BURKE REHABILITATION AWARDED $75,000 TO SUPPORT RESEARCH ON OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA IN PATIENTS WITH ACQUIRED BRAIN DISORDERS

Research examines the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea and its impact on the recovery and rehabilitation outcomes among patients in inpatient rehabilitation settings

White Plains, NY (July 15, 2026): Burke Rehabilitation®, a leading provider of advanced physical and medical rehabilitation and member of the Montefiore Health System, today announced that it has been awarded $75,000 in grant funding to support a clinical research project focused on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This first-of-its-kind project will integrate sleep health into standard rehabilitation care, improving diagnosis, treatment, and overall outcomes for patients with acquired brain disorders.

Led by Mooyeon Oh-Park, MD, MHCM, Chief Physician, Research & Innovation at Burke, the project will estimate the prevalence of OSA among inpatient rehabilitation facility patients with acquired brain disorders. A two-step diagnostic approach using the STOP-BANG screening instrument followed by the WatchPAT®, a home sleep apnea testing device, is used to identify the high-risk individuals followed by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy and sleep medicine follow-ups post discharge. The outcomes of the project assessed will include functional recovery, sleep quality, rehabilitation participation, length of stay, discharge disposition, and readmissions.

“Obstructive sleep apnea is a modifiable risk factor that can significantly affect neurological recovery and overall health after brain disorders,” said Dr. Mooyeon
Oh-Park. “By identifying sleep apnea earlier and understanding its role in recovery, we aim to advance more personalized, integrated care plans and shape the future of rehabilitative medicine for medically complex patients.”

The project hypothesizes that at least 40 percent of individuals with acquired brain disorders will screen positive for OSA, and among those screening positive, at least 40 percent will be diagnosed with OSA through the WatchPAT® device. Adults ages 18 to 90 admitted to Burke between May 1, 2026, and December 31, 2028, with a diagnosis of acquired brain disorder may be eligible for the project.

Burke Rehabilitation is emerging as a leading center for PM&R research and innovation by addressing real-world challenges faced by individuals with neurological, musculoskeletal, and complex medical conditions. Burke is focused on scientifically rigorous, clinically integrated studies targeting meaningful functional outcomes and real-world solutions for medically complex patients. Integrating sleep health into standard rehabilitation care reflects the Burke commitment to maximizing patient recovery by leveraging a “whole person” approach that addresses modifiable factors that influence patient outcomes.

“At Burke, cutting-edge research and innovation are embedded in the clinical care we deliver every day,” said Burke Rehabilitation Executive Director Scott Edelman, MBA, CPA, CFE. “This work underscores our commitment to advancing evidence-based care and ensuring it is fully integrated into practice. By driving innovation in physical medicine and rehabilitation, we are improving patient outcomes and setting the standard of excellence for rehabilitative care nationwide.”

Supported by the ResMed Foundation, the research team at Burke Rehabilitation includes: Mooyeon Oh-Park MD, MHCM; Andrew Abdou, DO; Erika Trovato, DO, Chief Quality Officer, Associate Chief Medical Officer, Program Director, Brain Injury Medicine Fellowship; Josette Hartnett, MPH, Senior Manager of Clinical Research Compliance; Karen McCoy, Director, Respiratory Therapy. The team also includes Alok Bhatt, MD, and Jose Davis, MD, Department of Pulmonary/Sleep Medicine at Montefiore Health System.

To learn more about the OSA project at Burke Rehabilitation, please visit www.burke.org/sleep-apnea.

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About Burke Rehabilitation
Burke Rehabilitation®, a proud member of the Montefiore Health System, is a nationally recognized and accredited, not-for-profit healthcare organization specializing in rehabilitation medicine, research, and graduate medical education. Burke is ranked among the nation’s top rehabilitation hospitals by U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek, and is New York’s largest provider of stroke rehabilitation. The Burke mission is to provide the highest quality medical care and rehabilitation services to ensure that each patient achieves the maximum functional recovery from illness, injury, or disability. Based in White Plains, NY, Burke offers a full spectrum of inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services at its hospital, Outpatient Physician Practice, and 15 outpatient therapy locations throughout the Bronx, Westchester County, and the Hudson Valley. Learn more at www.burke.org.