Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Effects Of Leg Length Discrepancy On Gait And Balance, Colin E. Dombroski

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Leg length discrepancy is a condition shown to affect 25-70% of the general population. The ubiquitous nature of leg length discrepancy can prove frustrating to many clinicians, particularly due to lack of consensus surrounding the amount of discrepancy that necessitates treatment.

The present research is intended to address the uncertainty surrounding diagnostic and treatment thresholds, through three related studies. In the first study, leg length discrepancy was manipulated in a sample of 15 healthy young adults, using a novel heel-to-toe lift (creating discrepancies of 5mm, 20mm, and 30mm), and the effects of this new discrepancy was observed on the spatial-temporal …

Whole Body Vibration In Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rehabilitation, Sara Ruby Vargas

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

There has been an increasing prevalence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. In the literature describing ACL rehabilitation program flexibility, muscle strength, proprioception, and postural stability have been identified as reoccurring struggles that have arisen during rehabilitation. Whole Body Vibration (WBV) has been investigate as a rehabilitation tool that can be used when recovering from an ACL injury. Research has suggested that WBV can be used to increase flexibility, improve muscular strength, increase proprioception, and improve postural stability. The purpose of this review is to gather the WBV protocols used in previous research and apply them to ACL rehabilitation. An …

Effects Of Neck Muscle Fatigue On The Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex, Amer Al Saif

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

In order to maintain balance, the brain receives and processes input from multiple sensory systems including the visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems. The information from these systems is sent to the brain where the information is then combined, organized and interpreted. This results in the output of reflexes (vestibulo-ocular reflex [VOR] and vestibulospinal reflex [VSR]). The VOR and the VSR work together with other motor systems to control gaze stability and control whole body equilibrium. Impairment in any of these sensory systems can result in dizziness, loss of balance, and visual instability. While the contributions of the visual, vestibular, and …

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness In People With Diabetes; Biomarkers And Nutritional Supplementation, Hani H. Al-Nakhli

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Exercise is important for controlling hemoglobin A1c, and maintaining proper glycemic control in people with diabetes. Exercise also increases the diabetics overall insulin sensitivity, and decreases their dependency on diabetes medication. However, people with diabetes are faced with metabolic and endothelial impairment, which could result in a prolonged sensation of muscle soreness following exercise. This would make it difficult for these people to sustain exercise regimes. Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a common problem in healthy individuals and in people who have diabetes. DOMS is a painful sensation experienced by individuals who have been recently inactive and then over-exercise. Yet, …

The Overtraining Syndrome In Endurance Athletes; A Guide For Coaches And Athletic Trainers For Prevention And Treatment, Shannon M. Hughes

Graduate Theses

Training may be the most vital aspect of competition for serious athletes. The goal of training is to improve athletic performance by improving physiological performance, but there are instances when training can push an athlete physiologically beyond the threshold of tolerance. Most coaches and athletic trainers are aware that overtraining leads to physical injury when little recovery time is allowed, but what is still unclear is how overtraining affects the emotional and psychological stability of the athlete. The purpose of this guide is to educate coaches, athletic trainers, and even athletes, on the methods to potentially avoid overtraining, to recognize …

Gender Equity And Differences In Support In The Vocational Rehabilitation System, Jennifer Faye Featherston

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Women with disabilities have different vocational rehabilitation (VR) experiences than men with disabilities. When they enter the VR system, they tend to be older, divorced, primary caregivers, more dependent on public assistance, and have less education and less work experience than their male counterparts. Given these differences, women may need to receive different treatment than men, yet the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Pub.L. 88-352, 78 Stat. 241, July 2, 1964) and the Equal Protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment state that men and women must be treated equally within the state-federal vocational rehabilitation system. Because they have been out …

Determining The Validity Of The Nintendo Wii Balance Board As An Assessment Tool For Balance, Sabrina Mae Deans

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Context. Application of the Nintendo Wii-fit balance board and its games have been used in Physical Therapy clinics, showing success in individuals with neurological disorders, and has been recommended as a minimum baseline assessment of a symptoms checklist and standardized cognitive and balance assessments for concussion management by the NCAA. However, it still faces challenges of being considered a reliable and consistent tool for producing normative data in the allied healthcare. Because there is little to no evidence for the Wii-fit balance board as a valid balance assessment tool for clinical and/or research usage, the significance of this study is …

Fatigue And Mobility Post-Stroke, Svetlana Knorr

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Fatigue post-stroke is a disabling and persistent symptom affecting many stroke survivors. Despite its high prevalence, the pathophysiology underlying this phenomenon remains obscure. Thus, the aim of this thesis was to study the neuromuscular basis underlying fatigue post-stroke and its association with self-reported fatigue and with the performance of tasks incorporating balance and mobility components.

