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Standard And Cognitive Four Square Step Test (Fsst), Renee Hoffman, Hannah Bucholz

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background/Purpose: The Four Square Step Test (FSST) measures dynamic standing balance and agility and was developed to identify older adults at risk for falls. It has a cognitive component for remembering the stepping sequence but has never been tested with an additional cognitive task. The purpose of this study was to collect normative data for the FSST and Cognitive FSST in community dwelling adults for various age groups.

Materials/Methods: Eighty-seven community-dwelling adults (55 females, 32 males) between the age 21 and 86 (48.22 years) were included in the study. Participants completed a fall risk checklist and a cognitive screen prior …

Effectiveness Of The Stepping On Program In Fall Prevention Measured By The Four Stage Balance Test (Fsbt), Jenna Goecke

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Introduction: Falls are a leading cause of injury for older adults. Stepping On is one of many fall prevention programs in which individuals who have a fear of falling can participate. Stepping On is a 7 week multifactorial fall prevention program for community-dwelling adults age 65 and older. The program implements an exercise program and addresses education on mobility safety in the community and home. The program addresses how different fall risk factors impact function including diet, medication, vision, balance, and strength.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to measure pre- and post-program fall risk with the …

The Effectiveness Of The "Stepping On" Program For Reducing The Incidence Of Falls In The Elderly: Measured By Four Stage Balance Test, Julia Nelson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Introduction: The Stepping On program encompasses both a balance and strengthening exercise regimen that is targeted towards reducing falls in community-dwelling individuals over the age of 65, who have experienced a fall or are fearful of falling.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if the Four Stage Balance Test (FSBT) is an appropriate measure of fall risk in the Stepping On program and to determine if the Stepping On program is effective at reducing fall risk, measured by improved time performance.

Methods: Eight participants, all female, ages ranging from 80-94 years old (M=87.2) completed …

The Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale And Its Use In Assessing Confidence In Elderly Community-Dwellers Attending The Stepping On Program, Sierra Heeren

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Introduction: Stepping On is a 7-week comprehensive fall program aimed at reducing falls for the community-dwelling elderly. Participants are educated on balance and strengthening exercises, and the influence medications, visions, inclement weather, etc. has on safety and falls.

Purpose: The main purpose of this study is to utilize the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale (ABC) and survey results to determine if attendance of Stepping On improves balance confidence. Secondly, this research sought out to discover if increased balance confidence relates to decreased fall risk.

Methods: Participants of this were included 13 individuals initially (with one participant joining the …

Timed Up And Go (Tug) Test And Its Effectiveness In Fall Risk Screening And Assessing The Success Of The Stepping On Program In Fall Prevention, Eric Estes

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background: The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is a functional assessment that has been proven effective at identifying individuals at a risk for falls. The Stepping On program aims toward fall prevention through education, exercise, and shared experiences among participants. With previous evidence displaying positive, significant results for Stepping On and the TUG, a utilization of this assessment to track participants' progress in the course is indicated.

Objective: The purpose of this study was 1) to determine if the Stepping On program displays a decrease in fall risk through the application of the TUG and 2) if …

Effectiveness Of Cognitive Timed Up And Go Test In Assessing Fall Risk In The Older Adult, Cory Sailer

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Introduction: Falls are a common and devastating injury for the older adult. Fall programs, such as the Stepping On program, are used to educate, strengthen, and sequentially reduce the number of falls its participant's endure. The Stepping On program is a multifactorial fall prevention program that addresses: balance and strength exercises, visual impairments, home modifications, pharmacologic effects, and even assistive devices. One aspect that has been found to be influential on fall risk is cognition, in particular executive functioning during ambulation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to screen participants of the Stepping On program for unknown …

Stepping On: Gait Velocity And Fall Risk Assessment, Brittney Herbst

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: To identify fall risk and determine if the Stepping On program is effective at reducing the risk of falls in participants by increasing gait speed to greater than or equal to 1 m/s. Step and stride length were also compared to age related norms to determine if they correlated to fall risk. Gait speed of less than I m/s has been shown to increase the risk for falls in elderly.

Methods: Fourteen female participants over the age of 65 (mean age of 87) were recruited from a local Stepping On class conducted at an assisted living facility …

The Effectiveness Of The "Stepping On" Program For Reducing The Incidence Of Falls In The Elderly, Lisa Yonker, Jacqueline Maddock, Kathleen Breuer

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background: One in three adults greater than 65 years of age have had an accidental fall in their lifetime. In 2012, accidental falls cost the U.S. healthcare system $30.1 billion dollars. Strength, balance, and coordination deficits contribute to an individual experiencing a fall. Studies have shown that community based-exercise programs for older adults can improve strength, balance, and coordination and reduce the risk of falls.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to discover whether participant balance and confidence improved following the completion of the Stepping On program. Also, the study evaluated the effectiveness of Stepping On in …

Establishing Intra-Reliability And Normative Data In Physical Functioning Assessments: A Pilot Study, Scott Jackson, Ryan Schrock, Mark Wilson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

PURPOSE: Normative data ranges are not available for all functional balance tests for all age groups. The purpose is to establish intra-reliability and normative age-sensitive data ranges in a battery of functional balance-related measures including the modified Clinical Test for Sensory Integration and Balance (mCTSIB), One-legged Stance Test (OLST), Functional Reach Test (FRT), 30-second Sit-to-Stand Test (30STS), 1 O-meter Walk Test (10MWT), and Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC Scale).

