Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Recovery Index Of Oxygen Saturation From Orthostatic Syncope In Patients With Spinal Cord Injury, David S. Liu, Alice M. K. Wong, Shih-Ching Chen, Kang-Ping Lin, Chien-Hung Lai, Walter H. Chang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common clinical problem for patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) at the cervical or high thoracic level when they move from the supine position to the upright position. Patients with severe SCI frequently suffer from symptoms of OH during head-up tilt, ranging from slight lightheadedness to full syncope. Tilt-table training is commonly used in clinical physiotherapy to overcome OH syncope, but this also relies on carefully manual control of the tilt angle and training time by the therapist during training. Up till now, it still has no method to estimate the recovery process of OH …

Combining Therapeutic Ultrasound And Breast Massage For Plugged Ducts: Three Casereports, Yu-Chun Lee, Xiu-Yong Hong, Chin-Teng Chung, Wei-Chih Chen, Hui-Mi Liu, Si-Wa Chan

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Plugged ducts are a common problem during lactation. They often occur when the breast is not emptied properly, or when there is local pressure on the breast. Plugged ducts usually occur three to four weeks postpartum. Symptoms include a sensitive lump with well-defined margins in the breast. There may be pain and tenderness in the affected area, although this is not necessarily accompanied by systemic symptoms such as high-grade fever. Milk flow can be blocked and sometimes a tiny white spot can be seen at the opening of the mammary duct on the nipple. Without treatment, plugged ducts can lead …

Chronic Subjective Dizziness (Csd) Vs. Conversion Disorder: Discussion Of Clinical Findings And Rehabilitation., Julie A. Honaker, Jane M. Gilbert, Jeffrey P. Staab

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

PURPOSE: Audiologists frequently encounter patients who complain of chronic dizziness or imbalance, in the absence of active vestibular or neurological deficits. Knowledge about conditions that cause this clinical presentation will allow audiologists to make important contributions to accurate diagnosis and effective management of these patients. This article reviews two such conditions, chronic subjective dizziness (CSD) and conversion disorder. METHOD: A case of CSD and another of conversion disorder are presented with a literature review of their clinical presentations, key diagnostic features, and treatment strategies. The role of the audiologist in assessing patients with these conditions and facilitating appropriate treatment referrals …

The Effectiveness Of A Specialized Upper Body Stretching Protocol On Ncaa Division I Athletes, Brandon M. Howard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Previous studies with college athletes determined that the shoulder girdle plays a vital role in a variety of athletic activities. The previous research showed that a decrease in shoulder range of motion (ROM) was associated with a higher risk injury. Decreased shoulder ROM was shown to be a primary reason that many athletes were unable to perform many overhead lifting variations within their strength and conditioning programs.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate a group of athletes by means of a postural assessment using the overhead squat test. This study consisted of a pretest-post test control group design. …

The Impact Of Left Hemisphere Stroke On Force Control With Familiar And Novel Objects: Neuroanatomic Substrates And Relationship To Apraxia, Amanda M. Dawson, Laura J. Buxbaum, Susan V. Duff

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Fingertip force scaling for lifting objects frequently occurs in anticipation of finger contact. An ongoing question concerns the types of memories that are used to inform predictive control. Object-specific information such as weight may be stored and retrieved when previously encountered objects are lifted again. Alternatively, visual size and shape cues may provide estimates of object density each time objects are encountered. We reasoned that differences in performance with familiar versus novel objects would provide support for the former possibility. Anticipatory force production with both familiar and novel objects was assessed in six left hemisphere stroke patients, two of whom …

Reliability Of Measuring Abductor Hallucis Muscle Parameters Using Two Different Diagnostic Ultrasound Machines, Wayne A. Hing, Keith Rome, Alyse F. M. Cameron

Wayne Hing

Background: Diagnostic ultrasound provides a method of analysing soft tissue structures of the musculoskeletal system effectively and reliably. The aim of this study was to evaluate within and between session reliability of measuring muscle dorso-plantar thickness, medio-lateral length and cross-sectional area, of the abductor hallucis muscle using two different ultrasound machines, a higher end Philips HD11 Ultrasound machine and clinically orientated Chison 8300 Deluxe Digital Portable Ultrasound System.

