Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Work Injury Prevention Program For A Rural Manufacturing Company, Pete Angell, Tara Copenhaver, Dustin Martinson, Heather Martinson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: This article discusses how a group of four physical therapy students built upon traditional ergonomic and biomechanical programs and applied it to a rural manufacturing company of 160 employees.

Methods: Meetings were held with the corporation's Safety Specialist and upper management. Based on research supported by evidence and suggestions from the company's administration, the students constructed an injury prevention program consisting of two presentations for office and production workers, exercise programs, a lifting and posture DVD and assessment, and a modified office assessment.

Results: Seventy-one employees attended the production lecture. Thirty-six workers took part in the office presentation. Sixty-four …

The Obesity Epidemic: Survey Of Current Physical Therapy Trends In North Dakota, Alexis M. Barten, Kristi M. Just, Lori A. Perry, Cassie R. Seal

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. Many different health professionals are involved in the prevention and treatment of obesity. The APTA believes that physical therapists should be in a leadership role among other health care providers in providing patient education and instruction regarding physical activity. The purpose of this study was to determine current practice trends among physical therapists in the state of North Dakota relating to patients who are overweight or obese.

Subjects and Methods. Three hundred surveys were mailed to randomly selected physical therapists licensed in the State of North Dakota. The survey consisted of23 questions concerning level of training, referral …

A Pilot Study To Screen Fall Risk In Adult Health Care Employees, Patricia Borboa, Emily Hansen, Jessica Hoeft, Alicia Holzer

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Due to the increasing age of the working population, falls are becoming an escalating problem especially in the healthcare industry. The purpose of this research study is to develop a cost effective quick screen to determine fall risk in healthcare employees. Our overall goal is to take the results gained from this pilot study and apply them on a larger scale in hopes of preventing falls thus decreasing dollars spent by companies on work injury.

Subjects: Volunteers from a local Health Care System. Inclusion criteria: permanent employees, over the age of 20, without an assistive device. A …

Electromyographic Analysis Of Lower Extremity Muscle Activity During Wall Squats With An Adduction Contraction In Varied Foot Positions, Jill Eken, Ashlee Jesperson, Heather Sletten

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if an isometric hip adduction contraction and varied foot positions during a wall squat results in increased muscle recruitment of the lower extremity.

Subjects: Eleven healthy female adult volunteers without a prior history of knee pathology participated.

Methods: Surface electromyography (EMG) data were collected from the adductor longus (AL), vastus medialis oblique (VMO), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), gastrocnemius (GN) and anterior tibialis (AT) muscles of the dominant leg for each individual during six wall squats with different treatment conditions. Experimental trials included three different rotation positions with or without …

Und Physical Therapy Alumni: Job Satisfaction Survey Results In 2004 And Over 10 Years, Amber Entzel, Jill Gibbon, Laura Parent

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

This study investigates University of North Dakota Department of Physical Therapy (UND PT) alumni job satisfaction. The field has evolved greatly with regards to educational requirements, autonomy of practice and utilization of skilled services. With these significant changes in the field, a look at job satisfaction of alumni was warranted.

Methods: The Job Descriptive Index (JDI), Job In General (JIG), and a demographic survey were sent out in 1994, 1999, and 2004 to all alumni of the University of North Dakota (UND) physical therapy program. Subjects were excluded if they were no longer practicing physical therapy, or if they were …

Physical Therapy Diabetic Protocol, Jered Field, Jason Hahn, Corey Samuelson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

As the number of individuals in the United States with Type II Diabetes continues to increase significantly, so too does the incidence of lower extremity secondary complications. Ulcer care and possible lower extremity amputation are very expensive to patients and the healthcare system and can be extremely debilitating. Preventative measures have been implemented; however, a greater focus in this area may provide significantly greater results. Previous research states that preventative programs for lower extremity complications are cost effective if they can provide a 25% decrease in these conditions. In this project, a comprehensive prevention program has been designed to increase …

Effects Of Ambulatory Assistive Devises On Subjects Post-Cva: A Series Of Case Studies, David Fulton, Richard Zaruba

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if regularly ambulating with and without an ambulatory assistive device will lead to differences in the spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters of gait demonstrated by the subjects status post cerebral vascular accident. This study was comprised of a series of three case studies. All subjects were a minimum of fifty years old, at least three months status post cerebral vascular accident, capable of effectively communicating with researchers, and in good health. Ambulation criteria for inclusion were to regularly ambulate independently for 50 feet without use of an ambulatory assistive device, and regularly ambulate …

Electromyographic Analysis Of Abdominal And Low Back Musculature During Use Of An Experimental Stationary Bicycle, Bryce A. Kelly, Christopher L. Podoll, Kirk R. Van Slyke

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. Currently, stationary bicycles do not incorporate exercise for the abdominal and low back musculature. An experimental stationary bicycle, the Magnus Cycle, has been developed to increase trunk muscle activation and, at the same time, provide aerobic conditioning. The purpose of this study is to assess the activity of the rectus abdominus, external oblique, erector spinae, rectus femoris and biceps femoris muscles during a stationary cycling setting and during a tilt-in-space setting of the Magnus Cycle.

