Digital Commons Network^™

Lower Extremity Strengthening, Neuromuscular Re-Education And Graded Activity For A Runner With Distal Hamstring Tendinopathy: A Case Report, Tara Oyasato

Case Report Papers

Background and Purpose: Hamstring injuries are common injuries athletes face with high recurrence rates. Many hamstring injuries, including hamstring tendinopathy are caused by non-contact mechanisms like running due to its role in eccentrically controlling rapid knee extension and hip flexion. Despite its prevalence, there is controversy surrounding the optimal treatment of a hamstring strain. The purpose of this case study was to document the physical therapy (PT) interventions for a runner with an acute distal hamstring injury and tendinopathy. Case Description: The patient was a 23-year-old active male referred to outpatient PT with a diagnosis of patellar tendinitis. The procedural …

Inferior Shoulder Dislocation With Anterior Bankart Tear, Anfernee Powell

Graduate Research Showcase

Inferior Shoulder Dislocation with Anterior Bankart Tear in Multi-Sport Adolescent Athlete Powell AM*: *Georgia College & State University

Background: During football practice, a 16-year-old male multi-sport athlete hit another player with his right shoulder and immediately felt discomfort and stated that it felt like it was “out.” The involved athlete was hit in the top of his shoulder when the injury occurred. The AT observed an obvious dislocation of the right glenohumeral joint in an inferior direction. A reduction of the joint was performed, and neurovascular vitals were within normal limits. The athlete was provided a sling and referred to …

The Effects Of Concussion On Quantity Of Sleep And Quality Of Sleep, Taren Asheton Bone

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study observed how a concussion's effects change the quantity and quality of sleep in collegiate athletes. There is a lack of research pertaining to this topic, explicitly involving collegiate athletes and the changes in sleep outcomes during concussion recovery from a concussion. The study design is a convenient cohort in the field involving athletes from two local universities. Participants wore a Readiband™ device for seven to ten days or throughout their concussion recovery. There were differences in total minutes in bed and calculated minutes in bed between concussed and non-concussed participants. This study indicates that concussion affects the quantity …

The Effect Of Scapular Dyskinesis On Army Combat Fitness Test Scores And Shoulder Function In Army Rotc Cadets, Kirstin Ann Schwart

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: The increasing rate of shoulder pain and injury in the US military can cause an impact on a soldier’s ability to pass their fitness tests, affect their overall combat readiness, and lead to an increasing amount spent on medical treatment. Recently, the US Army changed their physical fitness test to the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) which is a more full body, functional, and fatiguing test.¹ Fatigue of the shoulder and scapular musculature has been reported to lead to alterations in scapular kinematics. Alterations to normal scapular kinematics have been connected to shoulder pain/injuries. ²

Purpose: …

Side-To-Differences Of Medial Elbow Anatomy Adaptations In Youth Throwing Athletes, Rudolph Matthew Morrow

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: Injuries to the medial elbow are common in overhead sports, with the most common occurring at the medial/ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). Injury to the UCL is associated with elbow joint laxity which tends to develop over time in athletes who place their elbows under chronic valgus forces like those present during throwing. ^{27, 37} This instability is well documented in professional, collegiate, and high school athletes.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the medial elbow joint width and common flexor tendon thickness in the arms of youth baseball players. The hypotheses were (1) the …

Identifying Relationships Between Upper Extremity Function And Army Combat Fitness Test Scores In The Reserve 'Officers' Training Corps Population, Lianne Marie Shroba

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: The United States Army is implementing the Holistic Health and Fitness program (H2F), intending to transform the Army's culture of health and fitness. It aims to optimize soldier readiness by improving physical and non-physical performance, decreasing injury rates, and improving rehabilitation after injury. A part of that program includes replacing the current Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) with the new Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). The ACFT consists of six functional events that gauge combat readiness. There is already established literature regarding injury epidemiology as it relates to the previous APFT, but little published work on the ACFT …

Perceived Stress And Burnout In Athletic Training Students, Desiree Nicole Daniels

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Athletic training students can experience stress and symptoms of burnout and there is empirical support for a relationship between stress and burnout in health professions students in fields such as medicine and nursing. ^1-3 However, prior research on the relationship between stress and burnout has been limited in athletic training students. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between perceived stress and symptoms of burnout in athletic training students. Two hundred thirty athletic training students from 61 institutions completed an online questionnaire consisting of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Burnout Clinical Subtype Questionnaire - Student …

The Prevalence Of Musculoskeletal Injuries Within The Center For Wellness In The Arts At Marshall University, Colin John Wakeman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: The demands on successful performing artists are two-fold. First, they have to perform at a high skill level for their specific art, such as theater, marching band, dance, and color guard. Second, they need to achieve the aesthetic demands of their discipline. Musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries can impact either or both of these elements and affect their overall performance. If MSK injuries are not addressed early in a performer’s career, they can develop into chronic problems that take performers out of rehearsals, practices, and performances.

