Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Parkinson's Disease: An Exercise Approach To Treatment, Kara Lynn Klosterman

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Parkinson's Disease (PO) is a common neurological disorder affecting elderly people. Patients suffering from PO typically display three cardinal signs: tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia. As the disease progresses, secondary symptoms develop. These cardinal signs and secondary symptoms decrease the patient's abilities to function during normal daily activity.

Physical therapists are specially trained in the evaluation and treatment of persons with movement disorders such as PD. Research demonstrates success in the treatment of PO when physical therapy services are utilized. Physical therapists educate patients and their families about PD. Via exercise, physical therapists prevent the onset of complications and improve the …

The Effects Of Supramalleolar Orthoses On The Biomechanics Of The Knee, Foot, And Ankle During Gait: A Single-Subject Design, Jennifer Ruth Stauffer

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Gait deviations are a common problem associated with disorders of movement and posture such as cerebral palsy (CP). Inhibitive casts and ankle-foot orthoses have been used to treat gait deviations in children with CP, but they have not satisfied the needs of children who are able to achieve active dorsiflexion and plantarflexion but lack stability at the subtalar joint. Supramalleolar orthoses (SMOs) were developed to address that need. SMOs, along with physical therapy, have been used to treat children with CP, but little research has been conducted to determine the actual effects of the SMO on lower extremity biomechanics during …

A Historical Perspective Of Medical Care Coverage In The United States, Rhonda Noyes

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Reimbursement of medical services by third-party payers is becoming more contingent upon the effectiveness of services at an affordable cost. The push for cost containment brings about the need for the health care professional to have a sound understanding of medical care coverage to provide quality services at an affordable price.

The present coverage of medical care in the united States is largely dependent upon medical benefits offered by employers. In order to understand current trends in medical care coverage and the reliance on employer based coverage, this independent study explores the origins and development of the current medical care …

A Survey: The Documentation Of Manual Therapy, Kimo Danielsen

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Manual therapy, though clinically valuable, lacks published research to support efficacy. The purpose of this project was to survey therapists in the U.S. who use manual therapy · in their clinical practice. Methods: All orthopedic clinical specialists (OCS) in the United States (n=325) as recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association's 1993 Directory of Clinical Specialists were sent a survey that contained questions regarding demographics, frequency of documentation, and items included in documentation. . The information gained through the survey questions were analyzed for descriptive trends. Results: There was a 45% response rate. Majority of the respondents indicated they were …

Survey Of Pharmacology Education In Entry-Level Physical Therapy Programs, Daniel C. Weaver

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this survey research is to document the current status of education in pharmacology in the curriculum of entry-level physical therapy programs. A questionnaire was sent to the 135 entry-level physical therapy programs located in the United States and accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association. The director or faculty member responsible for pharmacology instruction in 96 (71.1 %) of the entry-level physical therapy programs participated in the five-part survey.

The questionnaire results indicate that nearly all of the program respondents (98.9%) incorporate pharmacology content into existing required courses and/or have in his or her curriculum a required …

A Differential Overview Of Self-Directed Low Back Exercise Programs, Micheal G. Bateman

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Patients with low back pain represent a large percentage of the population frequenting today's clinics. Despite the high prevalence of low back pain in today's clinical setting, it is considered one of the most difficult diagnoses to treat. While practitioners in the field of physical therapy employ a diversity of evaluation and treatment techniques, they all share one common denominator, the goal of limiting pain while improving function and quality of life. Many therapists subscribe to a treatment approach which involves the patient in active individualized self-treatment exercises. Controversy exists as to which treatment approach is most effective and whether …