Karen Jacobs | Profiles RNS

Karen Jacobs, OT, EdD, OTR, CPE, FAOTA

Associate Dean

Boston University College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College

Digital Learning and Innovation

EdD, University of Massachusetts Lowell
MS, Boston University
BA, Washington University in St. Louis

Websites

	LinkedIn
	BU Blog

ORCID : 0000-0002-4718-990X

Dr. Karen Jacobs is a distinguished occupational therapist with a career spanning over four decades. She is the Associate Dean of Digital Learning and Innovation, the Program Director of the post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy program and a Clinical Professor of occupational therapy at Boston University’s (BU) Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.

She holds a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree from the University of Massachusetts, a Master’s degree in occupational therapy from Boston University and a bachelor’s degree from Washington University. She has expertise in various areas, including ergonomics, artificial intelligence, marketing, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. Her passion for enhancing occupational performance has led to extensive research, publications, and presentations worldwide.

As a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association (FAOTA), the Human Factors and Ergonomcis Society (HFES) and the International Ergonomics Association (IEA), Dr. Jacobs has been recognized for her outstanding contributions as a scholar, professor, advocate, and mentor, who has inspired countless students and practitioners.

Throughout her career, Dr. Jacobs has held leadership positions such as the president and vice president of the AOTA contributing to the growth and development of occupational therapy at both national and international levels and received awards including being a 2005 recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship in Iceland, the 2011 Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship Award, the AOTA 2020 Outstanding Mentor Award and 2024 AOTA/AOTF Presidents' Commendation in Honor of Wilma L. West.

Dr. Jacobs has authored numerous publications, including books, chapters and articles and is the founding editor-in-chief in 1990 of the journal WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation. She is an advisor to KorroAI.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility

I am committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (celebrating belonging and uniqueness) for my entire career as an occupational therapist and academician.

Clinical Professor
Boston University College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College
Occupational Therapy

Director
Boston University College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College
Online Post-Professional OTD Doctorate Program

BU Research

Working from the Home Environment & Well-Being
12/01/2021 - 04/01/2025 (PI)
Office of Ergonomics Research Committee

Feasibility Study: Investigation of the use of Korro platform and traditional occupational therapy (OT) intervention regimens for children with developmental challenges
01/01/2024 - 12/31/2024 (PI)
Korro AI

Project CAREER: Development of a Multidisciplinary Demonstration to support the Transition of Students with Traumatic Brain Injuries from Postsecondary Education to Employmnet
09/30/2015 - 06/30/2019 (Subcontract PI)
Kent State University Adm for Comm. Living

Project CAREER: Development of a Multidisciplinary Demonstration to support the Transition of Students with Traumatic Brain Injuries from Postsecondary Education to Employment
10/01/2013 - 09/30/2015 (Subcontract PI)
Kent State University Dept of Education

Title

Yr	Title	Project-Sub Proj	Pubs

Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.

iCite Analysis Copy PMIDs To Clipboard

Jacobs K. Being an "older worker". Work. 2025 Feb 16; 10519815241312446. PMID: 39973637; DOI: 10.1177/10519815241312446;

Jacobs K, Soer R. Introduction to the special issue on work-related pain. Work. 2024; 78(1):1-2. PMID: 38669510; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-246010;

Jacobs K. What's cooking? Work. 2024; 79(3):1007-1009. PMID: 39422981; PMCID: PMC11613125; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-246018;

Jacobs K. The impact factor: The ubiquitous metric in evaluating scientific journals. Work. 2024; 79(1):1-2. PMID: 39213124

Jacobs K. Friendly strangers. Work. 2024; 79(2):501. PMID: 39302408

Jacobs K. The course of one's life: The curriculum vitae. Work. 2024; 79(4):1601. PMID: 39612195

Scannell EJ, Scannell T, Jacobs K. Collaboration Between Occupational Therapy Practitioners and Elementary School Educators to Support Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr. 2024; 44(3):398-409. PMID: 37936494; DOI: 10.1080/01942638.2023.2277740;

Moreland CJ, Rao SR, Jacobs K, Kushalnagar P. Equitable Access to Telehealth and Other Services for Deaf People During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Health Equity. 2023; 7(1):126-136. PMID: 36876236; PMCID: PMC9982136; DOI: 10.1089/heq.2022.0115;

Jesus TS, Kamalakannan S, Bhattacharjya S, Bettger JP, Jacobs K, Hoenig H. Which factors affect the implementation of telerehabilitation? Study protocol for a mixed-methods systematic review with a framework synthesis. Work. 2023; 75(3):1087-1097. PMID: 36683522; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210745;

Jacobs K. Being inspired. Work. 2023; 75(2):365-366. PMID: 37212084

Showing 10 of 70 results. Show More

Jacobs K. Time management. Work. 2023; 74(4):1173-1174. PMID: 36970928

Jacobs K. Librarians: Their multifaceted roles. Work. 2023; 76(1):1-2. PMID: 37574749

