Burke Rehabilitation, a leading provider of advanced physical and medical rehabilitation and member of the Montefiore Health System, announced Wednesday, July 15, that it has been awarded $75,000 in grant funding to support a clinical research project focused on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This first-of-its-kind project will integrate sleep health into standard rehabilitation care, improving diagnosis, treatment and overall outcomes for patients with acquired brain disorders.
Led by Mooyeon Oh-Park, M.D., MHCM — chief physician of research and innovation at the White Plains-based Burke — the project will estimate the prevalence of OSA among inpatient rehabilitation facility subjects with acquired brain disorders. A two-step diagnostic approach using the STOP-BANG screening instrument and the WatchPAT, a home sleep apnea testing device, will be used to identify the high-risk individuals, followed by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy and sleep medicine visits post discharge. The outcomes of the project assessed will include functional recovery, sleep quality, rehabilitation participation, length of stay, discharge disposition and readmissions.
“Obstructive sleep apnea is a modifiable risk factor that can significantly affect neurological recovery and overall health after brain disorders,” Oh-Park said. “By identifying sleep apnea earlier and understanding its role in recovery, we aim to advance more personalized, integrated care plans and shape the future of rehabilitative medicine for medically complex patients.”
The project hypothesizes that at least 40% of individuals with acquired brain disorders will screen positive for OSA, and among those screening positive, at least 40% will be diagnosed with OSA through the WatchPAT device. Adults ages 18 to 90 admitted to Burke between May 1, 2026, and Dec. 31, 2028, with a diagnosis of acquired brain disorder may be eligible for the project. (According to the Brain Injury Association of America’s website, “An acquired brain injury (ABI) is an injury to the brain that is not hereditary, congenital, degenerative or induced by birth trauma.”)
Burke Rehabilitation is emerging as a leading center for PM&R (physical medicine and rehabilitation) research and innovation by addressing real-world challenges faced by individuals with neurological, musculoskeletal and complex medical conditions. The rehab facility is focused on scientifically rigorous, clinically integrated studies targeting meaningful functional outcomes for these patients. Integrating sleep health into standard rehabilitation care reflects the Burke commitment to maximizing patient recovery by leveraging a “whole person” approach that addresses modifiable factors influencing patient outcomes.
“At Burke, cutting-edge research and innovation are embedded in the clinical care we deliver every day,” said Executive Director Scott Edelman, MBA, CPA, CFE. “This work underscores our commitment to advancing evidence-based care and ensuring it is fully integrated into practice. By driving innovation in physical medicine and rehabilitation, we are improving patient outcomes and setting the standard of excellence for rehabilitative care nationwide.”
Supported by the ResMed Foundation, the research team led by Oh-Park includes Andrew Abdou, D.O.; Erika Trovato, D.O., chief quality officer, associate chief medical officer and program director, Brain Injury Medicine Fellowship; Josette Hartnett, MPH, senior manager of clinical research compliance; and Karen McCoy, director, respiratory therapy. The team also includes Alok Bhatt, M.D., and Jose Davis, M.D. Department of Pulmonary/Sleep Medicine at Montefiore Health System.
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