Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Ultrasound-Guided Injection In Meralgia Paresthetica: A Narrative Review, Jia-Chi Ko, Tyng-Guey Wang, Shaw-Gang Shyu

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is a neuropathic pain syndrome resulting from compression or irritation of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). Traditional diagnostic approaches rely on clinical assessments and electrodiagnostic testing. Ultrasound has emerged as a non-invasive, cost-effective modality for detailed visualization of the LFCN and guiding treatment interventions.

This review explores the anatomical considerations of the LFCN, its common etiological factors, clinical presentation, current management strategies, and ultrasound-guided injection techniques. While LFCN exhibits notable anatomical variability, and it is susceptible to external compression near the inguinal ligament. Some potential causes reveal as obesity, diabetes mellitus, or surgical interventions. Patients typically …

Bridging Clinical Capacity And Real-World Performance: Upper And Lower Limb Accelerometry In Pediatric Cerebral Palsy Rehabilitation, Youngsub Hwang, Jeong-Yi Kwon

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

The rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy (CP) has progressively evolved from therapist-centered, impairment-focused models to child- and family-centered approaches that emphasize real-world participation. This narrative review summarizes conceptual and practical shifts in CP rehabilitation, highlighting the distinction between motor capacity and real-world performance. Accelerometry is a critical objective tool for assessing lower and upper limb physical activity. Devices such as StepWatch and ActiGraph provide ecologically valid data on lower limb activity levels, step counts, and energy expenditure. Studies have shown reduced physical activity in children with CP compared to their typically developing peers, with variations in age and GMFCS …

A Rare Case Of Bilateral Supraspinatus Tendon Tears With Unilateral Musculotendinous Junction Involvement In An Elderly Patient, Kanyamas Poompreecha, Patsaree Pattanasuwanna, Ya-Chu Hsu

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Rotator cuff (RC) tears are a common cause of shoulder pain in the elderly, though tears at the musculotendinous junction (MTJ) are uncommonly observed. We present a rare case of bilateral supraspinatus tendon tears in a 68-year-old male, with unilateral involvement of the MTJ. Symptoms developed three months after resuming resistance training following left acromioclavicular dislocation surgery. Ultrasound revealed a full-thickness insertional tear on the left and a partial MTJ tear on the right. Conservative treatment led to symptom resolution without surgery. This case highlights the diagnostic value of dynamic ultrasound for subtle rotator cuff and MTJ lesions in elderly …

Safety In Dry Needling: The Role And Contributions Of The International Dry Needling Education & Training Advisory Group (Idnetag), W Mahmoud, J. Dommerholt

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Dry needling is an intervention that physical therapists use to address various neuromusculoskeletal pain syndromes, primarily through targeting myofascial trigger points (TrPs) in muscle tissue. This technique involves inserting thin filiform needles into specific areas to relieve pain and improve movement. Despite its therapeutic potential, concerns regarding adverse events (AEs) necessitate stringent safety protocols and guidelines. In response, the International Dry Needling Education & Training Advisory Group (IDNETAG) was established in 2023 with members from diverse professions across eight countries. IDNETAG's mission is to enhance global standards of practice, focusing on safety, education, and consistency in treatment protocols. Research indicates …

Assessing How Patients With Spinal Cord Injury Are Affected By Climate Change And Extreme Weather: A Scoping Review, Lien-Chieh Lin, Hung-Chou Chen, Tsan-Hon Liou

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Climate change and the rising frequency of extreme weather events (EWEs) pose significant challenges to vulnerable populations, particularly individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). These patients are at greater risk due to impaired thermoregulation, limited mobility, poor sensation, and dependence on caregivers or adaptive equipment, increasing their exposure to climate-related hazards and disrupting healthcare access during disasters. Although climate change impacts on the general population are well-documented, research on specific disability groups like SCI patients remains limited. This scoping review investigates how SCI patients perceive and experience health risks from climate change and EWEs, as well as factors influencing their …

The Effects Of 10-Ml Versus 40-Ml Capsular Dilatation Under Ultrasound Guidance In Patients With Adhesive Capsulitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Kollatee Buranarach, Rawipa Khunnarong, Chanasak Hathaiareerug

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Background: Adhesive capsulitis causes pain and limited mobility. Hydrodilatation is an effective, minimally invasive treatment, but the optimal volume is unclear. This study compares the pain and function improvement from large-volume (40 mL) versus small-volume (10 mL) ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation in patients with adhesive capsulitis.

