Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Therapeutic Neuroscience Education For Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain And Its Effect On Activity Level, Pain Perception, And Function, Stephen Burton, Amber Domingo, Ryan Spencer

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a significant cause of disability and inactivity in the United States. Patients with chronic pain are often symptomatic even in the absence of tissue damage. This is a major reason patients need to be educated about their pain. Cognitions such as fear, anxiety and faulty beliefs may impact the pain experiences and changing cognitions are important in changing pain behavior. If patients understand that the pain they are experiencing may not be a true indication of the health of their tissues, they may experience less fear of their pain, and may be able …

Effects Of Footstrike Pattern On Low Back Posture, Shock Attenuation, And Comfort During Running, Traci L. Delgado, Emilia Kubera-Shelton, Robert R. Robb

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose: Barefoot running (BF) is popular in the running community. Biomechanical changes occur with BF, especially when initial contact changes from rearfoot strike (RFS) to forefoot strike (FFS). In addition, changes in lumbar spine range of motion (ROM), particularly involving lumbar lordosis, have been associated with increased low back pain (LBP). However it is not known how changing from RFS to FFS affects lumbar lordosis or LBP. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine if a change from RFS to FFS would change lumbar lordosis, and/or decrease shock attenuation, and/or change comfort levels in healthy recreational/experienced runners.

Methods: …

The Acute Effects Of Upper Extremity Stretching On Throwing Velocity In Untrained Baseball Throwers, Ashley Delobel, Lanisa Harveson, Jason Melton, Michael Williams

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of static and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching of shoulder internal rotators on throwing velocity as compared to a typical dynamic warm-up.

Subjects: 27 male untrained throwers (mean age = 25.1 years old, SD =2.4) with basic knowledge of throwing mechanics.

Methods:The study was conducted over a series of three sessions with at least one week between each session. During each session, subjects warmed-up, threw 10 pitches, were randomly assigned to one of three separate stretching protocols, and then threw 10 more pitches.The three protocols were static stretching, …

Effects Of Cervical Spine Manipulation On Balance And Joint Proprioception In Asymptomatic Individuals: Plausibility And Pilot Study, Kimberly Drayer, Michael Kauwe

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Balance issues are prevalent in all ages of the population and can lead to many debilitating secondary impairments. There are various methods for treating balance problems, one of which is cervical spine manipulation (CSM). It seems to be biologically plausible that CSM would be an effective intervention, as it elicits effects in the same systems that are impaired in people with balance issues: vestibular, visual, and somatosensory.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the immediate differences in balance and proprioception following a CSM in asymptomatic subjects.

Design: An experimental, cross-over study design was used

Methods: …

Characteristics Of Subjects Who Avoid Activities And Participation Due To A Fear Of Falling In Parkinson’S Disease, Russell Gourlie, Spencer Sorensen, Rithea Vong

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine and identify key characteristics of and differences between people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) who exhibit moderate/high fear of falling avoidance behaviors and those that exhibit low fear of falling avoidance behaviors.

Subjects: A total of 24 subjects (5 females, 19 males; mean age= 72.2, SD=9.1) participated in this study.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to identify descriptive characteristics of subjects with PD associated with moderate/high levels of fear avoidance behavior (MHA) or low levels of fear avoidance (LA) as measured by the Fear of Falling Avoidance-Behavior …

Test-Retest Reliability And Responsiveness Of Gaze Stability And Dynamic Visual Acuity In High School And College Football Players, Denise Kaufman, Mallory Puckett, Mitchell Smith

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to establish reliability and responsiveness of the active dynamic visual acuity test (DVAT) at speeds of 150 to 200 degrees per second (deg/sec) and the gaze stabilization test (GST) in high school and college football players.

Design: Reliability design

Setting, Participants, Main Outcome Measures: A total of 50 high school and college football athletes completed vestibulo-ocular reflex testing using the DVAT and GST in the yaw (horizontal) and pitch (vertical) planes on two separate occasions within 14 days.

