Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Biomechanical Analysis Of Gait Kinetics Resulting From Use Of A Vacuum Socket On A Transtibial Prosthesis, Maria De Lourdes Ramos Gonzalez

Honors College Theses

The technology and design of lower limb prosthetics have evolved greatly since their introduction. The current study proposed to compare the effects of a conventional pin socket attachment and a vacuum socket attachment for a transtibial amputee. Whereas traditional measurements of gait utilize force plates and camera systems, this study made use of a small tri-axial load cell located at the base of the socket to measure the forces and moments exerted during a regular gait cycle. The hypothesis tested stated that a vacuum pump socket attachment, when compared to a non-vacuum (pin) socket, will have a significant effect on …

Developing A Website Of Occupation-Based Resources For Healthy Aging At Dominican University Of California, David Aizpuru, Kevin Urquhart Brown, Beverly Posqdas Deguzman, Cournety Brooke Mcintosh

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

The purpose of this project was to create a website to promote healthy aging at Dominican University of California. The website contains relevant information to promote healthy aging and publicizes Dominican University of California’s activities and programs centered around healthy aging. The design of this thesis is a virtual context project that focuses on occupation based resources for healthy aging and highlights the role of occupational therapy in health aging. The healthy aging website is currently located on the homepage of the Occupational Therapy Department of Dominican University of California website. The need for a Dominican University of California healthy …

Factors That Influence Career Choice In South African Township High School Students, Emily Ann Dodge, Martha Welderufael

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Background:The legacy of apartheid is apparent in the lack of educational resources for Black South African high school students and the occupational deprivation they experience.

Objectives of Study: To collect data on students’ perceptions of career choice in township high schools, barriers prohibiting students from engaging in a career of choice, students’ learning and listening strategies and their general hopefulness.

Methods:Non-experimental, descriptive study using both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis strategies.

Findings:A significant difference was found based on gender in relation to having career options and with regard to how knowledge about careers is gained. …

An Inventory Of Evidence-Based Health And Wellness Assessments For Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Elliott David Brent, Matthew Jordan Carlson

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

It is estimated that by 2020 older adults will makeup one fifth of California's population. Many of these older adults are living in the community and are maintaining their independence. In order to help the older adults to maintain their independence, occupational therapists are turning to the newly emerged wellness promotion model to guide their practice. The wellness promotion model is a holistic model that addresses six domains of wellness (intellectual, spiritual, physical, social, emotional, and vocational). One of the concerns in using this model to guide the emerging practice area in occupational therapy is that there is little information …

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Contrast Baths To Cryotherapy In Patients With A Wrist Fracture, Elizabeth Ashley Brown, Brittany Nicole Phipps

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Cryotherapy and contrast baths are common modalities used to treat edema. Despite the fact that many hand therapists report using contrast baths with their patients, there is still little evidence on the effectiveness of them. A Randomized Controlled Trial-Repeated Measures Design was employed to compare the effectiveness of contrast baths to cryotherapy. Participants were recruited after a period of post-fracture immobilization. Blind assessors attained measurements in range of motion, pain, and edema in the 1st, 2nd, and 4th weeks. Participants were randomly assigned to either use cryotherapy or contrast baths at home during the 4-week study period. The participants in …

Developing A Data Compilation For The Marin Autism Collaborative, Sarah Jane Dequis Calub, Nicole Marie Hofeditz, Caitlin Danae Mcintyre

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

There is a documented need for better services for those with autism spectrum disorders. Various barriers, such as availability and accessibility of services and financial barriers, prevent those who need services from obtaining them. According to the literature, using data, particularly population level data, leads to improved services. Understanding the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of services helps healthcare providers identify areas for improvement and/or capitalize on past successful methods. The purpose of this project was to provide a data compilation containing autism statistics including but not limited to prevalence, trend data, service use, and needs for the Marin Autism Collaborative (MAC). …

