Stacey Schepens Niemiec, PhD, OTR/L

Title(s)Associate Professor Of Research
SchoolHerman Ostrow School of Dentistry of Usc
AddressCHP 133
Health Sciences Campus
Los Angeles CA 90089-9003
Phone+1 323 442 2069
Emailschepens@usc.edu
ORCID ORCID Icon0000-0002-3766-7015 Additional info
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American College of Lifestyle Medicine, NACertified Lifestyle Medicine Professional (DipACLM)2021Lifestyle Medicine
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)®, NAMontreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)® certification2021Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)®
NIH - National Institute on Aging & Alzheimer’s Association , Los Angeles, CAEmerging Scholar Training Program2021Interdisciplinary Aging Research to Address Health Disparities in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related De
University of Southern California - Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Los Angeles, CAPost-doctoral fellowship2013Clinical Trials in Rehabilitation Research
University of Michigan - Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Department, Ann Arbor, MIPost-doctoratal fellowship2011Medical Rehabilitation Research
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Collapse awards and honors
USC Chan Division OS/OT2024Mrs. T.H. Chan Community Award for Integrity
mHealth journal2023November Reviewer of the Month
American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT) 2023Certificate of Appreciation for significant contribution to AJOT and profession for participation
USC Chan Division of OS/OT2023Gamechanger Knowledge Mobilization Team Challenge Winner: Most Outside-the-Box
American Occupational Therapy Association2022Cordelia Myers Best Article Award
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Stacey L. Schepens Niemiec, PhD, OTR/L, DipACLM is Associate Professor of Research at the University of Southern California Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. She earned a BS in Occupational Therapy, a MS in Occupational Therapy with a focus on assistive technology, and PhD in Instructional Technology with a focus on interactive technology from Wayne State University. While pursuing her PhD, Dr. Schepens Niemiec completed a pre-doctoral fellowship in Aging and Urban Health. Additionally, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a postdoctoral fellowship in Clinical Trials Methodology from the University of Southern California. She is a Certified Lifestyle Medicine professional through the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Dr. Schepens Niemiec's research focuses broadly on the promotion of health and wellness in older individuals. Her work centers on the underlying mechanisms that facilitate or inhibit healthy aging, as well as methodologies — especially ones that incorporate cutting-edge technology — that emphasize activity participation. She relies on a multidisciplinary combination of occupational therapy, instructional technology, and gerontology principles to guide her investigations, with an eye towards development of lifestyle-based interventions designed to counterbalance the chronic health problems that beset the older population.
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Evaluating the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Lifestyle Intervention to Prevent Recurrence of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Pilot Study
NIH R03DK140420Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2026
Role: Co-Investigator
Description: (1) To evaluate the feasibility of a lifestyle-focused OT intervention in patients with healed diabetic foot ulcers, (2) assess patient and provider satisfaction with OT intervention, and (3) to determine ulcer recurrence rate and patient-reported outcomes post-OT intervention or standard care.
Co-developing the ¡Vivir Mi Vida! lifestyle intervention for rural-living Latinos of safety-net health care systems
The Southern California Center for Latino Health – 2023 Pilot Project Fed# P50MD017344 Sub# 000014356-GPJul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025
Role: Principal Investigator
Description: This study aims to use a community-based participatory research approach with Visión y Copmpromiso to optimize the ¡Vivir Mi Vida! lifestyle intervention for rural-living Latinos in the Coachella Valley.
Developing a lifestyle-focused self-management intervention for diabetic foot ulcers offloading
SC CTSI Multidisciplinary Pilot Grant UL1TR001855Apr 1, 2024 - Mar 31, 2025
Role: Multiple Principal Investigator
Description: To co-develop a lifestyle-based occupational therapy intervention to address self-management for people who have been prescribed diabetic foot ulcer offloading.
Unveiling paths of caregiver connection: Navigating social identities, policies, and services for occupational justice
ReSPONs Seed Grant Award Dec 1, 2023 - Dec 31, 2024
Role: Co-investigator
Description: To delineate the impact of social identity, policy, and access to social services on developmental trajectories of interpersonal functioning across the transition to caregiving.
Development of a Spanish version of the Measure Yourself Outcome Profile
USC OS/OT Initiatives Grant Jul 1, 2023 - Dec 31, 2023
Role: Principal Investigator
Description: To translate and validate a Spanish version of Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP2), in collaboration with Meaningful Measures Ltd, to expand its licensed use for the Spanish-speaking community in the US.
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Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Researchers can login to make corrections and additions, or contact us for help. to make corrections and additions.
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Altmetrics Details PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.