Results: Test-retest reliability for the DVAT was good in yaw, Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) (3,3) …

Modern Technology And An Aging Population: Can The Use Of The Wii Fit Gaming System Improve Functional Balance In Community Dwelling Seniors?, Curtis N. Phillips

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Seniors are a growing segment of the population of the United States. By 2030 they will make up nearly 20% of the general population. Senior citizens face many health challenges as they age. Injury due to falling is a major concern for many in this age group. Research shows that approximately one third of seniors will fall each year. Injuries that result from falls have been identified as the number one cause of accidental death in this age group each year. While falls have been studied by researchers for a number of years, and some progress has been made in …

Reliability And Validity Of The Ne1 Wound Assessment Tool (Wat), Stephanie Coon, Faustina Tran, Melinda Vicencio

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background and Purpose: Current literature indicates a lack of reliability and validity of existing pressure ulcer (PrU) staging systems. This prompted the development of the N.E. One Can Stage (NEOCS). Recently this tool was modified and renamed, the NE1 Wound Assessment Tool (NE1 WAT). The purpose of this study is to test the reliability and validity of the NE1 WAT.

Subjects:

A sample of convenience of nine physical therapists (PTs) and 11 nurses (RNs) with PrU staging as part of their routine work duties were included in this study.

Methods:

A written exam was administered and consisted of assessment questions …

Using Over-The-Counter Ear Filters As A Treatment To Improve Dizziness And Balance In Patients Diagnosed With A Traumatic Brain, Brandy Sue Whitney

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background and purpose: People diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) usually have physical, cognitive, emotional, and sleep deficits. Sensory overload is a common symptom of TBI. One treatment prescribed for sensory overload is over the counter ear filters. Ear filters have shown to decrease sensory input. Could the ear filters have an effect on balance and dizziness without much cost to the patient or the clinic?

Subjects: Patients diagnosed with a mild or moderate brain injury, ages of 18-65 years old. They needed to be medically stable, potential to walk, and have complaints of dizziness and/or balance problems.

Methods: …

Examining Lower Extremity Range Of Motion And Movement Variability Chages Due To Focus Of Attention During Landing, Andrew Nordin, Janet Dufek

Interdisciplinary Research Scholarship Day

Attentional focus (AF) has been explored among a variety of motor skills providing evidence that external AF promotes automaticity and enhanced performance [6]. External focus of attention is distinguished from internal focus such that external focus is directed toward movement effect rather than body movements [6]. Movement variability provides a means of assessing functional characteristics of the neuromotor system, where normal functioning is suggested to occur within optimal limits, while excessively high or low movement variability is indicative of system dysfunction [2,4,5]. Additionally, the ability of the motor system to vary, or broadly distribute, internal loads is thought to reduce …

Applying Principles Of Motor Learning And Control To Upper Extremity Rehabilitation, Lisa M. Muratori, Eric M. Lamberg, Lori Quinn, Susan V. Duff

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

The purpose of this article is to provide a brief review of the principles of motor control and learning. Different models of motor control from historical to contemporary are presented with emphasis on the Systems model. Concepts of motor learning including skill acquisition, measurement of learning, and methods to promote skill acquisition by examining the many facets of practice scheduling and use of feedback are provided. A fictional client case is introduced and threaded throughout the article to facilitate understanding of these concepts and how they can be applied to clinical practice.

Intensive Goal-Directed Treatments In Enriched Environments Augments Patient Outcomes Post-Stroke, Blake A. Kandah, Michael A. Klonowski, Ryan M. Pelo, Nicole M. Williams, Raquel V. Santiago, Christopher K. Thompson, Kristan A. Leech, Carey L. Holleran, Abigail L. Leddy, T. George Hornby

GW Research Days 2013

Objective: Previous research indicates that patients post-stroke, average 400-800 steps within physical therapy sessions and demonstrate heart rate values of 24-35% of HR Max. This dosage and intensity is inadequate to promote neuroplastic changes and maximize recovery. The goal of this study was to quantify and examine the amount of high-intensity stepping practice that was delivered within an Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation (AIR) setting for individuals with sub-acute stroke.

