Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Systematic Review Of Core Muscle Electromyographic Activity During Physical Fitness Exercises, Jason Martuscello

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Activating the core muscles through exercise training programs is believed to be important for athletic performance. Considerable attention has been credited to the lumbar multifidus, transverse abdominis, and quadratus lumborum in designing exercise training programs. Numerous core exercise claims and recommendations abound in the fitness and physical therapy communities touting a superior core challenge for these muscles. The plethora of core activation literature with conflicting outcomes has convoluted the process of choosing exercises for an optimal core training approach. Although an abundance of research studies have quantified the muscle activity, collectively, a consensus on the type of exercise that elicits …

Differential Item Functioning Analysis Of The Mental, Emotional, And Bodily Toughness Inventory, Yong Gao, Mick G. Mack, Moira A. Ragan, Brian Ragan

Kinesiology Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study was to use differential item functioning (DIF) analysis to examine if there were items in the Mental, Emotional, and Bodily Toughness Inventory (MeBTough) functioning differently across gender and athletic membership. A total of 444 male (56.3%) and female (43.7%) participants (30.9% athletes and 69.1% non-athletes) responded to the MeBTough items. Using Mantel-Haenszel and SIBTEST methods, 43 items were analyzed for DIF. Four MeBTough items were identified as large DIF items by both Mantel-Haenszel and SIBTEST methods, where item 21 favored non-athletes, item 40 favored athletes, item 2 favored males, and item 17 favored females. Athletic membership DIF disappeared …

The Effects Of Upper Body Vs Lower Body Training On Rate-Pressure Product, Zanae Baird

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Lower body activities such as walking, running, and cycling have traditionally been used as the activity mode during physiological exercise testing. Interest in specific responses to upper extremity exercise has increased since upper body cycle ergometry became an important alternative exercise mode in the 1970s. Previous research on upper extremity exercise utilized upper body cycle ergometry or a standard push-pull rowing movement. Few upper extremity studies measured rate-pressure product. The purpose of this study was to compare rate-pressure product between lower extremity exercise utilizing upright cycling and primarily upper extremity exercise on a double arm swing Ski Erg ergometer. Hemodynamic …

Weightlifting Performance Is Related To Kinematic And Kinetic Patterns Of The Hip And Knee Joints, Kristof Kipp, Josh Redden, Michelle B. Sabick, Chad Harris

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlations between biomechanical outcome measures and weightlifting performance. Joint kinematics and kinetics of the hip, knee, and ankle were calculated while 10 subjects performed a clean at 85% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM). Kinematic and kinetic time-series patterns were extracted with principal components analysis. Discrete scores for each time-series pattern were calculated and used to determine how each pattern was related to body mass–normalized 1RM. Two hip kinematic and 2 knee kinetic patterns were significantly correlated with relative 1RM. The kinematic patterns captured hip and trunk motions during the first pull …

The Influence Of The Environment On Play Participation In Children With Disabilities, Marcia Hamilton

Occupational Therapy Collection

Children with disabilities face challenges with accessing opportunities to play and physical activity (Owen, 2010). Statistical evidence supports the concern for the growing issue of secondary health problems related to lack of physical activity (Cooper, 1999; Council on Disabilities, 2008; Heath, 1997; National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, 2008; Spencer-Cavalier and Watkinson, 2010, US Department of Education, 2005). This is of further concern because of a rising incidence of disability in children (US Department of Education, 2005). This research was conducted to help provide an understanding of how children with disabilities can access play. Eleven children with moderate to …

Co-Diagnosis Frequency Of Peripheral Vestibular Disorders And Physical Therapy, Summer M. San Lucas

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Dizziness is among the most common reasons that people consult a physician. The two most common causes of dizziness related to peripheral vestibular dysfunction are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and vestibular hypofunction (VH). Physical therapy (PT) is an effective component of the medical management for both conditions. The occurrence rate of concurrent BPPV and VH in the same patient has not been described in the literature. Identifying patients with co-diagnosis of BPPV and VH will allow the PT to construct a proper treatment sequence. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 500 consecutive medical records of Veteran's Administration male …

