Digital Commons Network^™

What’S All The Racket? Comparing Physical Health Outcomes Between Pickleball And Tennis In Older Athletes, Megan Doneen Wilson Spt, Ashley Nicole Meldrum Spt, Austin Jeffrey Buchholz Spt, Andrew David Taverna Spt, Michael John Olson Spt

Physical Therapy Student Research Projects

Background: Pickleball is rising in popularity, especially among older adults. Pickleball boasts psychological and physical benefits to aging athletes. Singles pickleball has been found to approximate brisk walking in metabolic equivalents (METs) at 4.1, while the METs level for singles tennis is 7.0-8.0. The physical health benefits of tennis are known to be positive while those of pickleball are still being explored. With objective differences in MET level it may be surmised that health outcomes might vary between the two sports.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to use the Senior Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE) to quantify and compare …

Impact Of Perfectionism, Social Media, And Sleep Hygiene, On Stress In Students From Health Professions Programs, Dayton Duane Braley Spt, Madisyn Ann Dingmann Spt, Brooke Elizabeth Grussing Spt, Justin Daniel Heinrichs Spt, Trystin Renae Nilson Spt

Physical Therapy Student Research Projects

Title: Impact of Perfectionism, Social Media, and Sleep Hygiene, on Stress in Students from Health Professions Programs

Purpose: Explore the impact and relationships of perfectionism, sleep, and social media on stress in health profession students.

Methods: After IRB approval, 62 health pre-professional/professional students completed this non-experimental survey via Qualtrics. The survey consisted of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), questions about social media usage, and demographic characteristics. Surveys were completed in 2021.

Results: Participant demographics included: 50 female, 12 male; Mean Age (24.16); Program of Study (23 PT, 9 OT, 13 …

Exploring Occupation-Based Sleep Interventions For School-Aged Children Experiencing Homelessness: A Critically Appraised Topic, Aspen Delano, Joslynn Sauer, Emily Vieth

Critically Appraised Topics

Sleep is a crucial component of healthy neurological development throughout childhood. According to Suni (2023a), elementary school-aged children between the ages of 6 and 12 experience sleep deprivation when they obtain less than 9 hours of sleep per night. Contie (2022) found that children experiencing insufficient sleep had more mental health and behavioral challenges than those who had sufficient sleep. Additionally, Contie (2022) found that children experiencing sleep deprivation had less gray matter and volume in their brains. This impacts cognitive functioning, specifically decision-making, conflict-solving, working memory, and learning. The brain undergoes critical development of the basal ganglia, ganglia-thalamus-cortex circuit, …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Natural Disasters, Olivia A. Dobrinz, Elise N. Gapp, Jocelyn R. Kirk

Critically Appraised Topics

This critically appraised topic paper (CAT) focuses on interventions for improving individuals’ quality of life and occupational participation following a natural disaster. Described within this CAT are the impacts on individual’s occupations following a natural disaster, the quality of life for individuals, and occupational therapy’s role in improving an individual’s quality of life and occupational participation.

Capacity And Maximal Inspiratory Pressure In Healthy Adults, Amy Toonstra Pt, Dpt, K. Anderson Spt, E. Boyer Spt, A. Griswold Spt, M. Hermans Spt, S. Kiehl Spt, S. Ng Spt

DPT Capstone Posters

Introduction

• Diaphragmatic fatigue during maximal exercise causes decreased blood flow to exercising limbs.
• Inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) may decrease diaphragm fatigue.
• Current studies use 50% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) for IMST, but optimal dosing at higher intensities has not been well explored.

Objective

• Investigate the impact of high intensity IMST on aerobic capacity and maximal inspiratory pressure in healthy adults.

Methods

• This study was IRB approved by the university.
• All participants provided informed consent, and demographic information was collected.

Results

• VO2 max did not change significantly in either intervention group after intervention period (p=0.143).
• Groups demonstrated significant improvement …

Effect Of Kinesio®Tape On Scapular Kinematics Of The Asymptomatic Shoulder In Healthy Younger Adults, Peter J. Rundquist Pt, Phd, Cormick Eaton Spt, Sam Lemminger Spt, Bella Lott Spt, Ryan Smith Spt, Natalie Zitzer Spt

DPT Capstone Posters

Introduction

• Limited scapular upward rotation and posterior tilting during upper extremity elevation are correlated with subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS)
• Previous research found significant increases in scapular posterior tilting with Kinesio®tape (KT) application
• Purpose: To find a taping method that increases scapular upward rotation and posterior tilting
• Hypothesis: KT application for mechanical facilitation will increase scapular upward rotation during upper extremity elevation

