Patricia Dionicio

All Publications

• El Dolor Es Lo Que Me Saluda: A Qualitative Study on Multilevel and Intersectional Factors Impacting Physical Activity Among Latino Persons With Chronic Spine Pain JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & HEALTH Dionicio, P., Monroe, K. S., Eikey, E., Campbell, C., Behar, A. I., Godino, J. G., Gombatto, S. P. 2026: 1-9

  Abstract

  Latino persons with chronic spine pain (CSP) face distinct challenges to engaging in physical activity (PA) that may be explained by factors at multiple levels of the socioecological model and by intersecting oppressions. The objective of this study was to use the socioecological model and intersectionality framework to explore multilevel and intersecting determinants of PA among Latino persons with CSP using a qualitative approach.A purposive sample of Latino persons with CSP living in the United States near the US-Mexican border completed a demographic survey and participated in semistructured interviews. Interview questions related to PA experiences were based on the socioecological model and intersectionality framework. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded deductively using rapid qualitative analysis in the original language (English or Spanish).Participants (N = 25, 65% women, 72% Spanish speakers) identified factors at the intrapersonal (eg, pain severity, mobility limitations, activity pacing, negative mental, and emotional states), interpersonal (eg, social support and competing social priorities), and environmental (eg, physical residence, neighborhood walkability, and neighborhood safety) levels. Individual PA experiences differed at varying intersections of culture with gender, geography, socioeconomic status, and employment status among Latino persons with CSP.Latino persons with CSP face multilevel barriers to PA engagement that vary across social identities and impact the support, safety, and resources needed to engage in PA. Study findings can inform future PA interventions that tailor strategies to the unique needs of this population, with the goal of improving PA levels and pain management.

  View details for DOI 10.1123/jpah.2025-0546

  View details for Web of Science ID 001674698900001

  View details for PubMedID 41569820

• Correlates of physical activity and sedentary behavior among Latino persons with spine pain. Health psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association Dionicio, P., Gombatto, S. P., Lin, S. F., Dubose, D., Greenfield, J., Haas, M., Robinett, A., Robinson, M., Shogan, R., Crespo, N., Behar, A., Monroe, K. S. 2026; 45 (1): 102-112

  Abstract

  Latino persons with chronic spine pain (CSP) face challenges engaging in physical activity (PA) and minimizing sedentary behavior (SB). This study aimed to objectively characterize PA and identify correlates of PA and SB in Latino persons with CSP.Cross-sectional baseline data from Latino participants who were enrolled in a clinical trial for CSP near the U.S.-Mexico border were utilized. Blockwise regression assessed the association between sociodemographic, clinical, interpersonal, and environmental factors with light PA (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and SB.Participants (N = 154, Mage = 47.5 ± 12.1 years) spent 342.8 ± 111.6 min/day in LPA, 56.1 ± 71.1 min/day in MVPA, and 550.3 ± 140.9 min/day in SB. Seventy-five percent of participants met national PA guidelines. Lower income and higher pain interference were associated with lower LPA (R2 = 9%, p < .05). Younger age and lower income were associated with higher MVPA (R2 = 13%, p < .05). Lower income was associated with lower SB (R2 = 5%, p < .05). Younger age (OR 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.87, 0.98]) and higher exercise self-efficacy (OR 95% CI [1.06, 8.09]) increased the odds of meeting PA guidelines.Participants with CSP exhibited greater levels of LPA, MVPA, and SB compared with prior studies of Latino persons without pain. Sociodemographic variables including age and income were most consistently associated with PA and SB outcomes. Future research is needed to identify other relevant intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental determinants of PA and SB in this clinical population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

  View details for DOI 10.1037/hea0001485

  View details for PubMedID 41396636

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC12707574

• Evidence of Face Masks and Masking Policies for the Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Transmission and COVID-19 in Real-World Settings: A Systematic Literature Review. International journal of environmental research and public health Crespo, N. C., Shifflett, S., Kosta, K., Fornasier, J. M., Dionicio, P., Hyde, E. T., Godino, J. G., Ramers, C. B., Elder, J. P., McDaniels-Davidson, C. 2025; 22 (10)

