James Agostinucci

  • Associate Professor
  • Sc.D., OTR/L
  • Phone: 401.874.4066
  • Email: gusser@uri.edu
  • Office Location: University of Rhode Island
    Physical Therapy Department
    25 Independence Way, Office #109
    Kingston, RI 02881

Biography

James Agostinucci, ScD, OTR/L received his Occupational Therapy and Doctor of Anatomy and Neuroscience degrees from Boston University in 1975 and 1988,  respectively. Dr. Agostinucci has worked as a staff therapist, an Occupational Therapy Director, a Director of Rehabilitation and currently, he is an Associate Professor at the University of Rhode Island Physical Therapy department. His experiences range from physical rehabilitation, department management, program/ curricular development and scientific research. Dr. Agostinucci’s research interest is in peripheral nervous system physiology and its role in the regulation of motoneuron excitability and muscle tone.

Research

Primarily in peripheral nervous system physiology and its role in the regulation of spinal motor neuron excitability and muscle activity (movement) as it relates to occupational and physical therapy treatment.  Emphasis is on pathophysiological mechanisms that cause movement disorders resulting from nervous system diseases, and more recently sports concussion and injury.  Presently, the experiments I am conducting are in four areas of research.  The first research area is examining the role circumferential pressure has on the regulation of muscle tone and motor control.  This has been a primary focus of mine since coming to the University of Rhode Island in 1992.  My experiments have shown that circumferential pressure affects spinal motor neurons in people following stroke and traumatic spinal cord injuries.  From these results it was shown that pressures around limbs have a positive inhibitory treatment effect on many of these individuals who suffer from spasticity and other hyperactive muscle disorders.  Although we have shown that circumferential pressure lowers motor neuron excitability and muscle activity, the mechanism of action remains elusive.  Experiments in my lab continue to work on the effects of circumferential pressure focusing on its mechanism of action. If the mechanism by which circumferential pressure decreases muscle activity is discovered, it may lead to further treatment methods for the populations of interest, and may prove effective with a broader patient spectrum.

Education

  • Sc.D., Anatomy/Applied Neuroscience, Boston University, 1988
  • OTR/L, Occupational Therapy, Boston University, 1975

Teaching Responsibility:

PHT 500   Anatomy and Histology
PHT 501 Applied anatomy
PHT 511 Human Neuroscience and Neurology
PHT440/CMD 440 Advanced Human Head and Neck Anatomy
PHT 610 Evidence Based Inquiry I
PHT 620 Evidence Based Inquiry II
PHT 630 Evidence Based Inquiry III
PHT 640 Evidence Based Inquiry IV
PHT 513 Independent Study
Neu 599 Master’s Thesis Research (Independent Study)
Neu 699 Doctoral Dissertation Research (Independent Study)

Selected Publications

Agostinucci J., Mclinden J., Ergonomic Comparison between Right handle pistol like handle style and standard style paint brush.  International Journal of Industrial  Ergonomics. 2016; 56:130-137.

Agostinucci J., Circumferential Pressures inhibitory effects on Soleus H-reflex. Translational Neuroscience. 2014; 4(2):1-9.

Agostinucci J., McLinden JM., Cherry E., The effect of cryotherapy and exercise on lateral epicondylitis: a controlled randomized study. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation. 2012; 19(11): 641-650.

Agostinucci J., Circumferential Pressure’s inhibitory effects on Soleus H-reflex. Translational Neuroscience. 4(2):1-9, 2013.

Agostinucci J., The effects of circumferential pressure on the soleus muscle F-wave in healthy subjects. Journal of Electromyograpy and Kinesiology. 22:223-227, 2012.

Agostinucci J., McLinden JM., Cherry E., The effect of cryotherapy and exercise on lateral epicondylitis: a controlled randomized study. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation. 19(11): 641-650, 2012.

Agostinucci J., Inhibitory Effects of Circumferential Pressure on Flexor Carpi Radialis H-reflex in Adults with Neurological Deficits. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 110(1):89-103, 2010.

Agostinucci J., Lyons H., The Effect of Circumferential Pressure on Soleus Stretch Reflex in Subjects with Cerebral Vascular Accident. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 17(3):92-101, 2010.

Agostinucci J., Effect of Circumferential Air-Splint Pressure of the soleus stretch  reflex during a voluntary ramp plantar flexion. Neurophysiology, 42(1):31-43, 2010.