Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Survey Of North Dakota Physical Therapists: Participation And Perceptions Of The American Physical Therapy Association And The North Dakota Physical Therapy Association, Nick Marvin

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The American Physical Therapy Association (APT A) is the professional association for physical therapists. The North Dakota Physical Therapy Association (NDPTA) is its section that serves the state of North Dakota. With tougher times falling upon the profession in recent years, therapist membership levels have dropped at an alarming rate. An attempt was made through this study to determine the role the APTA and NDPTA plays in member's and nonmember's lives and the role they would like it to play.

Surveys were sent to all of the 339 registered physical therapists in North Dakota. Each was asked to complete the …

Determining The Need For Program Development For Women In Their Childbearing Years, Christel Parvey

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The childbearing year for a woman is a time of physical change and adaptation that can potentially result in a variety of musculoskeletal problems. Acting as a clinician, educator, or consultant, physical therapists can offer a variety of services that would benefit women in their childbearing years. Despite the skilled services physical therapists have to offer, this population continues to display prevalent problems. As a result of these existing problems, a survey was constructed to provide direction for program development to promote the health and wellness of women in their childbearing years. The purpose of this study was to develop …

The Effects Of Plyometric And Treadmill Training On Balance And Reaction Time In High School Aged Athletes, Andrea E. Richter

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

High school athletes' involvement in sports acceleration training has grown in recent years. Athletes use acceleration programs to help gain an edge over their competition. One way to gain that edge is by improving balance and reaction time. These two components are important in a wide variety of sports. Both help to minimize injury and increase the skill level and performance of the athlete. Although balance and reaction time are essential in sports, there is currently no research available involving these components.

The purpose of this study is to determine if the Altru Health Institute's Sports Acceleration plyometric and treadmill …

A Review Of The Process Of Accessing Services For Children With Special Health Care Needs In North Dakota, Jana Schmidt

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

It has been a concern of the Family Advisory Council of Children's Special Health Services, Bismarck, North Dakota, that many families experienced difficulties when trying to access information for medical, financial, educational, and family services for their children with special health care needs. The family members on this advisory board found the process of accessing services confusing and time consuming, and indicated that families were also unclear as to where to begin the process. An abundance of information provided at the time of their child's diagnosis made it difficult for families to make informed decisions about the most important and …

An Electromyographic Analysis Study Of Forward And Backward Walking, Heidi Schwartz

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Backward walking, a closed kinetic chain exercise, has become an increasingly popular intervention following lower extremity injuries secondary to suggested increases in muscle activity. Despite its use, there is limited research available relative to walking at inclines, forwards or backwards above 24 and 15 percent respectively. For this study we recorded EMG activity in six muscles while walking forward and backward on a treadmill at 0, 25, and 35 percent inclinations.

In general, our results indicated a greater increase in muscle activity during BW than FW. BW at 35 percent inclination elicited the greatest EMG increase within the rectus femoris …

Yoga And The Effects On Balance, Hamstring Flexibility, And Blood Pressure, Shannon Lee Sorenson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Yoga is an ancient form of exercise and meditation that has recently gained popularity in the United States. Medical research regarding the benefits of yoga, however, continues to be in demand. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of yoga on normal healthy individuals. The focus of this study revolved around balance, hamstring flexibility, and blood pressure changes after six weeks of yoga training.

Eighteen normal healthy individuals between 20-33 years of age participated in this study. Subjects were assessed using the NeuroCom®Balance Master test for rhythmic weight shift (RWS), the Functional Reach Test (FRT), the measure …

The Effects Of Line Dancing On Balance And Coordination In The Elderly, Christa M. Stelmachuk

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if a six-week line dancing program has a significant effect on balance and coordination in a geriatric population. A total of 12 volunteer subjects participated in this study. They were separated into two groups, a control group (n = 6, 4 females and 2 males) and a dance group (n = 6, all female) according to participants' preference. Subjects were in good health, were high functioning, and were found to be at low risk for falls. Age of subjects ranged from 72 to 94 years, with a mean age of 85.67.

The …

Pediatric Physical Therapy Assessment Tool Utilization By Therapists In Minnesota And North Dakota, Laura Torkildson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Physical therapists are important members of multifaceted teams of professionals who work with children with disabilities. Much of the physical therapist's role involves assessment of a child's development. Assessment is an ongoing process of gathering and evaluating information about the child so that effective treatment can be implemented and eligibility for appropriate services determined. Therefore, it is imperative that physical therapists have current knowledge about various assessment instruments and the appropriate usage of each.

