Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Interdisciplinary Treatment Of Temporomandibular Disorder, Wendy Conlon, Amy Jones, Brenda Mitus

Masters Theses

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a chronic complex disorder that is treated by many health care professionals including dentists and physical therapists. The purpose of the study was to investigate the extent an interdisciplinary relationship exists between the dental and physical therapy professions in the treatment of TMD. This was accomplished by sending a survey questionnaire to 300 dentists in three midwestem metropolitan areas. The questionnaire identified treatment strategies and referral patterns used by dentists treating TMD. It is believed that the results of this study will bring attention to the advantages of using an interdisciplinary approach in the treatment of …

Concurrent Validity Of Functional Reach In Community-Dwelling Elderly Women, Aimee Hosek, Kimberly Sackett

Masters Theses

The purpose o f this correlational study was to establish concurrent validity of functional reach, the maximal distance one can reach forward beyond arm's length without taking a step, as a measure of physical decline, by determining the relationship between functional reach and other physical performance measures. Subjects included 46 community-dwelling women over 65 years of age who performed the functional reach test, the timed Up and Go, and the 10-foot walk. Data analysis employed Pearson correlation coefficients. The association between FR and timed Up and Go and 10-foot walk was r = -.51 and r = -.53 respectively. After …

Normative Database Of Adult Unilateral Trans-Tibial Amputee Gait, Kevin Carley, Kristin Dart, Margery Vos

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to compile a database of gait characteristics for adult, unilateral trans-tibial amputees specific to the protocol for the Center of Human Kinetic Studies. Subjects were community ambulators with established gait patterns and had used their current prosthesis for greater than three months. Kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographic data of the lower extremities were collected and analyzed using a motion analysis system, force plates, and surface electrodes. Data were normalized to percent gait cycle and presented as an average of trials taken. Results of this study were similar to previously published literature. This database of amputee …

A Preliminary Study Of Trunk Kinematics During Walking In Normal Subjects, Lisa R. Elders, Heather L. Greenwald, Celeste A. Sartor

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to systematically describe the three-dimensional trunk kinematics in normal subjects, to establish a baseline for comparison to future research in gait analysis and aid in the identification of pathological gait. Seventeen volunteers between the ages of twenty and fifty, who met criteria for normal subjects, participated in this study. Trunk kinematic data were collected using an optoelectronic technique. An ensemble average of trunk kinematic data in each of the cardinal planes was plotted in degrees of motion versus percentage of gait cycle. A distinct pattern of trunk kinematics during gait was found in this …

Efficacy Of Neurodevelopmental Treatment With Primary Focus On Dynamic Postural Control In A Chronic Stroke Individual, Renee E. Baer, Mary Kathryn Koeninger, Neha S. Shah

Masters Theses

This study examined the efficacy of Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) with primary focus on seated dynamic postural control (DPC) in a chronic stroke individual. Secondarily, the relationship between postural control and upper extremity function was examined. An 11 week ABAB single subject design was utilized. DPC was measured using the Modified Functional Reach Test (MFRT) and DPC Checklists (DPCCs). The MFRT had high interrater reliability (> 0.97) for the four reach directions and therefore could be clinically useful. Data was graphically analyzed using the two standard deviation band width method. During treatment phase 1, significant upward trends were noted in anterior …

A Comparison Of The Knowledge, Misconceptions, And Attitudes Toward The Elderly Of First Versus Final Year Students In Accredited Physical Therapy Programs, Christina J. Fleming, Mark A. Kandes, Jennifer E. Shultz

Masters Theses

Physical therapy is one of the many professions that must respond to the increase of health care utilization by the rapidly growing elderly population. The purposes of this cross-sectional study were to compare first and final year physical therapy students’ knowledge, misconceptions, and attitudes toward the elderly and to determine if knowledge correlates with attitudes. Students in their first year (N=168) and final year (N=149) of accredited Master’s level physical therapy programs were surveyed. Questionnaires consisted of: a short demographic sheet, Palmore’s Facts on Aging Quiz 1 with a “don’t know” response added, and a modified Aging Semantic Differential by …

The Efficacy Of Electrical Stimulation And Conservative Physical Therapy In The Treatment Of Female Genuine Stress Incontinence, Patrick Hadlock, Heath Jabs, Jason Ricci

Masters Theses

The purpose o f this study was to determine which of three treatment strategies was most effective in the treatment of female genuine stress incontinence (GSI).

