Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Is Weight Lifting Effective In Reducing Lymphedema In Breast Cancer Survivors?, Diana Petrucello

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not weight lifting is effective in reducing lymphedema in breast cancer survivors.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of three English language primary studies published in 2009 and 2010.

DATA SOURCES: Three single blind, randomized controlled trials comparing progressive weight lifting and other treatments in breast cancer survivors were found using the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Incidence of breast cancer-related lymphedema onset measured by blinded certified lymphedema therapists using a standardized clinical evaluation derived from the Common Toxicity Criteria version 3.0, comprising of interlimb …

Does Reiki Therapy Decrease Pain During Chemotherapy And Radiation Treatment In Patients With Gynecological And Breast Cancer?, Samantha L. Ciaccia

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not Reiki therapy decreases pain during chemotherapy and radiation treatment in patients with gynecological and breast cancer.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of two randomized control trials and one randomized prospective cross-over study published in 2003, 2004, and 2011.

DATA SOURCES: One double blind randomized control trial, one 2-arm single blind randomized control trial and one randomized, prospective, 2-period crossover intervention study comparing Reiki therapy to placebo. Articles were found using PubMed and Medline.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Pain by BPI (brief pain inventory linear analog scale), SF-36 questionnaire, …

Body Mass Index Change In Adulthood And Lung And Upper Aerodigestive Tract Cancers, Heather Tarleton

Health and Human Sciences Faculty Works

Body mass index (BMI) has been inversely associated with lung and upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancers. However, only a few studies have assessed BMI change in adulthood in relation to cancer. To understand the relationship between BMI change and these cancers in both men and women, we analyzed data from a population-based case-control study conducted in Los Angeles County. Adulthood BMI change was measured as the proportional change in BMI between age 21 and 1 year before interview or diagnosis. Five categories of BMI change were included, and individuals with no more than a 5% loss or gain were defined …

Rating Scale Analysis And Psychometric Properties Of The Caregiver Self-Efficacy Scale For Transfers, Daniel Cipriani, Francine E. Hansen, Danielle L. Mcpeck, Gina L.D. Kubec, Julie J. Thomas

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Parents and caregivers faced with the challenges of transferring children with disability are at risk of musculoskeletal injuries and/or emotional stress. The Caregiver Self-Efficacy Scale for Transfers (CSEST) is a 14-item questionnaire that measures self-efficacy for transferring under common conditions. The CSEST yields reliable data and valid inferences; however, its rating scale structure has not been evaluated for utility. The aims of this study were to evaluate the category response structure of the CSEST, test the utility of a revised rating scale structure, and confirm its psychometric properties. The Rasch Measurement Model was used for all analyses. Subjects included 175 …

Investigation Into The Functional Mobility Difference Between Obese And Non-Obese Elderly, Xuefang Wu, Han T. Yeoh, Rahul Soangra, Thurmon Lockhart

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Obese aging population is increasing in the United States, and obese elderly experience fall twice as frequent as their lean counterparts. However, the mechanisms of older obese adults fall are still not clear. It is not known whether the obese elderly has more functional mobility impairments than their lean counterparts, and consequently have increased risks of falls. It was hypothesized that obese elderly have more functional mobility impairments compared with their healthy weight counterparts. Six lean and six obese community-dwelling elderly participated in the study. “Timed up & go” test was used to quantify the functional mobility for both lean …

A Comparative Study For Performance Evaluation Of Sit-To-Stand Task With Body Worn Sensor And Existing Laboratory Methods, Rahul Soangra, Thurmon E. Lockhart

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Human movement such as sit-to-stand (STS) is one of the most fundamental and essential movement among daily living activities. Elderly who are unable to stand are severely limited in daily activities and rely on others for their care. In the coming next two decades about 20% of US population will be above the age of 65 years, and considering ever-increasing elderly population and health care expenses, the rehabilitation of functionally limited elderly is becoming a topic of greater concern. Clinically STS movement is looked upon with great interest, such as its analysis is meaningful in order to evaluate motor control …

Effect Of Lower Body Positive Pressure On Cardiovascular Response At Various Degrees Of Head Up Tilt, Vladimir Ilyich Kostas

