Occupational Therapy
: Department of Occupational Therapy

Biographical Sketch:
Dr. Thomas received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Minnesota, her Master of Health Education from the Medical College of Georgia and her Doctor of Philosophy in 1991 in Adult Development from the University of Minnesota. Her clinical experience includes adult rehabilitation in a variety of settings including Naval Regional Medical Centers, community hospitals, and out-patient rehabilitation facilities. Dr. Thomas has been on faculty at the University of Minnesota and most recently is professor and chair of the occupational therapy department at The University of Toledo Health Science Campus. Her research interests include investigating the effects of upper extremity orthoses on functional movement, use of tools labeled ergonomic, and the development of an assessment of parental self-efficacy for transferring children who are not ambulatory.

Recent Selected Publications:

Thomas, J.J., Shuford, D.M., Duke, J.C., & Cipriani, D.J. (2007). Development and psychometric properties of the Caregiver Self-Efficacy Scale. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Fuller, H. M., Thomas, J.J., & Rice, M.S. (2006). The effects of perceived risk on performance during an upper extremity transporting and placing task in persons with a cerebral vascular accident. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 60, 379-387.

Thomas, J.J. & Kopp Miller, B. (July 11, 2005). The PROMISE Institute: An opportunity for interdisciplinary and community collaboration. OT Practice, 16-20.

Brown Tebben, A., & Thomas, J.J. (2004). Trowels labeled ergonomic vs. standard design: Preferences and effects on wrist range of motion during a gardening occupation. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 58, 317-323. This article was featured in the Harvard Health Letter, (2006) 31(6), p. 7 "Get a good grip while toiling in the soil: Ergonomic tools for gardeners are not what they're cracked up to be".

Rahman, N., Thomas, J.J. & Rice, M.S.(2003). The relationship between hand strength and the forces used to access containers by well-elderly individuals. In M. A. Corcoran (Ed.), Geriatric Issues in Occupational Therapy: A Compendium of Leading Research (pp. 66-75). Bethesda, MD: AOTA Press.

King, S., Thomas, J.J., Rice, M.S. (2003). The immediate and short-term effects of a wrist extension orthosis on upper extremity kinematics and range of shoulder motion. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 57, 517-524. 

Nelson, D.L., & Thomas, J.J. (2003). Occupational form, occupational performance, and a conceptual framework for therapeutic occupation.  In P. Kramer, J. Hinojosa, & C. Royeen (Eds.), Perspectives on human occupation. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins.

Thomas, J.J., & Rice, M.S. (2002).  Perceived risk and its effects on quality of movement in occupational performance of well-elderly individuals.  OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 22, 104-110.

Collier, S., Thomas, J.J. (2002).  Range of motion at the wrist: A comparison of four wrist extension orthoses and the free hand. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 56, 180-184.

CURRICULUM VITAE ON REQUEST