Physical Therapy Commons^™

Breast Injury During Sport Participation, Laura J. Smith, Tamara Eichelberger, Elizabeth Miller, Edward J Kane

Athletic Training Collection

A recent study found that almost half (47.9%), of female college athletes participating in basketball, soccer, volleyball and softball (n = 194) suffered a breast injury during their college career with less than 10% reporting their injury to health personnel with only 2.1% receiving treatment ^[1]. Breast injury in female athletes is under-reported and is lacking a much-needed level of awareness in sport. If there is a void in awareness of breast injuries and in reporting breast injuries, preventive measures as well as any potential sequela from the injury will not be given the necessary attention.

Preseason Y Balance Test Scores Are Not Associated With Noncontact Time-Loss Lower Quadrant Injury In Male Collegiate Basketball Players, Jason Brumitt, Kyle Nelson, Duane Duey, Matthew Jeppson, Luke Hammer

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

The Y-Balance Test-Lower Quarter has shown promise as a screening tool for identifying athletes at risk of injury. Subsequent studies, utilizing heterogeneous populations or different operational definitions of injury, have presented equivocal findings. Therefore, studies evaluating the efficacy of the Y-Balance Test to discriminate injury risk in a homogeneous population is warranted. One-hundred sixty-nine male (mean age 19.9 + 1.5 y) collegiate basketball players were recruited during 2 consecutive seasons (2016–2017/2017–2018). Athletes completed the Y-Balance testing protocol at the start of each preseason. Athletic trainers tracked noncontact time-loss lower quadrant injuries over the course of the season. Receiver operator characteristic …

Meet An Ipe Faculty Champion From Thomas Jefferson University: Janet Jackson-Coty, Pt, Dpt, Pcs, Janet Jackson-Coty, Pt, Dpt, Pcs

Collaborative Healthcare: Interprofessional Practice, Education and Evaluation (JCIPE)

Meet an IPE Faculty Champion from Thomas Jefferson University: Janet Jackson-Coty, PT, DPT, PCS

Patient Deception In Health Care: Physical Therapy Education, Beliefs, And Attitudes, Drew A. Curtis, Han-Hung Huang, Kendra L. Nicks

International Journal of Health Sciences Education

A good professional-patient relationship is important to clinical practice, which may be compromised by deception. Deception research in physical therapy is scant. The current study investigated how the topic of patient deception is addressed in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) educational curriculum, explore DPT students’ beliefs about deception and attitudes toward patient deception, and examine the effects of a pedagogical intervention on DPT students’ beliefs about deception and attitudes toward patient deception. The first objective was pursued by a descriptive survey sent to 217 DPT programs in the US. The second and third objectives were achieved by one-group pretest-posttest design …

Freezing Of Gait: Mechanisms, Mechanics, And Management, Peter S. Myers

Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Parkinson disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease with multiple motor and non-motor symptoms, including postural instability, gait impairments, and cognitive deficits. More than 50% of individuals with PD experience a symptom called freezing of gait (FOG), described as a transient inability to take another step forward. Individuals with PD who experience FOG (freezers) have further postural, gait, and cognitive impairments compared to individuals with PD without FOG (non-freezers). While degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra is accepted as the primary etiology of the disease, research shows that the disease has a global impact on the brain, accounting …

Early Career Physical Therapy Faculty Networking And Scholarly Productivity: A Mixed-Methods Study, Betsy J. Becker

Theses & Dissertations

While it is well-known that physical therapist (PT) faculty must retain a scholarly agenda, few report being activity engaged and many programs have low scholarly dissemination. There is evidence that knowledge of the make-up of a faculty network leads to improved performance and innovation. The purpose of this explanatory sequential mixed methods study was to explore agency (behaviors and perspectives about career advancement) and the professional network structure and composition of early career PT faculty as they relate to scholarly activity. This dissertation research study included 50 early career faculty who worked in accredited entry-level physical therapy programs.