Postural Sway, Eeg And Emg Analysis Of Hip And Ankle Muscles During Eight Balance Training Tasks, Yuen Yi Florence Tse

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine postural sway, cortical response and muscle activation of the hip and ankle muscles during eight balance tasks routinely used in sensorimotor training. This was a single group repeated measure study. The postural sway; the power of alpha, beta and sigma wave bands; and the EMG activity of gluteal maximus, gluteal medius, tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius were measured in 17 subjects during eight balance tasks with eyes open or closed, feet in tandem or apart and on foam or a firm surface. The results of this study showed that postural sway, EEG …

The Efficacy Of Melodic Based Communication Therapy For Eliciting Speech In Nonverbal Children With Autism, Givona A. Sandiford

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this dissertation is to compare the efficacy of Melodic Based Communication Therapy (MBCT) to traditional speech and language therapy for eliciting speech in nonverbal children with autism. Efficacy was assessed by number of: verbalizations, correct words, words reported by parent, and imitative attempts. Additionally it examines the effect of exposure to MBCT on social language abilities as measured by score on the Pragmatic Language Skills Inventory (PLSI); the effect of age on the response to treatment, and the predictors of overall effectiveness of treatment. Participants were 12 nonverbal children with autism ages 5 through 7 randomly assigned …

The Efficacy Of Melodic Based Communication Therapy For Eliciting Speech In Nonverbal Children With Autism, Givona A. Sandiford

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this dissertation is to compare the efficacy of Melodic Based Communication Therapy (MBCT) to traditional speech and language therapy for eliciting speech in nonverbal children with autism. Efficacy was assessed by number of: verbalizations, correct words, words reported by parent, and imitative attempts. Additionally it examines the effect of exposure to MBCT on social language abilities as measured by score on the Pragmatic Language Skills Inventory (PLSI); the effect of age on the response to treatment, and the predictors of overall effectiveness of treatment.

Participants were 12 nonverbal children with autism ages 5 through 7 randomly assigned …

Restoring Functional Status: A Long-Term Case Report Of Severe Lung And Ventilatory Muscle Pump Dysfunction Involving Recurrent Bacterial Pneumonias, Dennis Sobush, Linda Jean Laatsch-Lybeck, Randolph J. Lipchik

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Background and Purpose: Prolonged mechanical ventilation contributes to immobility and deconditioning making efforts to safely discontinue ventilator support desirable. This case report documents how implementing physical therapy treatment interventions, based on the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, can help to restore a person’s functional status even after multiple years of mechanical ventilation dependency. Case Description: A patient (female; aged 63 years) with severe restrictive and obstructive ventilatory impairment has survived 34 recurrent pneumonias involving 6 bacterial pathogens while being mechanically ventilated at home. A 3-year study was approved and informed consent obtained for a home exercise program of resistive extremity …

Near Infrared Spectroscopic Monitoring During Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Detects Anaerobic Threshold, Rohit P. Rao, Michael J. Danduran, J. E. Dixon, Rohit S. Loomba, George M. Hoffman

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) provides assessment of the integrative responses involving the pulmonary, cardiovascular, and skeletal muscle systems. Application of exercise testing remains limited to children who are able to understand and cooperate with the exercise protocol. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) provides a noninvasive, continuous method to monitor regional tissue oxygenation (rSO2). Our specific aim was to predict anaerobic threshold (AT) during CPET noninvasively using two-site NIRS monitoring. Achievement of a practical noninvasive technology for estimating AT will increase the compatibility of CPET. Patients without structural or acquired heart disease were eligible for inclusion if they were ordered to undergo CPET …

Mountain Movement: The Design, Implementation, & Evaluation Of A Youth Yoga Program, Abigail A. Long