  1. Developing and Validating the Latin-American Spanish Version of the Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile® (MYMOP-LAS). Am J Occup Ther. 2025 May 01; 79(3). Schepens Niemiec SL, Díaz J, Delgado C, Carlson M, Arteaga J. PMID: 40293951.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
  2. Extending holistic, multidisciplinary sleep health intervention to overlooked groups of older adults. Innov Aging. 2024; 7(S1):202. Schepens Niemiec, SL .
  3. Innovation in Aging. Relationship changes across the caregiving transition. 2024; 8(Supp_1):397. Joiner, R., Nelson, N.A., Liu, Q., & Schepens Niemiec, S.L.
  4. Falls as a mental health risk among Korean-American residents in subsidized senior housing: mediating effect of fall-related self-efficacy. Aging Ment Health. 2025 Mar; 29(3):542-548. Jang Y, Rhee MK, Park J, Ko JE, Park NS, Henwood BF, Schepens Niemiec SL, Chung S. PMID: 39318259; PMCID: PMC11864898.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
  5. Occupational Therapy with Aging Adults. Editors K. Barney and M. Perkinson. Occupational therapy intervention process with aging adults. 2024. West, S., Schepens Niemiec, S.L., Martínez, J., & Lysack, C.
  6. OTJR: Occupational Therapy Journal of Research. Co-conceptualizing an active seating system’s companion app for older adults. 2024; 44(2):344-345. Mendoza, D., Lee, G., Tapper, K., & Schepens Niemiec, S.L.
  7. Annals of Behavioral Medicine. Developing four interventions to promote physical activity or sedentary breaks: Links to the NIH Stage Model and lessons learned. 2024; 58(S1):S264. McMahon, S., Pickett, A., Bluethmann, S., & Schepens Niemiec, S.L.
  8. Annals of Behavioral Medicine. Applying principles of intervention optimization and implementation to achieve healthy aging. 2024; 58(S1):S378. Schepens Niemiec, S.L. & Barber, S.
  9. The Explorer: Journal of USC Student Research. The feasibility of an active seating system among older adults. 2024; 16:81. Shi, J., Ramirez, C., Niemiec, M., & Schepens Niemiec, S.L.
  10. The Explorer: Journal of USC Student Research. Developing and validating the Spanish Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile®. 2024; 16:84. Campos Medina, D., Arteaga, J., Delgado, C., Díaz, J., & Schepens Niemiec, S.L.
  11. Technology for activity participation in older people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia: Expert perspectives and a scoping review. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 2024; 18(8):1555-1576. Schepens Niemiec, SL, Lee, E, Saunders, R, Wagas, R, & Wu, S. View Publication.
  12. A process evaluation of a physical activity smartphone app for older adults with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2023; 77(Supp_2):7711510320p1. Schepens Niemiec, SL, Strizich, A, & Tapper, K. View Publication.
  13. A randomized controlled trial of CAPABLE in permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2023; 71:1587-1594. Henwood, B, Semborski, S, Pitts, D, Schepens Niemiec, SL, Yay, O, & Szanton, S. View Publication.
  14. Community-engaged research for health promotion among diverse older adult populations: Strategies, benefits, and lessons learned. Ann Behav Med. 2023; 57(Supp1):S246. McMahon, S, Schepens Niemiec, SL., Pedersen, M, Resnick, B, & Winter, SJ .
  15. Co-conceptualizing an active seating system's companion app for older adults. The Explorer: Journal of USC Student Research. 2023; 15:75-76. Mendoza, D. Lee, G, Tapper, K, & Schepens Niemiec, SL .
  16. Productive Aging. 50 Studies Every Occupational Therapist Should Know (Editors: Lee, E, & Pyatak, B). 2023. Schepens Niemiec, SL (Section Editor).
  17. Combined occupational therapy and medical approach to fall prevention. 50 Studies Every Occupational Therapist Should Know (Editors: Lee, E, & Pyatak, B). 2023. Schepens Niemiec, SL & Wagas, R.
  18. Occupational therapy for independent-living older adults. 50 Studies Every Occupational Therapist Should Know (Editors: Lee, E, & Pyatak, B). 2023. Schepens Niemiec, SL, Lee, E, & Pyatak, B.
