Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Essential Tools For Sustainability Of A Student-Led, Pro-Bono Back School, Cory Brown, Rosalie Gutierrez, Jennifer Montes, Rondale Scruggs

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: In 2018, University of Nevada Las Vegas Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students and faculty, in cooperation with a community partner, created a student-led pro bono Back School to address a gap in healthcare for underinsured individuals with low back pain in Southern Nevada. To support the sustainability of the Back School, the authors of this paper set out to develop a student club to recruit and train DPT students to volunteer in the program using a specifically designed electronic training manual. Overall, the aim was to encourage students to join the new club's leadership team to prepare future …

Diagnostic Ultrasound As A Reliable Tool To Measure Multifidus Thickness, Katherine Shigemoto, Valeria Garcia Arteaga, Jessie Peterson, Nathan Gentry

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction: Lower back pain (LBP) is a recurrent issue in the general population, though it is generally seen 2-3 times more frequently in those who undergo transfemoral amputations, being considered worse than phantom limb or residual pain. It is suggested that LBP is more common in those who have a transfemoral amputation than those who have a transtibial amputation. Research thus far has seemed to focus on identifying links between unilateral amputation and LBP rather than bilateral.

The multifidus muscle is the most important dynamic stabilizer of the lumbar spine, accounting for two- thirds of lower lumbar segmental stability. A …

Four Weeks Of Minimalist Style Running Training Reduced Lumbar Paraspinal Muscle Activation During Shod Running, Stephanie Barton, David Brown, Talia Joyce

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background and Purpose: Research has shown that the risk of low back dysfunctions in runners is related to the increased mileage of distance running. Repetitive shock loading of the spinal structures during running has been indicated as one of the important biomechanical mechanisms underlying such injury. Acute changes in foot strike pattern, like those seen during minimalist style running, have been shown to lead to modifications in lumbar range of motion. Minimalist style running could lead to changes in lumbar biomechanics and muscle activation, potentially reducing the loading on the musculoskeletal structures of the lower back. However, the long term …

Effects Of Footstrike Pattern On Low Back Posture, Shock Attenuation, And Comfort During Running, Traci L. Delgado, Emilia Kubera-Shelton, Robert R. Robb

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose: Barefoot running (BF) is popular in the running community. Biomechanical changes occur with BF, especially when initial contact changes from rearfoot strike (RFS) to forefoot strike (FFS). In addition, changes in lumbar spine range of motion (ROM), particularly involving lumbar lordosis, have been associated with increased low back pain (LBP). However it is not known how changing from RFS to FFS affects lumbar lordosis or LBP. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine if a change from RFS to FFS would change lumbar lordosis, and/or decrease shock attenuation, and/or change comfort levels in healthy recreational/experienced runners.

Methods: …

Therapeutic Neuroscience Education For Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain And Its Effect On Activity Level, Pain Perception, And Function, Stephen Burton, Amber Domingo, Ryan Spencer

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a significant cause of disability and inactivity in the United States. Patients with chronic pain are often symptomatic even in the absence of tissue damage. This is a major reason patients need to be educated about their pain. Cognitions such as fear, anxiety and faulty beliefs may impact the pain experiences and changing cognitions are important in changing pain behavior. If patients understand that the pain they are experiencing may not be a true indication of the health of their tissues, they may experience less fear of their pain, and may be able …

Ultrasound Imaging Of Lumbar Multifidus Immediately Following Three Physical Therapy Techniques In Asymptomatic Individuals, Victoria Byers, Steven Lim, Kathryn Rice

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Study Design

Randomized, blinded, cohort, within subjects design.

Background and Objective

The effects of different manual therapy (MT) techniques on lumbar multifidus (LM) thickness have been investigated in subjects with low back pain (LBP) but have not been investigated in asymptomatic subjects. The objective of this study was to examine the immediate effects of mobilization and manipulation on contraction thickness of LM in healthy individuals.

Methods and Measures

Forty-two healthy individuals participated in the study. Ultrasound imaging techniques were used to record LM thickness (L4-5 level) at rest, during an abdominal drawing in maneuver (ADIM), and during a prone upper …