Nine females ages 41-86, diagnosed with GSI, were included in the study. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups, one received electrical stimulation twice a week for 15 minutes; another received electrical stimulation three times a week for thirty minutes; and a control group receiving no electrical stimulation. All groups received identical instruction in Kegel pelvic floor muscle exercises, with the assistance of audio and visual biofeedback. Each treatment was evaluated on …

Perspective Discrepancy Analysis Of Health Care Provider And Well-Elderly Regarding Environmental Fall Risk Factors, Deborah A. Bliler, Catherine I. Schenten, Kay A. Smaltz

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to discover the discrepancies in perspectives regarding environmental hazards in the home between the well-elderly and health care professionals.

Interviews, discussion groups, and review of a videotape were used to gather information. The interviews and videotapes were used to gain the health care professional’s perspectives and the discussion groups were used to gather the elderly’s perspectives.

This qualitative study found both similarities and discrepancies between the well-elderly and physicians. The major discrepancies were: 1) that the elderly and health care professionals are not entirely aware of environmental factors contributed to falls, 2) the physicians …

Nursing Students' Perceptions Of Clinical Instructor Behaviors That Affect The Development Of Self-Confidence, Debra E. Veltkamp

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine clinical instructor behaviors that students perceive as important in promoting or hindering their development of self-confidence. One hundred fifty-eight associate degree and baccalaureate nursing students rated 21 clinical teaching behaviors on the degree each helped or hindered their self-confidence as nurses and responded to two open-ended questions by identifying additional behaviors. Factor analysis of these behaviors revealed six dimensions of clinical teaching that characterized the instructor as: encourager, evaluator, discourager, enabler, benevolent presence, and resource. All behaviors contributing to the dimensions of clinical instructor were rated by students as helpful in their …

The Effect Of Upper Extremity Immobilization Following Surgical Rotator Cuff Repair On Balance In Elderly Individuals, Edward S. Gagné, Rebecca L. Schneider

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between upper extremity immobilization following surgical rotator cuff repair and balance in elderly individuals. Twenty-eight healthy volunteers (nine with rotator cuff repair, nineteen without) aged 53 to 74 participated in the study. Balance was measured using the Berg Balance Measure, Modified Berg Balance Measure, Functional Reach Test, and force plate analysis. Results were analyzed using t-tests for paired and independent samples, Mann Whitney U (Wilcoxon Rank Sum W) tests and Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed- Ranks tests. Significant differences were found between the post-rotator cuff surgery and control groups for …

Developing Normative Data For Three Unilateral Lower Extremity Functional Tests, Brian Fulton, Kathleen Hegyan, Troy Wieling

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research study was to gather normative data on three unilateral extremity functional tests: single-leg triple hop for distance, single-leg timed hop, and single-leg cross-over triple hop for distance. A total o f ninety-six male and female subjects between the ages of 18-30 volunteered to participate in this study. The variables looked at in this study were: age, gender, height, weight, leg dominance, activity level, and order o f tests performed. Data from the three functional hop tests were divided into aggregated data and non-aggregated data. The data were analyzed using SPSS© for Windows and SAS® software …

Utilizing The Ryder's And The Thigh-Foot Angle Tests To Establish Normal Values Of Femoral Anteversion And Tibiofibular Torsion In Children Aged 5 Through 10 Years, Timothy M. Dahlke, Wendi L. Jabs

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research was to begin to establish normative data for femoral anteversion and tibiofibular torsion using the Ryder's and the Thigh-Foot Angle (TEA) tests. A secondary purpose was to establish the intertester and intratester reliability of the authors' measurements. Thirty-three normal children within the ages of 5 through 10 years volunteered for this study. All subjects' data were separated into the appropriate age groups. All data were pooled and mean/standard deviations and intertester/intratester reliability coefficients were determined. A small decreasing general trend in femoral anteversion with increasing age was found. However, no significant trend was noted in …

Knowledge Of Pre-Physical Therapy Students Regarding Admission Criteria At Grand Valley State University, Kerry Randolph, Beth Wieber

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine how informed pre-P.T. students at G.V.S.U. are about the admission criteria for the P.T. program. A qualitative design was used.

Twenty pre-P.T. students from G.V.S.U. participated in the survey portion of this study. Eight of these students participated in follow-up interviews.

The survey was used to collect information regarding knowledge of admission requirements and sources of information. A personal interview was used to further probe and clarify survey responses. Data was analyzed to identify common themes.

