Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Horizontal Ladder Task: Assessing The Effect Of A Walking Intervention On Mobility In People With Lower Limb Amputation, Chelsea Domingo

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Hundreds of thousands of people struggle with mobility due to lower limb amputation. Learning how to do something you have never done is a difficult task for anyone. Practice is important when person with amputation uses a prosthesis because each environment they encounter could vary. Across settings, different textures such as even and uneven terrain require different skills to maintain balance. The purpose of this research is to determine if practicing walking on uneven terrain will help people with amputation improve their ability to walk in different environments. We will use a horizontal ladder task (Christie et al., 2020) to …

Effects Of Patellofemoral Pain On Central Activation And Function Of The Gluteus Medius Muscle In Physically Active Females, Michelle Samuel

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is the most common knee injury among runners, military personnel, adolescents and recreationally active persons. PFP commonly presents as diffuse pain across the anterior knee that increases with activities such as running, squatting, and walking up and down stairs. Nearly 75% of patients with PFP either alter or completely stop physical activity as a result of the pain. There are numerous mechanisms that contribute to PFP symptoms; such as muscle weakness, abnormal joint mechanics and abnormal joint stress, which make it difficult to successfully treat. In addition, PFP may lead to patellofemoral joint (PFJ) osteoarthritis, a debilitating …

The Occupational Therapy Approach To Pain Treatment: A Pain Curriculum, Rosalee Howell

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

It is within the scope of the occupational therapy profession to treat patients experiencing pain. The holistic approach used to assess and treat patients to improve functional performance is vital in treating pain. The focus is to decrease the detrimental impact of pain on the patient’s mental health, enhancing their ability to function in social and vocational roles. However, education is not adequately addressed in occupational therapy programs and is vital in preparing clinicians to meet the patient’s needs effectively.

This Doctoral Capstone was developed to highlight the importance and the benefit of education in preparing clinicians to treat patients …

Direction Of Attentional Focus In Prosthetic Training: Current Practice And Potential For Improving Motor Learning In Individuals With Lower Limb Loss, Alexander Bonczyk, Maria Katrina Tillada Dimapilis, Sarah Partridge, Samantha Ruiz

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objective: Adopting an external focus of attention has been shown to benefit motor performance and learning. However, the potential of optimizing attentional focus for improving prosthetic motor skills in lower limb prosthesis (LLP) users has not been examined. In this study, we investigated the frequency and direction of attentional focus embedded in the verbal instructions in a clinical prosthetic training setting.

Methods: Twenty-one adult LLP users (8 female, 13 male; 85% at K3 level; mean age=50.5) were recruited from prosthetic clinics in the Southern Nevada region. Verbal interactions between LLP users and their prosthetists (mean experience=10 years, range=4-21 years) during …

The Effects Of A Telehealth Exercise Intervention On Balance In Adults With Down Syndrome, Mark Barton, Kristina Guerrero, Andrew Martinez, Alexandria Umagat

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: People with Down syndrome (Ds) often present with balance deficits, which compromise their safety during daily activity. While evidence shows that exercise can improve balance in the Ds population, it is unclear if a telehealth method will elicit similar benefits. We aimed to examine the effects of a virtual exercise program on balance in adults with Ds.

Methods: Twenty participants completed a 12-week telehealth exercise program based on the Mann Method. Balance testing took place before and after the intervention, which included: Timed Up and Go (TUG), Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction in Balance (MCTSIB), Frailty and Injuries: …

Essential Tools For Sustainability Of A Student-Led, Pro-Bono Back School, Cory Brown, Rosalie Gutierrez, Jennifer Montes, Rondale Scruggs

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: In 2018, University of Nevada Las Vegas Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students and faculty, in cooperation with a community partner, created a student-led pro bono Back School to address a gap in healthcare for underinsured individuals with low back pain in Southern Nevada. To support the sustainability of the Back School, the authors of this paper set out to develop a student club to recruit and train DPT students to volunteer in the program using a specifically designed electronic training manual. Overall, the aim was to encourage students to join the new club's leadership team to prepare future …

Increasing Utilization Of Otago Fall Prevention Program By Nevada Physical Therapists: A Service-Learning Project, Jared Apostol, Erica Mooy Brown, Danielle Uptain

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Otago is an evidence-based program that is designed to reduce falls in community dwelling older adults by individualizing an exercise program with three key components: strength, balance, and a walking program. Unfortunately, Nevada clinicians do not utilize the program frequently or entirely with patients in outpatient and/or home health physical therapy. Evidence shows it reduces fall risk, but it has barriers to implementation in the United States. The barriers to integration are primarily due to the plan of care that stems from a 12-month timeframe and several phone call appointments which does not fit well in the American healthcare system. …

