Professor, Chairperson - Interim

Organization:

West Virginia University School of Medicine

Department:

Human Performance - Occupational Therapy

Classification:

Faculty

• EdD, West Virginia University, 2017
• MOT, West Virginia University, 2002
• BA, West Virginia University, 2001

Representative Scholarship and Publications:

Wheeler, S., & Acord-Vira, A. (2023). Occupational therapy practice guidelines for adults with traumatic brain injury. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(4), 7704397010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2023.077401 

Heck, S., Acord-Vira, A., & Davis, D. (2023). Sex differences in college student’s knowledge of concussion and concussion education sources. Concussion, (0), CNC108. https://doi.org/10.2217/cnc-2023-0001 

Acord-Vira, A., Davis, D., Boyd, E., & Wheeler, S. (2022). Education and skill-building interventions for caregivers of adults with traumatic brain injury (2013–2020). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(Supplement 2), 7613393090. 

Acord-Vira, A., Davis, D., Boyd, E., & Wheeler, S. (2022). Health and well-being interventions for caregivers of adults with traumatic brain injury (2013–2020). The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(Supplement 2),  7613393100. 

Acord-Vira, A., Davis, D., Boyd, E., & Wheeler, S. (2022). Relationship building interventions for caregivers of adults with traumatic brain injury (2013–2020). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(Supplement 2), 7613393110. 

Wheeler, S., Davis, D., Basch, J., James, G., Lehman, B., & Acord-Vira, A. (2022). Physical activity interventions for adults with traumatic brain injury (2013–2020). The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(Supplement 2), 7613393140.  

Wheeler, S., Davis, D., Basch, J., James, G., Lehman, B., & Acord-Vira, A. (2022). Self-regulation and relaxation-based interventions for adults with traumatic brain injury (2013–2020). The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(Supplement 2), 7613393150. 

Wheeler, S., Davis, D., Basch, J., James, G., Lehman, B., & Acord-Vira, A. (2022). Education and skills training interventions for adults with traumatic brain injury (2013–2020). The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(Supplement 2), 7613393090. 

Wheeler, S., Davis, D., Basch, J., James, G., Lehman, B., & Acord-Vira, A. (2022). Goal-and client-directed interventions for adults with traumatic brain injury (2013–2020). The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(Supplement 2), 7613393130.  

Wheeler, S., Davis, D., Basch, J., James, G., Lehman, B., & Acord-Vira, A. (2022). Cognitive behavioral therapy interventions for adults with traumatic brain injury (2013–2020). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76, 7613393160.  

Jones, D. L., Acord-Vira, A., Robinson, M. B., Talkington, M., Morales, A. L., Pride, C. D., ... & Rice, T. A. (2022). Adaptation of an evidence-based, fall-prevention, Tai Ji Quan exercise program for adults with traumatic brain injury: focus group results. Physiotherapy theory and practice, 1-9. 

Wheeler, S., Acord-Vira, A., Woods, S., & Nesley, C. (2022). Neurodiversity and client centered occupational therapy to support meaningful employment for autistic persons. AOTA SIS Quarterly Practice Connections, 7(3). 

Wheeler, S., Davis, D., & Acord-Vira, A. (2022). Occupational therapy’s role in return to work and substance abuse disorder in a general practice setting. AOTA SIS Quarterly Practice Connections, 7(1), 30-33. 

Acord-Vira, A., Davis, D. R., Lilly, C. (2021). Occupational Performance Limitations Following Concussion in College Students. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75(5), 1-6.

Acord-Vira, A., Davis, D. (2020). Occupational performance limitations experienced by postsecondary students following concussion. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74, 7411510337.

Acord-Vira, A., Davis, D., Wheeler, S., & Curtis. R. (2019). Returning to the classroom following sports-related concussion: Perspectives of college student athletes. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability,32(1), 35-48.

Acord-Vira, A., Davis, D., Wheeler, S., & Cannoy, A. (May 2018). Occupational therapy’s role in return to work after a concussion. AOTA SIS Quarterly Practice Connections, 3(2), 31-33.

Davis, D. R., Acord-Vira, A. (2018). Traumatic Brain Injury: Occupational Therapy Interventions. Brockton Massachusetts: S.C. Publishing.

