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Portrait of Bhagwant Sindhu

Bhagwant S. Sindhu, PhD, OTR

  • Associate Professor, Programs in Occupational Therapy Science, Technology & Rehabilitation

Education

Ph D Rehabilitation Science University of Florida 2007
MS Occupational Therapy University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 2002
BS Occupational Therapy University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 2000
BS Occupational Therapy University of Delhi 1998

Speaker Topics

  • Sincerity of effort
  • Pain physiology and assessment
  • Pain related psychological factors
  • Pain interference
  • Assessment of upper limb function

Interests & Expertise

Bhagwant Sindhu’s research focuses on pursuing theoretically rigorous exploration of approaches for improving upper extremity rehabilitation in two related areas: rehabilitation assessments and rehabilitation outcomes.

Within the broad framework of rehabilitation assessments, his research has focused on sincerity of effort testing; self-report assessments of upper extremity function; and pain assessment.

He has conducted studies to determine differences between maximal and submaximal grip efforts using force-time curves and surface electromyographic signal among healthy people, as well as people with musculoskeletal disorders and injuries, including traumatic musculoskeletal injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome and fibromyalgia. Surprisingly, these conditions affect different force parameters.

Recently, he found that fear-avoidance beliefs related to pain result in poorer rehabilitation outcomes in two out of eight groups of musculoskeletal disorders of the shoulder, with one group including people with rotator cuff tears.

Selected Publications

Wang, Y., Kapellusch, J. M., & Sindhu, B. (2019). Psychometric evaluation and clinical interpretation of the Upper Extremity Functional Index (UEFI). , 100(10), e111.
Lehman, L., Tetzke, M., Wanniarachchi, G., Wang, Y., & Sindhu, B. (2018, November). Psychological Factors’ Influence on Patient-Reported Outcomes of Outpatient Rehabilitation in People With Lumbar Spine Impairments. , 72(4_Supplement_1), 7211515286p1.
Adibuzzaman, M., Ostberg, C., Ahamed, S., Povinelli, R., Sindhu, B., Love, R., Kawsar, F., & Ahsan, G. M. (2015). Assessment of pain using facial pictures taken with a smartphone. Proceedings of IEEE COMPSAC 2015: The 39th Annual International Computers, Software & Applications Conference, 39, 726-731.
Shechtman, O., & Sindhu, B. (2015). Grip Strength Dynamometry. McDermid, J. (Ed.). Clinical Assessment Recommendation, 3rd. American Society of Hand Therapists.
Sindhu, B., Wang, Y., Lehman, L. A., & Hart, D. L. (2013). Differential item functioning in a computerized adaptive test of functional status for patients with shoulder impairments is negligible across pain intensity, gender, and age groups. Occup Ther J Res, 33(2), 86-99.
Schectman, O., & Sindhu, B. (2013). Grip Strength. McDermid, J. (Ed.).
Shechtman, O., Sindhu, B., & Veazie, P. J. (2012). Identifying Sincerity of Effort Based on the Combined Predictive Ability of Multiple Grip Strength Tests. Journal of Hand Therapy, 25(3), 308-319.
Sindhu, B., Schectman, O., & Singh, H. P. (2012). Effect of Verbal Instructions on Submaximal Grip Effort. J Hand Ther, 25(4), e1-e2.
Shechtman, O., Sindhu, B., & Davenport, P. (2012). Using the “Visual Target Grip Test” to Identify Sincerity of Effort during Grip Strength Testing. Journal of Hand Therapy.
Lehman, L. A., Sindhu, B., Johnson, J., Velozo, C. A., & (2011). Creating a Clinically Useful Data Collection Form for the DASH Questionnaire. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65(1), 45-54.
Schectman, O., & Sindhu, B. (2011). The effects of upper extremity injury on maximal grip effort. Journal of Hand Therapy, 24(4), 386-387.
Seo, N. J., Sindhu, B., & Shechtman, O. (2011). The influence of pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders on hand grip force timing. Journal of Pain, 24(4), 335-344.
Sindhu, B., & Shectman, O. (2011). Using the Force-Time Curve to Determine Sincerity of Effort in People with Upper Extremity Injuries. J Hand Ther, 24(1), 22-30.
Sindhu, B., Shechtman, O., & Tuckey, L. E. (2011). Validity, Reliability, and Responsiveness of a Digital Version of the Visual Analog Scale. Journal of Hand Therapy, 24(4), 356-364.
Lehman, L. A., Sindhu, B., Shechtman, O., Romero, S., & Velozo, C. A. (2010). A Comparison of the Ability of Two Upper Extremity Assessments to Measure Change in Function. Journal of Hand Therapy, 23(1), 31-40.

Honors & Awards

• Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year Nominee (one of twenty-five faculty for University of Wisconsin Milwaukee), (2018) University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.
Nominated as one of sixteen faculty for Undergraduate Research Mentor (2015) University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Student Success Award (2014) Student Success Center, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Certificate of Excellence in Reviewing (2013) Journal of Hand Therapy.
Paper titled “Identifying sincerity of effort based on the combined predictive ability of multiple grip strength tests” was selected as one of six best papers (2012, October 19) American Society of Hand Therapists Association Conference.
Faculty Travel Award for presenting my research at the World Pain Congress (2012, August) Center for International Education (CIE), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Byoung Kim Teaching Excellence Award (2011) College of Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Certificate of Appreciation for dedication to undergraduate research as a faculty mentor (2011) Office of Undergraduate Research, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Graduate School Research Fellow (2011) University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Paper titled “Validity, reliability, and responsiveness of a digital version of the Visual Analog Scale for measuring pain intensity” was selected as one of six best papers (2011, September 23) American Society of Hand Therapists Association Conference.
Wisconsin Research Fellow (2010) University of Wisconsin Libraries Research Fellow Program.
Research Grant/Mentorship Opportunity Program (2005) University of Florida.
Graduate Student Council Travel Award (2004) Graduate Student Council, University of Florida.
Rehabilitation Science Doctoral Program Travel Award (2004) College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida.
Assess, Assign and Assimilate Project Fellowship (2003) University of Florida International Center (UFIC), University of Florida.