Community-dwelling stroke survivors who had mild to moderate deficits in functional balance and mobility participated in a series of investigations. Chapter 2 describes the initial validation of the Community Balance and Mobility (CB&M) scale for use in persons with chronic stroke. Chapter 3 reported the …

Muscle Fatigue And Motor Output Variability With Acute Stress In Healthy Young Adults And Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Manda Linea Keller

Dissertations (1934 -)

Acute stress can alter motor performance differently for men and women. The first aim of this dissertation addresses possible causes for the sex difference in the motor response of a low-intensity fatiguing contraction of the elbow flexor muscles to an acute stressor (difficult mental math) in young, healthy adults. Muscle fatigue increased for men and women when exposed to the stressor, but impairment was more prominent for the women. This work showed that fatigue in the central nervous system, specifically in cortical motor and premotor areas, as well as relaxation rates of the muscle (quantified with cortical stimulation) were not …

Bodyweight Squat Movement Changes After A High-Intensity Short-Rest Workout, David R. Hooper

Master's Theses

High intensity (≥75%1RM), short rest (≤30 seconds) workouts (HISR) have increased in popularity in recent years despite very little scientific study as well as contradicting the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) position stand. The purpose of this study was to assess the changes in movement associated with the fatigue resulting from a HISR workout. 14 males underwent a 3 dimensional analysis of 5 bodyweight squats before and after a HISR workout. Peak angle, total displacement and rate were assessed for knee flexion, trunk flexion, hip flexion, hip rotation and hip adduction. Subjects were split in to two groups: high …

Integrating The Development Of Children And Gestalt Therapy, Jennifer J. Thompson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

There are many theories that have contributed to what we know about the development of children; for instance, theoretical diversity supports the complexities of human nature. A child's developmental level will impact his ability to relate. Gestalt theory supports the child's phenomenological view by focusing on the here-and-now of what is happening in the therapeutic environment. Most of what a child will do is in response to a need or want. The child will work toward fulfilling that need. The child may develop maladaptive ways to fulfill his needs based on the environment in which he lives. Gestalt play therapy …

Virtual Reality Gaming As A Tool For Rehabilitation In Physical Therapy, Abel A. Rendon

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Balance control decreases in the elderly and currently 33 to 50 percent of people over 65 years of age experience a fall each year resulting in ten thousand deaths annually. Many balance‐training programs use expensive equipment and a clinical setting for the training. The need for reliable and low cost tools is essential for fall prevention and rehabilitation of the aging population. Virtual reality gaming is emerging as a solution for this problem. The purpose of the six week study was to determine the effects of virtual reality gaming, specifically the Nintendo Wii Fit Balance Board (WBB), on dynamic balance …

Stretching With Whole Body Vibration Versus Traditional Static Stretches To Increase Acute Hamstring Range Of Motion, Anastasia Elizabeth Bourne

Masters Theses

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine if performing static active knee extension hamstring stretching using the Pneumex Pro-Vibe vibrating platform increased acute hamstring range of motion (ROM) greater than traditional static active knee extension hamstring stretching. METHODS: A within subject design was utilized with subjects undergoing static stretching with vibration and without vibration (conditions counterbalanced). Pre- and post-test active and passive ROM was measured for the right leg, with subjects first undergoing a 5-minute warm-up on a stationary bicycle. Supine active knee extension was performed on the Pro-Vibe platform with and without vibration. The stretch was held …

Athletic Training Students' Ability To Identify Scapular Dyskinesis, Priscilla M. Dwelly

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Scapular dyskinesis refers to abnormal movement patterns of the scapula, which have been associated with injury. Previous investigations have validated the scapular dyskinesis test as a visual assessment method using physicians, physical therapists, and certified athletic trainers. Through educational programs, athletic training students should be taught what scapular dyskinesis is and how to identify it. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to (a) evaluate entry-level graduate athletic training students' ability to identify scapular dyskinesis, (b) assess their reliability, and (c) determine if they were able to correctly identify the muscles involved in rehabilitating an individual with scapular dyskinesis. Follow-up …

Independent Living Program Evaluation For Rebuilding All Goals Efficiently, Patricia Armour, Debra Moulton, Araceli Pruett

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This paper evaluates the outcome of independent living (IL) services provided to clients with Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) by a local non-profit organization, Rebuilding All Goals Efficiently (RAGE). Agency services are directed at increasing client self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, and maintenance of least restrictive living environment. Secondary data provided by RAGE for 22 SCI clients who received services in FY10 was used in the evaluation. Outcomes were measured for living arrangement at case closure, impact of services on client’s life, and cost effectiveness of services provided. Descriptive statistical analysis of the data revealed successful outcomes for all 22 SCI clients. All clients …

Prehabilitation For Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Patient-Centred Approach To Maximizing Surgical Outcomes, Carly D. Mckay

