Skip to main site navigation Skip to main content

Thrive On: The Campaign for Utica University →

Utica University Logo
  • Academics
    • Programs
    • Online Programs
      • Online Business Programs
    • Honors Program
    • Graduate Study
    • International Ed & Study Abroad
      • Study Abroad
    • Exceptional Faculty
    • Research & Experiential Learning
      • Experiential Learning Courses
    • Student Support and Success
    • Schedules, Catalogs, and Resources
    • Institutes and Centers
    • Utica University at Florida
      • Tuition and Fees: ABSN Program
      • Accepted Students
    • Current Offerings
    • Program Details
    • Themed Pathways
    • Planning Sheet
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Understanding Financial Aid
      • Value
      • Excelsior, Explained
      • University Scholarships
      • Annual Awards
    • Applying For Financial Aid
    • Tuition and Fees
      • Utica Campus Programs
      • Online Programs
      • ABSN Program
    • Net Price Calculator
    • Pioneer Passport
  • Admissions
    • First-Year Admissions
    • Transfer Admissions
      • Articulation Agreements
    • Graduate Admissions
      • Graduate Inquiry Form
    • International Applicants
      • International Inquiry Form
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Visit
      • Utica University Campus
      • Virtual Tour
      • Why Not Fly?
    • Apply Now
    • Contact Us
    • Accepted Student Info
    • High School Counselors
    • High School Bridge Program
  • Community
    • Living on Campus
      • Res Life and Student Living
      • Campus Engagement and Student Activities
    • Satellite Locations
    • The Utica Area
      • Hotels and Restaurants in the Utica Area
    • Utica Stories
    • About Utica
  • Athletics
    • Intercollegiate Athletics
    • Esports
  • News & Events
  • Alumni
  • Giving
  • Apply Now
  • Directory
  • About
  • Library
  • Logins
Utica University

Research by Physical Therapy doctoral students could lead to better sleep and better health

  1. Utica Community
  2. Utica Stories
  3. Research by Physical Therapy doctoral students could lead to better sleep and better health
Pillows on a Bed in Dark Room with lamp light.

“It is a perfect way of ensuring they transformed the theoretical knowledge they gained into an applicable outcome. What they have gained in this experience will stay with them for the rest of their life and will motivate them to produce more future products. That is the core of experiential learning.”

How much is a good night’s sleep worth? The value might very well be determined by the design of your pillow.

Four doctoral students in Utica College’s Physical Therapy program (DPT) are seeing their research related to  pillow-design and sleep comfort receive international recognition.

Along with Dean of the School of Health Professions and Education Ahmed Radwan, DPT students Nicholas Ashton, Trever Gates, Austin Kilmer, and Michael Van Fleet worked as a team looking into how sleep health is impacted by the design of one’s pillow. The research was recently honored with publication in the February 2021 edition of the European Journal of Integrative Medicine, a quarterly peer-reviewed medical journal covering integrative and alternative medicine.

“This project is a perfect example of how students applied the information they learned in research methodology, statistics and evidence-based practice courses into a tangible research project that adds to the body of knowledge and is appealing for journals to publish and conferences to present in,” said Dr. Radwan. “It is a perfect way of ensuring they transformed the theoretical knowledge they gained into an applicable outcome. What they have gained in this experience will stay with them for the rest of their life and will motivate them to produce more future products. That is the core of experiential learning.”

Understanding that sleep is beneficial and necessary for nearly every tissue in and function of the human body, the research notes that lack of sleep can lead to various health hazards that include depression, heart disease, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes and looks to analyze how the use of an appropriate pillow can make all the difference in promoting optimal spinal alignment, improving sleep quality and duration.

The research by Dr. Radwan and the group of DPT students found that taking into account design aspects such as a latex pillow material, a contoured design (higher sides for side sleepers and a lower, flattened middle for back sleepers), and a cooling surface, among other specifications when choosing a new pillow, could improve sleep quality, spinal alignment, and decrease sleep-related neck pain.

The research can be read in full via the Volume 42, February 2021 edition of the European Journal of Integrative Medicine.

Dr. Radwan says that the research group is extremely excited, not just at fruits of their labor and the recognition in an international, peer-reviewed journal, but for the upcoming opportunity to present their research at the 24th Annual Applied Ergonomics Conference, where attendees gather from around the world to share best practices with other professionals in ergonomics, healthcare, safety, human resources and risk management. The conference is being held virtually March 22-25.

More Stories

Emeritus group
Faculty

Four Professors Elevated to Emeritus Status

The Board of Trustees conferred emeritus status upon Hossein Behforooz, professor of mathematics; John Cormican, professor of English, David Chanatry, distinguished professor of journalism; and Carl Dziekan, professor of accounting and construction management.
Professor McCarthy receives 2025 Crisafulli Award
Faculty

Associate Professor Michael McCarthy awarded 2025 Virgil Crisafulli Distinguished Teaching Award

Associate Professor of Data Science Dr. Michael McCarthy was awarded the coveted Virgil Crisafulli Distinguished Teaching Award at the university’s 2025 Undergraduate Commencement ceremony.
Hamdi Ulukaya addresses Class of 2025 at Undergraduate Commencement
In the News

"Be adaptable. Be curious. Be kind." - Chobani Founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya delivers keynote to Class of 2025

Hamdi Ulukaya, Founder and CEO of Chobani, was raised in a dairy-farming family in a small village in eastern Turkey....
All Stories

I would like to see logins and resources for:

For a general list of frequently used logins, you can also visit our logins page.

Utica University Logo
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube
  • Academics
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Admissions
  • Community
  • Athletics
1600 Burrstone Road, Utica, NY 13502
Map & Directions
(315) 792-3006
Contact Us
  • Institutional Effectiveness
  • Bookstore
  • Disability Learning Support
  • Student Right to Know
2024-2025 College of Distinction2024-2025 Private College of Distinction2024-2025 Business College of Distinction2024-2025 Education College of Distinction2024-2025 Nursing College of Distinction2024-2025 Career Development College of Distinction2024-2025 Equity & Inclusion College of Distinction2023-2024 Military Friendly (Silver)