Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Relationships Between Cognitive And Physical Performance And Readiness In Military Populations, Lina Ochoa

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Military missions and operations expose warfighters to stressful and demanding situations and dynamic environments. These situations and environments require that warfighters have optimal performance in several dimensions of human performance, such as cognitive and physical performance. Military readiness is the potential these military units or personnel have to successfully deploy and sustain assigned operational missions worldwide. Military readiness is essential for increased physical and cognitive performance, ensuring augmented individual and unit effectiveness, lethality, and national security. The primary challenge is understanding and finding ways to measure and assess the cognitive, behavioral, and physical performance effects of complex and challenging environments …

Outcomes Of The Nurosleeve And Occupational Ther E And Occupational Therapy On Upper Y On Upper Limb Function Of An Individual With Chronic Hemiparesis Following A Stroke: A Case Report, Nicole M. Gerhardt, Jeremy P. Armstrong, Mijail D. Serruya, Mj Mulcahey

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

Background: Upper limb neuromuscular impairments can adversely impact function. This case report investigates the process and outcomes of occupational therapy (OT) for training in the use of the NuroSleeve, a novel research-grade exoskeletal powered orthosis, with a participant with chronic right hemiparesis following a stroke.

Method: The participant engaged in 24 OT sessions using the NuroSleeve over 10 weeks. Therapeutic interventions included neuromuscular reeducation, device management, and engagement in occupationbased activities with training to use the NuroSleeve. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), ABILHAND, Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Upper Extremity Short Form 7a (PROMIS UE SF), Action Research …

Exploring Factors That Influence Prosthetic Attention In Upper And Lower Limb Prosthesis Users, Tanu Bhargava, Cody L. Mcdonald, Elizabeth G. Halsne, Brian J. Hafner, Benjamin J. Darter

Graduate Research Posters

Background: Prosthetic limbs often lack the innate control and sensory feedback capabilities of natural limbs, requiring more cognitive effort or attention during motor tasks. While a conceptual model of prosthetic attention exists for lower limb (LL) users, its applicability to upper limb (UL) remains unclear. This study aimed to explore how LL and UL users experience prosthetic attention, and explore factors that influence the existing model.

Methods: Twenty five UL users and thirty LL users with at or above wrist or ankle-level limb loss participated. Focus groups (FG), guided by open-ended questions, delved into user’s lived experiences with prosthetic attention. …

Exploring The Experience And Identity Of Associated Faculty Teaching In A Doctor Of Physical Therapy Program, Catherine A Bilyeu

Dissertations and Theses

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program faculty often enter academia as expert clinicians or researchers, but rarely as expert educators. Recommendations for faculty development exist, yet many physical therapy faculty still enter academia with little or no formal preparation for teaching and limited understanding of academe. This lack of preparation can impact faculty performance and identity, which ultimately can influence student outcomes. This is particularly true for associated faculty, who have very limited access to development opportunities due to the nature of their academic positions. Framed in social constructivism and transition theory, this study explored the experience and identity of …

The Effects Of Neuromuscular Training On Injury Prevention In Youth Athletes: A Systematic Review, Eric Jeffries, Brianna Mcpeak, Andrea Carlson, Kaylee Strauns, Jacqueline Stack

Student Research Poster Presentations 2024

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Robotic-Assisted Ambulation On The Cardiopulmonary System: A Systematic Review, Alexandrea Steele

Student Research Poster Presentations 2024

No abstract provided.

Comparative Analysis Of Inpatient And Outpatient Total Hip Arthroplasty: Cost, Rehabilitation, And Complexity, Kam Maghazehe

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Background: Osteoarthritis in the hip joint leads to worn or damaged cartilage, resulting in bones scraping against each other. This scraping creates rough surfaces, causing significant pain and limiting mobility in daily activities. THA becomes necessary when other less invasive options fail to alleviate symptoms such as pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion. Due to high out-of-pocket costs and the rapid spread of COVID-19, CMS took a substantial stride in healthcare policy by introducing the CMS-1736-FC ruling in December 2020. This ruling, effective from January 2021, facilitated the reclassification of eleven procedures, including Total Hip Arthroplasties (THAs), from …

