Digital Commons Network^™

Minority Student Recruitment And Retention Efforts By Physical Therapy Schools In The United States, Julie Deboer, Brooke Nyssen

Masters Theses

This study was designed to determine whether schools that attempt to recruit and retain minority students have greater numbers of minority applicants, enrollees, or graduates when compared to schools that make no efforts. We surveyed 125 physical therapy programs accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education in the United States. We determined what efforts were used most often. Athletic screening and using alumni were associated with a higher number of minority applicants. No efforts were associated with greater minority enrollment. Tutoring was associated with higher numbers of minority graduates. However, we found no …

Physical Therapists' Views Of Certified Athletic Trainers In The Clinical Setting, Leah Parizon, Andrew Snyder

Masters Theses

Since certified athletic trainers began working in the clinical setting alongside physical therapists, there has been controversy between the two professions concerning the utilization of the ATCs. Although views of ATCs from the PTs' perspective have been speculated, there has been no conclusive research on this topic. The purpose of this study was to find out how physical therapists in the state of Michigan view ATCs in the clinical setting. The Health Team Stereotype Scale, which was developed by Dr. Harry Parker, was used to determine the PTs' attitudes toward the ATCs. There was a return rate of 47.4% (N …

A Survey Of Clinical Applications And Outcome Assessment Procedures For Dynamic Lumbar Muscular Stabilization Exercise Training, Brenda Engels, Carrie Patterson, Mary Beth Sawinski

Masters Theses

The San Francisco Spine Institute (SFSI) Dynamic Lumbar Muscular Stabilization (DLMS) Program is a comprehensive, non-operative treatment approach to lumbar spine dysfunction. This program is implemented in physical therapy clinics nationwide.; The purpose of this study was to compare DLMS treatment concepts and methods used by Michigan rehabilitation professionals with the SFSI protocol. Forty-nine clinicians were interviewed using a questionnaire developed by the investigators. The areas surveyed included: clinicians' rationale for use and implementation of DLMS training, and clinicians' assessment of patient functional outcomes.; The survey responses suggest that clinicians focus on orthopedic evaluation parameters and low back pain management …

Postural Sway In Elderly Females During The Six Sensory Conditions Of The Clinical Test For Sensory Interaction In Balance, Selena Horner, Gregory Vidro, Deborah Wildenhaus

Masters Theses

This study was designed to quantify postural sway in healthy elderly females during the Clinical Test for Sensory Interaction in Balance. Sixteen females who ranged in age from 65 to 83 participated. Each individual performed three trials of the test on the Balance Master{dollar}\sp\circler{dollar}, which recorded percent postural sway area. Sway values from the third trial were used in data analysis.; Using a repeated measures ANOVA (F(5,75) = 33.38, p {dollar}<{dollar}.01), statistical significance was found between conditions. The post hoc Tukey's determined increased postural sway in conditions 5 and 6 (M = 1.8175 and 1.7425 respectively, p {dollar}<{dollar}.05). Results indicated postural sway increased with intersensory conflict (altered somatosensation and altered or eliminated vision) leading to the conclusion that healthy elderly females relied heavily on somatosensory and visual input for maintenance of standing balance.

Entry-Level Master's Vs Bachelor's Degree In Physical Therapy: Employers' Perspectives On Hiring And Promoting, Michele Elisa Klukos, Tracy Errol Mobley, Melissa Ann Monken

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a perceived advantage among employers in holding a particular entry-level degree in physical therapy when seeking employment or when being considered for promotion to an administrative/supervisory position. The investigators tested two separate hypotheses: (1) There is no perceived advantage among employers in holding an entry-level master's degree when seeking employment as a staff physical therapist, and (2) There is a perceived advantage among employers in holding an entry-level master's degree when being considered for promotion to an administrative/supervisory position. The investigators sent a questionnaire to the director/supervisor of rehabilitation …

Differences In Job Satisfaction Between Contract And Directly Employed Physical Therapists, Valerie Stonehouse, Nicole Vanderberg

Masters Theses

This research study explores the possible differences in general job satisfaction between contracted physical therapists and directly employed physical therapists. The Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire was sent to contract and directly employed therapists who fulfilled the following criteria: working in an acute care setting, working at that particular job for at least six months but no more than two years, and working in the profession for at least six months. A total of 200 surveys were mailed to therapists in the state of Michigan with 17 surveys being returned by contracted therapists and 34 from directly employed therapists, for a 25.5% …

The Effect Of Immobilization On Grip Strength And Pinch Strength In Normal Subjects, Bonni L. Kinne