Methods: The abductor hallucis muscle of both the left and right feet of thirty asymptomatic participants was imaged and then measured using both ultrasound machines. Interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) with 95% confidence …

Clinically Applicable Paper: Land-Based Versus Pool-Based Exercise For People Awaiting Joint Replacement Surgery Of The Hip Or Knee: Results Of A Randomized Controlled Trial, Cheryl Rudisile-Smith, Marissa Loosli, Jason Brumitt

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

Landbased versus pool-based exercise for people awaiting joint replacement surgery of the hip or knee: results of a randomized controlled trial

A Survey Of Stroke Nurses’ Knowledge Of Secondary Prevention Lifestyle Issues, Maggie Lawrence, Susan Kerr, Hazel Watson, Jennie Jackson, Margaret Brownlee

Dr. Maggie Lawrence

Nurses have an important role to play in providing information and advice on lifestyle risk factors for recurrent stroke. However, patients report receiving little or no lifestyle information. This study aimed to explore stroke nurses' knowledge and practice in relation to the provision of secondary prevention lifestyle information following stroke. Cross-sectional survey methods were used. Participants were members of the Scottish Stroke Nurse Forum (n=97). A self-completed questionnaire was used to collect the data, with descriptive statistics summarizing the results.

International Students’ Perspectives Of An Introductory Course As Preparation For Entry Into A Postgraduate Physiotherapy Program, Jennifer Roberts, Rebekah Das, Saravana Kumar

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Introductory or preparatory courses are often provided to international students in Australia as means to help them adjust to a new cultural and communication environment and a foreign educational setting. However, there is very little evaluation research on these introductory courses, especially from students’ perspectives, on their merits and demerits. Methods: This research utilised primary and secondary research methods. Firstly, a systematic review of the literature was undertaken to identify international students’ perspectives of education in Australia. Secondly, using qualitative and quantitative research methods, international postgraduate physiotherapy students’ perspectives of an introductory course at an Australian educational institution was …

Distress With Breathing In People With Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review, Elizabeth Quast, Marie Williams

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

While the prevalence of shortness of breath has been reported to be as frequent as pain in people with lung cancer, less attention has been paid to the distress associated with this symptom (dyspnea). This systematic review of the literature was undertaken to investigate how this symptom has been assessed and whether breathlessness in people with lung cancer is distressing. Using a pre-determined search strategy and inclusion criteria, thirty-one primary studies were identified and included in this review. A variety of outcome measures have been used to assess the experience of dyspnea with domains including intensity, distress, quality of life, …

Observation Of Amounts Of Movement Practice Provided During Stroke Rehabilitation, Catherine E. Lang, Jillian R. Macdonald, Darcy S. Reisman, Lara Boyd, Teresa Jacobson Kimberley, Sheila M. Schindler-Ivens, T. George Hornby, Sandy A. Ross, Patricia L. Scheets

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

To investigate how much movement practice occurred during stroke rehabilitation, and what factors might influence doses of practice provided.

Design

Observational survey of stroke therapy sessions.

Setting

Seven inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation sites.

Participants

We observed a convenience sample of 312 physical and occupational therapy sessions for people with stroke.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

We recorded numbers of repetitions in specific movement categories and data on potential modifying factors (patient age, side affected, time since stroke, FIM item scores, years of therapist experience). Descriptive statistics were used to characterize amounts of practice. Correlation and regression analyses were …

Does The Sensation Of Breathlessness Change Over Time In People With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease? A Systematic Review, Claire Mcevoy, Marie Williams

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

The aim of this systematic review was to identify and appraise studies which tracked changes in the sensation of breathlessness, as described in terms of intensity, unpleasantness, its effect on impairment levels or quality of life, over two or more years in people with COPD. Four major databases were searched. Twelve studies were included for full analysis. These studies were a mix of observational and experimental in their design, and were found to have high methodological quality. Subjects in the studies were, overall, severely impaired at the start of the two year period, according to level of airflow restriction. Impairment …

