Physical Therapy Commons^™

A Model For Professionalism Evaluation: Using The Rise Assessment Tool Across Dpt Didactic And Integrated Clinical Education, Rebecca Edgeworth Ditwiler, Laura Lee Swisher, Barbara Reddien Wagner, Stephanie Ann Anderson

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: There are limited options for professionalism evaluation during short term clinical experiences in physical therapy education. The purpose of this report is to describe the development of a new assessment tool (RISE) [Respect for Others, Integrity & Compliance, Self-Awareness & Commitment to Development, and Engagement & Work Ethic] as part of a longitudinal professional development model in the DPT didactic curriculum (RISE-SA) and integrated clinical education (RISE-CI). Primary goals of the RISE were to clearly define evaluation criteria, offer quick formative feedback, promote communication between clinical and academic faculty, and create objective professionalism …

Creating A University-Based Performing Arts Clinic: Challenges And Lessons, Carissa Limtiaco, Alan Savanapridi

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Fine artists performing at the collegiate level are at a high risk for developing performance related musculoskeletal injuries due to the unique physical demands and repetitive nature of their movements. Previous research has reported incidence rates as high as 81% and 62% for student dancers and musicians respectively. Despite the high injury rates, research has shown that student performers underreport injuries and are reluctant to seek medical management from health professionals due to unhealthy beliefs and attitudes often held by this population as well as the lack of specialized healthcare. The goal of the UNLV College of Fine Arts (CFA) …

Developing A Physical Therapy Initial Evaluation Screening Tool For A Multidisciplinary Clinic For Adults With Down Syndrome, Isabella Russell, Alvin Lacap, Francis Lacap

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose: Down syndrome (Ds) is a chromosomal condition that can result in intellectual disability, as well as structural or functional disorders impacting the nervous, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems. As individuals with Ds age, they can have an increased number of comorbidities that impact their health. Physical therapy can play an important role in managing many of the comorbidities adults with Ds have. Therefore, there is an increased need for physical therapists to efficiently screen, evaluate and treat adults with Ds. The purpose of this work is to create an Initial Evaluation Screening Tool and Patient Intake Form for physical therapists …

Effects Of A 12-Week Remote Exercise Program On Balance In Adults With Down Syndrome, Kayla Kotake, Sherwin Cadiao, Nicole Kaes, Jayston Prudencio

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose/Hypothesis Individuals with Down syndrome (Ds) tend to have deficits in balance and postural control, which negatively affects their ability to perform physical activities safely and independently. Previous research has shown that exercise can improve balance in people with Ds, however, most studies looked at balance in children with Ds. As the average life expectancy for people with Ds has increased, there is a need for research investigating balance in adults with Ds. Also, there is a need to increase exercise opportunities (eg, remote exercise programs) for adults with Ds, as physical inactivity and sedentary behavior are prevalent among individuals …

Association Between Rural Background And Physical Therapist Practice Location, Caitlin Parker, Jace-Anne Sharp

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose/Hypothesis To examine the association between physical therapists’ rural background and their decision to practice in a rural setting. We hypothesized that years of rural upbringing and size of hometown would be related to rural practice. Number of Subjects 257 physical therapists who graduated from one of two physical therapy programs in the Western United States between 2000 and 2020. Materials and Methods A survey was emailed to 19 physical therapy schools consisting of questions regarding participants’ background, demographics, and job history. We collected total number of years of practice and total years of rural practice. Length of practice varied, …

The Effects Of Exercise Training On Gait In Adults With Down Syndrome, Anna Lois Aquino, Sandra Daugherty, Alex Palko

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose/Hypothesis: Down syndrome (Ds) is a genetic disorder in which the individual carries an extra copy of chromosome 21 resulting in mental and physical disabilities and risk of major health conditions. A high prevalence of gait pattern dysfunction occurs in adults with Ds due to muscle hypotonia, ligamentous laxity, joint hypermobility, and altered development of musculoskeletal structure, which often lead to increased falls and fear of falling. The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences in kinematic and spatiotemporal gait parameters between adults with Ds and age-matched controls, as well as studying the effects of a 12-week Ds-specific …