  19. A pilot randomized controlled trial of CAPABLE in permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless adults. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2023 05; 71(5):1587-1594. Henwood BF, Semborski S, Pitts DB, Niemiec SS, Yay O, Paone DL, Szanton SL. PMID: 36661204; PMCID: PMC10693747.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  20. Racial Differences in the Dementia Caregiving Experience During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings From the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS). J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2022 12 29; 77(12):e203-e215. Moon HE, Rote SM, Sears J, Schepens Niemiec SL. . PMID: 35869747; PMCID: PMC9384524.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 8     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
  21. Technology for activity participation in older people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia: expert perspectives and a scoping review. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2023 11; 18(8):1555-1576. Schepens Niemiec SL, Lee E, Saunders R, Wagas R, Wu S. PMID: 36067094; PMCID: PMC9986344.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 4     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  22. Preliminary User Evaluation of a Physical Activity Smartphone App for Older Adults. Health Policy Technol. 2022 Sep; 11(3). Schepens Niemiec SL, Wagas R, Vigen CLP, Blanchard J, Barber SJ, Schoenhals A. PMID: 36213682; PMCID: PMC9534291.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2  
  23. mHealth-Supported Interventions With Potential to Address Sedentary Behavior in Older Adults: A Scoping Review. J Aging Phys Act. 2022 12 01; 30(6):1085-1100. Schepens Niemiec SL, Cariño B, Chatfield AJ, Quan K. PMID: 35354668.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  24. Building the health of communities via a partnership between occupational therapy and promotores de salud. SIS Quarterly Practice Connections. 2022; 7(1):12-14. Lee, J.J.*, Martínez, J., & Schepens Niemiec, S.L.
  25. Unpaid Caregiving and Aging in Place in the United States: Advancing the Value of Occupational Therapy. Am J Occup Ther. 2021 Sep 01; 75(5). Fields B, Rodakowski J, Jewell VD, Arthanat S, Park M, Piersol CV, Schepens Niemiec SL, Womack J, Mroz TM. PMID: 34780633; PMCID: PMC8691185.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  26. Stimulating Research to Enhance Aging in Place. OTJR (Thorofare N J). 2021 10; 41(4):268-274. Rodakowski J, Mroz TM, Ciro C, Lysack CL, Womack JL, Chippendale T, Cutchin M, Fritz H, Fields B, Schepens Niemiec SL, Orellano-Colón EM, Rotenberg S, Toto PE, Lee D, Jewell VD, McDonald MV, Arthanat S, Somerville E, Park M, Piersol CV. PMID: 34109882.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  27. Long-Term Follow-Up of a Lifestyle Intervention for Late-Midlife, Rural-Dwelling Latinos in Primary Care. Am J Occup Ther. 2021 Mar-Apr; 75(2):7502205020p1-7502205020p11. Schepens Niemiec SL, Vigen CLP, Martínez J, Blanchard J, Carlson M. PMID: 33657344; PMCID: PMC7929605.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 5     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  28. Contextualizing the Positive Effects of the Well Elderly 2 Trial: A Response to Schelly and Ohl (2019). Am J Occup Ther. 2019 Nov/Dec; 73(6):7306205100p1-7306205100p11. Pyatak EA, Carlson M, Vigen CLP, Blanchard J, Niemiec SS, Sideris J, Baranek GT. PMID: 31891349.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
  29. Addressing Diabetes in Primary Care: Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Study of Lifestyle Redesign® Occupational Therapy. Am J Occup Ther. 2019 Sep/Oct; 73(5):7305185020p1-7305185020p12. Pyatak E, King M, Vigen CLP, Salazar E, Diaz J, Schepens Niemiec SL, Blanchard J, Jordan K, Banerjee J, Shukla J. PMID: 31484021; PMCID: PMC9017643.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 10     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  30. Evaluation of ¡Vivir Mi Vida! to improve health and wellness of rural-dwelling, late middle-aged Latino adults: results of a feasibility and pilot study of a lifestyle intervention. Prim Health Care Res Dev. 2018 09; 19(5):448-463. Schepens Niemiec SL, Blanchard J, Vigen CLP, Martínez J, Guzmán L, Concha A, Fluke M, Carlson M. PMID: 29729677; PMCID: PMC6177291.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 10     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  31. Understanding the Mechanisms of Change in a Lifestyle Intervention for Older Adults. Gerontologist. 2018 03 19; 58(2):353-361. Juang C, Knight BG, Carlson M, Schepens Niemiec SL, Vigen C, Clark F. PMID: 28329863; PMCID: PMC5946910.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 5     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  32. A Pilot Study of the ¡Vivir Mi Vida! Lifestyle Intervention for Rural-Dwelling, Late-Midlife Latinos: Study Design and Protocol. OTJR (Thorofare N J). 2019 01; 39(1):5-13. Schepens Niemiec SL, Blanchard J, Vigen CLP, Martínez J, Guzmán L, Fluke M, Carlson M. PMID: 29514544; PMCID: PMC6119523.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 4     Fields:    Translation:HumansCTClinical Trials
  33. Knee and hip osteoarthritis management: A review of current and emerging non-pharmacological approaches. Current Treatment Options in Rheumatology. 2016; 2:296-311. Susan L Murphy, Sheria G Robinson-Lane, Stacey L Schepens Niemiec. .
