Digital Commons Network^™

Accessibility And Perceived Value Of Pre-Admission Clinical Contact Hours: A Physical Therapy Student Perspective, Katie Anderson, Megan Volden

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: The purposes of this study were to determine whether professional physical therapy students experience challenges obtaining pre-admission contact hours and if they found them to be beneficial. The results of the survey will be utilized to allow physical therapy programs to make informed decisions about admission requirements in regard to pre-admission contact hours.

Methods: This study was performed utilizing an electronic survey sent in an e-mail to program chairpersons or Directors of Clinical Education, asking them to distribute the survey to their respective current students. All accredited physical therapy programs in the United States were …

Shoulder Impingement, Jennifer Ramsay

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background. Women who undergo mastectomy are almost 6 times more likely to experience shoulder restriction and impairment than patients who undergo breast-conserving surgery. Many women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of their lives. The purpose of this case study is to review the rehabilitation plan for a patient with shoulder dysfunction and a history of surgical intervention for breast cancer.

Case Description. The patient was referred to physical therapy with complaints of pain in the right shoulder and anterior chest which increased with overhead movement. The patient's medical history included a skin …

Emg Activity Of Accessory Muscles Of Breathing During Recovery Positions, Joel Kramer, Kelsey Meyer, Eric Nefstead, Daniel Vilaubi

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is predicted to become the third leading cause of death worldwide between 2020 and 2030. Signs and symptoms of this disease can be debilitating, however techniques can be taught to decrease impairments. Suggested techniques for pulmonary recovery consist of supporting the upper extremities, supporting the head and leaning forward. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of recovery positions on the EMG activation of accessory muscles of respiration to decipher which recovery position is the most ideal for COPD patients. Fourteen healthy adults over the age of eighteen were recruited for …

Developmental Dysplasia Of The Hip: A Case Study, Joseph D. Taylor

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this case study was to describe the implementation of a conservative treatment protocol for dysplasia of the hip in a young girl in an attempt to prevent surgical intervention. A secondary objective of reducing femoral acetabular impingement was subsequently undertaken in the course of the case study.

BACKGROUND: The patient was a 16 year old female with a diagnosis of bilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip (DOH), bilateral femoral acetabular impingement (FAI), anterior superior labral tear to left (L) hip, elevated antinuclear antibody (ANA) screening and a history of depression.

PLAN OF CARE …

Mckenzie Evaluation And Treatment For Lumbar Dysfunction And Anr, Michael Brooks

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: When it comes to low back pain, McKenzie theory is considered highly effective for evaluating and treating patients with low back symptoms. There are three main classifications within McKenzie theory; postural, dysfunction, and derangement syndromes. The main focus of this case will be on the dysfunction classification and its subcategory adherent nerve roots (ANR). Dysfunction syndrome is characterized by pain due to deformation of structures and tissues that limit ROM causing pain at end range. ANR's are caused by scar tissue build up encompassing nerve roots due to trauma or surgery that produces symptoms when nerve …

The Effectiveness Of The "Stepping On" Program For Reducing The Incidence Of Falls In The Elderly: Measured By Four Stage Balance Test, Julia Nelson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Introduction: The Stepping On program encompasses both a balance and strengthening exercise regimen that is targeted towards reducing falls in community-dwelling individuals over the age of 65, who have experienced a fall or are fearful of falling.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if the Four Stage Balance Test (FSBT) is an appropriate measure of fall risk in the Stepping On program and to determine if the Stepping On program is effective at reducing fall risk, measured by improved time performance.

Methods: Eight participants, all female, ages ranging from 80-94 years old (M=87.2) completed …

Electromyographic Analysis Of Hip Muscle Activity Comparing Maximal Voluntary Contraction To Manual Muscle Test Grades, Ty Bommersbach, Anthony Charbonneau,, Holly Koch, Braidy Solie

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between muscle activity during three manual muscle tests (MMT) and muscle activity during a maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the same muscle.

Subjects: Eleven female subjects voluntarily participated in this study. All participants were physical therapy students under the age of 30, nonpregnant, and without recent history of musculoskeletal injury.

