Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Discordance Between Self-Report And Performance-Based Measures Among At-Risk Older Adults: A Secondary Data Analysis, Chiung-Ju Liu, Wen-Pin Chang, Inga Wang

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

Importance: Subtle, age-related declines in occupational performance among at-risk older adults may go undetected when assessed solely with self-report measures, potentially leading to missed intervention opportunities. Understanding discrepancies between self-reported and performance-based occupational performance outcomes can inform assessment selection and interpretation.

Objective: To examine the discrepancies between the two types of measure among community-dwelling older adults at risk for losing independence.

Design: Cross-sectional study using secondary data analysis.

Participants: Seventy-one community-dwelling older adults (M age = 74 yr, SD = 9) who showed muscle weakness and reported difficulty with activities of daily living.

Outcomes and measures: Canadian Occupational Performance Measure …

Perceived Microaggressions Among Student Physical Therapists During Their Doctor Of Physical Therapy Education: A Mixed-Methods Study, Andrea Lopes Sauers, Rita Ator, Patrice Ayala, Jaime González, Suzanne O'Neal

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Introduction: Microaggressions, although often subtle and unintentional, have a significant impact. These actions emerge from stereotypes and can affect the recipient's sense of belonging. This study aimed to report the prevalence of perceived microaggressions among student physical therapists and to explore these experiences during their academic journey.

Review of literature: Microaggressions can disrupt the learning environment, hinder students' academic and professional development, and contribute to a culture perpetuating inequality and exclusion. To date, no studies have explored the impact of microaggressions on student physical therapists.

Subjects: Second- and third-year student physical therapists (n = 101) were invited to participate.

Methods: …

Improving Equity Within The Holistic Admission Process Through Race-Neutral Holistic Review: A Before And After Cross-Sectional Study, Megan Eikenberry, Kylie Scott, Jaime González, Josh Subialka, Lacey Frankland, Patrice Ayala, Mark Kargela, Byron Russell

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Introduction: The US Physical therapist (PT) workforce lacks racial and ethnic diversity, which may contribute to health disparities. Holistic review (HR) admission methods may improve workforce diversity by evaluating applicants' academic metrics, experiences, and personal attributes. Holistic review processes must adapt following the 2023 Supreme Court ruling prohibiting race-based admission criteria.

Review of literature: Holistic review criteria are program-specific and align with institutional and programmatic goals. While HR is shown to improve student body diversity, most PT education programs heavily emphasize academic metrics, which may disadvantage racial and ethnic minority (REM) applicants from acceptance. This study examines the racial and …

Upper Extremity Return To Sport Functional Testing: A Systematic Review, Marisa Pontillo, Eric Bellm, Patrick Barber, Matthew L. Gauthier, Casey A. Unverzagt, George J. Davies

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Background: Upper extremity return to sport (RTS) assessments are not standardized with respect to which metrics to use, if the metrics are appropriate for all populations and levels of competition, and what constitutes good or poor test performance. Subsequently, clinicians may utilize suboptimal metrics to evaluate RTS readiness, or forgo objective criteria altogether. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties (reliability, agreement/measurement error, hypothesis testing/construct validity, criterion/predictive validity, responsiveness) of upper extremity functional tests used to assess RTS readiness.

Methods: This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines, with all studies included assessed via the PEDro scale. Literature …

Hispanic Academic Leadership In The Health And Human Services, Gabriela Elizabeth Rangel

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, there are 63.7 million Hispanics (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023), making them the largest racial or ethnic minority in the country. National data from 2019 indicates that only 6% of tenured faculty in the U.S. were Hispanic, highlighting a significant underrepresentation of leaders in academia (NCES, 2024). This study employed a phenomenological approach with purposeful sampling, utilizing semi-structured interviews with ten participants who had leadership experience in academia within Health and Human Services (H&HS). The interviews served to explore various aspects, such as what were their aspirations to become leaders, their perceptions of the characteristics and qualities …

Effects Of Neurocognitive Multitask Activities On A Novel Lower Extremity Functional Performance Test, Sidney M. Stoddard, Logan Hill, Bryan L. Riemann, George J. Davies

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Objective: To examine the effects of incorporating (1) a neurocognitive reactive component and (2) a neurocognitive multitask component on performance degradation of a single-limb hop functional performance test.

Design: Randomized within-subject design of 32 healthy young adults.