Skill Generalization Following Computer-Based Cognitive Retraining Among Individuals With Acquired Brain Injury, Jonathan William Alonso, Nisha E. Chadha, Jennifer Elizabeth Pulido

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) often experience cognitive deficits. This creates many challenges in learning or relearning skills and generalizing skills among different contexts and task demands. Computer-Based Cognitive Retraining (CBCR) is a common intervention utilized by occupational therapists to help remediate cognitive deficits in individuals with ABI. Although research has shown that CBCR programs are effective at improving cognitive domains, there is limited evidence to support generalization of these skills to functional daily living tasks. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to assess the occurrence of generalizing gained skills in overall cognition, attention, and memory from …

The Effectiveness Of Peer Mentoring In Helping First Year Students Develop Occupational Adaptation Skills, Lashelle Rena Rullan, Jovita Vasquez, Julia Wong

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of peer mentoring in helping first year, first-generation college students at Dominican University of California (DUC) adapt to university life and navigate the occupational challenges experienced during the first year of college.

Method. Sixty-seven students voluntarily completed an online survey, First Year College Experience (FYCE) Survey: Adaptation to University Life. Quantitative research determined the influence of peer mentoring on the students’ adaptation and occupational performance in their transition to college. Effectiveness was determined by: 1) sense of belonging, 2) developed academic and social skills, 3) adaptive responses and strategies used, and 4) overall satisfaction with …

The Impact Of Fibromyalgia And Sensory Processing On Participation Of Daily Activities, Florina Mendoza-Battle, Regina Okun, Ashlee Sand

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a pain disorder that involves a variety of symptoms including painful joints, fatigue, muscle stiffness, and sleep disturbances. Cognitive symptoms are also a hallmark of FM, which result in difficulties with thought articulation, concentration, and mental fatigue. There is a gap in research substantiating increased levels of sensory defensiveness symptoms in individuals with FM and the effects in daily life. Currently, only one research study has provided evidence of increased sensory sensitivity across multiple modalities in individuals with FM. The purpose of this research was to determine whether women with FM had increased levels of sensory defensiveness …

The Development Of A Therapeutic Listening Instrument For Allied Health: A Pilot Study, Linda Diane Roybal, Suzanne Laura Schwind, Elizabeth Jeanne Szoboszlay, Brittnee Jane Witham

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Occupational therapy education programs need a method for capturing student success in learning the necessary skills of therapeutic listening prior to fieldwork. There are no formalized instruments to measure therapeutic listening knowledge and skills in occupational therapy curriculums. Listening measurement tools that currently exist have been primarily created for other professionals in the medical field. Developing a listening instrument that measures the basic knowledge and skills of students’ listening would benefit occupational therapy education programs by determining the need for additional listening training of its students. This thesis study describes a pilot study used to develop a therapeutic listening instrument. …

Understanding And Preventing Falls: Perspectives Of First Responders And Older Adults, Monica Fernandez, Anita Diep Hin, Chelsea C. Prado

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

OBJECTIVE. The objectives of this study were to identify characteristics of older adult fallers in a local community in Marin County, California, examine the perceptions of older adults who contacted a local fire district after a fall, examine the perceptions of first responders from a local fire district regarding falls and fall prevention, explore the degree of depression in older adult fallers, and identify strategies to prevent falls in older adults.

METHODS. This research study was an exploratory and retrospective descriptive study that utilized a mixed-method design. The researchers coded narratives from Patient Care Report (PCRs) provided by the fire …

A Qualitative Study Of The Experiences Of First-Generation Peer Mentors, Cindelle Leyson, Jessica Suzanne Taylor, Tiffany Torres

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

While there are numerous studies reporting on the benefits that mentees receive from peer mentoring, there is limited research on the benefits to mentors, particularly first-generation students (FGS). The purpose of this study was to examine the experience of mentoring from the FGS mentors’ point of view. In this qualitative, exploratory design, four FGS mentors were interviewed about their experiences with a peer-mentoring program at their university. The participants believed they developed skills in the areas of time management, communication, and setting boundaries. The participants learned about themselves and gained an understanding of how the skills they developed while mentoring …