Jacobs K. Different types of writing. Work. 2023; 74(3):763. PMID: 36776027

Donald A, Rao SR, Jacobs K, MacDonald N, Kushalnagar P. Unmet Dental Needs Among Mid-to-Older Deaf and Hard of Hearing Women in the U.S. Front Oral Health. 2022; 3:866537. PMID: 35668905; PMCID: PMC9164282; DOI: 10.3389/froh.2022.866537;

Phillips J, Niemeyer L, Jacobs K. A mixed-methods study on the effectiveness of a self-directed online education program on obesity and bariatric care for occupational therapy practitioners and students. Work. 2022; 73(1):219-227. PMID: 35912765; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210313;

Moslander D, Jacobs K. Efficacy of an ergonomics intervention for remote college students. Work. 2022; 71(2):423-431. PMID: 35124632; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210689;

Horton N, Jacobs K. How does the working environment transition impact perceived work-related quality of life for postsecondary teachers within the United States? Work. 2022; 71(2):417-421. PMID: 35095010; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210819;

Abbott-Gaffney CR, Gafni-Lachter L, Cason J, Sheaffer K, Harasink R, Donehower K, Jacobs K. Toward successful future use of telehealth in occupational therapy practice: What the COVID-19 rapid shift revealed. Work. 2022; 71(2):385-394. PMID: 35068409; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210789;

Jacobs K. Re-thinking Writing Time. Work. 2021; 70(1):1. PMID: 34487007

Jacobs K. From the Editor. Work. 2021; 68(1):1-2. PMID: 33459681

Jacobs K. From the Editor. Work. 2021; 68(2):267-268. PMID: 33492258

Vink P, Frohriep S, Mansfield N, Naddeo A, Jacobs K. Introduction to the special issue on comfort: A review of 26 papers from the International Comfort Congress 2019. Work. 2021; 68(s1):S1-S5. PMID: 33337402; PMCID: PMC7902959; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-208000;

Jesus TS, Landry MD, Jacobs K. A 'new normal' following COVID-19 and the economic crisis: Using systems thinking to identify challenges and opportunities in disability, telework, and rehabilitation. Work. 2020; 67(1):37-46. PMID: 32955472; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203250;

Abbott-Gaffney C, Jacobs K. Telehealth in school-based practice: Perceived viability to bridge global OT practitioner shortages prior to COVID-19 global health emergency. Work. 2020; 67(1):29-35. PMID: 32925151; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203240;

Martinez AR, Jacobs K. Establishing a pediatric occupational therapy clinic in the public-sector in Trinidad: The quest for clinical and professional expansion. Work. 2020; 66(3):669-674. PMID: 32651346; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203209;

Doyle NW, Gafni Lachter L, Jacobs K. Scoping review of mentoring research in the occupational therapy literature, 2002-2018. Aust Occup Ther J. 2019 Oct; 66(5):541-551. PMID: 31093995; DOI: 10.1111/1440-1630.12579;

Rortvedt D, Jacobs K. Perspectives on the use of a telehealth service-delivery model as a component of school-based occupational therapy practice: Designing a user-experience. Work. 2019; 62(1):125-131. PMID: 30689596; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-182847;

Jacobs K. From the Editor. Work. 2019; 62(4):523-524. PMID: 31104038

Roessler RT, Rumrill PD, Rumrill SP, Minton DL, Hendricks DJ, Sampson E, Stauffer C, Scherer MJ, Nardone A, Leopold A, Jacobs K, Elias E. Qualitative case studies of professional-level workers with traumatic brain injuries: A contextual approach to job accommodation and retention. Work. 2017 Sep 14; 58(1):3-14. PMID: 28922180; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-162601;

Minton D, Elias E, Rumrill P, Hendricks DJ, Jacobs K, Leopold A, Nardone A, Sampson E, Scherer M, Gee Cormier A, Taylor A, DeLatte C. Project Career: An individualized postsecondary approach to promoting independence, functioning, and employment success among students with traumatic brain injuries. Work. 2017 Sep 14; 58(1):35-43. PMID: 28922177; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172598;

Jacobs K, Leopold A, Hendricks DJ, Sampson E, Nardone A, Lopez KB, Rumrill P, Stauffer C, Elias E, Scherer M, Dembe J. Project Career: Perceived benefits of iPad apps among college students with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Work. 2017 Sep 14; 58(1):45-50. PMID: 28922175; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172596;

Dockrell S, Jacobs K, Byrne J, Gleeson E, Kelly S, Moore C, O'Meara E, Barclay D, Rodriguez S, Kang D, Simms C, Blake C. Parental awareness of schoolbag carriage: A comparative study of Irish and United States parents. Work. 2017; 58(2):85-93. PMID: 28922183; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172605;