Purpose: This epidemiological study aimed to investigate the prevalence of MSK injuries within …

Ankle Muscle Activation And Mechanics During The Ebbet's Foot Drills, Quentin Adam Archuleta

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: The ankle is a complex structure of three joints that allow multiplanar motion (Brockett & Chapman, 2016). Lateral ankle sprains (LAS) are the most common injury seen today in both the general and athletic populations and have a high recurrence rate. When left untreated or mistreated, it often leads to developing chronic ankle instability or osteoarthritis, which a lower quality of life. Dr. Russ Ebbets created a set of foot drills with the claim that they can strengthen the muscles of the lower leg, lessen lower leg aliments, and the chances of a severe ankle sprain (Ebbets, 2011a). …

Fatigue-Related Jump Landing Knee Injuries In Dancers, Megan Holton

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Non-contact knee injuries are prevalent in dancers and have great financial and social costs. These injuries may be prevented with training that modifies jump landing movement patterns and improves lower body strength and cardiorespiratory fitness. Identifying the movement-based risk factors that are most strongly related to injury mechanisms allows healthcare providers to create effective training interventions. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between multivariate risk factors and injurious knee forces as a dancer lands from a jump. Twenty female dance students with at least eight years of experience were recruited. These dancers were injury-free and actively …

Lower Extremity Strengthening, Neuromuscular Re-Education And Graded Activity For A Runner With Distal Hamstring Tendinopathy: A Case Report, Tara Oyasato

Case Report Presentations

Research presentation slides:

Background and Purpose: Hamstring injuries are common injuries athletes face with high recurrence rates. Many hamstring injuries, including hamstring tendinopathy are caused by non-contact mechanisms like running due to its role in eccentrically controlling rapid knee extension and hip flexion. Despite its prevalence, there is controversy surrounding the optimal treatment of a hamstring strain. The purpose of this case study was to document the physical therapy (PT) interventions for a runner with an acute distal hamstring injury and tendinopathy. Case Description: The patient was a 23-year-old active male referred to outpatient PT with a diagnosis of patellar …

The Association Of Self-Reported Physical Activity On Human Sensory Long-Term Potentiation, Damien Moore, Paul D. Loprinzi

Faculty and Student Publications

Exercise has been shown to enhance synaptic plasticity, therefore, potentially affecting memory. While the mechanism(s) responsible for this relationship have been explored in animal models, current research suggests that exercise may possess the ability to induce synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP). Most of the LTP mechanistic work has been conducted in animal models using invasive procedures. For that reason, the purpose of the present experiment was to investigate whether self-reported exercise is related to human sensory LTP-like responses. Nineteen participants (MAGE= 24 years; 52.6% male) completed the study. Long-term potentiation-like responses were measured by incorporating a non-invasive method that assess the …

Fit For Fire: A 10-Week Low-Cost Hift Experiential Learning Initiative Between Underrepresented Kinesiology Undergraduates And Hypertensive Deconditioned Firefighters Improves Their Health And Fitness, Melanie Poudevigne, Christina Day, Eon Campbell, Da’Lynn Mills, Reginald Porter, Ximena Zornosa, Thomas Andre

Faculty and Student Publications

The aims of this study were to investigate the feasibility of an experiential learning initiative led by minority exercise science undergraduates and to observe the adaptations after a 10-week high-intensity functional training (HIFT) program in 34 underrepresented, hypertensive, and overweight/obese professional firefighters (PFF; age: 36.8 ± 11.0 years, body weight: 97.3 ± 21.5 kg, height: 181.7 ± 6.6 cm; BMI: 29.2 ± 4.9 kg/m2). Data were analyzed for muscular strength and endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, body composition, agility, flexibility, and readiness for change. The PFFs trained two to three times weekly during their work shifts at vigorous intensity for 40 min. …

The Measurement Of Strength In Children: Is The Peak Value Truly Maximal?, Hayao Ozaki, Takashi Abe, Scott J. Dankel, Jeremy P. Loenneke, Toshiharu Natsume, Pengyu Deng, Hisashi Naito

Faculty and Student Publications

It is unclear whether the measurement of maximum muscle strength in younger children can be performed accurately due to factors such as motivation and maturity (i.e., the ability to receive instruction). If there is a large change in a ratio between muscular strength and size from the youngest to the oldest, then this might provide some indication that the youngest may not have been able to voluntarily activate their muscles for reasons mentioned previously. The purpose of this study was to observe the ratio between handgrip strength (HGS) and forearm muscle thickness (MT) across differing ages in younger children. A …

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.

