Neurology Commons^™

Animal-Assisted Therapy And Quality Of Life Of Patients With Dementia, Karissa D. Thomson, Kayla Collins, Mary P. Shotwell

Spring 2020 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The aim of this quantitative study was to examine the effects animal-assisted therapy (AAT) had on people diagnosed with dementia living in a nursing home. The study examined the effects AAT had on depression, blood pressure, social interaction and how these factors impact quality of life (QOL). The study was conducted once a week for one hour on Thursdays for 6 weeks. 7 participants were included in the study and further broken down into two groups based upon their level of cognition as measured by the Mini Mental State Examination. The Beck’s depression inventory (BDI) and the World Health Organization …

Exploring The Occupation-Based Needs Of Older Adults With Alzheimer’S Disease At A Reminiscence Therapy Adult Day Center, Kendra C. Gillio, Susan Macdermott, Becki Cohill

Spring 2020 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting approximately 60% to 70% of the older adult population aged 65 and older (Santos da Silva, de Oliveira Alves, Barros Leite Slagueiro & Bezerra Barbosa, 2018). Reminiscence therapy prompts an individual’s memory by stimulating their sense – sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch, and provides an opportunity for them to revisit and relive their past through their surrounding environment (Swann, 2013). For individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, occupational therapy focuses on adapting the environment in order to promote their ability to engage in meaningful occupations, increase quality of life, and social …

The Effectiveness Of Lsvt-Big And Pwr! Programs On A Patient With Parkinson’S Disease: A Case Report, Naureen Imam, Jennifer Dannenbring

San Marcos, Spring 2020

Background: The prevalence of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) drives the search for effective interventions. While LSVT-BIG and high-intensity training improve gait speed and balance deficits, only limited research exists on the impact of the Parkinson's Wellness Recovery (PWR!) program on PD symptoms. Thus, LSVT-BIG and PWR! should be explored in tandem as standardized treatment for patients with PD.

Purpose: The primary purpose of this case report is to determine the effects of LSVT-BIG and PWR! programs on gait impairments, balance deficits, and participation restrictions in a patient with PD.

Case Description: A 74-year old male with PD attended PT …

Can Treadmill Training With Musical Cueing In Individuals With Progressive Parkinson’S Disease Improve Ambulation?, Kristen Barta, Derrick F. Campbell, Sharon Dunnivan-Mitchell Pt, Dpt

Physical Therapy Collection

The purpose of this study was to measure the effectiveness of a specialized musical composition in combination with treadmill training to impact gait parameters and balance in people with progressive Parkinson’s disease (PD). Incorporation of auditory stimulation, typically via metronome, to improve movement has been successfully used in rehabilitation for decades. Treadmill training, also frequently used in treatment of PD, has shown short- and long-term improvements in stride length, cadence, stance and swing phase. Music assisted therapy utilizing expertly designed musical composition, known as informed composition, has recently become available for use in rehabilitation in collaboration with music therapists. Combination …

Lifestyle Management For Vestibular Disorders, Michelle Pock

Student Capstone Papers

Individuals with vestibular disorders have concerns that impact lifestyle including limiting activities of daily living, limiting participation in social events, difficulty driving, and difficulty working (Cohen, 2014). Occupational therapists are able to help individuals with vestibular disorders by task analyzing symptom provoking activities, assessing the impact of symptoms on occupations, providing adaptations, and providing ways to modify environments (Gronski, Neville, Kannenberg, & Cohen, 2017). While occupational therapists are qualified to provide services to sustain and improve the occupational performance of individuals with vestibular disorders, occupational therapy is not well represented in this area particularly in addressing lifestyle components for vestibular …

Lifestyle Management For Individuals With Vestibular Disorders, Michelle Pock, Becki Cohill, Susan Macdermott

