Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Assessment Of Physical Therapy Needs At Third Street Clinic, Susan Wheeldon

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Health care is being provided free of charge at the Third Street Clinic in Grand Forks, North Dakota, for those people who are uninsured or who do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid. Physical Therapy is not presently offered as a service at the Clinic.

Physical Therapy is part of comprehensive health care. Therapists provide caring and expertise in the areas of neurological rehabilitation, orthopedic/musculoskeletal problems, pediatrics, and work hardening. As volunteers, therapists are involved in providing care at free clinics across the nation.

The Third Street Clinic agreed to have a needs assessment performed to identify those clients who …

In Vitro Effects Of Two Silver Electrodes On Select Wound Pathogens, Linda Jean Laatsch-Lybeck, Poh Chye Ong, Luther C. Kloth

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

The use of electrical current to promote wound healing is well documented. However, little is understood about the effects of micro-amperage direct current (μADC) on growth of wound pathogens. The purpose of this project was to investigate the antibacterial effects of a silver wire/silver nylon electrode carrying μADC in vitro on several Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. The current was delivered via silver wire and silver nylon electrodes at an amplitude of 100 μA for a 30-minute duration in an in vitro system. Results demonstrated that only silver wire carrying current inhibited bacterial growth around …

Patellofemoral Pain In Female Ballet Dancers: Correlation With Iliotibial Band Tightness And Tibial External Rotation, John Winslow, Evangeline Yoder

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Review of the literature reveals that ballet dancers have a high incidence of idiopathic patellofemoral pain. Twenty-four female ballet dancers were subjects in a study of the relationship between: 1) iliotibial band (ITB) tightness and patellofemoral pain, and 2) ITB tightness and degrees of tibial external rotation used in the dance demi-plie. Dancers were initially assessed by questionnaire to determine if any had knee pain. Twelve subjects mel the study criteria for patellofemoral pain, and 12 dancers without knee pain served as controls for the study. Iliotibial band tightness was measured (Ober test), and degrees of tibial external rotation used …

Personality Traits And The Extent To Which They Are Valued By Practicing Physical Therapists In The General Hospital Setting, Shiela M. Robison, Rachel K. Seppanen

Masters Theses

This descriptive study seeks to identify the value placed on personality traits by physical therapists and to develop a personality trait profile indicating what is desired of physical therapists in the general hospital setting. Five hundred surveys were sent to the physical therapy (PT) directors of a nationwide sample of randomly selected hospitals accredited by the American Hospital Association with greater than 75, but less than 150 beds. Two hundred and ninety-four surveys (59%) were returned. Survey responses were coded and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The data was analyzed by using the descriptive measures …

Investigating Use Of The Transdisciplinary Approach In The Public School System: Assessment Of The Interaction Between The Physical Therapist And The Regular Education Teacher, Jennifer C. Bunker, Jennifer M. Wolffis

Masters Theses

The purpose of our research was to determine the extent that physical therapists utilize components of the transdisciplinary approach in their interaction with regular education teachers when working with children kindergarten through sixth grade who participate in regular education classes. 325 surveys were distributed to physical therapists in the Midwest region of the United States who work in a school environment. 46% of the surveys were returned and met our inclusion criteria. Our results showed that 28.7% of the respondents indicated use of the transdisciplinary approach. 41% of the respondents reported presence of a written philosophy. 9% of the therapists …

Timed Wheelchair Ambulation Of Children Aged 11-17 Years And Their Perceptions Of Their Function, Karen Feuerstein, Susan Fisher, Kristy Van Zee

Masters Theses

Problem. Little data is available to aid physical therapists in writing functional wheelchair velocity goals. Purpose. This study begins to establish baseline data on wheelchair velocity. The authors hypothesize that there will be a significant relationship between a child's perceived function and their wheelchair velocity over a given distance. Methods. One female and 10 male community manual wheelchair users aged 11-17 completed 3 time trials of 150 feet on carpet with 1 minute rest between trials. Following the WRAT-R reading screen, the subjects completed a questionnaire about wheelchair function in the community. Results. A two-tailed significance test of the correlation …

The Relationship Among Isokinetic Knee Parameters And Three Functional Tests, Kristen Brinks, Ronda Delong, Tanya Stout

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between knee strength and endurance, as tested by the Biodex{dollar}\sp\circler{dollar} isokinetic system, and the lateral step-up, cross-over hop for distance, and triple hop for distance. Subjects included 20 males and 30 females aged 21-40 years with no history of low back, hip, knee, or ankle injury that was treated by a physician. Bilateral knee flexion and extension strength, power, and endurance was measured at 60, 180 and 300 degrees/second with the hip extended and flexed 115{dollar}\sp\circ{dollar}. Isokinetic data were normalized to body weight and correlated to hop distance which was …