Results indicate that academic advisors for pre-P.T. students at G.V.S.U. are not used as a major …

Strength And Neuromuscular Characteristics Of Female And Male High School Basketball Players, Diane M. Beach, Barbara J. Hoogenboom, Lisa M. Rose

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify possible differences in strength ratios and neuromuscular performance between high school female and male basketball players, as tested by concentric isokinetic testing using the Blodex® isokinetic system . We recruited high school basketball players, females (N=26) and males (N=27). All participants underwent isokinetic concentric testing of bilateral hamstrings and quadriceps at five speeds (60, 180, 240, 300, 450 degrees per second). Female subjects demonstrated lower hamstrlng/quadriceps ratios than males at 60 and 240 degrees per second. Compared with male subjects, the female subjects took significantly longer to generate maximum hamstring muscle torque …

The Performance Of Children With Down Syndrome On The Bruininks Oseretsky Test Of Motor Proficiency, Erin Docter, Kristine Tyler, Victoria Van Horn

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to begin collection of nonnative data on how children with Down syndrome, that are educable and trainable mentally impaired, perform on the Bruininks Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency - Short Form (BOTMPSF). The researchers collected data on children with Down syndrome between the ages of 4.11 and 13.7. Twenty subjects including 15 males and 5 females volunteered for the study. All participants were from schools and support groups throughout Holland, Grand Rapids, and Muskegon, Michigan. Each child was tested using the BOTMP-SF. Results indicated that children with Down syndrome perform significantly lower than children …

Ankle Injuries And Ankle Strength, Flexibility, And Proprioception In College Basketball Players, Kristen A. Payne, Kris E. Berg, Richard W. Latin

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Injuries to the ankle joint are among the most common of all sport-related injuries. Figures range from 10% to 30% of all injuries and from 5% to 20% of all time-loss injuries.1-9 Athletes participating in sports such as football, soccer, basketball, and volleyball are especially at risk for this type of injury, largely because of the running and jumping involved. In 1977, Garrick3 reported that during any single year of a 6-year period at the University of Washington, at least 16% of all time-loss injuries for all sports involved ankle sprains.

Development Of A Scale To Assess Concern About Falling And Applications To Treatment Programs, Michelle M. Lusardi, Everett V. Smith Jr.

All PTHMS Faculty Publications

This study used Rasch methodology to pursue three goals. First, we sought to demonstrate the psychometric limitations of the Falls Efficacy Scale (Tinetti, Richman, & Powell, 1990). Second, we addressed these limitations using a simultaneous calibration of the Falls Efficacy Scale and Mobility Efficacy Scale items. Third, we review previous explorations of the self-efficacy construct in relationship to health behaviors and discuss a possible treatment program based on the simultaneous calibrated items and Social Cognitive Theory. Results indicate that responses from the Falls Efficacy Scale fail to assess the higher ends of the self-efficacy continuum. Simultaneous calibration of items improved …

Participation Of The Lower Extremity Amputee In Sports And Recreation, Pamela A. Helfrich

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Due to the increasing emphasis on fitness in our society, there has appeared a significant population of young and/or active lower extremity amputees who have a desire to participate in sports and recreational activities. The physical benefits of participation in sports and recreational activities may be obvious; however, there are many psychological and psycho-social benefits as well. In order to achieve a successful rehabilitation outcome it is imperative for the health care team to be well informed regarding sports and recreational options available for lower extremity amputees. Along with being knowledgeable in these areas, the health care professional also must …

Exercise During Pregnancy, Sue Merkel

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Physical fitness and sports participation has increased in popularity over the years. This raises concerns as to whether exercising while pregnant is beneficial or harmful to the mother and her unborn child. Research has determined the maternal and fetal responses during various forms of exercise. This research has been used to help establish guidelines and recommendations for pregnant women. However, there continues to be controversy as to the exercise guidelines pregnant females need to follow. Women experience physical changes throughout their pregnancy which can lead to low back pain, abdominal or pelvic floor dysfunctions. These complications can be prevented or …

Headache Intervention: A Nonpharmacologic Approach To The Treatment Of Tension-Type Headaches, Marty D. Mohr

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Headaches have long been a problem for many people with hundreds of thousands seeking medical attention for their head pain each year. Migraine and tension-type are by far the most common forms of headaches, but from a physical therapy standpoint, the literature indicates that tension-type headaches respond better from the services provided by a therapist. The objective of this literature review will be to examine the different nonpharmacologic physical therapy approaches to the treatment of tension-type headaches. The techniques to be examined will include spinal manipulation, traditional physical therapy, electro acupuncture, and biofeedback and relaxation training. Examination of the literature …

An Analysis Of Pathological Gait, Michael N. Nakamoto

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

No abstract provided.

Behavior Management In Children With Autism And Related Disorders, Lisa J. Miller

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Children with autism and related disorders commonly suffer from developmental delays and physical impairments. These often require services such as physical and occupational therapy. The behavioral symptoms these children display can pose an additional challenge to therapy sessions, requiring therapists to spend time dealing with the behaviors rather than focusing on the treatment.