Capstone Collection

Abigail Ann Long – PIM 70

Mountain Movement: The Design, Implementation, & Evaluation

of a Youth Yoga Program

May 2012

Mountain Movement is a youth yoga program designed to introduce children to the sustainable practice of yoga as well as convey the ability to recognize stress and utilize relaxation techniques. Children face a number of challenges throughout their daily lives. These challenges, ranging from academic pressures to bullying, can create stresses with negative impacts. Yoga is an activity that can provide children with tools and methods to better deal with and cope with these challenges. Mountain Movement has demonstrated that …

Predictors Of Success To Pass The National Physical Therapy Exam: Is There A Correlation Between Gre/Gpa Scores And Success Rates?, Kelsey Taylor

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is an admission criterion for many different graduate programs including the Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT). Upon completion of a DPT program, the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) must be passed with a minimum score of 600 in order to practice as a physical therapist. This study analyzes the relationship between GRE and graduate grade point average (GGPA) and NPTE scores to explore the ability of GRE and GGPA scores to predict NPTE success. Similar studies have been done in the past, but the results vary between studies. GRE, GGPA, and NPTE records were gathered …

Chemotherapy Induced Hearing Loss And The Effects It Has On Learning, Sydney Smith

Rehabilitation, Human Resources and Communication Disorders Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the chemotherapy drug Cisplatin causes hearing loss significant enough to affect attention. Three groups of participants, all of which will have taken the drug Cisplatin, was sought to participate in this study. Fifteen was elementary, fifteen middle schools aged, and fifteen high school aged. There will be no control for sex or ethnicity. A questionnaire survey will be used to collect the data. The survey was made available through pencil and paper and/or online. Physicians who work with this clinical population was asked to make the survey available to the patients …

Interrelated Processes Toward Quality Of Life In Survivors Of Childhood Cancer: A Grounded Theory, Miranda Tsonis, Janette Mcdougall, Angela Mandich, Jennifer Irwin

Occupational Therapy Publications

Past research has not adequately addressed the quality of life (QOL) of survivors of childhood cancer. The purpose of this study was to understand how QOL is experienced for individuals who have survived childhood cancer. Specific research questions included: (a) How do childhood cancer survivors define the concept of QOL and (b) What processes do childhood cancer survivors go through regarding their QOL? Researchers used grounded theory to analyze in-depth interviews conducted with eight survivors. Survivors use a process of specific action strategies and intervening conditions to manage impacts and effects, resulting in life enjoyment, or good QOL. The identification …

Fotonovelas: A Parent Resource And Education Guide For Underserved Hispanic Families With Autism In Marin County, Tiffany Chi, Monica Christina Guzman Critchfield, Isaac Xuliang Stahlhut

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

The current estimated prevalence of autism in the United States is 1 out of 88 children, up from 2006 when the estimated prevalence of autism was 1 out of 110 (Centers for Disease and Prevention, 2012). Increasing numbers are a major concern because there is a greater need for services for individuals with autism. According to Kidsdata (2010), approximately 5.7% of Marin County of California’s population of children has a diagnosis of autism. The Hispanic community forms the largest minority group in Marin County, consisting of 15.5% of the population (US Census Bureau, 2010). This community was the target underserved …

Occupational Therapy And Sensory Integration For Children With Autism: A Feasibility, Safety, Acceptability And Fidelity Study., Roseann C Schaaf, Teal W. Benevides, Donna Kelly, Zoe Mailloux-Maggio

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

Objective: To examine the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of a manualized protocol of occupational therapy using sensory integration principles for children with autism. Methods: Ten children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder ages 4-8 years received intensive occupational therapy intervention using sensory integration principles following a manualized protocol. Measures of feasibility, acceptability and safety were collected from parents and interveners, and fidelity was measured using a valid and reliable fidelity instrument. Results: The intervention is safe and feasible to implement, acceptable to parents and therapist, and therapists were able to implement protocol with adequate fidelity. These data provide support for implementation …