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Various models of simulated weightlessness and resulting cardiovascular effects have been researched in the last 50 years of space exploration. Examples of such models are the Alter-G (Alt-G) treadmill used for body unweighting and head-up-tilt (HUT) model each providing similar cardiovascular effects, but differing in their stimulation of vestibular centers . Advantages of using the Alt-G include: use of lower body positive pressure (LBPP) to simulate hypogravity, it acts as a countermeasure to alleviate negative cardiovascular effects of standing and provides a constant vestibular stimulus. In addition, the Alt-G shorts themselves may be providing a certain degree of LBPP, acting …

Aphasia Incidence And Intervention In The Acute Hospital Setting, Dominique Lidia Ferreira

Theses : Honours

Background: Current research highlights the significance of providing early and intensive aphasia therapy to maximise neural plasticity and enhance communication gains. Acute speech pathology service delivery in Australia does not consistently meet best practice standards recommended by the National Stroke Foundation. Aims: This study aimed to: i) investigate the incidence of post-stroke aphasia in the acute setting; ii) determine the referral rate to speech pathology for patients with aphasia; iii) investigate the amount of language therapy provided to people with aphasia and iv) explore the relative proportion of aphasia service delivery within the overall caseload management of speech pathologists. Method …

Assessing The Therapeutic Effect Of 630 Nm Light-Emitting Diodes Irradiation On The Recovery Of Exercise-Induced Hand Muscle Fatigue With Surface Electromyogram, Dandan Yang, Xiaoying Wu, Wensheng Hou, Xiaolin Zheng, Jun Zheng, Yingtao Jiang

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Research

This paper aims to investigate the effect of light emitting diode therapy (LEDT) on exercise-induced hand muscle fatigue by measuring the surface electromyography (sEMG) of flexor digitorum superficialis. Ten healthy volunteers were randomly placed in the equal sized LEDT group and control group. All subjects performed a sustained fatiguing isometric contraction with the combination of four fingertips except thumb at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) until exhaustion. The active LEDT or an identical passive rest therapy was then applied to flexor digitorum superficialis. Each subject was required to perform a re-fatigue task immediately after therapy which was the same …

The Special Care Nursery, Linda Kahn-D’Angelo, Yvette Blanchard, Beth Mcmanus

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Providing services to high-risk infants and their families in the neonatal intensive care unit is a complex subspecialty of pediatric physical therapy requiring knowledge and skills beyond the competencies for entry into practice. The newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are among the most fragile patients that physical therapists will treat, and detrimental effects can occur as the result of routine caregiving procedures. Pediatric physical therapists (PTs) need advanced education in areas such as early fetal and infant development; infant neurobehavior; family responses to having a sick newborn; the environment of the NICU, physiologic assessment and monitoring; newborn …

Tibial Acceleration In Male And Female Distance Runners In Reduced Body Weight Conditions, Brendan J. Rickert

PTHMS Graduate Research

Seventy-two percent of all stress fractures in athletes come from running, which can cause an immediate cessation of training. Additionally, fifty percent of all stress fractures occur in the distal end of the tibia. One way to keep the athlete moving without slowing down the healing process is using an unloader treadmill (TM) in a rehabilitation setting. The purpose of this study was to investigate relationship between the level of body weight (BW) unloading in an Anti-Gravity Treadmill and tibial acceleration. Fifteen collegiate cross-country team runners (Gender: 9 males, 6 females; Age: 20.4 ± 2.4 years; Weight 60.1 ± 12.6 …

Effectiveness Of Sensory Integration And Behavioral Interventions On Nonengagement In Preschool Aged Children, Tiffany Kuyper

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract EFFECTIVENESS OF SENSORY INTEGRATION AND BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS ON NONENGAGEMENT IN PRESCHOOL AGED CHILDREN By Tiffany Ann Kuyper, OTR/L A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University, 2012 Director: Marie Anzalone ScD, OTR, FAOTA This single subject pilot study explored a combination of sensory-based interventions and behavioral interventions in a preschool aged child identified with Sensory Over-Responsivity (SOR). Children often display nonengagement associated with escaping and avoiding tactile and/or vestibular information because they perceive sensory input as negative or aversive. The subject …

Implementation Of Evidence-Based Practices In Opioid Substance Abuse Treatment, Elizabeth V. Keck

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this capstone project is to begin the implementation of evidence-based practices for opioid substance abuse population in the rural community of Owatonna, MN and the surrounding communities.