METHODS: Ninety-two subjects (n =92), aged 19-87 years, were tested with each of these balance tests. Participants were randomly assigned the order in which to complete the six balance tests. Intra-rater …

Balance Comparison Of Open- And Closed-Back Shoes, Tiffany Hemberger, Sara Henderson, Eric Loiland

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

A growing number of healthcare professionals have been choosing to wear an open-back shoe rather than a traditional closed-back shoe in the workplace. Healthcare professionals incorporate dynamic balance and quick reactions during direct patient interaction. The purpose of the study was to determine if dynamic balance would be affected in healthcare professionals when wearing open-back shoes versus closed-back shoes.

Thirty-two healthcare professionals or students of healthcare professions (28 females and 4 males) were recruited for this study. Subjects ranged in age from 20 to 62 years (mean age 28.2 years), with the majority being physical therapists or physical therapy students. …

The Effects Of Hypermobility On Static And Dynamic Balance In Physical Therapy And Occupational Therapy Students, Laura Elbert, Teresa Tostenrud

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

A significant percentage of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy students have been found to exhibit signs of systemic hypermobility. Hypermobility can be defined as joints displaying excessive range of movement. Balance is an integral aspect of the job tasks of Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists and involves collaboration of muscles, joints, ligaments, and the proprioceptive input they collectively provide. The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of hyper mobility on static and dynamic balance in a population of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy students at the University of North Dakota.

Seventy nine physical therapy and occupational therapy …

The Effects Of The "Get Off Your Rocker" Exercise Class On Balance For Patients Following A Cva: A Case Study Approach, Michele Jackson, Kimberly Lindemann

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Cerebral vascular accident (CV A) is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability and the third leading cause of death in the United States. It is estimated that approximately 75% of people who have a stroke survive, many of whom live with some level of impairments that impact their activities of daily living and quality of life. One of the results of these impairments can be decreased balance. Limitations in balance may impact an individual's risk of falls, ability to ambulate, and performance of functional activities. Exercises emphasizing balance training playa significant role in improving postural control. …

The Effects A Total Knee Arthroplasty Has On Static And Dynamic Balance, Connie Christensen, Nicole Riddle, Nicole Sukut, Cara Uyema

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

In the United States today, the total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has become one of the most commonly performed surgeries of the lower extremity. A generous amount of information exists regarding joint proprioception after a joint replacement, however no studies have been done testing postural control after a TKA. With the increasing popularity of the TKA procedure, a need appears for research evaluating static stability and functional mobility of TKAs.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects a TKA, 6 months postoperative or beyond, has on static and dynamic balance. The balance of 8 female volunteers and 4 …

Yoga And The Effects On Balance, Hamstring Flexibility, And Blood Pressure, Kendra Marie Van Valkenburg

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Yoga is an ancient form of exercise and meditation that has recently gained popularity in the United States. Medical research regarding the benefits of yoga, however, continues to be in demand. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of yoga on normal, healthy individuals. The focus of this study revolved around balance, hamstring flexibility, and blood pressure changes after six weeks of yoga training.

Eighteen normal, healthy individuals between 20-33 years of age participated in this study. Subjects were assessed using the NeuroCom®Balance Master test for rhythmic weight shift (RWS), the Functional Reach Test (FRT), the measure …

The Effects Of Balance Training In Normal Young Adults As Assessed By The Neurocom Balance Master, Steve Dingmann

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Balance is a skill that is essential for most activities of daily living (ADL) including participation in any athletic activity, whether competitive or recreational. When assessing balance, it is very important to have normal balance baselines in order to serve as a guideline for comparison, especially when returning an athlete to competition. Additionally, given the importance of balance in athletics, it would seem important to determine if people with normal balance can improve their balance in order to enhance performance and decrease the risk of injury during sports.

The purpose of this study was to establish balance baselines on the …

Two Case Studies: Evaluation Of Balance Following Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty, Michelle Overbo

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Balance is a critical part of daily activities and essential for independent function. The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a balance difference between subjects at twelve to sixteen weeks following unilateral knee arthroplasty and normal community dwelling controls. This study measures balance ability using five functional tests from the NeuroCom Balance Master® 6.1 system. Twelve subjects between the ages of 65 and 80 were tested. The two case study subjects with total knee replacements were between 12 and 16 weeks post-operatively. The control group consisted often healthy community dwelling adults. Results showed noticeable differences between …

Two Case Studies: Evaluation Of Balance Following Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty, Cathy Siegfried

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this case study was to evaluate balance of individuals following total knee arthroplasty between 12 and 16 weeks postoperatively using the NeuroCom Balance Master® 6.1 system. Two unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) subjects and ten age-matched control subjects participated in the study. All subjects completed a series of five assessments including weight bearing, limits of stability, walk test, step up and over, and sit to stand on the NeuroCom Balance Master® system. Results showed differences in the sit to stand and weight bearing tests with TKA subjects bearing more weight on nonsurgical leg. TKA subjects also differed …

Two Case Studies: Evaluation Of Balance Following Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty, Jeremy St. Aubin

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was to compare total knee arthroplasties (TKA) to a group of control subjects to see if any balance deviations existed at 12-16 weeks post operatively. Ten normal and two TKA subjects (65-80 years of age) were evaluated with the NeuroCom Balance Master® 6.1 system The evaluation consisted of five tests that measured endsway, reaction times and weight bearing characteristics. Ten normal subjects as well as two TKA's took place in this study. The results showed that the TKA's had a decreased reaction time, increased sway and abnormal weight bearing characteristics. In conclusion we see that …