Physical Therapy Commons^™

Comparison Of The Emg Activity Of The Supraspinatus And Infraspinatus Muscles During Various Closed Chain Exercises, I-Chen Lin

Rehabilitation Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Advantages of closed chain exercises used in the lower extremity have been well documented. However, the effects of closed chain exercises on the upper extremities have not been studied very much. Thus, the purpose of this research is to analyze the EMG activity of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles and compare the relative amounts of activities by performing different isotonic closed chain exercises and an open chain exercise in normal subjects. The supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles in 1 o healthy subjects were studied with fine wire, intramuscular, electromyographic electrodes while performing 5 closed chain exercises and a D2. open chain …

Prediction Of Discharge Destination From Initial Physical Therapy Assessment Using The Physical Assessment Key (Pak), Wendy L. Chung, Kimberly A. Vieten

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if a patient’s discharge destination could be predicted by information available upon the physical therapy initial evaluation using the Physical Assessment Key (PAK). There were 141 subjects (58 male, 83 female) included in this study and their ages ranged from 19 to 89 years (mean age=57.1 years). Each subject was given a PAK score on the day of the initial physical therapy evaluation and on the day of discharge from the hospital. The PAK evaluates a patient in the areas of transfer activities, self-care activities, locomotion and excretion management. A patient was …

Does The Oswestry Or Sf-36 Help A Therapist To Predict Treatment Classification, Amy Crawford, Denese D. Kaufeldt-Soliz

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of two disability questionnaires, the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (Oswestry) and the Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36 (SF-36), and a standardized physical examination and diagnostic classification system. The physical examination was performed by the evaluating therapists from the clinic and classification was determined by the evaluating therapists and the investigators to ensure correct subject placement into treatment Stages la, lb, or II. Data collection occurred at an outpatient physical therapy clinic in a metropolitan area health maintenance organization, where a sample of 221 subjects with low back pain …

Defining The Roles Of Physical And Occupational Therapists In The Health-Care Environment Today, Sandi Jo Haile

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

No abstract provided.

Reliability And Validity Of Assessing Student Performance Of Psychomotor Skills In Entry Level Physical Therapy Curricula, Nancy Sue Darr

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Physical therapists rely on a large repertoire of psychomotor skills for patient evaluation and treatment. Reliable and accurate assessments of student performance of psychomotor skills are required to provide feedback to students and faculty, to establish student competence, and to enable faculty members to evaluate their instructional methods. In this study a scoring system was designed to objectively assess student performance of five selected ankle joint mobilization procedures. A detailed task analysis was performed on each joint mobilization procedure, which included dividing each procedure into 13 subtasks. Criteria were written for successful completion of each task and subtask. A scoring …

The Effect Of Familiar And Novel Testing Environments On The Gross Motor Function Measure Scores Of Developmentally Normal Children 17-37 Months Old, Tracey Blain, Jean Angel

Masters Theses

Our purpose in this research was to compare the reliability of the Gross Motor Function Measure in familiar and unfamiliar environments. Discrepancy between clinical assessment results and true motor functional ability may give false information leading to inefficient treatment sessions. Our research gives therapists information about optimal assessment site choice. Subjects included sixteen developmentally normal children between the ages of 17 and 37 months. Our study fit a repeated measure counterbalanced design, and ANOVA was used to analyze our data. We did not reject our null hypothesis that the child’s score on the GMFM in the familiar environment would equal …

Knee Flexion Angle And Its Influence On Vmo:Vl Ratios During Isometric Quadriceps Contraction, Jeffrey P. Hendra, William D. Allan

Masters Theses

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is a major cause of knee pain and is caused by lateral patellar tracking. Treatment consists of strengthening the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO). While many exercises strengthen the VMO, simultaneous vastus lateralis (VL) strengthening often occurs and patellar malalignment remains. The VMO must, therefore, be strengthened independently or to a greater extent than the VL. Thus, the VMO:VL ratio of activity must be considered rather than VMO activity alone. This study compared isometric knee extension electromyographically at 0, 20, 60, and 90 degree angles to determine which angle produced the greatest VMO:VL ratio of activity. Results …

A Comparative Electromyographic Study Of The Effect Of Four Selected Closed Chain Squat Exercises On Vastus Medialis Oblique And Vastus Lateralis, Barbara D. Campbell, Michelle Kosiara, Heidi Tolloff

