Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Practice Analysis Survey: Defining The Clinical Practice Of Primary Care Physical Therapy, Edsen Bermudez Donato

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background and Purpose. Due to changes in the health care delivery systems, physical therapy services have moved toward a primary care model of practice. The purpose of this study was to identify the professional responsibilities, procedures, and knowledge areas of physical therapists practicing in primary care settings.

Subjects. A sample of 212 physical therapists practicing in primary care settings, and a control group of 250 physical therapists not practicing in primary care settings were surveyed.

Methods. The survey instrument was developed with the assistance of a National Advisory Committee (NAC) consisting of 12 subject matter experts. A modified Delphi …

The Effects Of Education On Fear-Avoidance Behavior Of Subjects With Work-Related Low Back Pain, Marie A. Anger

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background and Purpose. Fear-avoidance behavior contributes to chronic low back pain. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patient education on fear-avoidance behavior added to conventional physical therapy would have significant effects on return to work status in contrast to a comparison group with only physical therapy intervention. Return to work status was measured by the length of time from the initial injury to the subject’s return to work on regular duty.

Subjects. Thirty-four workers’ compensation subjects with low back pain who exhibited fear-avoidance behavior, according to their responses to the Fear- Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, were alternately assigned …

Disability Self-Assessment And Upper Quarter Muscle Balance In Females, Eric Glenn Johnson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background and Purpose. This study compared upper quarter muscle balance of working female dental hygienists and non-dental hygiene females who had no history of upper quarter pathology. The upper quarter was operationally defined as the shoulder and neck region; and muscle balance, as muscular flexibility and muscular performance. Muscular performance was operationally defined as a combination of strength and endurance.

Subjects. The study group consisted of 41 working dental hygienists between the ages of 22 and 60 years with a mean age of 38 years. The control group consisted of 46 non-dental hygienists between the ages of 20 and 54 …

Factors In Predicting The Number Of Home Care Physical Visits, Bruce D. Bradley

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

There has been a significant increase in the utilization of home health care during the past decade. Medicare has attempted to control home care costs by 1) allowing Medicare beneficiaries to join Health Maintenance Organizations, and 2) requiring the use of the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) for all patients admitted to home care services. These changes have challenged the home care physical therapist to be a better predictor of the total number of visits needed to complete the rehabilitation process. This was a retrospective study of 335 patients who received home health care physical therapy. The first part …

Toward The Optimal Waveform For Electrical Stimulation, Scott Douglas Bennie

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Electrical stimulation (ES) is used to strengthen muscle, improve abnormal tone, and improve the healing rate of pressure sores. Four male and three female research subjects received four minute bouts of electrically stimulated isometric contractions equal to 10% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of their right quadriceps muscle to study subjective comfort and physiological responses to different waveforms, including Russian, interferential, sine, and square. Frequency remained constant at 30pps. The pulse width for the Russian waveform was 200ps, while the sine, square, and interferential waveforms used a lOOps pulse width. The amplitude of stimulation was adjusted to maintain the …

The Effects Of Plyometric And Treadmill Training On Balance And Reaction Time In High School Aged Athletes, Jay R. Armstrong

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

High school athletes ' involvement in sports acceleration training has grown in recent years. Athletes use acceleration programs to help gain an edge over their competition. One way to gain that edge is by improving balance and reaction time. These two components are important in a wide variety of sports. Both help to minimize injury and increase the skill level and performance of the athlete. Although balance and reaction time are essential in sports, there is currently no research available involving these components.

The purpose of this study is to determine if the Altru Health Institute's Sports Acceleration plyometric and …

The Effect Of TʻAi Chi Chih On Balance And Blood Pressure, Jennifer Baumgartner

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study is to determine if rai Chi Chih could be beneficial in a therapeutic setting. More specifically, if balance and blood pressure could be improved in healthy young adults ages 20-39 after a six week rai Chi Chih program. rai Chi Chih is a shorter form of the ancient martial art rai Chi Chuan.