The quantitative …

The Effects Of Exercise On The Cognitive Function Of Patients With Alzheimer’S Disease, Amanda Savitski

Honors Theses

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is America’s most common neurodegenerative disease affecting over 5.4 million Americans (Fernández et al., 2017). A literature review was completed to assess the possible relation between physical activity and the progression of AD. Articles were collected from various peer-reviewed, published journals using the available databases of Western Michigan University library which included PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the National Institute of Health (NIH). Keywords used for the database searches included “Alzheimer”, “Alzheimer’s Disease”, “neurodegeneration”, “aging brain”, “exercise”, and “physical activity”. Based upon the literature reviewed, aerobic exercise appears to slow the progression of AD and possibly reverses it slightly …

Acute Progressive Neurological Decline In An Elderly Man, Troy Burley, Michael Ross, Ryan Elliott, Michael Tall

Articles & Book Chapters

The patient was an 88-year-old man referred to a physical therapist by his primary care physician for a 1-week history of severe neck pain of insidious onset. Based upon the history and physical examination, the physical therapist concluded that the patient’s neck pain was mechanical in nature. Initial physical therapist intervention included cervical taping, cervical collar use and instruction in home exercise. At his follow-up visit 4 days after his initial physical therapy visit, the patient reported no improvement. The patient’s son, who accompanied him to this visit, also reported that his father had a recent onset of fever and …

Comprehensive Physical Therapy Management Of A Patient With Decreased Shoulder Function And A History Of Breast, Lung, And Oral Cancer: A Case Report, Andrew Chongaway, Amy J. Litterini

Case Report Posters

Multiple primary cancers are uncommon in the same individual with an incidence rate of 2-17%. Surgery, chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, and Surgery, chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, and radiation may result in immediate and/or long radiation may result in immediate and/or long-term effects on the musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, nervous, and integumentary systems potentially resulting in decreased functional mobility and quality of life (QOL) for the individual. The purpose of this case report was to describe a comprehensive physical therapy (PT) plan using manual therapy and therapeutic exercises in the management of decreased shoulder function for a patient with a history of breast, lung, and …

Comprehensive Physical Therapy Management Of Peroneal Tendonitis With Associated Painful Os Peroneum Syndrome: A Case Report, Megan Burns, Kirsten Buchanan

Case Report Posters

Treatment for peroneal tendonitis is well documented. Treatment of Painful Os Peroneum Sydrome (POPS) is not. Currently, there is no research that has investigated the best treatment for a combined diagnosis of POPS and peroneal tendonitis. The purpose of this case report was to investigate a comprehensive plan of care (POC) for a 65-year-old woman with a combined diagnosis of peroneal tendonitis and POPS

A 6 Week Balance And Gait Training Program Using The Alterg For A Patient With Cervical Myelopathy After Spinal Decompression Surgery: A Case Report, Palak Patel

Case Report Posters

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal which can cause radiculopathy or myelopathy symptoms due to compression of the spinal cord. About 80% of patients of 70 years old have some level of stenosis. There is limited research on prognosis for patients with cervical myelopathy and subsequent spinal decompression surgery. AlterG treadmill (AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill M320/F320, Fremont, CA) is an antigravity treadmill that is considered a body weight support system used in progressive gait retraining. The purpose of this case report is to assess the effectiveness of balance and gait training on the AlterG in a geriatric patient …

Restoring Functional Mobility In An Adult Patient Secondary To Subtrochanteric Femur Fracture Surgical Repair: A Case Report, Brittany Gray

Case Report Posters

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration noted 7,277,000 police reported motor vehicle accidents (MVA) in the United States in 2016.1 As a result, 2,177,000 people were injured. In 2008, approximately 340,000 emergency department visits were because of hip fractures. Femur fractures average $40,000 in medical bills in the first year following injury and another $5,000 in succeeding years. A review of 12 trials resulted in mixed evidence on the necessity of skilled physical therapy (PT) interventions to maximize functional mobility in individuals with femur fractures. The purpose of this case report was to report on the results of skilled PT …

Conservative Management Of A Complete Rupture Of The Long Head Of The Biceps: A Case Report, Ali Woller