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a one-week period of immobilization resulted in a significant decrease in the grip strength and/or pinch strength of normal subjects.; The participants in this investigation were right-handed females between the ages of 21 and 45. Throughout the one-week period between the pre-test and post-test, each subject assigned to the experimental group had her left hand immobilized in a cast. During the pre-test and post-test, all of the subjects had their left hands tested for grip strength and pinch strength. A separate unpaired t-test was then calculated for grip strength measured with …

The Prevalence Of Developmental Apraxia In School-Aged Children Of Illinois, Mary Jo Seibert

Masters Theses

Current research involving developmental apraxia of speech has focused on two areas: 1) determining a unique set of speech and language characteristics of the disorder; and 2) determining an etiology or cause of developmental apraxia. Failure of researchers to determine these issues has lead to increased controversy over the existence of developmental apraxia. Further, no studies have been conducted which discuss the prevalence of developmental apraxia. This researcher suggests that determining the prevalence of developmental apraxia would assist in establishing the disorders' existence, as well as aid researchers in determining if speech-language pathologists have adequate training and knowledge in the …

An Analysis Of The Payback Potential Of New Lighting Technology, James L. Cox

Masters Theses

Recent, energy saving improvements in lighting technology have been made involving the use of more efficient lamps, silver coated light reflectors, and electronic light ballasts. Research indicates that it is economically feasible to retrofit existing light fixtures to utilize the advantages of these developments. This process consists of the removal of all standard lamps and ballasts in each light fixture, the installation of a highly refined light reflector and the replacement of the existing lamps with brighter, more efficient ones. Standard magnetic ballasts are exchanged for more efficient electronic ballasts. Resulting is a light fixture that produces a comparable amount …

Informational And Attitude Changes Toward P.M.S. As A Function Of Viewing An Educational Video And Presenter Gender, Paula J. Kirk

Masters Theses

Subjects were 61 volunteer college women and men randomly assigned to one of three conditions: condition A= viewed video presenting factual information about Premenstrual Syndrome presented by female; condition B= viewed video with identical dialogue, except presented by a male; condition C= control group. Pre and post measures were taken at a ten day interval and a presenter evaluation form was completed by subjects in conditions A and B after viewing the video.

Results indicate the following: First, participants who viewed an instructional video on PMS gained more educational information than those participants who did not. Second, Sex of presenter …

Improving Muscular Strength And Balance In An Older Active Population, Jon Bradley Campbell

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Dietary Intake Of Exercising Adults, Danika H. Kemmis

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Delivery Of Intermediate Educational Services In Illinois, Gary W. Tucker

Masters Theses

This study contained information concerning the four primary deliverers of intermediate educational services in Illinois - Education Service Regions, Education Service Centers, special education cooperatives and vocational education cooperatives. Administrators in Iroquois, Kankakee and Vermilion Counties were surveyed as to their knowledge, use of and satisfaction with the services provided by the above entities, and whether or not those deliverers of intermediate educational services should be consolidated and administered by one elected or appointed chief administrator.

The findings and conclusions indicated that Education Service Regions and the Education Service Center serving the above counties were providing effective services to constituent …

Generalization Of The Four Roles Found In Adult Children Of Alcoholics To A College Population, Todd E. Pienkos

Masters Theses

The Children's Roles Inventory was developed to assess the four theoretical children's roles found not only in alcoholic families but in all families regardless of parental alcoholism: the Hero, Mascot, Lost Child, and Scapegoat. A sample of 266 college students, with 19% indicating parental alcoholism, completed the CRI and measures of self-actualization and self-esteem to verify any differences between the identified groups of adult children of alcoholics, adults from nonalcoholic families and the four roles within. Demographic information was also obtained including: gender, age, and whether the individual was a member of a fraternity or sorority.

Significant differences were found …

A Study Of The Adaptive Functioning And The Behavioral And Emotional Problems Of Child Victims And Witnesses Of Family Violence, Christine E. Rinkel

Masters Theses

Behavior problems and adaptive behavior were evaluated in a sample of 30 children, mean age 9.5 years, whose mothers had been temporarily residing in a shelter or had been receiving shelter services during the 6 1/2 months of data collection. Using a sequential sampling design, the mother of every child exposed to family violence, was selected. Fifteen mothers were interviewed regarding the nature of the violence that their children had witnessed and/or experienced (including type, frequency, duration, and recency of the violence) as well as the nature of their children's adaptive behavior (Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales). Mothers also rated their …

Can Critical Power Predict And Monitor Swimming Performance?, Michelle L. Stoppenhagen-Noll