Objective

• Investigate the effects of KT on scapular kinematics during upper extremity elevation

Participants

• Twenty asymptomatic participants aged 23-36 years old (mean 25.45)
• No cervical, thoracic, or shoulder conditions affecting shoulder ROM
• Right hand dominant

Methods

• Kinesio ® tape …

Vestibulo-Oculomotor Function Following A Competitive Season Versus A Non-Competitive Season In Collegiate Football Players, Megan Dowdal-Osborn Pt, Phd, J. Gersh Spt, S. Glade Spt, K. Hill Spt, A. Ladue Spt, G. Yackly Spt

DPT Capstone Posters

Introduction

Background

• Football athletes experience a high number of head impacts during competitive play that do not cause immediate observable signs or symptoms.
• Research shows that exposure to repeated subconcussive impacts has a negative effect on the vestibulo-oculomotor (V-O) system and can result in long term neurologic dysfunction.
• Little is known about the ability of the V-O system to recover if an athlete is given an extended time away from subconcussive impacts.

Purpose

• To investigate the difference in V-O function following a non-competitive (due to COVID-19) vs. a competitive season in cleared-to-play football players.

Methods

Participants

• 32 Division II football …

Effects Of External Vibration Stimulation On Internal Rotation Range Of Motion And Hamstring Strength, Shani Johnson Pt, Dscpt, Comt, A. Aiello Spt, M. Beranek Spt, S. Goos Spt, R. Kelly Spt, C. Klemme Spt

DPT Capstone Posters

Introduction

• Whole body and localized vibration therapy have gained increased use in the fitness community, clinical setting, and research
• Efficacy as a modality option is yet to be determined

Objective

• Evaluate the effects of localized vibration treatment (LVT) to the sacral region on shoulder internal rotation (IR) range of motion (ROM) and isometric hamstring strength

Participants

• 50 Concordia University DPT Students
  • 28 females
  • 22 males
  • Age: 22-33 (Avg. 24)

Methods

• Baseline dominant extremity shoulder IR ROM measured in supine with manual goniometry
• Baseline hamstring strength measurements in prone using MicroFET^TM (hand held dynamometer), taken post 1 practice test
• Therapeutic …

The Effect Of An Instructional Video On Scoring Agreement Of The Asq-3 Between Parents And Spts, Erin Simunds Ms Pt, Bekah Staley Spt, Breanna Mahoney Spt, Alexis Noel Spt, Reilly Peterson Spt

DPT Capstone Posters

Introduction

• 1 in 5 children have developmental delays, yet half are not identified until kindergarten
• Parent-completed tools, like the Ages and Stages Questionnaire version 3 (ASQ-3), provide valuable insight on children’s performance of milestones
• Previous findings demonstrated low agreement between parental and student physical therapist (SPT) scoring of the ASQ-3
• Parents receive no training on administration of formal screening tools

Objective

• Investigate the effect of an informational training video (ITV) for parents on the level of agreement in ASQ-3 scoring between parents and SPTs as a proxy for healthcare providers

Participants

• 10 parents with preschool-aged children in the Hand in …

Cognition And Academic Performance Of Division Ii Football Players During Noncompetitive And Competitive Seasons, Jeanne Lojovich Pt, Phd, Megan Dowdal-Osborn Pt, Phd, T. Butler Spt, K. Cromwell Spt, P. Jennings Spt, K. Martin Spt

DPT Capstone Posters

Introduction

Background:

• Repetitive head impacts (RHIs) are multiple sub-concussive forces that may result from either a direct or indirect impact to the head or body over a period of time that result with no presence of symptoms immediately following the mechanism.
• Football players are at an increased risk of repeated head injuries.
• Athletes who have experienced RHIs are hypothesized to have increased negative effects on their academic tolerance, mental health, and cognition compared to their peers.

Purpose:

• The purpose of this study is to compare the cognition, mental health, and academic tolerance of Division II football players during a non-competitive …

Using Research, Innovation And Collaboration To Link Undergraduate And Dpt Students, Lyndsey Vandenberg Pt, Dpt, Edd, Bethany Fransten Spt, Molly Stark Spt, Katelink Keating Spt, Elisabeth Thom Spt

DPT Capstone Posters

Purpose

Research demonstrates a lack of connectedness between undergraduate (UG) and graduate students at universities around the U.S. This stems from:

• A lack of awareness of available resources and programs
• A lack of mentorship
• Insufficient face-to-face interaction
• COVID-19 Pandemic.