Methods: This study was conducted at Phramongkutklao Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, with Thai adults aged 20 and older who had adhesive capsulitis. Participants had a pain score of 4 or higher on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and limited movement in at least two directions. They were divided into two groups. One group received ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation …

Long-Term Benefits Of An Integrative Scoliosis-Specific Rehabilitation Program For High-Risk Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Yu-Shan Fu, Lin-Fen Hsieh, Julian Wang, Wei-Chen Chang, Ya-Fang Liu, Hsuan-Han Lin

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Background/Purpose: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a common spinal deformity in adolescents, but the optimal combination therapy remains to be established. Therefore, our purpose is to investigate the long-term benefits of a scoliosis-specific rehabilitation program integrating pattern-specific manual therapy, Schroth Best Practice exercises, and Gensingen brace application for patients with AIS.

Methods: The retrospective cohort study was conducted in an outpatient clinic, including 54 patients with AIS at a high risk of progression who participated in the aforementioned program. The primary outcomes were the angle of trunk rotation (ATR) and Cobb angle, whereas the secondary outcome was the lateral …

Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain: A Narrative Review, Yeh-Kai Liao, Chueh-Hung Wu, Levent Özçakar

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Hemiplegic shoulder pain is a common post-stroke complication that negatively affects functional recovery. It is caused by both mechanical and neurological factors. Prevention focuses on proper positioning, patient education, and maintenance of motion. Treatment remains largely conservative; with increasing research surrounding injection therapies, including intra-articular corticosteroid injection, subacromial hyaluronic acid injection, suprascapular nerve blocks, and botulinum toxin injection, all of which have demonstrated improved pain control. Functional electrical stimulation appears to be beneficial, and adjunct therapies such as supportive devices and robotic training may further enhance conventional treatment. Herewith, evidence regarding medications and acupuncture remains limited. Emerging treatments including high-intensity …

Unveiling The Role Of The Suprascapular Nerve In Painful Shoulder: A Narrative Review With A Focus On Ultrasound-Guided Diagnosis And Intervention, Hong Hong, Wei-Ting Wu, Ke-Vin Chang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Suprascapular nerve disorders are a significant yet often underdiagnosed cause of shoulder pain and dysfunction, stemming from the nerve's critical role in shoulder stability and mobility through its innervation of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles. This review explores the anatomy and clinical relevance of the suprascapular nerve, highlighting the need for accurate diagnosis in cases of pain, weakness, or functional impairment that mimic other shoulder conditions. Among diagnostic modalities, ultrasound has become a vital tool, providing real-time imaging to precisely assess nerve compression or damage. Its utility extends to therapy, with recent advancements in ultrasound-guided interventions—such as nerve blocks, corticosteroid …

Late-Onset Sciatic Nerve Compression Due To Distal Femoral Osteochondroma, I-Fan Hsieh, Tian-Shin Yeh

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Osteochondroma is one of the most common benign bone tumors, typically asymptomatic, and rarely causes nerve compression. Previous case reports documented nerve compression by osteochondroma arising from the proximal fibula, pelvic bone, and spine. We report a rare case of osteochondroma at the distal femur causing sciatic nerve compression with symptom onset at 42 years old. This case highlights that osteochondroma can develop at any skeletal location, and even though these lesions typically cease to grow after skeletal maturity. Individuals with a history of osteochondroma should consider it as a differential diagnosis for new symptoms even in older age to …

Multidisciplinary Approach To Managing Hypotonia And Developmental Delays Due To A Novel Gtpbp3 Mutation, Fan Mei, Ru-Lan Hsieh

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Introduction: Hypotonia in early life is often challenging to diagnose due to its diverse etiologies, with genetic disorders accounting for about one-third of cases. A precise diagnosis using a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach is crucial for determining prognosis, guiding treatment, and providing genetic counseling.

Case Presentation: We report the first case in Taiwan involving compound heterozygous mutations in the GTPBP3 gene. A 13-month-old girl presented with developmental delays and hypotonia despite normal prenatal screenings and a year of rehabilitation therapy. Next-generation sequencing revealed two novel mutations: c.785A>C (p.Gln262Pro), a missense mutation in Exon 5, and c.1175_1181dup (p.Ser395GlufsTer4) …

Effectiveness Of Fu's Subcutaneous Needling In Pain Management And Rehabilitation: A Narrative Review, Po-En Chiu, Chun-Chang Wu, De-Jian Lu, Zhonghua Fu, Li-Wei Chou

