edenfield, a 2000 graduate from one of the University’s first Occupational Therapy cohorts, carried that innovative mindset into his practice. He is on the forefront of new technologies that will help children with developmental disabilities through virtual reality.

      In January 2019, Stella Johnson, CEO of Hope Haven Children’s Clinic in Jacksonville, FL, connected VR Dreamz, a virtual reality company, with Great Strides Rehabilitation Inc, a comprehensive pediatric therapy and educational center of excellence, and Dr. Edenfield’s rehab center.

      VR Dreams has approached the clinic because they wanted to create an application to be used by therapists, but they had no idea where to start.

      “We had about 10-15 therapists come to a meeting and we brainstormed about 25 different potential applications for this VR,” Dr. Edenfield said. “A lot of them having to do with various development disabilities.”

      At their initial meeting, Executive Director of VR Dreamz, Peter M. von Dyck, put the VR goggles on Dr. Edenfield and his team to show them the technology’s capabilities.

      How Does Virtual Reality Occupational Therapy Work?

      The goggles immerse users in a whole new environment, allowing them to look around and explore, but VR Dreamz also have sensors that go on users’ hands and feet. The sensors give the users feedback when they reach to touch or feel things within the virtual environment, making the experience even more real.

      Dr. Edenfield said that the first step in the development of an application such as this is to ensure the software engineers gain an understanding of the deficits that children with developmental disabilities are exhibiting and how a therapist can help them improve.  At the same time, the clinicians also must gain an understanding of VR technology and its capabilities.

      Dr. Edenfield reports that the initial app will focus on teaching common developmental skills which many of us take for granted. These may include activities of daily living such as brushing teeth, preparing food and safely navigating community settings. The most current stage of development for the application is to “gamify” the environment.

      “As the kids complete the steps, what do we do? Do we make a noise? Do we play a video? Do we make coins appear?” Dr. Edenfield gave examples. The team hopes to begin testing the app with children in Jacksonville soon.

      The Benefits of VR in Occupational Therapy

      This technology will allow therapists to work in a safe and controlled environment that isn’t otherwise accessible for them and their clients.

      “I am so excited to be a part of this partnership because there are so many possibilities for improving treatment methods and ultimately helping our patients make progress,” Adrienne Vickers, Doctor of Physical Therapy, USA class of 2012 said.

      Katie Bishop OTR/L USA class of 2013 and Vickers are participating clinicians on the VR development team and part of Dr. Edenfield’s team at Greater Strides Rehabilitation.

      “Technology is a highly motivating tool for our patient population, but it can often times be over-stimulating to the nervous system causing sensory overload,” Bishop said. “Virtual Reality allows us to continue to manipulate various parameters in a game or experience to reduce the possibility of over stimulation.”

      Not only will therapists be able to teach and coach children through these learning environments, but they will be able to adjust depending on the child’s sensitivity level.

      “The ultimate goal would be to make a service where therapists and engineers could create a new potential skill or environment to work on with kids based on whatever their particular needs are,” Dr. Edenfield said. “If your kid is having trouble crossing the street, you can pick that environment from the list or if it’s cooking or whatever it is.”

      Dr. Edenfield and his team see endless amounts of opportunity with this tool and are excited to be involved in its development.

      Von Dyck’s team of expert software engineers previously worked on the popular video game, Guitar Hero, and are now using their efforts to help children with disabilities. Not only will they create, monitor and advance the environments and technology for therapists, but they will be able to provide therapists with data about the child’s progression.

      For example, if a child is in a virtual environment learning to cross the street, the engineers will be able to track the data as to if the child looks left or right when crossing and other vital movements involved with navigating that environment.

      “It is our team’s hope that through the use of VR technology we can improve treatment outcomes and the speed at which they occur for a wide range of children with developmental disabilities,” Dr. Edenfield said.

      Blog Single Post: Sidebar

      Want to learn more?
      Contact an enrollment advisor.
      Request Information

      Latest Stories

      Is DPT Worth It?

      Physical Therapy PT

      Is DPT Worth It?

      The OT Pinning Ceremony: Marking the Move from Classroom to Pract … Video Included

      Occupational Therapy OT, Main Feature

      The OT Pinning Ceremony: Marking the Move from Classroom to Pract …

      Students Explore the Emotional Aspect of Stuttering Video Included

      Speech-Language Pathology SLP, Main Feature

      Students Explore the Emotional Aspect of Stuttering

      More Occupational Therapy OT

      doctor of physical therapy students

      Physical Therapy PT

      Is DPT Worth It?

      Video Included

      Occupational Therapy OT

      The OT Pinning Ceremony: Marking the Move from Classroom to Practice

      Shayna, Colton, and their dog Zura Video Included

      Speech-Language Pathology SLP

      Students Explore the Emotional Aspect of Stuttering

      Footer

      • Schedule a Tour
      • Apply for Admission
      • Upcoming Events
      • News
      • Financial Aid
      • Faculty Directory
      • Social Media Guidelines
      • Library
      • Continuing Education
      • Careers @ USA
      • MyUSA
      • Webmail
      • Catalog/Handbook
      • Media Resources
      • Legal and Consumer Disclosures
      • State Licensure

      University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • Instagram
      • YouTube
      • Linkedin

      San Marcos, CA Campus
      700 Windy Point Drive
      San Marcos, CA 92069

      St. Augustine, FL Campus
      1 University Boulevard
      St. Augustine, FL 32086

      Miami, FL Campus
      Douglas Entrance North Tower
      800 S. Douglas Road, Suite 149
      Coral Gables, FL 33134

      Austin, TX Campus
      5401 La Crosse Ave
      Austin, TX 78739

      Dallas, TX Campus
      5010 Riverside Drive, Suite 120
      Irving, TX 75039

      General Inquiries: (904) 826-0084
      Media Inquiries: (760) 407-2301
      Fax: (904) 826-0085
      Registrations: (800) 241-1027

       

       

      Copyright © 2022 Legal & Consumer Disclosure  •  Title IX / Safety & Security  •  Privacy Policy  •  Program Data  •  Accreditation  •  Contact