Near Infrared Spectroscopy Describes Physiologic Payback Associated With Excess Postexercise Oxygen Consumption In Healthy Controls And Children With Complex Congenital Heart Disease, Michael J. Danduran, J. E. Dixon, Rohit P. Rao

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Exercise creates a physiologic burden with recovery from such effort crucial to adaptation. Excess postexercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) refers to the body’s increased metabolic need after work. This investigation was designed to determine the role of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in the description of exercise recovery in healthy controls (NL) and children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Subjects were recruited with exercise testing performed to exhaustion. Exercise time (EXT), heart rate (HR), and oxygen consumption (VO₂) were measured. Four-site NIRS (brain, kidney, deltoid, and vastus lateralis) were measured during exercise and into recovery to establish trends. Fifty individuals …

Pain Relief In Older Adults Following Static Contractions Is Not Task-Dependent, Kathy J. Lemley, Breanna Drewek, Lauren Miller, Sandra K. Hunter, Marie K. Hoeger Bement

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Pain complaints increase with age. Exercise is frequently utilized for pain relief but the optimal exercise prescription to relieve pain is not clear. Following static contractions, young adults experience the greatest pain relief with low intensity, long duration contractions. The pain response to static contractions in older adults however is unknown.

PURPOSE : To compare pain reports in healthy older adults before and after static contractions of varying intensity and duration.

METHODS: Pain perception was assessed in 23 healthy older adults (11 men, 12 women; 72.0 ± 6.3 yrs) using a pressure pain device consisting of a 10 N force …

Shoulder-And Back-Muscle Activation During Shoulder Abduction And Flexion Using A Bodyblade Pro Versus Dumbbells, Joseph S. Parry, Rachel Straub, Daniel Cipriani

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Context: The Bodyblade Pro is used for shoulder rehabilitation after injury. Resistance is provided by blade oscillations—faster oscillations or higher speeds correspond to greater resistance. However, research supporting the Bodyblade Pro’s use is scarce, particularly in comparison with dumbbell training. Objective: To compare muscle activity, using electromyography (EMG), in the back and shoulder regions during shoulder exercises with the Bodyblade Pro vs dumbbells. Design: Randomized crossover study. Setting: San Diego State University biomechanics laboratory. Participants: 11 healthy male subjects age 19–32 y. Intervention: Subjects performed shoulder-flexion and -abduction exercises using a Bodyblade Pro and …

Attendant Care And Spinal Cord Injury: Usage Patterns And Perspectives For Those With Life Care Plans, Tanya Rutherford-Owen, Irmo Marini

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

The provision of attendant care services is one of the costliest services needed by many individuals following a spinal cord injury (SCI). The current study examined consumption patterns of 55 adults with SCI who had a life care plan developed. Respondents were asked about various aspects of attendant care including number of hours utilized, satisfaction, level and type of care, (i.e. unpaid care versus private hire), received prior to and following life care plan development and settlement. Respondents provided open responses to explain reasons for satisfaction and dissatisfaction with attendant care. Results indicated more respondents received attendant care services following …

Life Care Plan Implementation Among Adults With Spinal Cord Injuries, Tanya Rutherford-Owen, Irmo Marini

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

A nationwide survey was conducted to assess life care plan implementation in a sample of 55 adults with spinal cord injuries (SCI) for those with or without a favorable settlement or verdict. Areas of inquiry included disability-related goods and services received following life care plan (LCP) development, differences in the purchasing of LCP items and services between those with and without adequate funding, and implementation differences based on demographic factors. Frequency data and chi-square analyses revealed differences in plan implementation for those who received funding to purchase some items in the life care plan when compared to those who did …

Introduction To Positive Psychology: Overview And Controversies, Jeong Han Kim, Phillip Keck, Deborah Miller, Rene Gonzalez

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

Since his first formal address in 1998 by Martin Seligman, the significant growth and accomplishments of the positive psychology have been universally noted. Notable breakthroughs include the inception of the International Positive Psychology Association in 2007 and the First World Congress of Positive Psychology in 2009. However, much concern has also arisen in conjunction with the development of positive psychology. For example, Gable and Haidt (2005) argued that the assumption of positive psychology implies the rest of the field must be negative psychology. These controversies are not only limited to the foundation of positive psychological principles and understanding the controversies …