Residual Effects Of Same Day Lower Extremity Strength Training On Countermovement Jump Performance In Collegiate Women Athletes, Bryan L. Riemann, Matthew J. Johnson, George J. Davies, Andrew A. Flatt

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

alancing of strength programming intensity with sport demands is necessary to avoid excessive workloads that could inhibit performance. To expand previous jump height focused literature, this study evaluated whether countermovement jump (CMJ) movement strategies, including eccentric characteristics, might reveal CMJ execution strategy shifts to achieve similar afternoon CMJ height following a morning resistance training session (RTS). Fifteen collegiate women’s soccer and volleyball athletes (18–24 years, 73.6 ± 8.4 kg, 1.74 ± 0.19 m) participating in an offseason RTS completed five CMJs during two afternoon sessions (48 h apart), one 4–6 h post morning RTS, and one on a rest day. …

“Your Legs Don’T Look All That Good” An Analysis Of Impoliteness And Politeness In Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injuries In The Workplace, Grace Kozal

Theses and Dissertations--Communication Sciences and Disorders

Background: Social communication disorders are a common outcome from traumatic brain injury (TBI). This social communication disorder can be seen through impolite speech acts during conversation. While politeness is a social norm for workplace discourse, instances of impoliteness may have poor consequences. This research explores the use of impoliteness in persons with TBI within computer generated work-based conditions.

Methods: Language samples from the Voicemail Elicitation Task (VET) and Feedback/Advice Spoken Task (FAST) were transcribed word-for-word. Transcripts from all 62 participants were coded for impoliteness using a developed Impoliteness Codebook and were analyzed to identify significant differences in the number of …

Assessments Used By Athletic Trainers To Decide Return-To-Activity Readiness In Patients With An Ankle Sprain, Ryan S. Mccann, Cailee E. Welch Bacon, Ashley M. B. Suttmiller, Phillip A. Gribble, Julie M. Cavallario

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: Athletic trainers (ATs) often care for patients with ankle sprains. Expert consensus has been established for rehabilitation-oriented assessments (ROASTs) that should be included in ankle-sprain evaluations. However, the methods ATs use to determine return-to-activity readiness after an ankle sprain are unknown.

Objectives: To identify ATs' methods for determining patients' return-to-activity readiness after an ankle sprain and demographic characteristics of the ATs and their methods.

Setting: Online survey.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Patients or Other Participants: We recruited 10 000 clinically practicing ATs. A total of 676 accessed the survey, 574 submitted responses (85% completion rate), and 541 respondents met the …

Effect Of Family-Centered Care Interventions On Well-Being Of Caregivers Of Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review, Deepalaxmi Paresh Poojari, Shashikiran Umakanth, G. Arun Maiya, Bhamini Krishna Rao, Sonia Khurana, Senthil Kumaran D., Radhika Attal, Marie Brien

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Caring for a child with long-term functional limitations can have a negative impact on the physical and psychological well-being of the caregiver. Family-centered care (FCC) interventions have the potential to empower caregivers and contribute to their well-being. This systematic review aimed to synthesize existing evidence on the effectiveness of FCC interventions in improving the well-being of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy (CP), and identify the key components of such interventions that are most commonly practiced and deemed effective.

Methods: This review systematically searched seven databases for randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effectiveness of any FCC intervention on …

Step Squad Bundle In Older Adults With Multiple Myeloma Hospitalized For An Autologous Stem Cell Transplant, Nadya Panjwani

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Background: Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy with demographic disparities. MM is a debilitating cancer mainly affecting older adults, with 66% over the age of 70. Additionally, 33% of older patients with MM are frail with weakness, fatigue, slow gait, weight loss, and malnutrition.

PICOTS: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing (DNP) scholarly project is to implement an evidence-based practice (EBP) change consisting of a Step Squad Bundle that will identify frailty in older patients with MM hospitalized for an Autologous Stem Cell Transplant (ASCT) to reduce morbidity and mortality and increase the chances of a quality of …

Outpatient Fall Prevention In Ambulatory Adults 65 Years Old And Over, Dorothy L. Osborne-White

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Background: In the United States (U.S.), falls are the leading cause of injury among adults 65 and over, resulting in 36 million falls yearly (Moreland et al., 2020). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2023), one in four older adults experiences a fall each year. Falls are the world's second most prominent cause of accidental deaths (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021). Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults (Moreland et al., 2020).

