Joanne Donoghue

Joanne Donoghue

Title
Professor & Director, Clinical Research
Department
Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Center for Esports Medicine
Campus
Long Island
Area(s) of Expertise
Exercise Physiology, Nutrition
Education Credentials
M.S., Ph.D.
Industry Credentials
RCEP
Joined New York Tech
1998

Joanne Donoghue, Ph.D, ACSM-CEP, serves as the Director of Clinical Research and a Professor at the New York Institute of Technology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, in Old Westbury, NY.

Donoghue has been at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) since 1998 and has dedicated her expertise to the study of exercise physiology and nutrition.

Her extensive clinical research over the past 25 years has resulted in over 21 peer-reviewed publications, contributing significantly to the field of esports medicine. She has also presented her findings at 29 conferences, both nationally and internationally.

Donoghue has emerged as a leading figure in the field of esports medicine, conducting pioneering research in this area. Her groundbreaking work has earned her recognition as a keynote speaker on multiple occasions. She has received funding from renowned organizations such as the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the American Osteopathic Association, The Marfan Foundation, General Electric, Fntic, Secret Lab, and the National Institute of Health. She has gained recognition on various radio and news platforms, both domestically and internationally in the field of health and esports.

Beyond her research endeavors, Donoghue is an accomplished athlete, having completed numerous marathons, triathlons, and the Ironman twice.

Donoghue currently serves as a board member on the Esport Research Network, she holds the position of Associate Editor for The Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports, and serves as a member of the American College of Sports Medicine Research Committee for the Greater New York region.