Two research groups were formed consisting of a rai Chi Chih group (n=11) and a walking group (n=7). Each group participated in one hour of either walking or rai Chi Chih three times a week for six weeks. Participants were tested before …

Effects Of Vestibular Rehabilitation Using The Dizziness Handicap Inventory, Jayme M. Bays

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

When individuals have an insult to the vestibular system they often experience symptoms including vertigo, decreased static and dynamic balance, and a decreased ability to participate in activities of daily living. The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) is a "dizzy-specific" questionnaire that was developed in 1990 to measure how dizziness and imbalance affect an individual's quality of life. It is an assessment tool, made up of physical, emotional, and functional sub-scales, that has reliability and is easy to administer and score. The purpose of this study was to measure the effectiveness of a vestibular rehabilitation program, using the Dizziness Handicap Inventory, …

Analysis Of Wrist And Elbow Muscle Activity In Compound Versus Traditional Bows With Experienced Archers, Jesse Fuhrer

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Archery is becoming more popular as a recreational sport, so it is likely that physical therapists will be seeing more archery-related injuries and will need to know how to treat these athletes. Few studies available specify which muscles are used when shooting compound or traditional bows. The purpose of this study is to identify the muscles around the wrist and elbow that are recruited from draw to release, the specific timing of this recruitment, and the differences in recruitment and muscle activity when using a compound bow compared to a traditional bow.

Six males between the ages of 37 and …

Analysis Of Wrist And Elbow Muscle Activity In Compound Versus Traditional Bows With Experienced Archers, Stacey Fuhrer

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Archery is becoming more popular as a recreational sport, so it is likely that physical therapists will be seeing more archery-related injuries and will need to know how to treat these athletes. Few studies available specify which muscles are used when shooting compound or traditional bows. The purpose ofthis study is to identify the muscles around the wrist and elbow that are recruited from draw to release, the specific timing ofthis recruitment, and the differences in recruitment and muscle activity when using a compound bow compared to a traditional bow.

Six males between the ages of 37 and 51 were …

A Comparison Of Ultimate Pullout Strength Of Four Bioabsorbable Tacks, Leslie Haugen

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pullout strength, both parallel and perpendicular to that tack shaft, of four different bioabsorbable tacks: Suretac A, Suretac B, Bionx A and Bionx B. These tacks were fixated into a foam block and tension was placed on each tack until point of failure between the tack-foam interface. Results were analyzed via the one-way ANOYA and Scheffe's test was used for post hoc analysis. Results indicated that the Bionx B tack withstood the greatest mean ultimate parallel pullout strength with a mean of 292.04 N and failed at a force significantly higher …

Thermal Capsulorrhaphy Of The Shoulder: Literature Review And Clinical Outcome For One Collegiate Tennis Player, Kelsey J. Kean

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Glenohumeral joint instability is a clinical problem in both the athletic and general populations. When 3 months of conservative physical therapy treatments fail to stabilize the lax shoulder joint, surgery is indicated. Recently thermal capsulorrhaphy, an arthroscopic procedure that uses a heat probe to shrink redundant capsular tissue, has been offered as one alternative to tighten the lax glenohumeral joint capsule. There are numerous published reports describing the effects of thermal energy on joint capsular tissue, but only a few clinical outcome studies have been published regarding thermal capsulorrhaphy of the shoulder. Some initial reports of this surgical technique seem …

Considering The Use Of Maggots In The Debridement Of Wounds: A Case Study, Leslie Mayer

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Maggot debridement therapy is the application of fly larvae to a necrotic wound. Once popular in the 1930s and1940s, its use declined with the introduction of antibiotics, improvement of aseptic wound care, more aggressive surgical debridement techniques, and its unacceptability by the public. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of maggot therapy, its clinical implications, and to review a medical chart of a Wyoming patient who received this treatment. The material is presented in one concise resource and the protocol included can be evaluated by other clinics using maggot therapy.

A medical chart review was …

Determining The Need For Program Development For Women In Their Childbearing Years, Tami Kae Parker

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The childbearing year for a woman is a time of physical change and adaptation that can potentially result in a variety of musculoskeletal problems. Acting as a clinician, educator, or consultant, physical therapists can offer a variety of services that would benefit women in their childbearing years. Despite the skilled services physical therapists have to offer, this population continues to display prevalent problems. As a result of these existing problems, a survey was constructed to provide direction for program development to promote the health and wellness of women in their childbearing years. The purpose of this study was to develop …

The Effects Of Elevated Shoe Heights On Static And Dynamic Balance In Healthy Younger Women, Rhett L. Randall

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of elevated shoe heights on static and dynamic balance in healthy young women. The balance of 30 female volunteer subjects with ages ranging from 20 to 26 years (mean age = 22.3 years) was tested. Dynamic balance was tested using the limits of stability (LOS) test on the NeuroCom® Balance Master (NBM®), version 6.1 as well as the Functional Reach Test (FRT). Each subject's static balance was tested using the bilateral stance test on the NBM®. Subjects participated in a one time testing session which consisted of the performance of …

