Physical Therapy Commons^™

Rehabilitation Interventions For Physical Capacity And Quality Of Life In Adults With Post-Covid-19 Condition: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis., Dimitra V Pouliopoulou, Joy C Macdermid, Emily Saunders, Sue Peters, Laura Brunton, Erin Miller, Kieran L Quinn, Tiago V Pereira, Pavlos Bobos

Physical Therapy Publications

IMPORTANCE: Current rehabilitation guidelines for patients with post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) are primarily based on expert opinions and observational data, and there is an urgent need for evidence-based rehabilitation interventions to support patients with PCC.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the findings of existing studies that report on physical capacity (including functional exercise capacity, muscle function, dyspnea, and respiratory function) and quality of life outcomes following rehabilitation interventions in patients with PCC.

DATA SOURCES: A systematic electronic search was performed from January 2020 until February 2023, in MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, and the Clinical Trials Registry. Key terms that were used to identify potentially …

Students' Attitudes, Beliefs And Perceptions Surrounding 2slgbtqia + Health Education And Inclusiveness In Canadian Physiotherapy Programs, Codie A Primeau, Holly T Philpott, Kyle Vader, Janelle Unger, Christina Y Le, Trevor B Birmingham, Joy C Macdermid

Physical Therapy Publications

BACKGROUND: Patients who identify as 2SLGBTQIA + report negative experiences with physiotherapy. The objectives were to evaluate student attitudes, beliefs and perceptions related to 2SLGBTQIA + health education and working with individuals who identify as 2SLGBTQIA + in entry-level physiotherapy programs in Canada and to evaluate physiotherapy program inclusiveness towards 2SLGBTQIA + persons.

METHODS: We completed a nationwide, cross-sectional survey of physiotherapy students from Canadian institutions. We recruited students via email and social media from August-December 2021. Frequency results are presented with percentages. Logistic regression models (odds ratios [OR], 95%CI) were used to evaluate associations between demographics and training hours …

Knowledge, Behaviours, And Training Related To 2slgbtqia+ Health Education Amongst Entry-Level Physiotherapy Students In Canada: Results Of A Nationwide, Cross-Sectional Survey, Codie A Primeau, Holly T Philpott, Kyle Vader, Janelle Unger, Christina Y Le, Trevor B Birmingham, Joy C Macdermid

Physical Therapy Publications

BACKGROUND: Individuals who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ report worse health outcomes than heterosexual/cisgender counterparts, in part due to poor experiences with healthcare professionals. This may stem from inadequate 2SLGBTQIA+ health and inclusiveness training in health professional student education. The purpose of the study was to evaluate knowledge, behaviours, and training related to 2SLGBTQIA+ health education and inclusiveness for entry-level physiotherapy students in Canada.

METHODS: We conducted a nationwide, cross-sectional survey with physiotherapy students from accredited Canadian physiotherapy programs. We administered the survey through Qualtrics and recruited students through targeted recruitment emails and social media posts on Twitter and Instagram between August …

Spatial Characteristics Of Reactive Stepping Among People Living With Chronic Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury, Matthew G Heffernan, Jae Woung Lee, Katherine Chan, Janelle Unger, Susan Marzolini, Timothy N Welsh, Kei Masani, Kristin E Musselman

Physical Therapy Publications

Objective: Compare the spatial characteristics of reactive stepping between individuals with chronic motor incomplete spinal cord injuries (iSCI) and able-bodied (AB) individuals.

Design: Cross sectional.

Setting: Lyndhurst Centre.

Participants: Twelve individuals with iSCI (3 males, 53.6 ± 15.2 years old) and 11 age- and sex-matched AB individuals (3 males, 54.8 ± 14.0 years old).

Interventions: The Lean-and-Release test was used to elicit reactive stepping. A horizontal cable, attached at waist height, was released when 8-12% body weight was supported in a forward lean position. Participants underwent up to 10 Lean-and-Release trials in a session. Kinematic and …

Association Between Measures Of Cognitive Function On Physical Function In Novice Users Of A Lower Limb Prosthesis, Humberto Omana, Courtney Frengopoulos, Manuel Montero-Odasso, Michael W. Payne, Ricardo Viana, Susan W. Hunter

Physical Therapy Publications

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment is prevalent in people with lower limb amputations (PLLA) and is associated with adverse outcomes, such as falls and worse rehabilitation outcomes. Physical function tests are essential to examine abilities; however, no research in PLLA has clarified the magnitude of cognitive demands amongst available tests in users novice at walking with a prosthesis.