Selected Works

Esports Research
Exercise Science
Parkinson's Disease and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
  • Blood Flow Restriction Training on Functional Improvements in an Active Single Subject with Parkinson's Disease. Douris, Peter, DiFrancisco-Donoghue J. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 2018 April Vol.13 (2) DOI: 10.26603/ijspt20180000 training on functional improvements in an active single subject with Parkinson disease.
  • Blood Flow Restriction Resistance Training in a Recreationally Active Person with Parkinson's Disease. Peter C. Douris, Nick D'Agostino, William G. Werner, John Petrizzo & Joanne DiFrancisco-Donoghue (2020) Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2020.1762812
  • Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabinol Use in Parkinson's Disease: An Observational Pilot Study. Sousa A, DiFrancisco-Donoghue J (July 24, 2023) Cureus 15(7): e42391. DOI 10.7759/cureus.42391
  • Assessment of gastrointestinal function and its' effect on bone mineral density and body composition in hypermobility spectrum disorder and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Joanne DiFrancisco-Donoghue, Veronica Southard, Madeline Margulies, Min-Kyung Jung, Arline Allera, Bernadette Riley. Journal of Clinical Densitometry, 2022, ISSN 1094–6950, doi.org/10.1016/j.jocd.2022.07.005.
  • DiFrancisco-Donoghue J, Min-Kyung Jung, Adena Leder Nicotine gum as a therapeutic approach for low blood pressure in Parkinson's disease: A randomized pilot study Nicotine and Tobacco Research, published online Dec. 2017 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntx263
  • Southard V, Roumba S, Schwartz I, Sparacino N, Weddingfeld K, DiFrancisco-Donoghue J, (2017). The Effects Of whole Body Periodic Acceleration on Non-Motor Symptoms in Persons with Parkinson's disease: A Pilot Study. J Nov Physiother Phys Rehabil 4(3): 077&ndnash;082. DOI: doi.org/10.17352/2455-5487.000052
  • DiFrancisco-Donoghue J, Min-Kyung Jung, Theresa Apoznanski, William G. Werner, Sheldon Yao. The Reliability of the Sensory Organization Test in Parkinson's Disease to Identify Fall Risk. International Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy. Vol. 2, No. 5, 2016, pp. 39–43. doi:11648/j.ijnpt.20160205.11
  • DiFrancisco-Donoghue J, Theresa Apoznanski, Kristen de Vries, Min-Kyung Jung, Jayme Mancini, Sheldon Yao, Osteopathic Manipulation as a Complementary Approach to Parkinson's Disease: A Controlled Pilot Study. NeuroRehabilitation. 2016 Oct 31. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 27814309
  • Veronica Southard, DiFrancisco-Donoghue J, James Mackay, Stephanie Idjadi, Neil Wright, The Effects of Below Knee Compression Garments on Functional Performance in Individuals with Parkinson Disease. International Journal of Health Sciences, Qassim University, Vol. 10, No. 3 (July–Sept 2016)
  • DiFrancisco-Donoghue, J. Min-Kyung Jung, PhD, Pamela Geisel, Werner, WG Learning Effects of Repetitive Testing of the Sensory Organization Test in Parkinson's Disease Parkinsonism and Related Disorders. 2015 Aug;21(8):858–61. doi10.1016/j.parkreldis.2015.05.007. Epub 2015 May 14. PMID: 25997862
  • DiFrancisco-Donoghue, J. Rabin, E, Lamberg, EM, Werner, WG. Effects of Tyrosine on Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Movement Disorder Clinical Practice Oct. 2014 [Epub ahead of print]. dx.doi.org/10.1002/mdc3.12082
  • Rabin E, Demin A, Pirrotta S, Chen J, Patel H, Bhambri A, Noyola E, Lackner JR, DiZio P, DiFrancisco-Donoghue J, Werner W. Parkinsonian Gait Ameliorated With a Moving Handrail, Not With a Banister. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2014 Oct 5. [Epub ahead of print]
  • Ely Rabin, Jason Chen, Lisa Muratori, Joanne DiFrancisco-Donoghue, William G. Werner Haptic Feedback from Manual Contact Improves Balance Control in People with Parkinson's Disease. Gait Posture. 2013 Jan 10. [Epub ahead of print]
  • DiFrancisco-Donoghue, J, Lamberg, EM, Rabin, E, Elokda, AE, Fazzini, E, and Werner, WG. Effects of Exercise and B Vitamins on Homocysteine and Glutathione in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Trial. Neurodegenerative Disorder. 2012;10(1–4):127–34. Epub 2012 Jan 17.
  • DiFrancisco-Donoghue, Elokda, Lamberg, Bono, and Werner. Norepinephrine and Cardiovascular Responses to Maximal Exercise in Parkinson's Disease On and Off Medication. Movement Disorder. 2009 Sep:24(12): 1773.
  • Elokda A, DiFrancisco-Donoghue J, Lamberg EM, Werner WG, Effects of Exercise Induced Oxidative Stress on Glutathione Levels in Parkinson's Disease On and Off medication. Journal of Neurology 2010 Oct;257(10):1648–53.
  • DiFrancisco-Donoghue J, Werner WG; and Douris, Comparison of Once and Twice Weekly Strength Training in Older Adults. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2007 Jan;41(1):19–22. Epub 2006 Oct 24.
  • Werner W, DiFrancisco-Donoghue, J and Lamberg E, Cardiovascular Response to Treadmill Testing in Parkinson Disease. Journal of Neurological Physical Therapy. 2006 Jun;30(2):68–73. Erratum in: J Neurol Phys Ther. 2006 Sep;30(3):115.

Honors and Awards

  • Secret Lab Inc. 2023 – Principal Investigator. "Examining differences between different types of gaming chairs"
  • General Electric (GE) 2023 – Principal Investigator. "Effects of chronic PC gaming on the muscle-strength relationship in the dominant and nondominant forearms"
  • Fnatic Inc. – Investigator. "The impact of upper body compression wear on muscle tissue oxygen saturation in video game play in competitive gamers."
  • "The impact of lower leg compression sleeves on endothelial function and blood flow in extended video game play"
  • The Marfan Foundation Clinical Research Grant, 2021. "Assessing Gastrointestinal Function and its effect on Bone Mineral Density in Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder and Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome"
  • American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Research Grant, 2018. "A novel lifestyle intervention program to improve body composition and chronic disease biomarkers in overweight medical students: A randomized trial"
  • Michael J Fox Foundation Rapid Response Innovation Award, 2013. "The effects of supplementing tyrosine on orthostatic hypotension in Parkinson’s disease"

Courses Taught at New York Tech

  • Biomarkers of Aging
  • Introduction to Exercise Physiology
  • The Obesity Crisis
  • Exercise and the Lower Back

Contact Info