Departments & Divisions
Ana Allegretti, Ph.D., OTR, ATP
Associate Professor
Capstone Coordinator
Currently seeking M.S. & Ph.D. students
Dr. Ana Allegretti is an associate professor at the University of Texas Health Sciences in San Antonio. Dr. Allegretti’s multidisciplinary training includes clinical occupational therapy, a Master in Science (MS) degree in Child Development Disorders (2001- Brazil), a second MS in Rehabilitation Science and Technology at the University of Pittsburgh (2004), and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh (2008). Her postdoctoral training (2008-2011- UPITT) has provided her with a dynamic springboard to develop clinical research and mentor students. Dr. Allegretti is a member of AOTA, TOTA and RESNA. She has an Assistive Technology Professional credential and has presented in several national and international conferences.She is very interested in collaborating with other researchers in the field of rehabilitation and nursing, developing research projects in the assistive technology field and pressure ulcer prevention.
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Professional Background
Education
- 2011 - Postdoctoral Training - University of Pittsburgh
- 2008 - Ph.D. - Health and Rehabilitation Sciences - University of Pittsburgh
- 2004 - MS - University of Pittsburgh
- 2001 - MS - Child's neurodevelopment - Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie
- 1996 - BS - Occupational Therapy - Pontifica Universidade Catolica de Campinas
Highlights
2023 RST Partnership and Alumini Award, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
2020 Spectrum Award UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
2020 Best Papers: Spinal Cord over the period 2018-2019, co-authored, “Predictors of pressure ulcer incidence following traumatic spinal cord injury: a secondary analysis of a prospective longitudinal study”.
2017 Morgan's Wonderland Wall of fame honoree. San Antonio, TX
2016 UTHSCSA Kudolo Research Award
Appointments
- 8/2014-08/2022 - Assistant Professor - UT Health San Antonio, Occupational Therapy, San Antonio
- 08/2022- Present - Associate Professor - UT Health San Antonio, Occupational Therapy, San Antonio
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Instruction & Training
- 5/2019 - Present, Doctoral Capstone Proposal Development 1, The University of Texas Health Science Center
- 1/2019 - Present, Research Design and Proposal, The University of Texas Health Science Center
- 8/2018 - Present, Foundations of Research Design, The University of Texas Health Science Center
- 8/2018 - Present, Environmental Technologies 1, The University of Texas Health Science Center
- 8/2014 - Present, Environmental Technologies II, The University of Texas Health Science Center
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Research & Grants
Grants
Title: Nutritional optimization and bone health management for older adults undergoing hip fracture: a pilot study
Funding Agency: IIMS/CTSA- UT Health San Antonio
Status: Funded
Period: 05/2023 – 05/2024
Role: Co-Investigator
Title: Nutritional optimization in older adults undergoing hip fracture surgery: a pilot study
Funding Agency: San Antonio Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center
Status: Funded
Period: 05/2023 – 05/2024
Role: Co-Investigator
Title: Go Baby Go: on-yime mobility for children with disabilities
Funding Agency: SHP Seed Grant. UT Health San Antonio
Status: Complete
Period: 03/2017- 03/2018
Role: Principal Investigator
Title: Project Reaching More: Increasing Highly Qualified Occupational Therapists to Serve Children with Disabilities
Funding Agency: US Department of Education
Status: Complete
Period: 01/2013 - 12/2017
Role: Co-Investigator
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Service
Service to the Profession
2023- Present Member of Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America board
2022-Present Member of Project MEND board
2021-Present Editor of the Assistive Technology Journal
2020-2023 Associate Editor of Cadernos de Terapia Ocupacional
2020-Present Faculty Mentor for Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity Chapter (COTAD), UT Health San Antonio
2014- Present Member of the International Seating Symposim Board
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Publications
- Ramirez, V., Kittrell, P., Jackson, C., Clegg, A., & Allegretti, A. (2024). Sexual intimacy in persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and their partners: A pilot study. Journal of Allied Health, 53(3), 212-217b.