UG students have reported receiving little information surrounding their prospective fields of study,2 including the field of physical therapy (PT). Establishing continued relationships among faculty and students aids in retention rates,3 and graduate mentorship programs reduce feelings of isolation.4 The purpose of this work was to develop systems to increase connectedness for UG students in alignment with the PT Moves Me …

Access To And Utilization Of Primary Care: A Synthesis, Klaire M. Johnson

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Barriers to access and utilization of primary care affect nearly 9% of the nation’s population (USDHHS, n.d.a). These barriers are important to evaluate for members of the aging population due to increased need for health care as a result of chronic conditions and falls. Research indicates that access for the aging population is affected by a variety of factors, including: transportation, non-financial barriers, and internal factors. Issues surrounding current delivery of care, such as a workforce shortage of primary care physicians, have compounded the problem even further. While this issue has begun to be addressed through the Affordable Care Act, …

Community Facing Athletic Trainer, Eric Post

2022 Fall Reports (Marshall, IL)

In an initial planning meeting with Marshall Mayor John Hasten, the mayor identified the potential need for an athletic trainer to serve as a community-facing health professional within the Marshall community in order to provide access to highquality injury prevention, evaluation, and care. The agreed-upon objectives for this project were to: ● Perform a needs assessment to determine the potential costs and resources necessary to provide a community-facing athletic trainer within the Marshall community. ● Share perspectives on how athletic trainers can provide services to serve the health needs in the Marshall community. ● Determine the best strategies for providing …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Determining The Effectiveness Of Functional Task Assessments Used To Improve Quality Of Life For Older Adults With Parkinson’S Disease., Kate L. Westphal, Brooklyn L. Wiest, Jordyn M. Wolff

Critically Appraised Topics

This critically appraised topic focuses on the role of occupational therapy in ascertaining the effectiveness of specific functional assessments in improving the quality of life of older adults with Parkinson’s disease.

Usefulness Of Kinesiotaping For Children Experiencing High Tone And Spasticity As A Symptom Of Cerebral Palsy, Hailey Koep, Hailey Mcguire, Claire Meyer

Critically Appraised Topics

This critically appraised topic focuses on the use of Kinesiotape for improving occupational engagement for children and adolescents experiencing high tone or spasticity related to the diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy treated in the outpatient setting. To develop a better understanding of the different factors in question, Cerebral Palsy and Kinesiotape are first addressed, then the impacts on the quality of life in children with CP, and finally, occupational therapy's role in the use of Kinesiotape and treatment of CP.

Analysis Of Continuous Gait Data Requires Temporal Alignment Of Gait Phases, Elham Alijanpour, Kathryn Riis, Daniel M. Russell

College of Health Sciences Posters

A statistical method for comparing time-continuous curves, such as the kinematics of gait cycles, is statistical parametric mapping analysis (SPM) (Pataky, 2010). According to a recent study, SPM results were sensitive to how each stride's beginning was defined (Honert & Pataky, 2021). Nonetheless, for meaningful comparisons between gait cycles, temporal alignment of phases within a stride may be required (Helwig et al., 2011). With both temporally aligned and unaligned gait data, the goal was to evaluate SPM results for different walking speeds using various gait cycle definitions. Participants in this study were 10 young, healthy adults. To figure out the …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Transition Process For Young Adults With Developmental Disabilities, Hannah Tanous, Mckenzie Ulrich, Alexis Walther

Critically Appraised Topics

This critically appraised topic (CAT) focuses on occupational therapy’s role and best practice in assisting families with young adults that have developmental disabilities in making the transition out of the home into the community, secondary education, or supported independent living. The transition experience is unique to each individual, as there are both supports and barriers to the process.

Effectiveness Of The Use Of Kinesiotape For Adults With Elbow Tendinosis In Reducing Pain To Promote Engagement In Occupations, Natasha Minar, Kinley Nordin, Kaitlyn Peterson

Critically Appraised Topics

This critically appraised topic paper focuses on the use of kinesiotape for adults experiencing chronic pain associated with elbow tendinosis that greatly influences their ability to engage fully in their meaningful occupations. Adults with elbow tendinosis may experience decreased functional mobility due to pain from their diagnosis (Eraslan et al., 2017; Karlıbel & Aksoy, 2022; Shakeri et al., 2018), thus decreasing their overall quality of life and well-being. In this paper, pain associated with elbow tendinosis, the effectiveness of kinesiotape compared to alternative interventions, and the role of occupational therapy in promoting engagement in meaningful occupations will be discussed. Kinesiotape …