Serial-Multiple Mediation Of Enjoyment And Intention On The Relationship Between Creativity And Physical Activity, Myungjin Jung, Han Soo Kim, Paul D. Loprinzi, Minsoo Kang

Faculty and Student Publications

The purpose of the present study was to examine a serial-multiple mediation of physical activity (PA) enjoyment and PA intention in the relationship between creativity and PA level (i.e., moderate-to-vigorous PA). A total of 298 undergraduate and graduate students completed a selfreported questionnaire evaluating creativity, PA enjoyment, PA intention, and PA level. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, ordinary leastsquares regression analysis, and bootstrap methodology. Based on the research findings, both PA enjoyment (β = 0.06; 95% CI [0.003, 0.12]) and PA intention (β = 0.08; 95% CI [0.03, 0.13]) were found to be a mediator …

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 …

Reflections Of Communication Skills After Practicing Telehealth Physical Activity Screening Evaluations: Qualitative Study, Stephanie Blank, Carlos Falcon, Nicholas Heck, Isabelle Hoyven Cisneros, Gavin Mcbride, Matthew Miller, Rachel Tokuda, Jeff Houck

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

The Disconnect Between Patients and Providers

Have you had a healthcare visit where:

- You didn’t feel heard

- Your concerns weren’t fully addressed

- You didn’t follow the advice given

Association Of Physical Activity On Memory Interference: Boston Puerto Rican Health Study, Paul D. Loprinzi, Lindsay K. Crawford, Tammy Scott, Katherine L. Tucker

Faculty and Student Publications

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between habitual physical activity engagement on memory interference. The present analysis used cross-sectional data from the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study (n=1,241; mean age= 57.2; 72.1% female). Methods: Physical activity was evaluated via self-report. Memory interference was evaluated using a word-list paradigm. The memory task included learning a list of 16 words (List A; 5 trials), followed by a distractor list (List B), and then an immediate recall of List A. Proactive interference occurs when preceding stimuli (e.g., Trial 1 and Trial 5 of List A) interferes with performance …

A Replication Study Of Occupational Therapists’ Use And Opinions Of Apps In Therapy For The State Of Arkansas, Paige Francis

2021 Honors Symposium

BACKGROUND
• mHealth applications are increasingly utilized within healthcare practice (Baig et al., 2015).
• It is imperative that app development targets needs within occupational therapy

PURPOSE
• To recognize what aspects of apps Arkansan occupational therapists use and what they hope to see improve, to inform future app development.

Cauda Equina Syndrome In A 53-Year-Old Female Following A Motor Vehicle Accident: A Case Report, Erica Guimond, Hayden Buckhalt, Brendan Adler, Spencer Bourassa

Case Report Papers

Background: Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a collection of symptoms that can present as the result of many different spinal cord pathologies. CES is a medical emergency and often requires immediate surgical intervention to prevent permanent damage. The criteria for screening and diagnosis for CES is observed to be inconsistent and varied among healthcare professionals.

Case Description: A 53-year-old female was involved in a motor vehicle accident (MVA), resulting in her experiencing a concussion, and fracture of the left (L) ankle and right (R) femur. She required R hip surgery and was given a bilateral lower extremity non-weight bearing status. …

Effectiveness Of Collaborative Handwriting Curriculum: Handwriting Without Tears And Orton-Gillingham, In Kindergarten Classroom Setting., Merry G. Harper

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Formal handwriting instruction, using evidence-based, developmentally appropriate handwriting programming, in school based occupational therapy is necessary to support the role of a student. Handwriting is an occupation of children in the school environment. Without formal handwriting instruction in place there is evidence to support occupational therapy intervention providing a handwriting program can improve handwriting success.

Purpose: The purpose of this research study is to determine the clinical efficacy of a hybrid approach to handwriting instruction pairing the Handwriting Without Tears and Orton-Gillingham instructional programming for prewriting and handwriting skills in the kindergarten population. The research question addressed is: Will …

Does Pre-Operative Education Increase Activity Participation And Decrease Perceived Arm Dysfunction In Breast Cancer Patients?, Stephanie R. Rexing

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Executive Summary

Background: Currently there is sufficient evidence indicating safety with upper extremity resistive exercise among those at risk for developing breast cancer related lymphedema. However, there is insufficient evidence of the benefits of pre-operative lymphedema prevention education, upper body strengthening exercises, and strategies to continue or resume physically demanding activities that breast cancer survivors need to do, want to do, or are expected to do.