Wheeler, S., Acord-Vira, A., Arbesman, M., & Lieberman, D. (2017). Evidence connection: occupational therapy interventions for adults with traumatic brain injury. American Journal of Occupational Therapy,71, 7103395010p1-7103395010p3.

Davis, D., Wheeler, S., & Acord-Vira, A. (February 2017). Evaluation of return to work skills following traumatic brain injury. AOTA SIS Quarterly Practice Connections, 2(1), 26-28.

Acord-Vira, A., Wheeler, S., & Davis, D. (May 2016). Returning to work after traumatic brain injury. AOTA SIS Quarterly Practice Connections, 1(2), 25-27.

Wheeler, S. D., Acord-Vira, A., Davis, D. R. (2016). Effectiveness of interventions to improve occupational performance for people with psychosocial, behavioral, and emotional impairments after brain injury: a systematic review. The American Journal of Occupational therapy, 70(3), 7003180060p1-9.

Wheeler, S. D., Acord-Vira, A. (2016). Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury. AOTA Press.

 

BIOGRAPHY

About Amanda Acord-Vira

Narrative:

Dr. Acord-Vira has been involved in clinical occupational therapy practice, research, and education for more than 20 years focusing on traumatic brain injury. She has presented at state and national conferences, published several articles on brain injury and co-authored the American Occupational Therapy Association's Practice Guidelines for Traumatic Brain Injury. In addition, she served as the editor for the Work and Industry and is currently the chair of the WV TBI Advisory Board and a member of the AOTA Appeals Panel.

Occupational Therapy

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. A TBI can have long-term consequences on cognition, vision, motor, emotional and behavioral health limiting their ability to fully participate in the community. Our TBI research activities focus on understanding factors impacting successful and satisfying community participation for individuals who have experienced a TBI and their caregivers. Particular areas of research interest include TBI-related employment issues, school issues, rural health influences, drug and alcohol use, and caregiver stress. Research includes persons with mild (including concussion), moderate, and severe injuries.  

Principal Investigator, "WV TBI Mentor Program," Sponsored by Administration for Community Living, Federal, $1,000,890.00, 8/1/21-7/31/26.  

Principal Investigator, “Public Health Workforce TBI” Sponsored by Administration for Community Living, Federal, $86,400, 4/1/22-9/30/24. 

Co-Investigator, “West Virginia Traumatic Brain Injury State Project,” WV DHHR/BHHF Project #10010280, $700,000, 7/1/22-6/30/24. 

Collaborator / Subject Matter Expert, “Person-Centered Trauma-Informed Care,” WV  DHHR/BMS Project #2200000013, $8,907, 4/1/22-6/30/23. 

Co-Investigator, "State Opioid Response Medical Services grant. “SOR II Year 3: Preparing PT and OT Students for Their Roles in Physical Activity and Life/Leisure Skills Education for Persons with Opioid Addiction," Sponsored by WV DHHR Bureau of Behavioral Health., State, $24,000.00, 9/30/22-9/30/23.  Additional funding: $24,000, 9/30/21-9/30/22 and $36,094, 9/30/20-9/30/21.  

Collaborator / Subject Matter Expert, “Medicaid Home and Community Based Service Learning Management System Update Study (Phase 1)”, DHHR/BMS Project #2200000013, $8,000, 11/15/21-4/1/22.   

Principal Investigator, "WV TBI Mentor Program," Sponsored by Administration for Community Living, Federal, $300,000/year, 2/1/20-5/30/22.   

Co-Investigator, "Adaptation of an Evidence-Based Fall-Prevention Program for Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury in West Virginia," Sponsored by US DHHS-CDC-National Center for Injury Prevention & Control, Federal, $95,001.00, 4/15/19-7/31/20.  

Medical Specialties

• Rehabilitation

Special Training

• Other Speciality Training, Master's Certification in Special Education and Brain Injury
  George Washington University

Medical Specialties 

*  Traumatic Brain Injury, Acquired Brain Injury, Return to Learn (Concussion) 

Specialized Training and Certifications 

*  Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) 
*  Masters Certificate in Special Education and Brain Injury