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Fu’s Subcutaneous Needling (FSN) is a modern needling technique distinct from traditional acupuncture, primarily used for musculoskeletal pain, neuropathic conditions, and emerging applications in rehabilitation. FSN is also designated as a kind of dry needling focusing on deactivating myofascial trigger points. This review categorizes FSN-related studies into case reports, clinical trials, and animal studies, evaluating its therapeutic efficacy, safety, and mechanisms. Case reports suggest that FSN provides rapid pain relief and functional improvement, while clinical trials, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), support its role in reducing pain and enhancing neuromuscular function despite limitations in sample size and protocol consistency. Animal …

Ambulation Challenges Post High-Voltage Electrical Burn Involving Three Extremities, Complicated With Osteomyelitis: A Case Report, Chiang-Hui Huang, Katie Pei-Hsuan Wu

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

High-voltage electrical burns in occupational settings can leave detrimental injuries with immediate impact and long-term sequel. Despite extensive literature on the injury mechanism, comprehensive long-term rehabilitation descriptions for such devastating cases remain scarce. This report presents a significant traumatized high-voltage electrical injury involved three out of four extremities. A late complication with extensive tibial osteomyelitis affecting two-thirds of the bone severely compromised the patient’s ambulation potential, emphasizing the importance of segmental rehabilitation with progressive tolerance in ambulatory weight-bearing. We evaluated the patient’s physical, mental, and social component using Barthel Index, Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12), and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement …

Principles And Practices Of Selecting Screening Tools For Oropharyngeal Dysphagia: A Narrative Review, Yu-Hsuan Lai, Tyng-Guey Wang, Nai-Hsin Meng

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Oropharyngeal dysphagia is a potentially life-threatening condition, particularly affecting individuals with neurological diseases, head and neck cancers, and age-related issues. Its prevalence in the general population ranges from 2.3% to 16%, with much higher rates among patients with stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and traumatic brain injury. Dysphagia is prevalent in geriatric and long-term care settings, where over 50% of elderly residents may experience swallowing difficulties. Given its high prevalence and serious consequences, early detection through dysphagia screening in at-risk populations is essential. Since the 1990s, numerous screening tools for dysphagia have been developed, with over 160 non-instrumental tools identified in review …

Clinical Application Of Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring During Detethering Surgery Of A Newborn: A Case Report, Mu-Yun Lin, Hsin-Hung Chen, Tsui-Fen Yang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Background:

Tethered cord syndrome (TCS) is a rare congenital condition that causes abnormal tension on the spinal cord and often requires early surgical intervention to prevent progressive neurological and orthopedic deficits. However, performing detethering surgery in neonates presents unique challenges due to their immature neural pathways, which complicate intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM).

Case Description:

We report the case of a 13-day-old neonate with TCS who underwent successful detethering surgery under advanced IONM. Double-train stimulation with a linked quadripolar montage was employed to elicit motor evoked potentials (MEPs), overcoming the challenge of monitoring immature corticospinal tracts. Additionally, subdural strip electrodes were used …

Dysphagia In Becker Muscular Dystrophy: A Case Report And Literature Review, Chien-Ping Chen, Hung-Jui Chuang, Yi-Chi Li, Ming-Yen Hsiao, Tyng-Guey Wang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Dysphagia is a recognized complication in patients with muscular dystrophies, but its characteristics in Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) remain underexplored. This case report describes a man with BMD who developed dysphagia, initially presenting with mild symptoms but later experiencing aspiration pneumonia with respiratory failure. He regained safe oral intake after swallowing training. Three years later, he suffered worsening dysphagia following a severe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection, ultimately losing the ability to resume oral feeding despite months of rehabilitation. Literature on swallowing disorder in BMD reported poor mastication, reduced laryngeal elevation, and increased pharyngeal residue; however, silent aspiration, as observed in …

Influence Of Local Application Of Lidocaine Patch On Peripheral Nerve Conduction – A Pilot Study, Thanh-Nhan Doan, Fang-Yin Liao, Yueh-Ling Hsieh, Li-Wei Chou

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a lidocaine patch on peripheral nerve conduction.