The intention of this study was to identify and describe the pediatric assessment instruments utilized by physical therapists in Minnesota and North Dakota. The results of …

Yoga And The Effects On Balance, Hamstring Flexibility, And Blood Pressure, Kendra Marie Van Valkenburg

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Yoga is an ancient form of exercise and meditation that has recently gained popularity in the United States. Medical research regarding the benefits of yoga, however, continues to be in demand. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of yoga on normal, healthy individuals. The focus of this study revolved around balance, hamstring flexibility, and blood pressure changes after six weeks of yoga training.

Eighteen normal, healthy individuals between 20-33 years of age participated in this study. Subjects were assessed using the NeuroCom®Balance Master test for rhythmic weight shift (RWS), the Functional Reach Test (FRT), the measure …

The Relationship Of Female Reproductive Hormones To Lumbopelvic Pain And Musculoskeletal Injuries In The Female Athlete, Christina M. Aksamit

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The increased participation by females in athletics over the past decade, both competitively and leisurely, has brought attention to the number and severity of acquired injuries. Females tend to suffer a greater number of injuries than their male counterparts, and low back pain is also more prevalent in this population. Research is just beginning to focus on female athletes as their own separate entity. The female reproductive hormones have been targeted as a possible cause of many injuries secondary to the chemical and physical changes that occur with their fluctuations.

The purpose of this literature review is to identify the …

Three-Dimensional Kinematics Of The Overarm Throwing Motion In Children Ages 2 To 7, Katherine A. Hagen

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Throwing is a meaningful play activity that encourages social interaction, develops the sequencing of motor skills, and signals the onset of toddlerhood. Little published data clearly documents the three-dimensional kinematics of the progression of the overarm throwing motion in children. The purpose of this study is twofold: 1) To explore the biomechanical differences in the overarm throwing techniques of children between the ages of two and seven, and 2) To compare the kinematics of dominant versus non-dominant arm throws in children between the ages of two and seven.

Methods: 1) Nine children, 6 males and 3 females, …

The Association Of Generalized Joint Hyperlaxity And Occurrence Of Musculoskeletal Injury, Betty Hestekin

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Joint hyperlaxity is a condition characterized by excessive range of motion in joints. Generalized joint hyperlaxity has been associated with musculoskeletal pain. In addition, hyperlaxity has been linked to greater incidences of injury in the high level athlete. However, there is no published data available to assess if hyperlaxity places the general population at a greater risk of incurring musculoskeletal injury.

This study researched the association of generalized joint hyperlaxity and occurrence of musculoskeletal injury in the non-athlete. Subjects were 55 volunteers from a pool of physical therapy students. The subjects completed a survey indicating activity level and injury history. …

An Electromyographic Study Of Lower Trapezius Muscle Activity During Exercise In Traditional And Modified Positions, Rebecca Lee. Johnson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Shoulder rehabilitation commonly overlooks the influence of scapular muscles in providing the stability necessary for the shoulder to function properly. When considering muscles acting on the scapulothoracic articulation, literature suggests that the lower trapezius is a key stabilizer of this articulation. Traditionally, the lower trapezius is exercised while the patient is in a prone position with the humerus abducted 1450 while performing forward elevation. Unfortunately, repeated overhead activity has been proven to increase the incidence of shoulder impingement. In an effort to avoid exercising the lower trapezius in a position that would compromise the shoulder complex, a modified position of …

The Use Of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation In The Gait Training Of Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Literature Review, Rachel Rolfson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Cerebral palsy is a common developmental disorder that causes a wide array of problems in the population. The manifestations of cerebral palsy commonly interfere with the child's activities of daily living, including the important function of gait. It is therefore important that physical therapists be knowledgeable about the various treatment options used in gait training of children with cerebral palsy, as well as their effectiveness.

Neurodevelopmental techniques (NDT), neurosurgical interventions, and orthotics are just a few of the numerous treatment options available for the gait training of children with cerebral palsy. Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) has recently become a popular …

Strain-Counterstrain: Rationale, Methodology, And Utilization Within The Practice Of Physical Therapy, Jacquelyn Knodle

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this literature review is to take a closer look at the technique of strain-counterstrain in order to provide the reader with information regarding the history, scientific rationale, methodology, and utilization of this technique within in the realm of physical therapy. Strain-counterstrain was developed and refined by Lawrence Jones. Jones' technique is largely based on Irvin Korr's model, which sites the muscle spindle as the primary cause of somatic dysfunctions. The principles of strain-counterstrain as set forth by Jones have been well established throughout literature. However, several variations of the technique do exist. Within literature strain-counterstrain has been …