Frank HA, Jacobs K, McLoone H. The effect of a wearable device prompting high school students aged 17-18 years to break up periods of prolonged sitting in class. Work. 2017; 56(3):475-482. PMID: 28282846; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172513;

Vink P, Bazley C, Jacobs K. Modeling the relationship between the environment and human experiences. Work. 2016 Aug 12; 54(4):765-71. PMID: 27567796; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-162374;

Hamilton AL, Burwash SC, Penman M, Jacobs K, Hook A, Bodell S, Ledgerd R, Pattison M. Making connections and promoting the profession: Social media use by World Federation of Occupational Therapists member organisations. Digit Health. 2016; 2:2055207616653844. PMID: 29942557; PMCID: PMC6001224; DOI: 10.1177/2055207616653844;

Doyle N, Jacobs K, Ryan C. Faculty Mentors' Perspectives on E-Mentoring Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctoral Students. Occup Ther Int. 2016 Dec; 23(4):305-317. PMID: 27250596; DOI: 10.1002/oti.1431;

Jacobs K, Cason J, McCullough A. The Process for the Formulation of the International Telehealth Position Statement for Occupational Therapy. Int J Telerehabil. 2015; 7(1):21-32. PMID: 27563380; PMCID: PMC4985276; DOI: 10.5195/ijt.2015.6163;

Jacobs K, Doyle N, Ryan C. The nature, perception, and impact of e-mentoring on post-professional occupational therapy doctoral students. Occup Ther Health Care. 2015 Apr; 29(2):201-13. PMID: 25821883; DOI: 10.3109/07380577.2015.1006752;

Nardone A, Sampson E, Stauffer C, Leopold A, Jacobs K, Hendricks DJ, Elias E, Chen H, Rumrill P. Project Career: A qualitative examination of five college students with traumatic brain injuries. NeuroRehabilitation. 2015; 37(3):459-69. PMID: 26518535; DOI: 10.3233/NRE-151274;

Hendricks DJ, Sampson E, Rumrill P, Leopold A, Elias E, Jacobs K, Nardone A, Scherer M, Stauffer C. Activities and interim outcomes of a multi-site development project to promote cognitive support technology use and employment success among postsecondary students with traumatic brain injuries. NeuroRehabilitation. 2015; 37(3):449-58. PMID: 26484525; DOI: 10.3233/NRE-151273;

Jacobs K, Kaldenberg J, Markowitz J, Wuest E, Hellman M, Umez-Eronini A, Arsenault M, Walker B, Hall V, Ciccarelli M, Parsons R, Barr A. An ergonomics training program for student notebook computer users: preliminary outcomes of a six-year cohort study. Work. 2013; 44(2):221-30. PMID: 23324722; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-121584;

Doyle NW, Jacobs K. Accommodating student learning styles and preferences in an online occupational therapy course. Work. 2013; 44(3):247-53. PMID: 23324674; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-121501;

Jacobs K. Proceedings for the 18th Triennial International Ergonomics Association's (IEA) congress: designing a sustainable future. Work. 2012; 41 Suppl 1:i. PMID: 22317744

Franco JR, Jacobs K, Inzerillo C, Kluzik J. The effect of the Nintendo Wii Fit and exercise in improving balance and quality of life in community dwelling elders. Technol Health Care. 2012; 20(2):95-115. PMID: 22508022; DOI: 10.3233/THC-2011-0661;

Jacobs K, Blanchard B, Baker N. Telehealth and ergonomics: a pilot study. Technol Health Care. 2012; 20(5):445-58. PMID: 23079948; DOI: 10.3233/THC-2012-0692;

Jacobs K, Foley G, Punnett L, Hall V, Gore R, Brownson E, Ansong E, Markowitz J, McKinnon M, Steinberg S, Ing A, Wuest E, Dibiccari L. University students' notebook computer use: lessons learned using e-diaries to report musculoskeletal discomfort. Ergonomics. 2011 Feb; 54(2):206-19. PMID: 21294018; DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2010.544764;

McKechnie NC, Jacobs K. Physical and environmental factors contributing to music related injuries among children. Work. 2011; 40(3):303-15. PMID: 22045537; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2011-1234;

Jacobs K, Hudak S, McGiffert J. Computer-related posture and musculoskeletal discomfort in middle school students. Work. 2009; 32(3):275-83. PMID: 19369720; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0826;

Jacobs K, Johnson P, Dennerlein J, Peterson D, Kaufman J, Gold J, Williams S, Richmond N, Karban S, Firn E, Ansong E, Hudak S, Tung K, Hall V, Pencina K, Pencina M. University students' notebook computer use. Appl Ergon. 2009 May; 40(3):404-9.View Related Profiles.

