Neuromuscular Responses During Vigorous Intensity Heart Rate-Clamp Cycling Exercise, Clara J. Mitchinson, Pasquale J. Succi, Brian Benitez, Djadmann Gustave, Minyoung Kwak, Erik Snell, Haley C. Bergstrom

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

Introduction: Electromyography (EMG) and mechanomyography (MMG) provide non-invasive assessments of neuromuscular function and fatigue during dynamic exercise. This study examined neuromuscular fatigue and cycling performance through changes in power output (PO), total work (TW), EMG and MMG, amplitude (AMP) and mean power frequency (MPF) during three, heart rate (HR)-Clamp trials in the vigorous range (77-95% HR_max). Methods: Ten men (mean±SD, 25.9±5.0yr, 74.9±15.0kg, HR_max=178±12b×min^-1) performed a cycle ergometer graded exercise test, followed by three separate HR-Clamp trials at 77%HR_max (HR_L, time to exhaustion [T_Lim]=58.5±4.6 min, range=45.3-60.0min), 86%HR_max (HR_{M …}

Artificial Intelligence Policy Development In A Hybrid, Accelerated Dpt Program: Planning For Academic Integrity, Jennifaye V. Brown, Keiba Shaw, Otis L. Owens

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative forms like ChatGPT, has rapidly grown across higher education. Institutions are developing policies for responsible/ethical use to preserve academic integrity, while acknowledging AI’s role in healthcare to confirm diagnoses and create personalized plans based on social determinants. In physical therapy education, AI can serve a valuable purpose despite documented misuse by Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students during admissions and curricular activities. This paper describes the development of an AI policy following identified misuse and demonstrated knowledge gaps from student orientation essays. Methods: An AI task force was convened. Policy development was guided by …

Appropriate Use Of Medical Billing And Coding Procedures After Classroom Instruction: Knowledge And Confidence In Doctor Of Physical Therapy Student Across Two Universities, Jamie S. Way, Breanna Reynolds, Teresa Elliott-Burke, Kristina M. Latva

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Accurate billing practices are essential for clinicians, insurance payers, patients and employers. Proper documentation ensures high-quality care, justifies medical necessity, and protects stakeholders. Existing literature covers ethical dilemmas and inadequacies in healthcare educational programs. The purpose of this study was to assess Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) student knowledge and confidence in the application of medical billing and coding. Methods: Prospective analysis of written exams and self-reported confidence before and after classroom instruction in two DPT programs. Instruction covered documentation, common physical therapy CPT code selection and application of units billed based on payor guidelines (Medicare, private insurance). Results: …

Artificial Intelligence (Ai) In A Hybrid Dpt Program: Student Opinions On Use, Cheating, And Plagiarism, Jennifaye V. Brown, Keiba Shaw, Otis L. Owens

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: To prepare students with digital competencies needed for modern clinical practice, AI should be responsibly integrated into healthcare education programs. However, concerns exist about students misusing AI for admissions statements and academic assignments. This study examined Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students' perceptions of ChatGPT use and whether they consider its use cheating or plagiarism. Method: This retrospective multi-methods analysis compared two DPT student cohorts' online essay responses to the following questions: 1) Is using AI or specifically, ChatGPT considered cheating and/or plagiarism? and 2) What are students' opinions on ChatGPT use in the DPT curriculum? One hundred forty-seven …

Acute And Inpatient Occupational Therapy Practice For People With Chronic Conditions Who Are Experiencing Homelessness, Emily K. Simpson, Anne K. Mokate, Elizabeth A. Gibbs, Nina K. Duric

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Despite having high rates of chronic illness, people experiencing homelessness (PEH) in the United States face barriers to healthcare access that result in unmet health needs and poor health outcomes.  The objective of the study was to identify the barriers to service experienced by occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) in acute and inpatient settings in providing services to PEH and to describe education strategies to reduce those barriers. Methods: Researchers employed a cross-sectional design with OTPs (n=292) with experience treating PEH. Results: Barriers to treatment for OTP included lack of education, need to prioritize acute concerns, and inadequate institutional resources. …

Intramuscular Nad⁺ Therapy And Neuroenergetic Symptom Modulation: An Exploratory Retrospective Human Pilot Study, Zachary J. Dickey Do, Kirtan Patel Bs, Randy Aldret Edd, Cscs, Atc, Navneet Sharma Md, Glenn Goodwin Do

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

Abstract

Background: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) is a central regulator of neuronal energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, and axonal integrity. Following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and repetitive subconcussive exposure, neurons undergo a neurometabolic crisis characterized by impaired oxidative phosphorylation, increased ATP demand, and depletion of intracellular NAD⁺ pools. Pre clinical models demonstrate that NAD⁺ depletion contributes to central energy dysregulation, cognitive dysfunction, and axonal and neuronal degeneration through disruption of NAD⁺-dependent pathways including SIRT1-mediated mitochondrial resilience, PARP1-driven NAD⁺ consumption, and SARM1-associated axonal breakdown. Despite growing preclinical evidence supporting NAD⁺based neuroprotection, human clinical data remains absent.