  Abstract

  Objectives: Prevention of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the disease COVID-19 is a public health priority. The efficacy of non-pharmaceutical interventions such as wearing face masks to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection has been well established in controlled settings. However, evidence for the effectiveness of face masks in preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission within real-world settings is limited and mixed. The present systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of face mask policies and mask wearing to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission and COVID-19 in real-world settings. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, scientific databases, and gray literature, were searched through June 2023. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) studies/reports written in or translated to English; (2) prospectively assessed incidence of SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19; (3) assessed the behavior and/or policy of mask-wearing; and (4) conducted in community/public settings (i.e., not laboratory). Studies were excluded if they did not parse out data specific to the effect of mask wearing (behavior and/or policy) and subsequent SARS-CoV-2 transmission or COVID-19 disease or if they relied solely on statistical models to estimate the effects of mask wearing on transmission. A total of 2616 studies were initially identified, and 470 met inclusion and exclusion criteria for full-text review. The vote counting method was used to evaluate effectiveness, and risk of bias was assessed using JBI critical appraisal tools. Results: A total of 79 unique studies met the final inclusion criteria, and their data were abstracted and evaluated. Study settings included community/neighborhood settings (n = 34, 43%), healthcare settings (n = 30, 38%), and school/universities (n = 15, 19%). A majority of studies (n = 61, 77%) provided evidence to support the effectiveness of wearing face masks and/or face mask policies to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and/or prevention of COVID-19. Effectiveness of mask wearing did not vary substantially by study design (67-100%), type of mask (77-100%), or setting (80-91%), while 85% of masking policies specifically reported a benefit. Conclusions: This systematic literature review supports public health recommendations and policies that encourage the public to wear face masks to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 in multiple real-world settings. Effective communication strategies are needed to encourage and support the use of face masks by the general public, particularly during peak infection cycles.

  View details for DOI 10.3390/ijerph22101590

  View details for PubMedID 41154994

• COVID Prevention Program: Rationale and methodology of a tailored behavioral intervention to prevent household and community spread of COVID-19 among Latinos CONTEMPORARY CLINICAL TRIALS Crespo, N. C., Godino, J., Behar, A., Dionicio, P., de la Torre, C., Fraga, K., Santoscoy, M., Elder, J. P., Oren, E., Lin, C., Arredondo, E. M., Madanat, H., Ramers, C. B. 2025; 156: 108046

  Abstract

  COVID-19 has disproportionately affected underserved communities, such as Latinos living in the U.S. Promotoras (Community Health Workers) may be effective at delivering tailored and culturally relevant strategies to prevent household spread and the burden of SARS-CoV-2 among Latinos and other minority groups.To develop, implement, and test the clinic-based promotora-led COVID-19 Prevention Program (CPP) to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in 256 Latino households and the community.CPP is a two-group randomized controlled trial designed to test the immediate, mid-term, and long-term effectiveness of the promotora-led intervention, as well as test its effectiveness on short- and long-term behavioral, mental, and physical health outcomes. The primary outcome is household infection rate assessed at 6 weeks and 6-, 12-, and 24-months based on a binary indicator (yes vs. no) of evidence of a new infection via antigen, real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), or antibody SARS-CoV-2 test results within household members. Patients in the intervention group will receive enhanced standard-of-care, including tailored, real-time text messaging and virtual counseling, delivered by promotoras. Patients in the control group will receive the clinical standard of care. Analyses will test for household-level group differences in new infections related to an identified index case.Preventing household spread of SARS-CoV-2 is an important strategy to reduce the overall burden of SARS-CoV-2 among Latinos. The CPP is a scalable and tailored approach that has the potential to serve as a model to address future respiratory disease outbreaks, especially among uninsured, low-income, and medically underserved communities.Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT05697068 (1/20/2023).