Dennerlein, Jack
Jacobs, Karen
Pencina, Michael
Johnson, Peggy

PMID: 19101663; DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2008.11.009;

Chiang HY, Jacobs K, Orsmond G. Gender-age environmental associates of middle school students' low back pain. Work. 2006; 26(1):19-28. PMID: 16373976

Chiang HY, Jacobs K, Orsmond G. Gender-age environmental associates of middle school students' low back pain. Work. 2006; 26(2):197-206. PMID: 16477112

Lockhart RA, Jacobs K, Orsmond G. Middle school children's participation in activities and the effects of pain from backpack use on participation. Work. 2004; 22(3):155-68. PMID: 15156082

Jacobs K, Baker NA. The association between children's computer use and musculoskeletal discomfort. Work. 2002; 18(3):221-6. PMID: 12441562

Williams CD, Jacobs K. The effectiveness of a home-based ergonomics intervention on the proper use of computers by middle school children. Work. 2002; 18(3):261-8. PMID: 12441566

Berner K, Jacobs K. The gap between exposure and implementation of computer workstation ergonomics in the workplace. Work. 2002; 19(2):193-9. PMID: 12454451

Murphy S, Trombly C, Tickle-Degnen L, Jacobs K. The effect of keeping an end-product on intrinsic motivation. Am J Occup Ther. 1999; 53(2):153-8. PMID: 10200838; DOI: 10.5014/ajot.53.2.153;

Baker NA, Jacobs K, Trombly C. The effect of Video Display Terminal (VDT) mouse use on muscle contractions in the neck and forearm. Work. 1999; 12(2):109-116. PMID: 12441424

Jacobs K, Jennings L, Forman M, Benjamin J, Dipanfilo K, Laplante M. The use of participation-oriented education in the rehabilitation of driving skills in older adults. Work. 1997; 8(3):281-91. PMID: 24441892; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1997-8308;

Ro J, Jacobs K. Wrist postures in video display terminal operators (VDT) using different keyboards. Work. 1997; 9(3):255-66. PMID: 24441994; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1997-9308;

Hagglund KL, Jacobs K. Comparisons of wrist postures in VDT operators using wrist rests and forearm supports. Work. 1996; 7(3):145-62. PMID: 24441747; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1996-7302;

Hagglund KL, Jacobs K. Physical and mental practices of music students as they relate to the occurrence of music-related injuries. Work. 1996; 6(1):11-24. PMID: 24441426; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1996-6103;

Jacobs K. Ergonomic certification update. Rehab Manag. 1995; 8(1):125-6. PMID: 10166383

Jacobs K, Hagglund K. Musicians and overuse syndrome. Rehab Manag. 1995; 8(5):121-2. PMID: 10166394

Jacobs K. Ergonomic protection standard. Rehab Manag. 1995; 8(4):149-53. PMID: 10166390

Jacobs K. Flow and the occupational therapy practitioner. Am J Occup Ther. 1994; 48(11):989-96. PMID: 7840135; DOI: 10.5014/ajot.48.11.989;

Jacobs K, Aja D, Hermenau D. Adult learning through case simulation. Am J Occup Ther. 1994; 48(11):1089-92. PMID: 7840129; DOI: 10.5014/ajot.48.11.1089;

Jacobs K. Job analysis. Equipping therapists to deal with the increasing number of work-related injuries. Rehab Manag. 1994; 7(3):113-4. PMID: 10161241

Jacobs K. Integrating the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 into client intervention. Am J Occup Ther. 1992 May; 46(5):445-9. PMID: 1534455; DOI: 10.5014/ajot.46.5.445;

Schwartz RK, Jacobs K. Body BasicsA Cognitive Approach to Body Mechanics Training in Elementary School Back Pain Prevention Programs. Work. 1992; 2(2):53-60. PMID: 24441908; DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1992-2209;

Jacobs K. Community. Occup Ther Health Care. 1985; 2(1):135-43. PMID: 23952234; DOI: 10.1080/J003v02n01_14;

This graph shows the total number of publications by year, by first, middle/unknown, or last author.

Bar chart showing 70 publications over 25 distinct years, with a maximum of 7 publications in 2023

Bar chart showing 70 publications over 25 distinct years, with a maximum of 7 publications in 2023

Year	Publications
1985	1
1992	2
1994	3
1995	3
1996	2
1997	2
1999	2
2002	3
2004	1
2006	2
2008	1
2009	1
2011	2
2012	3
2013	2
2015	4
2016	3
2017	5
2019	3
2020	3
2021	4
2022	5
2023	7
2024	5
2025	1

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Medical Xpress 7/11/2024

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5 Cheap(ish) Things to Help With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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Cheap ways to make your work-from-home space more ergonomic and better for your back

CNBC 3/19/2020

13 Everyday Moves You Make That Actually Hurt Your Body

The Healthy 2/26/2020

How do I pick the right backpack for my kid?

8/30/2018

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