Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Effects Of Eccentric Strengthening On Force Output Of The Erector Spinae As Measured By Surface Electromyography (Emg), Audi Chenoweth, Chris Moore

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the increase in force output of the erector spinae using the mean amplitude of surface electromyography (EMG) before and after an eccentric exercise program. Eight healthy subjects, two men and six women, between the ages of 30-45 were individually dosed and evaluated for baseline recordings of their EMG activity during three isometric and six eccentric contractions of their lumbar erector spinae. The exercise program consisted of a single eccentric lowering exercise of six repetitions for three sets, two times a week, for four weeks. EMG recordings were taken in post-test measurements during …

Crosstalk: Surface Versus Intramuscular Electrodes For The Peroneus Brevis And Peroneus Longus, Tanya Cardillo, Susan Dresden, Jacquelyn Solem

Masters Theses

The purpose of this descriptive study was to measure crosstalk when using surface electrodes over the peroneus brevis and peroneus longus muscles. EMG was recorded from the right lower extremity of 14 normal subjects, taken from a sample of convenience. Surface electrodes were applied over the peroneus brevis and peroneus longus muscles; fine wire electrodes were inserted into the peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, anterior tibialis and extensor digitorum longus muscles of each subject. During manual muscle tests for the peroneals, anterior tibialis, and extensor digitorum longus, data were recorded from all electrodes simultaneously over 5 trials of each. Pearson product-moment …

A Comparative Electromyographic Study Of The Effect Of Four Selected Closed Chain Squat Exercises On Vastus Medialis Oblique And Vastus Lateralis, Barbara D. Campbell, Michelle Kosiara, Heidi Tolloff

Masters Theses

Patellofemoral dysfunction (PFD) usually involves patellar maltracking. Vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) are two key muscles that help maintain patellar alignment. Open kinetic chain (OKC) studies suggested that the optimum ratio of VMO:VL is about 1:1. With PFD the VMO becomes much weaker. Purpose: To determine which of four partial squat exercises, often used in rehabilitation, best favors VMO firing: partial squat, partial squat squeezing a ball between knees, partial squat with pulley resistance and partial squat with 45° oblique pulley resistance. Analysis of EMG for 31 normal subjects randomly performing all four exercises using repeated ANOVA …

The Efficacy Of A Six-Week T'Ai Chi Intervention Compared To A "Sit And Be Fit" Class On Actual And Perceived Balance In The Community-Dwelling Elderly, Janine Bonner, Jennifer Laudenslager, Todd Sanders

Masters Theses

Recent evidence supports the use of T’ai chi to decrease fall risk and improve self-efficacy (Wolf et al., 1996). The purpose of this study was to compare T’ai chi to a “Sit and Be Fit” intervention in a sample of the community-dwelling elderly. Classes met twice weekly for six weeks. Authors investigated the effects of each intervention on perceived and actual balance using timed one-legged stance, Tinetti Balance Subscale and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale. Pre- and post-testing were performed within one week of intervention. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine statistical differences between the two groups. The Wilcoxon …

The Effects Of An Articulated Ankle-Foot Orthosis On Dynamic Balance In Elderly Subjects With Hemiplegia, Cathi Logan, Traci Roon

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine If a difference exists in dynamic balance of elderly subjects with hemiplegia when the affected lower extremity Is braced with an articulated ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) versus unbraced. Participants were volunteers with a history of a cerebral vascular accident resulting In hemiplegia who required the use of an articulated AFO for ambulation. Balance data was obtained from the random limits of stability test on the Balance Master* version 3.4. Path length and limits of stability were analyzed using a multifactorial ANOVA. The AFO did not have a statistically significant effect on path length …

The Relationship Of Eccentric Hamstrings Time To Peak Torque And Anterior Knee Joint Displacement, Julie Ann Clark, Maureen B. Godfrey, Noreen R. Laborde

Masters Theses

Research suggests that females are more likely to sustain an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury when compared to males and that the ACL and hamstring muscles work together to preserve joint stability. Information is limited regarding any relationship between anterior knee joint laxity, in the absence of injury, and eccentric hamstring time to peak torque. This study compared anterior knee joint displacement and eccentric hamstrings time to peak torque in 30 female athletes and 30 female non-athletes ages 14-18 years. The passive anterior drawer was measured on both lower extremities using the KT-1000® arthrometer before and after eccentric hamstrings time …

Music And The Effect It Has On The Motor Learning Of A Serial Task In Children, Ages Seven And Eight, Karen L. Kurncz, Tara K. Nielsen

Masters Theses

Purpose: To study the hypothesis that music will improve the motor learning of a serial task in seven and eight year old children.