METHODS: People from inpatient prosthetic rehabilitation were recruited. Inclusion criteria were: age ≥ 50 years, unilateral transtibial amputation and able to walk independently. Gait velocity and the L Test under single-task (usual) and dual-task (walking while counting backwards) conditions assessed functional mobility. The Four …

Premotor And Posterior Parietal Cortex Activity Is Increased For Slow, As Well As Fast Walking Poststroke: An Fnirs Study, Shannon B Lim, Sue Peters, Chieh-Ling Yang, Lara A Boyd, Teresa Liu-Ambrose, Janice J Eng

Physical Therapy Publications

Background and Purpose. The ability to change gait speeds is important for interacting with the surrounding environment. Gait speed modulation poststroke is often impaired and is related to decreased walking independence after stroke. Assessment of brain activation during walking at different speeds can provide insight into important regions for facilitating gait recovery. The purpose is to determine: (1) the symmetry of brain activation as individuals increase or decrease their gait speed, (2) the activation levels in frontal to parietal brain regions during walking at different speeds, and (3) the relationship between an individual’s stroke impairment or their ability to modulate …

Implementation Of Increased Physical Therapy Intensity For Improving Walking After Stroke: Walk 'N Watch Protocol For A Multisite Stepped-Wedge Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial, Sue Peters, Shannon B Lim, Mark T Bayley, Krista Best, Louise A Connell, Hélène Corriveau, Sarah J Donkers, Sean P Dukelow, Tara D Klassen, Marie-Hélène Milot, Brodie M Sakakibara, Lisa Sheehy, Hubert Wong, Jennifer Yao, Janice J Eng

Physical Therapy Publications

RATIONALE: Clinical practice guidelines support structured, progressive protocols for improving walking after stroke. Yet, practice is slow to change, evidenced by the little amount of walking activity in stroke rehabilitation units. Our recent study (n = 75) found that a structured, progressive protocol integrated with typical daily physical therapy improved walking and quality-of-life measures over usual care. Research therapists progressed the intensity of exercise by using heart rate and step counters worn by the participants with stroke during therapy. To have the greatest impact, our next step is to undertake an implementation trial to change practice across stroke units where …

Neuromotor Changes In Participants With A Concussion History Can Be Detected With A Custom Smartphone App, Christopher K. Rhea, Masahiro Yamada, Nikita A. Kuznetsov, Jason T. Jakiela, Chanel T. Lojacono, Scott E. Ross, F. J. Haran, Jason M. Bailie, W. Geoffrey Wright

Moss-Magee Rehabilitation Papers

Neuromotor dysfunction after a concussion is common, but balance tests used to assess neuromotor dysfunction are typically subjective. Current objective balance tests are either cost- or space-prohibitive, or utilize a static balance protocol, which may mask neuromotor dysfunction due to the simplicity of the task. To address this gap, our team developed an Android-based smartphone app (portable and cost-effective) that uses the sensors in the device (objective) to record movement profiles during a stepping-in-place task (dynamic movement). The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which our custom smartphone app and protocol could discriminate neuromotor behavior between …

The Effects On Gait Of 4-Wheeled Walker Use In People With Alzheimer's Disease Dementia And Gait Impairment: A Pilot Study, Humberto Omaña, Edward Madou, Susan W. Hunter

Physical Therapy Publications

In people with dementia, provision of mobility aids is standard treatment for those with impaired gait. However, mobility aid use is independently associated with increased falls risk. In this short communication, gait velocity and stride time variability were recorded in eleven adults with Alzheimer's disease dementia. Three conditions were tested: single-task (no aid), walking with a walker, and dual-task (walker use and counting backwards) under both a straight path and Figure-of-8 walking configuration. Gait velocity increased when using a walker compared to no aid in the Figure-of-8 walking configuration. Walker use improved gait in simple walking, but benefits diminished upon …

Survey Of Confidence And Knowledge To Manage Patellofemoral Pain In Readers Versus Nonreaders Of The Physical Therapy Clinical Practice Guideline, Richard W. Willy, Lisa T. Hoglund, Neal R. Glaviano, Lori A. Bolgla, David M. Bazett-Jones

Department of Physical Therapy Faculty Papers

Objectives: To compare beliefs of physical therapists (PTs) who read the clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the management of individuals with patellofemoral pain (PFP) to those who have not read the CPG.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Online survey.