Masters Theses

Patellofemoral dysfunction (PFD) usually involves patellar maltracking. Vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) are two key muscles that help maintain patellar alignment. Open kinetic chain (OKC) studies suggested that the optimum ratio of VMO:VL is about 1:1. With PFD the VMO becomes much weaker. Purpose: To determine which of four partial squat exercises, often used in rehabilitation, best favors VMO firing: partial squat, partial squat squeezing a ball between knees, partial squat with pulley resistance and partial squat with 45° oblique pulley resistance. Analysis of EMG for 31 normal subjects randomly performing all four exercises using repeated ANOVA …

A Preliminary Study Of Gait In Elderly Women With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, Roberta M. Fischer, Sheri L. Bjornseth

Masters Theses

Somatosensory impairment due to diabetic peripheral neuropathy results in decreased environmental input during ambulation, which may compromise feedback mechanisms used for balance control Individuals with distal symmetrical diabetic peripheral neuropathy provide a model of somatosensory loss in which balance impairments can be studied. Somatosensory input is an important component of standing balance in the elderly. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy has been associated with postural instability and an increased history of falls. This study investigated differences in gait between elderly diabetic subjects with distal symmetrical sensory polyneuropathy and elderly diabetics without neuropathy. To conduct this study the 3-dimensional gait analysis protocol developed …

Modification Of The Functional Reach Test: Validity & Reliability, Jessica Chesser, Jennifer Werley, Mary Yeager

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of a modified version of the Functional Reach (PR) to more accurately predict falls in elderly women. This modified version, the Lateral Functional Reach (LFR) incorporates dynamic balance testing in the scapular plane.

Fifty female volunteers were recruited from a Senior Center in Holland, Michigan. Each subject completed the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the FR, and the LFR tests. Prior to testing, each subject was screened for depression, cognition and gross medical history.

Validity and reliability of the LFR was determined through correlational and test-retest analysis. The correlation …

The Efficacy Of A T’Ai Chi Intervention On Functional Balance And Walking Speed In The Elderly, Melanie Mckimmy, Sarah Teubert

Masters Theses

This study assessed the efficacy of a T’ai Chi exercise intervention on functional balance and walking speed. Twenty-two volunteer subjects over the age of 65 were included and categorized as near-frail or well elderly, based on their functional status. Subjects randomly selected for the intervention group participated in a 45 minute T’ai Chi group exercise class, bi-weekly for six weeks. Pre- and post-intervention data was on the Berg Balance Scale, and on self-selected and maximum walking speed. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) revealed no statistical significant differences between the intervention group and the control group. Likewise, there was no statistical significant …

1998 Touro College School Of Health Sciences Yearbook, Touro College School Of Health Sciences

Yearbooks and Newsletters

1998 Touro College School of Health Sciences Yearbook

Hamstring Tendons As Autograft Replacements In Acl Reconstructions: A Review Of The Literature, Jason Anderson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Hamstring tendons have gained a great deal of acceptance in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction procedures in the 1990's, but some misconceptions concerning the ability of hamstring grafts to successfully replace ruptured ACLs still exist. More surgeons are using hamstring tendons to reconstruct ACL-deficient knees because their harvest does not disrupt the extensor mechanism of the knee. Enthusiasts of the hamstring graft believe that it promotes quicker return of quadriceps strength and knee range of motion without a prevalence of postoperative pateIIofemoral symptoms.

The purpose of this review is to dispute the concerns that exist concerning the initial tensile strength, …

A Review Of Physical Therapy Intervention In The Healing Of Wounds, Stephanie Bertsch

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Treatment of chronic wounds, such as pressure ulcers or arterial-insufficient ulcers, are commonly seen in health care today. Wound treatment is advancing and physical therapists are using modalities in the intervention to hasten wound healing. Electrical stimulation and ultrasound have been established through clinical studies as effective modalities for the treatment of wound healing. The purpose of this paper is to review and analyze current literature about physical therapy and wound care. This paper will discuss an overview of the anatomy of skin, physiology of wound healing, documentation of wounds, and physical therapy intervention with emphasis on electrical stimulation and …

Physical Therapy Evaluation Techniques For Determination Of Psychological Factors Affecting Low Back Pain, John Brandt

