Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Risk Factors Among Hand Therapists, Suzanne Makielski

Masters Theses

The following study examined the presence of risk factors among hand therapists for developing carpal tunnel syndrome. A review of the literature indicated a significant relationship between the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome and manual workers whose occupational tasks involve repetitive wrist and hand movements. Hand therapists were characterized as manual workers while possessing specialized knowledge and skill in the evaluation and treatment of hand and wrist disorders. Biomechanical analysis of various "hands on" techniques revealed repetitive wrist and hand movements including the use of force and increased risk for injury associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. In order to determine …

The Effect Of Computer-Assisted Instruction On The Development Of Diagnostic Reasoning Skills Among Occupational Therapy Students, Judith Lynn Freeman

Masters Theses

Diagnostic reasoning is an essential feature of the occupational therapy treatment process. Acquisition of diagnostic reasoning skills is difficult for students, however, because of paradoxical developmental limitations faced during transition from classroom to clinical learning environments. Educators in pre-professional occupational therapy curriculums are searching for educational methods to prepare students for diagnostic reasoning tasks inherent in practice.

This experimental study compared a computer-simulated diagnostic reasoning activity with a more traditional case study reviewing activity in terms of effect on accuracy of problem identification among occupational therapy students. Results found no significant difference between the effect of computer-assisted instruction and case …

The Use Of Activity Analysis By Occupational Therapists In Treatment Decisions, Hiromi Yoshikawa

Masters Theses

The use of activity analysis in occupational therapy daily practice was examined by survey. One hundred occupational therapists who serve as fieldwork educations received survey forms with thirty seven usable questionnaires being returned. The study found that all therapists were doing activity analysis as a mental process; however, only 2 therapists were using a written activity analysis form in their daily practice. Most subjects indicated that activity analysis is important to occupational therapy but that formal activity analysis is too time consuming. Several therapists recognized the benefits of completing formal activity analysis. The respondents identified selecting activities for treatment which …

Attitudes Of Occupational Therapy Students Toward The Mentally Disabled, Patricia Mccarthy

Masters Theses

Thirty-nine undergraduate occupational therapy and fifty-seven entry-level graduate occupational therapy students from eight randomly selected academic programs were surveyed using the Opinions About Mental Illness Scales ([OMI], Cohen and Struening, 1959) and the Mental Health Information Questionnaire ([MHIQ], Nunnally, 1961). Results revealed that both student groups’ knowledge toward the mentally disabled was more similar to the general public’s knowledge. Using a one-tailed t-test to compare the MHIQ factors revealed there was no statistically significant difference between the occupational therapy student groups.

Both student groups’ OMI factor scores were similar to an expert group for Factors A B, and D; however, …

Isokinetic Measurement Of Sagittal Plane Trunk Strength In Older Adults, Ralph L. Bidwell, Jill E. Thauvette, Patrick A. Townshend

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to collect normal flexion and extension trunk strength values for a population of individuals between the ages of 50 and 70 years of age. Twelve female and eight male volunteers in generally good health were tested in a seated position using a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer. Each performed five reciprocal maximal efforts of concentric flexion-extension cycles at the three isokinetic speeds of 60, 120 and 180{dollar}\sp\circ{dollar}/s. Raw and body weight adjusted data for peak torque and total work were analyzed. Results suggest strength decreases with age and that extension strength is greater than flexion strength. …

Functional Outcomes Of Workman's Compensation Patients With Sub-Acute Mechanical Low Back Pain: A Descriptive Retrospective Study With Post-Treatment Follow-Up, Dan Peterson, Kirk Randall, Rex Holden

Masters Theses

This study used functional outcomes of workman's compensation (WC) patients with low back pain (LBP) to examine the efficacy of physical therapy (PT) treatments within a Functional Restoration Program (FRP). Of the 46 possible participants, 16 patients (10 males and 6 females) with mean ages of 43.2 and 39 years respectively, returned the questionnaire with information pertaining to current working status, patient preferred treatments, management of pain, psychosocial issues, work simulation, home exercise program compliance and back care education among others. Due to the pausity of subjects, the data is not clinically applicable. However, the results of this study appear …

Lounge Chair Criteria For The Elderly, Edna M. I. Bosco

Masters Theses

This study investigated relationships between lounge chair design, functional positioning and comfort for the elderly. Thirty-five elderly residents from two local congregate living residences were assessed utilizing lounge chairs located at the residence. Measurements of the chairs were taken, coded and compared to specific norms established by Harris and Mayfield (1983b). Measurements consisted of armrest dimensions, seat depth and height, seat slope, and backrest dimensions. Each chair was scored based on the number of recommended standards for comfort met in the Harris and Mayfield research (1983b).

