Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Antibacterial Activity Of Positive And Negative Polarity Low-Voltage Pulsed Current (Lvpc) On Six Typical Gram-Positive And Gram-Negative Bacterial Pathogens Of Chronic Wounds, Georg Daeschlein, Ojan Assadian, Luther C. Kloth, Christina Meinl, Frank Ney, Axel Kramer

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

The positive effect of electrical stimulation (ES) on wound healing has been shown in vitro and in vivo. On the basis of increased blood flow, protein denaturation, and stimulation of cellular defense, an antibacterial effect of ES is to be expected. Although the antibacterial effect of ES already has been demonstrated in vitro, little attention has been paid to the direct antibacterial effect of changing polarity of the applied current. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial effect of positive and negative monophasic low-voltage pulsed current on typical Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens of chronic wounds. Using the …

Wound Debridement With 25 Khz Ultrasound, Margaret Mccarty Stanisic, Barbara Provo, David L. Larson, Luther C. Kloth

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Several methods of wound debridement are described in the literature and are available to health care providers who specialize in wound management. Methods include the use of sharp surgical instruments; mechanical methods, such as whirlpool and pulsed lavage with suction; proteolytic and collagenolytic enzymes; autolysis; and sterile fly larvae (maggots). The use of surgical debridement is generally considered the most efficient method when performed by a skilled physician, who may in one session use his or her discretion to excise some viable tissue along with necrotic tissue in the wound. Sharp debridement performed in a clinical setting is a less …

Management Of Postsurgical Hyperhidrosis With Direct Current And Tap Water, Bernadette T. Gillick, Luther C. Kloth, Andrew John Starsky, Laura Cincinelli-Walker

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Background and Purpose. Excessive sweating, known as hyperhidrosis, involves the eccrine sweat glands of the axillae, soles, palms, and/or forehead. The use of iontophoresis to reduce or eliminate excessive sweating has been described since 1952. The purpose of this case report is to describe the use of tap water galvanism (TWG) using direct current (DC) with a patient who had postsurgical hyperhidrosis. Case Description. The patient was a 36-year-old male electrician with traumatic phalangeal amputation and postsurgical development of hyperhidrosis. Tap water galvanism was administered using a DC generator, 2 to 3 times per week for 10 treatments. The patient's …

Effect Of Computer Keyboard Slope On Wrist Position And Forearm Electromyography Of Typists Without Musculoskeletal Disorders, Guy G. Simoneau, Richard W. Marklin, Joseph E. Berman

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Positioning a computer keyboard with a downward slope reduces wrist extension needed to use the keyboard and has been shown to decrease pressure in the carpal tunnel. However, whether a downward slope of the keyboard reduces electromyographic (EMG) activity of the forearm muscles, in particular the wrist extensors, is not known. Subjects and Methods. Sixteen experienced typists participated in this study and typed on a conventional keyboard that was placed on slopes. Electromyographic activity of the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU), flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU), and flexor carpi radialis (FCR) muscles was measured with surface electrodes, while the extension and ulnar …

A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial To Evaluate The Effects Of Noncontact Normothermic Wound Therapy On Chronic Full-Thickness Pressure Ulcers, Luther C. Kloth, Joseph E. Berman, Marilyn Nett, Paula Papanek, Sonia Dumit-Minkel

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of noncontact normothermic wound therapy (NNWT) versus standard wound care on chronic full-thickness pressure ulcers.

DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial

SETTING: Veterans administration medical center and 7 long-term-care facilities

PATIENTS: 40 inpatients with 43 Stage III and IV pressure ulcers

INTERVENTIONS: A sterile noncontact wound dressing was applied to 21 wounds for 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Each day after the wound was irrigated and the noncontact dressing was changed, a heating element in the dressing was activated for 3 1-hour periods for 12 weeks or until wound closure. Twenty-two control wounds …

5 Questions–And Answers–About Negative Pressure Wound Therapy, Luther C. Kloth

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

5 Questions–And Answers–About Electrical Stimulation, Luther C. Kloth

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Setup Configurations Of Split Computer Keyboards On Wrist Angle, Richard W. Marklin, Guy G. Simoneau

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Alternative computer keyboards whose halves can be slanted toward each other can reduce a risk factor (ulnar deviation) for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) affecting the upper limbs. Two questions that computer keyboard operators face when using keyboards that can be separated into halves (split keyboards) are: (1) At what angle should the keyboard halves be opened? and (2) At what distance apart should the keyboard halves be placed? The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the opening angle and separation distance between halves of a split keyboard on wrist ulnar deviation and typing efficiency. Methods. Eleven …

Walker-Assisted Gait In Rehabilitation: A Study Of Biomechanics And Instrumentation, Rebecca Ann Bachschmidt, Gerald F. Harris, Guy G. Simoneau

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

While walkers are commonly prescribed to improve patient stability and ambulatory ability, quantitative study of the biomechanical and functional requirements for effective walker use is limited. To date no one has addressed the changes in upper extremity kinetics that occur with the use of a standard walker, which was the objective of this study. A strain gauge-based walker instrumentation system was developed for the six degree-of-freedom measurement of resultant subject hand loads. The walker dynamometer was integrated with an upper extremity biomechanical model. Preliminary system data were collected for seven healthy, right-handed young adults following informed consent. Bilateral upper extremity …

Whole Body Momentum During Gait: A Preliminary Study Of Non-Fallers And Frequent Fallers, Guy G. Simoneau, David E. Krebs

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

The importance of momentum in compensating for elderly individua ls ' strength deficits to achieve activities of daily living. such as rising from a chair ha.!o been demonstrated in earlier studies. Here we present a case control study of three healthy "non-fallers" and two "frequent fallers," All 5 elders were community-living and were tested in the gai l laboratory. A four-camera Selspot system was used to obtain whole-body momentum from an 11-segment kinematic model. Ground reaction forces and kinematics were used 10 calculate lower extremity join! moments. With the exception of the whole-body's angular momentum about the vertical axis, linear …

Effects Of Electrical Stimulation On Wound Closure In Mice With Experimental Diabetes Mellitus, Habiba A. Thawer, Pamela E. Houghton, Luther Kloth, Anna Butryn

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of electrical stimulation (ES) on the closure of full-thickness excisional wounds in mice with type-1 experimental diabetes mellitus (DM). Alloxon monohydrate (100mg/kg) was used to induce experimental DM in mole CD-1 mice (n = 88). Full-thickness skin excisions (1cm²) in diabetic (urine glucose > 0) and non-diabetic (urine glucose = 0) mice were administered 1, 3, or 5 treatments of ES (200μs, 200 Hz) for 15 minutes, at 0 (sham), 5, 10, or 12.5 volts. Alloxon injection resulted in a positive urine glucose test in 48 mice yielding …

Changes In Ankle Joint Proprioception Resulting From Strips Of Athletic Tape Applied Over The Skin, Guy G. Simoneau, Rebecca M. Degner, Cindi A. Kramper, Kent H. Kittleson

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Athletic trainers, physical therapists, and other rehabilitation professionals stress the importance of proprioceptive reeducation during the rehabilitation process following an injury." 2 It is believed that an injury such as an inversion ankle sprain, for example, results in a reduction of proprioceptive function that may lead to future reinjuries. 3 One suggested palliative method to supplement a deficit in proprioceptive function at the ankle is the use of external support such as taping and braces.47 The tape or brace is believed to provide increased mechanical support as well as increased proprioception.