Methods: A real-world clinical pilot …

Exploring The Dual Impact Of A Graduate-Led Physical Therapy Experience On Undergraduate Engagement And Graduate Professional Development: A Case Report, Ellie Trubey, Jennifer Bochynski, Michelle Slike

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The significance of connectedness, motivation, and professional identity formation in healthcare education is well documented in recent research. The purpose of this case report is to evaluate the impact of an interactive, peer-led learning experience between graduate physical therapy students and undergraduate pre-physical therapy students. A specific focus is placed on identifying the effect this professional early-exposure event had on each group’s perceived connectedness to the program, motivation to continue studying physical therapy, and a developing professional identity. Methods: Graduate physical therapy students designed and facilitated a hands-on learning session for first-year pre-physical therapy undergraduates. Post-event surveys were used …

The Feasibility Of A Single Educational Intervention To Improve Caregiver Confidence In Stroke Rehabilitation, Angelica Fedorchak, Jennifer E. Lape

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Caregivers play a critical role in providing support to stroke survivors during recovery, but they often face emotional, physical, and educational challenges that can lead to caregiver burden and burnout. Despite the significant impact education can have on caregivers, rehabilitation professionals in inpatient rehabilitation settings often struggle to provide comprehensive training due to time constraints and strict productivity standards. This feasibility study aimed to evaluate whether an individualized one-time caregiver education session, integrated into the discharge planning process, could enhance caregiver confidence and whether the necessary education could be practically integrated into the existing staffing, reimbursement, and organizational structure …

Designing Robust Physiotherapy Trials: When And How To Use The Randomized Crossover Model, Manish P. Shukla, Gaurav Chhabra, Ashish Shankarrao Deshmukh, Neha Sachin Chaudhary, Neha Deshmukh

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Problem: Physiotherapy research increasingly requires methodological precision and clinical relevance. Among available designs, the randomized crossover model offers distinct advantages by allowing each participant to serve as their own control, thereby reducing inter-individual variability and improving statistical efficiency. Purpose: This perspective article discusses how appropriately designed crossover trials can enhance the quality and interpretability of physiotherapy research when applied under stable clinical conditions and with adequate washout periods. Methods: Three representative crossover studies illustrate these principles across physiotherapy specialties. In musculoskeletal practice, manual therapy for thoracic pain demonstrated measurable reductions in paraspinal electromyographic activity following counterstrain compared with spinal manipulation. …

“Thrown To The Fire”: Exploring The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On The Education And Self-Efficacy In New Graduate Physical Therapists, Michael Furtado, Gregory Brusola, Dana Wild

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) education and practice, leading to emergency transitions to online learning and interruptions in clinical experiences across the United States. These disruptions raised concerns about their impact on new graduate DPTs' self-efficacy and professional readiness. The current issue addressed by this study is the effect of these disruptions on new graduate self-efficacy and confidence in their professional role. This mixed-method study aimed to assess the extent of clinical education disruption, evaluate its effects on self-efficacy, and explore the lived experiences of new graduate DPTs during the pandemic. Method: A survey …

An Exploratory Study: The Presence Of Imposter Syndrome In New Graduate Allied Health Professionals And Its Relationship To Location Of Practice, Samantha J. Barber, Carol A. Flavell Dr, Moira Smith Dr

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Imposter syndrome (IS) explores the feelings of fraudulence within personal and professional settings. Commonly IS results in impaired self-confidence, and self-perceptions of one’s own abilities, their mental health, and places them at a higher risk of burnout. Imposterism is linked to transitionary periods, such as being newly graduated, and while IS addressed amongst the medical community [doctors and nurses], there is a gap in literature relating to IS amongst allied health professionals (AHPs). Additionally, there is no known literature in which IS presence or severity is explored in relation to an individual’s geographic location. The aim of this study …