Methods: Electromyographic (EMG) data was collected by placing surface electrodes over each participant's right tensor fasciae latae (TFL) and gluteus medius (GM) muscle. The EMG data from each muscle was transmitted by Noraxont TeleMy02400 G2 telemetry …

Hip Flexor Extensibility And Its Correlation To Hip Hyperextension And Lower Back Pain In Dancers, Tessa Richards

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

In the world of ballet, flexibility and strength are the keys to success. A leg extended to extraordinary heights is equated with beauty and expertise, whereas a lower height is seen as lesser quality. Dancers are trained from their first ballet lesson to reach their toes to the utmost end of their range of motion, and push themselves beyond the regular restrictions of the human body. Despite the pressure put on dancers to be extremely flexible, tight hip flexor muscles (the rectus femoris and the iliopsoas group) are a common complaint, restricting hip hyperextension (called an arabesque). To compensate for …

Yoga As Complementary Alternative Medicine, Let’S Not Forget What Works!, James M. Mckivigan

College of Health & Human Services (TUN) Publications and Research

Practitioners today have to contend with a stream of new treatment options that are increasing in number almost daily. The patients undeniably win when we incorporate the latest technology with traditional treatment methods but too often the old gets completely pushed out to make room for the new. While many Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies may be considered “old” by some practitioners, there is still a steady flow of articles being published showing that they remain effective. What if instead of abandoning the traditional therapies we used them in true compliment to the newest options? Here we will explore some …

Data Note: Comparing Vr Outcomes For Individuals With And Without Intellectual Disabilities Who Receive Postsecondary Education Services, John Shepard, Frank A. Smith, Thinkwork! At The Institute For Community Inclusion At Umass Boston

Data Note Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

This Data Note explores the provision of postsecondary education services to vocational rehabilitation customers with and without intellectual disabilities who exited the VR system in FY2014.

Patient-Reported Variables Associated With The Success Of Behavioral Intervention For Patients With Chronic Cough, Bridget Loomis

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Purpose: To determine if patient-related variables exist that can potentially discriminate patients with refractory chronic cough (RCC) that are reasonable candidates for behavioral cough therapy (BCT). This study is a small sub-set of a larger, ongoing study, which aims to create and validate a screening tool that primary care physicians can use in order to refer patients early and appropriately for medical or behavioral intervention.

Methods: In this prospective, exploratory study, 20 adult participants, aged 29-68 years of age, answered a bank of questions developed by an expert panel, and the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ), before and after BCT. Questions …

Through My Eyes: The Effect On Family Life Of Having Siblings With Autism Spectrum Disorder As Experienced By A Typically Developing Adolescent, Samantha L. Brand

Honors Theses and Capstones

As the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) continues to increase, research efforts have begun to focus on the effects a person with ASD has on family life. The dominant voice in the extant literature is that of parents and caregivers, but only a small body of research explores the experiences of siblings. Using a phenomenological approach, a qualitative study was conducted to understand how a typically developing (TD) adolescent experiences the effects of having siblings with ASD on family routines and activities. Findings indicate that the family’s performance context—including routines, relationships, and activities—acts as the mediator of the bidirectional …

Temporal Neuromuscular Alterations Of The Quadriceps After Unilateral Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, Conrad M. Gabler

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Objective: The primary aim of this research was to examine the temporal pattern of neuromuscular quadriceps deficits in both the involved and uninvolved limbs of patients assigned to the control group after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLr), by assessing quadriceps strength, voluntary activation, and corticomotor excitability prior to surgery (baseline), three months after ACLr, and six months after ACLr. A secondary aim of this research was to determine whether quadriceps strength, voluntary activation, and/or corticomotor excitability assessed in patients prior to ACLr and/or at three months after surgery, is predictive of lower extremity postural control and/or self-reported function at six …

Retrospective Frames Of Disability: Themes Derived From Parents Of Children Who Grew Up With Congenital Disability, Sheryl L. Holt

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Introduction: For children born with physical disabilities, the perspectives and actions of their parents prove significant to their childhood developmental outcomes clinically, educationally, socially, and with regard to community participation. The lived world and perceptions of parents who have children with disabilities however is not well investigated. This study sought to understand parents’ framing of theirs and their children’s disability experiences. Family systems together with family systems intervention models, and disability theory were used to provide structure to interview instrumentation and subsequent analysis. Child-centered and ecologic influences were also used to track the transformative processes over time that infuses parental …

Prospective Assessment Of Return To Pre-Injured Levels Of Activity, Aaron D. Sciascia

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Determining return to pre-injured levels of play following athletic injury can be challenging. The current practice of making decisions following rehabilitation as to whether or not a patient has returned to pre-injured levels of activity is potentially inaccurate because initial assessments of perceived physical capability are performed at a time of relative dysfunction or are based on patient recall. Since there is no true baseline of perceived and physical function prior to injury it is difficult to determine if an athlete has return to baseline or is simply better than they were at the time of injury. Therefore, it is …

A Biomechanically Based Observational Tennis Serve Analysis Method Can Be Used To Assess Serve Mechanics, Natalie Myers

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Traditional sports science motion analysis techniques using three-dimensional (3D) kinematics have demonstrated that proper mechanics enhance serve performance and improper mechanics overload tissues resulting in injury. However 3D analysis is costly, time-consuming, and requires extensive knowledge of biomechanical properties and data analysis. Currently there are no simple, reliable, and valid observational methods for health care providers (HCP) and tennis professionals to evaluate tennis serve mechanics. Researchers investigating observational analyses have determined that superior reliability may be a result of specific operational definitions and the incorporation of educational training sessions on how to perform the analysis.

