Physical Therapy Commons^™

Strategies To Manage And Prevent Lower Back Pain In College Students, Onique Bryson

Honors Capstones

Many young adults who are in college often struggle with maintaining their physical well-being and thus encounter severe-moderate lower back pain (LBP). In this project, a research development plan was created that will test the effectiveness of utilizing physical therapy (PT) to treat and or prevent LBP. The scope includes using standard PT techniques to evaluate students who may be struggling with LBP and teach them different measures to help themselves. The limit of the project is that the hypothesis will only be tested on Northern Illinois University (NIU) students, so results may vary for larger populations. A survey will …

The Effect Of A Lumbopelvic Compression Belt On Load Transfer During The Active Straight Leg Test: A Proof Of Concept Study Using Ultrasound Imaging, Shania D. Evans, Kelsey B. Hales, Elizabeth P. Lomax, Erin N. Roberts, Jalesa C. Wright, Elizabeth Chaffin, Ruth Maher

Research Day

INTRODUCTION: The active straight leg raise (ASLR) test assesses load transfer through the pelvis. During the ASLR, intraabdominal pressure (IAP) rises, increasing the load on the lumbopelvic region. Several studies have shown a correlation between the magnitude of bladder base displacement (BBD) during the ASLR and lumbopelvic instability. Additionally, greater depression of the bladder and pelvic floor muscles is associated with motor control impairments associated with form and force closure. Pelvic stability belts are a common therapeutic intervention for individuals who report pelvic girdle pain. Their mechanism of action is to improve form closure and assist force closure and motor …

The Impact Of Focal Mechanical Vibration On Muscle Morphology: A Proof Of Concept Study Using Ultrasound Imaging With Shear Wave Elastography, Breana Fair, Amiah Williams, Hannah Yancy, Cameron Ogden, Ruth Maher

Research Day

INTRODUCTION: Focal mechanical vibration (FMV) uses mechanical vibration to stimulate specific muscles or areas of the body. The reported benefits include increased muscle strength, decreased pain, improved range of motion (ROM), and enhanced muscle coordination. When FMV is applied, it stimulates muscle fibers and sensory receptors in the muscle and tendon, which facilitates cyclical rapid muscle contraction and relaxation. When the muscle spindle is stimulated, a vibratory-induced inhibition can occur, which is frequency and amplitude-dependent, causing a reduction in muscle activity which may lead to improvements in joint mobility. Consequently, applying FMV to specific muscles increases the elasticity via contraction …

Does The Use Of Vestibular Infrared Video Goggles Impact Physical Therapy Student’S Ability To Diagnose The Direction Of Nystagmus?, Erin Farmer, Tanna Mcpherson, Sabrina Samuels, Katherine Wellborn, Jeanne Welch

Research Day

INTRODUCTION:

Vestibular goggles are infrared video goggles that can improve patient care by providing accurate assessment and treatment of vertigo, dizziness, and feelings of imbalance. These goggles track the eye movement allowing clinicians to evaluate the function of the vestibular system, which controls balance and spatial coordination. During an evaluation, the patient wears the infrared goggle while performing a series of movements designed to stimulate the vestibular system. The embedded infrared cameras capture eye motion, providing real time information to the clinician. Physical therapists (PT) need to be able to detect nystagmus and its direction in order to provide appropriate …

Identifying The Neural Correlates Of Anticipatory Postural Control: A Novel Fmri Paradigm, Jo Armour Smith, Rongwen Tain, Kelli G. Sharp, Laura M. Glynn, Linda R. Van Dillen, Korinne Henslee, Jesse V. Jacobs, Steven C. Cramer

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Altered postural control in the trunk/hip musculature is a characteristic of multiple neurological and musculoskeletal conditions. Previously it was not possible to determine if altered cortical and subcortical sensorimotor brain activation underlies impairments in postural control. This study used a novel fMRI-compatible paradigm to identify the brain activation associated with postural control in the trunk and hip musculature. BOLD fMRI imaging was conducted as participants performed two versions of a lower limb task involving lifting the left leg to touch the foot to a target. For the supported leg raise (SLR) the leg is raised from the knee while the …

International Strategies For Addressing The Needs Of Children With Disabilities: Comparing Pediatric Therapy Services In Italy And The United States, Cassidy Hearn, Lillian Hsiao, Lavinia Fanelli, Regina Harbourne

Physical Therapy Projects

This paper introduces and compares the professions of Neuro and Psychomotor Therapist of Developmental Age and pediatric physical therapy. Although pediatric physical therapy practice is prevalent in the United States, Italy utilizes another profession which encompasses many features of physical therapy, but also incorporates neuropsychological factors, specifically for children.

Central Modulation Of Postural Control In Response To Task Demands And Fatigue In Individuals With And Without A History Of Low Back Pain, Jolene Kay Soliman, Jo Armour Smith

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Background During voluntary limb movement, feedforward postural activation of the trunk and hip musculature occurs to maintain postural stability. This is called an anticipatory postural adjustment (APA). Onset of trunk muscle APAs is delayed in symptomatic individuals with persistent low back pain (LBP). It is not clear how spatial APA organization is affected, or if adaptations in APAs persist between symptomatic episodes. We used two versions of a supine active leg raise task to examine central modulation of APAs. One version of the task, the supported leg raise (SLR) does not elicit trunk/hip APAs. The other, the unsupported leg raise …

Dense & Attention Convolutional Neural Networks For Toe Walking Recognition, Junde Chen, Rahul Soangra, Marybeth Grant-Beuttler, Y. A. Nanehkaran, Yuxin Wen