A Review Of The Process Of Accessing Services For Children With Special Health Care Needs In North Dakota, Jana Schmidt

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

It has been a concern of the Family Advisory Council of Children's Special Health Services, Bismarck, North Dakota, that many families experienced difficulties when trying to access information for medical, financial, educational, and family services for their children with special health care needs. The family members on this advisory board found the process of accessing services confusing and time consuming, and indicated that families were also unclear as to where to begin the process. An abundance of information provided at the time of their child's diagnosis made it difficult for families to make informed decisions about the most important and …

An Electromyographic Analysis Study Of Forward And Backward Walking, Heidi Schwartz

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Backward walking, a closed kinetic chain exercise, has become an increasingly popular intervention following lower extremity injuries secondary to suggested increases in muscle activity. Despite its use, there is limited research available relative to walking at inclines, forwards or backwards above 24 and 15 percent respectively. For this study we recorded EMG activity in six muscles while walking forward and backward on a treadmill at 0, 25, and 35 percent inclinations.

In general, our results indicated a greater increase in muscle activity during BW than FW. BW at 35 percent inclination elicited the greatest EMG increase within the rectus femoris …

Yoga And The Effects On Balance, Hamstring Flexibility, And Blood Pressure, Shannon Lee Sorenson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Yoga is an ancient form of exercise and meditation that has recently gained popularity in the United States. Medical research regarding the benefits of yoga, however, continues to be in demand. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of yoga on normal healthy individuals. The focus of this study revolved around balance, hamstring flexibility, and blood pressure changes after six weeks of yoga training.

Eighteen normal healthy individuals between 20-33 years of age participated in this study. Subjects were assessed using the NeuroCom®Balance Master test for rhythmic weight shift (RWS), the Functional Reach Test (FRT), the measure …

The Effects Of Line Dancing On Balance And Coordination In The Elderly, Christa M. Stelmachuk

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if a six-week line dancing program has a significant effect on balance and coordination in a geriatric population. A total of 12 volunteer subjects participated in this study. They were separated into two groups, a control group (n = 6, 4 females and 2 males) and a dance group (n = 6, all female) according to participants' preference. Subjects were in good health, were high functioning, and were found to be at low risk for falls. Age of subjects ranged from 72 to 94 years, with a mean age of 85.67.

The …

Yoga And The Effects On Balance, Hamstring Flexibility, And Blood Pressure, Kendra Marie Van Valkenburg

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Yoga is an ancient form of exercise and meditation that has recently gained popularity in the United States. Medical research regarding the benefits of yoga, however, continues to be in demand. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of yoga on normal, healthy individuals. The focus of this study revolved around balance, hamstring flexibility, and blood pressure changes after six weeks of yoga training.

Eighteen normal, healthy individuals between 20-33 years of age participated in this study. Subjects were assessed using the NeuroCom®Balance Master test for rhythmic weight shift (RWS), the Functional Reach Test (FRT), the measure …

An Electromyographic Analysis Study Of Forward And Backward Walking, Carrie M. Voeller

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Backward walking, a closed kinetic chain exercise, has become an increasingly popular intervention following lower extremity injuries secondary to suggested increases in muscle activity. Despite its use, there is limited research available relative to walking at inclines, forward or backward, above 24 and 15 percent respectively. For this study we recorded EMG activity in six muscles while walking forward and backward on a treadmill at 0,25, and 35 percent inclinations.

In general, our results indicated a greater increase in muscle activity during BW than FW. BW at 35 percent inclination elicited the greatest EMG increase within the rectus femoris (47%), …

The Effects Of Line Dancing On Balance And Coordination In The Elderly, Sara Welder

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if a six-week line dancing program has a significant effect on balance and coordination in a geriatric population. If proven effective, line dancing can be added to the options available to physical therapists for balance and coordination training.

A total of 12 volunteer subjects participated in this study. They were separated into two groups, a control group (n = 6, 4 females and 2 males), and a dance group (n = 6, all female) according to participant's preference. Subjects were in good health, were high functioning , and were found to be …

The Effects Of A Low-Intensity Exercise Program On The Fitness Level Of A 22 Year-Old Female With Congenital Univentricular Heart Repair, Alice A. Elkins

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This case study examined the effects of exercise on a 22 year-old female with a repaired univentricular heart through early, modified Fontan technique. Improvements in oxygen consumption, blood pressure, heart rate and body composition were observed after a 12-week supervised fitness program. This program considers reversing hypoactivity and the subsequent deconditioning and obesity associated with this patient.