Methods: Participants performed 3 randomly assigned variations of the single-limb T-Drill Hop Test (TDHT). The time to complete each test was recorded. The reactive TDHT (R-TDHT) consisted of the TDHT with a flashing light, indicating the "T" intersection hop direction. The neurocognitive reactive-recall TDHT (RR-TDHT) incorporated the R-TDHT and required participants to observe 5 flashing light colors. Participants then recalled the colors in …

From Awareness To Integration: Leading The Change For Occupational Therapy, Shirley A. Wells

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

In her lecture for the inaugural Dr. Lela A. Llorens Award of Excellence for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Dr. Shirley A. Wells acknowledges the growing importance of creating more inclusive and equitable environments across all aspects of health care, with occupational therapy being no exception. Inclusion and integration are fundamental values that should be woven into every part of the practice of occupational therapy. It is not enough to be aware of these concepts; occupational therapists must actively engage in Acts of Inclusion and Integration in their delivery of care, collaboration with clients and colleagues, and shaping of the future …

Soft Tissue Envelope Compromise Following Low-Side Motorcycle Accident: A Case Study And Literature Review, Steven A. Bolton, Ali Ahmad, Jonathan Rodriguez, Hooman Mir

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Purpose: This case report details a staged approach in managing a patient who presented to the ER with a displaced proximal second phalanx fracture, extensive soft tissue damage, and diffuse fracture blistering following a motorcycle crash. This case highlights that soft tissue damage may not always correlate with severe osseous injury.

Methodology: This case is a concurrent chart review of a 40-year-old who sustained a low side motorcycle injury resulting in a minimally displaced avulsion fracture of the medial 2nd toe proximal phalanx base with extensive soft tissue damage, fracture blisters, and lower extremity edema.

Procedures: Radiographic evaluation demonstrated no …

Assessing The Use Of Marker-Less Motion Capture Systems For Neurological Disorders In Indoor Vs Outdoor Settings., Anjana Ganesh, Kelsey Baker

Research Colloquium

Background: Marker-less motion capture systems have improved the assessment of human movement by allowing for a non-invasive, affordable, quantitative data collection useful in clinical settings. However, their use in real-world community care settings is largely underexplored, presenting a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between controlled laboratory environments and the complexity of providing care in diverse, everyday contexts. This systematic review examines the differential use of MMC systems across real-world indoor environments (clinics, homes, living labs) and outdoor settings (public walkways, community spaces), with a focus on their application to neurological disorders such as stroke and neurodegenerative diseases.

Methods: …

Optimal And Harmful Social Media Use By Teens With Disabilities: Leveraging Benefits While Minimizing Adverse Effects, Rommel Johnson, Elaine Mora

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

This article investigates the dual role of social media as both a beneficial and a harmful tool for teens with disabilities (TWDs), emphasizing its impact on identity formation, self-expression, and community engagement. Social media platforms provide TWDs with opportunities for autonomy and empowerment, offering an avenue to connect with peers, share personal stories, and engage in self-advocacy. However, the same platforms pose significant risks, including cyberbullying, loss of privacy, and problematic social media use. The article highlights rehabilitation professionals' need to understand these underlying forces, ensuring that TWDs can leverage social media's benefits while minimizing its adverse effects. By reviewing …

Stand For Support, Shatter The Silence: Administrative Approaches To Eradicate Bullying In Higher Education, Elaine M. Mora, Shawn P. Saladin

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

Bullying in higher education has become a widespread and complex issue that affects staff, faculty, and students worldwide, causing a detrimental impact on both psychological health and academic achievement. This paper provides a comprehensive examination of the phenomenon, encompassing all its manifestations, underlying causes, and significant consequences. The study, which draws on academic literature, outlines the various forms of bullying, including cyberbullying, mobbing, microaggressions, and social exclusion, and highlights the adverse effects these behaviors have on both individuals and academic communities. The research emphasizes how critical it is to comprehend the power relationships that exist in higher education settings and …

The Effects Of Moderate-Intensity Physical Exercise And Yoga Interventions On Stress In Hispanic College Students: A Pilot Study, Hongxing Lu, Florentino Saenz, Preethi Raju, Ednia Gutierrez, Sue Anne Chew, Saraswathy Nair

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Hispanic college students face high stress, which may increase their risk for chronic stress-related health issues. Effective and accessible stress management strategies for this population remain limited. Objective: This pilot study filled a gap by studying the effects of psychological stress on diet and physical activity habits and evaluating the impact of moderate-intensity physical exercise (MIPE) and yoga interventions on chronic psychological stress and acute stress responses among Hispanic college students. Methods: A total of 18 Hispanic college students participated in a 6-week intervention consisting of either MIPE or yoga, conducted twice weekly. Anthropometric measurements and lifestyle data were …

Social Participation And Health-Related Quality Of Life For Adults With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: Capabilities Mediation And Employment Status And Social Security Disability Insurance Moderation, Kayi Ntinda

Theses and Dissertations

Social participation is a key determinant of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs), yet how individuals with NDDs engage socially to support their HRQoL remains poorly understood. Furthermore, the influences of personal capabilities, employment status, and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) as social factors for well-being are underexplored with this population.