Design: Acquisition - Retention Design

Intervention: The twenty-one subjects were randomly divided into two conditional groups, those who received musical intervention and those who did not. Each subject performed the serial task eleven times during the acquisition session. During the acquisition session, the only difference between the groups was the addition of music to the verbal cues in the experimental group. Approximately twenty-four hours later, each subject returned for a retention session to assess the motor learning …

A Comparison Of The Effects Of An Aquatic Therapy Program Versus A Combined Aquatic/Land Program On Functional Reach Measurements In The Elderly, Caroline S. Kuether, Michelle M. Smith

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of an aquatic exercise program with a combination land/aquatic program on functional reach measurements in the elderly. Twenty volunteers, aged 65 and older, were selected and assigned to either an aquatic or a combination exercise group. Subjects participated in 4 weeks (12 classes) of exercise. Functional reach (FR) measurements were taken prior to exercise and weekly thereafter. To determine significant differences in overall and weekly FR measurements, a t-test for independent samples, the Mann-Whitney U-Wilcoxon Rank Sum W Test, and a t-test for paired samples were used. Both groups demonstrated …

Modification Of The Functional Reach Test: Validity & Reliability, Jessica Chesser, Jennifer Werley, Mary Yeager

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of a modified version of the Functional Reach (PR) to more accurately predict falls in elderly women. This modified version, the Lateral Functional Reach (LFR) incorporates dynamic balance testing in the scapular plane.

Fifty female volunteers were recruited from a Senior Center in Holland, Michigan. Each subject completed the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the FR, and the LFR tests. Prior to testing, each subject was screened for depression, cognition and gross medical history.

Validity and reliability of the LFR was determined through correlational and test-retest analysis. The correlation …

Assessing Selected Shoulder Muscle Activity During Performance Of Exercise On The Cuff Link Exercise Unit, Kathleen Johnstone, Kathleen Wagner

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate muscle activity of pectoralis major, serratus anterior, teres major, and latissimus dorsi during an exercise performed on the Cufif Link utilizing normal subjects. Forty-four subjects performed a rotation exercise in a clockwise direction at a speed of 58 beats per minute. Three trials were completed using the push-up handles and the large-diameter hemisphere. Surface electromyography recorded the activity of the four muscles. Recorded EMG values were normalized as a percentage of the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVTC). A two-way ANOVA was used to compare mean normalized muscle activity for each muscle and …

The Effects Of A Five-Day Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program On The Standing And/Or Sitting Balance Of Children Ages 8-18 With A Wide Variety Of Disabling Diagnoses As Measured By The Functional Reach Test And The Modified Functional Reach Test, Richard A. Chaperon, Pamela A. Staszewski, Heather L. Vavrina

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect that a five-day horseback riding program had on the standing and/or sitting balance of children ages eight to eighteen afflicted with a variety of disabling diagnoses. The stated hypothesis is that after participating in a five-day session of therapeutic riding, subjects will show significant improvement in standing and/or sitting balance as measured by the Functional Reach Test (FRT) and the Modified Functional Reach Test (MFRT). The 15 subjects tested using FRT and the 17 subjects tested using the MFRT were all participants of the Cheff Center riding program. Subjects were …

The Inter-Relatedness Of Nutrition, Menstrual Status, Lean Body Mass, And Injury Among High School Female Varsity Basketball Players, Megan Jean Pavlak, Robyn Kristina Smith, Kristie Ann Wood

Masters Theses

Basketball is one of the highest risk sports for injury, especially for the female population. Studies have been performed looking at intrinsic and extrinsic factors that may contribute to an increased injury rate among female athletes. This study focused on nutrition, menstrual status, lean body weight and injury in female high school varsity basketball athletes (n=138). Nutritional and menstrual surveys were administered to these athletes. The athletes’ body fat percentages were measured and calculated into lean body weight. Injuries were documented for one season. No clinically significant relationships were found among the variables. Descriptive data concerning nutrition, injury, menstrual status, …