Employment Exchange Opportunities For Teens And Adults With Autism, Rafael Garcia, Kisa Nicole Geiger, Alex Robert Shragg

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

The purpose of this project was to create a resource guide which includes information about the steps an individual with autism (AS) or Asperger syndrome (ASD) must take with the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) to gain vocational support services within Marin County. The resource guide also includes information about the variety of services available to support individuals with autism and Asperger syndrome, both from the DOR and from private agencies. The effectiveness of the resource guide is of significance as there are many young adults with autism or AS in Marin County who are transitioning from school to employment. Additionally, …

Fall Risk Evaluation Tool For Acquired Brain Injury: A Validation Of A Multifactorial Assessment: A Pilot Study, Tanya Elesia Orgill, Amanda Marie Woods, Josue Julian Zamora

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Objective: The purpose of this study examined the reliability and validity of FRET to predict falls in community-dwelling individuals with acquired brain injuries (ABI).

Method: The target population was English speaking, community-dwelling individuals 18 years or older who have sustained an ABI. Individuals were excluded if they had neurodegenerative diseases, used a wheelchair for more than 25% of the day, or were classified as globally confused. Global confusion was assessed using the first three-questions on the Saint Louis University Mental Examination (SLUMS). A total of 12 participants were recruited for the study, two were excluded and there was one attrition. …

Use Of Audio Biofeedback To Reduce Tibial Impact Accelerations During Running, Claire M. Wood, Kristof Kipp

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Visual biofeedback of tibial peak positive acceleration (PPA) during running has been used successfully as a method of gait retraining to reduce PPAs. Audio biofeedback generated from PPA may present a novel, portable alternative. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using PPA-generated audio biofeedback to reduce PPAs while running. Nine runners were fitted with a wireless accelerometer on their left tibia. PPAs were recorded and a custom LabVIEW program was used to emit a single beep once the PPA reached a preset threshold. The numerical difference between this threshold and peak PPA during running was …

Development Of A Tool To Assess Children’S Perceptions Of Their Own Balance (The Pediatric Balance Perception Battery): A Pilot Study, Jillian L. Beckett, Ashlee A. Harmon

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Psychosocial aspects of balance including self-perception, behaviors, and experiences, have been found to contribute to activity limitations and participation restrictions in adults. Clinical tools have been established to measure how adults feel about their own balance and the extent to which fear of falling and other related characteristics interfere with participation. There are no clinical tools presently available to explore these relationships and quantify the extent to which they interfere with activity and participation in children.

Purpose: To develop and test reliability and validity of a tool to evaluate balance self-perception in a pediatric population.

Participants: This sample of …

Refeeding Syndrome In A Young Girl With Anorexia Nervosa., Om Parkash, Adil Ayub, Shahab Abid

Department of Medicine

We report the case of a 20-year-old anorexic girl (BMI=12.9), who was misdiagnosed the first time and developed severe electrolyte imbalances due to lack of awareness about refeeding syndrome. Few cases of RS have been reported in literature and protocols have been suggested for prevention and management of this syndrome, including the awareness of circumstances in which it is most likely to develop, refeeding slowly and building-up micronutrient content over several days. Improved awareness and understanding of refeeding syndrome along with a well-coordinated plan are vital in delivering safe and effective nutritional rehabilitation. We suggest a slow and gradual increase …

Evidence For The Validity Of A Tool For Improved Pressure Ulcer Staging By The Non-Expert In The Live Patient, Janelle Borg, Carrie Johnston, Megan Lucke, Jordan Sinclair

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background and Purpose: Pressure ulcers (PrUs) are a costly issue for the health care system. The utilization of a tool that increases the accuracy of PrU identification and staging may allow the health care team to better manage these wounds. The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of the NE1 Wound Assessment Tool (NE1 WAT) for increasing the wound assessment accuracy of novice nurses.