Aphasia Therapy In An Arabic-Speaking Individual After Stroke: A Case Report, Mohammed F. Alharbi Dr

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This case report describes the clinical application and preliminary outcomes of Arabic-adapted Semantic Feature Analysis (SFA), Phonological Components Analysis (PCA), and Verb Network Strengthening Treatment (VNeST) in an Arabic-speaking adult with post-stroke aphasia and highlights language-specific factors that affect the adaptation of these interventions to Arabic. Methods: The participant was a 53-year-old right-handed native Arabic-speaking man who developed moderate to severe nonfluent transcortical motor aphasia after a left middle cerebral artery stroke. One month after stroke onset, he underwent assessment with the Short Aphasia Test for Gulf Arabic speakers, which showed relatively preserved auditory comprehension and repetition but marked …

Peace And Reconciliation In Mozambique: The Influence Of Economic Support On The Reintegration Of Ex-Combatants In Murrupula District, Isac José Alberto

Peace and Conflict Studies

This article analyses the impact of economic support on the reintegration of ex-combatants in Murrupula District, Mozambique, under the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) programme. Based on a qualitative methodology and a case study, semi-structured interviews, focus groups and direct observation were conducted. The results reveal structural limitations, such as weak coordination between implementers and beneficiaries, scarcity of funding, and the disconnect between intervention strategies and local realities. These weaknesses have compromised the economic inclusion of ex-combatants and accentuated tensions with the receiving communities, aggravated by a context of widespread poverty. The study also highlights the importance of informal networks …

Social Innovation In The Peacebuilding Sector, Michelle Helman, Phd, Katherine Ronderos, Mariafernanda Burgos-Ariza

Peace and Conflict Studies

Social innovation is an expanding practice in the peacebuilding sector. In this article, three peace scholar-practitioners reflect on our experiences as peacebuilders and consider the utility, tensions, and possibilities for peace and social innovation in theory and in practice. We draw insights gleaned through a focus group workshop with peacebuilding colleagues and highlight three case study examples from Colombia, the Philippines, and Kenya, each demonstrating the challenges and opportunities of social innovation in the peace sector. In doing so, we offer a reimagining of- and recommended action steps to engage innovation through a collaborative, feminist design approach. This article contributes …

Teaching Peace Where Borders Divide: Interdisciplinary Praxis In A Criminal Justice Program, Lucas Espinoza

Peace and Conflict Studies

This article describes a criminal justice senior-level undergraduate course, CRIJ 4350: Peace, Nonviolence, & Justice, at a Hispanic-serving institution known as the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands. The course centers five key frameworks: critical pedagogy, intersectionality, decolonial theory, restorative and transformative justice, and trauma-informed care, as this course departs from carceral models of justice education. Grounded in theory, literature, and research from criminal justice, criminology, peace and conflict studies, sociology, political science, ethics/philosophy, social justice, human rights, and critical pedagogy, the course centers student reflection from course evaluations, relationships, and experiences of a faculty member. …

An Exploration Of The Intersection Of Artificial Intelligence And Speech-Language Pathology -- Potential Impacts, Manish K. Rami

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This paper explores the potential impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the profession of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP). AI is widely recognized as a transformative force, presenting opportunities across both service delivery and professional practice in SLP. Method: The analysis employs the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's  Scope of Practice in Speech-Language Pathology as an organizing framework to systematically evaluate AI applications across professional and service delivery domains. Within each domain, the study identifies emerging use cases, evaluates the capacity for AI technologies to automate or augment clinical processes, and examines broader implications for the profession, with particular attention to anticipated changes …

An Analysis Of Dei Preparation In Health Science Programs For Future Healthcare Providers, Michael Holik, Scott Heinerichs

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Research has indicated patients have better outcomes when their healthcare providers are comprehensively trained in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) related areas during their academic preparation. By understanding students’ perceptions of the DEI education, they receive and knowing how that training may impact future patient interactions, educators can allow educational programs to prepare health science students better. This study aimed to garner and examine the perceptions health science students have on the DEI education they receive as undergraduate and/or graduate students in a regional public comprehensive university. Methods: Upon approval of research from the Institutional Review Board, 2,700 health …

Understanding Interprofessional Collaborative Practice: A Firm Foundation For Allied Health Student Education, Isabel A. Paton, Narelle T. Patton, Anne Croker