San Marcos, Fall 2019

Individuals with vestibular disorders have concerns that impact lifestyle including limiting activities of daily living, limiting participation in social events, difficulty driving, and difficulty working (Cohen, 2014). Occupational therapists are able to help individuals with vestibular disorders by task analyzing symptom provoking activities, assessing the impact of symptoms on occupations, providing adaptations, and providing ways to modify environments (Gronski, Neville, Kannenberg, & Cohen, 2017). While occupational therapists are qualified to provide services to sustain and improve the occupational performance of individuals with vestibular disorders, occupational therapy is not well represented in this area particularly in addressing lifestyle components for vestibular …

Muscle Activation Patterns During Movement Attempts In Children With Acquired Spinal Cord Injury: Neurophysiological Assessment Of Residual Motor Function Below The Level Of Lesion., Darryn A Atkinson, Laura Mendez, Natalie Goodrich, Sevda C Aslan, Beatrice Ugiliweneza, Andrea L Behrman

Physical Therapy Collection

Introduction: Characterization of residual neuromotor capacity after spinal cord injury (SCI) is challenging. The current gold standard for measurement of sensorimotor function after SCI, the International Society for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) exam, seeks to determine isolated intentional muscle activation, however many individuals with SCI exhibit intentional movements and muscle activation patterns which are not confined to specific joint or muscle. Further, isolated muscle activation is a feature of the neuromuscular system that emerges during development, and thus may not be an appropriate measurement standard for children younger than 6.

Methods: We utilized neurophysiological assessment …

Case Study: Effects Of Psychosocial Factors On A Geriatric Patient With Guillain Barré Syndrome, Keane Evangelista, Mary Pent Hunter, Jessica Phung, Aum Tejani, Lee Anne H. Robotta

San Marcos, Summer 2019

The purpose of this case report is to determine how a change in intrinsic motivation and environmental factors help physical and functional improvements in a 77-year-old male patient with Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS) in the geriatric population. Interventions to promote this change included patient education about lifestyle choices along with endurance and balance exercises.

Patient psychological state, community access, and general education about interventions/dosing had an effect on the patient's participation in his prescribed HEP. His comorbidities hindered his overall progress over the course of his treatment and should be addressed to improve patient outcomes. Activities that were more salient …

Trunk Control And Gross Motor Outcomes After Body-Weight Supported Treadmill Training In Young Children With Severe Cerebral Palsy: A Case Series, Megan Flores, Carolyn Da Silva

Physical Therapy Collection

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels IV and V present with decreased gross motor function and trunk control that impacts their functional activities and participation in family activities. Research indicates body-weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) may improve motor control for children with neuromotor disabilities. The toddler years present a window of opportunity for developmental changes. The purpose of this case series was to explore the impact of a 6-week BWSTT intervention on postural control and gross motor function in 3 young children with cerebral palsy in GMFCS levels IV and …

Caregiver Perspectives On Body-Weight Supported Treadmill Training As An Intervention For Young Children With Cerebral Palsy, Megan Flores, Carolyn Da Silva

Physical Therapy Collection

PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels IV and V present with challenges that impact their functional activities and participation in family activities. The purpose of this study was to examine caregivers’ perspectives on body-weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) as an intervention for their young children with CP.

NUMBER OF SUBJECTS: Participants included 4 caregivers of children with CP in GMFCS levels IV (n = 2) and V (n = 2) who previously participated in 6 weeks of BWSTT.

MATERIALS/METHODS: Three children diagnosed with CP in GMFCS levels IV and V between the …

Trunk Control And Gross Motor Outcomes After Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training In Young Children With Severe Cerebral Palsy: A Non-Experimental Case Series, Megan Flores, Carolyn P Da Silva

Physical Therapy Collection

OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of a body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) intervention on postural control and gross motor function in three young children with cerebral palsy (CP) classified as Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels IV or V.

METHOD: Children (N = 3) between the ages of 2-3 years who were diagnosed with CP classified as GMFCS levels IV and V participated in BWSTT three times per week. The Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo) and the gross motor function measure (GMFM-66) were assessed before and after the 6-week intervention.

RESULTS: Final testing revealed …