The Effect Of Family Participation On The Outcome Of Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury In Rehabilitation, Grant Middleton, Brett Ransom

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between physical therapists' perceptions and institutional policies relating to family participation in rehabilitation and rehabilitation outcome of patients with traumatic brain injury. Utilizing surveys, we collected information about institutional policy from institutions that were members of the Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) in the Midwestern United States. Thirteen institutional surveys provided usable Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores for patients rehabilitated in 1993, which were used as the outcome measure. The therapists' perceptions survey (n = 104) gathered data about the belief of physical therapists relating to family involvement …

Knowledge Of High School Students Concerning Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, And Nursing, Amy Godlewski, Karen Oorbeck, Beth Spitzley

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of knowledge of Kent County high school students regarding physical therapy, occupational therapy and nursing. A survey created by the investigators asked specific questions concerning these professions. The survey was administered to 545 eleventh and twelfth grade students. The scores were compared to demographic data and school characteristics (i.e. urban, suburban, rural, public or private). The researchers' hypotheses were that students would have a low level of knowledge concerning all these professions, and that students would be more familiar with nursing compared to physical therapy or occupational therapy. These hypotheses …

Functional Independence Measurement Scale: Analysis Of Variables To Determine Predictability To Stroke Patient's Discharge Site, Joseph A. Cloud, Daren C. Johnson, Tricia A. Lauinger

Masters Theses

The purpose was to define subsets of variables that are found within the Functional Independence Measurement (FIM) scale that demonstrate a high predictability to right cerebral vascular accident (CVA) patient's discharge site, including home, foster home, and skilled nursing facility. The researchers wanted to find if gait, along with other subsets, has a high prediction to discharge site than overall FIM admission and discharge scores together and separately.; Gait did not show a higher prediction to discharge site compared with subsets of FIM variables and overall FIM admission and discharge scores, together and separately. However, other subsets were found to …

Effectiveness Of An Interdisciplinary Chronic Low Back Pain Program Based On Return To Work Outcome, John R. Bromfield, Deborah A. Knowles, Stacie M. Schoenberg

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a Midwestern Hospital's Interdisciplinary Outpatient Chronic Low Back Pain program. Rate of return to work was selected as the outcome measure for effectiveness. For purposes of discussion, the percentage of patients who were compliant with home exercise, who were involved in a vocational rehabilitation program, and who consulted a physician since discharge were analyzed. There were 118 male and female subjects, average age of 43; who successfully completed the 8 week chronic low back pain program between 1992 and 1994. Subjects were then sent questionnaires at 1, 3, 6, …

Utilization Of Collaborative Clinical Education Placements, Sandie Marston, Sally Talbot

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to describe the collaborative model's utilization, effectiveness, and effect on ease of student placement. Surveys were sent to academic coordinators of clinical education at all 130 physical therapy programs in the United States. Four of these surveys were sent as a pilot study. Of 126 surveys sent, 114 were received for a 90% return rate. Frequencies of responses were calculated. 75% of respondents report using the collaborative model. Of those who use the model, 95% reported that it met their objectives for clinical education, and 93% reported decrease (24%) or no change (69%) in …

The Effects Of Relative Frequency Of Knowledge Of Results On Brain Injured And Neurologically Normal Individuals Learning A Linear Positioning Task, Deborah M. Thomas

Masters Theses

Twelve normal and 12 brain injured subjects aged 18-56 years learned a linear positioning task involving moving a slide to a target position while blind folded. During the acquisition phase, feedback was provided as 33%, 67% or 100% KR. Immediate (10 minute) and delayed (24 hour) retention tests were performed without feedback. ANOVAs were used to compare the effects of feedback frequency. At the acquisition and immediate retention phases, the normal group performed with significantly less error than the brain injured group. This trend continued in the delayed retention test, but was not significant. Both groups performed best in the …

The Psychological Effects Of Functional Electrical Stimulation Leg Cycle Ergometry On Persons With Spinal Cord Injury, Renee Christner, Scott Nolte

Masters Theses

Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects many individuals in the general population. Spinal cord injury (SCI) may exacerbate depressive symptoms as individuals must adapt to an altered lifestyle as a result of the injury. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Functional Electrical Stimulation Leg Cycle Ergometry (FES-LCE) on the subjective reports of the incidence and severity of symptoms of depression in individuals with SCI. Survey packets, including a demographic data sheet and the Inventory to Diagnose Depression (IDD), were mailed to 215 individuals participating in FES-LCE programs and 215 persons with SCI not involved in FES-LCE. …