Subjects. Sixteen subjects, both men and women, between the ages of 18 and 30 participated in this study.

Methods. Surface electromyography (EMG) …

The Effect Of Hamstring Contractions In The Activation Of The Abdominal Muscles During A Standard Abdominal Crunch, Deborah Sue Larson, Barry Pederson, Adam Suedel, Wayne Voth

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a hamstring contraction on the abdominal musculature during a standard crunch. Studies in the past have looked at abdominal and core strengthening, exercise equipment, and exercise techniques and their effect on abdominal electromyography (EMG). Few published studies have looked at the effect on the abdominals during a modified crunch, which is a hamstring contraction during a standard crunch.

Methods: Participants (n=30) for this study were between the ages of 18 and 60 with no history of acute or chronic back pain or major abdominal surgery. EMG was used …

Criteria Used For Identification Of Torticollis By Professionals Providing Developmental Screenings, Amanda Van Hatten, Lacey Jenson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to gather data from development screeners providing infant/toddler developmental screening regarding the criteria used to identify torticollis, information about referral practices when torticollis is suspected, and the information being provided to parents regarding torticollis.

Subjects: Subjects were recruited through a midwestern developmental screening organization. All developmental screeners were invited to participate in this study and inclusion criteria consisted of participants that currently were completing developmental screenings in the selected regional area.

Procedures: Focused interviews along with pre-questionnaires were utilized to gather the data. The pre-questionnaire which was distrusted first, included questions regarding …

Outpatient Physical Therapy Management Of A Young Male Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, Leslie Harris

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. This paper describes the physical therapy management of a 17 -year-old male high school student, from two weeks postoperative to week 10 outpatient, after left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. An intra-articular patella bone-tendon-bone graft as well as a medial meniscus repair and notchplasty were completed using video arthroscopy. The patient presented with decreased range of motion and strength in the left knee and slightly decreased strength in the left hip.

Purpose, The purpose of this article is to describe the interventions used for this patient, the results from these interventions and to discuss current ACL treatment …

Post-Surgical Rehabilitation Of A 12-Year-Old Female Athlete After Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction, Jonathan E. Arntson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. The treatment of adolescents with lateral patellar instability has changed greatly in recent years. For surgical treatment of recurrent dislocation, the intervention of choice has become medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) repair or reconstruction. The purpose of this case study is to discuss recent trends in management of patients suffering from chronic patellar instability, and particularly to describe the post-operative management of this adolescent female who underwent medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction.

Case Description. Having failed a trial of conservative rehabilitation, a 12-year-old female athlete with a history of recurrent patellar dislocation underwent MPFL reconstruction. Her postsurgical rehabilitation program …

A Case Study Of A Patient With Low Back Pain And Radicular Symptoms Treated With The Mckenzie Method, Reyn A. Hata

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Objective: The objective of this case study is to describe the use of the McKenzie Method (MM) with a patient with low back pain (LBP) with radicular symptoms.

History: The patient is a 26 year-old, male with complaints of low back pain with radicular symptoms down his right lower extremity to his ankle. The patient presented with decreased range of motion to lumbar spine, a flexed and left laterally shifted posture, decreased strength of right lower extremity, and peripheralizing symptoms of pain.

Description: The treatment for this patient involved repeated flexion and extension movements, stretching, posture education, instruction in body …

Out-Patient Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Management Of A Patient With A Degenerated Knee Resulting In Total Joint Arthroplasty, Charles A. Long

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery is a common procedure performed for those patients seeking a return of knee function after substantial degeneration of the tibiofemoral joint. The TKA procedure is becoming increasingly popular as degenerative changes to the knee joints occurs at a younger age. The United States is facing an increasingly aging workforce. It is anticipated that there will be increasingly more members of the workforce seeking rehabilitation following TKA with goals of returning to work. The purpose of this article is to describe implementation of physical therapy in the recovery of a patient with degenerative joint disease of …

Weight Lifting Through Life: A Guide To Safe Weight Training, John A. Andrew

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

You Can Lift Weights Withllut Getting Hurt!

