Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Optimizing The Composition And Delivery Of Assessment And Treatment Following Distal Radius Fracture, Michael L. Szekeres

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Distal radius fracture (DRF) is the most common fracture.¹ The most recent Cochrane review indicated “The available evidence from randomized controlled trials is insufficient to establish the relative effectiveness of the various interventions used in the rehabilitation of adults with fractures of the distal radius”.²

Since the relative effectiveness of the various interventions used for rehabilitation after DRF is unknown, the main goal of this thesis is to focus on one aspect of both assessment and treatment to add to the current literature base. The first paper (Chapter 2) describes a new method using a modified finger goniometer …

Evaluating Factors That Affect Hand Dexterity After Distal Radius Fracture, Pavlos Bobos

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Abstract

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to determine the effect of age and gender on hand dexterity after distal radius fracture (DRF). The second aim of this study was to evaluate the recovery of hand dexterity in 1-year follow-up of DRF. The third purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which loss of range of motion (ROM) and grip strength predicts hand dexterity 6-months after injury

Methods: A prospective cohort study of 242 patients with DRF examined the recovery of hand dexterity across 3 time-points (3, 6 and 12 months). Dexterity testing was performed …

A Longitudinal Study To Investigate Changes In Functional Ability And Concerns In Head Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Neck Dissection, Mariya Ehsan

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Introduction:

The study investigated changes of shoulder/neck range of motion (ROM), shoulder strength, patient concerns and quality of life at pre-surgery and 1 month following neck dissection surgery.

Method:

Participants were 30 head and neck cancer patients selected for unilateral neck dissection. Shoulder/neck ROM and shoulder strength were measured at pre-surgery and 1 month post-surgery. The Patient Concerns Inventory-Level of Importance, University of Washington Quality of Life, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index and Neck Dissection Impairment Index were completed at the same time periods.

Result:

A significant drop in ROM and strength were found after surgery. Patients’ concerns changed over …

Longitudinal Evaluation Of Patient Concerns After Surgery For Head And Neck Cancer, Isabel Wozniczka

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate and describe the longitudinal effects of shoulder and neck mobility, strength, and quality of life (QOL) following neck dissection (ND) surgery and identify the concerns of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. ND is one of the standard procedures for treating HNC, which results in many complications and dysfunctions that can have an effect on a patient’s QOL.

The study had 27 eligible HNC participants who underwent ND, of which eight participated in the shoulder range of motion (ROM) and strength and 12 participated in the QOL patient-reported outcomes analysis. The …

The Role Of Postural Stability And Other Factors In Distal Radius Fracture, Sheena Saju Philip

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The objective of the thesis was to describe the factors leading to falls in distal radius fracture (DRF) events, explore patient perceived risk of falls, and postural stability. A mixed method study described the type of fall in DRF patients (n= 1454) and patient perceived contributing factors (n=29). A prospective cohort study examined the postural stability and related fall risk of DRF participants (n=137) in Biodex Balance System (BBS) and compared to normative values. Environmental factors were a major contributor to DRF events. Older adults (44 to 65 years) had the highest rate of DRF (female: male ratio of 2:1). …

Constraining Kinematics During Single-Leg Squats And Step-Ups Can Reduce Quadratus Lumborum Activation And Facilitate Gluteal Activation, Shaylyn Kowalchuk

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Increased quadratus lumborum activation and decreased gluteal activation may lead to lateral pelvic drop and increased hip adduction and internal rotation during single-leg exercises. These activation patterns and motions are associated with low back pain or lower extremity injuries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if mechanically restricting hip adduction and internal rotation of the femur affected muscle activation. Twenty female track and field athletes performed single-leg squats and step-ups, and the quadratus lumborum, gluteus medius and maximus muscles activations were measured with surface electromyography. This study tested the hypothesis that mechanically restricted exercises would decrease quadratus lumborum …

Development Of Holistic Classification Systems For Children With Cerebral Palsy, Deepa Jeevanantham

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a complex disorder. There is a gap in the literature in classifying children with CP broadly. The purpose of this thesis was to develop holistic classification systems for children with CP. As a first step, a search was conducted to explore the strategies used to classify children with developmental co-ordination disorder and autism-spectrum disorder. Two versions of holistic classification systems named the body function index in cerebral palsy (BFI-CP) versions I and II were developed using two methods. Then, the relationship and differences among the developed classification systems and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) …

Optimizing The Rehabilitation Of Elbow Lateral Collateral Ligament Injuries, Ranita Harpreet Kaur Manocha

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Elbow lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injuries frequently arise following trauma, and can result in disabling instability. Typically such injuries are managed with immobilization followed by a graduated exercise regime; however there is minimal biomechanical evidence to support current treatment protocols. This investigation examines the in vitro effectiveness of several rehabilitation techniques using a custom elbow motion simulator. It was found that active range of motion is safest in the overhead position (n = 7). Early motion in this position may reduce the incidence of elbow stiffness without compromising ligament healing following LCL injury. Forearm pronation and active motion stabilize …

A Study To Understand And Compare Evidence Based Practice Among Health Professionals Involved In Pain Management, Vanitha Arumugam

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Pain management is a common concern of multiple health professionals. Evidence-based practice (EBP) in pain management is a recognized approach used to improve health outcomes. EBP tools can facilitate its implementation. PAIN⁺ is a tool that provides access to pre-appraised current best research evidence on pain to support clinical decisions. It is important to understand the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of professionals towards EBP and more specifically how they access research about pain management.

The overarching purpose of this thesis is to better understand how clinicians from different professions involved in pain management view EBP and implement specific strategies …

Development And Initial Validation Of Novel Multi-Planar Neck Strength Assessment And Neuromuscular Training Protocols, Theo H. Versteegh

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Concussions are a serious health concern in today’s active society. There are many contributing factors to concussions but one that is starting to draw significant attention is the potential role the neck muscles play in mitigating concussive forces. There is evidence that stronger neck muscles may decrease an individual’s concussion risk. In order to fully define this role, an appropriate outcome measure for assessing neck strength is required. Once this is established, methods of training to improve neck strength can be evaluated for their effect on neck strength and subsequently effect on concussion risk. This thesis included three studies. Chapter …