This cross-sectional study investigated the direct and indirect effects of social participation on HRQoL, examining capabilities as a mediator and employment status and SSDI receipt as moderators. The study sample comprised 304 adults with NDDs (females = 83.3%; age range 18 to 60 years …

Occupational Therapy Educators’ Perceptions Of Preparedness To Teach Students Culturally Responsive Care For Diverse Patient Populations, Jack Ruelas

Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological investigation examined occupational therapy faculty preparedness for teaching culturally responsive care to entry-level doctorate students in Texas. Despite Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) mandates requiring cultural competence education, significant gaps persist between regulatory requirements and faculty readiness to deliver such instruction effectively. The study explored three interrelated dimensions: (1) faculty perceptions of their preparedness to teach cultural competence, (2) institutional training and support mechanisms, and (3) pedagogical integration strategies for culturally responsive content.

Employing interpretive phenomenology grounded in Freire's critical pedagogy and Iwama's Kawa Model, this investigation utilized a two-phase data collection methodology with eleven faculty …

Substance Abuse And Addiction Among Students, Mona Muzammil, Muzammil Arshad, Washain Muzammil

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Chemistry)

Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person's brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine.

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a cluster of physiological, behavioral, and cognitive symptoms associated with the continued use of substances despite substance-related problems, distress, and/or impairment, such as impaired control and risky use. Substance use among college students has reached alarming levels.

Is your addiction taking control of your life? This book provides an integrative program to help you understand and take charge of drug and …

Early Childhood Educator Preparation, Exposure, And Perspectives Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Preschool Hispanic Populations, Karla C. Vidaurri, Ruth Crutchfield, Jessica R. Stewart

Communication Sciences & Disorders Faculty Publications

Purpose: With an increase in prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the Hispanic population, there is a crucial demand for early identification and servicing of individuals with ASD. Early childhood educators are one profession in the position to identify and provide services to individuals with ASD at an early age. The aim of this study was to explore early educators’ preparation, exposure, and perspectives of ASD specific to preschool Hispanic populations.

Method: A survey methodology was implemented to explore early childhood educators’ preparation, exposure, and perspectives of ASD. The anonymous survey consisted of 23 questions and statements that explored …

Physical Therapy Outcome Measures Used In Persons With Long Covid: A Systematic Review Of Interventional Studies Up To 1-Year Postglobal Health Emergency, Andrea Lopes Sauers, Liana Johnson, Marissa Mortensen, Laura Bianca Dorásio Da Silva, Luciana Angélica Da Silva De Jesus, Jaime González, Cristino Oliveira

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Purpose:

To identify the most frequently used outcome measures in interventional studies for Long Covid in outpatient, home-based, and telerehabilitation physical therapy settings.

Methods:

Registered in PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42021286714) and conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, this review included interventional studies performed in outpatient, telerehabilitation, or home-based physical therapy settings, assessing adults with persistent Long Covid symptoms in at least 3 months post-COVID-19 infection and published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. A comprehensive search strategy was executed across PubMed, Embase, Scopus, PEDro, SciELO, Web of Science, and CINAHL. Data were managed via Covidence, with studies independently screened and extracted by …

Investing In Limb Preservation: A Case Report In Avoiding Bilateral Amputation In A Vasculopathy Patient, Stephanie N. Campbell, Craig J. Verdin, Heather V. Tran, Nikita Gambhir

Research Symposium

Background: Limb salvage and prosthetics play vital roles in restoring function and mobility for patients with severe injuries or metabolic conditions. Limb salvage involves surgical techniques aimed at preserving a limb rather than resorting to amputation, while prosthetics provide artificial devices to replace lost limbs. Key considerations for limb salvage include restoring a functional foot, maintaining patient independence, minimizing hospitalizations, and avoiding bilateral lower limb amputations.