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the role of prehabilitation in post-operative recovery for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for osteoarthritis. Study one was a meta-analysis that aimed to consolidate the body of knowledge regarding prehabilitation for TKA patients. Study two compared the Lower Limb Tasks Questionnaire (LLTQ) to the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) in terms of agreement and responsiveness. Study three investigated the effect of a six-week pre-surgical strength training program on post-operative outcomes (quadriceps strength, mobility, pain, self-reported function, health-related quality of life, arthritis self efficacy) for TKA patients. Finally, study …

Walk Softly And Carry A Big Stick: Strategies To Decrease Dynamic Knee Joint Loading, Daniel J. Bechard

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Excessive dynamic loading of the knee joint, quantified indirectly during three dimensional gait analysis, is a risk factor for the progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). The overall objective of this thesis was to explore the effects of prolonged walking and the use of Nordic walking poles on selected gait characteristics indicative of knee joint load. The first study evaluated the time-varying behaviour, reliability, and validity of selected gait kinematics during 60 minutes of treadmill walking in 20 healthy adults. Maximum lateral trunk lean angle and maximum toe-out angle did not change over time, were consistent from day to day and …

Effects Of Fatigue On The Balance Error Scoring System For Concussion Testing In Healthy And Previous Concussed Participants, Jason M. Graham

Master's Theses

There has been a recent increase in the attention of concussions in the media and research world. One of the major factors that contribute to injuries including concussion is fatigue. This study has been designed to allow athletic trainers to decipher whether a potential balance insufficiency in an acutely concussed athlete is due to fatigue or the side affects of the concussion on postural stability. The study examined 30 college-aged athletes from a multitude of sports who had either sustained a concussion or never had a concussion. Participants were randomly grouped into one of three groups: non-concussed control group, non-concussed …

The Effects Of Traditional Strengthening Exercises Versus Functional Task Training On Pain, Strength, And Functional Mobility In The 45-65 Year Old Adult With Knee Osteoarthritis, Christine M. Stutz-Doyle

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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The Effect Of Test Revision: Comparing The Performance Of Preschool Children With Sli And Typical Controls On The Ppvt-Iii And The Ppvt-Iv, Sabrina E. Jara

Master's Theses

Purpose: This study compared the performance of preschool children with SLI and controls on the PPVT-III and PPVT-IV to determine the effect of test revision on identification of language impairment.

Method: Twenty preschool children with SLI and 20 typically developing controls served as the exploratory group. The confirmatory group consisted of 5 children with SLI and 20 controls. Children were administered both test versions in counterbalanced order.

Results: As expected, children with SLI performed significantly worse than their TD peers on both test versions. The discriminate analyses identified an optimal cut-off of 103 for both tests. Using this cut-off, sensitivity …

Resources For Assisting Elderly Individuals With Insomnia: An Occupational Therapy Perspective, Michelle Linn Anderson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project is to provide a resource manual for elderly individuals, and those providing care to elderly people, to assist the individual in relieving symptoms of insomnia. Insomnia affects elderly individuals worldwide. Studies document that approximately 50% of individuals in the United States over the age of 65 are noted to have either clinically diagnosed or self-diagnosed insomnia (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2007). As the population worldwide continues to age, it is important that occupational therapists, elderly individuals, family members and care providers be aware of the impact that symptoms of insomnia may …

Utah State University Return To Play Criteria Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery, Benjamin Hamilton

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

An injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee is a very traumatic experience. Most of these injuries will be a complete rupture of that ligament, and because of the nature of the ligament, the repair process will require surgery; however, a small number of athletes have learned how to successfully stabilize the ACL-deficient knee and return to activity (Hartigan et al, 2010). For the thousands of athletes who undergo surgery to repair their ACL, this is in hopes they can return to physical competition and an active lifestyle. The ACL is also repaired in hopes of preventing …

Effect Of Whole Body Vibration On Sterotypy Of Young Children With Autism, Mandi W. Gibbons

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Objective: To determine if acute whole body vibration exposure influences stereotyped behavior of young children with autism.

Design: Single-case pilot study.

Setting: Early intensive behavioral intervention clinic.

Subjects: A convenience sample of four young boys (ages 4-5 yrs) diagnosed with autism.

Interventions: Standing on a whole body vibration platform with the machine turned off (control condition) and on (treatment condition) for three to four, 30-s periods (frequency = 28 Hz; amplitude 0.97 mm).