Methods: 14 patients with a diagnosis of sub-acute stroke were admitted to AIR. Standardized outcomes included the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the …

Benefits Of A Group Exercise Program On A Student With Congenital Hydrocephalus And Multiple Co-Diagnoses, Stephanie Walters

PTHMS Undergraduate Publications

Congenital Hydrocephalus (CH) is a condition at birth where excess cerebral spinal fluid accumulates in the ventricles of the brain due to inadequate drainage, resulting in an increase in intracranial pressure and damage to the surrounding nervous tissue. Although hydrocephalus is successfully treated at birth, a resulting diagnosis of a memory-related learning disorder is common. However, having multiple independent subsequent diagnoses is unique. This report mainly describes a 13 year-old boy who was diagnosed and treated for congenital hydrocephalus at birth and then was subsequently diagnosed with multiple co-morbidities, such as partial agenesis of the Corpus Callosum, Cerebral Palsy with …

Changes In The Dynamics Of Postural And Locomotor Control As A Result Of Varying Task Demands, Kathleen Sherry Thomas

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

The aim of this study was to examine changes in postural and locomotor control under varying task demands. Three experiments were designed to address the impact that fast walking had on standing posture over time, slow walking had on gait dynamics over time, and the extent to which gait speed interacts with the ability to walk randomly.

For experiment I, the aim was to identify the time course in which postural adaptation occurred while walking at faster than preferred speeds. Postural motion was assessed at specific intervals over a 35-min walking trial. Findings revealed that walking at a faster speed …

Effects Of Hemodialysis Therapy On Sit-To-Walk Characteristics In End Stage Renal Disease Patients, Rahul Soangra, Thurmon Lockhart, John Lach, Emaad M. Abdel-Rahman

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Patients with end stage renal diseases (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis (HD) have high morbidity and mortality due to multiple causes; one of which is dramatically higher fall rates than the general population. In spite of the multiple efforts aiming to decrease the high mortality and improve quality of life in ESRD patients, limited success has been achieved. If adequate interventions for fall prevention are to be achieved, the functional and mobility mechanisms consistent with falls in this population must be understood. Human movements such as sit-to-walk (STW) tasks are clinically significant, and analysis of these movements provides a meaningful evaluation of …

Relationships Amongst Osteoarthritis Biomarkers, Dynamic Knee Joint Load, And Exercise: Results From A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study, Michael A. Hunt, Courtney L. Pollock, Virginia Byers Kraus, Tore Saxne, Sue Peters, Janet L. Huebner, Eric C. Sayre, Jolanda Cibere

Physical Therapy Publications

Background

Little is known about the relationships of circulating levels of biomarkers of cartilage degradation with biomechanical outcomes relevant to knee osteoarthritis (OA) or biomarker changes following non-pharmacological interventions. The objectives of this exploratory, pilot study were to: 1) examine relationships between biomarkers of articular cartilage degradation and synthesis with measures of knee joint load during walking, and 2) examine changes in these biomarkers following 10 weeks of strengthening exercises.

Methods

Seventeen (8 male, 9 female; 66.1 +/- 11.3 years of age) individuals with radiographically-confirmed medial tibiofemoral OA participated. All participants underwent a baseline testing session where serum and urine …

Planning And Adjustments For The Control Of Reach Extent In A Virtual Environment, Jill Campbell Stewart Pt,Phd, James Gordon, Carolee J. Winstein

Faculty Publications

Background Skilled performance of reach actions includes both anticipatory planning and compensatory adjustments made while moving. The execution of reach actions in a virtual environment (VE) demonstrates similar characteristics to reaches performed in the real-world, however, it is unclear whether the VE itself significantly impacts movement planning or compensatory adjustments. The purpose of this study was to directly compare the use of planning and adjustments to control extent for unconstrained reach actions performed in an immersive VE to those performed in an analogous real-world environment (RWE). Methods Five non-disabled adults (29 ± 5 years) reached with the dominant, right arm …

Chhs March 2013 E-Newsletter, Dr. John Bonaguro, Dean, Vashon S. Wells, Editor, Wku College Of Health & Human Services

College of Health & Human Services Publications

No abstract provided.

