John “Jack” DeLoach, DPT, specializes in outpatient pediatrics and early intervention. He has worked at UF Health Rehab Center and Kids on the Move in Gainesville for the past three years, treating a wide range of patients in clinical, home, and telehealth settings. In addition to his clinical work, John serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Florida and is the physical therapist for the Hemophilia and Hemostasis Treatment Center. His expertise includes piloting telehealth programs, advancing joint health clinics, and providing care in critical care settings for both pediatric and adult patients.
People with hemophilia receive regular clotting factor infusions in order to prevent bleeds, as well get routine blood draws during clinic visits. Vascular access can be difficult in children with hemophilia and can become a stressor, impacting compliance with medication schedules and attitudes toward healthcare systems and procedures. This project aims to explore the impact of exercise on the ease of vascular access. We hope to show that regular exercise, as well as exercise immediately before an infusion/blood draw, will make accessing veins easier. We will also collect data on the impact of our protocol on fear of needles and fear of movement/exercise, in hopes that easier vascular access will decrease fear.