Main measure: The outcome measure was frequency of stereotypic behavior, which was evaluated for 5-min before and after standing on the vibration platform. Between 10-40 observation-condition-observation sessions …

The Effects Of A Lumbopelvic Hip Complex Conditioning Program On Dynamic Knee Valgus In Female Tennis Players, Katelyn Marie Roling

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Female athletes have a four-to-six times greater risk of sustaining a lower extremity injury than their male counterparts (Hewett, 2000). One explanation for the discrepancy in injury rates is increased dynamic knee valgus angles caused by neuromuscular imbalances of the lumbopelvic hip complex (LPHC). The purpose of this study was to determine if implementing a LPHC conditioning program improved neuromuscular deficiencies. Seven female collegiate tennis players competitive at the NCAA Division I level volunteered for the study (19.7 + .95 years, 167.3 + 7.4 cm, and 60.72 kg + 6.71 kg). The subjects participated in a 16 week LPHC conditioning …

Effect Of Aquastretch On Range Of Motion At Knee Joint In Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients, Raja Devinder Kochar

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The success of the Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) depends upon its functional outcomes of increase in reduction in pain, and gait ambulation and performing functional activities of daily living. Compromised range of motion, pain and weakness can reduce their ability to perform activities of daily living. Aquatic Physical Therapy may offer an alternative intervention to traditional Physical Therapy Rehabilitation and many studies have shown improvements in range of motion, swelling, pain reduction, stiffness and quality of life after TKA. AquaStretch, a relatively new form of aquatic therapy, claims to restore the functional mobility which is lost restrictions caused due to …

The Acute Effects Of Various Types Of Stretching (Static, Dynamic, Ballistic, And No Stretch) Of The Iliopsoas On 40-Yard Sprint Times In Non-Athletes, Scott David Christensen, Craig Perry, Ryan Richard Resnik

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of static, ballistic, dynamic, and no stretching immediately prior to a 40-yard sprint in college students. There were 35 healthy subjects (22 male and 13 female) between the ages of 24 and 37 (Mean = 26.46 yrs, SD = 2.99 yrs) who participated. The experiment consisted of running 4, 40-yard sprint trials immediately following 1 of 4 different stretching protocols. Prior to each 40- yard sprint trial, a 5-minute warm up was performed at 3.5 mph on a treadmill. Each subject received each of the four techniques in a randomized …

Patient Factors And Day Of The Week Influencing Physical Therapy Non-Treatment Events In The Acute Care Setting, Daniel Goodrich, Curtis Doug Jensen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background. In acute care hospitals, scheduled physical therapy visits not resulting in treatment may increase patient length of stay and the financial burden to the hospital. Previous literature has not fully evaluated the occurrence of these events, nor have any associated factors been identified.

Objective. Measure the rate of non-treatment and determine which patient characteristics were most likely to predict a non-treatment event.

Design. Retrospective review of documentation at a suburban hospital.

Methods. Data were collected from records of 1,096 patients, totaling 6,097 scheduled sessions. The rate of non-treatment was calculated and logistic regression used to …

Development Of A Scale To Assess Avoidance Behavior Due To A Fear Of Falling: The Fear Of Falling Avoidance Behavior Questionnaire (Ffabq), Cortney Durand, D. Shalom Powell

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: A history of falls or imbalance may lead to a fear of falling which may lead to self-imposed avoidance of activity; this avoidance may stimulate a vicious cycle of deconditioning and subsequent falls.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a questionnaire that would quantify avoidance behavior due to a fear of falling.

Design: This study consisted of two parts, questionnaire development and psychometric testing. Questionnaire development included an expert panel and 39 assisted living residents. Psychometric testing included 63 community dwelling subjects with various health conditions.

Methods: Questionnaire development included the evaluation …

Effects Of Environment On Children's Motor Scores, Eligibility Status, And Administration Times, Derrick Mittelstadt, Abigail Parker, Kirsten Pickett, Heather Temkin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Best practices for assessing developmental skills in young children focus on naturalistic observation in everyday settings, but the effects of environment on test scores, eligibility status and administration time have not been explored. The Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-Second Edition (PDMS-2) was administered to 34 children aged 18 to 59 months in natural and pull-out settings. PDMS-2 total, gross, and fine motor quotient (TMQ, GMQ, and FMQ) scores were significantly lower in the natural environment (p’s≤.014). Based on our results, more children would qualify for services when tested in natural environments using TMQ and GMQ scores. It also took significantly longer …

Safety Of Cervical Manipulation: Are Adverse Events Preventable And Are Manipulations Being Performed Appropriately?, Joseph Anders, Jessica March, Amber Perez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objectives: Documented case reports found in medical literature describing adverse events associated with cervical spine manipulation (CSM) were reviewed to determine if the CSM was used appropriately and if the events could have been prevented. Our hypothesis was that CSM had been used inappropriately and that adverse events could have been prevented. This study also looked to identify potential characteristics that may put the patient at risk for injury, or even death as a result of a CSM.

Methods: One hundred and thirty four cases, reported in 93 articles, published between 1950 and 2010, were reviewed. CSMs were categorized as …