Case Report Posters

The purpose of this case study was to assess conservative management of a complete rupture of the long head of the biceps over a six-week period. The long head of the biceps (LHB) stabilizes the shoulder by reducing anteroposterior and superior inferior translation of the humeral head in the glenoid fossa. A tear of the LHB most commonly occurs when the biceps is suddenly loaded against flexion and supination of the elbow. Surgical repair of the LHB has seen 94% satisfaction rates, but with complications. Fifty-six percent of patients who initially chose conservative methods ultimately choose surgery. There is a …

Inpatient Physical Therapy Management For A Patient With Chronic Pulmonary Complications Secondary To Multiple Lobectomies: A Case Report, Bayley Archinal

Case Report Posters

Bronchiectasis is a disease defined by abnormal dilation of the bronchi, which is a result of recurrent infections and/or chronic inflammation. A lobectomy is the surgical removal of one lobe of a lung and reduces the symptoms of bronchiectasis. Patients who undergo this surgery are more likely to have long-term pulmonary limitations. There is little to no literature regarding the long term treatment of patients who underwent multiple lobectomies. The purpose of this case report was to describe an appropriate intervention program for an 82-year-old female who suffered from multiple pulmonary complications secondary to multiple lobectomies.

Barefoot Rehabilitation Of Type Ii Posterior Tibialis Tendon Dysfunction In A Veteran: A Case Report, Matthew Heindel, Kirsten Buchanan

Case Report Posters

The purpose of this case report was to examine barefoot training and foot intrinsic musculature strengthening within a comprehensive PT plan of care for type II PTTD. Posterior Tibialis Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD) affects ~10% of the population, where Stage I: medial arch pain, possible pain with heel elevation, and mild ankle/foot swelling, Stage II: Stage I + flexible flatfoot deformity, Stage III: Stage I + fixed flatfoot deformity, Stage IV: tibiotalar degeneration stemming from valgus tilt of talus in ankle mortise. Barefoot training increased plantar surface proprioception, increased activation of foot intrinsic musculature, decreased running injuries. Foot Intrinsic Musculature Strengthening …

Gait Training A Patient Who Was Deaf With Multiple Total Hip Revisions: A Case Report, Natalie Slattery, Kirsten Buchanan

Case Report Posters

93% of patients who have a total hip arthroplasty (THA) are due to end-stage osteoarthritis. 15-30% of patients who survive a stroke continue to live with a long-term disability. The most common abnormal gait pattern after surviving a stroke is due to hemiparesis. Patients who are deaf require greater visual and tactile cueing during gait training. Gait training has been shown to normalize gait patterns and increase functional mobility in patients after a total hip replacement (THR), THA revision and/or stroke. There is a lack of research investigating the optimal gait training plan of care (POC) for a patient with …

Functional Mobility For An Elderly Person With Amyotrophic Latera Lsclerosis: A Case Report, Gianna G. Pezzano, Amy J. Litterini

Case Report Posters

The purpose of this case study was to describe a palliative care physical therapy (PT) plan for maintenance of functional mobility and fall risk reduction for a patient with ALS. Ice Bucket Challenge began in 2014 to increase public awareness and funding for ALS. Need for further research was highlighted, in the campaign, for medical treatment and rehabilitation. Typical Presentation for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is male, 60 years old, limb onset. This patient was female, 82 years old, with bulbar onset, limb weakness, and fall risk.

Balance And Strength Interventions For An Older Individual With Peripheral Polyneuropathy: A Case Report, Hanna Geib

Case Report Posters

Peripheral polyneuropathy (PPN) is a condition resulting from damage to the peripheral nervous system. PPN occurs in a distal and symmetrical pattern, often affecting the toes and the soles of the feet. Numbness, tingling, paresthesias, or burning are common symptoms of PPN. 20-25% of cases are idiopathic. Can affect functional mobility due to proprioceptive sensory losses and general weakness of extensor muscles, which then results in unsteadiness of gait and impaired balance. Treatment can consist of pharmacological and physical therapy interventions in order to manage symptoms. Recent literature demonstrated that following participation in a strength and balance training program, individuals …

A Weighted Vest Rehabilitation Protocol To Improve Gait In A Patient With Cerebellar Degeneration: A Case Report, Amy Belanger, Kirsten Buchanan

Case Report Posters

The purpose of this case report was to investigate a combined weighted vest protocol and comprehensive PT program for a 34-year-old with cerebellar degeneration. Cerebellar degeneration (CD) is a rare brain dysfunction that affects motor control. Ataxia is a common manifestation of CD, defined as the discoordination of the limbs or trunk. Interventions that have separately been found to be effective when treating ataxia are postural training, comprehensive physical therapy (PT) and weighted vest protocols. While each of these treatments have individually been shown to decrease ataxia, they have not been used in combination.