Methods: A quality improvement project that included a fall bundle was implemented in a primary clinic. A …

Occupational Therapy's Role In Childcare Centers And Perceptions Of Developmental Programming, Nicholas Passarelli, Madalyn Comer, Whitney Coffield

Graduate Student Scholarship

This research study aimed to determine the perceptions of parents and teachers regarding the state of developmental programming at daycares in Morgantown, West Virginia. A case study with ethnographic methods was utilized, including face-to-face semi-structured interviews, to gain an understanding of how parents and teachers perceive the current developmental programming offered at Morgantown daycares. Data was collected and coded into eight themes, and then analyzed by student researchers. Results from the semi-structured interviews indicated that parents and teachers have positive perceptions regarding the current developmental programming at daycares, however, improvements still need to be made. Additionally, results indicated that both …

Psychological And Psychosocial Effects Of Contemplative Practices In The Athletic Population: A Systematic Review, Victoria Baker

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Mental health concerns in athletes are becoming a primary focus for institutions, companies, coaches, and more. An athlete carries an abundant load of stressors due to their lifestyle. The stressors can negatively impact an athlete by producing anxiety, depression, insomnia, and other mental health issues. Previous studies have found a connection between the use of contemplative practices on psychological and psychosocial effects in athletes, creating an opportunity to evaluate the research of contemplative practices in the athletic population. A systematic review was conducted using nine electronic databases. Seven studies were included in this review, each assessing how contemplative practices affect …

From Heel To Toe: Investigating Plantar Fasciitis Causes, Diagnosis, And Treatment Strategies, Breanna Littlejohn

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This presentation informs plantar fasciitis patients. The cause of plantar fasciitis is multifactorial but most cases result from overuse stress. The cause of plantar fasciitis is multifactorial but most cases result from overuse stress. The classic presentation is of sharp localized pain at the heel. In some cases, a heel spur may be found. This presentation explains how exercise can improve plantar fasciitis. Reviewing risk factors will help you identify and manage plantar fasciitis when undergoing treatment. Understanding plantar fasciitis is crucial as it is a common and painful condition affecting the bottom of the foot. This inflammation of the …

Occupational Therapy Interventions Supporting Women's Transition Into Motherhood: A Systematized Review​, Hadley Milks, Jocelyn Anderson, Madison Krueger, Bridgette Quinn, Danielle Westmark, Stacy Smallfield, Molly Whitlow

Student Systematized Reviews: Occupational Therapy

Importance: The transition to motherhood is difficult for many women due to multidimensional changes including psychological and emotional shifts, evolving social relationships, and bodily fluctuations (Hwang et al., 2022; Marinucci, 2023).

Objective: To synthesize information about interventions within the occupational therapy scope of practice to improve the transition to motherhood.

Data sources: A medical librarian performed searches in PubMed, CINAHL, PsychINFO from 2014-2024.

Design: The inclusion criteria included pregnant women or women with a baby for up to 1 year of age, OT interventions, quantitative studies, and systematic reviews written in English.

Findings: There were 13 articles ranging from scoping …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Facilitation And Compliance With Clean Intermittent Self-Catheterization (Cisc), Abigail P. Hernandez

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF) (4th ed.) states that toileting and toilet hygiene includes management of continence needs, including catheters and the necessary equipment to maintain bladder control (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2020b). However, the overall perspectives of occupational therapy’s role are poorly understood.

Purpose: The study's purpose was to collect data about occupational therapy (OT) practitioners' practice trends in client management of clean intermittent self-catheterization (CISC), including perceived competency, education and training, and frequency and extent of involvement in supporting clients with CISC needs.

Theoretical Framework: The study is also supported by the American Occupational Therapy Association …

The Effectiveness And Feasibility Of Telehealth Occupational Performance Coaching With Young Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A Case Study, Mara Sampson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: College students with intellectual disabilities (ID) experience occupational performance barriers, impeding participation. Limited evidence-based techniques are available to therapists working with this population. Telehealth Occupational Performance Coaching (OPC) has been found to be an effective treatment technique for improving occupational performance and self-determination for populations outside of college students with ID.

