Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Upper Extremity Vertical Ground Reaction Forces During The Back Handspring Skill In Gymnastics: A Comparison Of Various Braced Vs. Unbraced Techniques, Salina Halliday

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

High, overuse injury rates to the wrist have been associated with the common mechanism of repetitive hyperextension in weight bearing among gymnasts of all ages. Many gymnasts use wrist supports as prevention; however, literature regarding their ability to reduce injury is not well described. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Tiger Paw wrist guards and circumferential wrist taping techniques on the kinetics of the wrist during the performance of a back handspring. Vertical Ground Reaction Forces (VGRF) sustained at the hand, time to peak VGRF, and total time of hand contact on the force plate …

Effects Of Duration Of Selected Music As An Intervention On Postoperative Pain In Open-Heart Surgery Patients During Chair Rest On The First Postoperative Day, Tzu-Ting Shu

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to test the effects of selected music on reducing postoperative pain and use of pain relief medications in open-heart surgery patients during chair rest on the first postoperative day.

This study was conducted using a pretest-posttest experimental design. A convenience sample of 13 open-heart surgery patients from a metropolitan hospital in southeastern Michigan were randomly assigned to the music group (n = 6) and the control group (n = 7). T-test analysis showed that pain scores (numeric rating scale, NRS = 0-10) were lower in the music group than the control group after 30, …

Effects Of Yoga On Physical Characteristics On Ncaa Division I Baseball Athletes, Julie Biernat Mclean

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Among baseball athletes, joint range of motion (ROM) is considered an important physical characteristic with respect to injury prevention and performance. Professional and intercollegiate programs employ various methods of flexibility training; however, to date, no literature exists with regard to the effect of a yoga-based training program. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of a sport-specific yoga program among NCAA Division I intercollegiate baseball players. Subjects (N=30, age 19.42 ±1.37 years) were assessed for shoulder joint (SH), hamstring (HS), and groin (GR) ROM and subsequently followed a 12-week, 2x/week yoga intervention. Post-test results indicated significant improvements …

Assessment Of Practitioner Intervention In Physical Activity, Kristin Thea Schley

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Lack of physical activity is a serious epidemic that affects one’s health. Primary care physicians can play a key role in influencing and changing people’s behaviors. The objective of this study was to assess primary care physicians’ role in physical activity counseling and what if any guidelines they use. One hundred and forty-seven primary care physicians completed and returned the 23-item Physical Activity Counseling Questionnaire. Most of the respondents were over the age of 50 (58.5%), group practitioners (60.5%), male (59.9%), and have been practicing more than 20 years (50.3%). The majority of physicians “almost always” (47.6%) counseled their patients …

The Meaning Of Natural Environment Occupations: Exploring The Experiences Of Sierra Club Members, Tulin Roselynn Ture

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Poets and writers have long lauded the beauty and necessity of nature. More recent literature and research has provided support for the healthful benefits of the natural environment. This literature spans the breadth of many disciplines. Yet, very little occupational therapy literature focuses on the natural environment. This is somewhat surprising given occupational therapy’s focus on space and place.

This thesis explores the experience of participation in natural environment occupations by adult members of the Sierra Club. Five Sierra Club members were interviewed and two local Sierra Club outings were observed. Qualitative data analysis revealed two major themes: childhood beginnings …

Competencies And Physical Agent Modalities: An Investigation Of Clinical And Ethical Implications, Casey A. Lambert

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Occupational therapy has evolved from its early inception in diversional therapy to incorporate technologically advanced modalities into the professional domain. Over the last thirty years the profession has increasingly incorporated physical agent modalities (PAMs) into the treatment process. Throughout this process there has been both opposition and support for the inclusion of PAMs in occupational therapy. There are concerns from both sides regarding the proper training of therapists in the use of PAMs, how competency should be assessed, who is responsible for ensuring competency, and the ethical concerns with the use of these modalities.

This phenomenological study analyzed six therapists’ …