Teaching For Cultural Competence In Non-Diverse Environments, Mary L. Romanello, Karen Holtgrefe

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present teaching strategies to enhance students’ cultural competence in non-diverse educational settings. Methods: Utilizing Purnell’s cultural competence model and Lattanzi’s cultural ladder the authors describe teaching strategies used to promote students’ understanding of the complex nature of culture and how the multiple layers of culture influence the healthcare professional-client relationship. Teaching strategies and subsequent student reflections are presented. Results: Students adjusted client interventions and plans of care when confronted with various cultural characteristics of their clients. Integrating cultural issues in non-diverse academic settings challenges faculty to create situations that include cultural differences. …

The Effect Of Early Contextual Learning On Student Physical Therapists’ Self-Perceived Level Of Clinical Preparedness, Kevin E. Brueilly, T. Kirk Nelson, Tamara Gravano, Penny G. Kroll

Physical Therapy Faculty Research

Context: Students in health care often describe their feelings of self-inadequacy in clinical skills and report these feelings abate with experience.

Objective: To determine whether early contextual learning experiences can improve entry-level student physical therapists’ self-perceived level of clinical preparedness.

Design: A pair-wise comparison of pre vs. post intervention. Survey of students self-perceived level of clinical preparedness before and after a series of three planned small group contextual learning experiences involving the assessment of actual hospital patients.

Setting: Academic institution and associated medical center

Participants: Thirty-nine first-year student cohort in the 10th month of a 36-month entry-level Doctor of Physical …

Adding Gabapentin To A Multimodal Regimen Does Not Reduce Acute Pain, Opioid Consumption Or Chronic Pain After Total Hip Arthroplasty, H. Clarke, S. Pereira, D. Kennedy

PT Faculty Publications

Background: Gabapentin (GPN) is effective in reducing post-operative pain and opioid consumption, but its effects with regional anesthesia for total hip arthroplasty (THA) are not known. We designed this study to determine whether (1) gabapentin administration reduces pain and opioid use after THA using a multimodal analgesic regimen including spinal anesthesia; (2) pre-operative administration of gabapentin is more effective than post-operative administration. Methods: After REB approval and informed consent, 126 patients were enrolled in a double-blinded, randomized-controlled study. Patients received acetaminophen 1 g per os (p.o.), celecoxib 400 mg p.o. and dexamethasone 8 mg intravenously, 1-2 h pre-operatively. Patients were …

An Examination Of The Deliberate Practice Framework In Quad Rugby, Rachel Lynn Boxell

Masters Theses

Ericsson, Krampe, and Tesch-Römer (1993) forwarded a general framework to account for the characteristics and developmental experiences of individuals who have acquired exceptional performance in any domain. This framework proposed that experts undergo an extensive acquisition period involving the accumulation of thousands of hours of deliberate practice while overcoming various constraints that serve as functional barriers to the achievement of expertise. The purpose of this study was to examine expert disability-sport athletes to determine how well their experiences and characteristics were captured by Ericsson et al.’s (1993) framework. In Part I, quad rugby players recalled the amount of time spent …

Complex Adaptive Systems As A Model For Evaluating Organisational Change Caused By The Introduction Of Health Information Systems, Kieren Diment Mr, Ping Yu, K. Garrety

Faculty of Informatics - Papers (Archive)

This paper documents the preliminary development of a framework for evaluating organisational change processes during the implementation of an electronic nursing documentation system in residential aged care facilities. It starts with a brief outline of organisational change processes. This is followed by a more detailed exposition of the principles underlying complex adaptive systems (CAS) theory, where we explain how mathematical concepts can be used to illuminate qualitative research approaches. Finally we present some preliminary findings on the facilitators and barriers for the introduction of the electronic documentation system, explained with reference to the CAS theory, based on analysis of interviews …

Effect Of Posture On Acromiohumeral Distance With Arm Elevation In Subjects With And Without Rotator Cuff Disease Using Ultrasonography, Nitin Kalra

Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: To examine the effects of posture on subacromial (SA) space with arm elevation in patients with rotator cuff disease (RCD) and healthy subjects. Background: Poor posture has been linked to altered scapular mechanics, theorized to lead to excessive SA space narrowing. However, no study has examined the direct effects of posture on SA space using ultrasonography. We hypothesize that when compared to a neutral posture, upright posture will increase SA space and slouched posture will decrease SA space. Methods: Subjects with painful RCD (n=31) and healthy (n=29) shoulders participated. SA space was measured on ultrasound generated images using the …

Retinoic Acid Induced 1 Gene Analysis In Humans And Zebrafish, Bijal Vyas

Theses and Dissertations

Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) is a complex mental retardation syndrome caused by deletion of 17p11.2 region or mutation of the RAI1 gene (retinoic acid induced 1). Individuals with SMS typically exhibit speech and motor delays, mental retardation, characteristic craniofacial and skeletal anomalies, and a distinct neurobehavioral phenotype that includes sleep disturbances, stereotypes, and maladaptive and self-injurious behaviors. RAI1 is thought to be a transcription factor modulating the expression of genes involved in a variety of cellular functions. Previous studies have shown the RAI1 gene being induced by retinoic acid (RA), a derivative of vitamin A. RA plays a significant role in …

The Roles Of Physical Therapists In Wound Management, Part Iii: Select Biophysical Technologies And Management Of Patients With Diabetic Foot Ulceration, Luther C. Kloth

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Prevalence And Pattern Of Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis In Nigeria: A Community-Based Study, Aderonke Omobonike Akinpelu, Temitope Olugbenga Alonge, Babatunde Ayo Adekanla, Adesola Christiana Odole

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability, affecting 60-70% of people aged ≥60 years. Community-based prevalence estimates of OA in Nigeria are not readily available for referencing. This study investigated the prevalence and pattern of knee OA in Igbo-Ora, a rural community in Southwestern Nigeria. Methods: A total of 1044 adults (487 males, 557 females) aged ≥ 40 years in Igbo-Ora were recruited into this door-to-door survey through multi-stage cluster sampling. Knee OA was diagnosed using the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) clinical criteria. Knee OA severity was assessed using the Lequesne Algofunctional Index and interference with role …

The Relationship Between Staff Compliance With Implementing Discharge Planning Guidelines, And Stroke Patients’ Experiences Post-Discharge, Julie Luker, Karen Grimmer-Somers

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: To investigate staff compliance with discharge planning clinical guideline recommendations in an acute stroke unit, and its relationship with post-discharge experiences of stroke patients and their carers. Subjects: Fifty acute stroke patients were systematically recruited for a retrospective patient record audit of staff compliance with clinical guideline recommendations related to discharge planning. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted over six months post-discharge on patients’ actual community support needs and experiences. Audit and patient experience data were integrated to seek evidence of 1) characteristics of patients receiving guideline-compliant care, 2) relationships between staff compliance with discharge planning recommendations and patient’s post-discharge …

Translation And Alternate Forms Reliability Of The Visual Analogue Scale In The Three Major Nigerian Languages, Adesola C. Odole, Aderonke O. Akinpelu

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Our aims were to translate the anchors on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) into the three major Nigerian Languages and determine the adequacy of the alternate forms reliability of the VAS in these translations. Methods: The anchors on the VAS were translated into Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa languages by linguistic experts and taken through back translation, clinical committee review, and pre–testing. Sixty–seven Hausa, 54 Igbo, and 165 Yoruba Knee/Hip OA patients were assessed on the original and translated versions of VAS. Scores on each translated anchor of the VAS were correlated with scores on the original VAS (anchors in …

Which Assessments And Interventions Do Physiotherapists Value In The Management Of Adults With Cystic Fibrosis In Australia?, Kathy Stiller, Dianne White, Marie Williams

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Evidence based practice involves the integration of three main components: best available research evidence, practitioner’s clinical expertise, and patient’s preferences. While the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) has been extensively studied, no studies have explored physiotherapists’ perceptions and values concerning their management of patients with CF. The aim of this study was to document the opinions and values that CF physiotherapists in Australia have regarding their management of patients with CF. Method: A purpose-designed questionnaire addressing these issues was mailed to all 38 physiotherapists working with adults with CF on a regular/frequent basis in …

Bilateral Cerebellar Stroke With Good Functional Recovery, Maimoona Siddiqui, Farrukh Shohab Khan, Mohammad Salman

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

No abstract provided.