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Low back pain continues to represent the leading musculoskeletal cause of disability in the United States and is the most frequently reported condition for which people receive outpatient physical therapy. In several of these instances, evaluation reveals no known pathological cause for a patient's symptoms. Studies have shown that psychological factors can play a role in the presentation of low back pain. In order to effect treatment, assessment tools are needed that can be utilized by physical therapists to identify the presence of these psychological factors. The purpose of this literature review is to outline methods of assessment that the …

Treatment Of Urinary Incontinence, Megan D. Boyd

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Urinary incontinence is a condition in which involuntary loss of urine is a social and hygienic problem and is objectively demonstrable, affecting around 13 million adult Americans. In the past, many people suffering from incontinence never sought help. They may have been too embarrassed to speak out, and instead, ultimately restricted their lifestyle in order to accommodate their incontinence or they were unaware that there is help available in their community.

The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) established guidelines for the treatment of urinary incontinence in 1992 with an update in 1996. These guidelines state that, except …

A Comparison Of A Traditional Training Program To The Sports Acceleration Program® In Improving An Athlete's Speed, Quickness, Agility, Strength, And Power, Brian Borchardt

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to compare a traditional training program to the Sports Acceleration Program® (SAP) in regards to the ability to improve an athlete's speed, quickness, agility, strength and power.

Methods. Twenty-four high school football players from Fargo South High (FSH)(Fargo, ND) participated in this study. Ten subjects served as the control group and participated in the FSH summer strength and conditioning program. The remaining 14 subjects were included in the experimental group and participated in the SAP. All subjects underwent seven weeks of training in their respective programs, precluded and followed by testing on performance …

Differences Between Ultrasound And Electrical Stimulation In Wound Healing, Josette Bryngelson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

When a patient enters a physical therapy clinic for wound therapy, a physical therapist must decide the best way to provide care. The therapy that is decided upon depends on the client, the therapist, and the goals that are trying to be achieved.

Through a literature review, I will compare two methods of wound care treatment: therapeutic ultrasound and electrical stimulation. This paper will look at the way these two treatments work and how these treatments are beneficial in wound healing.

The benefit of this literature review will be to provide a source of information in choosing an effective or …

A Comparison Study Of Strength Training Outcomes Between Progressive Resistive Training And Regressive Resistive Training, Carrie Brossart

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a difference in strength training outcomes between the progressive resistive program and the regressive resistive program. The subjects consisted of 14 students at the University of North Dakota. They were randomly assigned to either the progressive or regressive group and performed their respective training two times per week for five weeks. Each subject was tested prior to beginning the program and after finishing the program. These pretest and posttest values were compared to determine strength gains. A paired samples t-test was used to determine that each group had significant …

A Survey: Frequency Of Spondylolysis Or Spondylolisthesis In Young Athletes, Kara D. Dewhirst

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this survey research is to survey male and female high school varsity track athletes regarding the occurrence of low back pain, and then correlating the occurrence of a spondylolysis and/or spondylolisthesis with athletic involvement in the sport of track. A questionnaire was sent to 115 high school varsity track athletes in varsity track programs in the state of North Dakota. Only those athletes who participate in high jump, pole vault, discus, shot put, javelin, and 400M sprints or shorter were asked to take part in the survey.

The survey results were unable to answer the research question …

Electromyographic And Kinematic Analysis Of Hockey Skating, Michelle M. Fox

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

A limited amount of research has been done on the hockey treadmill and on the response of hockey players to individualized exercise programs.

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

METHODS: Seven male subjects, ages 18 to 25 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 …

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Minimizing Deformity And Preserving Function In The Hand, Cindy Gillespie

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease of the synovial joints. The hand and wrist are the most commonly involved. The disease is characterized by pain, inflammation, limited range of motion, and destruction of bone and articular structures. In the later stages of RA, the person usually exhibits deformity of the affected joints. This can result in the inability to use the hand in a functional manner.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects approximately one percent of the population. A person with RA usually has increased medical expenses. It is likely that the person will experience a loss of productivity and income due …

Electromyographic And Kinematic Analysis Of Hockey Skating, Kari Jo Guttormson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

A limited amount of research has been done on the hockey treadmill and on the response of hockey players to individualized exercise programs.