Have you ever injured yourself when trying to lift weights or initiate an exercise program? If so, you are not alone. Over many years of working as a physical therapist in an outpatient orthopedic and sports medicine clinic I have been surprised by the number of people that walk through the doors that are hurt by weight lifting. This really concerns me as one should not get hurt lifting weights as this is the opposite of why you are training. You are trying to improve your health--not get hurt! I am amazed by …

An Outpatient Physical Therapy Non-Operative Management And Intervention For An Older, Athletic, Professional, Caucasian Male Patient With An Acute Gastrocnemius Medialis And Lateralis Muscle Rupture, Thea Loy Pallansch

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Description: The gastrocnemius muscle is a two joint muscle originating on the femur and inserting into the calcaneus through the Achilles tendon. The gastrocnemius spans the knee and ankle joint providing important stabilization and movement functions in walking, running, and jumping activities. Rupture of the Achilles tendon is one of the most common tendinous injuries. Non-operative, conservative treatment of the acute Achilles tendon rupture demonstrates comparable results to surgical intervention. Non-operative management promotes patient tolerance, low cost, and positive clinical outcomes. Previous studies have supported the concept of functional bracing as a conservative, alternate treatment for an acutely ruptured Achilles …

Hip Adductor Or Iliopsoas Tendonitis In An Adolescent Athlete: A Physical Therapy Case Report, Julie Berry

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Groin pain can be caused by many different entities from a "pulled adductor muscle" to something as serious as a femoral neck stress fracture. Other possible diagnoses include slipped capital epiphysis, avulsion fractures, osteitis pubis, osteoarthritis, labral tem adductor tendonitis and hernia, Iliopsoas tendonitis is all under diagnosed clinical problem, This injury affects millions of athletes every year and is often misdiagnosed and not properly treated, Potential implications to function include a decrease in the ability to perform activities of daily living (dressing, transferring into and out of bed/car/chair, and climbing stairs), inability to control inflammation which could progress to …

The Effects Of Lumbar Stabilization Exercises On Low Back Pain, Susie Mcgarry

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this article is to describe the six-week outpatient physical therapy treatment of a patient with acute low back pain due to a motor vehicle accident.

Case Description: The patient was a 34-year-old female who presented with decreased lumbar range of motion, pain, decreased abdominal strength, and muscle spasms. The treatment for this patient included lumbar stabilization exercises, stretching, manual therapy, and soft tissue mobilizations.

Outcomes: Following the physical therapy intervention, the patient exhibited full range of motion, decreased pain, and the ability to maintain a neutral pelvis without verbal or manual cues. The patient …

Rehabilitation Of A 49 Year-Old Male Who Underwent A Right Knee Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Moderate To Severe Degenerative Joint Disease Of The Left Knee, Roy W. Osborn

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background/purpose: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is reported to be one of the most common and most serious injuries among physically active individuals, There are a multitude of articles addressing rehabilitation following ACL reconstruction, but there is no clear "best method' identified in the evidence, Subjects with a combination of ACL rupture and degenerative joint disease are less frequent in occurrence, and also lack evidence to identify the most appropriate rehabilitation method.

Description: This case study provides the details of the first 8 weeks of rehabilitation for a 49 year old male subject who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction of …

The Importance Of Range Of Motion, Strengthening, And Positioning Interventions In Infants With Congenital Muscular Torticollis, Theresa Wiederoder

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Treatment of an infant with torticollis is most effective when the parents/guardians of the infant are instructed in stretching protocols as well as proper positioning of the infant in many positions This case report describes course of treatment of an infant with congenital muscular torticollis.

Case Description: The child was born with a right sided sternocleidomastoid tumor and associated limitations in cervical left lateral flexion and right rotation. His parents received written stretching instructions from the pediatric surgeon's office but were uncomfortable with stretching their child's neck required more one-on-one instruction. Intervention included cervical and scapular passive …

Nonoperative Management Of A Client With A Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tear, Samantha Neary

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Shoulder pain caused by a rotator cuff tear may inhibit one's ability to perform activities of daily living. Although surgery is a common intervention with this diagnosis, some clients are not surgical candidates or do not wish to undergo surgical intervention leaving conservative treatment as their only option. Therefore, the purpose of this case report is to describe the intervention used in the nonoperative management of a client with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear. The client was a 68 year old male with the diagnosis of a right shoulder rotator cuff tear. The client participated in physical therapy 2 times …

The Effect Of High Velocity Sport Specific Training On Throwing Velocity, Christopher Albrecht, Mandy Caspers, Jennifer Hammond

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Previous studies have shown strength training programs to be effective in improving throwing velocity. The aim of this study was to determine whether there was a significant training effect, as measured by an increase in throwing velocity, among subjects who had been instructed to perform proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques of the dominant upper extremity at a slow and controlled speed, subjects who had been instructed to perform PNF techniques of the dominant upper extremity at a sport specific speed, and a control group. A total of 28 male and female subjects, between the ages of21 and 30 participated in …

Rehabilitation Following Pinning Of An Ulnar Fracture With Radial Head Dislocation, Sandra R. Jungwirth

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Study design: Case report.