The Effects Of An Accelerated Physical Therapy Protocol On Patients Receiving Standard Open Rotator Cuff Repairs: An Outcome Study, David J. Kohns

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the functional outcomes of patients who have undergone physical therapy treatment following rotator cuff surgical repair. Sixty-eight rotator cuff repairs performed between September 1995 and .Iuly 1999 at St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck, North Dakota were reviewed retrospectively. Of the 59 patients with rotator cuff repairs who met the criteria for this study, there were 34 males (57.6% of the cases) and 25 females (42.4% of the cases) included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 64.3 years, ranging from 38 to 80 years, with a median age …

The Computer Interface Device: Effects Of Audio And Visual Biofeedback In Rehabilitation, Cassie Wulfekuhle

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was to see if a computer interface device was effective in improving quality of elbow joint motion in children by increasing motivation and attention span through the use of audio and visual biofeedback. Seventeen subjects between the ages of five and twelve were asked to participate in this study. The children were asked to complete ten repetitions of elbow flexion and extension while the tester manipulated the type of biofeedback given (1. audio and visual on, 2. audio on and visual off, 3. audio off and visual on, and 4. audio and visual off). These …

Hippotherapy As A Modality In Rehabilitation, H. Rebecca Adams

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Hippotherapy is fast becoming a treatment option for today's therapists. Recent efforts in rehabilitation have focused on emphasizing the "multidisciplinary team" approach, involving occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language pathologists as well as including members of the family in the clinic's treatment process. Hippotherapy is the way in which these disciplines can easily be combined, as well as including the family in an educational as well as exciting treatment program for clients. This study will review a wide source of literature addressing the definition and process of hippotherapy and the physiological components of the program. Indications, contraindications and precautions …

Quadriceps And Hamstring Strength In Individuals With Total Knee Arthroplasty, Brooke J. Powers

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Currently, there are over 120,000 total knee arthroplasties (TKA) performed yearly in the United States with total hospital and physician expenses for each procedure ranging from $25,000 to $30,000. Majority of individuals who undergo a TKA continue to exhibit lower extremity strength deficits specifically quadriceps and hamstring weakness. Clinicians and physical therapists question if these individuals receive the level of rehabilitation necessary for the return of quadriceps and hamstring strength.

The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the logistics of setting up a study to determine if there was a significant difference between the strength of the involved …

Three-Dimensional Kinematics Of The Overarm Throwing Motion In Children Ages 2 To 7, Jacalyn R. Breidenbach

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Throwing is a meaningful play activity that encourages social interaction, develops the sequencing of motor skills, and signals the onset oftoddlerhood. Little published data clearly documents the three-dimensional kinematics ofthe progression of the overarm throwing motion in children. The purpose of this study is twofold: 1) To explore the biomechanical differences in the overarm throwing techniques of children between the ages of two and seven, and 2) To compare the kinematics of dominant versus non-dominant arm throws in children between the ages of two and seven.

Methods: 1) Nine children, 6 males and 3 females, were classified …

Subjective Quality Of Life In Total Knee Replacement Secondary To Osteoarthritis, James J. Cenova

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Osteoarthritis is the most common referring diagnosis for total knee replacement surgery. It is estimated that one-third of community-living persons between the ages of 63 and 94 have osteoarthritis of the knee. It is further estimated that fully 40% of these people experience pain. Many of these people look for relief in total knee replacement surgery. Total knee replacement surgeries are a costly procedure commonly performed. There were approximately 210,000 primary knee replacements performed in 1994. This resulted in an estimated cost of $5 billion.

The purpose of this paper is to examine quality of life and its association with …

The Effects Of Balance Training In Normal Young Adults As Assessed By The Neurocom Balance Master, Steve Dingmann

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Balance is a skill that is essential for most activities of daily living (ADL) including participation in any athletic activity, whether competitive or recreational. When assessing balance, it is very important to have normal balance baselines in order to serve as a guideline for comparison, especially when returning an athlete to competition. Additionally, given the importance of balance in athletics, it would seem important to determine if people with normal balance can improve their balance in order to enhance performance and decrease the risk of injury during sports.