The purpose of the study is to review the literature on autism and related disorders and to provide effective means of behavior management to achieve more effective therapy sessions. This paper will discuss physical therapy interventions such as sensory integration and deep touch proprioception, and how these …

Physical Therapy Faculty Burnout: A Survey, Donna J. Mcleod

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Burnout is a serious concern in today's world, especially in the educational setting. Burnout not only affects the individual physically and emotionally, but it can also affect the work place. More specifically it can lead to increased absenteeism, job turnover, and other work associated withdrawal behaviors. Furthermore, burnout has the potential of affecting many other people above and beyond that individual who is burned out.

At this time, new physical therapy programs continue to be developed across the United States, although there is already a limited number of faculty in the physical therapy field. Therefore, due to the physical therapy …

Joint Mobilization For The Lower Extremity, Michelle C. Robert

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

In the field of physical therapy there are a number of therapeutic techniques used for evaluation and treatment of dysfunction. There is one technique that is seen especially jn the orthopedic setting and has been around since ancient Egyptian times. 1,2 This technique is joint mobilization and even though there are limited studies on its usefulness, it can not be ignored as a treatment technique. Due to the complexity of the techniques, students often need additional resource materials to assist in the learning process.

Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to introduce theoretical background, terminology, and an explanation of …

Diagnostic And Rehabilitation Techniques For Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, Aaron Reinhardt

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a disorder of the peripheral vestibular system that results in vertigo, nystagmus, and often nausea and vomiting. BPPV has been treated in the past by a variety of rehabilitation approaches. Today, physical therapists are becoming an integral part of the rehabilitation of these patients. The purpose of this study is to review the diagnostic and treatment techniques currently being used to rehabilitate patients diagnosed with BPPV. This will be accomplished by thoroughly examining the anatomical and physiological processes involved in BPPV. Once these are discussed, the diagnostic process will be explored. Finally, all current …

A Comparison Of Botox Injections To Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy In The Treatment Of Spasticity, Katherine S. Rogers

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Following certain types of perinatal or adult-onset brain damage spasticity is the common feature. A persons's disability can be greatly increased secondary to spasticity, which may present a major problem in the restoration of motor function.

Depending on the cause and location of brain injury, the clinical characteristics of spasticity can vary in signs and severity. These varying signs include flexor spasms in the patient with the spinal injury, dystonic posturing in the patient with hemiplegia and spastic diplegia in the child with cerebral palsy. It is apparent that many factors are involved with augmented reflexes and the list of …

Magnetic Therapy: An Alternative Approach To Treatment, Becky S. Rohr

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Magnetic therapy has been a treatment of choice for hundreds of years in many European countries as well as in several areas of the Orient, but has only recently been gaining popularity in the United States and Canada. It is believed that applying static magnets to a painful body structure will bring relief to the patient. It is also proposed that a general feeling of well ness and increased energy will be gained from magnetic therapy. These benefits are theorized to be attained through the placement of a static magnet on the surface of the body, which blocks the transmission …

Mechanical Biofeedback For Treatment Of Female Urinary Incontinence, Rhonda J. Salentiny

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Urinary incontinence (UI), the involuntary loss of urine so severe as to have social and/or hygienic consequences, is becoming a medical diagnosis for which patients are referred to physical therapy. It is estimated that between 10 and 12 million American adults suffer from UI. Conservative treatment including physical therapy is sought for UI because of its superior cure rate compared to surgical intervention.

The purpose of this study is to educate its readers on the types, anatomy, physiology, and conservative treatments of UI. Most importantly, however, is the understanding of how pelvic floor exercises (PFE) with use of mechanical biofeedback …

Management Of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome By Physical Therapy: An Outcome Study, Jouni Zidbeck

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a disorder caused by compression of the brachial nerve plexus or subclavian artery or vein as they pass through a potentially limited space in the anterolateral neck and proximal shoulder. An individual with a predisposition for TOS due to his or her anatomy may have an onset of symptoms due to many different etiologies including acute injury and prolonged postural abnormalities. Although conservative management by physical therapy cannot replace surgery in severe or complicated cases of TOS, it is, nevertheless, the recommended first treatment choice. The purpose of this study was to assess the success …

Child Abuse And Its Implications For Physical Therapists, Tanya Surdez

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Child abuse has existed for many centuries, but has only recently been recognized as a serious social problem. Child abuse affects millions of children each year from all income, racial and ethnic groups; thereby affecting society as a whole. Many studies have shown the devastating psychological, social, cognitive and physical effects of child abuse. There are a limited number of studies that demonstrate the role of physical therapists in working with victims of abuse. It is necessary that therapists learn to recognize signs and symptoms of abuse and know the appropriate action to take.

The purpose of this study is …