Examining Occupational Therapists’ Role In Providing Client-Centered Care For School-Aged Children In The Educational Setting With Visual Impairment, Nicole Gentry, Skye Gross, Alyssa Hammon, Angela Mossman-Larson

Critically Appraised Topics

In a foundational statement outlining the profession’s belief regarding the needs of the pediatric population with visual impairments, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) stated children with visual impairments “benefit significantly from coordinated and comprehensive services to enable them to learn to use their remaining vision more efficiently and use nonvisual methods to complete activities” (Warren & Nobles, 2011, p. 2). According to Warren and Nobles (2011), individuals can have two types of visual impairments: cortical visual impairment and ocular visual impairment. Cortical visual impairment (CVI) deals with affected areas of the brain that limits visual processing, whereas ocular visual …

Telehealth Benefits In Rural Areas: Occupational Therapy, Grant E. Tolkkinen, Grace K. Torgerson, Kaitlyn J. Wanner

Critically Appraised Topics

This paper focuses on the efficacy of occupational-based interventions administered via telehealth within a rural-dwelling adult (18 years and older) population with mental health conditions. The main factors to consider in this scenario are the mental health services in rural areas, the features of the rural population, and the role of occupational therapy (OT) and telehealth in rural mental health. The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework defined health management as “activities related to developing, managing, and maintaining health and wellness routines, including self-management, with the goal of improving or maintaining health to support participation and other occupation” (AOTA, 2020, p.32).

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Addressing The Intersectionality Of Veterans Who Are Chronically Homeless, Mental Health, And Sleep Deprivation, Maci Bakken, Abby Eken, Morgan Halliday

Critically Appraised Topics

Currently, there are interventions available for rest and sleep for the general population. However, those interventions do not usually address the unique needs of the population of veterans who are homeless with mental health disorders. While there is information on the person, environmental, and occupational factors surrounding this topic separately, there is limited literature regarding how to address all of these factors when they transact with each other. The purpose of this critically appraised topic paper is to examine the impacts that being a veteran, having a mental health disorder, and being homeless have on sleep deprivation as well as …

Perception Of Workload And Task Importance During Complex And Dual Task Conditions, Alicia Maul, Cody Lamont, Erin Zurbrugg, Gillian Berry, Katherine Armstrong, Lea Keenantasker, Patricia Eckart, Cindy Zablotny, Theresa Raudsepp, Ryan Jacobson

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

Background

• "cognitive processes and movement need to occur concurrently as part of social engagement; voluntary movement is not wholly automatic and when movement occurs, it leads to changing cognitive demands." (McIsaac et al, 2015)

• Current practice for creating dual-task challenges in the clinic include serial subtraction and carrying a glass of water (complex walking task) however these do not always translate to a patient's individualized challenges and goals

• Research has shown that a patient's engagement and performance improves when the task they are performing is meaningful in their lives. (McIsaac et al, 2015)

• Would including items …

Effects Of A Parkinson's Disease Community Exercise Group On Self Reported Promis Measures, Desiray Anderson, Alexis Creighton, Jillian Studer, Tyler Cuddeford

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is an upper motor neuron disorder that results in bradykinesia, rigidity, shuffling gait patterns, and balance impairments. Non-motor issues include depression, anosmia, GI issues, pain, and more. Approximately 90,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed every year.

Hypothesis: Self efficacy and satisfaction roles will positively correlate with participation in the 6 week exercise program.

Effectiveness Of Internet Based Treatment Methods For Symptom Management Of Vestibular Disorders: A Systematic Review, Nina Acosta, Rowan Pepe, Samantha Pavolko, Morgan Carline, Devin Conlon

Student Research Poster Presentations 2023

Introduction: The objective of this systematic review is to investigate the effectiveness of internet-based and blended therapy for patients with peripheral, central, or mixed vestibular dysfunction based on current research.