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Idiopathic toe walking (ITW) is a gait disorder where children’s initial contacts show limited or no heel touch during the gait cycle. Toe walking can lead to poor balance, increased risk of falling or tripping, leg pain, and stunted growth in children. Early detection and identification can facilitate targeted interventions for children diagnosed with ITW. This study proposes a new one-dimensional (1D) Dense & Attention convolutional network architecture, which is termed as the DANet, to detect idiopathic toe walking. The dense block is integrated into the network to maximize information transfer and avoid missed features. Further, the attention modules are …

Effect Of Motivational Music On Peak Knee Torque, Perceived Exertion, And Enjoyment In College-Aged Individuals, Arianna Cole

Undergraduate Honors Theses

There is a general consensus in previous and current literature that the incorporation of music in exercise has the potential to benefit performance (Karageorghis 2020; Terry et al. 2019). Research on the potential benefits of music in rehabilitative exercise has become more prevalent but has mainly focused on music and the rehabilitation of neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or stroke (Craig et al. 2015; De Bartolo et al. 2020; Grau-Sánchez et al. 2022; Katlen da Silva et al. 2021; Särkämö 2018). Research in a more general rehabilitative setting has not been explored as widely and this is the aim …

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) …

Effects Of Postural Load Perturbations On The Stroke-Impaired Spinal Circuitry, Jose Galvez, Linh Thi My Nguyen, Brandon Yee

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objective Transitioning from supported sitting position to standing activities requires coordinated interactions among postural muscles with appropriate reflexive responses to adapt to an increase in postural loading. Previous studies have found the failure to accommodate the challenge of increased postural loads in the stroke-impaired nervous system. In this study, we examined the H-reflex in response to different magnitudes of loads under static postural conditions, and compared the responses directly between individuals with a stroke-impaired nervous system and those with a non-neurologically impaired nervous system. We tested the hypothesis that the reflex amplitude would increase with increased load during standing in …

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 …

Analyzing Equity Within The University Of Nevada, Las Vegas Physical Therapy Program Admissions Process, Rebecca Altman, Savanna Cathey, Michelle Dedmon

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose The purpose of this study was to analyze the admissions process of the University of Nevada Las Vegas Physical Therapy (UNLVPT) program through the lens of racial equity. Methods A retrospective cohort of UNLVPT applicants between 2014-2019 was obtained from the physical therapy centralized admissions system and the UNLVPT admissions office. Applicant and application characteristics were compared by racial group. Results: Our sample included 2937 total applicants with 212 (7.2%) that were admitted and matriculated into the program. Applicants identified as 49% White, 24% Asian, 13% multiracial, 6% Hispanic, 2% Black, 0.2% American Indian, and 6% did not report …

The Psychometric Properties Of The Modified Fear Of Falling Avoidance Behavior Questionnaire In Parkinson’S Disease And Older Adults, Billy La, Arturo Aldaco, Ashley Haller

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background/purpose: The Fear of Falling Avoidance Behavior Questionnaire (FFABQ), developed in 2011 to measure fear of falling avoidance behavior, has good evidence for reliability and validity. However, a recently modified version (mFFABQ) is theorized to be easier to understand for those completing the questionnaire because the Likert responses are more logical in completing the item stem. The purpose of this study was to examine the test-retest reliability and construct validity of the mFFABQ in adults with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and older adults aged 60-90 years. Methods: Thirty-nine participants (age 72.21 ± 9.5; 29 men, 10 women) diagnosed with PD (diagnosis …

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 …

Utilization And Perception Of Peer-Support After Lower Limb Loss In The United States: Potential Benefits On Mobility Outcomes, Moriah Maluotoga, Roopkiran Thind

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction: Limb loss is a life-changing event that significantly impacts patients’ functioning as well as psychosocial well-being. Psychosocial support in the form of amputee peer-support is widely recognized as beneficial to individuals after lower limb loss (LLL). However, there is currently a lack of research on the utilization of peer-support after LLL and its perceived benefits to function. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine and quantify participants’ experiences with peer-support after LLL, and how peer-support experience is associated with mobility outcomes. We hypothesized that participants with LLL would express generally positive experiences with peer-support and that it …

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 …

Implementation Of 2d Running Gait Analysis In Orthopedic Physical Therapy Clinics, Justin Rasavage, Tristan Trumbull, Melissa Goo-Tam, Micah Wilson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Despite 2D motion analysis being deemed valid and reliable in assessing gait deviations in runners, current use of video-based motion analysis among orthopedic physical therapists is not prevalent. Purpose/Hypothesis: To investigate clinician-perceived effectiveness, adherence, and barriers of using a 2D running gait analysis protocol for patients with running-related injuries. Study Design: Survey Methods: Thirty outpatient physical therapy clinics were contacted to assess interest in participation. The participating therapists were trained on 2D running gait analysis protocol and given a running gait checklist. We used Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework to assess the implementation process by collecting …

Anatomy Academy Service-Learning Project: Attacking The Epidemic Of Childhood Obesity, Kelsey Kjer, Rosedaveia Howell, Brennan Kitchen, Francesca Schutte

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The World Health Organization has classified childhood obesity as one of the most serious public health concerns in the world. Obesity is known to have detrimental health consequences and be a risk for comorbidities. On top of the consequences of obesity already seen in young children at school, a lack of health education interventions in many elementary schools remains a significant health disparity. Anatomy Academy (AA) is a seven-week curriculum designed to educate children about their bodies and the importance of gaining and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The purpose of this service-learning project was to educate elementary school students in …