- Adler, R. H., Straud, C. L., Peterson, A. L., Jeffreys, M. D., Finley, E. P., Beaver, B. V., Copeland, L. A., Young-McCaughan, S., Seawell, M. D., Bridgeman, C. H., Hamilton, A., Mata-Galan, E. L., Allegretti, A. L. C., Lara-Ruiz, J. M., Allison, S., Donahue, D. A., Martinez, A., & Stern, S. L. (2024). The effect of companion dog adoption on loneliness in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: An exploratory study. Traumatology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/trm0000494
- Curi, H., Ferretti, E., Franco, R., Allegretti A.L., Silva, S. (In Press). Satisfaction of wheelchair users in the Baixada Santista Metropolitan Region. Ciencia e Saude Coletiva
- Stern, S. L., Finley, E. P., Mintz, J., Jeffreys, M. D., Beaver, B. V., Copeland, L. A., Seawell, M. D., Bridgeman, C. H., Hamilton, A. B., Mata-Galan, E. L., Young-McCaughan, S., Hatch, J. P., Allegretti, A. L. C., Hale, W. J., & Peterson, A. L. (2022). Adopting a Companion Dog Helps Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a Pilot Randomized Trial, Society & Animals (published online ahead of print 2022). doi: https://doi.org/10.1163/15685306-bja10089
- Paulisso, D.C., Cruz, D.M.C., Allegretti A.L., Schein, R., Costa, J.D., Campos, L.C.B., Schmeler, M. Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Face Validity of the Functional Mobility Assessment into Brazilian Portuguese. Occupational Therapy International 2020 Feb:1-7
- Paulisso D.C, Schmeler M.R., Schein R.M., Allegretti AL, Campos L., Costa J.D., Fachin-Martins E., Cruz D. Functional Mobility Assessment is reliable and correlated with satisfaction, independence and skills Assistive Technology 2019 Jun
- Peters C, Chang A, Morales A, Barnes KJ, Allegretti A. Assessments used in occupational therapy interventions for children with cerebral palsy: A scoping review Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional/Brazilian Journal of Occupational Therapy 2019 Mar;27(1):168-185
- Dantas I, Leal J, Hilger L, Allegretti AL, Mendes F. Training healthy persons and individuals with Parkinson’s disease to use Xbox Kinect games: A preliminary study. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation 2018 Feb;25(6):280-290.
- Mendes P., Gradim L., Silva N., Allegretti AL, Carrijo D, Cruz D. Pressure distribution analysis in three wheelchairs cushions of subjects with spinal cord injury Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology 2018 Apr;18:1-6.
- Brienza D, Krishnan S, Karg P, Sowa G, Allegretti AL. Predictors of pressure ulcer incidence following traumatic spinal cord injury: a secondary analysis of a prospective longitudinal study Spinal Cord 2017 Sep:1-7
- Ziraldo C.,Solovyev A.,Allegretti A.,Krishnan S., Henzel K.,Sowa G.A.,Brienza D.,An G.,Mi Q.,Vodovotz Y. . A Computational, Tissue-Realistic Model of Pressure Ulcer Formation in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury PLOS Computational Biology 2015 Jun
- Allegretti AL, Malkiewicz A, Brienza DM. Measuring interface pressure and temperature in the operating room. Advance in Skin and Wound Care journal 2012 May;25(5):226-230
- Mi Q., Constantine G., Megas C., Krishnan S., Allegretti AL, Sowa G., Brienza D., Vodovotz Y. Urinary tract infections precede pressure ulcers in spinal cord injury patients Wound Repair and Regeneration 2011 Mar;19(2): A39-A39
- Brienza D., Kelsey S., Karg P., Allegretti A., Olson M., Schmeler M., Zanca J., Geyer M.J., Kusturiss M., Holm M. A Randomized Clinical Trial on Preventing Pressure Ulcers with Wheelchair Seat Cushions Journal of the American Geriatric Society 2010 Nov;58(12):2308-2314.
- Authier EL, Pearlman J, Allegretti AL, Rice I, Cooper RA. A sports wheelchair for low-income countries. Disability and Rehabilitation 2007 Jun;29(11-12):963-967
- Allegretti A., Mancini M., Schwartzman S. Evaluation of Functional Abilities in Cerebral Palsy Children Using Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) Arquivos Brasileiros de Paralisia Cerebral 2004;1(1):35-40.
- Ding D, Cooper RA, Kaminski BA, Kanaly JR, Allegretti A, Chaves E, Hubbard S, Allegretti AL. Integrated control and related technology of assistive devices. Assistive Technology 2003 Jan;15(2):89-97.
- Allegretti AL, Barnes KJ, Berndt P. Impact of use a ride-on toy car by children with mobility impairment doi:10.5014/ajot.2018.72S1-RP204B: 2018 Nov. (American Journal Occupational Therapy; vol. 72).
- Allegretti AL, Barnes KJ, Berndt AE. Ride-on toy car, an innovative and feasible method of mobility 2017 Oct. p. 289-289. (Journal of Allied Health; vol. 46, no. 4).
- Barnes KJ, Clegg, AD; Joseph, R; Allegretti, AL. Video Cases to Confirm and Expand Student Learning After Didactic Teaching of Interprofessional Practice 2017. p. 292-292. (Journal of Allied Health; vol. 45, no. 4).
- Cruz D, Paulisso D, Allegretti AL, Schein R., Schmeler M. Cross-Cultural adaptation of the instrument functional mobility assessment (FMA) for use in Brazil Galway, Ireland: 2016 Jun. p. 644. (COTEC-ENOTHE 2016).
Peer-Reviewed Articles
Book Chapter
Allegretti, A.L. & Figueiredo Mirella. Estimulação do desenvolvimento infantil: orientações da terapia ocupacional para familiares (Chapter 1). Terapia Ocupacional no Ciclo de Vida da Infância: histórico, proposições atuais e perspectivas futuras, Memnon, 2022. ISBN 978-65-87672-22-9
Editorial
Allegretti A.L. Um panorama sobre a Tecnologia Assistiva Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional/Brazilian Journal of Occupational Therapy 2013 Mar;21(1)
Abstract