Normal Kinetic Patterns Of The Lower Extremities During Natural Walking In Children Aged Six To Ten, Thomas Ellexson, Christopher Nawrocki, Darrin Schober

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research was to initiate a normative pediatric three-dimensional lower extremity kinetic database specific to the Mary Free Bed Hospital/Grand Valley State University Center for Human Kinetic Studies. Twenty healthy children (eleven girls and nine boys) with a mean age of 7.9 years volunteered for this study. Lower extremity kinetic data were obtained using a computerized three-dimensional motion analysis system coupled with a force plate. Kinematic and kinetic data were pooled and mean/standard deviations at each one percent of the gait cycle were determined for the twenty normative children. Results of the pediatric kinetic data were similar …

The Effects Of Partial Unweighting On Hemiplegic Gait, Natasha A. Creaser, Michael W. Jones

Masters Theses

This study investigated the effects of 30% body weight support on gait in two individuals with hemiplegia secondary to stroke. Two subjects with right hemiplegia were tested. Each completed four trials, two full weight bearing and two unweighted 30%, in random order. Each trial consisted of walking six meters on a treadmill at the subjects' self-selected speed. Temporal distance data were collected via Stride Analyzer footswitches. Subjects were also videotaped from the side during all trials. We expected velocity, cadence, stride length, uninvolved limb swing time, and involved limb stance time to increase with unweighting. Subjects 1's results agreed only …

Employer Perceptions Of Entry-Level Master's Degree Physical Therapy Graduate's Ability To Practice In A Direct Access Environment, Michele Allen, Matthew J. Duley, Jamie J. Eltzroth

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if employers in physical therapy outpatient facilities believed entry-level Master's degree graduates were adequately prepared to practice in a direct access environment. Three-hundred surveys were sent to employers in facilities in Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio. A Likert Scale was utilized to determine opinions regarding physical therapy skills a new graduate may have after graduating from an entry-level Master's degree program. Analysis of variance was used to determine differences in opinion based on skill and employer categorization. Results indicated that employers did not believe physical therapy graduates have adequate skills to recognize diagnoses …

A Comparison Of Isokinetic And Isotonic Predictions Of A Functional Task, Mitchell L. Cordova

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Controversy still exists regarding the use of isokinetic and isotonic exercise in rehabilitation of the injured athlete. Many studies have compared these two types of training methods on various strength measures and functional activity, but have focused on open kinetic chain training. The purposes of this investigation were to determine: 1) which form of closed kinetic chain training, isokinetic or isotonic, would produce the greatest increase in one-legged jump reaction force; and 2) which training method most accurately predicts peak force produced during a one-legged jump. Forty-two legs from 21 female volunteer subjects were used. Each subject had her dominant …

Investigation Of The Relationship Between Pelvic Tilt And Unilateral Sacroiliac Pain, Beth-Anne Moody Jones

Rehabilitation Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Low back pain is the nation's leading cause of disability. Differential diagnosis of a low back injwy can be complicated and uncommon disorders can be overlooked. Many of the signs and symptoms related to low back pain may in fact be caused by sacroiliac dysfunction. Reliability of the current clinical tests for detection of sacroiliac involvement has been of concern. Recently more focus has been given to the use of pelvic tilt measurement as a source of clinical information on the sacroiliac joint. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation of unilateral sacroiliac dysfunction with asymmetrical changes …

Biofeedback Gait Training Auditory Vs. Visual Techniques, Timothy D. Hiemenz

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Training lower extremity amputees to walk normally is quite a difficult task. Amputees must wear a prosthesis so they can walk at all. This allows them some mobility, but their walking pattern may be unnatural. If their gait is temporally asymmetric, they need to exert more energy to move about. This research was initiated to help lower extremity amputees to walk more efficiently using biofeedback gait training. Two types of feedback were developed and tested to determine which method gave the most understandable feedback, validating its use in a clinical setting.

A normal gait cycle uses the lower limbs to …

Correlation Between Hamstring Spasticity And Range Of Motion And Selected Gait Parameters In Pediatric Clients With Spastic Diplegia, Erin Mccain Glace

Rehabilitation Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Spasticity is often considered the primary limitation to function in children with spastic cerebral palsy. The purpose of this study was to study the relationship between hamstring spasticity and a functional activity, specifically gait. The gait parameters chosen were step length, stride length and velocity. A secondary purpose was to study the relationship between hamstring contracture and the same gait parameters. Reliability data were calculated for tone and ROM measurements. Eleven subjects (8 male and 3 female) between the ages of three years and fifteen years with a primary diagnosis of spastic diplegia were recruited for this study.

