Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

The Geriatric Residency Experience, Sabrina Camilo, Tamara Gravano, Karen Lagares, Gemma Longfellow

Physical Therapy Faculty Research

The Geriatric Residency in Physical Therapy program at St. Catherine's Rehabilitation Hospital and Villa Maria Nursing Center has graduated 4 residents since its inception in 2003. Recently, the 4 of us program graduates convened to talk about our experiences and discovered several similarities. We laearned about our individual reasons for choosing the residency, our experiences during the time we were residents, and our plans for continued professional development. But, of course, there were some differences that made the experience unique for each of us.

Use Of Item Response Analysis To Investigate Measurement Properties And Clinical Validity Of Data For The Dynamic Gait Index, Yi-Po Chiu, Stacy L. Fritz, Kathye E. Light, Craig A. Velozo

Physical Therapy Faculty Research

Background and Purpose. The Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) is a standardized clinical assessment that aids in evaluating a subject’s ability to modify gait in response to changing demands. The purpose of this study was to use Rasch measurement theory to examine whether the DGI rating scale meets suggested psychometric guidelines, whether the hierarchical order of DGI tasks is consistent with a clinically logical testing procedure, and whether the DGI represents a unidimensional construct. Subjects. Subjects were 84 community-dwelling male veterans (age range=64–88 years; mean±SD=75±6.47 years). Methods. Data were retrieved retrospectively from the participants’ clinical records. The Rasch measurement model with …

Scapula Stabilization Rehab Exercise Prescription, Jason Brumitt, Erik Meira

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

The athletic shoulder is susceptible to repetitive overuse injuries in sports. No shoulder rehabilitation program is complete without the prescription of exercises to enhance scapular function. An athlete should progress from basic rehabilitation exercises identified by electromyographic studies to dynamic, sport-specific positions before returning to sport.

Does Motor Lateralization Have Implications For Stroke Rehabilitation?, Robert L. Sainburg, Susan V. Duff

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Recent findings on motor lateralization have revealed consistent differences in the control strategies of the dominant and nondominant hemisphere/limb systems that could have implications for hemiplegic stroke patients. Studies in stroke patients have demonstrated deficiencies in the ipsilesional arm that reflect these distinctions; patients with right-hemisphere damage tend to show deficits in positional accuracy, and patients with left-hemisphere damage show deficits in trajectory control. Such deficits have been shown to impede functional performance; yet patients with severe dominant-side hemiplegia must often use the nondominant arm as the primary manipulator for activities of daily living. Nevertheless, the nondominant arm may not …

Sight-Reading Versus Repertoire Performance On The Piano: A Case Study Using High-Speed Motion Analysis, Brenda Wristen, Sharon Evans, Nikolaos Stergiou

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

This study was intended to examine whether differences exist in the motions employed by pianists when they are sightreading versus performing repertoire and to determine whether these differences can be c[uantified using high-speed motion capture technology. A secondary question of interest was whether or not an improvement in the efficiency of motion could be observed between two sight-reading trials of the same musical excerpt. This case study employed one subject and a six-camera digital infrared camera system to capture the motion of the pianist playing two trials of a repertoire piece and two trials of a sight-reading excerpt. Angular displacements …

Disaggregating The Relative Influence Of Genetic, Environmental And Individual Factors On Ldl And Hdl Cholesterols And Bmi For A Sample Of African American (Aa) Mothers And Daughters, C. Jayne Brahler, Jewel Harden, Michelle Mchone, Matthew Soules, Eric Evans, Ann Alyanak, Fred Diakpieng, Paul M. Vanderburgh

Health and Sport Science Faculty Publications

There are many reports about the associations between blood lipids, body mass index (BMI) and dietary cholesterol intakes both within the individual and between related individuals. The purpose of this descriptive research project was to investigate the relationships between LDL and HDL cholesterols, body mass index and dietary cholesterol intakes for a sample of African American (AA) mothers and their daughters and to attempt to separate the contribution of genetic versus environmental factors. Mother and daughter participants (n =42 and 66, respectively) were 12-14-hours fasted when blood samples were drawn, heights and weights measured, and 24 hour food recalls completed.