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

METHODS: Seven male subjects, ages 18 to 25 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 …

The Effectiveness Of The Lateral Retinacular Release On Decreasing Pain And Increasing Stability In The Patellofemoral Joint, Celeste M. Hansen

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The lateral retinacular release is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures used to treat patellofemoral pain and instability. The purpose of this pilot study is to provide insight into the effectiveness of the lateral retinacular release for decreasing patellofemoral pain with activity and increasing knee stability. A survey \vas sent to 21 patients who had undergone the LRR that addressed the following issues: reason for surgery, stability and pain following surgery, return to prior activities, and the presence of physical therapy before and after surgery. The results from this pilot study identified the following areas of concem: a …

Theoretical And Practical Considerations For Enhancing Power To Improve Athletic Performance, Douglas A. Herron

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Power is of extreme interest to coaches and athletes alike because of the crucial role it plays in athletic performance. This independent study examines the essence of power and attempts to describe its components in detail as they relate to various sporting events and explores theoretical and practical considerations for anaerobic power augmentation using mathematical arguments as a basis for the suggested changes to traditional training protocol.

Specifically, this study suggests changes to traditional resistance training protocol during the power phase of a mesocycie by decreasing the percentage of the maximal lift from 90% through 95% to 60% through 85%. …

The Effect Of An Accelerated Protocol On Patients Receiving Rotator Cuff Repair: An Outcome Study, Jerret Hopstad

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study is to establish the outcome of rotator cuff repair and rehabilitation for St. Alexius Medical/Bone and Joint Center, Bismarck ND, using standardized measurement which both third-party payers and providers can utilize. Thirty-seven rotator cuff repairs (36 patients) performed between September 1995 and December 1996 were reviewed retrospectively. One subject was excluded because therapy was completed outside of St. Alexius Physical Therapy. There were 22 males (61 percent of cases) and 13 females (14 shoulders) included in the study. The average age patient was 62.06 years, ranging from 38-80 years, with a median age of60.5. The …

An Electromyographic Study Of Backward Walking In Normals And In Subjects Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair, Matthew Johnson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Physical therapy strives to incorporate innovative and efficient protocols for rehabilitation of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgeries. Research supports the benefits of closed kinetic chain exercises (distal segment of extremity is fixed) over the traditional open kinetic chain exercises (distal segment not fixed). It is theorized that backward walking on inclined surfaces will recruit the knee musculature to a greater extent than forward walking, but there is little research to support this theory. The purpose of this study was to utilize electromyography during treadmill walking to analyze the muscle activity in the lower extremity of individuals were normal and who …

The Effect Of Hippotherapy On Sitting Balance In Children With Cerebral Palsy, Theresa A. Jurgens

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Hippotherapy programs have grown rapidly since 1969, when the first center opened in the United States. Despite the growing enthusiasm for hippotherapy in North America, research regarding the efficacy of hippotherapy is not well documented. Literature that pertains to the therapeutic benefits of hippotherapy consists primarily of descriptive articles containing subjective reports of riding instructors, riders, parents, and therapists. Hippotherapy is proposed to develop neuromuscular control, facilitate posture, elicit righting and equilibrium reactions, provide vestibular input, and improve psychological wellbeing. While these descriptive articles have identified variables to be empirically studied, few investigators have documented the therapeutic effects of hippotherapy. …

An Electromyographic Study Of Forward And Backward Walking In Normals And In Subjects Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair, Christopher C. Kraemer

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Physical therapy strives to incorporate innovative and efficient protocols for rehabilitation of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgeries. Research supports the benefits of closed kinetic chain exercises (distal segment of extremity is fixed) over the traditional open kinetic chain exercises (distal segment not fixed). It is theorized that backward walking on inclined surfaces will recruit the knee musculature to a greater extent than forward walking, but there is little research to support this theory. The purpose of this study was to utilize electromyography during treadmill walking to analyze the muscle activity in the lower extremity of individuals were normal and who …

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Within The Field Of Physical Therapy, Dawn M. Leidholm

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Musculoskeletal injuries are frequently reported in the health care industry; an increasing number of physical therapists are affected. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and job factors within the field of physical therapy. A four page questionnaire was sent to 418 randomly selected individuals who graduated from the University of North Dakota Physical Therapy Program between 1970 and 1996. The survey instrument was derived from a literature review and previously conducted studies. It consisted of three sections: general practice, occupational injury, and demographic information. The highest prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders was …