In Vitro Effects Of Two Silver Electrodes On Select Wound Pathogens, Linda Jean Laatsch-Lybeck, Poh Chye Ong, Luther C. Kloth

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

The use of electrical current to promote wound healing is well documented. However, little is understood about the effects of micro-amperage direct current (μADC) on growth of wound pathogens. The purpose of this project was to investigate the antibacterial effects of a silver wire/silver nylon electrode carrying μADC in vitro on several Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. The current was delivered via silver wire and silver nylon electrodes at an amplitude of 100 μA for a 30-minute duration in an in vitro system. Results demonstrated that only silver wire carrying current inhibited bacterial growth around …

Antibacterial Effects Of A Silver Electrode Carrying Microamperage Direct Current In Vitro, Poh Chye Young, Luther C. Kloth, Linda Jean Laatsch-Lybeck

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Currently, electrical stimulation is an accepted method used clinically to promote chronic wound healing. A literature review revealed that similar therapeutic current has been shown to suppress growth of common wound pathogens in vitro and in vivo. To date, little has been reported on the factors contributing to the antibacterial effects of microamperage direct current (μADC) stimulation. The purpose of this project was to investigate the role of electric field strength, current density, pH, and type of electrode used in vitro, to gain a better understanding of how these factors contribute to inhibiting growth of select wound pathogens. …

Posture And Gait In Patients With Diabetic Distal Symmetrical Polyneuropathy, Guy G. Simoneau, Peter R. Cavanagh, Jan S. Ulbrecht

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Chronic Dermal Ulcer Healing Enhanced With Monophasic Pulsed Electrical Stimulation, Jeffery A. Feedar, Luther C. Kloth, Gary D. Gentzkow

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

The purposes of this randomized, double-blind, multicenter study were to compare healing of chronic dermal ulcers treated with pulsed electrical stimulation with healing of similar wounds treated with sham electrical stimulation and to evaluate patient tolerance to the therapeutic protocol. Forty-seven patients, aged 29 to 91 years, with 50 stage II, III, and IV ulcers were randomly assigned to either a treatment group (n=26) or a control (sham treatment) group (n=24). Treated wounds received 30 minutes of pulsed cathodal electrical stimulation twice daily at a pulse frequency of 128 pulses per second (pps) and a peak amplitude of 29.2 mA …

Improved Healing Of Pressure Ulcers Using Dermapulse, A New Electrical Stimulation Device, Gary D. Gentzkow, Sheldon V. Pollack, Luther C. Kloth, Harrison A. Stubbs

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

A double-blind, clinical study of pulsed electrical stimulation using the Dermapulse® device was carried out on 40 pressure ulcers, randomized to receive either active (stim) or sham treatment.

Electrodes were placed over saline-moistened gauze on the ulcers. An electrical current of 35mA was delivered to the wound tissues at a frequency of 128 pulses per second. Polarity was negative until the wound debrided, then alternated from .positive to negative every three days. Ulcers were treated for 30 minutes twice daily for four weeks, after which sham patients could cross over to active treatment, and stim patients could continue active treatment. …

Acceleration Of Wound Healing With High Voltage, Monophasic, Pulsed Current, Luther C. Kloth, Jeffery A. Feedar

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

The purpose of this study was to determine whether high voltage electrical stimulation accelerates the rate of healing of dermal ulcers. Sixteen patients with stage IV decubitus ulcers, ranging in age from 20 to 89 years, participated in the study. The patients were assigned randomly to either a Treatment Group (n = 9) or a Control Group (n = 7). Patients in the Treatment Group received daily electrical stimulation from a commercial high voltage generator. Patients in the Control Group had the electrodes applied daily but received no stimulation. The ulcers of patients in the Treatment Group healed at a …

Supervised Versus Independent Student Laboratories, Luther C. Kloth, Mary Ann Morrison

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

The purpose of this study was to determine if classroom laboratory time could be reduced in a basic physical agents course. Fifty-seven junior physical therapy students were randomly assigned to three laboratory sections. All students received identical lectures, demonstrations, course materials, and laboratory manuals. The control group, Section 1, received supervision and assistance during laboratory practice. Students in Section 2 and Section 3 worked independent of instructor supervision but could receive assistance from the instructor in an adjacent room. Students in Section 2 were provided with feedback following periodic assessment by the instructor. Attitudinal questionnaire responses indicated that the students …