Effects Of A Remote Exercise Intervention On Aerobic Endurance In Individuals With Down Syndrome, Andrew Murata, Elena Wolf, Jonathan Crimm, Benjamin Lee

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose: Down syndrome (Ds) or Trisomy 21 is a common genetic birth condition, and those with Ds typically display decreased cardiorespiratory fitness compared to those without Ds, potentially leading to an increased risk for cardiovascular conditions and mortality. Low cardiorespiratory fitness is partially caused by low physical activity levels in this population. The COVID-19 pandemic caused community-based activity programs to shut down, as individuals with Ds are at increased risk for COVID-19 hospitalization and death. Thus, it was vital to explore alternatives of in-person exercise during the pandemic. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a …

Perceived Value Of Acute Care Physical Therapy, Juliana Amenta, Andrew Falcinelli, Erin Heenan, Hannah Kendall

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background/Significance/Objective: Although there is some research regarding physical therapy in the acute hospital setting, much of it is focused on the role physical therapists play with specific patient populations or diagnoses. By understanding more about how physical therapy services can add value in the acute hospital, their skills could be better utilized to maximize benefit for both individual patients and the hospital. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceived value that physical therapists bring to the acute care hospital from the perspective of both physical therapists and their supervisors in Southern Nevada.

Methods: This study used an …

Diagnostic Ultrasound As A Reliable Tool To Measure Multifidus Thickness, Katherine Shigemoto, Valeria Garcia Arteaga, Jessie Peterson, Nathan Gentry

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction: Lower back pain (LBP) is a recurrent issue in the general population, though it is generally seen 2-3 times more frequently in those who undergo transfemoral amputations, being considered worse than phantom limb or residual pain. It is suggested that LBP is more common in those who have a transfemoral amputation than those who have a transtibial amputation. Research thus far has seemed to focus on identifying links between unilateral amputation and LBP rather than bilateral.

The multifidus muscle is the most important dynamic stabilizer of the lumbar spine, accounting for two- thirds of lower lumbar segmental stability. A …

Walking With Poles Improves Step Length Of Simulated Prosthetic Gait, Marissa Elquist, Daniel Perez, Jonathan Garcia, Brady Owens

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Individuals with lower limb loss often demonstrate gait deviations which cause instability and asymmetry. Walking with poles has been shown to improve stride length and stability in older adult and other patient populations. The enhanced arm involvement in bipedal walking with poles has the potential to facilitate interlimb coordination among arms and legs, and therefore is likely to improve prosthetic gait. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of walking poles on temporal gait parameters and the center of mass (COM) displacement during prosthetic and simulated prosthetic gait. It was hypothesized that walking with poles would improve …

Physical Therapy Alumni Rural Employment Assessment, Karen Aleyda Santos, Nikkita Jacob Crozier

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction and Purpose: The University of Nevada, Las Vegas Doctor of Physical Therapy program (UNLVPT) encourages rural and underserved employment by requiring students to complete one clinical experience in either a rural or underserved setting. Students who participate in rural clinical experiences may be more likely to practice in rural settings. UNLVPT also assesses rural interest level during each student’s education. The purpose of this study was to determine if relationship exists between students’ pre- or post-clinical experience rural interest level and their practice location within the first two years after graduation. We hypothesized that an interest in rural practice …

Effects Of A 12-Week Telehealth Exercise Intervention On Gait Speed And Gait Deviations In Adults With Down Syndrome, Robert Lum, Taylor Souza, Christopher Roys, Daniel Stopka

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Down syndrome (Ds) is associated with impairments affecting overall motor development including gait pattern and speed. Research on the effects of exercise on adults with Ds is lacking. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of a 12-week telehealth exercise program on gait impairments in adults with Ds.

Methods: Twenty participants performed a 12-week telehealth exercise program based upon a diagnosis-specific procedure developed by Sarah Mann, PT, DPT. Gait deviations were assessed with the Ranchos Los Amigos Observational Gait Analysis. Comfortable gait speed was evaluated with the 4-meter walk test.

Results: Improvements in comfortable gait speed …

Factors Predicting Fear Of Falling Avoidance Behavior In Parkinsonisms, Kameron Eckard, Franjo Vukojevic, Ryan Hammar

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Fear of falling avoidance behavior (FFAB) is common in parkinsonisms and results in potentially mitigable downstream consequences.

Objective: Determine the characteristics of individuals with parkinsonisms most associated with FFAB.

Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted from medical records data of 142 patients with parkinsonisms. These data included: demographics (age, sex), disease characteristics (Movement Disorders Society – Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale Part III (MDS-UPDRS III), years since diagnosis), fall history (number of fall injuries in previous year), and gait and balance function (five times sit to stand, MiniBESTest, Timed Up and Go (TUG), dual-task TUG, ten-meter walk test …

Brain And Spinal Cord Adaptations Associated With Patellofemoral Pain: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Kara Meske, Savanna Budge Huerta, Austin Madriaga, Derrick Nguyenton

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objective: To evaluate the evidence for altered cortical and spinal cord functions in individuals with patellofemoral pain (PFP).

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of databases to appraise and analyze the studies published prior to December 10, 2021 that examined spinal reflex excitability measured using Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) amplitudes, corticospinal excitability measured using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-elicited motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitudes, motor threshold (MT), or stimulus-response (SR) curves, cortical reorganization assessed using TMS cortical mapping or structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or functional changes of the brain assessed using functional MRI (fMRI) in individuals with PFP.

Results: Eight studies …

Efficacy And Benefits Of Providing A Screening Clinic For Performing Arts Students, Shaun Bean, Joanna Centeno, Elizabeth Williams

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In past years, University of Nevada, Las Vegas physical therapy students (UNLVPT) have provided UNLV dance students with screening clinics, injury evaluations, and treatment sessions to help address their need for direct and specialized services. Through this project, UNLVPT has worked to help reduce injury risk in dancers and provided treatment and rehabilitation for injuries that have occurred. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our group was unable to treat dancers in person over the course of the 2020-2021 school year. In response to these limitations, we worked to reformat our screening process to make it practical in a virtual setting. …

Development Of Online Modules To Introduce Prospective Students To The Profession Of Occupational Therapy, Hosia Towery

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Prospective students interested in Occupational Therapy academic programs are subject to the admission criteria of each educational institution, including experiential learning, clinical observation hours, volunteer experiences, or similar prerequisites. There are no standardized criteria established for these prerequisite requirements b the accreditation agency, as it is within the scope of Higher Education. There is no accountability at the regional or local level to ensure educational opportunities for prospective students interested in higher education, creating a gap as highlighted in the recent global pandemic, where student access to education was further challenged. Students are reliant on a variable set of requirements …

The Road Ahead: An Occupational Therapy Manual To Infant Development For Parents In The Nicu, Nicole Suzuki-Uyeno

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Occupational therapists have been collaborating with the parents of our tiniest patients in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for quite some time. They have a wealth of information and expertise in the area on infant development and parent education. Admitting a baby to the NICU is a shock for most parents and can take a toll on a family. The role of the occupational therapist is to help educate the family and to provide the tools to safely take care of their baby and to smoothen the transition from the hospital to home.

In the NICU, the OT has …

Utilizing Emotional Intelligence To Cultivate Occupational Therapy Students' Leadership Skills, Talina Minasian

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Emotional intelligence (EI) education is a crucial component to facilitating professional and leadership skills. Strengthening emotional competence through training and education can support clinician success. The healthcare sector is complex and presents many challenges and emotionally demanding circumstances. Sharpening emotional intelligence skills can provide tools for students, practitioners, and leaders to effectively respond and rise above difficult situations. There is a strong need for healthcare programs to supplement their curriculums with EI learning.

This doctoral project explored the benefits and impact of integrating emotional intelligence education into a leadership course for entry-level occupational therapy (OT) students. Using current literature, a …

The Role Of Socioeconomic Status, Race, And Gender In Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Total Hip Arthroplasty, Allyn M. Bove, James Porter, Aatif Sayeed, Clair Smith, Brian A. Klatt

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Background

Disparities in total joint arthroplasty are well-documented. However, much of the research regarding disparities in vulnerable populations receiving total hip arthroplasty (THA) have focused on short-term outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of race, gender, and socioeconomic status (SES) on patient-reported outcomes six months following THA.

Methods

Electronic health record data were retrospectively analyzed for 269 individuals who underwent THA at a large urban hospital from 2013-16. Data retrieved included patient demographics, baseline health information, data regarding hospital length of stay when undergoing THA, post-operative complications, and patient-reported function, measured by the Harris Hip …

Brain And Spinal Cord Adaptations Associated With Patellofemoral Pain: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Kai-Yu Ho, Jing Nong Liang, Savanna Budge, Austin Madriaga, Kara Meske, Derrick Nguyenton

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Objective: To evaluate the evidence for altered cortical and spinal cord functions in individuals with patellofemoral pain (PFP).

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of databases to appraise and analyze the studies published prior to December 10, 2021 that examined spinal reflex excitability measured using Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) amplitudes, corticospinal excitability measured using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-elicited motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitudes, motor threshold (MT), or stimulus-response (SR) curves, cortical reorganization assessed using TMS cortical mapping or structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or functional changes of the brain assessed using functional MRI (fMRI) in individuals with PFP.

Results: Eight studies …