Purpose: The purpose of this experimental case study was to test whether participation in a telehealth OPC program for college students with ID increases occupational performance, occupational satisfaction, and self-determination.

Theoretical Framework: Self-Determination Theory and the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement (CMOP-E) provide for the theoretical …

Impact Of Iadl Interventions On Discharge Readiness: Musculoskeletal Conditions In Inpatient Rehabilitation, Kasi B. Gannon

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Musculoskeletal conditions are the highest contributing cause of the need for rehabilitation globally, and are common conditions treated by occupational therapy in inpatient rehabilitation. Basic activities of daily living (BADLs) are the main focus of rehabilitation in these settings, which may leave clients unprepared to complete important higher level instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) at home.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact that instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) intervention and training has on individuals’ perceived discharge readiness and quality indicator scoring for those admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation facility with a musculoskeletal …

Severe Preeclampsia With Heart Failure: A Cardiac Rehabilitation Case Report, Han Yang, Yi-Ching Lai, Chien-Chu Huang, Nai-Hsin Meng

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

This study presents a case of a 37-year-old woman who developed severe preeclampsia with heart failure at the 36th week of her first pregnancy, with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 25%. After delivering her twin babies via emergency Cesarian section, she was successfully weaned off mechanical ventilation and discharged in two weeks. We prescribed cardiac rehabilitation and assessed her functional recovery using cardiopulmonary exercise testing. During the 8 months after the delivery, we observed improvements in the left ventricular ejection fraction, peak oxygen uptake, anaerobic threshold, and oxygen uptake efficiency slope although improvement in oxygen pulse was limited. Our …

Influence Of Proximal And Distal Upper-Limb Motor Function On Self-Care Skills In Patients With Stroke, Masanobu Iwai, Kazuya Takeda, Soichiro Koyama, Yuichi Hirakawa, Ikuo Motoya, Hiroaki Sakurai, Yoshikiyo Kanada, Nobutoshi Kawamura, Mami Kawamura, Shigeo Tanabe

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Background/Purpose: Some studies have reported on the influence of proximal (shoulder, elbow, and forearm) and distal (hand and fingers) upper limb function on self-care skills; however, the possibility of a spurious correlation caused by the level of function of the other affected region (proximal or distal) was not eliminated. This study investigated the partial correlations between the proximal or distal function of the affected upper limb with self-care skills after controlling for the effect of the other affected region.

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 53 patients with stroke. We examined the relationship between the proximal or distal Fugl–Meyer Assessment- …

Ultrasound-Guided Regenerative Injection For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Narrative Review And Authors' Clinical Experience, Yung-Tsan Wu, King Hei Stanley Lam, Chueh-Hung Wu, Ke-Vin Chang, Wei-Ting Wu, Tyng-Guey Wang, Wen-Shiang Chen, Chih-Peng Lin, Kenneth Dean Reeves

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral entrapment neuropathy but current conservative treatments are unsatisfactory. Recently, clinical trials using ultrasound-guided regenerative injection with 5% dextrose water or platelet-rich plasma have reported clinically and statistically significant benefits compared to current conservative treatments for the treatment of CTS. Regenerative injection for CTS is increasingly being utilized, proportional to the worldwide expansion of skills in the use of ultrasound guidance for precise injection and localization, and due to accumulating evidence that it enhances the success rate of conservative treatment, and reduces the rate of surgery. In this narrative review, our goals …

Effects Of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy On Spasticity In Post-Stroke Patients: A Narrative Review, Yen‐Hua Chen, Shu-Mei Yang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Spasticity is a common complication following a stroke, often leading to pain, joint contractures, and functional limitations, all of which reduce the quality of life of survivors. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is recognized as a safe, non-invasive, and promising alternative treatment option for post-stroke spasticity (PSS). This narrative review aims to synthesize the current evidence from randomized controlled trials regarding the efficacy of ESWT in treating PSS. Specifically, we focused on evaluating treatment protocols, technical parameters, outcome measurements, the duration of treatment effects, and the combined effect of ESWT with other therapies, aiming to establish a comprehensive understanding of …