Provision Of Health Promotion Information By Physiotherapists To In-Patients In A Tertiary Hospital: A Pilot Study, Chris J. Macfarlane, Kathy Stiller

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The provision of health promotion information is an important part of the management of hospitalised patients. Allied health practitioners are often involved in the provision of this information. No studies appear to have documented the rate of provision of health promotion material by physiotherapists to hospitalised patients. The aim of this pilot study was to measure the frequency with which health promotion information was provided to in-patients by physiotherapists and to evaluate patients’ perception of the effectiveness of this information. Method: Retrospective medical record audits and follow-up telephone interviews were undertaken over an 18 month period for patients who …

An Ethnographic Study Of The Media Consumption Habits Of Registered Nurses In The Chicago Designated Market Area (Dma), Sherri L. Ter Molen

Sherri L. Ter Molen

Because there has been a nursing shortage for the past decade and because the competition between employers for experienced registered nurses is fierce, I utilized archival quantitative data from a syndicated advertising database known as The Media Audit, quantitative data I collected from 100 surveys, qualitative data that I collected from 15 interviews, and qualitative data that I collected during 20 hours of observations in hospital cafeterias and nearby restaurants to discover how RNs use media, whether or not they share these media as an occupational co-culture, & their attitudes toward recruitment advertising in these media. This study draws upon …

Impact Of Infection Control Activities On The Rate Of Needle Stick Injuries At A Tertiary Care Hospital Of Pakistan Over A Period Of Six Years: An Observational Study., Afia Zafar, Faiza Habib, Roshan Hadwani, Muslima Ejaz, Khurshid Khowaja, Rozina Khowaja, Seema Irfan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background:Accidental exposure to blood and body fluids is frequent among health care workers. They are at high risk of nosocomial transmission of blood borne pathogens due to injuries caused by used sharps. We are reporting impact of surveillance and educational program on the rate of needle stick injuries among health care workers at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.

Methods:

At Aga Khan University Hospital sharp injuries are reported to infection control office. To reduce these incidents a quality improvement project was inducted in the year 2005. Health care workers were educated, surveillance data from 2002 to 2007 was …

Evaluation Of The Effect Of Patient Education On Rates Of Falls In Older Hospital Patients: Description Of A Randomised Controlled Trial, Anne-Marie Hill, Keith Hill, Sandra Brauer, David Oliver, Tammy Hoffmann, Christopher Beer, Steven Mcphail, Terry P. Haines

Tammy Hoffmann

Background: Accidental falls by older patients in hospital are one of the most commonly reported adverse events. Falls after discharge are also common. These falls have enormous physical, psychological and social consequences for older patients, including serious physical injury and reduced quality of life, and are also a source of substantial cost to health systems worldwide. There have been a limited number of randomised controlled trials, mainly using multifactorial interventions, aiming to prevent older people falling whilst inpatients. Trials to date have produced conflicting results and recent meta-analyses highlight that there is still insufficient evidence to clearly identify which interventions …

Evidence-Based Practice Approach Over Three Visits In The Management Of A Patient With Tibio-Femoral Osteoarthritis: A Case Study, Sjaan R. Gomersall, Maureen P. Mcevoy

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Supervised training is essential for developing an evidence-based practice (EBP) approach for future health care clinicians. While the skills associated with asking a research question, accessing databases for best research evidence (BRE), and appraising this evidence can be taught in the classroom, the day-to-day application into patient management needs to be taught, and there is a lack of best practice models for this. This case study of a patient with osteoarthritis of the knee demonstrates over a series of three clinic visits how EBP can be used as a framework for guiding assessment and management from the perspective of a …