Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Using Foot Pressure Analysis To Predict Reoccurrence Of Deformity For Children With Unilateral Clubfoot, Juanita Jean Wallace

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Reoccurrence of deformity can affect upwards of 64% of children with clubfoot. The ability to use foot function as a measure of reoccurrence has not been previously assessed. The purpose of this investigation was to utilize foot pressure analysis to predict the probability of reoccurrence in children with unilateral clubfoot. Retrospective foot pressure data revealed predictive algorithms detecting the probability of experiencing any type of reoccurrence (overall reoccurrence) and for experiencing a tibialis anterior tendon transfer (TATT). The equation for overall reoccurrence reported sensitivity and specificity of 0.82 and 0.81 and the equation for TATT reported values of 0.81 and …

Mobility Boost: A Quality Improvement Project To Bridge A Gap In Care For Hospitalized Adults, Audrey M. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Early mobility quality improvement (QI) projects are leading the charge to shift the prevailing culture in acute care from a culture of immobility to a culture of mobility. Low mobility and hospital acquired functional decline is a persistent problem, especially for older adults, often leading to increased post acute care costs, increased risk of hospital readmission and increased mortality. Transition of care programs designed to improve care transitions and prevent hospital readmission exist but fail to include rehabilitation professionals or to adequately consider patient functional status during hospitalization. The goal of this research was to implement and evaluate an early …

Design And Analysis Of A 3d-Printed, Thermoplastic Elastomer (Tpe) Spring Element For Use In Corrective Hand Orthotics, Kevin Thomas Richardson

Theses and Dissertations--Mechanical Engineering

This thesis proposes an algorithm that determine the geometry of 3D-printed, custom-designed spring element bands made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) for use in a wearable orthotic device to aid in the physical therapy of a human hand exhibiting spasticity after stroke. Each finger of the hand is modeled as a mechanical system consisting of a triple-rod pendulum with nonlinear stiffness at each joint and forces applied at the attachment point of each flexor muscle. The system is assumed quasi-static, which leads to a torque balance between the flexor tendons in the hand, joint stiffness and the design force applied to …

Readiness For Discharge After Total Knee Replacement: Exploring Patients’ Perceptions Of Discharge Preparation And Providers’ Descriptions Of Pre-Operative Education, Renee Causey-Upton

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Discharge readiness following total knee replacement (TKR) has often been defined using quantitative factors, such as knee range of motion or walking a specified distance. These measurements fail to include other features that could impact readiness for discharge, such as social support or patient perceptions. Most patients have positive results following TKR surgery, however others experience negative outcomes such as falls, reduced functional performance, and hospital readmission. Readiness for returning home after TKR begins with pre-operative education to prepare patients for surgery and the post-operative phase. Health care providers must have a clear understanding of patients’ perceptions of readiness to …

The Role Of Psychosocial Factors On Pre And Postoperative Pain In Patients With Femoral Acetabular Impingement, Kate N. Jochimsen

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Femoral acetabular impingement (FAI) is a bony hip condition that often results in tears to the acetabular labrum. Patients with FAI experience pain, decreased function, and quality of life. FAI and its’ sequela are treated definitively with hip arthroscopy. Hip arthroscopy is being performed with increasing frequency, and while most patients respond favorably, a subset of 10-20% of patients have suboptimal outcomes.

Previous research suggests that mental status may be a primary driver in the way patients with FAI respond to and feel pain. Measures of mental status include the presence of mood disorders and psychosocial patient reported outcomes (PROs). …

Muscle Synergy During A Single Leg Standing Test In Ambulatory Children With Cerebral Palsy, Brennan L. Smith

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a sensorimotor disorder characterized by dysfunctional motor coordination, balance problems, and loss of selective motor control. Motor coordination exhibited as co-contraction, has been subjectively quantified using gait analysis, but recent studies have begun to objectively analyze the amount of co-contraction by collecting electromyography (EMG) data. Center of pressure excursion (COPE) measurements collected during a single leg standing test (SLST) have shown to be more valid measurements of balance in populations with motor disabilities than a SLST alone. A recent study has correlated increased COPE velocity with a lower fall risk as determined by reported fall …