Home Exercise Program Adherence In Physical Therapy: Application Of The Transtheoretical Model, Charis Brown

Senior Honors Theses

Home exercise programs (HEPs) are a foundational component of physical therapy (PT). However, the majority of patients are not compliant with their HEP; they lack the motivation and habits necessary to be compliant. The transtheoretical model (TTM) is a framework for understanding the decision-making of the individual and is a model of intentional change. When properly understood and applied, the TTM can improve a physical therapist’s ability to help patients to change their behavior and to become HEP compliant. This paper seeks to address patient exercise noncompliance by educating and instructing physical therapists in the application of the TTM, which …

Experiences And Perspectives Of Filipino Patients With Stroke On Physical Therapy Telerehabilitation: A Phenomenological Study Protocol, Christopher G. Cruz, Donald S. Lipardo, Nicole Trizia S. Esplana, Beatrice Ann Q. Loa, Micah L. Dismaya, Janelle Meara Y. Lau, Mirzi Chelsea R. Quizzagan, Arianne B. Cardenas, Adellene Therese S. Celso, Hanz Lauren A. Taguinod, Kristian Joseph C. Martin, Leonardo S. Uy Iii

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction: Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the Philippines, so these patients must continuously undergo rehabilitation for faster recovery. With the rise of COVID-19, physical therapy (PT) telerehabilitation (TR) has emerged, where services are provided outside the usual rehabilitation setting for patients with stroke to continue their treatment while reducing the risk of acquiring COVID-19. However, it is a relatively new service in the country; hence, further research is needed to identify the factors and needs of these patients during TR, which may help improve PT TR services.

Objective: This study aims to explore the experiences …

Factors Leading To Satisfaction Following A Total Knee Arthroplasty, Scot Bauman

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

One of the most common surgical treatment options for knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a total knee arthroplasty (TKA), which utilizes a combination of metal and plastic to resurface the damaged cartilage surfaces of the knee, leading to decreased pain and improved function for the patient. However, despite fairly good subjective scores following surgery, up to 20% of patients report being dissatisfied with their outcome. Previous research has assessed reasons for this high dissatisfaction rate including postoperative range of motion (ROM), preoperative education, and postoperative strength. Nevertheless, there continues to be a paucity in the literature regarding how preoperative function affects …

The Environment Of Interprofessional Education In Graduate Education: Exploring Professional Programs Of Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, And Physical Therapy, Allison R. Kaczmarek

Theses and Dissertations

Interprofessional education (IPE) is an educational approach of increasing popularity in professional schools for the preparation of a collaborative ready healthcare workforce. The accrediting bodies of professional education programs in occupational therapy (OT), physician assistant (PA), and physical therapy (PT) have incorporated standards for outcomes addressing IPE. Although they have endorsed the Health Professions Accreditors Collaborative (HPAC) consensus document on quality IPE, we do not have a contemporary snapshot of the IPE environments in the curriculum of their accredited programs. This dissertation, a collection of three distinct inquiries, has two aims: first, to provide a description of IPE as it …

How Does Exposure To Pelvic Health Content In Entry Level Physical Therapy Curricula Impact Students’ Comfort Level Discussing Sexual Health With Future Patients?, Elizabeth Levay

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the relationship between exposure to pelvic health content in physical therapy school curricula and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students’ comfort levels discussing sexual health issues with future patients. As holistic, autonomous health care providers, physical therapists must be confident in addressing all aspects of health with patients, including sexual health. Lack of attention to patients’ sexual issues may result in aspects of health going unaddressed, leading to poor patient care. The research hypothesis was that increased exposure to pelvic health topics within entry level physical therapy education will improve students’ …

Advancing Type 2 Diabetes As A Condition For Primary Referral To Physiotherapy In Canada, Sarah M. Janssen

