Valerie Keffala, PhD

Associate Professor of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation

Current Positions

Associate Professor of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
Director, Ortho Physical Medicine Persistent Pain Rehabilitation, Orthopedics
Guest Lecturer, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Services

Education

Psychology, University of California - San Diego, San Diego, California, United States
PhD, Counseling Psychology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
Pre-Doctoral Internship, APA Accredited in Psychology, Student Counseling Center, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois

Research Interests

Use of ACT interventions
Chronic Pain
Behavioral Medicine

Licenses & Certifications

Licensed Health Service Provider, Iowa State Board of Psychology Examiners, Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa, United States
Licensed Psychologist, Iowa State Board of Psychology Examiners, Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa, United States
Board Certification in Clinical Health Psychology, American Board of Clinical Health Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology, United States

Selected Publications

Anthony, C. A., Rojas, E. O., Keffala, V. J., Glass, N. A., Shah, A. S., Miller, B. J., Hogue, M., Willey, M. C., Karam, M. & Marsh, J. (2020). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Delivered via a Mobile Phone Messaging Robot to Decrease Postoperative Opioid Use in Patients with Orthopedic Trauma: Randomized Controlled Trial. (Vols. 2020;22). (7), pp. e17750. Toronto, Ontario: Journal of Medical Internet Research. DOI: 10.2196/17750. PMID: 32723723.
Keffala, V. J., Krumvieda, K. (2019). A brief review of the history and application of acceptance and commitment therapy. The Iowa Psychologist, newsletter of the Iowa Psychological Association Fall 13-19.
Dailey, D. L., Keffala, V. J. & Sluka, K. A. (2015). Do cognitive and physical fatigue tasks enhance pain, cognitive fatigue, and physical fatigue in people with fibromyalgia?. Arthritis care & research 67 (2) 288-96. DOI: 10.1002/acr.22417. PMID: 25074583. PMCID: PMC4310779.
Keedy, N. H., Keffala, V. J., Altmaier, E. M. & Chen, J. J. (2014). Health focus of control and self-efficacy predict back pain rehabilitation outcomes. The Iowa Orthopedic Journal 34 (2014) 158-65. PMID: 25328476. PMCID: PMC4127740.
Rippentrop, E. A., Altmaier, E. M., Chen, J. J., Found, E. M. & Keffala, V. J. (2005). The relationship between religion/spirituality and physical health, mental health, and pain in a chronic pain population. Pain 116 (3) 311-21. DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2005.05.008. PMID: 15979795.
Glaser, J. A., Keffala, V. J. & Spratt, K. (2004). Weather conditions and spinal patients. Spine (29) 1369 - 1374.
Keffala, V. J. & Stone, G. L. (1999). Role of HIV serostatus, relationship status of the patient, homophobia, and social desirability of the psychologist on decisions regarding confidentiality. Psychology and Health (14).
Anthony, C., Rojas, EO., Glass, N., Valerie, VJ., Noiseux, N. ,Elkins, J., Brown, T., Bedard, N., (2022). A psychological intervention delivered by automated mobile phone messaging stabilized hip and knee function during the COVID-19 pandemic:A randomized control trial. Journal of Arthroplasty, 37 (3), 431-473.
Carender, C., Anthony, C., Conrad, A., Rojas, E. O., Keffala, V. J., Glass, N. & Brown, T. Multifaceted Software Based Interventions to Decrease Opioid Utilization After Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Procedures.