Professional Competencies For E-Helpers: A Telepractice Resource, Hannah M. Schlaak

Theses and Dissertations--Communication Sciences and Disorders

The primary purpose of this study was to craft and validate a set of core competencies necessary for an e-Helper to possess. A review of the literature guided the creation of the initial competencies. Following expert review, the competencies were revised and formatted into an online survey which was sent to respondents in four target groups: (a) school administrators who had adopted telepractice as a service delivery model; (b) SLPs experienced in telepractice within a school setting; (c) current e-Helpers, and (d) scholars experienced in telepractice. Sixty percent (21 out of 35) of the competencies were rated as “important” by …

Tissues And Trauma: Pain Neuroscience Education For Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress And Low Back Pain, Timothy Mark Benedict

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Low back pain (LBP) is the top reason for Soldiers to seek medical care and one of the top reasons to be medically discharged. Mental health problems and psychosocial stressors have been increasing in Soldiers and are also top causes for medical discharge. Dysregulated stress has contributed to many Soldiers and Veterans to develop chronic LBP as well as mental health disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research suggests that psychosocial characteristics, as opposed to physical factors or tissue health, contribute to chronic pain the most. Focusing entirely on tissues for individuals seeking care for LBP can increase disability and …

Thrombolysis And Early Speech And Language Recovery After Stroke, Sarah E. Campbell

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Speech and language impairments after left hemisphere stroke are life altering. Neuroprotective interventions, such as tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, are utilized to diminish the impact of the stroke on functional ability.

The purpose of this study was to examine speech and language recovery in the first three months after stroke in individuals with aphasia and to further investigate any differences between individuals who did and individuals who did not receive tPA, using objective speech and language measures.

Twenty-six individuals, thirteen of whom received tPA and thirteen who did not, suffering from first-ever left hemisphere stroke with resulting aphasia were …

The Assessment And Utilization Of Patients’ Self-Efficacy For Exercise During Rehabilitation, Kelsey J. Picha

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Patient adherence to in-clinic rehabilitation is between 30-70% and even lower for home exercise programs (HEPs). Barriers to patient adherence have been identified and include but are not limited to anxiety, depression, lack of positive feedback, lack of social support, lack of time, low levels of physical activity at baseline, pain during exercise, and low self-efficacy. As clinicians prescribing rehabilitation may not be able to influence all of the identified barriers, they may positively influence others. Self-efficacy, or an individual’s belief in his/her ability to successfully complete a task, is a patient barrier that may be addressed by a clinician …

Using The International Classification Of Functioning, Disability, And Health To Predict Participation In Adults With Parkinson’S Disease: The Role Of Positive Psychological Capital, Brad Wayne Mcdaniels

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

Participation is generally considered the ultimate rehabilitation outcome and, for individuals with progressive illnesses, elucidating the factors that impact participation is critical. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic degenerative, neurological condition affecting nearly 1 million people in the United States, making PD the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. PD has a profound negative effect on functioning and activity, but limited literature exists assessing the relationship between PD and community participation. The purpose of this study was to use the World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) as a framework for explaining how PD affects participation. …

Pharmacy Personnel Assessments Of Workflow Associated With Medication Therapy Management Conducted During Transitions-Of-Care, Allan W. Tao

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Pharmacists are known for their expertise with medications and are the first medical professionals that many patients seek for their day-to-day concerns. The importance of understanding one’s medication and having appropriate oversight over the regimen cannot be understated. There is exists a method, known as Medication Therapy Management (MTM), with which pharmacists can ensure medication therapy safety and appropriateness via patient interview and receive reimbursement from third-party payers like insurance companies. However despite this, MTM is not a widely known service amongst eligible patients.

This study focuses on the process of MTM in UK Healthcare outpatient clinics and works to …