Research

Driving Innovation in Orthopedic Care Through Research

Research is a cornerstone of TOC’s commitment to exceptional patient care. Through ongoing clinical studies, scientific publications, and evidence-based practice, our physicians and providers contribute to advancing orthopedic medicine and improving the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of musculoskeletal conditions.

About TOC Research

The orthopedic research program at TOC aims to optimize clinical outcomes across the patient continuum through innovative, data-driven approaches. Our work emphasizes improving pre-surgical readiness, advancing non-operative and integrative pain management strategies, and evaluating evolving clinical practices through patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). We collaborate closely with community providers to enhance workflows, care coordination, and the prevention and management of musculoskeletal conditions. Additional efforts focus on refining surgical treatments and techniques, and rehabilitation protocols to support optimal recovery. Overall, TOC is committed to advancing orthopedic care through continuous innovation and improved patient outcomes.

Research

Ongoing Research Studies

MBM and taVNS for Low Back Pain and Depressive Symptoms

Meditation for Older Adults With Chronic Low Back Pain

Brief Mindfulness Intervention for Pain Before an In-clinic Orthopedic Procedure

Brief Mindfulness Intervention for Pain Before an In-clinic Orthopedic Procedure

About the TOC Foundation

TOC has a long history of volunteerism and community service in conjunction with their orthopedic medical practice.  Their commitment to athletic activities in the communities they serve includes voluntary sports coverage to high school, community college and university athletic programs throughout North Florida.

TOC’s focus on a comprehensive sports medicine program led to the creation of its non-profit 501(c)3 corporation, the TOC Foundation in 2006.  The TOC Foundation raises funds through charitable gifts, grant writing and fundraising events in order to provide for education, research and community service projects that involve health, wellness, prevention and rehabilitation of sports injuries.

Affiliations

Interested in collaborating on research?

Please fill out the form below with contact information and we will be in touch within 5-7 business days.

Research Team

Emilie N Miley

Director of Research

Emilie Miley, PhD, DAT, ATC

Emilie N. Miley, PhD, DAT, ATC serves as the Director of Research for TOC, and as the Director of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Research for the Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine at FSU.

Dr. Miley’s research foci are within the orthopaedic and sports medicine field. Her areas of interest include the psychometric evaluation of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), survey/instrument development and validation, musculoskeletal interventions for injury prevention, and outcomes following total joint arthroplasty. In addition, Dr. Miley’s research focuses on leveraging large data to facilitate better understanding of PROMs and assist clinicians in understanding their data to help inform clinical decision-making and improve patient-centered care.

Clinical Research Coordinator

Abbi Rahm, BS

Abbi Rahm serves as the Clinical Research Coordinator at the TOC. She received her B.S. in Psychology from Florida State University and served as a project manager in psychology and Human Development and Family Sciences research laboratories during her undergraduate training.

Her research interests primarily involve psychological and behavioral factors related to health outcomes, with a growing emphasis on orthopedic patient populations. She is interested in understanding how mental health, coping strategies, motivation, and psychosocial support influence rehabilitation, recovery, and overall patient well-being in orthopedic care.

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