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Obesity and sedentary lifestyle are increasingly prevalent risk factors for type 2 diabetes (T2D), characterized by high blood glucose levels. Adoption and maintenance of healthy eating, physical activity, and exercise is recommended for lowering blood glucose and weight management. Physiotherapists are experts in prescribing safe, effective exercise to optimize health for people with co-morbid health conditions. However, T2D is not a primary condition for referral to physiotherapy services in Canada. The overall question guiding a series of three related studies was, What is the current education and perspectives of Canadian physiotherapists about their role in managing T2D? Study one surveyed …

Pain Education Training In New York State Physical Therapy Programs: What We Do Well, Where The Gaps Are, And What Can Be Improved, Joseph Tatta, Marcia Spoto, Joseph Lorenzetti

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Essential pain education produces graduates who are competent in contemporary pain management. Despite various educational resources, surveys demonstrate minimal pain content in entry-level physical therapist education programs. This paper examines 1) the learning content of pain education and faculty expertise teaching core pain content, 2) whether pain education content is sufficient to prepare physical therapists to meet the needs of contemporary pain management, and 3) whether standardization of pain education in entry level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs is advantageous. Methods: A pain education survey was developed and sent to all accredited DPT program directors in New York …

Perceptions Of Physical Therapy Clinicians Regarding The Impact Of Covid 19 On Patients’ Mental Health, Brandy Chase, Amy L. Barnett

Faculty Articles & Research

• Research shows that the COVID 19 outbreak can negatively affect a person’s mental health, especially those at a higher risk with debilitating conditions (Javed, Sarwer, & Soto, 2020).
• This alludes to the need to take a closer look at the impact of COVID 19 on physical therapy patients and the amount of mental health training needed by physical therapy clinicians.

Patient And Therapist Perceptions Of Respiratory Functioning Due To Spinal Cord Injury: Implications For Music Therapists, A'Marie Dotson

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Decreased respiratory functioning is a common symptom of spinal cord injury (SCI) and can impact individuals’ personal, professional, and social lives. In spite of this, researchers have not explored the use of music in the lives of individuals with SCIs or music’s role in their healthcare professionals’ treatment plans to improve respiratory functioning. The purpose of this qualitative study was to better understand how decreased respiratory functioning affects individuals with SCIs and healthcare professionals through a multiple case study design. Participants were two individuals with SCIs and three healthcare professionals (physical therapist, recreational therapist, and music therapist) who worked with …

Consideration Of Executive Functioning For Physiotherapy Rehabilitation: Studies Of Physiotherapists’ Knowledge, Normative Data, And A Practice Application, Nicole A. Guitar

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Executive functioning (EF) refers to cognitive abilities involved in decision-making and self-regulation and can be impaired in many patients referred for physiotherapy, including older adults and people living with chronic pain. This dissertation aimed to determine what physiotherapists understood about EF, to summarize normative data for application in physiotherapy practice, and to provide an assessment of feasibility for studying EF impairments in people living with chronic pain. Study one surveyed what physiotherapists understood about EF as a concept, what EF assessments they used, and if this was influenced by their primary area of practice. Respondents (N = 262) subjectively reported …

Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy And Applied Behavior Analysis Forming An Interdisciplinary Bridge For Positive Patient Outcomes, Rachel Ann Vaughn

Honors College Theses

Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, and Applied Behavior Analysis work within the pediatric population and are used to help children reach milestones throughout their development. This survey is meant to assess the amount of interdisciplinary collaboration that is occurring within these disciplines. The research team believes that this interdisciplinary collaboration could be beneficial to the pediatric population, but understands that this survey is a baseline and needs further research. Through a survey, there were 29 total participants, 22 PT/OT and 7 ABA therapists. The survey showed evidence of ABA techniques being used within PT and OT sessions for betterment of the …

The Psychosocial And Physical Effects Of Therapeutic Horseback Riding For Children With Cerebral Palsy, Karen M. Pratt

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background: Participation in specialized adapted activities such as therapeutic horseback riding (THR) is critical for children with cerebral palsy (CP) as they are at increased risk for lower habitual physical activity levels, social exclusion and mental health conditions. The benefits of THR for children CP are unclear despite positive anecdotal evidence. Purpose: The aim of the study is to explore the effects of THR participation for children with CP across multiple domains of health (psychological, social and physical) from the children themselves. Specifically, this study explored overall wellbeing including mental health, perceived independence, social inclusion and presence of fatigue and …

Use Of Smartphone Technology To Promote Knowledge Of Home Safety, Bonnie L. Rogulj

Physical Therapy Collection

This brief article describes the use of smartphone panoramic 360-degree imaging technology to educate patients on home safety. By positioning "hot spots" on images of the home environment, a visual tool for patient education was created to illustrate safety hazards in the home.

