Thelma Mielenz, PT, PhD, OCS

Research Background and Interests

• Psychometrics of musculoskeletal outcomes instruments utilizing modern measurement theory and classical test theory.
• Efficacy and effectiveness of community-based physical activity programs for adults with arthritis.
• Perceived physical environment as a potential barrier to increasing physical activity in patients with arthritis.
• Efficacy and effectiveness of physical therapy for low back pain.

Current Research

Arthritis Foundation, New Investigator Award
Title: Item Response Theory of 2 HRQOL Measures in Arthritis
The goals of this proposal are 1) to examine the psychometric properties of the BRFSS HRQOL using item response theory (IRT) 2) to relate the BRFSS HRQOL and the SF-36v2 to each other in our arthritis population using modern measurement theory and 3) use IRT linking procedures to place these two scales on a common metric. Role: Principal Investigator

American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation, Health Professional New Investigator Award
Title: Self-Efficacy in Arthritis: Modern Measurement Theory and Qualitative Item Review
The goal of this proposal is to conduct a multi-method psychometric evaluation of self-efficacy scales in adults with arthritis to promote better precision in measuring this domain.
Role: Principal Investigator 

Education 

2002-2003 Postdoctoral Fellow, National Research Service Award Postdoctoral Traineeship from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

2002 Ph.D., Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

2000-2002 Predoctoral Fellow, National Research Service Award Predoctoral Traineeship from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

1997 M.S., Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions. Boston, Massachusetts.

1989 B.S., Physical Therapy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

1987 B.S., Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Teaching

Courses
Jun 2008 - Present Department of Allied Health Sciences, Division of Physical Therapy, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. PHYT 723 - Applied Manual Therapy

Jan 2006 - Present Department of Allied Health Sciences, Division of Physical Therapy, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. PHYT 323 - Chronic Disability

Jan 2006 - Present K-30 Program, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. BIOS 542 - Quantitative Methods for Helath Care Professionals Part II, TA with Joanne Garrett, Ph.D.

Jul 2005 - Present K-30 and Public Health Leadership Programs, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. BIOS 541 - Quantitative Methods for Health Care Professionals Part I, Co-teach with Joanne Garrett, Ph.D.

2005 - 2008 Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Clinical Epidemiology.

2003 - 2005 Public Health Leadership Program, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. BIOS 140 - Statistical Methods for Practicing Physicians, Co-taught with Gail Tudor, Ph.D.

2000 - 2002 Department of Allied Health Sciences, Division of Physical Therapy, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. PHYT 251 - Evidence-Based Practice I

1999 - 2002 Department of Allied Health Sciences, Division of Physical Therapy, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. PHYT 224 - Functional Assessments and Outcomes

1997 - 2000 Department of Allied Health Sciences, Division of Physical Therapy, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. PHYT 260 - Clinical Education I

1998 - 1999 Public Health Leadership Program, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. BIOS 141 - Quantitative Methods for Health Care Professionals taught by Joanne Garrett, Ph.D. Teaching Assistant for two years.

Lectures
1997 - 2008 Upper Limb Neurodynamic Tension Testing- three hour lecture and lab session for PHYT 734 - Musculoskeletal II: Physical Therapy Intervention, Department of Allied Health Sciences, Division of Physical Therapy, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

2008 Functional Assessment from a Population Perspective: Physical Function Item Banks are the Future for PHYT 724-Functional Assessments, Department of Allied Health Sciences, Division of Physical Therapy, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

2007 Measurement in Health Outcomes: From both the classical test and modern measurement theory perspectives, Doctoral Seminar, Department of Health Policy and Administration, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

2004 Review of Epidemiology-three hour lecture for HMSC 386-Research Design, Department of Allied Health Sciences, Division of Physical Therapy, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Selected Publications

Callahan LF, Shreffler J, Mielenz T, Kaufman J, Schoster B, Randolph R, Sloane P, DeVellis R, Weinberger M. Individual and Community Social Determinants of Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults from Rural and Urban North Carolina Communities (In Press; Prev Chronic Dis; 20 pages)

Mielenz TJ, Edwards MC, Callahan LF. Item Response Theory Analysis of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (Fear of Movement) in People with Arthritis. (In Press; J Clin Epid; 22 pages)

Callahan L, Wiley-Exley EK, Mielenz T, Xiao C, Currey SS, Sleath BL, Sloane PD, DeVellis RF, Brady TJ, Sniezek J. Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Patients with Arthritis Receiving Care from Family Practitioners and Specialists. (In Press; Prev Chronic Dis; 25 pages)

Callahan LF, Shreffler J, Mielenz T, Kaufman J, Schoster B, Randolph R, Sloane P, DeVellis R, Weinberger M. Individual and Community Social Determinants of Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults from Rural and Urban North Carolina Communities (In Press; Prev Chronic Dis; 20 pages)

Freburger JK, Mielenz TJ. Invited Commentary. Phys Ther. 2008;88(9):1004-1006

Callahan LF, Shreffler J, Mielenz T, Schoster B, Kaufman J, Xiao C, Randolph R, Sloane P. Arthritis in the family practice setting: Associations with education and community poverty level. Arth Care Res. 2008;59:1002-1008

Callahan LF, Freburger JK, Mielenz TJ, Wiley EX. Medical Skepticism and the Use of Complementary and Alternative Health Care Providers by Patients Followed by Rheumatologists. J Clin Rheum. 2008;14:143-147

Mielenz TJ, Garrett JM, Carey TS. Association of Psychosocial Work Characteristics with Low Back Pain Outcomes. SPINE. 2008;33(11):1270-5

Wiley-Exley EK, Mielenz TJ, Norton EC, Callahan LF. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Musculoskeletal Disorders: Does Medical Skepticism Matter? The Open Rheum J. 2007:1:5-11

Callahan LF, Mielenz TJ, Freburger JK, Shreffler J, Hootman J, Brady T, Buysse K, Schwartz T. A Randomized Controlled Trial of People with Arthritis Can Exercise (PACE): Physical Activity, Function, Symptom, and Psychosocial Outcomes. Arthritis Rheum. 2007 Dec 28;59(1):92-101

Schoster B, Sally L, Mielenz T, Callahan LF. A Qualitative Evaluation of Active Living Every Day (ALED) in People with Arthritis. Prev Chronic Dis. 2007 Jul;4(3):A58

Carey TS, Mielenz TJ. Measuring Outcomes in Back Care. SPINE. 2007;31(11):S9-S14

Mielenz T, Jackson E, Currey S, DeVellis R, Callahan LF. Psychometric Properties of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) Items (B-HRQOL) in Arthritis. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2006 4(66)

Donahue KE, Mielenz JF, Sloane PD, Callahan LF, Devellis RF. Identifying supports and barriers to physical activity in patients at risk for diabetes. Prev Chronic Dis. 2006 Oct;3(4):A119

Schoster B, Callahan LF, Meier A, Mielenz T, DiMartino L. The People with Arthritis Can Exercise (PACE) Program: A Qualitative Evaluation of Participant Satisfaction. Prev Chronic Dis. 2005 July

Guccione A, Mielenz T, Goldstein M, DeVellis R, Freburger J, Pietrobon R, Miller S, Callahan L, Carey T. Development and Testing of a Self Report Instrument To Measure Actions: Outpatient Physical Therapy Improvement Assessment Log (OPTIMAL). Phys Ther. 2005;85(6):515-530

Professional Societies

American Physical Therapy Association, Orthopaedic and Research Sections

American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists, Research Committee

Association of Rheumatology and Health Professionals

Triangle Orthopaedic Study Group, President, Jan 2002-March 2004