A Preliminary Study On The Potential Of Manuka Honey And Platelet-Rich Plasma In Wound Healing, Scott A. Sell, Patricia S. Wolfe, Andrew J. Spence, Isaac A. Rodriguez, Jennifer M. Mccoll, Rebecca L. Petrella, Koyal Garg, Jeffery J. Ericksen, Gary L. Bowlin

Ellmer School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Aim. The purpose of this study was to determine the in vitro response of cells critical to the wound healing process in culture media supplemented with a lyophilized preparation rich in growth factors (PRGF) and Manuka honey. Materials and Methods. This study utilized cell culture media supplemented with PRGF, as well as whole Manuka honey and the medical-grade Medihoney (MH), a Manuka honey product. The response of human fibroblasts (hDF), macrophages, and endothelial cells (hPMEC) was evaluated, with respect to cell proliferation, chemotaxis, collagen matrix production, and angiogenic potential, when subjected to culture with media containing PRGF, MH, Manuka honey, …

Falls And Physical Activity In Persons With Multiple Sclerosis, J. J. Sosnoff, B. M. Sandroff, J. H. Pula, S. M. Morrison, R. W. Motl

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Objectives. To examine the association between fall history and physical activity using an objective measure of physical activity (i.e., accelerometry) in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Design. A community-based sample of 75 ambulatory persons with multiple sclerosis volunteered for the investigation. Participants self-reported fall history in the last year, underwent a neurological exam to determine Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, and wore an accelerometer around the waist for 7 consecutive days to determine physical activity.

Results. Overall, 37 persons (49.3% of the sample) reported falling in the last year with 28 of the 37 falling more than once. Persons who …

Comparative Outcomes Assessment Of The C-Leg And X2 Knee Prosthesis, Michael Jason Highsmith

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background

There are more than 300,000 persons in the U.S. living with transfemoral amputation (TFA). Persons with TFA use a knee prosthesis for gait and mobility. Presently, the C-Leg microprocessor knee prosthesis is the standard of care. C-Leg has significantly improved safety and cost efficacy and has created modest gains in gait efficiency. Recently, a new prosthesis has introduced a new sensor array and processor that reportedly improves knee motion, stair function and standing stability. Early claims of the reported functional benefits of the new Genium knee (formerly X2) have not been validated in a rigorous clinical trial. Therefore, the …

Can Exercise Ameliorate Treatment Toxicity During The Initial Phase Of Testosterone Deprivation In Prostate Cancer Patients? Is This More Effective Than Delayed Rehabilitation?, Robert Newton, Dennis Taaffe, Nigel Spry, Prue Cormie, Suzanne Chambers, Robert Gardiner, David Shum, David Joseph, Daniel Galvao

Research outputs 2012

Background: There has been substantial increase in use of androgen deprivation therapy as adjuvant management of prostate cancer. However, this leads to a range of musculoskeletal toxicities including reduced bone mass and increased skeletal fractures compounded with rapid metabolic alterations, including increased body fat, reduced lean mass, insulin resistance and negative lipoprotein profile, increased incidence of cardiovascular and metabolic morbidity, greater distress and reduced quality of life. Numerous research studies have demonstrated certain exercise prescriptions to be effective at preventing or even reversing these treatment toxicities. However, all interventions to date have been of rehabilitative intent being implemented after a …

The Lived Experience Of Non-Traditional Students In The Occupational Science Program At Eastern Kentucky University, Deana Marie Ward

Online Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to discover the lived experience of non-traditional students in the OS program at EKU. The findings of this research will allow faculty, staff, and other students to gain an understanding of this population of students and their perspective and experience.

To reach the research objectives, this study used a qualitative phenomenological approach. Data collection consisted of semi-structured interviews and email follow up with each of the participants. The study included three non-traditional students that were currently enrolled in or had recently graduated from the OS program. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and grouped into common …

The Experiences Of An Occupational Therapist Delivering Occupation-Based Practice At A Skilled Nursing Facility, Shannon M. Mattingly

Online Theses and Dissertations

This paper is a qualitative research study which seeks to explore the experiences of an occupational therapist in delivering occupation-based practice at a skilled nursing facility in Kentucky. Over a three month period, the subject participated in one email and two face-to-face semi-structured interviews. During these interviews, the researcher and therapist discussed topics such as the therapist's thoughts on reimbursement and documentation and her strategies for intervention planning and implementation.