Participants: 494 currently licensed/registered PTs or physiotherapists.

Main Outcome Measures: Respondents answered Likert-based or open-ended questions regarding the diagnosis, prognosis, risk factors, and management of individuals with PFP, as well as confidence for managing individuals with PFP, especially the ability to identify beneficial and non-beneficial interventions. We dichotomized responses into participants who read (READERS) and did not read (NonREADERS) the CPG.

Results: …

The Effect Of Dual-Task Testing On The Balance And Gait Of People With Lower Limb Amputations: A Systematic Review, Humberto Omana, Edward Madou, Manuel Montero-Odasso, Michael W. Payne, Ricardo Viana, Susan W. Hunter

Physical Therapy Publications

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the literature on the effect of dual-task testing on the balance and gait of people with lower limb amputations (PLLA).

LITERATURE SURVEY: Databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched in duplicate (inception to December 1, 2020).

METHODOLOGY: Inclusion criteria: participants were adults with transtibial, knee-disarticulation, transfemoral, or bilateral lower limb amputations; balance or gait was paired with a secondary task; and studies were peer-reviewed and published in English. Two authors independently reviewed articles and consensus was required. A standardized data extraction sheet was used to gather study relevant information in duplicate. …

Co-Contraction Of Ankle Muscle Activity During Quiet Standing In Individuals With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury Is Associated With Postural Instability, Kai Lon Fok, Jae W Lee, Janelle Unger, Katherine Chan, Kristin E Musselman, Kei Masani

Physical Therapy Publications

Previous findings indicate that co-contractions of plantarflexors and dorsiflexors during quiet standing increase the ankle mechanical joint stiffness, resulting in increased postural sway. Balance impairments in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) may be due to co-contractions like in other individuals with reduced balance ability. Here we investigated the effect of co-contraction between plantar- and dorsiflexors on postural balance in individuals with iSCI (iSCI-group) and able-bodied individuals (AB-group). Thirteen able-bodied individuals and 13 individuals with iSCI were asked to perform quiet standing with their eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC). Kinetics and electromyograms from the tibialis anterior (TA), …

Functional Reach Test, Single-Leg Stance Test, And Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment For The Prediction Of Falls In Older Adults: A Systematic Review, Humberto Omaña, Kari Bezaire, Kyla Brady, Jayme Davies, Nancy Louwagie, Sean Power, Sydney Santin, Susan W. Hunter

Physical Therapy Publications

OBJECTIVE: The authors sought to systematically review the existing literature on the falls-related diagnostic test properties of the Functional Reach Test (FRT), single-leg stance test (SLST), and Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) in older adults across settings and patient populations.

METHODS: The PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases were searched (inception-July 2020). Inclusion criteria were participants aged 60 years or more, prospectively recorded falls, and the reporting of falls-related predictive validity. Manuscripts not published in English were excluded. Methodological quality of reporting was assessed using the Tooth Scale.

RESULTS: Of 1071 studies reviewed, 21 met the inclusion criteria (12 POMA, 8 …

Front-Loading Of Anatomy Content Has No Effect On Long-Term Anatomy Knowledge Retention Among Physical Therapy Students: A Prospective Cohort Study., Amy H. Amabile, Kim Nixon-Cave, Larry J. Georgetti, Ashley C. Sims

Department of Physical Therapy Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Information learned over a longer period of time has been shown to result in better long-term knowledge retention than information learned over a shorter period of time. In order to address multiple curricular goals, the timing and spacing of anatomy content within the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at our institution recently changed from a very spaced to a very compressed format. The purpose of the present study was to assess differences in anatomy knowledge retention that might have been impacted by this change. The research hypothesis was that students receiving spaced instruction would have significantly better anatomy …

The Effect Of First-Time 4-Wheeled Walker Use On The Gait Of Younger And Older Adults, Humberto A. Omana, Edward Madou, Alison Divine, Walter Wittich, Keith D. Hill, Andrew M. Johnson, Jeffrey D. Holmes, Susan W. Hunter

Physical Therapy Publications

INTRODUCTION: The 4-wheeled walker is intended to enhance balance and gait for older adults. Yet, some research suggests that walking aids increase falls risk. An understanding of the influence of age with walker use on gait performance is required.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of initial 4-wheeled walker use on spatiotemporal gait parameters between younger and older adults.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional, repeated-measures.