Hamstring spasticity …

Antibacterial Effects Of A Silver Electrode Carrying Microamperage Direct Current In Vitro, Poh Chye Young, Luther C. Kloth, Linda Jean Laatsch-Lybeck

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Currently, electrical stimulation is an accepted method used clinically to promote chronic wound healing. A literature review revealed that similar therapeutic current has been shown to suppress growth of common wound pathogens in vitro and in vivo. To date, little has been reported on the factors contributing to the antibacterial effects of microamperage direct current (μADC) stimulation. The purpose of this project was to investigate the role of electric field strength, current density, pH, and type of electrode used in vitro, to gain a better understanding of how these factors contribute to inhibiting growth of select wound pathogens. …

1994 Touro College School Of Health Sciences Yearbook, Touro College School Of Health Sciences

Yearbooks and Newsletters

1994 Touro College School of Health Sciences Yearbook

A Review Of Noninvasive Tools Used For Measuring Flexion Of The Lumbar Spine, Mary E. Johnson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study is to compare the reliability, validity, and ease of administration for various noninvasive tools used for measuring flexion of the lumbar spine. A synopsis of several clinical techniques is offered: Schober's technique, modified Schober, modified modified Schober, fingertip to floor, modified fingertip to floor, goniometer, single inclinometer, double inclinometer, and flexicurves. The results were variable for the different techniques with each having its own inherent advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, the clinician can weigh the information presented when choosing a technique. It appears that a true gold standard has yet to be described. Therefore, it is …

Poststroke Depression, Colleen Frohberg

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Depressed mood is the most common psychiatric disorder following stroke with estimated prevalence rates ranging anywhere from 20% to 60%. It has been reported that effective and rapid treatment of poststroke depression may enhance stroke rehabilitation and speed up functional recovery. The potential reversibility of depression emphasizes the importance of early identification of poststroke depression. Yet, poststroke depression remains largely untreated as part of the rehabilitation process. Therefore, it is important that health professionals, such as physical therapists, who often work with patients who have suffered a stroke are aware of the signs and symptoms of poststroke depression to ensure …

The Effects Of Microcurrent Stimulation In The Treatment Of Lateral Epicondylitis, Justin G. Feeser

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Microcurrent Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation (MENS) is a modality that is quickly gaining popularity in the treatment of various musculoskeletal disorders. At this time, there is a lack of literature, especially well controlled clinical studies, to support its use. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to examine the effects of MENS in the treatment of a common musculoskeletal dysfunction, lateral epicondylitis. Approximately ten subjects with a diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis were assigned either to group A, receiving MENS and conservative treatment (education, home exercise program, ice, and counterforce bracing), or group B, receiving sham MENS and conservative treatment. Subjects were …

Burn Care: The Use Of Cpm, Electrical Stimulation And Lasers, Jennifer Walter

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

p>The treatment of patients with burns has always been a tedious venture. The burn team may devote many long and painful hours to the patient's rehabilitation. Physical therapists play an important part on this team, especially in the areas of wound care and pain control. The purpose of this literature review is to analyze the physiological mechanisms of continuous passive motion, electrical stimulation, and lasers in regard to wound healing and pain perceptions.

In relation to wound healing, electrical stimulation and lasers were found to enhance the actual healing process, mostly in the early phases of healing. Continuous passive …

A Literature Review Of The Team Approach In The Cardiac Rehabilitation Process, Kristin Nelson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Teamwork is a term that is now commonplace in the provision of health services for all people. Variations of this team are widely used, such as multidisciplinary teams and inter-disciplinary teams. A health care team is a group of persons, each possessing particular expertise, who have a common purpose and goal. Teams including professionals, such as nurses, doctors, physical therapists, social workers, and other staff, depending on needs and local resources, are now commonplace in hospital and community services. The purpose of this independent study is to review the literature regarding collaborative team approaches to cardiac rehabilitation. Included in this …

Chinese Medicine: An Effective Alternative For Physical Therapists, Nancy Palumbo

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Acupressure is a technique that has been used for thousands of years in China, and has gained popularity in the United States since the 1960's. Research shows a high correlation between trigger points and acupuncture points, though discovered independently and labeled differently, the same phenomenon of can be explained by the same neural mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of Chinese medicine and its use in physical therapy. First, a literature review consisting of a brief history of Chinese medicine and traditional Western medicine is compared. Next, the results of a survey distributed to 47 …

Age-Induced Adaptations To The Motor Unit, Andrew Mezsaros

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.