Frequency counts were taken and descriptive data collected and analyzed to determine relationships between …

Training Of Elementary Education Teachers In Physical Management Of Students With Physical Disabilities, Laura L. Gregory, Marnie S. Wittenbach

Masters Theses

This study was designed to examine what training regular elementary teachers receive and need in the physical management of students with physical disabilities who have been mainstreamed into their classrooms. This study also attempted to determine when this training should be provided. A questionnaire was sent to 57 teachers within two counties and forty-one were returned and utilized. The questionnaire was designed to obtain information about the following areas: (a) demographics, (b) competency in physical management, (c) knowledge of diagnoses, (d) knowledge of medications, and (e) need and support for training in physical management. The data was analyzed using the …

Effects Of Ankle Foot Orthosis Application On Standing Balance In The Elderly, Jeralyn J. Gray, Tammy L. Krueger, Denise K. Krynicki

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to quantify changes in balance as measured by the Balance Master{dollar}\sp\circler{dollar}as a result of ankle foot orthoses (AFO) application to a sample population. Data from trials with AFO and without AFO were obtained from six men and twelve women ages 65-79. Paired T-tests were used to analyze data for areas of significance. Significant areas included rhythmic weight shifting (right/left), limits of stability (LOS) forward direction, LOS right forward direction, and LOS backward direction with p values ranging from p = 0.0048 to p = 0.0451. AFO application may have altered the range of motion …

Physical Therapists' Knowledge And Perceptions Of Patient Care Team Meeting Styles In The Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting, Neisha Dickman, Christine Ritsema, Brenda Warner

Masters Theses

This study was designed to analyze what types of team meetings are being utilized for patient care in the inpatient rehabilitation setting. It was also designed to look at physical therapists' knowledge of the criteria that differentiates the interdisciplinary team approach from the multidisciplinary team approach. A perceptual questionnaire was sent to physical therapists involved in the inpatient rehabilitation setting in the State of Michigan. Only 1.7% of the physical therapists are involved in a true interdisciplinary team. The other respondents reported that their teams have some characteristics of both the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary team approach. However, when asked what …

Information Obtained Regarding Pre-Employment Contracts By Physical Therapists In Michigan, Cindy Clapp, Teri Culver, Pamela Thelen

Masters Theses

Pre-employment contracts, which offer financial assistance to students in exchange for a work commitment after graduation, are becoming a popular means of recruitment in physical therapy. Concerns about contracts include limited student knowledge and preparation prior to signing a contract. The purpose of this study was to examine physical therapy students' preparation prior to committing to a pre-employment contract. Questionnaires were mailed to 225 randomly selected Michigan healthcare facilities, surveying graduates of 1988 through 1992 about pre-employment contracts. Sixty questionnaires were analyzed representing 31 identified facilities. Thirty-three percent signed a contract. Prior to signing a contract most respondents did not …

Utilization Of Community Based Health Care Services By The Well Elderly, Rachelle Hesselberg, Kristen Wagner, Yolanda Zimmerman

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if the elderly used community based health care services, to which they had been referred, following discharge from an acute hospital stay. The sample consisted of twenty elderly recruited from various senior centers in the West Michigan area. Of the respondents surveyed, 18 out of 20 were Caucasian. The average age of respondents was 73 years old. Of the services surveyed, all were under utilized by our sample except those in the clinic. An 18-item questionnaire was developed and distributed to the participants. Results from the data implied that it was more …

The Psychological Types Of Physical Therapy Administrators, Heather Despres, Kelly Myers, Sue Woods

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to describe the distribution of psychological types among physical therapy administrators. Our random sample was taken from the membership roster of the Section on Administration of the American Physical Therapy Association. We used the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to assess psychological types and a demographic questionnaire to collect data on the administrators.; The most common psychological types among the participants (n = 45) were found to be ISFJ, ESFJ, ISTJ, INTJ, and ENTJ, respectively. Although no explicitly predominant type was found, a clear preference toward judging (J) was noted.

Isokinetic Shoulder Strength Of Women Softball Players: A Pilot Study, Karen A. Kuffel, Diane J. Potter

Masters Theses

The purpose of this pilot study was to provide isokinetic shoulder strength data on college women softball players. Ten women ranging in age from 18 to 21 years old were tested. The Cybex II+, U.B.X.T. and HUMAC system were utilized to test the strength of external rotators, internal rotators, horizontal abductors, and horizontal adductors at 90, 180, and 300 deg/sec. Mean peak torque values were consistently greater in the dominant arm but there were no statistically significant differences in agonist to antagonist ratios between arms. The ratios of external rotators to internal rotators were consistently 2:3 while the ratios of …