Physical Therapists' Perceptions Concerning The Determination Of Fibromyalgia Interventions: A Qualitative Study, Elizabeth Jayne Levengood

Masters Theses

This qualitative explored some of the concepts under which physical therapists in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area operate when treating patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. Four physical therapists with at least two years’ experience working in local pain clinics were interviewed. The data were transcribed, coded, and analyzed into themes. Seven categories of physical therapists’ perceptions concerning the determination of interventions were developed: (a) Factors affecting decision-making, (b) physical therapeutic interventions, (c) decision-making in the absence of intervention guidelines, (d) judgments of effectiveness according to clinical findings, (e) judgments of effectiveness through consultation, (f) perceptions of intervention decisions, and (g) perceptions …

Three Dimensional Gait Analysis Following The Adeli Treatment For Cerebral Palsy: A Case Report, Troy Lase

Masters Theses

This case report describes the use of three-dimensional gait analysis to identify kinematic changes following the Adeli suit treatment. The suit's original design was to decrease the effects of weightlessness in space but has been modified to become the primary modality for the Adeli treatment used to treat cerebral palsy. Data were quantitatively produced by three-dimensional gait analysis before and after treatment were used to identity any changes in gait. Following the Adeli treatment, instrumented gait analysis showed that no clinically significant changes in four critical events of gait following the Adeli treatment occurred.

Reliability And Validity Of Angular Joint Velocity Using Peak Motus 2000 Motion Analysis And Kin-Com Isokinetic Dynamometer, Meaghan Kuklok

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Use of motion analysis systems for the study of human motion in research settings and clinical settings are becoming more prevalent. In a traditional sense, motion analysis systems are used for gait analysis; most recently, they are being utilized to analyze spinal motion, foot motion, and components of motion during sporting activities. Questions about the accuracy of these computerized motion analysis systems and the precision and reliability of the digitizing process remains. The purpose of this study is to determine the validity of the Peak Motus 2000 motion analysis system® (Peak Performance) in calculating dynamic velocities and …

A Motion-Analysis And Electromyographic Study Of The Upper Trapeziues And Forearm Musculature While Typing At Different Heights On A Laptop Computer, Scott Kolar

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Laptop computers have become a common feature in both the workplace and the home. Computer technology has brought about vast benefits in terms of productivity and efficiency; however, the benefits have not come without repercussions. The wide use of laptop computers has without a doubt created an environment in which the user is susceptible to upper extremity cumulative trauma disorder (UECTD), also referred to as repetitive trauma disorder or overuse syndrome. The cost of UECTD to the individual and potentially his/her employer is enormous costing the United States alone an estimated $42 billion per year. Through ergonomic considerations, an optimal …

The Effects Of Elevated Shoe Heights On Static And Dynamic Balance In Healthy Younger Women, Kip S. Ouchi

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of elevated shoe heights on static and dynamic balance in healthy young women. The balance of 30 female volunteer subjects with ages ranging from 20 to 26 years (mean age = 22.3 years) was tested. Dynamic balance was tested using the limits of stability (LOS) test on the NeuroCom® Balance Master (NBM®), version 6.1 as well as the Functional Reach Test (FRT). Each subject's static balance was tested using the bilateral stance test on the NBM®. Subjects participated in a one time testing session which consisted of the performance of …

The Effects Of Plyometric And Treadmill Training On Balance And Reaction Time In High School Aged Athletes, Andrea E. Richter

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

High school athletes' involvement in sports acceleration training has grown in recent years. Athletes use acceleration programs to help gain an edge over their competition. One way to gain that edge is by improving balance and reaction time. These two components are important in a wide variety of sports. Both help to minimize injury and increase the skill level and performance of the athlete. Although balance and reaction time are essential in sports, there is currently no research available involving these components.

The purpose of this study is to determine if the Altru Health Institute's Sports Acceleration plyometric and treadmill …

An Outcome Comparison On The Use Of Mckenzie Technique With And Without Mulligan Mobilizations On The Treatment Of Low Back Derangement, Jason J. Vila

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Effective research and outcome studies are currently lacking evidence to support the use and reimbursement of manual therapy interventions such as McKenzie techniques and Mulligan mobilizations. The purpose of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and outcomes of McKenzie techniques and McKenzie techniques with Mulligan mobilization on the treatment of patients with low back derangement through performing a chart review. Twenty-two subjects with a diagnosis of low back derangement were included in this study with sixteen subjects in the McKenzie group and six subjects in the McKenzie with Mulligan mobilizations group. An independent sample T -test showed no …