SETTING: Community-dwelling.

PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five younger (age: 26.5 ± 4.1 years) and 24 older (age: 68.5 ± 10.5 years) adults participated. Younger adults were aged 18 to 35 years, whereas older adults were 50 years or older. Included were people …

The Time For Translation Of Mobile Brain And Body Imaging To People With Stroke Is Now, Brian Greeley, Grant Hanada, Lara A Boyd, Sue Peters

Physical Therapy Publications

No abstract provided.

Perspectives Of Individuals With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Following Novel Balance Training Involving Functional Electrical Stimulation With Visual Feedback: A Qualitative Exploratory Study, David J Houston, Janelle Unger, Jae W Lee, Kei Masani, Kristin E Musselman

Physical Therapy Publications

BACKGROUND: Individuals with an incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) are highly susceptible to falls during periods of walking or standing. We recently reported the findings of a novel intervention combining functional electrical stimulation with visual feedback balance training (FES + VFBT) on standing balance abilities among five individuals with motor iSCI. However, the previous publication did not report the perceived impact of the intervention on the participants' lives. In this report, the experiences of these five individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) who had recently completed the four-week balance training program are described.

METHODS: Five individuals with a motor …

Publication Rate And Consistency Of Registered Trials Of Motor-Based Stroke Rehabilitation, Raabeae Aryan, David Jagroop, Cynthia J Danells, Gabriela Rozanski, Janelle Unger, Andrew H Huntley, Avril Mansfield

Physical Therapy Publications

OBJECTIVE: To determine the publication rate of motor-rehabilitation trials poststroke and the consistency between registry records and their corresponding main publications in trial design, primary objectives and outcomes, eligibility criteria, and sample size.

METHODS: We searched 18 clinical trial registries to identify randomized controlled trials of motor-based stroke rehabilitation registered after July 2005 and completed before April 2017. Eligible trials included adults with stroke, with at least one outcome measure related to motor function. Information in the registry records was compared with that of their main publications, if any.

RESULTS: Three hundred twenty-three trials met our eligibility criteria; we were …

The Effect Of Dual-Task Testing On Balance And Gait Performance In Adults With Type 1 Or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review, Humberto Omana, Edward Madou, Manuel Montero-Odasso, Michael Payne, Ricardo Viana, Susan W. Hunter

Physical Therapy Publications

BACKGROUND: Individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) are susceptible to balance, gait and cognitive impairments. Importantly, diabetes affects executive function, a set of cognitive processes critical to everyday cortical function and mobility. Reduced executive function is a risk factor for falls in people with DM. Dual-task testing, the completion of two tasks at once, enables the examination of the cognitive-mobility relationship. A synthesis of the literature on the effects of dual- task testing on the balance and gait of individuals with DM has not been performed.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the literature on the effect of dual-task testing on balance and …

Development, Reliability And Validity Of The Safe Use Of Mobility Aids Checklist (Sumac) For 4-Wheeled Walker Use In People Living With Dementia., Susan W. Hunter, Alison Divine, Humberto Omana, Ed Madou, Jeffrey Holmes

Physical Therapy Publications

BACKGROUND: Balance and gait problems are common and progressive in dementia. Use of a mobility aid provides physical support and confidence. Yet, mobility aid use in people with dementia increases falls three-fold. An assessment tool of mobility aid safety in people with dementia does not currently exist. The objectives of this study were: 1) to develop a tool for the evaluation of physical function and safe use of a 4-wheeled walker in people with dementia, and 2) to evaluate its construct and criterion validity, inter-rater and test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change.