The Influence Of Footwear On Functional Balance In A Population Of Institutionalized Elderly Women, Kristen Brooks, Stacey Jonkman, Matt Schmitz

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of footwear on functional balance in a sample of 19 institutionalized elderly women. The Tinetti Balance and Mobility Assessment, a fall risk indicator, was used to evaluate functional balance in three footwear conditions: shoes, slippers, and barefoot. An ANOVA test (alpha < 0.05) was used to determine if there was a significant difference between the three footwear conditions. A significant difference was found between each footwear condition for the balance (p=.008) and summary scores (p=.004), but not for the gait score (p=.155). Post-hoc analysis revealed that the shoe condition provided significantly superior scores than the slipper (p=.005) and barefoot conditions (p=.043). Recommendations from this study include support for the standardization of the Tinetti Balance and Mobility Assessment for footwear, and recommendations that institutionalized elderly should wear shoes and avoid the use of slippers or barefoot to reduce fall risk.

A Preliminary Study Of Gait In Elderly Women With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, Roberta M. Fischer, Sheri L. Bjornseth

Masters Theses

Somatosensory impairment due to diabetic peripheral neuropathy results in decreased environmental input during ambulation, which may compromise feedback mechanisms used for balance control Individuals with distal symmetrical diabetic peripheral neuropathy provide a model of somatosensory loss in which balance impairments can be studied. Somatosensory input is an important component of standing balance in the elderly. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy has been associated with postural instability and an increased history of falls. This study investigated differences in gait between elderly diabetic subjects with distal symmetrical sensory polyneuropathy and elderly diabetics without neuropathy. To conduct this study the 3-dimensional gait analysis protocol developed …

Post-Pregnancy Functional Ability, Kari J. Dulaney, Dawn M. Hallwood, Kristen Z. Keeter

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine perceived changes in functional ability among three groups of women: women who have never been pregnant, women six to seven weeks postpartum, and women six to eight months postpartum. Secondary to the paucity of literature pertaining to physical therapy and pregnancy, the authors chose a qualitative design for this study. Thirteen Caucasian women participated in open-ended audiotaped interviews. Audiotapes were transcribed, then data was thoroughly analyzed. Responses were organized into categories and themes discovered between different categories were outlined. The major themes impacting functional ability were psychosocial and physical in nature. Although …

Locus Of Control, Activity Level, And Living Situation Among The Elderly, Jennifer L. Birchenough

Masters Theses

The focus of this study was to investigate the relationships among locus of control, activity level, and living situation in the elderly. The participants in this study consisted of 62 elderly individuals who resided in one of three living situations: (1) independent living, (2) assisted living, and (3) comprehensive care centers. All participants were screened for cognitive status using the Mini-Mental State Assessment (Folstein, M., Folstein, S., & McHugh, 1975). Individuals who scored in the normal range then completed a Locus of Control Scale (Rotter, 1966) and the Index of Occupational Behavior (Gregory, 1983) to address the meaningfulness of, and …

Cultural Considerations In Clinical Reasoning: An Occupational Therapy Case Study, Sandra M. Winter

Masters Theses

This study looked at an occupational therapist's work with clients from varied cultural backgrounds. Qualitative research strategies and a phenomenological approach were used to gather data through interviews with a single respondent and observation of treatment. This methodology was used to examine the process utilized to acquire cultural knowledge and integrate that knowledge into treatment planning. Research focused on: (a) how the cultural background of a client influenced an occupational therapist as she planned and implemented treatment, (b) how the treatment process was influenced by cultural differences between the therapist and the client, and (c) how training or education helped …

The Effects Of Animal Assisted Therapy When Used As An Adjunct To Occupational Therapy In The Rehabilitation Of Persons Who Have Had Cerebral Vascular Accidents, Alice Arlene Briggs