Methods: Fifteen healthy volunteers with no symptoms or signs of neuropathy in either upper limb were recruited for this double-blind, placebo-controlled study over a 10-month period. A lidocaine patch or a placebo patch was applied to the volar aspect of the wrist during sleep. The treatment procedure was repeated for 14 consecutive nights. Nerve conduction studies were performed and analyzed at each assessment point. All participants were re-evaluated, with electrophysiological studies of the median and ulnar nerves repeated at 1 week and 2 weeks …

Optimizing Decision-Making In A Cerebral Palsy Model Using Reinforcement Learning, Richard Ampah

Pitzer Senior Theses

This study presents an original interdisciplinary investigation into how reinforcement learning (RL) can model motor and cognitive defects and potentially improve motor and cognitive functions in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP), a non-progressive neurological disorder that impairs movement and adaptability. Integrating computational neuroscience and machine learning, the research applies policy gradient methods and Markov Decision Processes (MDPs) to simulate adaptive learning in agents with and without CP-related constraints.

The central aim is to compare the cumulative rewards of optimal policies, derived from value iteration, and human-like learning policies using the REINFORCE algorithm, both with and without the Bellman baseline. The …

Mind The Gap, Klaire Perry

OTD 721: Cultural Responsiveness & Occupation

I went in to OT to make the world more accessible. I love how OT views people as their hopes, dreams, values, strengths, and facilitators...NOT as an injury or disease. At this point, every room I enter becomes a personal case study of accessibility. I can't help but wonder how many spaces have hung huge signs that say "YOU ARE NOT WELCOME" that are only visible to some. I'm thankful for my love ones who agreed to help me with this project. While I can never fully understand their experience, I can listen.

Klaire Perry, Class of 2027

Summer School: The Experience Of An Occupational Therapy Student Exploring Culture In Spokane!, Lulu Brady

OTD 721: Cultural Responsiveness & Occupation

This zine illustrates my experience in this OTD 721 Cultural Responsiveness class, led by Dr. Kirkpatrick. The class took place in the summer of 2025. It was absolutely inspiring, and I wanted to be able to share my takeaways and learnings from my experiences in this class. Culture is so relevant to the field of occupational therapy (OT) because occupations are often shaped by culture, OT cannot be truly client-centered without respective culture. Not only did this class help me grow as a future occupational therapist practitioner, but it also helped me grow as a person. It showed me the …

Welcomed In: A Love Letter To Okinawa, Taylor Fernandez

OTD 721: Cultural Responsiveness & Occupation

This zine is a personal, reflective project exploring Okinawan culture through my lens as a long-term guest -- first as a military child, then as an adult returning "home" to visit the island where my parents still live. While I am not Okinawan, the culture has deeply influenced my values, worldview, and understanding of community, aging, and wellness.

Through this project, I have sought to honor the richness of Okinawan traditions -- not as an authority, but a someone shaped by the grace of being welcomed in. The pages blend scholarly knowledge, lived experience, and cultural observation to explore how …

Occupational Apartheid, Kimberly Dewey

OTD 721: Cultural Responsiveness & Occupation

Occupational apartheid is a term that is often misunderstood. I wanted to bring more awareness and understanding to a very real concept that happens every day. I hope to have provided education and examples that make it easy to follow along and see how apartheid shows up on a daily basis. Let's work together as future OT professionals to expand our knowledge and practice to decrease experiences of occupational apartheid.

Kimberly Dewey, Class of 2027

A Systematic Literature Review On The Benefits Of Biofeedback Therapy As A Treatment For Diabetes Mellitus Induced Chronic Peripheral Neuropathy, Amy Krueger

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The objective of this systematic literature review is to examine the research on biofeedback therapy and evaluate its effectiveness in treating chronic diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This comprehensive review was conducted using the PRISMA 2020 method of analysis. All studies included at least 10 patients with T1D or T2D and current or past foot ulcers and/or DPN. Each study was also available in their entirety. Studies with fewer than 10 participants, those which examined neuropathy unrelated to diabetes, or those with healthy test populations were excluded. Studies that were only partially available were also not used. The databases used were PubMed, …

Navigating The Future Of Ot Education: Student Insights On Integrating Course-Specific Ai Chatbots, Laura E. Landon, Nicole Grames, Maggie Gannon, Addison Jarus, Annie Trezza

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education has garnered much attention, prompting educators to thoughtfully examine its implementation within their curricula. This study explores the perceptions of occupational therapy (OT) students regarding the future integration of a novel, course-specific Anatomy AI chatbot: an innovative tool uniquely developed by our internal team to provi¬¬¬de personalized support and resources tailored specifically to the anatomy curriculum. The researchers sought to understand the desired features of a course-specific Anatomy AI chatbot and the factors that influenced student willingness to adopt this technology in their learning experience. Findings revealed that 79% of participants …

