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
- Johnson, T., DiFrancisco-Donoghue, J., & Balentine, J. (2025). Conditioning for esports: A guide to training and performance (1st ed.). Human Kinetics. 2024
- Reducing thrombotic risks in video gamers: Investigating the benefits of walking and compression sleeves on blood hemodynamics. DiFrancisco-Donoghue, J., Borges, K., Li, T., Ballone, O., Zwibel, H., & Douris, P. C. American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology 2024 326:3, H538–H547 doi.org/10.1152/ajpheart.00669.2023
- AJP-Heart and Circulatory Physiology Podcast
- Gaming in Pandemic Times: An International Survey Assessing the Effects of COVID-19 Lockdowns on Young Video Gamers' Health. DiFrancisco-Donoghue J, De las Heras B, Li O, Middleton J, Jung M-K. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023; 20(19):6855. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20196855
- Upper body compression wear improves muscle oxygenation following intense video game training: a randomized cross-over study among competitive gamers. DiFrancisco-Donoghue, Joanne, Alexander Rothstein; Min-Kyung Jung; Hallie Zwibel; and William G Werner. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 15, 108 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-023-00720-5
- Editorial: Esports: Playing Into the Future. DiFrancisco-Donoghue, J., Schmidt, JG., Stafrace, KM., Balentine, JR Front. Sports Act. Living, 08 July 2022. Sec. Movement Science and Sport Psychology doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2022.967560
- Breaking up prolonged sitting with a 6 min walk improves executive function in women and men esports players: a randomized trial. DiFrancisco-Donoghue J, Jenny SE, Douris PC, et al. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 2021;7:e001118. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001118
- An observation of common physiological parameters during esports activity. Koshy, A., Cironis, L. ., McVey, M., Sousa, A., Ahmad, S. L., Hassan, T., Yuen, K., Douris , P. C., Zwibel, H., & DiFrancisco-Donoghue , J. (2020). Received: 14 Oct 2020 / Published: 26 Nov 2020 International Journal of Esports, 1(1). Retrieved from
- Esports players, got muscle? Competitive video game players' physical activity, bodyfat, bone mineral content and muscle mass in comparison to matched controls. Joanne DiFrancisco-Donoghue, William G. Werner, Peter Douris, Hallie Zwibel, Journal of Sport and Health Science (2020), doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2020.07.006.
- Physiological and Cognitive Functions Following a Discrete Session of Competitive Esports Gaming. Amber Sousa, Ph.D., Sophia L. Ahmad, OMS II., Tamzid Hassan, OMS II, Kyle Yuen, OMS II, Peter Douris, P.T., D.P.T., Ed.D., Hallie Zwibel, D.O., M.P.H., Joanne DiFrancisco-Donoghue, Ph.D. RCEP. Front. Psychol. May 29, 2020 doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01030
- Managing the health of the eSport athlete: an integrated health management model. DiFrancisco-Donoghue J, Balentine J, Schmidt G, et al Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 2019;5:e000467. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2018-000467
- An Osteopathic Physician's Approach to the Esports Athlete. Zwibel H, DiFrancisco-Donoghue J, DeFeo A, Yao S. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2019 Nov 1;119(11):756–762. doi: 10.7556/jaoa.2019.125PMID 31657829
- Collegiate eSport: Where Do We Fit In? DiFrancisco-Donoghue J, Balentine JR Sports Med Rep. 2018 Apr;17(4):117–118. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0000000000000477. PMID: 29629969
Exercise Science
- The Effects of Externally Paced Exercise on Executive Function and Stress in College-Aged Students. Douris, P., Cottone, J, Cruz, P, Frosos, N, Marino, C Singamenggala, L Shapuro, J Sousa, A, Handrackis, J, and DiFrancisco-Donoghue, J. J. of SCI. IN SPORT AND EXERCISE (2022). doi.org/10.1007/s42978-022-00173-1
- The Effect of Pedal Pump Lymphatic Technique Versus Passive Recovery Following Maximal Exercise: A Randomized Cross-Over Trial. DiFrancisco-Donoghue, J., Chan, T., Jensen, A.S., Yao, S. Sports Med – Open 8, 8 (2022). doi.org/10.1186/s40798-021-00402-x
- Utilizing wearable technology to increase physical activity in future physicians: A randomized trial. DiFrancisco-Donoghue J, Jung MK, Stangle A, Werner WG, Zwibel H, Happel P, Balentine J. Prev Med Rep. 2018 Sep 11;12:122-127. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.09.004. eCollection 2018 Dec. PMID: 30234000
- Update on Office-Based Strategies for the Management of Obesity. Atif Ghaffar, OMS-IV, Sumrita Bindra, OMS-II, Ian Persits, OMS-IV, Shady Geris, DO, Sara Levy, OMS-III, Jose Villanueva, DO, Patricia Happel, DO, Joanne Donoghue, PhD and Sheldon C. Yao, DO 2020. Osteopathic Family Physician. 12, 4 (Jun. 2020), 28–35. DOI:https://doi.org/10.33181/12043.
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