The first purpose of this …

Perceptions Of Adherence To Clinical Practice Guidelines For Low Back Pain Treatment Of Physical Therapy Students And Recent Graduates, Emiangeliz Gonzalez Luna

Digital Repository: Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence

This study aims to analyze possible factors that can affect perceptions towards adherence of clinical practice guidelines for low back pain treatment of current and past physical therapy students. An original survey was created to measure demographics, current knowledge of guidelines, influential resources, and perceptions about adherence to these guidelines.

Perceived Threat Associated With Police Officers And Black Men Predicts Support For Policing Policy Reform, Allison L. Skinner, Ingrid J. Haas

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

Racial disparities in policing and recent high-profile incidents resulting in the deaths of Black men have ignited a national debate on policing policies. Given evidence that both police officers and Black men may be associated with threat, we examined the impact of perceived threat on support for reformed policing policies. Across three studies we found correlational evidence that perceiving police officers as threatening predicts increased support for reformed policing practices (e.g., limiting the use of lethal force and matching police force demographics to those of the community). In contrast, perceiving Black men as threatening predicted reduced support for policing policy …

The Lower-Extremity Functional Test And Lower-Quadrant Injury In Ncaa Division Iii Athletes: A Descriptive And Epidemiologic Report, Jason Brumitt

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

The Lower-Extremity Functional Test (LEFT) has been used to assess readiness to return to sport after a lowerextremity injury. Current recommendations suggest that women should complete the LEFT in 135 s (average; range 120-150 s) and men should complete the test in 100 s (average; range 90-125 s). However, these estimates are based on limited data and may not be reflective of college athletes. Thus, additional assessment, including normative data, of the LEFT in sport populations is warranted. Objective: To examine LEFT times based on descriptive information and off-season training habits in NCAA Division III (Dill) athletes. In addition, this …

The Lower-Extremity Functional Test And Lower-Quadrant Injury In Ncaa Division Iii Athletes: A Descriptive And Epidemiologic Report, Jason Brumitt, Bryan C. Heiderscheit, Robert C. Manske, Paul Niemuth, Alma Mattocks, Mitchell J. Rauh

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

Context: The Lower-Extremity Functional Test (LEFT) has been used to assess readiness to return to sport after a lower extremity injury. Current recommendations suggest that women should complete the LEFT in 135 s (average; range 120-150 s) and men should complete the test in 100 s (average; range 90-125 s). However, these estimates are based on limited data and may not be reflective of college athletes. Thus, additional assessment, including normative data, of the LEFT in sport populations is warranted. Objective: To examine LEFT times based on descriptive information and off-season training habits in NCAA Division III (Dill) athletes. In …

Lessons Learned From A Major Near Miss: A Case Report Including Recommendations To Improve Future Patient Safety In Rehabilitation, Chelsea R. Van Zytveld, Jennifer W. Rodriguez, Tamara S. Struessel

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Most medical errors can be traced to system failure, but often individual providers are blamed. Few articles in the allied health literature address the topic of error or the analysis of error using a system approach. Purpose: This case report analysis illustrates how both individual and system factors contribute to error in rehabilitation settings and how identification of these factors allows development of methods to improve future patient safety. Case Description: A young male was admitted to a rehabilitation hospital with residual impairments following recent surgical resection of a benign meningioma. He was treated daily by a physical …

Preventing Running Injuries Using A Pre-Running Exercise Program (Prep): A Pilot Study, P. Jaques, T. Mcgrath, K. Rasmussen, J. Irwin, J. Winslow, M. Strong, G. Macias, Tyler Cuddeford

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

Hypothesis: An 8 week supervised PREP implemented prior to a 5k running program will reduce the incidence of RRI's among novice runners training for a 5k below the previously published incidence rates.