Subjects: A convenience sample of 11 novice nurses evaluated 11 wounds on eight patients at a 730 bed, hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Methods: Subjects assessed 11 wounds on the patients independently. They …

Blended Pedagogy Pathophysiology Course: Effectiveness And Student Satisfaction, Betsy Botsford, Samantha Corn, Alanna Keenan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background and Purpose: Evidence supports the effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) versus a traditional face-to-face teaching model, but little is known regarding the effectiveness of a blended pedagogy. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a blended learning format in a pathophysiology course for entry-level Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) students, to evaluate their level of satisfaction of a podcast formatted course, and to observe changes in cohort performance over time.

Subjects: Five University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) DPT cohorts (n = 139) participated in the study. Some cohorts were taught in a traditional classroom …

Characteristics Of Subjects Who Avoid Activities And Participation Due To A Fear Of Falling In Parkinson’S Disease, Morgan Lopker, Molly Newman

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) exhibiting fear of falling avoidance behavior to those with no fear of falling avoidance behavior. Because avoidance behavior can have deleterious downstream consequences, it is important to determine what potentially mitigated physical and psychological factors are associated with it.

Subjects: Fifty-six community dwelling individuals (age=72.1 years, SD=9.6; males=42, females=14) with PD (Hoehn and Yahr Scale stage median=2.0, mode=3.0) were classified into two groups using the Fear of Falls Avoidance Behavior Questionnaire (FFABQ): avoiders (n=26, ≥20 FFABQ), and non-avoiders (n=30, <20 on the FFABQ).

Methods: Avoiders and non-avoiders were …

The Effects Of A Single Bout Of Self-~Myofascial Release On Flexibility And Maximum Voluntary Contraction, Jonathan Robert Garcia

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of foam rolling on hamstrings flexibility, isometric and isokinetic torque. Participants: Thirteen female participants (N = 13; age: 28.5 + 6.8 years of age; height: 165.5 + 6.7 cm; mass: 64.2 + 8.4 kg) volunteered to participate in the study.

Methods: Hamstring flexibility was assessed using a sit and reach test; muscle strength was assessed by having participants complete a maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the hamstrings and maximal effort isokinetic knee flexion test using an isokinetic dynamometer. Participants completed these tests prior to any intervention (pre-rolling 1), …

Physio@Home: Design Explorations To Support Movement Guidance, Richard Tang, Hesam Alizadeh, Anthony Tang, Scott Bateman, Joaquim A.P. Jorge

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Patients typically undergo physiotherapy with the help of a physiotherapist who teaches, guides, and corrects the patients as they perform exercises. It would be nice if people could repeat these exercises at home, potentially improving their recovery rate. However, without guidance and/or corrective feedback from a physiotherapist, the patient will not know whether they are doing their exercises correctly. To address this problem, we implemented a prototype that guides patients through pre-recorded exercise movements using visual guides overlaid atop a mirror-view of the patient on a wall-mounted display. We conducted informal evaluations and pilot studies to assess our prototype and …

Haptics In Remote Collaborative Exercise Systems For Seniors, Hesam Alizadeh, Richard Tang, Ehud Sharlin, Anthony Tang

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Group exercise provides motivation to follow and maintain a healthy daily exercise schedule while enjoying beneficial encouragement and social support from friends and exercise partners. However, mobility and transportation issues frequently prevent seniors from engaging in group activities. To address this problem, we investigated the exercise needs of seniors and developed a prototype remote exercise system. Our system uses haptic feedback to simulate assistive pushing and pulling of limbs when exercising with a partner. We developed three distinct vibration metaphors -- constant push/pull, corrective feedback, and notification -- to convey engagement and connection between exercise partners. We conducted a preliminary …

“Additional Analysis Of Previously Collected Data: Food Choices In Children With Autism”, Kristin Crinion