  34. Assessing Fatigability in the Lab and in Daily Life in Older Adults With Osteoarthritis Using Perceived, Performance, and Ecological Measures. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2017 01; 72(1):115-120. Murphy SL, Kratz AL, Schepens Niemiec SL. . PMID: 27573811; PMCID: PMC5155662.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 15     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  35. Pain, Fatigue, and Physical Activity in Osteoarthritis: The Moderating Effects of Pain- and Fatigue-Related Activity Interference. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2016 09; 97(9 Suppl):S201-9. Murphy SL, Schepens Niemiec S, Lyden AK, Kratz AL. PMID: 27207435.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 24     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  36. Developing Occupation-Based Preventive Programs for Late-Middle-Aged Latino Patients in Safety-Net Health Systems. Am J Occup Ther. 2015 Nov-Dec; 69(6):6906240010. Schepens Niemiec SL, Carlson M, Martínez J, Guzmán L, Mahajan A, Clark F. PMID: 26565102; PMCID: PMC4643379.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    
  37. Development and validation of the activity significance personal evaluation (ASPEn) scale. Aust Occup Ther J. 2014 Dec; 61(6):384-93. Mallinson T, Schepens Niemiec SL, Carlson M, Leland N, Vigen C, Blanchard J, Clark F. PMID: 25284289; PMCID: PMC4441520.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  38. Aging, Fatigue, and Fatigability: Implications for Occupational and Physical Therapists. Current Geriatrics Reports. 2014; 3:135-141. Susan Murphy, Stacey Schepens Niemiec. .
  39. What is occupational therapy's role in addressing sleep problems among older adults? OTJR (Thorofare N J). 2014; 34(3):141-9. Leland NE, Marcione N, Schepens Niemiec SL, Kelkar K, Fogelberg D. PMID: 24844879; PMCID: PMC4115019.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 10     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  40. Effects of cognitive task demands on subsequent symptoms and activity in adults with symptomatic osteoarthritis. Am J Occup Ther. 2013 Nov-Dec; 67(6):683-91. Kratz AL, Schepens SL, Murphy SL. PMID: 24195902; PMCID: PMC6391133.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  41. Assessing the reliability and validity of a shorter walk test compared with the 10-Meter Walk Test for measurements of gait speed in healthy, older adults. J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2013 Jan-Mar; 36(1):24-30. Peters DM, Fritz SL, Krotish DE. PMID: 22415358.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 198     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  42. Effect of tailored activity pacing on self-perceived joint stiffness in adults with knee or hip osteoarthritis. Am J Occup Ther. 2012 May-Jun; 66(3):363-7. Schepens SL, Braun ME, Murphy SL. PMID: 22549602; PMCID: PMC4071167.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 4     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  43. Fatigability in osteoarthritis: effects of an activity bout on subsequent symptoms and activity. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2012 Oct; 67(10):1114-20. Schepens SL, Kratz AL, Murphy SL. PMID: 22451469; PMCID: PMC3437963.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 12     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  44. Relationship between fall-related efficacy and activity engagement in community-dwelling older adults: a meta-analytic review. Am J Occup Ther. 2012 Mar-Apr; 66(2):137-48. Schepens S, Sen A, Painter JA, Murphy SL. PMID: 22394523; PMCID: PMC3324848.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 16     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  45. Randomized controlled trial comparing tailoring methods of multimedia-based fall prevention education for community-dwelling older adults. Am J Occup Ther. 2011 Nov-Dec; 65(6):702-9. Schepens SL, Panzer V, Goldberg A. PMID: 22214115; PMCID: PMC3265039.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 13     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  46. Deficits in stepping response time are associated with impairments in balance and mobility in people with Huntington disease. J Neurol Sci. 2010 Nov 15; 298(1-2):91-5. Goldberg A, Schepens SL, Feely SM, Garbern JY, Miller LJ, Siskind CE, Conti GE. PMID: 20804986; PMCID: PMC2956796.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  47. Concurrent validity and reliability of the maximum step length test in older adults. J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2010 Jul-Sep; 33(3):122-7. Goldberg A, Schepens S, Wallace M. PMID: 21155507.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 9     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  48. The short version of the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale: its validity, reliability, and relationship to balance impairment and falls in older adults. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2010 Jul-Aug; 51(1):9-12. Schepens S, Goldberg A, Wallace M. PMID: 19615762; PMCID: PMC2883646.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 34     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  49. Changes in hemiplegic grasp following distributed repetitive intervention: a case series. Occupational Therapy International. 2009; 16(3):204-217. Gerry E Conti, Stacey L Schepens.
  50. Structural studies on bioactive compounds. 30. Crystal structure and molecular modeling studies on the Pneumocystis carinii dihydrofolate reductase cofactor complex with TAB, a highly selective antifolate. Biochemistry. 2000 Apr 04; 39(13):3556-64. Cody V, Chan D, Galitsky N, Rak D, Luft JR, Pangborn W, Queener SF, Laughton CA, Stevens MF. PMID: 10736154.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 5     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
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