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.cct.2025.108046

  View details for Web of Science ID 001560216300001

  View details for PubMedID 40816435

• The Familias Saludables Study: A Culturally Tailored Family-Centered Intervention for Childhood Obesity Prevention Among Hispanic Communities. Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities Aguirre, D., Garcia, M. L., Buenrostro, P. T., Korosteleva, O., Dionicio, P., Garay, J., Durazo, A., Bravo, M., Bird, M. 2025

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s40615-025-02348-2

  View details for PubMedID 40035951

  View details for PubMedCentralID 5870387

• Use of Intervention Mapping to Adapt a Psychologically Informed Physical Therapy Telerehabilitation Intervention for Latino Persons With Chronic Spine Pain. The journal of pain Monroe, K. S., Archer, K. R., Wegener, S. T., Dionicio, P., Arredondo, E. M., Ayala, G. X., Rodriguez, C., Van Dyke, J., Liu, J., Gombatto, S. P. 2025; 26: 104685

  Abstract

  The need for culturally tailored pain care is well-recognized, yet few studies report how existing interventions can be adapted to the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse populations. This report describes a formative mixed-methods approach using intervention mapping-adapt and the expanded framework for reporting adaptations and modifications to evidence-based interventions to adapt and report modifications of an existing physical therapy intervention for Latino persons with chronic spine pain in Federally Qualified Health clinics in the southwestern United States. Mixed methods included literature reviews, patient surveys, an Adaptation Advisory Panel, and sequential case series with semistructured interviews. Six steps of intervention mapping-adapt guided the adaptation process and adaptations were prospectively documented with framework for reporting adaptations and modifications to evidence-based interventions. A needs assessment revealed an absence of culturally tailored physical therapy interventions for Latino persons with chronic spine pain in the United States. An intervention logic model and review of the sociocultural context guided the selection of essential interventions, determinants of behavior change, and outcomes. An existing cognitive behavioral-based physical therapy telerehabilitation intervention was selected for adaptation based on accessibility and strong congruency with the logic model. An Adaptation Advisory Panel planned and evaluated iterative adaptations of the cognitive behavioral-based physical therapy intervention content, activities, delivery, materials, and design. The adapted Goal-Oriented Activity for Latino persons with Spine pain intervention aimed to reduce pain intensity and disability through patient-centered goal setting in physical and cognitive treatment domains. Sequential case series supported feasibility and acceptability of the adapted intervention in the target population. PERSPECTIVE: We describe adaptation and reporting of an evidence-based physical therapy intervention for a culturally and linguistically diverse population. Greater rigor and transparency using tools such as intervention mapping-adapt and framework for reporting adaptations and modifications to evidence-based interventions will accelerate efforts to reduce ethnic and racial disparities in pain rehabilitation.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.104685

  View details for PubMedID 39326719

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC11867025

• Factors associated with satisfaction with physical therapy services - a survey of patients with musculoskeletal pain at a federally qualified health center. Physiotherapy theory and practice Dionicio, P., Lin, S. F., Khasira, M., Maan, S., Van Dyke, J., Liu, J., Monroe, K., Gombatto, S. 2024; 40 (12): 2764-2782

  Abstract

  The objective of this cross-sectional survey-based study was to assess factors associated with patient satisfaction with physical therapy (PT) services received at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in the United States (US) located near the US-Mexico border.Patients > 18 years of age, English or Spanish speakers, referred to PT were invited to complete an online survey. Factors that may influence PT satisfaction were examined for patients who attended PT. Variables associated with PT satisfaction from bivariate analyses (p < .15) were included in three separate ordinal logistic regression models.Patients (N = 231) who reported more confidence that PT could help relieve their pain were more likely to have higher levels of satisfaction with PT communication, treatment, and outcomes than those who reported low confidence (p < .05). Patients who reported having more support from family and friends were more likely to have higher levels of satisfaction with PT communication and treatment than those with less support (p < .01). Patients with occasional or frequent pain after ending PT treatment were more likely to have lower satisfaction with PT outcomes than those reporting no pain (p < .05).Findings suggest that addressing confidence in PT and promoting health support from family and friends may be important for satisfaction with PT. Additionally, PTs may consider addressing gaps between expected and achieved outcomes to improve PT satisfaction.