Missions At Maxwell, Ashleigh Jardine

Lake Union Herald

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Passive Vibration On Skin Blood Flow In Good Glycemic Control And Poor Glycemic Control Type 2 Diabetics, Kanikkai Steni Balan Sackiriyas

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Microcirculation regulated by the sympathetic system and vascular endothelium plays a significant role in the homeostasis of temperature and wound healing. Damage to the autonomic nervous system and endothelial system resulting from aging and diabetes decreases the potential of wound healing. Insulin resistance and impaired wound healing associated with type 2 diabetes can lead to diabetic foot ulceration (DFU). Factors such as the increased insulin resistance, impaired wound healing and DFU can increase the risk of amputation in type 2 diabetics (T2D). In research, passive vibration (PV) was effective in increasing skin blood flow (SBF) in healthy individuals as well …

Introgression Of Brown Norway Cyp4a Genes Onto The Dahl Salt-Sensitive Background Restores Vascular Function In Ss-5Bn Consomic Rats, Kathleen M. Lukaszewicz, John R. Falck, Vijaya L. Manthati, Julian H. Lombard

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

The present study tested the hypothesis that the Dahl SS (salt-sensitive) rat has vascular dysfunction due, in part, to the up-regulation of the CYP4A/20-HETE (cytochrome P450 ω-hydroxylase 4A)/20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid) system. To assess the role of vascular 20-HETE, SS rats were compared with SS-5^BN consomic rats, carrying CYP4A alleles on chromosome 5 from the normotensive BN (Brown Norway) introgressed on to the SS genetic background. Cerebral arteries from SS-5^BN rats had less CYP4A protein than arteries from SS rats fed either NS (normal-salt, 0.4% NaCl) or HS (high-salt, 4.0% NaCl) diet. ACh (acetylcholine)-induced dilation of MCAs (middle cerebral …

Atropine Microdialysis Within Or Near The Pre-Bötzinger Complex Increases Breathing Frequency More During Wakefulness Than During Nrem Sleep, Clarissa Muere, Suzanne E. Neumueller, Justin Robert Miller, Samantha Olesiak, Matthew R. Hodges, Lawrence Pan, Hubert V. Forster

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Normal activity of neurons within the medullary ventral respiratory column (VRC) in or near the pre-Bötzinger Complex (preBötC) is dependent on the balance of inhibitory and excitatory neuromodulators acting at their respective receptors. The role of cholinergic neuromodulation during awake and sleep states is unknown. Accordingly, our objective herein was to test the hypotheses that attenuation of cholinergic modulation of VRC/preBötC neurons in vivo with atropine would: 1) decrease breathing frequency more while awake than during non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep and 2) increase other excitatory neuromodulators. To test these hypotheses, we unilaterally dialyzed mock cerebrospinal fluid (mCSF) or 50 mM atropine …

A Pilot Study To Measure Upper Extremity H-Reflexes Following Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Therapy After Stroke, Ann M. Stowe, L. Hughes-Zahner, V. K. Barnes, L. L. Herbelin, Sheila M. Schindler-Ivens, B. M. Quaney

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Upper extremity (UE) hemiparesis persists after stroke, limiting hand function. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is an effective intervention to improve UE recovery, although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Our objective was to establish a reliable protocol to measure UE agonist–antagonist forearm monosynaptic reflexes in a pilot study to determine if NMES improves wrist function after stroke. We established the between-day reliability of the H-reflex in the extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) and flexor carpi radialis (FCR) musculature for individuals with prior stroke (n = 18). The same-day generation of ECRL/FCR H-reflex recruitment curves was well tolerated, regardless of …