Methods: Medline, CINAHL Complete, PubMed, and The Cochrane Library were searched from September 2022 to January 2023 using the search terms “vestibular,” “internet,” “computer,” “management,” “online,” “self-efficacy,” “vestibular disorder,” “rehabilitation,” “treatment,” “dizziness,” and “phys* ther*.”Studies were included if they used internet-based interventions for patients with diagnosed vestibular dysfunction caused by pure vestibular pathology. Three independent reviewers performed the selection process based on title, abstract, and full-text reading. In total, 8 …

Professional Behaviors On The Fieldwork Performance Evaluation: Perspectives Of Fieldwork Educators, Jessi S. Clark

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Occupational therapy (OT) students are assessed on their professional behavior skills during Level II fieldwork (FW) by fieldwork educators (FWEs) as measured by the Fieldwork Performance Evaluation (FWPE). Most of these professional behavior skills are not required components of entry-level OT education, therefore academic preparation may be variable. The purpose of this Capstone project was to study the perspective of FWEs regarding the seven professional behavior items on the FWPE, primarily the relative importance of and academic preparation for these items. Participants included FWEs who completed the FWPE in the last 15 years. They completed an online survey that utilized …

Program Evaluation Of A Community-Based Model For Driver Off-Road Assessment In Post-Acute Abi, Eugenia R. Herbst

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Social conditions from the pandemic forced changes to outpatient rehabilitation programs, necessitating pre-driving assessment be administered via telehealth, an alternative model of OT service-delivery. As a result, Shepherd Pathways adapted the clinical pre-driving program for telehealth service delivery. Program outcomes had not been formally assessed.

Purpose:

The purpose of this Capstone project was to conduct a formal program evaluation to collect, analyze, and use data to evaluate effectiveness and efficiency of a clinical return to drive program delivered via telehealth (CDC, n.d.; The university of Kansas toolbox, n.d.). The program evaluation examined the OT process and scope of services …

Skilled Nuring Facilities Therapists' Experiences With Acquiring Wheelchairs For Their Clients, Vincent Campbell

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The United States (U.S.) population is aging resulting in an increase in Skilled Nursing Home (SNF) residents. A larger proportion of SNF residents rely on wheelchairs for mobility. Currently there are no studies that determine the processes, which therapists utilize to correctly fit their clients for wheelchairs. Poor fitting wheelchairs can have a negative impact on the residents’ ability to participate in occupational activities. Residents may also suffer physical or psychological consequences from an ill-fitting wheelchair. Therapists in SNFs often have no established criteria in providing wheelchairs for their clients. There can be institutional barriers to providing appropriate wheelchairs for …

Perspective Of Patients And Stakeholders As Members Of A Research Team, Janet L Poole, Sharon L Newbill

Pediatrics Research and Scholarship

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare orphan disease, characterized by skin thickening, vascular insufficiency, and fibrosis of internal organs. SSc affects about 100,000 people in the United States. This study explored perceived benefits and challenges of patient partners and stakeholders, who were team members on a project to revise and test a self-management program (Taking Charge of Systemic Sclerosis). Five patient partners, 1 stakeholder from the Scleroderma Foundation and 1 stakeholder from a state chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation were interviewed. Conversations were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim and analyzed. Four themes emerged from the analysis with corresponding subthemes: contributions …

Case Study: Effects Of Virtual Reality On Motor Control With A Child Diagnosed With Spastic Ataxic Cerebral Palsy, Alyssa Madison, Princess Roblete, Maureen Rinehimer

Student Research Poster Presentations 2023

Background: Cerebral palsy is a neuromuscular disorder that affects a person’s motor control and balance. These individuals have difficulty co-contracting musculature resulting in decreased trunk control, hyper- or hypotonia, lack of body coordination, and sudden contractions when attempting to move. A recent technology that is beginning to be explored within the therapy world is the use of virtual reality (VR) to treat those with cerebral palsy.

Objective: The objective is to evaluate the effect of virtual reality technology with children who have cerebral palsy by focusing on motor control such as: functional reach, functional movements to promote independence, sitting balance, …

The Effect Of An 8-Week Core Training Program On 1-Mile And 100-Meter Dash Outdoor Running Times In College-Aged Athletes, Kelcie Hromisin, Robert Wagner, Anthony Tirro, Zachary Orzell, Cydney Moore, James Prentice, Melissa Cencetti

Student Research Poster Presentations 2023

The Effect of an 8-week Core Training Program on 1 Mile and 100-M Dash Outdoor Running Times in College-Aged Athletes

Background:

The core provides proximal stability of the trunk which enhances power production and strength with distal limb movement. With almost half a million NCAA athletes in the United States, in a high-revenue industry, there is a strong incentive for athletes, coaches and industry alike to discover strategies to improve athletic performance. Available literature has studied the correlation between increasing core strength and the augmentation of balance and stability, power generation, core endurance, neuromuscular control and injury prevention. However, these …