Gender Differences In Carbohydrate Metabolism And Carbohydrate Loading, J. A. Wismann, D. Willoughby

Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

Variations In Emg Activity In Lower Leg Musculature With Use Of The Biomechanical Ankle Platform System (Baps), Carrie Carpenter, Andrea Lund, Jodi Sailer, Slinde Jessie

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Ankle sprains account for 17% to 20% of all injuries in most sports. Other ankle conditions such as posterior tibialis tendon disorder and Achilles tendinosis are quite common in the nonathletic population and require many of the same interventions. Some of these interventions include range of motion, stretching, strengthening and proprioception. Many studies have shown that strength and proprioceptive training are the intervention of choice for those with lateral ankle instability. Many of these studies have supported the use of BAPS in improving proprioception among individuals with lateral ankle instability, however there is only one study examining the use of …

The Short-Term Effects Of Magnetic Insoles On Pain And Function In A Population With Lower Extremity Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study, Janice Holth, Sarah Barendt, Jennifer Surma

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

No abstract provided.

Muscle Activation During Simulated Patient Transfers: Preliminary Study Of Experienced Versus Novice Patient Handlers, Benjamin Mitchell, Patrick Septon

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: Back injuries are a common problem in providing health care and manually transferring patients can be a cause of back injuries. Because of this fact, there has been a need for research looking into safe methods for manually transferring patients. The intent of this study was to compare muscle recruitment patterns of novice and experienced health care professionals during a simulated patient transfer. By comparing the muscle activity of the experienced group to that of the novice group, we hoped to see differences that could be used to refine training techniques, thus increasing the safety of novice health care …

Motion Analysis Of A Back Handspring, Sarah Knoll, Jaclyn Minar, Melissa Moos

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the joint angles and segmental motion of gymnasts during a back handspring in a tumbling series. The difference in lower extremity motion of the individual gymnasts with different levels of experience was compared.

Subjects: 13 gymnasts were recruited by gymnastics coaches at Red River Valley Gymnastics. Only subjects with qualifications of being competitive in USA Gymnastics program, varying in levels 5-10, were included. Subjects were required to be able to perform a tumbling series consisting of a round off, a back handspring, and a back tuck-salto on a floor exercise mat …

Review Of Quick Reference Dictionary For Massage Therapy And Bodywork, John Brantley

Faculty & Staff Research & Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Dorsiflexor Endurance Exercises On Foot Drop Secondary To Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study, Julie Mount, Stan Dacko

Department of Physical Therapy Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: This is a pilot study to determine if endurance exercises for dorsiflexors will improve walking for people with foot drop secondary to MS, and if improvement in muscle endurance for persons with MS can be predicted based on the amount of central fatigue (CF) in the muscle.

SUBJECTS: Five individuals with foot drop secondary to MS and five age-matched controls.

METHODS: The intervention was 4 sets of 10 isometric contractions, at 60% of MVC, 3X/week, 8 weeks. Pretests-posttests included a dorsiflexor endurance test with superimposed electrical stimulation to measure CF, and a gait assessment including measurement of dorsiflexion at …

Physical Therapy 2006, Nova Southeastern University

Health Professions Divisions Course Catalogs and Course Descriptions

No abstract provided.

An Electromyographic And Electrogoniometric Study Of Stair Climbing With And Without The Use Of The Ez-Stepª And The Quad-Stepª, Rebecca Behrens, Catherine Gregoire, Tara Mathern, Jennifer L. Pederson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare lower extremity muscle activity along with hip and knee ROM in an elderly population on stair ascent and descent using the EZ-StepTM and Quad-StepTM in comparison to traditional stair climbing.

Subjects: Twenty nine male and female adults volunteered for this study. Inclusion criteria included those 65 years of age and older, ability to climb three flights of standard stairs, and upper extremity strength to be able to manipulate the Quad-Step TM.

Instrumentation: The EZ-StepTM and Quad-StepTM are devices that decrease stair step height by one-half. The EMG activity and ROM was …

Effect Of Instruction On Emg Activity Of The Rectus Abdominis During A Crunch On A Swiss Exercise Ball, Tina J. Boyer, Suzanne S. Hammer, Tyler L. Jepson, Eric G. Thompson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the benefit of instruction from a physical therapist in participant performance of an abdominal crunch on a Swiss ball, determined through electromyography (EMG) of the rectus abdominis.

Subjects: Our subjects included male (n=15) and female (n=15) college students between the ages of 18-50 years old. Exclusion criteria included a history of low back pain, prior spine surgery, pregnancy, previous formal instruction of crunches on a Swiss ball, and an allergic reaction to rubbing alcohol. Instrumentation: EMG biofeedback was used to test rectus abdominis muscle activity. This activity was transmitted by a …

Effectiveness Of Pressure Biofeedback In Activation Of Transversus Abdominis During The Abdominal Draw-In Maneuver, Jenni L. Freie, Jan L. Kruse, Amanda M. Kvien, Kimberly M. Rzeszutko

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Study Design: Repeated Measures Design.