During data analysis of interview transcriptions, three themes emerged and were titled with direct quotes from the participant: "The long-term goal is to increase my patient's level of functional ADL …

Occupational Therapists' Perception Of Their Role In Working With Clients Experiencing Visual Deficits: A Phenomenological Study, Rebekah Katherine Wurzback

Online Theses and Dissertations

Because there is a discrepancy between the described role for OT in the professional literature and the Kentucky Practice Act, it is necessary to consider occupational therapy's role and to evaluate what type of practice is occurring related to visual deficits in the local environment. The purpose of this study was to explore occupational therapist's perceptions of their role and experiences in working with visual deficits in an inpatient rehabilitation setting in Kentucky. In this phenomenological study, four occupational therapists participated in a one-on-one interview with the principal investigator, lasting from 30-60 minutes. Occupational therapists answered questions about their lived …

Occupational Therapists' Intervention Approaches In Secondary Transition Services For Students With Disabilities, Elizabeth Kelly Miller

Online Theses and Dissertations

Students with disabilities have poor adult outcomes following high school compared to students without disabilities. Issues including poor self-determination, limited work and community experiences, and poor life skills contribute to poor adult outcomes. Occupational therapists possess unique skills that guide intervention in these areas. Despite explicit skills, occupational therapists are currently not predominate service providers in secondary transition services for students with disabilities. This study focused on transition-related intervention approaches used by occupational therapists in the Arizona Peoria Unified School District. Data was collected through qualitative research of a larger study designed to establish the role for occupational therapy in …

Stroke-Related Changes In Neuromuscular Fatigue Of The Hip Flexors And Functional Implications, Allison S. Hyngstrom, Tanya Onushko, Robert Heitz, Anthony Rutkowski, Sandra K. Hunter, Brian D. Schmit

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare stroke-related changes in hip flexor neuromuscular fatigue of the paretic leg during a sustained isometric submaximal contraction with those of the nonparetic leg and controls and to correlate fatigue with clinical measures of function.

Design: Hip torques were measured during a fatiguing hip flexion contraction at 20% of the hip flexion maximal voluntary contraction in the paretic and nonparetic legs of 13 people with chronic stroke and 10 age-matched controls. In addition, the participants with stroke performed a fatiguing contraction of the paretic leg at the absolute torque equivalent to 20% …

Foot Pain Related Factors For Nursing Aides At Long-Term Care Institutions: A Preliminary Study, Chien-Hua Huang, Won-Tin Chang, Chun Pei, Chih-Chin Hsieh, Shu-Chuan Wu

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Nursing aides at long-term care institutions need to stand and walk all day. As a result, the average burden of lower limbs for nursing aides is greater than nurses was. Feet have to bear the bodies weight as well as for support, shock absorption, and wear and tear from walking. This study investigated major factors of foot pain as caused by functional activities or the abnormal foot structures from prolonged standing and walking due to work. The participants were nursing aides at a special education school in central Taiwan. The first questionnaire gathered foot pain history for the previous three …

Correlation Of Joint Symptoms And Imaging Studies Among Patients With Hemophilia, Yen-Chun Chen, Ta-Sen Wei, Tsung-Ju Wu, Chen-Chen Liu, Ming-Ching Shen

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Hemophilia is an Ⅹ-linked congenital bleeding disorder, with deficiency of coagulation factor Ⅷ (hemophilia A) or factor Ⅸ (hemophilia B). Hemophilia patients often have hemarthrosis with severe joint pain, which results in joint immobility and subsequent muscle atrophy, joint contracture, and gait disturbance. This study investigated the symptoms and severity, joint involvement, and imaging findings of hemophilia patients in Taiwan.A total of 51 male participants, including 40 with hemophilia A, aged from 6 to 69 years (mean age: 27.2±15.6 years), were recruited. We evaluated clinical symptoms and joint conditions using the Colorado Physical Examination, and imaging findings using the Pettersson …