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Accompanying the contemporary need for a collaborative practice ready health workforce is a focus on health student preparation for interprofessional collaborative practice. This research explored allied health pre-registration student preparation for interprofessional collaborative practice. Further, this examination illuminated new understandings of interprofessional collaborative practice itself. Methods: Informed by philosophical hermeneutics, this research involved two studies. One study was drawn from interpretation of the literature. The other study drew from 24 academic and student participants’ experiences from five allied health professions, accessed through semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Thematic interpretation was used to highlight key themes and topics. Results: This …

Student Perceptions Of Clinical Educator Competence Across Healthcare Professions, Samar Long, Sarah Varekojis, Tonya Apke, Erika Kemp

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Educational units that house a variety of healthcare programs require unique skills and knowledge development and vastly different professional responsibilities. The training for students is similar in that they use clinical educators to provide practical educational experiences. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore healthcare students' perceptions of their clinical educators' skills across six domains related to clinical education for six health professions. Methods: The data collection process involved a survey of students who have completed clinical rotations with at least two different clinical educators. Results: Seventy-four responses were included in data analysis. Students have positive perceptions …

Radiographic Assessment Of Morphometric Knee Angles In Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Quantitative Cross-Sectional Study, Sandhya Nagolu, Lavanya Prathap, Subhadra Devi Velichety, Jeyakumar S, K.Venkata Naga Prahalada

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common causes of anterior knee pain, but its radiographic diagnostic indicators are still not clearly defined. This study aimed to evaluate key radiographic morphometric parameters, including Q angle, sulcus angle, patellar tilt angle, and Insall–Salvati ratio in individuals with PFPS compared with healthy controls and to determine their association with anthropometric variables. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out involving 110 individuals diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) and 110 age- and sex-matched asymptomatic controls. Standardised digital radiographs were analysed using INSTARISPACS software to obtain morphometric measurements. Statistical analyses …

Postural Rehabilitation In The Management Of Chronic Neck Pain: A Comprehensive Literature Review, Yashfa Arman

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This systematic review synthesizes current evidence on the efficacy of major postural rehabilitation techniques for chronic neck pain. Method: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and PEDro databases up to May 2024. Randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews investigating posture-focused interventions for adults with non-specific chronic neck pain were included. Results: Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings indicate that all techniques are effective, but each excels in distinct domains. Neck-specific exercises provided the most significant reduction in pain intensity (up to 58%) and functional disability. Global Postural Re-education (GPR) demonstrated superiority in improving objective measures …

Physicians’ Perceptions Of Factors Influencing Pediatric Athletic Healthcare Of Low Socioeconomic Status Patients, Mayrena I. Hernandez, Emily C. Srygler, Stephanie N. Adler, Thomas J. Swain, Marian E. Abowd, Kirsten M. Schneider, Jonathan A. Santana, Neeraj M. Patel, Justin S. Disanti, David Bell

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: A patient’s social determinants of health (SDOH) and socioeconomic status (SES) play an important role in the quality of healthcare they receive. Patients of low SES tend to face greater obstacles in receiving healthcare and experience greater health disparities. Understanding how physicians provide care for pediatric student athletes of low SES is critical in ensuring they can receive appropriate care. Methods: Thirteen physicians shared experiences they have in providing care to patients of low SES, including challenges they have encountered and what strategies, if any, in overcoming those challenges in providing equitable care. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews. …

Physical Therapists' Perspectives Of Implicit Racial And Ethnic Biases And The Influence On Physical Therapy Practice, Michael Blizniak, Mary Shotwell, Cheryl Kerfeld, Shanda Gore

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Problem: Physical therapy (PT) outcome disparities exist among racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States. Implicit racial and ethnic biases (IREBs) may contribute to these inequities. Understanding IREBs within PT practice is crucial for addressing disparities and helping physical therapists comply with the American Physical Therapy Association Code of Ethics Principles. Purpose: This study examines the role of IREBs in PT by exploring physical therapists' awareness of them and their potential influence on PT practice. Methods: A virtual explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed, integrating quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. Fifty-one United States physical therapists participated in the …

Perceptions Of Shared Decision-Making And Interprofessional Education At National Collegiate Athletic Association Institutions, Shelene Thomas, Rebecca Downey, Kaylyn Mcanally Star, Erin Choice, Anthony P. Breitbach

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: When a shared decision-making design is employed in the return to sport (RTS) Continuum, the athletes’ outcome improves. Yet, many professional programs (i.e., athletic training and medicine) integrate interprofessional education into curricula differently or not at all. Therefore, there may be a mismatch between theory, curricula, and practice implementation. This discrepancy could impact care team operations and RTS outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess perceptions of shared decision-making practices, communication strategies, and perceived barriers among interprofessional RTS care team members in NCAA intercollegiate athletics.