Objectives: To compare the recruitment of the transversus abdominis and internal oblique during the performance of the supine abdominal draw-in maneuver with the use of pressure biofeedback and without the use of pressure biofeedback. Muscle recruitment will be measured through the use of surface electromyography (EMG).

Background: Surface EMG reliability and validity is reported for transversus abdominis.

Methods: Thirty-nine healthy subjects of the ages 18 to 54 were tested. The subjects were instructed and performed practice trails of the supine draw-in maneuver with and without pressure biofeedback prior to data collection. EMG muscle activity was …

Lumbar Spine Extension Mobility Increases With Longer Participation In Football, Matthew Linback, Nicole Nord, Kari Pedersen

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: Football players are known to develop lumbar spine pathologies, especially extension pathologies (Le., spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis). This study examined the possibility of increased mobility in the lumbar spine with increased exposure to football, possible correlating the increased motion with lumbar spine pathologies. Extension of the lumbar spine in college football players was measured and the results of two groups were compared: those who had completed one or two years of eligibility versus those who had completed three or four years. The influence of the collision nature of football on lumbar extension was examined.

Subjects: Thirty-nine male collegiate football players …

The False Wisdom Of Tuition Based Ranking Of Allied Health Programs, Is Your Program Affordable?, Tamara L. Little Phelan

All Faculty Scholarship

Purpose: The purpose of this analysis was to investigate the extent to which the ranking of programs based on total tuition cost changes when housing and program length were added to total tuition. Method: To accomplish this, the cost of tuition at 13 physical therapist education programs was compiled. Programs were ranked from most expensive to least expensive. The costs associated with housing, program length, and lost opportunity to earn wages were then added to total tuition. Programs were again ranked from most expensive to least expensive. Results: Regional differences in the cost of living and the total length of …

Top-10 Positional-Release Therapy Techniques To Break The Chain Of Pain: Part 2, Timothy E. Speicher, David O. Draper

All PTHMS Faculty Publications

Positional-Release Therapy (PRT) is advocated as an effective indirect therapeutic treatment for acute, subacute, and chronic somatic dysfunction. Initial investigations have shown PRT to significantly reduce low back and hip pain and improve hip strength. The effects of PRT are thought to occur from placing a patient’s tissues in a position of comfort for an extended period of time.

Clinically, the practice of PRT and its therapeutic benefits have an established history. What is lacking is research into the neural and physiologic mechanisms of the process by which PRT alleviates somatic dysfunction. It can be tempting to view the technique …

Eating Disorder Programming In Four-Year College Recreation Wellness Centers, Tiffany Jean Anderson, Amanda Lynn Gulka

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Eating disorders are more prevalent in the college-age group when compared to the lifetime prevalence. Because of this increased prevalence, college recreation/wellness center staff should be aware of their clients in terms of the increased risk for eating disorders. College wellness/recreation centers, while serving the campus community, also serve the individuals within this community diagnosed with or at-risk for an eating disorder. Through survey research, we show who is employed at wellness/recreation centers, what type of training they receive regarding eating disorder, how this training is provided along with its content, and what method of public awareness on eating disorders …

Muscle Activation In Individuals Who Are Status-Post A Stroke During Over Ground, Treadmill, And Body Weight Supported Gait: A Comparative Study, Rhonda L. Breitbach, Kelly L. Malmin, Beth M. Nordmark, Jennifer A. Pederson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate individuals who are status post stroke during ambulation over ground, on a treadmill without support, and on a treadmill with partial body weight support (PBWS) to determine if there are any differences in muscle activation of major muscle groups in the lower extremity.