Background and Purpose: Although upper extremity injuries and fractures are common in children, fractures of the ulna with dislocation of the radial head represent a small portion of the upper extremity fractures. The purpose of this case report is to describe the physical therapy intervention of such a fracture-dislocation in a child.

Case Description: The patient was a 6-year-old girl diagnosed with a fracture of the ulna with dislocation of the radial head. She had a pinning of the ulnar fracture. Six and one half weeks after injury, physical therapy was initiated, consisting of 6 visits …

Physical Therapy Management For Chronic Neck And Intrascapular Pain With Upper Extremity Tingling And Headaches: A Case Report, Tonya Kunze

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

In the US, it is estimated that there are 1 million new cases of whiplash type injuries annually. There is plenty of discussion regarding the treatment for these injuries but there is limited research using Med-X spinal strengthening machines to treat this type of chronic spinal pain associated with these whiplash type injuries. The patient chosen for this study sustained these type of chronic symptoms due to a motor vehicle accident 13 years prior and had struggled with these symptoms on and off since the accident. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a 56 y/o female that …

Manual Therapy Technique For Treating An Acute Lateral Ankle Sprain In A Female Athlete, Steven Wynia

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Lateral ankle sprains are a very prevalent sports injury resulting in missed practice and competition. Several studies have shown manual therapy techniques to be effective in restoring normal active range of motion (AROM) and expediting return to activity compared to more traditional treatment approaches such as protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation (PRICE). This article describes a unique manual therapy approach to treating an acute ankle sprain in an athlete.

Case Description: The patient is a 16 year-old female with an acute lateral ankle sprain. This article describes a physical therapy episode of care involving an aggressive …

Physical Therapy Intervention In A Patient With Open Reduction Internal Fixation Of A Left Scapula Fracture, Amber Saienga

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. This case report describes the physical therapy intervention for a patient with an open reduction and internal fixation of a scapula fracture with decreased shoulder strength,

Description. A 53-year-old-man with decreased left shoulder strength resulting from a 9-week period of inactivity following his surgery received physical therapy services for 4 sessions consisting of therapeutic exercise and manual therapy techniques, Active range of motion and manual muscle testing were completed at the initial evaluation and at discharge,

Outcome . Following the physical therapy intervention, improvements were noted in shoulder strength and patient was able to return to most …

Physical Therapy Intervention Following An Arthroscopic Bankart Repair, Elizabeth Frye

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. Returning athletes to high level activity following surgery is a delicate decision. The purpose of this case study is to describe the physical therapy intervention and the results an athlete following an arthroscopic Bankart repair.

Description. A 24 year old male, professional surfer, underwent an arthroscopic Bankart repair to the right shoulder and physical therapy was initiated at week 4 as ordered by his orthopedic surgeon. The patient presented with decreased range of motion (ROM), decreased strength, pain upon movement, and functional disability of the right shoulder. Interventions included postural training, therapeutic exercise, and joint mobilization to …

Examination And Treatment For A Patient With A Distal Radius Fracture, Chuck Mccullough

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This article describes the eight month outpatient physical therapy management of 67 year old female who had an open fracture of the left distal radius that was stabilized internally with K-wire and externally with the application of external fixator. Initially, this patient presented with a need for patient education on wound care, edema control techniques, splinting, and a maintenance program for finger and shoulder range of motion. The physical therapy intervention progressed to range of motion, strengthening, joint mobilization, and functional exercises for the wrist and hand. The purpose of this article is to describe the interventions …

Survey Of Parents Participating In An Infant Toddler Screening Program: Identification And Education Regarding Torticollis, Amanda Carlson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Since 1992 there has been an increased number of children diagnosed with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT), which is a condition that affects the position and shape of the head. This study was designed to find out from parents involved in an infant toddler screening program about the information they have received regarding torticollis and if they feel it has been satisfactory.

Subjects: A survey of 150 parents with children who participated in an infant toddler screening program were initially included in a randomized sample for this study. Fifty-four surveys were returned to the researchers, of which 4 …

Comparison Of Pilates And Hydraulic Circuit Training In Women, Shauna Differding, Sandra Hoff, Sara Murray

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Introduction: Obesity continues to be a rising problem in the United States. Women typically are the majority of consumers in weight treatment programs. Due to conflicts with time and social roles, they struggle to remain committed to an exercise program. Most women enter into weight treatment programs not for health, but rather for appearance.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of cardiovascular function, flexibility, strength and circumferential measurements between mat Pilates and hydraulic circuit training over a six-week period. The benefits of these comparisons will help women find an effective and efficient fitness program. As …