Subacute Rehabilitation Following An Hypoxic Ischemic Brain Injury Resulting In Severe Ataxia: A Case Report, Chelsea Vandriel

Case Report Posters

The purpose of this case report is to provide physical therapy interventions that were utilized in an inpatient rehabilitation hospital setting for a patient who experienced a hypoxic brain injury. Hypoxic/anoxic brain injuries result from global lack of oxygen to the brain from events such as drowning, choking, and cardiac or respiratory arrest. Certain areas of the brain have more devastating effects when deprived of oxygen as they have a higher metabolic activity and increased utilization of oxygen. One area in particular is the basal ganglia. Anoxic brain injuries involving infarcts of the basal ganglia (containing globus pallidus) can result …

Functional Mobility For A Patient With Myelodysplastic Syndrome, Chronic Gvhd, And Corticosteroid Use: A Case Report, Alyssa Deardorff, Amy J. Litterini

Case Report Posters

The purpose of this case report is to describe PT interventions for an individual with a cancer diagnosis who received an allo-SCT and subsequently had long-term complications associated with cGVHD, long-term corticosteroid use, and cancer survivorship. Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) is often called pre-leukemia as 1 in 3 individuals will develop Acute Myeloid Leukemia. It is a type of cancer that causes blood producing cells in bone marrow to function abnormally and causes normal blood cells to die earlier. Graft-Versus-Host-Disease (GVHD) develops in approximately 70% of patients following an allogenic stem cell transplant. Donor’s cells attack both the malignancy and the …

The Treatment Of Pes Anserine Syndrome Using Acl Injury Prevention Exercises: A Case Report, Stephanie Chau, Kirsten Buchanan

Case Report Posters

The purpose of this case report was to utilize ACL injury prevention exercises within a comprehensive physical therapy (PT) plan of care (POC) for a patient with Pes anserine syndrome (PAS). Pes anserine syndrome (PAS) is the inflammation of either the pes anserine bursa, tendon, or both. The incidence and etiology of PAS are unknown at this time. There is limited literature available for the treatment and rehabilitation of PAS. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury prevention exercises address proper hip, knee, and ankle alignment and decrease the risk of ACL injuries by 52% in females and 85% in males.

Inpatient Rehabilitation Of A 99-Year-Old Following A High-Impact Unstable Pelvic Ring Fracture: A Case Report, Julia Pratt

Case Report Posters

The purpose of this case report was to describe the outcomes of PT interventions for a nonagenarian patient following an unstable pelvic ring fracture and to provide an overview for a plan of care supported by research. Unstable pelvic ring fractures are defined by the displacement and deformity of the pelvic bones. Pelvic fractures are rare and only make up 3% of all skeletal injuries; however, the mortality rate of unstable pelvic fractures is extremely high, ranging from 20-50%. Most pelvic fractures are caused by motor vehicle accidents (MVA) in which patients suffer multiple traumas. When patients suffer multiple traumas …

Subacute Physical Rehabilitation For A Young Adult With A Hypoxic Brain Injury Resulting In Severe Myoclonic Movements And Ataxia: A Case Report, Chelsea Vandriel

Case Report Papers

Background and Purpose: An acquired brain injury is an injury to the brain that is not hereditary, congenital, degenerative in nature or induced by birth. Hypoxic/anoxic ischemic brain injuries (HIBI) result from global lack of oxygen to the brain from events such as drowning, choking, and cardiac or respiratory arrest. Limited research has been done regarding physical therapy (PT) interventions to improve functional mobility, gait, and tolerance to activity in an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) with this patient population. Thus, the purpose of this case report is to provide PT interventions that were utilized in an IRF setting for a …