Subjects: Two subjects were recruited for this study. Subjects were included if they were over the age of 50 years, could fulfill a two-hour time commitment, and walk independently with or without the use of an assistive device. Subjects were excluded if they have had surgery or an …

An Electromyographic Study Of Upper Trapezius, Lower Trapezius, And Serratus Anterior Muscle Activity During Traditional And Modified Muscle Testing Positions, Jace Everett, Mike Fowler, Jason Haak, Robby Luck

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the muscle activity of the shoulder joint force couple induced by the upper trapezius, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior to determine if they are more effectively recruited during the traditional exercise position of forward shoulder elevation in 145° of shoulder abduction versus a modified position of shoulder external rotation while in 80° of shoulder abduction and 90° of elbow flexion

Methods: Nine participants took part in this randomized study in which EMG data was collected during 4 exercise trials of 10 repetitions each on the right shoulder. EMG activity was monitored …

Balance Comparison Of Open- And Closed-Back Shoes, Tiffany Hemberger, Sara Henderson, Eric Loiland

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

A growing number of healthcare professionals have been choosing to wear an open-back shoe rather than a traditional closed-back shoe in the workplace. Healthcare professionals incorporate dynamic balance and quick reactions during direct patient interaction. The purpose of the study was to determine if dynamic balance would be affected in healthcare professionals when wearing open-back shoes versus closed-back shoes.

Thirty-two healthcare professionals or students of healthcare professions (28 females and 4 males) were recruited for this study. Subjects ranged in age from 20 to 62 years (mean age 28.2 years), with the majority being physical therapists or physical therapy students. …

Role Of Z-Coilª Shoes On Plantar Pressure Forces During Short Distance Walking, Tyler Volle, Michael Rider, Brett Jenks, Benjamin Deubner

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: The Z-CoiL ® company has marketed a shoe that is advertised to decrease pressure and attenuation of forces on the foot, ankle, and other lower extremity joints. Evidence based studies, however, are lacking in support of this claim. The purpose of this study was to compare the peak pressure distributed onto the bottom of the foot from heel strike to midstance when walking bare foot, using a personal athletic shoe, and using a Z-CoiL ® shoe.

Subjects: Thirty subjects without any current history of orthopedic pathologies were examined in this study. Fourteen subjects were excluded from final data analysis, …

Review Of Quick Reference Dictionary For Massage Therapy And Bodywork, John Stephen Brantley

Faculty & Staff Research & Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

Top 10 Positional-Release Therapy Techniques To Break The Chain Of Pain, Part 1, Timothy E. Speicher, David O. Draper

All PTHMS Faculty Publications

Positional-Release Therapy (PRT) is a treatment technique that is gaining popularity. The purpose of this two-part column is to briefly explain the theory and application of PRT. Then, we will present our top 10 list of what we think are the most commonly treated tender points by athletic therapists, five in Part 1 and five in Part 2, along with general tips, patient self-treatments, and adjunctive techniques.

PRT, originally termed strain–counterstrain, is a therapeutic technique that uses tender points (TPs) and a position of comfort (POC) to resolve the associated dysfunction. Essentially, PRT is the opposite of stretching.

PRT is …

Low Back Pain In Police Officers, Jennifer Gwyn Arts

Masters Theses

Low back pain (LBP) is something that police officers deal with on a daily basis. The purpose of this research was to explore whether police officers have a higher incidence of LBP than the general population and to explore what factors officers believe contribute to the LBP they experience. Surveys were made available to all police departments in Kent County and all sworn officers were asked to participate. The difference between LBP experienced by police officers (60.2%) and that experienced by the general population (60-90%) was not found to be significant. The top two answers given by officers as to …

The Role Of Lower Leg Muscle Activity In Blood Pressure Maintenance Of Older Adults, Michelle M. Masterson, Amy L. Morgan, Christine E. Multer, Daniel Cipriani

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose. Age-associated muscle weakness, postural instability, and orthostatic hypotension have been identified as contributing factors to falls , but the relationships among them are not clear. Therefore, the purpose of this study, a two-way factorial design, was to investigate the differences in lower extremity (LE) muscle activity, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR) between young and older individuals in an upright position. Methods. Ten young males (20-24 yrs.) and 10 older males (65-82 yrs.) stood for 15 minutes while BP, HR, and LE electromyography (EMG) were recorded at one minute intervals . A two-way ANOVA was used …

Influences On Health Related Quality Of Life In Community Dwelling Adults Aged 60 Years And Over, Hilary Beth Greenberger

Theses and Dissertations

Interest in patient-reported health care outcomes such as health related quality of life (HRQL) has increased dramatically over the past two decades. Typically, HRQL has been conceptualized as having at least three domains: physical, psychological, and social functioning. Although research has attempted to identify factors that influence HRQL,few studies have simultaneously examined how various factors impact HRQL in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a causal model to identify factors influencing HRQL. The constructs and observed variables hypothesized to influence HRQL included medical burden, housing satisfaction, socioeconomic status,religion/spirituality, age, gender, and marital status.Three hundred …