Purpose: This project described the impact pre-operative education has on activity participation, and perceived upper extremity function among individuals diagnosed with breast cancer compared to those who do not receive pre-operative education. The capstone …

The Effect Of Upper-String Musician Practice Session On Scapular Kinematics, Connor James Brown

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: Shoulder pain is common in the upper-string musician population. [43,49] Pain has been linked with injury and impairments. Altered scapular kinematics has been associated with patients diagnosed with shoulder injury or impairment. Fatigue of the shoulder complex through repeated arm motions has been shown to alter scapular kinematics, resulting in shoulder pathologies, including rotator cuff impingement syndrome. [12,15,28] Upper string musicians have been documented with practicing multiple hours in a day and it could be inferred those practice sessions could be fatiguing. [24,49]

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effect of upper string musician practice session …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy Within Primary Care: A Multidisciplinary Weight Management Program, Amanda Rivas

OT Student Capstones

Primary care is essential in the United States, especially as more Americans are diagnosed with a chronic condition and the aging population increases. For many Americans, primary care providers are their only access to the health care system due to financial burden, limited access, and several other barriers. For these reasons, primary care clinics need to develop multidisciplinary teams where patients can receive whole-person health care. Occupational therapists have the knowledge and skills to provide client-center care and work within primary care. However, multiple barriers prohibit occupational therapists from entering the primary care field. The most significant barrier is reimbursement. …

Distal Radius Fractures: Comparing Surgical Approaches To Identify Functional Outcomes, Sonia Morales

OT Student Capstones

Distal radius fractures (DRF) are the most commonly encountered fracture in clinical settings. Although the volar approach has gained recognition as the standard surgical treatment method to treat DRF there is still great debate as to what exactly the surgery should consist of. Individuals who suffer from a DRF have a high prevalence of developing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) (Cherubino, Bini, & Marcolli, 2010; Niver & Ilyas, 2012; Wang et al., 2018). Surgeons are unsure if individuals will benefit more from solely performing a volar open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery or to perform the volar ORIF along with …

The Effects Of Yoga Therapy On Quality Of Life In Pediatric Patients With Oncological Diagnoses: A Systematic Review, Katherine Tota, Taylor Harnish, Meredith Hartz

Student Research Poster Presentations 2021

Background: Yoga therapies have become more common as physical therapy treatment to improve mood, anxiety, and fatigue in adolescents and adults with cancer. A cancer diagnosis has physical, emotional, and social effects on children and their families. It is correlated with high rates of depression and anxiety, and has large financial implications for parents/guardians.

Study design: Systematic review

Purpose: This purpose of this study was to examine the effects of yoga therapy on overall quality of life in treatment of patients with a pediatric oncology diagnosis.

Methods and Measure: A review of literature took place in January 2021 using the …

The Effect Of Different Balance Training Protocols On Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Systematic Review, Jonathan Boruta, Nate Macdonald, Zackery Wroniuk-Evans, Joshua Wilkes

Student Research Poster Presentations 2021

Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI) is a prevalent topic in the world of sports physical therapy due to the high incidence of ankle sprains among athletes. Differing opinions on methods of treatment for CAI has generated an influx of research regarding the effectiveness of different treatment protocols. Unstable balance training, plyometrics/hop stabilization training, resistance training with balance, and combined interventions are currently being researched to determine their effects on athletes with CAI.

The Effects Of Resistance Exercise Training On Quality Of Life And Muscle Strength In Patients Undergoing Cancer Treatment: A Systematic Review, Rachel A. Carmody, Evelyn S. Logie, Hannah J. Larkin, Kaitlyn E. Yurenda, Zachary M. Mason

Student Research Poster Presentations 2021

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer and prostate cancer are two of the most common cancers seen in females and males respectively worldwide. Treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and androgen deprivation therapy are essential to combat cancerous cells. However, the lasting side effects of these lifesaving treatments can impact an individual’s quality of life and muscle strength without appropriate intervention. While exercise has been shown to be beneficial for patients with cancer, there is limited understanding of the effects of resistance training when performed concurrently with medical interventions.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the impact of resistance training …

Protocol: The Effects Of Medical Cannabis On Pain And Quality Of Life In Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease And/Or Chronic Pain, Hailey S. Inge, Jenna M. Hiryak, Patrick Demichele, Olivia J. Meyer, Maureen Pascal

Student Research Poster Presentations 2021

Background: The opioid epidemic has led medical professionals to research alternative methods of pain reduction. There is limited evidence concerning the usage of medical cannabis and its effect on the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease and/or reduction of chronic pain. Pain is subjective and neurologically derived, therefore, an association of quality of life differentiation upon individuals with chronic illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease and chronic pain can add to the research of whether medical cannabis is an appropriate alternative treatment to influence pain perception.

Objective: The aim of this study is to identify a correlation between medical cannabis and Parkinson’s …