How The Symptoms And Conditions Associated With Diabetes Can Impact Mobility And Health Of The Individual: A Literature Review, Kaitlin Grace Fotis

Honors Projects

A literature review on diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic amyotrophy, sores, ulcers, and amputations, and nephropathy and how, through this snowballing journey, physical therapy can aid an individual. Diabetes can impact the mortality and morbidity of an individual and it alone can have lifelong effects upon the individual. These effects may include dependency upon medication, lifestyle modifications, and diet and physical activity guidelines. If their condition were to worsen, they could find themselves battling circulatory issues and neuropathy thereby hindering their physical function. Many individuals with circulatory issues, diabetic neuropathy, and diabetic amyotrophy develop injuries on their feet like ulcers and …

Parent Satisfaction Across The Environment Of Pediatric Physical Therapy Treatment, Sophia Boden

Senior Theses

Pediatric physical therapy treats a diverse population of children with varying needs and diagnoses. Parent satisfaction surveys have found the therapist-patient relationship very important to therapy, but research has been limited in surveying the physical setting that may impact the children receiving therapy. The aim of this study was to explore the parent satisfaction of the physical therapy environment. A parent satisfaction survey was created containing eleven likert and five open-ended questions, an adapted version of the VSQ-9 study. Eleven parents of children receiving pediatric physical therapy filled out the survey. Parents highly value the relationship with the physical therapist …

Spreading Encouragement To Seniors In A Pandemic, Bonnie L. Rogulj, Lashia Hicks

Physical Therapy Collection

This brief note describes a "virtual calendar" project created by students of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. The calendar of images and poetry was shared with older adult community members to reduce loneliness and increase mental health and wellness in this population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Effects Of Exercise Interventions For Patients With Venous Lower Limb Ulcers: A Systematic Review, Jordan Hoffman, Christian San Pedro, Sabrina Mendez

Student Research Poster Presentations 2021

The Effects of Exercise Interventions for Patients with Venous Lower Limb Ulcers: A Systematic Review

Student Researchers: Christian San Pedro, SPT Jordan Hoffman, SPT Sabrina Mendez, SPT

Mentored by: Kristen Karnish, PT, MPH, DEd, GCS, CEEAA

Background:

Approximately 30 million Americans are affected by vascular disease with greater numbers world wide. Chronic wound care is costly, as seen by the 1.5 billion dollars Medicare spent treating wounds in 2014. Vascular disease can predispose individuals to lower limb ulcers, chronic wounds, necrosis, and amputation. In patients with chronic wounds, exercise has been hypothesized to decrease healing times by triggering cortisol release …

Exercise And Physical Therapy In The Elderly, William Holden

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

There are many current barriers to participating in exercise and physical therapy in the elderly. Using reputable online resources, we created a handout containing a list of exercises that can be completed safely at home without equipment. It was designed for elderly individuals, as inactivity tends to increase with age and this population is particularly vulnerable to the deleterious effects of inactivity. The strength and flexibility exercises primarily target the back, hips and core, common problem areas in the elderly. The handout will contain links to further resources for more in-depth physical therapy exercises and will be tailored for administration …

The Effectiveness Of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback In Conjunction With Traditional Treatment For Thoracic Outlet Syndrome In A 25-Year-Old Female: A Case Report, Sepehr Rezaei

San Marcos, Summer 2020

Introduction: Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a complex condition that causes pain, tingling sensation, hypesthesia, muscle atrophy, weakness, and edematous changes in the upper quadrant (UQ) and down upper extremity (UE). ^3,7,8,16,17 TOS is due to compression of neurovascular bundles in the interscalene triangle, costoclavicular space, and under pectoralis minor and caused by trauma, congenital malformations such as a cervical rib, and abnormal/poor postures from muscle imbalances.^3,7,8,16,17 Interventions for TOS can consist of correcting posture by addressing muscle imbalance, decreasing tone and muscle tightness and rib mobilization, and in rare cases, rib resection. ^{3,7,8,13,16,17} However, there is limited research …