METHODS: Healthcare professionals (HCP) experienced in rehabilitation of …

Physiological Factors Of Female Runners With And Without Stress Fracture Histories: A Pilot Study., Therese E Johnston, Colleen Dempsey, Frances Gilman, Ryan Tomlinson, Ann-Katrin Jacketti, Jeremy Close

Department of Physical Therapy Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Female runners are at increased risk of stress fractures (SFs) compared with men. Literature is lacking with regard to best practice for preventing and treating SFs in women. The purpose of the study was to compare physiological measures and running-related factors between women of various ages and running abilities with and without a history of running-related SFs.

HYPOTHESIS: Women with and without SF histories will differ with regard to medical and menstrual history, bone health, body composition, nutrition, and running history.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2.

METHODS: A total of 20 female runners with …

Association Between Changes In Subjective And Objective Measures Of Mobility In People With Lower Limb Amputations After Inpatient Rehabilitation, Gabrielle Cieslak, Humberto Omana, Edward Madou, Courtney Frengopoulos, Ricardo Viana, Michael W Payne, Susan W. Hunter

Physical Therapy Publications

Functional recovery for people with lower limb amputations is quantified using objective or subjective measures of performance. In this brief report, the prospective relationship between objective and subjective mobility after rehabilitation was evaluated in people with lower limb amputations. Adults undergoing inpatient prosthetic rehabilitation for a first unilateral transtibial or transfemoral level lower limb amputation were recruited. Assessment times: discharge and 4-mo follow-up. Gait velocity and the L Test under single- and dual-task conditions measured objective mobility. The Prosthetic Evaluation Questionnaire (section 4 and question 5b) measured subjective mobility. Paired t tests and Pearson correlation analysis evaluated change over time …

Perceptions Of Risk For Stress Fractures: A Qualitative Study Of Female Runners With And Without Stress Fracture Histories., Therese E Johnston, Jeremy Close, Phil Jamora, Susan F Wainwright

Department of Physical Therapy Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: To gain insight into perceived factors related to bone health and stress fracture (SF) prevention for female runners and to understand their experiences within the medical community.

DESIGN: Cohort qualitative study.

SETTING: University health system.

PARTICIPANTS: Forty female runners, 20 who had SF histories and 20 age-and-running-distance matched women without SF.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Women participated in audiotaped qualitative semi-structured interviews. For women with a SF history, questions sought their perspectives on factors that they felt contributed to SF, experiences with the medical community, and changes made post SF. For women without a SF history, questions sought perspectives on …

The Β3-Adrenergic Receptor Agonist Mirabegron Improves Glucose Homeostasis In Obese Humans, Brian S. Finlin, Hasiyet Memetimin, Beibei Zhu, Amy L. Confides, Hemendra J. Vekaria, Riham H. El Khouli, Zachary R. Johnson, Philip M. Westgate, Jianzhong Chen, Andrew J. Morris, Patrick G. Sullivan, Esther E. Dupont-Versteegden, Philip A. Kern

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND. Beige adipose tissue is associated with improved glucose homeostasis in mice. Adipose tissue contains β3-adrenergic receptors (β3-ARs), and this study was intended to determine whether the treatment of obese, insulin-resistant humans with the β3-AR agonist mirabegron, which stimulates beige adipose formation in subcutaneous white adipose tissue (SC WAT), would induce other beneficial changes in fat and muscle and improve metabolic homeostasis.

METHODS. Before and after β3-AR agonist treatment, oral glucose tolerance tests and euglycemic clamps were performed, and histochemical analysis and gene expression profiling were performed on fat and muscle biopsies. PET-CT scans quantified brown adipose tissue volume and …

Prevalence And Risk Factors Of Falls In Adults 1 Year After Total Hip Arthroplasty For Osteoarthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study, Susan W. Hunter, Pavlos Bobos, Lyndsay Somerville, James Howard, Edward M Vasarhelyi, Brent Lanting

Physical Therapy Publications

Total hip arthroplasty is very successful in alleviating the pain from osteoarthritis. However, deficits in lower limb strength, gait, and balance after surgery has identified this group at risk of falls. Considering the high number of people annually receiving a total hip arthroplasty, further elaboration of factors associated with falls is needed to refine fall prevention guidelines. The objective was to examine the prevalence and circumstances of falling and the risk factors associated with falling in older adults in the first year after total hip arthroplasty surgery. This was a cross-sectional study involving 108 individuals (age of 72.4 ± 6.5 …