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if critical power (CP) can be used to predict and monitor swimming performance. Fifteen female collegiate swimmers from Eastern Illinois University volunteered as subjects for this study. CP was measured on an arm ergometer. Freestyle performances in the 50 and 100 yard distances were also measured. All three tests were measured both pre- and post-season. Results indicated that CP can predict performance in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle swims. Those with higher CP will swim faster. CP can monitor improvement in 50 yard times. CP is not a good indicator of …

Moral Education, Thomas D. Van Heest

Masters Theses

Traditionally, public education in America strived to develop students intellectually and morally. During the last three decades, however, the content and the approach of moral education has undergone radical experimentation and transformation. The alarming moral decay in our nation today--particularly, in cases involving youth--requires that public education reexamine its philosophy and methodology for moral education.; This study examines the research on traditional character education, values clarification, and moral development. Character education is recommended as the most practical and ethical approach to moral education.; Finally, a character education model is presented for the middle school. Points of emphasis are the teaching …

Administration Of The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test Of Motor Proficiency To Healthy 25 To 30 Year Old Males, M. Michelle Butler, Vanessa L. Koschtial

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the standards of performance on the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-Short Form (BOT-S) of healthy males from 25 to 30 years of age. Although the BOT-S was developed and standardized on children, this test is used by physical therapists to assess adult patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The BOT-S evaluates both gross and fine motor control. Reliability and validity of the BOT-S have been established on children 4.5 to 14.5 years of age. This study estimated standard scores for 25 to 30 year old males on the BOT-S.; This study was …

Physical Therapy Students' Views Of Preparation To Practice Under Direct Access, Kristina Scheuneman, Lana Tubman

Masters Theses

Education must keep pace with the trend toward nationwide direct access to physical therapy. This study surveyed students in their final year of an entry-level master's degree program to determine if they feel prepared to practice under direct access upon graduation. Only 34-38% of the students felt prepared to practice under direct access.; The main factor that influenced their low perceptions of preparation was the amount of clinical affiliation experience remaining. Other factors, such as direct access status of the state in which the students were educated and most skills and knowledge related to direct access, did not correspond with …

The Effects Of Muscle Tone On Shoulder Pain In The Post-Cva Population, Jane Ubben, Kim Moyle

Masters Theses

The purposes of this study were to determine whether post-CVA hemiplegic shoulder pain is related to hypertonicity, whether muscle tone of the shoulder differed between patients with pain and those without, and to determine whether a relationship exists between hypotonicity or hypertonicity and amount of range of motion (ROM), glenohumeral subluxation, or sensory disturbances, in those who experience pain. Data was analyzed for significance using the Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed Ranks Test, Mann-Whitney U-Test, Chi-Square and Fisher's Exact Tests ({dollar}\alpha{dollar} = 05). Review of l09 charts revealed a significant relationship between ROM limitations and pain. ROM limitations were significantly related to …

The Biomechanical Analysis Of Two Types Of Place Kicks: The Toe And Instep Kicks, Kaylynn Albers

Masters Theses

This study described the biomechanical differences between two styles of the place kick; the toe kick and instep kick. The biomechanical variables included joint angles, velocities, and displacements. Five high school age subjects kicked five trials of the toe kick and five trials of the instep kick at both 20 and 35 yards. The place kicks were filmed with a high speed camera, digitized and analyzed with peak 4.2 computer software.

The findings for joint angles were consistent with those found in the literature. The velocity for the kicking foot and the ball were lower in this study than found …

The Effect Of Computer-Assisted Instruction On The Development Of Diagnostic Reasoning Skills Among Occupational Therapy Students, Judith Lynn Freeman

Masters Theses

Diagnostic reasoning is an essential feature of the occupational therapy treatment process. Acquisition of diagnostic reasoning skills is difficult for students, however, because of paradoxical developmental limitations faced during transition from classroom to clinical learning environments. Educators in pre-professional occupational therapy curriculums are searching for educational methods to prepare students for diagnostic reasoning tasks inherent in practice.