A Comparison Of Three Bicycle Pedal Types And Power Output, Brandon Kuhn

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

The purpose of this study was to examine the power output over a 30-second maximum effort bicycle sprint with three different pedal types; clipless, toe-strap, and flat. The participants for this investigation were eight (7 males and 1 female) mountain bikers with ages between 20 and 55 ( Age = 40) from the Central Kansas Mountain Bike Club. Each participant was required to provide his or her own bicycle and the researchers provided the training stand, Saris CycleOps PowerTap rear wheel, and Garmin Edge 500 cycling computer used for data collection. Testing procedure consisted of a warmup, 30- second maximal …

The Use Of A Pylon Mounted Transducer For Investigating The Gait Of Transtibial Amputees, Justin Robert Brink

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Two areas of research interest in the design and use of lower limb prosthetic devices are how foot performance varies with design and how prosthesis alignment affects gait. The current study addressed both of these areas through the use of the JR3 triaxial transducer mounted at the base of the socket. The transducer is an innovative form of instrumentation that measures forces and moments at the end of the socket. Traditional measurement of gait uses a force plate buried in the floor of a gait laboratory. The study established that the transducer offers a viable means of instrumentation for amputee …

Attentional Focus During Balance Training In Idiopathic Parkinson’S Disease (Pd): A Randomized Clinical Trial, Alyssa Davis, Rebecca Hatlevig, Amanda Richards, Leslee Rosenlof

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of various attentional focus strategies on balance in people with PD. Forty-nine adults with idiopathic PD were randomized into one of four groups (internal focus, external focus, no focus, and control). The three intervention groups participated in a month-long balance program. The outcomes measured were the Sensory Organization Test, Berg Balance Scale, self selected gait velocity, Dynamic Gait Index, Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale and obstacle course completion time. These outcomes were measured at baseline, post intervention, 2-weeks post intervention, and 8-weeks post intervention. Statistical analyses yielded no significant differences among …

Population-Based Survey Of Lumbar Surgery Beliefs In The United States, Amanda Elyse Mccauley, Zachery Clark Rasmussen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose/Hypothesis: Studies have shown that poor lumbar surgery outcomes may be influenced by a person’s preconceived perceptions of low back surgery (LBS). However, the perceptions of the general population about issues related to lumbar surgery are not known. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the general population’s perceptions regarding LBS.

Number of Subjects: This study included 262 participants (Average age: 46.1, SD=16.9; 125 Males, 137 Females) who completed the questionnaire from the general population in the Las Vegas area.

Materials/Methods: Questionnaire development involved expert panel feedback from three physical therapists, three spine surgeons, two surgeon assistants/nurses, two …

Therapist Characteristics Influencing Physical Therapy Non-Treatment In The Acute Care Setting, Daniel Mcgarvey, Colby Olsen, Aaron Van Wagoner

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background and Purpose: Research has found that participation in physical therapy (PT) services in the acute care setting increases functional outcomes and decreases patient length of stay. Certain physical therapist characteristics could be a potential source of influence on patient non-participation in physical therapy in the acute care setting. The purpose of this study was to determine whether specific characteristics of therapists and patients are predictive of physical therapy non-treatment.

Subjects: Subjects included 16 physical therapists or physical therapist assistants and 1225 patients at a community acute care hospital.

Methods: Characteristics of each therapist and their corresponding patient data were …

Foot Volume Change During Long Distance Running In Healthy Adults, Meghan Boni, Istvan Takacs, Rebecca Wilson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background and purpose: Healthy adults frequently engage in running as a means of cardiovascular exercise. Larger running shoes are often chosen based on common beliefs that feet swell during running, yet many continue to encounter foot injuries, such as blisters, as a result of this activity. Previous research has analyzed the changes in foot volume during short bouts of activity. However, there has been limited research on the effect of long distance running on foot volume, which is where many of these injuries are seen. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of long distance running, defined …

Supervised Lower Extremity Strengthening Program To Improve Function In Women Over Fifty With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Time Series Design, Janelle Brooke Lemons, Diane Christine Sheesley, Pamela Reagan Sutton

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objective: Develop a simple, self-paced lower extremity strengthening program incorporating functional activities for women over the age of fifty to reduce limitations associated with knee OA.