The purpose of this study was to establish balance baselines on the …

An Electromyographic Study Of Lower Trapezius Muscle Activity During Exercise In Traditional And Modified Positions, Erika Engelstad

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Shoulder rehabilitation commonly overlooks the influence of scapular muscles in providing the stability necessary for the shoulder to function properly. When considering muscles acting on the scapulothoracic articulation, literature suggests that the lower trapezius is a key stabilizer of this articulation. Traditionally, the lower trapezius is exercised while the patient is in a prone position with the humerus abducted 1450 while performing forward elevation. Unfortunately, repeated overhead activity has been proven to increase the incidence of shoulder impingement. In an effort to avoid exercising the lower trapezius in a position that would compromise the shoulder complex, a modified position of …

Emg Analysis Of Trunk Musculature Following A Nine Hole Round Of Golf: The Fatigue Factor, Nicole Garrett

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Four male subjects were tested using EMG spectral analysis to determine if muscle fatigue occurs in the trunk musculature after a simulated nine hole round of golf. The mean frequency of the gluteus maximus, abdominal obliques, and the erector spinae were studied. A significant difference in mean frequency change was noted, therefore supporting the idea that the muscles tested may indeed fatigue during a round of golf. The author supports the use of golf exercise programs for the prevention of injury. Strengthening and endurance exercises should include these trunk muscles since they appear to fatigue after a simulated nine hole …

Cardiovascular Disease Within Native American Populations, Leslie J. Harris

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Native American populations have been experiencing a rise in chronic illnesses and social pathologies. The Indian Health Service (IHS) is the primary provider of health care to a majority of Native Americans. Cardiovascular Disease is the leading cause of death among Native American men and women in a majority of tribes. Despite efforts by the IHS this once uncommon disease rapidly increasing in native American groups. Many believe that the acculturation of western lifestyles and changes in diet are contributing factors to the increase in heart disease. They contend that the cause lies in the prevalence of associated risk factors …

Predictors Of Academic Success In The University Of North Dakota Master Of Physical Therapy Program, Chantel J. Helling

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study is to evaluate variables/criteria available for the admissions process and identify which prove to be the strongest predictors of academic and clinical success in the University of North Dakota Professional Physical Therapy Program. It is also intended to review the current admission processes being utilized and look for new indicators of success that may be beneficial to this curriculum.

The subjects utilized in this study are physical therapy students (excluding the Western Interstate Commission of Higher Education enrolled students) admitted from the years of 1991 - 1995. Data were first extracted from student files by …

Outcome Study Of Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Of Patients With Patellar Femoral Dysfunction, Thomas D. Henke

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

This study was conducted to assist St. Alexius Medical Center's Institute of Sports Medicine in the analysis of physical therapy outcomes for patients who underwent patellofemoral surgical procedures including lateral retinacular release, vastus medialis oblique advancement, and tibial tubercle transfers. A review of data collected by the physical therapists at St. Alexius was performed and statistically analyzed to determine the efficacy of outcomes both clinically and functionally. This outcome analysis will assist current and future practice patterns by providing a basis for clinical effectiveness. The results of this study will be a useful resource for the facility as a guide …

Physical Activity: Essential Component In Primary And Secondary Curricula For Lifelong Health, Maril Mccord

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Chronic disease, preventable illness and injury, and growing trends of sedentary behaviors have currently been associated with the American population. It is estimated that 70% of all deaths in America are attributable to chronic disease of a preventable nature. Childhood disease has declined only to be replaced by new waves of social, environmental, and behavioral factors which manifest as health risks. At least 68 million Americans suffer from some form of heart disease while nearly 60% of adults lead sedentary lifestyles. The challenge in the nation is to counter these trends by implementation of policy and programs for healthier habits …

The Effects Of Electromagnetism For The Treatment Of Multiple Sclerosis, Michele A. Morse

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Electromagnetic treatment is one of the highest utilized nontraditional therapeutic methods in the medical field. Scientific research has proposed that people experience improvement in the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) from such treatment. This independent study is a literature review that probes into the proclaimed benefits that a low frequency electromagnetic field posses on the biological system. In order to support or negate these claims, literature and studies explaining how and why this concept is feasible is researched and presented. The review focuses on the effects of the low frequency external electromagnetic field at the cellular level and on central …

Patient Satisfaction Of Physical Therapy Treatment Of Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions, Jennifer Norberg

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Urinary incontinence has been categorized as a pelvic floor dysfunction. There are four main types of incontinence: stress, urge, overflow, and mixed. Pelvic floor dysfunctions have had success with non-surgical treatments. Treatments include biofeedback, electrical stimulation, and pelvic floor muscle exercises.

This study was designed to analyze patient satisfaction with the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunctions by a physical therapist. Surveys were mailed out to discharged participants from a participating facility. The participants were asked to complete and return the survey by mail. The surveys were anonymous, and the responses were kept confidential. Thirty-four surveys were returned out of fifty-five …