Masters Theses

Occupational therapists can use animals to assist their clients in achieving goals in treatment. Most often dogs are used as they are more easily trained. The dog may fetch a ball thrown by the client or stand still and allow the client to brush it. These activities with the animal increase the client's range of motion, endurance and strength. Dogs as well as other animals are used in various ways to elicit the desired response from the client. No studies were found in the literature that examined the use of animals as adjuncts to, or as modalities in occupational therapy …

Perceived Differences Between Male And Female Occupational Therapists’ Treatment And Other Related Gender Issues, Dennis Robert Jones

Masters Theses

This study explored how occupational therapy clients perceive the treatment they receive from male and female occupational therapists. The study was conducted in a qualitative manner. Occupational therapy supervisors who have supervised both female and male occupational therapists were interviewed to gain an initial understanding of the relevant issues. More structured interviews were then conducted with clients who have been treated by both a female and a male occupational therapist. Therapists and clients were also observed during four treatment sessions.

Analysis of the data collected through interviews revealed that supervisors and clients do notice some behavioral differences in male and …

Musicians' Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Problems: Medical Care From The Patients' Perspective, Susan Gail Stephenson

Masters Theses

This study was conducted to add to the body of knowledge concerning musicians' musculoskeletal problems and to investigate whether an occupational therapy specialty is warranted for this field of medicine. An original questionnaire was constructed and administered to the members of three symphony orchestras. Three primary sections of the questionnaire address participants' demographic and occupational characteristics, symptom and treatment experiences, and opinions on medical care. Descriptive data are reported for all sections of the questionnaire. Particular attention is given to the effectiveness of traditional occupational and physical· therapy treatments. Data are provided regarding the relationships between variables: (a) certain personal …

The Performance Of Children With Down Syndrome On The Bruininks Oseretsky Test Of Motor Proficiency, Erin Docter, Kristine Tyler, Victoria Van Horn

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to begin collection of nonnative data on how children with Down syndrome, that are educable and trainable mentally impaired, perform on the Bruininks Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency - Short Form (BOTMPSF). The researchers collected data on children with Down syndrome between the ages of 4.11 and 13.7. Twenty subjects including 15 males and 5 females volunteered for the study. All participants were from schools and support groups throughout Holland, Grand Rapids, and Muskegon, Michigan. Each child was tested using the BOTMP-SF. Results indicated that children with Down syndrome perform significantly lower than children …

The Interdisciplinary Treatment Of Temporomandibular Disorder, Wendy Conlon, Amy Jones, Brenda Mitus

Masters Theses

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a chronic complex disorder that is treated by many health care professionals including dentists and physical therapists. The purpose of the study was to investigate the extent an interdisciplinary relationship exists between the dental and physical therapy professions in the treatment of TMD. This was accomplished by sending a survey questionnaire to 300 dentists in three midwestem metropolitan areas. The questionnaire identified treatment strategies and referral patterns used by dentists treating TMD. It is believed that the results of this study will bring attention to the advantages of using an interdisciplinary approach in the treatment of …

Utilizing The Ryder's And The Thigh-Foot Angle Tests To Establish Normal Values Of Femoral Anteversion And Tibiofibular Torsion In Children Aged 5 Through 10 Years, Timothy M. Dahlke, Wendi L. Jabs

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research was to begin to establish normative data for femoral anteversion and tibiofibular torsion using the Ryder's and the Thigh-Foot Angle (TEA) tests. A secondary purpose was to establish the intertester and intratester reliability of the authors' measurements. Thirty-three normal children within the ages of 5 through 10 years volunteered for this study. All subjects' data were separated into the appropriate age groups. All data were pooled and mean/standard deviations and intertester/intratester reliability coefficients were determined. A small decreasing general trend in femoral anteversion with increasing age was found. However, no significant trend was noted in …

Perspective Discrepancy Analysis Of Health Care Provider And Well-Elderly Regarding Environmental Fall Risk Factors, Deborah A. Bliler, Catherine I. Schenten, Kay A. Smaltz

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to discover the discrepancies in perspectives regarding environmental hazards in the home between the well-elderly and health care professionals.

Interviews, discussion groups, and review of a videotape were used to gather information. The interviews and videotapes were used to gain the health care professional’s perspectives and the discussion groups were used to gather the elderly’s perspectives.