The Treatment Of Pes Anserine Syndrome Using Acl Injury Prevention Exercises: A Case Report, Stephanie Chau

Case Report Papers

Background and Purpose: Pes anserine syndrome is the term that encompasses both pes anserine bursitis and pes anserine tendonitis. The exact incidence of pes anserine syndrome is unknown. However, the etiology has been hypothesized to be due to poor biomechanics and overuse. Treatment protocols with targeted exercises for rehabilitation of pes anserine syndrome have not been well documented. ACL injury prevention programs have been shown to significantly decrease ACL injuries by addressing proper hip, knee, and ankle alignment and biomechanics. It was postulated that utilization of an ACL injury prevention program could also be an effective strategy in addressing the …

Restoring Functional Mobility In An Adult Patient Secondary To Subtrochanteric Femur Fracture Surgical Repair: A Case Report, Brittany Gray

Case Report Papers

Background and Purpose: Femur fractures lead to significant functional deficits resulting in major healthcare expenses. This case report accounts the outcomes of skilled physical therapy interventions for treatment of an intramedullary nail fixation of a subtrochanteric fracture. The purpose of this case report was to demonstrate the use of physical therapy in regaining strength, range of motion, and improving gait and balance deficits post femur fracture. The combination of the patient’s age, mechanism of injury, post-surgical complications, and delayed full weight bearing status make this case distinctive in nature. Case Description: The patient was a 47-year-old male who presented to …

Inpatient Rehabilitation Of A 99-Year-Old Patient Following A High-Impact Unstable Pelvic Ring Fracture: A Case Report, Julia Pratt

Case Report Papers

Background: Unstable pelvic ring fractures (PRF) seldom occur in isolated injuries. Most pelvic fractures are caused by motor vehicle accidents (MVA) concurrently with multiple traumas. PRF have an extremely high mortality rate, ranging from 20-50%. When patients suffer multiple traumas including a pelvic fracture, their mortality rate increases by 10%, and their ability to return home after treatment decreases by 33%. The purpose of this case report was to describe the outcomes of physical therapy (PT) interventions for a nonagenarian patient following an unstable PRF. Case Description: A 99 year-old male suffered a high impact unstable PRF in addition to …

The Use Of Medical Therapeutic Yoga On A Patient With Adhesive Capsulitis: A Case Report, Cameron Vallie

Case Report Papers

Background and Purpose: Shoulder pain is the third most common site of musculoskeletal pain leading to substantial financial burden for patients. Adhesive capsulitis (AC) is a disabling condition defined by a progressive loss of upper extremity (UE) range of motion (ROM) and leading to limitations in functional mobility. The purpose of this case report is to investigate the implementation of medical therapeutic yoga (MTY) in combination with manual therapy and therapeutic exercise in the treatment of a patient with AC. Case Description: The patient was a 51-year-old female with left shoulder AC and associated deficits in ROM, strength, and functional …

Conservative Management Of A Complete Rupture Of The Long Head Of The Biceps: A Case Report, Ali Woller

Case Report Papers

Background/Purpose: The long head of the biceps plays an important role stabilizing the shoulder. Most of the current literature supports surgical intervention following a complete rupture, but there is little evidence that supports conservative management. Due to a lack of evidence supporting conservative management of a complete rupture of the long head of the biceps, the purpose of this case study was to evaluate the progress this patient made over a six-week period with outpatient physical therapy addressing his impairments resulting from his injury. Case Description: The patient was a 51-year-old male with a confirmed diagnosis of a complete rupture …

A 6 Week Balance And Gait Training Program Using The Alterg For A Patient With Cervical Myelopathy After Spinal Decompression Surgery: A Case Report, Palak Patel

Case Report Papers

Background and Purpose: Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can cause radicular symptoms due to compression of the spinal cord. About 80% of patients over 70 years old have some level of stenosis. Patients with severe types of cervical stenosis may require operative management which includes spinal decompression and fusion. In this case report the AlterG was used to perform a balance and gait training program for a patient who had significant loss of strength and functional mobility after spinal decompression surgery. Case Description: The patient was an 83-year-old male who was a retired farmer that …