Assessing The Impact Of High-Fidelity Simulation Experiences On Student Confidence In A Controlled Academic Environment, Jillian K. Pindar, Peyton Belton, Madison Griffin, Abbi Hancock, Lucero Limones, Kristi Self, Elizabeth K. Schmidt

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

A quasi-experimental one group pretest-posttest design was utilized with 19 first-and-second-year doctoral occupational therapy students at a university in Tennessee to evaluate confidence, performance, benefits, challenges, and recommendations from an acute care simulation experience. Student confidence was evaluated using a researcher-developed survey immediately before and after a high-fidelity simulation using a pre-programmed mannequin and standardized script. A performance assessment evaluated students' skills during the simulation. The post-test survey included open-ended questions on perceived benefits, challenges and recommendations. Overall, students demonstrated increased confidence in vital sign monitoring and modification (heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate), medical equipment identification, and safe patient …

Enhancing Intraprofessional Collaboration In Occupational Therapy: Evaluation Of An Online Course For Canadian Ot And Ota Students, Teresa R. Avvampato, Dianna Fong-Lee, Mark Hall, Marcia Finlayson

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

An environmental scan conducted in 2022 highlighted a need for enhanced preparation for collaboration between occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapist assistants (OTAs) in Ontario, Canada. In response, an online course was developed to disseminate knowledge needed for effective OT-OTA intraprofessional collaboration (IntraPC) in the Canadian context. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the online course to improve perceived preparedness among Canadian OT and OTA students for OT-OTA IntraPC. Participants were Master’s-level OT students and diploma-level OTA students studying in Canada (N = 136), who were invited to complete the course by their program instructors. …

Perceptions Of Occupational Therapy Student Fieldwork Readiness In The Acute Care Setting, Jackie Dusing, Lisa Borrero, Elizabeth Horrall Stith, Kristina Watkins

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy student readiness for Level II fieldwork is necessary for preparing novice clinicians and is challenging to assess, as it requires applying didactic knowledge in real-world clinical settings. There is currently a gap in the literature regarding student perceptions of their readiness for Level II fieldwork, especially in the acute care setting. The aim of this qualitative study is to better understand Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) students’ perceptions of readiness for Level II fieldwork in an acute care setting. This basic interpretive qualitative research study utilized a purposeful sampling with students completing their Level II fieldwork in various …

Fieldwork Supervision, Motivation And Competency Among Norwegian Community-Based Occupational Therapists, Even E. Edvardsen, Tore Bonsaksen, Sissel Horghagen, Cathrine Arntzen, Unni Sveen, Astrid Gramstad, Ruca E. K. Maass, Linda Stigen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapists’ supervision of students remains a critical component during occupational therapy education. This study aimed to examine supervision practice, motivation, and competency among community-based occupational therapists in Norway, exploring organizational and personal factors associated with formal and perceived supervision competency, willingness to serve as fieldwork educators, and collaboration with educational institutions. A cross-sectional survey was distributed among occupational therapists in community-based practice in Norway. A total of 617 occupational therapists participated in the study. Free-text responses were thematically analyzed and interpreted. Differences between fieldwork educators and non-fieldwork educators’ training, recency of being fieldwork educators, willingness to assume the role …

Impact Of A Virtual Support Program On Student Success In Neuroscience And Neuroanatomy Courses: Opportunities And Challenges, Abbigail Kubiak, Sue A. Sisto, Janice Tona

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

We investigated the outcomes of a novel neuroscience and neuroanatomy support program (NSP) developed and implemented in the pre-professional phase of an accredited Bachelor of Science/ Master of Science occupational therapy (OT) program. This research demonstrates the potential of targeted small group tutoring as an effective means to promote student success and retention. Modeled after Response to Intervention programs, we used a three-tiered approach to support student success. All students received standard lecture content (Tier 1). Students who desired extra help attended an optional recitation (Tier 2) and students who received a score of 70% or lower on one or …

Pitch It Big: Cultivating Entrepreneurism Through Use Of An Innovative Competitive Business Plan And Presentation, Margaret (Peggy) Grill, Erin Epley

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This educational innovation aimed to explore the effectiveness of a student assignment titled ‘Pitch it Big,’ designed to enhance understanding of the business aspects outlined in the accreditation standards for occupational therapy programs. Limited research evidence exists for business education related to occupational therapy. Working in self-chosen groups based on their targeted area of interest, students collaboratively wrote a business plan for a fictitious occupational therapy business or product invention. Students then participated in a competition modeled after the popular television program Shark Tank, where they pitched their business proposals to a panel of experts acting as judges. The panel …