Service Learning In Guatemala: Using Qualitative Content Analysis To Explore An Interdisciplinary Learning Experience Among Students In Health Care Professional Programs, Kathleen S. Fries, Donna M. Bowers, Margo Gross, Lenore Frost

Nursing Faculty Publications

What is the experience of interprofessional collaboration as a nursing, occupational, or physical therapy health care student taking part in a weeklong service-learning experience? Interprofessional collaboration among health care professionals yields improved patient outcomes, yet many students in health care programs have limited exposure to interprofessional collaboration in the classroom and in clinical and service-learning experiences. This practice gap implies that students enter their professions without valuing interprofessional collaboration and the impact it has on promoting positive patient outcomes.

The aim of this study was to describe the interprofessional experiences of students in health care professional programs as they collaborated …

Parkinson's Disease And Forced Exercise In A Community Setting: A Feasibility Study, Alati Gagne, Sarabeth Makins, James Walrath

Research Posters

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that increases an individual’s fall risk. In recent studies, an 8-week tandem bike forced exercise program was effective in reducing overall Parkinsonian symptoms. The feasibility of a tandem bike forced exercise program in a community setting has not been studied previously, and no published study has evaluated balance and health outcomes after participation in a forced exercise program. This six week tandem bike forced exercise protocol, conducted in a community setting for individuals with Parkinson’s disease, aimed to assess the feasibility of such a protocol, and to assess resultant balance and health outcomes.

The Physiological Effects Of Exercising Alone Versus With A Partner, Tyler Chamberlin, Kristen Green, Patrick Robichaud

Research Posters

The general population is in constant pursuit for sources of motivation to maintain a consistent workout routine. Research demonstrates increased motivation when exercising with a partner but does not investigate any physiological effects. The objective of this study was to investigate changes in heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and time in target HR zone when exercising alone compared to exercising with a same-sex partner. The study was conducted in the Physical Therapy lab at the University of New England in Portland, Maine, utilizing an experimental 2x9 repeated measures research design. Forty-one graduate students were …

Assessing Tactile Acuity In Musculoskeletal Medicine: How Good Are Two Point Discrimination Tests At The Neck, Hand, Back And Foot?, M Catley, A Tabor, Benedict Wand, G L. Moseley

Physiotherapy Conference Papers

No abstract provided.

Few U.S. Public Health Schools Offer Courses On Palliative And End-Of-Life Care Policy, Dale Lupu, Caroline Deneszczuk, Tara Leystra, Rebecca Mckinnon, Victoria Seng

Physical Therapy and Health Care Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Palliative care has been identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a critical policy element for the relief of suffering, yet palliative care policy receives minimal attention in mainstream U.S. public health journals, conferences, or textbooks. In the ’90s, documentation of the lack of attention to end-of-life and palliative care in medical and nursing curricula led to concerted efforts to improve medical and nursing education in palliative care. No such educational effort has yet been directed toward public health professionals.

Objective: This study's objective was to quantify current course offerings covering palliative and end-of-life care from a public …

Telecommuting As The Director Of Clinical Education (Dce) In A Doctoral Physical Therapy Program, Sally Mccormack Tutt

Physical Therapy Faculty Posters

Poster describing a case study created to help determine the feasibility of allowing the Director of Clinical Education to telecommute from Florida to Maine as a unique way to retain a valued core faculty member of the DPT department. Concludes there are benefits to departments considering this method of job performance, including: decreasing the turnover of quality faculty at an institution, reducing stress of a vacancy on the department and other faculty, decreasing the cost associated with searching for and hiring a new faculty member, and providing students with consistency with regards to the teaching and advising they receive from …

Transition Doctor Of Physical Therapy, Nova Southeastern University

Health Professions Divisions Course Catalogs and Course Descriptions

No abstract provided.