Executive Function As A Mediating Factor Between Visual Acuity And Postural Stability In Cognitively Healthy Adults And Adults With Alzheimer's Dementia, Susan W. Hunter, Alison Divine, Edward Madou, Humberto Omana, Keith D Hill, Andrew M Johnson, Jeffrey D Holmes, Walter Wittich

Physical Therapy Publications

BACKGROUND: Falls in older adults, notably those with Alzheimer's dementia (AD), are prevalent. Vision and balance impairments are prominent falls risk factors in older adults. However, recent literature in the cognitively impaired suggests that executive function (EF) is important for falls risk assessments. The study objectives were to: 1) to compare balance among people with AD, healthy older adults (OA), and healthy young adults (YA) and 2) to quantify the interaction of visual acuity and EF on postural stability.

METHODS: We recruited 165 individuals (51 YA, 48 OA, and 66 AD). Trail Making Tests (A and B) quantified EF and …

Effect Of Dual-Tasking On Walking And Cognitive Demands In Adults With Alzheimer's Dementia Experienced In Using A 4-Wheeled Walker, Susan W. Hunter, Humberto Omana, Edward Madou, Walter Wittich, Keith D Hill, Andrew M Johnson, Alison Divine, Jeffrey D Holmes

Physical Therapy Publications

BACKGROUND: Learning to walk with a 4-wheeled walker increases cognitive demands in people with Alzheimer's dementia (AD). However, it is expected that experience will offset the increased cognitive demand. Current research has not yet evaluated gait in people with AD experienced in using a 4-wheeled walker under complex gait situations.

RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the effect of dual-task testing on the spatial-temporal gait parameters and cognitive performance of people with AD experienced with a 4-wheeled walker?

METHODS: Twenty-three adults with mild to moderate AD (87.4 ± 6.2 years, 48 % female) and at least 6 months of walker use experience …

Reactive Stepping After A Forward Fall In People Living With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury Or Disease, Katherine Chan, Jae Woung Lee, Janelle Unger, Jaeeun Yoo, Kei Masani, Kristin E Musselman

Physical Therapy Publications

STUDY DESIGN: Cross sectional.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the reactive stepping ability of individuals living with incomplete spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) to that of sex- and age-matched able-bodied adults.

SETTING: A tertiary SCI/D rehabilitation center in Canada.

METHODS: Thirty-three individuals (20 with incomplete SCI/D) participated. Participants assumed a forward lean position in standing whilst 8-12% of their body weight was supported by a horizontal cable at waist height affixed to a rigid structure. The cable was released unexpectedly, simulating a forward fall and eliciting one or more reactive steps. Behavioral responses (i.e., single step versus non-single step) were compared …

Quantifying Balance Control After Spinal Cord Injury: Reliability And Validity Of The Mini-Bestest, Katherine Chan, Janelle Unger, Jae Woung Lee, Gillian Johnston, Marissa Constand, Kei Masani, Kristin E Musselman

Physical Therapy Publications

Context/Objective: Incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) causes deficits in balance control. The Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (mini-BESTest) is a comprehensive measure; however, further testing of its psychometric properties among the iSCI population is needed. We evaluated the mini-BESTest’s test-retest reliability, and concurrent and convergent validity among individuals living with iSCI for more than one year.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Rehabilitation hospital.

Participants: Twenty-one individuals with chronic motor iSCI (14 females, mean age 56.8 ± 14.0 years).

Interventions: None.

Outcome Measures: Participants completed the mini-BESTest at two sessions spaced two weeks apart. At the second session, participants …

Rehabilitation Modifications For A Patient With Parkinson’S Disease Following A Suspected Case Of Gilbert’S Syndrome: A Case Study, Jason Bandong, Hy Ia, Naureen Imam, Kayla Wilcox, Travis Dennis

San Marcos, Summer 2019

The purpose of this case study was to assess the effects of core stabilization exercises, balance training, agility ladder step drills, fine motor, and dual-task training in the treatment of a high-functioning, 55-year-old, male patient with a history of Parkinson’s Disease and suspected Gilbert’s Syndrome.

This treatment program delivered for 1 hour once per week over 4 weeks led to mild improvements in activity limitations with the most notable being able to button a shirt with decreased time and assistance. The patient also exhibited mild improvement in body structure/function impairments with decreased loss of balance as evident during tandem walking …