Honors Theses

The objective of this study was to look at children with autism and their food choices based on previously collected data. The previously collected data includes a caregiver survey to determine food acceptance level (e.g. severe, moderate, typical), and a caregiver reported food inventory. The caregiver reported food inventory was used to see what specific foods children with autism are eating and in what food categories (e.g. dairy, fruits, vegetables, protein, and carbohydrate). Per previously literature, it is researched that children with ASD tend to have more food selectivity than typically developing children (Suarez, Nelson, & Curtis, 2012). There is …

The Effects Of Obesity On Human Ambulation: A Lower Joint Analysis, Laura Gilbert

Senior Honors Theses

The effects of obesity on the body are complex and numerous especially when combining the effects on an already multi-faceted and multi-systems action such as human ambulation. This study summarizes a wide range of research performed, which investigated the effects of obesity on human ambulation. The effects are broken down into categories including osteoarthritis, replacement surgery, center of mass, stepping cycle, muscular activation, and specifics of the hip, knee and ankle joints as well as foot changes. The overwhelming majority of studies have found obesity to negatively impact ambulation by shifting center of mass (COM), increasing metabolic cost, decreasing cadence …

The Fenzian Unit: Applications To Physical Therapy And Beyond, Jeshua Paul Spadino Mr.

Senior Honors Theses

The field of physical therapy includes many different treatment options in the form of exercises and modalities. The development of a low electrical stimulation signal through the Fenzian unit has provided a new outlook on healing. This device gives information to and receives information from the central nervous system (CNS) through electro-biofeedback and is separated into its own category of modalities. The device can be used to treat a wide range of ailments, all with no adverse effects. This makes it a promising tool in the medical field. It is currently being validated as an authentic medical device through clinical …

Scoping Review - Physical Accessibility & Post-Secondary Education, Lea E. Klinger

Occupational Therapy Publications

No abstract provided.

Movement-Based Embodied Contemplative Practices: Definitions And Paradigms, Laura Schmalzl, Mardi A. Crane-Godreau, Peter Payne

Dartmouth Scholarship

Over the past decades, cognitive neuroscience has witnessed a shift from predominantly disembodied and computational views of the mind, to more embodied and situated views of the mind. These postulate that mental functions cannot be fully understood without reference to the physical body and the environment in which they are experienced. Within the field of contemplative science, the directing of attention to bodily sensations has so far mainly been studied in the context of seated meditation and mindfulness practices. However, the cultivation of interoceptive, proprioceptive and kinesthetic awareness is also said to lie at the core of many movement-based contemplative …

The Effects Of A Foot-Toe Orthosis On Dynamic Balance And Hallux Valgus Angle, Adam Richard Kelly

Theses and Dissertations

Context: Decreased balance has been identified as a risk factor for lower extremity injury in several populations. Previous literature has investigated the effects of using orthotics, textured insoles and textured surfaces on balance. However, no research exists on the effects of a foot-toe orthosis on dynamic balance. Objective: To determine the effects of a foot-toe orthosis on dynamic balance and hallux valgus angle. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Setting: Athletic Training research laboratory. Participants: Sixty-three healthy and recreationally active collegiate students. (age: 21.59±1.49yrs, height 172.48±8.99cm, mass 73.86kg±15.64kg) Interventions: Participants were randomly allocated to one of three groups that received either …

Improving Gait And Function In Children With Cerebral Palsy; A Comparison Of Supported Speed Treadmill Training To Therapeutic Exercise, Brianna Palmer

Critically Appraised Topics (CAT)

An appraisal was made of an article by Schindl et al, regarding the efficacy of supported speed treadmill training (SSTTEP) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The selected paper included children with GMFCS Level II-IV spastic CP, and compared SSTTEP intervention to therapeutic exercise.

Both intervention groups significantly improved gait speed, cadence, and Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) global scores, however only the SSTTEP group maintained those gains four weeks after the study ended. The SSTTEP group also yielded decreased stride length.

The study is optimistic for both SSTTEP and therapeutic exercise interventions for improving gait in children with …