Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Holistic Medicine: Therapeutic Touch And Implications For Physical Therapy, Lea Hoff

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Alternative therapies and holistic medicine have been gaining popularity recently. It is important that health care providers have a general knowledge of holistic medicine and some of the approaches being used. Being informed will help health care providers make wise treatment choices.

Therapeutic touch (TI) is a holistic treatment approach which claims to induce physiologic effects through modulating the "human energy field ." Proponents of TI claim that healing is facilitated through conscious intent of practitioners to help the patient and rebalance the patient's energy field. TI research findings are controversial. Much of the research is based on qualitative data, …

Plyometrics: A Look At The Biomechanical Basis Of Its Use In The Realm Of Sports Performance Enhancement And Physical Rehabilitation, Sara C. Fetsch

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Plyometrics is a rather new and somewhat foreign concept that is becoming more popular in athletic training programs in the hopes of providing optimal gains in power, which is difficult to obtain by other means of exercise. With its increasing acceptance in the athletic environment, it is also being incorporated into rehabilitation programs as a means of providing strength and proprioceptive feedback.

Little is currently known about the principles that govern the use of plyometrics and the efficacy that has been demonstrated with this training method. The purpose of this independent study is to analyze the basic concepts underlying plyometrics …

Electromyographic And Motion Analysis Of The Trunk And Pelvis During The Golf Swing, Christopher Lugibihl

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the trunk muscle activity and range of motion in male and female golfers. With the use of surface electrode electromyography and motion analysis, three male and three female Division II collegiate golfers were evaluated. The EMG activity of the erector spinae, gluteus maximus, and external oblique muscles was measured bilaterally during the golf swing. The main emphasis in analyzing the trunk range of motion was comparing relative pelvis to shoulder rotation (X-factor) throughout the swing. The researchers found definitive differences in the patterns of muscle activity and range of motion …

The Conservative Treatment Of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Claude W. Massee

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

It is estimated that up to 5% of outpatients to physical therapy will present with patellofemoral pain syndrome. This disease is rarely disabling but may significantly and negatively affect the adolescent's and young adult's participation in sporting and recreational activities. Appropriate management is essential to improve quality of life and prevent future musculoskeletal problems.

Historically, here has been some confusion in defining patellofemoral pain syndrome and in determining the exact cause of this troublesome disease. These factors may make the diagnosis and treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome frustrating to the patient and clinician.

This study, using a review of the …

The Relationship Between Age And Work-Related Injuries, Nancy K. Lacina

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Direct and indirect corporate health and safety costs related to worker illness and injury total billions of dollars annually. The impact of these costs have not only affected industry's viability but also health care in the form of managed care. Before corporate health and safety costs can be reduced, factors contributing to work injury and health costs need to be determined. For nearly a century, researchers have attempted to determine the relationship that exists between age and work injury. The age of the worker may be a significant factor which would be cause for concern due to the aging work …

The Effect Of Peripheral Neuropathy On Balance Performance In Community-Dwelling Adults With Type I Diabetes Mellitus, Sonya Knutson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: A common complication of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is peripheral neuropathy, which may decrease sensory input. The purpose of this study is to determine the correlation between decreased sensation and balance performance.

Methods: Fifty subjects, 25 experimental with Type I DM and 25 control, were recruited from the community. Sensory response was tested with Semmes-Weinstein Monofilaments, and the Berg Balance Measure to assess balance performance. The Pearson correlation and Multiple Regression were performed to study the relationship between DM and balance.

Results: Significance was established between age and 4.31 monofilament response score and the dependent variable, Berg Balance Score. The …

Psychosocial Risk Factors In Cardiac Disease, Brenda Jill Rooney

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Acute myocardial infarction is responsible for an extraordinary number of deaths per year in the adult population. Both traditional risk factors (ex., smoking) and non-traditional risk factors (ex., hostility) have been studied for many years in regard to cardiac disease prognosis and progression. Based on past studies, the area of potential psychological cardiac risk factors includes a broad range of characteristics. Difficulties in interpreting and comparing results include a lack of consistent and objective grading criteria and standardized measurements. The problems in this area of study are confounded by difficulties in identifying the definite biological mechanisms through which psychosocial factors …

Treatment Of Urinary Incontinence, Martin Steidl

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a significant medical issue to many people. The exact number of those suffering from incontinence is hard to quantify due to the stigma that many with UI experience and the subsequent under reporting of the condition. What is known is that UI affects far more women than men, and that stress incontinence (SI) is the most prevalent type. There are many reasons for the predominance of SI. The primary reason is the physiological and anatomical changes associated with menopause and parity in women. UI can be treated with one of three methods: surgery, pharmacologic therapy, and …

Electromyographic And Kinematic Analysis Of Hockey Skating, Reese Williams

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

There is a paucity of controlled studies concerning the off-season dryland training of hockey players.

PURPOSE: To evaluate muscle activity and joint motion of the trunk and hip of hockey players skating on a hockey treadmill.