  View details for DOI 10.1080/09593985.2023.2292267

  View details for PubMedID 38108333

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC11182889

• Partnering with Local Schools of Traditional Chinese Medicine to Provide Accessible Acupuncture Services for Pain Management in a Group of Low-Income Hispanics/Latinos. Journal of integrative and complementary medicine Dionicio, P., Gonzalez, E., Menendez, T., Barragan, N. C., Mendoza, C., Kuo, T., Robles, B. 2024; 30 (8): 802-809

  Abstract

  This field report describes the accessibility and perceived effectiveness of a free acupuncture program among a group of predominantly low-income Hispanic/Latino adults. Surveys, developed based on the Levesque Conceptual Framework of Access to Health Care, were administered to clients. Baseline (n = 245) and 6-week follow-up (n = 79) surveys were analyzed to document early program findings. A majority of clients were Hispanic/Latino (72.7%) and female (73.1%). Most reported their original pain complaint was treated very well/well (98.7%). Clients reported an average 1.2 points pain level decrease (scale 1-10) at follow-up (p < 0.0001). Early program results suggest this acupuncture program was accessible and well received by low-income Hispanics/Latinos.

  View details for DOI 10.1089/jicm.2023.0561

  View details for PubMedID 38976505

• Physical Therapists' Acceptance of a Wearable, Fabric-Based Sensor System (Motion Tape) for Use in Clinical Practice: Qualitative Focus Group Study. JMIR human factors Lee, A., Dionicio, P., Farcas, E., Godino, J., Patrick, K., Wyckoff, E., Loh, K. J., Gombatto, S. 2024; 11: e55246

  Abstract

  Low back pain (LBP) is a costly global health condition that affects individuals of all ages and genders. Physical therapy (PT) is a commonly used and effective intervention for the management of LBP and incorporates movement assessment and therapeutic exercise. A newly developed wearable, fabric-based sensor system, Motion Tape, uses novel sensing and data modeling to measure lumbar spine movements unobtrusively and thus offers potential benefits when used in conjunction with PT. However, physical therapists' acceptance of Motion Tape remains unexplored.The primary aim of this research study was to evaluate physical therapists' acceptance of Motion Tape to be used for the management of LBP. The secondary aim was to explore physical therapists' recommendations for future device development.Licensed physical therapists from the American Physical Therapy Association Academy of Leadership Technology Special Interest Group participated in this study. Overall, 2 focus groups (FGs; N=8) were conducted, in which participants were presented with Motion Tape samples and examples of app data output on a poster. Informed by the Technology Acceptance Model, we conducted semistructured FGs and explored the wearability, usefulness, and ease of use of and suggestions for improvements in Motion Tape for PT management of LBP. FG data were transcribed and analyzed using rapid qualitative analysis.Regarding wearability, participants perceived that Motion Tape would be able to adhere for several days, with some variability owing to external factors. Feedback was positive for the low-profile and universal fit, but discomfort owing to wires and potential friction with clothing was of concern. Other concerns included difficulty with self-application and potential skin sensitivity. Regarding usefulness, participants expressed that Motion Tape would enhance the efficiency and specificity of assessments and treatment. Regarding ease of use, participants stated that the app would be easy, but data management and challenges with interpretation were of concern. Physical therapists provided several recommendations for future design improvements including having a wireless system or removable wires, customizable sizes for the tape, and output including range of motion data and summary graphs and adding app features that consider patient input and context.Several themes related to Motion Tape's wearability, usefulness, and ease of use were identified. Overall, physical therapists expressed acceptance of Motion Tape's potential for assessing and monitoring low back posture and movement, both within and outside clinical settings. Participants expressed that Motion Tape would be a valuable tool for the personalized treatment of LBP but highlighted several future improvements needed for Motion Tape to be used in practice.

  View details for DOI 10.2196/55246

  View details for PubMedID 38421708

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10940997