Study Design: This was a pilot study utilizing a time series design with 8 women aged 55-65 (M + SD = 60 + 3) meeting the American College of Rheumatology's criteria for clinical diagnosis of knee OA.

Background: Lower extremity weakness in women with knee osteoarthritis is associated with pain and functional limitations.

Methods and Measures: Subjects began the 14-week program with 2 weeks of baseline treadmill walking. The following 12 weeks were divided …

Duration Of The Effects Of Three Static Stretching Conditions With Or Without A Dynamic Warm-Up In College Age Adults, Spencer Blackwell, Andrew Blomberg, Jonathan Griffith

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the stretching duration (15, 30, 60 seconds) with or without a dynamic warm-up that resulted in the longest lasting acute effects in hamstring flexibility.

Subjects. Forty subjects (17 male, 23 female) (age: 20-35 years) were selected to participate in this study using a sample of convenience from university graduate students.

Methods. This study contained 7 treatment conditions in which each subject completed in random order. Three groups consisted of a 5-minute treadmill warm-up at a self-selected velocity (SSV) followed by one of three stretching durations (15, 30, or 60 sec). …

Task Analysis For A Food Processing Facility: A Social Enterprise For Persons From Underemployed Populations, Louise Bobbitt, Jeremy Darrimon, Jessi Saaty

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Social enterprises aim to be agents of recovery for consumers of mental health services but lack knowledge of how to accurately identify workplace supports, accommodations, and modifications that are appropriate for their clients. Graduate occupational therapy students were contacted to assist with an activity analysis at a food processing facility that serves persons with mental illnesses. Occupational therapy is well suited to assist with task analysis and consult on work environments for persons with mental illnesses. In three sessions over five months a task-oriented analysis of work tasks at a food processing facility that employed people with mental illnesses was …

Relationships Between Vocabulary Size, Working Memory, And Phonological Awareness In Spanish-Speaking English Language Learners, Brenda K. Gorman

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose: The goals of this study were to evaluate the impact of short-term phonological awareness (PA) instruction presented in children's first language (L1; Spanish) on gains in their L1 and second language (L2; English) and to determine whether relationships exist between vocabulary size, verbal working memory, and PA in Spanish-speaking English language learners (ELLs).

Method: Participants included 25 kindergartners who received PA instruction and 10 controls. A 2-way within-subjects repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted to evaluate gains. Relationships between PA gains, Spanish and English vocabulary, and memory, as measured using nonword repetition and experimental …

Functional Rehabilitation Of Low Back Pain With Core Stabilization Exercises: Suggestions For Exercises And Progressions In Athletes, Joshua Johnson

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

Introduction: Low back pain is very common in the adult population and accounts for more time lost from work than other diagnoses. It also affects athlete's at all different levels of competition and results in missed practice and game time. Diagnosing and treating a specific pathology is often difficult because clinical evaluation and radiologic studies are often unable to find a root cause. A popular treatment approach with a high volume of anecdotal evidence is the use of core stabilization exercise in the treatment of low back pain.

Purpose: To evaluate exercise as a treatment for a low back pain …

E-Stimulation: An Effective Modality To Facilitate Wound Healing, Pamela Scarborough, Luther C. Kloth

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Influence Of Upper Extremity Assistance On Lower Extremity Force Application Symmetry In Individuals Post–Hip Fracture During The Sit-To-Stand Task, Janet A. Kneiss, Jeff R. Houck, Susan A. Bukata, J. Edward Puzas

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study using a cross-sectional design.

OBJECTIVES: To compare lower extremity force applications during a sit-to-stand (STS) task with and without upper extremity assistance in older individuals post–hip fracture to those of age matched controls.

BACKGROUND: A recent study documented the dependence on upper extremity assistance and the uninvolved lower limb during an STS task in individuals post–hip fracture. This study extends this work by examining the effect of upper extremity assistance on symmetry of lower extremity force applications.

METHODS: Twenty-eight community-dwelling elderly subjects, 14 who had recovered from a hip fracture and 14 controls, participated in …