The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences is internationally recognized for the excellence and innovation of its research programs, spanning a wide range of health and rehabilitation disciplines and areas of focus. These research programs examine mechanisms, strategies and systems to improve health and wellness of people across the lifespan at risk for or experiencing chronic conditions or disabilities.
These research programs address two major foci:
- Physiological, behavioral and environment factors that influence human performance of and engagement in activities essential to healthy and productive living.
- Access to and quality of health system care delivery across settings, including home and community, inpatient and ambulatory care.
SHRS research spans the full translational research continuum, comprising studies in basic science, clinical science, measurement and intervention research, health services research, implementation and dissemination research.
Personal Performance & Engagement
- Studies examining the injury and repair of the body’s cells, tissues and physiological systems that are essential to health and function
- Studies examining human performance, behavior and lifestyle and their impact on health and function
- Studies examining personal and environmental factors that influence health and function
Health Systems Optimization
- Studies examining health and rehabilitation provider behavior and training methods to optimize health care delivery
- Studies examining the development of new health and rehabilitation programs and systems to optimize health equity and care quality
- Studies examining access to and quality of health services, as well as health care policies and their impact on health equity and care quality
InSpIRe
InSpIRe is the Interdisciplinary Springboard for Innovative Rehabilitation—a monthly research roundtable discussion series featuring expert guest speakers. SHRS internal members can access the SharePoint site here.
Research Initiatives by Department
![Anechoic Chamber](https://www.shrs.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/landing-images/20190304_AO_SHRS_Audiology_0763Instagram_0-315x172-67_91-662_362.jpg)
Communication Science and Disorders
Learn more here.
![Counseling virtual visit](https://www.shrs.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/landing-images/counseling-315x172-0_0-315_172.jpg)
Counseling
Learn more here.
![HI students working with a health app](https://www.shrs.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/landing-images/HIM%20RESEARCH_0-315x172-0_0-315_172.jpg)
Health Information Management
Learn more here.
![physical therapy](https://www.shrs.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/landing-images/OT-13_0-315x172-260_0-1663_910.jpg)
Occupational Therapy
Learn more here.
![woman using a treadmill in a PT research center](https://www.shrs.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/landing-images/PT%20RESEARCH_5_0-315x172-0_0-315_172.jpg)
Physical Therapy
Learn more here.
![physician assistants looking at mannequin](https://www.shrs.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/landing-images/PA%20RESEARCH_0-315x172-0_0-315_172.jpg)
Physician Assistant Studies
Research information coming soon!
![rehab science researchers testing wheelchair](https://www.shrs.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/landing-images/RST%20RESEARCH_1-315x172-0_0-315_172.jpg)
Rehabilitation Science and Technology
Learn more here.
![sports science class](https://www.shrs.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/landing-images/20220414_AO_Sports_Science_0183_0-315x172-91_124-1017_556.jpg)
Sports Medicine and Nutrition
Learn more here.
Research Initiatives by Center
![Healthy Home Laboratory](https://www.shrs.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/landing-images/home-banner-315x172-276_0-1465_800.jpg)
Healthy Home Laboratory
Learn more here.
![researchers using moving platform to test seating](https://www.shrs.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/landing-images/HERL%20RESEARCH_0-315x172-0_0-315_172.jpg)
Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL)
Learn more here.
![data center graphic](https://www.shrs.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/landing-images/DATA%20CENTER_0_0-315x172-0_0-315_172.jpg)
SHRS Data Center
Learn more here.