Prehabilitation (Prehab): Prevention In Motion, Billie Russell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for U.S. adults. It adds greater than $100 billion to U.S. health care costs annually. Rates of morbidity, mortality, and economic burden of the disease could be dramatically reduced with improvements in sedentary behaviors among adults with coronary artery disease (CAD). A regular commitment to moderate physical activity can reduce ischemic heart events up to 50%. Although the benefits of physical activity are well-known for individuals with coronary artery disease, an estimated 70% of this population remains relatively sedentary. Hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation programs are the single secondary prevention option offered to improve …

Vocal Function Exercises For Normal Voice: The Effects Of Varying Dosage, Maria H. Bane

Theses and Dissertations--Communication Sciences and Disorders

The primary purpose of this investigation was to explore the effects of variable doses of home practice Vocal Function Exercises (VFEs) on attainment of pre-established maximum phonation time (MPT) goals in individuals between the ages of 18 and 25 with normal voice. A secondary purpose was to monitor for potentially toxic effects of high doses of VFEs. Three experimental groups completed a six-week VFE protocol and practiced twice daily. The low dose group performed each exercise once, the traditional group twice, and the high dose group four times. Results indicated significant change in VFE MPT for all three groups and …

Evaluation Of An Augmentative And Alternative Communication Intervention For Individuals With Aphasia., Michelle Lam

CMC Senior Theses

With a large population of people who suffer from aphasia, it is imperative that an effective form of therapy is utilized. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) programs in improving the communication needs and lives of people affected by aphasia. Individuals (n = 20) suffering from aphasia for 3 months or more completed therapy sessions with speech and language pathologists and the AAC program. Pre- and post-intervention evaluations were administered, consisting of communication satisfaction and success questionnaires, the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB), and probing tests (prompt and response) with an …

Specificity Of The Minimal Clinically Important Difference Of The Quick Disabilities Of The Arm Shoulder And Hand (Qdash) For Distal Upper Extremity Conditions, Enrique V. Smith-Forbes, Dana M. Howell, Jason Willoughby, Donald G. Pitts, Timothy L. Uhl

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Retrospective cohort design. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QDASH) has been established using a pool of multiple conditions, and only exclusively for the shoulder. Understanding diagnoses-specific threshold change values can enhance the clinical decision-making process. Before and after QDASH scores for 406 participants with conditions of surgical distal radius fracture, non-surgical lateral epicondylitis, and surgical carpal tunnel release were obtained. The external anchor administered at each fourth visit was a 15-point global rating of change scale. The test-retest reliability of the QDASH was moderate for all diagnoses: intraclass correlation …

Enhancing Entry-Level Physiotherapy Student Learning In Interpreting Radiology – An Action Research Project, Courtney R. Clark, Andrea Bialocerkowski

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: In Australia, the ability to interpret orthopaedic x-rays is an entry-level skill for physiotherapists. Yet there is a paucity of evidence in the literature which details effective learning and teaching methods to optimise confidence and competence in x-ray interpretation. The aims of this study were to describe the content contained in an orthopaedic radiology module within an Australian 2-year graduate entry Master of Physiotherapy degree; approaches to learning and teaching used in this module; student satisfaction associated with this module over a 2-year period. Method: The University’s framework for quality assurance, which is based on the Plan-Implement-Review-Improve underpinned this …

Evaluating The Impact Of A Falls Prevention Community Of Practice In A Residential Aged Care Organisation, Jacqueline Francis-Coad

Theses

Falls in the residential aged care (RAC) sector are a global concern with humanitarian and economic consequences. Reducing falls using a multifactorial approach involving multidisciplinary staff is recommended, but it is not clear how RAC organisations in Australia can achieve this in a resource constrained environment. One potential solution is to develop a sustainable means of addressing falls prevention from within an organisation, creating a forum for staff to share ideas, expertise and achieve goals in a community of practice (CoP). The purpose of this research was to evaluate the impact of a falls prevention CoP on falls outcomes in …

The Impact Of Peer-Led Falls Prevention Education On Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Mixed Methods Evaluation, Linda Khong

Theses

Older adults are not optimally engaged in falls prevention strategies. Peer education may be an approach to improving engagement and uptake of falls prevention strategies by community-dwelling older adults. However, empirical research regarding this approach has been inconclusive. Accordingly, the primary aim of this research was to design a peer-led falls prevention education program and evaluate its impact on community-dwelling older adults’ beliefs, knowledge, motivation, and intention to engage in falls prevention strategies. This research was a mixed methods study conducted in two phases. Phase 1 comprised three concurrent studies. These aimed to elucidate the issues regarding falls prevention education …

Curriculum Development For Occupational Therapy Education: Integrating Collaboration And The Use Of Simulation Laboratories, Janine Albert, Danielle Nielsen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The Scholarly Project titled Curriculum Development for Occupational Therapy Education: Integrating Collaboration and the Use of Simulation Laboratories by Janine Albert and Danielle Nielsen and advised by Nicole Harris, MOTR/L and Breann Lamborn, MPA was developed to meet the demands of collaborative education in the field of occupational therapy. A literature review was completed to determine the need of collaborative education between Occupational Therapy education and Occupational Therapy Assistant education and the use of simulation laboratories. From the literature review there was a gap found linking the use of simulation laboratories, the occupational therapy process and occupational therapy education. Following …