Case Presentation: The patient, already at single-limb status, presented with a necrotic heel ulcer, exposed calcaneus, and necrotic Achilles tendon. After vascular optimization, the risks and benefits of final aggressive measures were discussed, leading …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Cryoneurolysis As A Preoperative Intervention In Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Literature Review, Paul Bonilla, Anesu K. Murambadoro, Juan Pablo Flanagan, Victoria Elizondo, Aamir Ahmad

Research Symposium

Background: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a highly effective treatment for knee osteoarthritis, but significant postoperative pain often necessitates opioid use. Over 70% of patients use opioid drugs 3 weeks after TKA and up to 15% of TKA patients develop opioid dependence, increasing the risk of adverse effects, infections, and contributes to costly revision surgeries. Cryoneurolysis, a minimally invasive technique involving freezing peripheral nerves, has gained attention as a promising preoperative intervention. This study explores the potential of cryoneurolysis as a preoperative intervention to alleviate pain, reduce opioid dependence, and improve functionality.

Methods: A literature search was conducted using the …

A Review Of Key Music Therapy Approaches To Unlocking Recovery From Stroke And Traumatic Brain Injury, Bethany Woolman, Nina Mourao, Joshua K. Elliott, Shizue Mito, Ney Alliey-Rodriguez

Research Symposium

Background: Strokes and traumatic brain injuries are neuronal injuries that can impact the motor, sensory, and cognitive abilities of an affected individual, and may necessitate therapy of multiple forms to regain back total or partial functionality and independence in their daily lives. Music assists in stimulating multiple brain regions, and when incorporated into rehabilitation, it has the potential to impact stroke and traumatic brain injury recovery. This literature review focuses on the efficacy of two novel music therapy approaches, melodic intonation therapy (MIT) and rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS), on recovery from aphasia and restoration of gait, respectively, to assess whether …

Could Telemedicine Approaches Improve Inclusivity In Spinal Cord Injury Care And Research?: Insights From Epidemiological Texas Data, Anesu Karen Murambadoro, Daniel Salinas, Victoria Elizondo, Kevin Garcia Valdez, Blake Martin, Paul Bonilla, Kelsey Baker

Research Symposium

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects hundreds of Texans, with annual healthcare costs exceeding $43,800 per individual, with the bulk of these costs coming from frequent rehabilitation visits. In a geographically vast state with only two major SCI rehabilitation centers, Texans with SCI may face substantial barriers to accessing specialized care, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Telemedicine, which encompasses remote delivery of healthcare services and rehabilitation, has offered promising solutions in easing travel burden and improving physician reach. For example, nationally, in 2021, 37.0% of individuals utilized telemedicine. Furthermore, telemedicine usage was greatest among individuals living in West and …

Return To Basketball For College And Professional Athletes After Surgical Repair Of Achilles Tendon, Paul Bonilla, Hunter M. Butler, Aasim Ahmad, Aamir Ahmad

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Basketball places extreme mechanical stress on an athlete’s body, leading to a variety of injuries within the sport. Achilles tendon (AT) ruptures have started to garner attention as the incidence of this season ending injury continues to increase [1]. AT ruptures have also been shown to have a higher prevalence in basketball compared to other sport populations. [2]. With the recovery time of AT ruptures being a minimum of 6 months, and data supporting a decrease in player performance and career longevity, it is important to understand the indicated pathophysiology behind the injury along with the surgical management options …

Moving Beyond Traditional Multiculturalism: Dis/Ability Awareness In Counselor Education, Alicia B. Becton, Eunae Han, Leeza Ong, Amber Johnson, Roy K. Chen, Gabriela Rangel, Stephanie Lusk

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

This chapter explores the experiences of individuals with disabilities, emphasizing how they navigate educational and societal norms while balancing various identities. It emphasizes the impact of societal issues, such as racism and sexism, on individuals with disabilities. The authors delve into current multiculturalism trends, advocating for culturally responsive approaches in counselor education and rehabilitation services. The goal is to advance discussions on the future directions of multiculturalism by exploring the following key areas (a) the sociopolitical aspects of disability, (b) the inclusion of disability in counselor education, (c) accessibility and the universal design for learning (UDL), (d) culturally competent counselor …

Disability Awareness And Inclusion, Claudia C. Gonzalez, Raquel C. Vasquez, Bruce J. Reed

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021) reported an increase in the prevalence of persons with disabilities affecting one in four people in the United States. Disability awareness and inclusion describe how a combination of understanding, acknowledgment, compassion, and acceptance can allow persons with disability the same opportunities as those without disabilities. This can be seen with the increase in persons with a disability graduating from postsecondary institutions, about 14% from 2012 to 2022 of persons over 25. This chapter covers foundational material regarding disability awareness and inclusion, including the prevalence of disability in general and in educational settings, …