Methods: A mixed-methods, cross-sectional study including anonymous, web-based survey responses from 253 …

Operational And Implementation Evaluation Of A Short-Term Medical Service Program In Rural Guatemala, Mitchell M. Michalak, Shamecka Douglas, Oscar Gonzalez, Giovanna Sanguinetti, Ashley Sweat

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Fall Risk And Lower Extremity Strength In Diabetic And Non-Diabetic Older Adults: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study, Maimoona Shahid, Yasha Sajjad, Shumail Fatima, Ayesha Tuba, Wajida Perveen, Asim Raza

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Many studies have been conducted on falls in individuals older than 60 years of age with diabetes, so the current study focused on comparing and contrasting the fall risk and lower extremity strength in diabetic and non-diabetic people of 50 years of age and above and early identification of fall risk. Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study recruited 210 older adults 50 years of age and older from community dwelling areas. Thirty-one (31) participants were healthy and free of diabetes, while 179 of the same age range were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. The study was conducted over a period of …

Effect Of Exercise On Modifying Progression Of Physical Symptoms In Parkinson’S Disease: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Ruiping Xia, Mitchell Stanford, Robert S. Phillips

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Emerging evidence suggests a promising treatment of combining exercise with medication. This systematic review with meta-analysis examined effect of exercise on modifying PD progression of physical symptoms. Methods: E-databases were searched to date. Randomized trials were included if they compared effect of exercise with no exercise/other exercise, and measured motor function for >=12 months. Results: Ten trials were included with eight eligible for meta-analyses. The pooled effect of exercise on UPDRS-III was a standard mean difference of 0.327 (95% CI: -0.052 to 0.707; p < 0.091). Mean difference in off-medication exceeded minimal clinically important difference. The pooled effects were 0.927 (95% CI: 0.015 to 1.839, p = 0.046) for Timed Up-and-Go, and 0.338 (95% CI: 0.022 to 0.654, p < 0.036) for PD Questionnaire-39. All findings were in favor of exercise intervention to improve patients’ motor severity and function/participation for at least 12 months. Conclusions: This study suggests that physical therapy …

Defining Success Differently: The Clear Model For Allied Health Admissions, Ladarius Woods

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

This opinion paper argues that threshold-based lottery admissions offer a strategically necessary response to equity challenges, enrollment pressures, and evolving definitions of merit in allied health education. Current admissions models, whether traditional or holistic, often reflect underlying tensions between academic metrics and institutional missions and may unintentionally privilege certain applicant groups. As demographic shifts and the looming enrollment cliff intensify these pressures, allied health programs must reconsider how they define and identify admissions excellence. Drawing on examples from other sectors and recent literature, this opinion piece argues that a threshold-based lottery system, applied to applicants who meet baseline academic criteria, …

Can We Bridge The Divide Between Community And Metropolitan University Stakeholders In The Development Of Longitudinal Allied Health Placements In Rural Australia?, Debra M. Jones, Anne Hill, Giti Haddadan, Lindy Mcallister

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Rural communities experience allied health workforce shortages that detrimentally impact health care access and outcomes. Allied health student exposure to rural practice is a key strategy to influence rural practice uptake in Australia. Yet, these placements can be short in duration and undertaken across multiple speciality areas contributing to fragmented learning, challenges in translating theory to practice in rural contexts, and host site fatigue. We aimed to review placement standards and key rural and metropolitan university stakeholder perspectives of placements to inform the co-design of a rural longitudinal placement to address the challenges described. Method: This qualitative study was …

Burnout And Professional Fulfillment Among Academic Faculty In U.S. Graduate Physical Therapy Programs: A Cross-Sectional Analysis, Joshua Cleland, Paul Mintken, Megan Donaldson

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Burnout among academic faculty is a growing concern, particularly within health professions education. This study examines the prevalence of burnout, associated risk factors, and protective factors, including professional fulfillment, among faculty and leadership in U.S. graduate physical therapy (PT) programs. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to program leaders in graduate PT programs for distribution. The survey included validated metrics from the Stanford Professional Fulfillment Index along with custom items assessing workload, institutional culture, mentorship, and wellness factors. Comparative analyses were conducted between individuals who reported burnout and those who did not. Results: A total of 152 responses were …