This qualitative study found both similarities and discrepancies between the well-elderly and physicians. The major discrepancies were: 1) that the elderly and health care professionals are not entirely aware of environmental factors contributed to falls, 2) the physicians …

The Efficacy Of Electrical Stimulation And Conservative Physical Therapy In The Treatment Of Female Genuine Stress Incontinence, Patrick Hadlock, Heath Jabs, Jason Ricci

Masters Theses

The purpose o f this study was to determine which of three treatment strategies was most effective in the treatment of female genuine stress incontinence (GSI).

Nine females ages 41-86, diagnosed with GSI, were included in the study. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups, one received electrical stimulation twice a week for 15 minutes; another received electrical stimulation three times a week for thirty minutes; and a control group receiving no electrical stimulation. All groups received identical instruction in Kegel pelvic floor muscle exercises, with the assistance of audio and visual biofeedback. Each treatment was evaluated on …

Concurrent Validity Of Functional Reach In Community-Dwelling Elderly Women, Aimee Hosek, Kimberly Sackett

Masters Theses

The purpose o f this correlational study was to establish concurrent validity of functional reach, the maximal distance one can reach forward beyond arm's length without taking a step, as a measure of physical decline, by determining the relationship between functional reach and other physical performance measures. Subjects included 46 community-dwelling women over 65 years of age who performed the functional reach test, the timed Up and Go, and the 10-foot walk. Data analysis employed Pearson correlation coefficients. The association between FR and timed Up and Go and 10-foot walk was r = -.51 and r = -.53 respectively. After …

The Effect Of Upper Extremity Immobilization Following Surgical Rotator Cuff Repair On Balance In Elderly Individuals, Edward S. Gagné, Rebecca L. Schneider

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between upper extremity immobilization following surgical rotator cuff repair and balance in elderly individuals. Twenty-eight healthy volunteers (nine with rotator cuff repair, nineteen without) aged 53 to 74 participated in the study. Balance was measured using the Berg Balance Measure, Modified Berg Balance Measure, Functional Reach Test, and force plate analysis. Results were analyzed using t-tests for paired and independent samples, Mann Whitney U (Wilcoxon Rank Sum W) tests and Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed- Ranks tests. Significant differences were found between the post-rotator cuff surgery and control groups for …

Developing Normative Data For Three Unilateral Lower Extremity Functional Tests, Brian Fulton, Kathleen Hegyan, Troy Wieling

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research study was to gather normative data on three unilateral extremity functional tests: single-leg triple hop for distance, single-leg timed hop, and single-leg cross-over triple hop for distance. A total o f ninety-six male and female subjects between the ages of 18-30 volunteered to participate in this study. The variables looked at in this study were: age, gender, height, weight, leg dominance, activity level, and order o f tests performed. Data from the three functional hop tests were divided into aggregated data and non-aggregated data. The data were analyzed using SPSS© for Windows and SAS® software …

A Comparison Of The Knowledge, Misconceptions, And Attitudes Toward The Elderly Of First Versus Final Year Students In Accredited Physical Therapy Programs, Christina J. Fleming, Mark A. Kandes, Jennifer E. Shultz

Masters Theses

Physical therapy is one of the many professions that must respond to the increase of health care utilization by the rapidly growing elderly population. The purposes of this cross-sectional study were to compare first and final year physical therapy students’ knowledge, misconceptions, and attitudes toward the elderly and to determine if knowledge correlates with attitudes. Students in their first year (N=168) and final year (N=149) of accredited Master’s level physical therapy programs were surveyed. Questionnaires consisted of: a short demographic sheet, Palmore’s Facts on Aging Quiz 1 with a “don’t know” response added, and a modified Aging Semantic Differential by …

Normative Database Of Adult Unilateral Trans-Tibial Amputee Gait, Kevin Carley, Kristin Dart, Margery Vos

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to compile a database of gait characteristics for adult, unilateral trans-tibial amputees specific to the protocol for the Center of Human Kinetic Studies. Subjects were community ambulators with established gait patterns and had used their current prosthesis for greater than three months. Kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographic data of the lower extremities were collected and analyzed using a motion analysis system, force plates, and surface electrodes. Data were normalized to percent gait cycle and presented as an average of trials taken. Results of this study were similar to previously published literature. This database of amputee …