Integrating Technology To Support Learning And Accessibility In Counselor Education And Supervision, Yung-Chen Jen Chiu, Heekyung Lee, Junfei Lu, Kayi Ntinda, Roy K. Chen, Yuleinys A. Castillo

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

The rapid evolution of technology has profoundly impacted the delivery of counseling services and the field of counselor education. This transformation has introduced both opportunities and challenges for students from underrepresented backgrounds, including students with disabilities. This chapter delves into the integration of technology in counselor education and supervision, highlighting considerations of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. It explores strategies to enhance accessibility, including improved access to program information, optimized class preparation, and enhanced quality of clinical supervision. Key implications for counselor educators and supervisors include bolstering their own technological proficiency, familiarity with legal and ethical considerations, enhancing disability awareness, …

Federal Laws And On-Campus Supports For Students With Disabilities In Postsecondary Education, Bruce J. Reed, Raquel C. Vasquez, Claudia C. Gonzalez

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

In the United States, the attainment of a postsecondary degree is seen as an important milestone that leads to a financially rewarding career. College graduates can expect an increase of 75% in lifetime earnings compared to non-college graduates (Kumok & Hahn, 2023). It is estimated that in 2022, 54% of American adults had earned at least a bachelor's degree (Welding, 2023). Estimates vary as to the number of students with disabilities (SWD) attending postsecondary education ranging from 9-19% (Blasey et al., 2023). The true number of college SWD at any one time is unknown as students must self-report and seek …

Navigating The Path: Understanding And Overcoming Challenges For College Students With Disabilities, Nahal Salimi, Bryan Gere, Elaine Mora, Roy K. Chen

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

Higher education can be challenging for many students, but for those with disabilities, it presents additional hurdles. Oftentimes, students with disabilities must navigate both their academic responsibilities and the unique challenges posed by their disabilities. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the most frequently reported challenges and barriers to academic success for students with disabilities in higher education. The chapter focuses on several key issues, including but not limited to societal attitudes surrounding disability and provision of academic accommodation, students' willingness to disclose their disabilities in their institutes, and difficulties with social integration. Each of these challenges is explored …

Disability Community-Engaged Learning For Counselor Education Students, Kayi Ntinda, Bruce J. Reed

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

Community-engaged learning approaches utilize experiential learning by which participant students, disability community, and instructors are knowers and actors contributing to practical, real-world applications. This chapter explores the integration of community-engaged learning in counselor education programs, with a focus on its significance for developing practice-led skills respecting communities with and of disability. Second, the chapter proposes community-engagement pedagogical methods for critical thinking and real-world problem-solving skills by counselor education students. The chapter then addresses how community-engaged learning approaches meet CACREP standards for preparing counselor education students bridging the theory and practice gaps in their clinical rehabilitation counseling competencies. With community-engaged learning …

Current Practices In Implementing The Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Needs Assessment: A National Survey, Laurie D. Stelter, Kaitlyn Cremer Baylor University, Lou Rutigliano, Leslye Morris, Lima Ghulmi, Ana Allegretti

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

Entry-level occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) programs navigate curricular decisions related to designing, implementing, and refining doctoral capstone processes. One of the complex requirements is the doctoral capstone needs assessment (DCNA) which each student completes prior to the implementation of the doctoral capstone project. The researchers aimed to contribute to the specificity of DCNA-related understanding, informing quality decision-making, via a national, cross-sectional survey of current DCNA practices. Purposive sampling resulted in a 24.3% (n=54) response rate of mostly Doctoral Capstone Coordinators (DCCs; 98.1%) representing programs across doctoral capstone experience levels. The timing of DCNA processes trended toward the latter half of …

Evaluation And Treatment Of Baseball Pitchers: There’S More To Assess Than The Arm, Matthew L. Gauthier, Casey A. Unverzagt, George J. Davies

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Injuries are commonplace in the overhead athlete, with many occurring to the shoulder and elbow. The increasing prevalence of injuries to the shoulder and elbow has been discussed at length in recent years, with increased research focus being placed on arm care for rehabilitation and prevention strategies. Even though the pitching motion is well-established as a whole-body kinetic chain movement, most attention in rehabilitation and prevention efforts is often placed on the upper extremity. The purpose of this clinical commentary is to highlight the impact the lower extremity and trunk have on the upper extremity during the throwing motion, better …