Therapeutic Interventions For Managing Diabetic Shoulder, Sanaa A. Alsubheen

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Shoulder pain is a common complaint of diabetic patients that causes motion limitations and functional disability. Adhesive capsulitis (AC) is the most common disabling shoulder disorder. There is no optimal non-surgical treatment for managing AC in diabetic patients. Furthermore, the impact of diabetes on shoulder recovery and factors predicting shoulder function following shoulder arthroplasty is not well investigated.

Purpose and Methods

The main purpose of this thesis was to inform clinical practice about the best intervention for managing AC in diabetic patients, and to assess the impact of diabetes on functional outcomes after shoulder arthroplasty, with the following objectives: 1) …

Association Between Patient Ability In Activities Of Daily Living At Hospital Admission And Key Indicators, Stephanie Rosen, Amber Steele

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Illness and inactivity in the hospital frequently leads to disability that can reduce quality of life and increase costs. Early identification of people with limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) who are at risk for poor outcomes such as increased length of stay (LOS), hospital acquired conditions (i.e., falls and pressure injuries (PIs)), and discharge away from home can facilitate appropriate intervention. The Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care Inpatient Activity Short Form (AM-PAC IASF), a reliable and valid tool to measure ADL limitations, is scored at admission for all patients in our hospital. The purpose of this study …

Patient And Facility Perceptions On The Feasibility Of A Student-Run Pro-Bono Back-School For Uninsured Patients With Low Back Pain, Javier Ascanio-Pellon, Sofia Cruz, Lauren Liebert, Trevor Pacuk

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A. Background of Knowledge: Nevada ranks 8th highest in uninsured population in the United States. People who are uninsured may be more affected by low back pain (LBP) than their insured counterparts. Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada (VMSN), a non-profit organization, serves uninsured people in Nevada. VMSN partnered with UNLV Physical Therapy (UNLVPT) to provide a back-school for patients. UNLVPT proposed a service-learning model to provide both education and treatment for VMSN patients with LBP. B. Purpose: The purpose of this community-based research project is to create and implement a student-run pro-bono back-school for uninsured individuals with LBP in …

Brain Volumes And Dual-Task Performance Correlates Among Individuals With Cognitive Impairment: A Retrospective Analysis, Jon Basterrechea, Daniel Krist, Caitlin Moreland, Morgan Wise

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Cognitive impairment (CI) is a prevalent condition characterized by loss of brain volume and changes in cognition, motor function, and dual-tasking ability. Objective: To examine associations between brain volumes, dual task performance, and gait and balance in those with CI to elucidate the mechanisms underlying loss of function. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of medical records of patients with CI and compared brain volumes, dual task performance, and measures of gait and balance. Results: Greater cognitive function and combined dual task effect (DTE) is associated with smaller brain volumes. In contrast, greater motor DTE is associated with larger …

Physical Therapy After Amputation In Community Dwelling Older Adults: A Quantitative And Qualitative Interview Study, Amanda Ferraro, Jennifer Gorton, Lindsey Horn, Michaela Kubo

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose/Hypothesis: To investigate participation in physical therapy in older adults after lower extremity limb loss. The secondary objective was to examine the associations between physical therapy attendance, fear of falling avoidance behavior, self-perceived prosthetic mobility, and mental well-being. Number of Subjects: 64 Materials and Methods: Community-dwelling older adults with amputation were recruited and individually interviewed. The data collection consisted of four surveys (Physical Therapy after Amputation Patient Perception Survey, Short-Form Health Survey [SF-36v2], Prosthetic Evaluation Questionnaire [PEQ, mobility group], and Fear of Falling Avoidance Behavior Questionnaire [FFABQ]). Participants' demographic characteristics were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Participant comments were qualitatively categorized. …