Shoulder Pain In Polymyalgia Rheumatica: How Ultrasound Can Help, Younes El Anbari, Souhail Yachaoui, Abdulla Alrahoomi, Nabila Ouasmi, Ahmed Amine El Oumri

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Background: chronic shoulder pain is a frequent and debilitating symptom in patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatism, such as polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). Diagnosis and management of shoulder pain in this condition are often challenging due to overlapping clinical features with other musculoskeletal disorders. Recent advances in musculoskeletal ultrasonography have provided a valuable tool for diagnosing and guiding treatment, particularly for ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injections. Objectives: This case report aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of ultrasoundguided interventions in the diagnosis and management of shoulder pain in a patient with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). Methods: One female patient presenting with chronic shoulder pain underwent ultrasound …

Prosthetic Attention In Upper Limb Loss: User Experiences, Clinical Perceptions, And Developing Candidate Items, Tanu Bhargava

Theses and Dissertations

The human hand is a powerful tool essential for performing a range of tasks from simple to complex, and it plays a crucial role in social interactions and environmental engagement. Upper limb (UL) loss disrupts these functions and significantly impacts daily life. Prosthetic devices can partially restore these abilities and improve quality of life, but they lack the intuitive control and sensory feedback of natural hands. Consequently, operating a UL prosthesis requires substantial attentional demands, a factor that potentially contributes to high rates of device dissatisfaction and disuse. For UL prosthesis users, managing attentional resources is critical to efficiently controlling …

Use Of An Education And Coaching Intervention To Promote Occupational Balance In Graduate Occupational Therapy Students, Linda M. Rini, Ingrid Provident

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This small-scale pilot study was developed to examine the perceived occupational balance of graduate occupational therapy students and implement an education and coaching intervention to promote occupational balance for those who have difficulty achieving and maintaining it. Although literature provides many examples of interventions to facilitate stress relief in graduate students, this is the first to address the promotion of occupational balance in this effort, which has been identified as a student-reported need. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach was used to obtain quantitative and qualitative data on occupational therapy students’ satisfaction with their balance of activity in all areas of …

Learning Outcomes Of Hybrid In-Person And At-Home Orthosis Fabrication Instruction For Occupational Therapy Students, Evelyn Lee, Amanda Leung, Sylvia Langlois, Susan Hannah

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, occupational therapy students at one university received all orthosis fabrication education through an in-person laboratory-based environment supported by clinicians and instructional videos. Due to the pandemic restrictions, orthosis fabrication labs for occupational therapy students were transitioned to a hybrid in-person and at-home supported lab. Presently, there is no research investigating how a hybrid in-person orthosis lab and at-home orthosis fabrication experience impacts the professional practice skill development of occupational therapy students entering the workforce. This research examined the learning outcomes of participation in a hybrid orthosis fabrication experience consisting of one in-person laboratory-based experience and …

The Use Of Virtual Reality For Student Training On Bias And Microaggressions, Razan Hamed, Elizabeth Gdanski, Jooeun Kim, Julianne Le, Amy Lopez, Azmina Panjwani, Allyson Tong, Gloriana Wilson

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive innovative technology that can be used with occupational therapy students for bias training in preparation for fieldwork and clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to explore the use of VR as a complementary educational tool in bias and microaggressions (MA) training for entry-level occupational therapy students. We conducted a secondary analysis of data collected in an 8-week course on diversity, equity, inclusion, and professional skills with a total of 48 first-year entry-level occupational therapy students. We used eight simulated VR cases for all students. Data was collected using a mixed-method survey to …

Defining Reasoning, Reflective Practice, And Evidence-Based Practice In Occupational Therapy Education: A Delphi Study, Hannah K. Burke, Pat L. Sample, Anita C. Bundy, Shelly J. Lane

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Reasoning, reflective practice, and evidence-based practice are essential skills for occupational therapy practitioners, but it is unclear how these skills are defined in occupational therapy education. We used Delphi methodology to explore educator conceptualizations of clinical reasoning, professional reasoning, reflective practice, and evidence-based practice. Eligible participants on the Delphi expert panel were required to have been an educator in an occupational therapy program for at least three years at the master’s level or higher, to be a current occupational therapy educator, based in the United States, and available across multiple survey rounds. Nine participants completed all three survey rounds. Among …