This experimental study compared a computer-simulated diagnostic reasoning activity with a more traditional case study reviewing activity in terms of effect on accuracy of problem identification among occupational therapy students. Results found no significant difference between the effect of computer-assisted instruction and case …

The Concept Of The Theory Of Multiple Intelligences And An Interdisciplinary, Arts Inclusive Curriculum: A Model For Teaching Whose Time Has Come, Loraine W. Cowe

Masters Theses

The biting critique of A Nation at Risk (National Commission on Excellence in Education, 1983) caused the nation to initiate school reform on federal and state levels. The initiatives have defined education's deficiencies in meeting the needs of students in a rapidly changing, technological society. Students and the society in which they live are the premise and focus for the new outcome-based curriculum. Educators and researchers are developing new concepts of teaching that radically change the traditionally accepted curriculum, instructional delivery, and assessment. Many of these changes are based on new knowledge of the mind's capacity to function in several …

Continuous Quality Improvement And Music Therapy: An Analysis Of Importance, Training, Familiarity, And Involvement, Jane E. Mclaren

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Assassination In Modern America: Political Participation Through A Gun Barrel?, Richard Grossenbacher

Masters Theses

Assassination has been a constant companion of the world's societies from the beginning of recorded history. Only relatively recently have social scientists begun empirical study of these acts in an effort to reveal any commonalties and possible predictive traits. Investigation of the assassination phenomenon assumed a special urgency in America as violence seemed to escalate in the 1960s, which resulted in some notable research.

The present research collected data of presidential and non-presidential assassinations and attempts that occurred from 1969 through 1992 and compared the findings with the results of earlier studies.

The data indicate that presidential assaults increased in …

Complete Nucleotide Sequence Of Psti-L Fragment Of Tanapox Virus Genomic Dna, Sarah J. Neering

Masters Theses

Tanapox virus (TPV), of the genus Yatapoxvirus, is a human poxvirus that was originally isolated from the Tana River Valley in Kenya in 1962. TPV produces a mild disease characterized by a short febrile illness associated with one or more nodular skin lesions. Although there have been limited studies on TPV, other poxviruses such as vaccinia virus, have been extensively characterized and their genomic DNAs sequenced. In order to examine the molecular features of TPV, we have cloned approximately 17% of the genomic DNA. TPV DNA was digested with Pstl restriction endonuclease and cloned into pUC19. The Pst …

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Risk Factors Among Hand Therapists, Suzanne Makielski

Masters Theses

The following study examined the presence of risk factors among hand therapists for developing carpal tunnel syndrome. A review of the literature indicated a significant relationship between the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome and manual workers whose occupational tasks involve repetitive wrist and hand movements. Hand therapists were characterized as manual workers while possessing specialized knowledge and skill in the evaluation and treatment of hand and wrist disorders. Biomechanical analysis of various "hands on" techniques revealed repetitive wrist and hand movements including the use of force and increased risk for injury associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. In order to determine …

A Study Of Aquifer Sensitivity And Vulnerability In Kalamazoo County, Michigan Based On Hydrogeologic And Agricultural Factors, Steven Douglas Chidester

Masters Theses

Groundwater in Kalamazoo County, Michigan has been impacted by human activities. This study presents a statistical method for predicting aquifer sensitivity/vulnerability within a glacio-hydrogeologic system.

Computerized data including 3620 water well records with partial chemical analyses, soil surveys, land use maps, and hydrogeologic reports were used to quantify aquifer parameters, nitrate-N contaminant concentrations, soil factors, and agricultural practices. Statistical analyses included simple t-tests , correlation, ANOV A, and multiple regression analyses.

The results indicate that there are statistically significant relationships between nitrate-N concentrations and depth of well submergence, well depth, clay thickness, partial clay thickness, land use, and soil slope. …

The Use Of Activity Analysis By Occupational Therapists In Treatment Decisions, Hiromi Yoshikawa

Masters Theses

The use of activity analysis in occupational therapy daily practice was examined by survey. One hundred occupational therapists who serve as fieldwork educations received survey forms with thirty seven usable questionnaires being returned. The study found that all therapists were doing activity analysis as a mental process; however, only 2 therapists were using a written activity analysis form in their daily practice. Most subjects indicated that activity analysis is important to occupational therapy but that formal activity analysis is too time consuming. Several therapists recognized the benefits of completing formal activity analysis. The respondents identified selecting activities for treatment which …

The Acute Effects Of Cocaine In Pigeons Performing Under A Progressive-Ratio Schedule, Claudia Ann Jones

Masters Theses

Although the progressive-ratio (PR) schedule has been used frequently to quantify the reinforcing effectiveness of self-administered drugs, it has seldom been used to examine the effects of drugs on food-maintained behavior and has never been used to evaluate the effects of cocaine on such behavior. In the present study, the effects of acute administrations of cocaine were evaluated in pigeons responding under a PR schedule of food delivery. Overall, cocaine produced a dose-dependent effect on food-maintained behavior. In general, acute administrations of cocaine at 0.56 to 3.2 mg/kg increased breaking points, whereas doses above 5.6 mg/kg decreased breaking points. Low …