METHODS: Seven male subjects, ages 18 to 21 years, were tested skating at 8 Mph on 0 percent and 30 percent grades on the treadmill. Electromyographical (EMG) data was collected from the following muscles: Rectus femoris, biceps femoris, adductor longus, gluteus maximus, rectus abdominus, and erector spinae. Motion analysis equipment was used simultaneously.

RESULTS: There was an overall increase in the activity of the …

An Electromyographic Study Of The Effects Of Plyometric Training Shoes On The Lower Extremity, Susan Buckley

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: P1yometric shoes have recently been introduced as an effective training tool to enhance several aspect of an athlete's ability, including vertical jump. The SkyF1ex@ system utilizes p1yomteric training shoes in conjuction with p1yometric exercises and drills to achieve maximum athletic performance. There is currently limited research to validate the manufacturer's claims of increasing vertical jump. The purpose of this study is twofold: l)To describe muscle activity during walking and jumping while wearing traditional athletic shoes and p1yometric training shoes. 2)To measure the vertical jump of subjects trained with p1yometric training shoes and a control group of subjects …

The Effectiveness Of Balance Training Exercises In Post-Stroke Individuals Using The Neurocom Balance Master® System, Joseph Brenner

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

A case study was completed on a 70-year-old female who had suffered a right cerebral vascular accident and left hemiparesis on June 25, 1996. She exhibited left upper and lower abnormal synergy patterns that disrupted her gait cycle. The subject volunteered for the study to improve her ambulation efficiency. Individuals suffering a stroke often times exhibit deficits in balance due to weakness, sensory loss, impaired righting reflexes, and visuospatial distortion. Force platforms, such as the NeuroCom Balance Master®, have become useful pieces of equipment in the field of physical therapy. The technological advancements in force platforms have allowed clinicians to …

An Electromyographic Study Of The Effects Of Plyometric Training Shoes On The Lower Extremity, Myles Haugen

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Plyometric shoes have recently been introduced as an effective training tool to enhance several aspect of an athlete's ability, including vertical jump. The SkyFlex® system utilizes plyomteric training shoes in conjuction with plyometric exercises and drills to achieve maximum athletic performance. There is currently limited research to validate the manufacturer's claims of increasing vertical jump. The purpose of this study is twofold: l)To describe muscle activity during walking and jumping while wearing traditional athletic shoes and plyometric training shoes. 2)To measure the vertical jump of subjects trained with plyometric training shoes and a control group of subjects …

Principles Of Pediatric Burn Care: A Literature Review, J. Chris Leonard

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Principles of Pediatric Burn Care: A Literature Review is meant to provide a compact and comprehensive source of information on the therapy related care of young burn victims. This literature review will be most useful for students and clinicians of physical and occupational therapy.

Recent medical advances have improved the survival rates of children who have sustained burns; this situation demands an increased knowledge and awareness of pediatric burn therapy. The information in this literature review includes a comparison and contrast of the findings of research related to the prevention, classification, pathophysiology, and treatment options of pediatric burn care from …

The Use Of Baclofen In The Management Of Spasticity In Children With Cerebral Palsy, Anne E. Olson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Cerebral palsy is one of the leading developmental disabilities amongst children. The majority of children with cerebral palsy experience some degree of spasticity. This spasticity can be very painful and disabling to the child. It can affect their posture, movements, and their mobility.

Currently, baclofen is one of the most common medications used for the treatment of cerebral spasticity. It can be administered either orally or intrathecally through an implanted pump.

The purpose of this literature review is to discuss the use of oral and intrathecal baclofen in the management of spasticity in children with cerebral palsy. Included is a …

An Electromyographic Study Of The Effects Of Plyometric Training Shoes On The Lower Extremity, Brian T. Laumb

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Plyometric shoes have recently been introduced as an effective training tool to enhance several aspect of an athlete's ability, including vertical jump. The SkyFlex® system utilizes plyomteric training shoes in conjunction with plyometric exercises and drills to achieve maximum athletic performance. There is currently limited research to validate the manufacturer's claims of increasing vertical jump. The purpose of this study is twofold: l)To describe muscle activity during walking and jumping while wearing traditional athletic shoes and plyometric training shoes. 2)To measure the vertical jump of subjects trained with plyometric training shoes and a control group of subjects …

A Comparison Of The Maximal Torque Production Of The Quadriceps Muscle During Morning And Afternoon Strength Assessment, Michael Rexin

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study is to compare maximal quadriceps peak torque production in isokinetic strength assessment in the morning and the afternoon. Thn1y male subjects between the ages of21 and 43 volunteered for this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to either an early morning group (7:30 AM to 9 AM) or an afternoon group (2:30 PM to 5 PM). Each subject performed six maximal concentric isokinetic contractions with the quadriceps muscles after a warm up and an initial familiarization session. Data analysis was done using a t-test for paired samples and Pearson's correlation The results showed a .90 …