Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Multicultural Counselor Supervision And Perceived Differences On Client Outcome, Andrew Perez

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the differences between counselor supervisors’ and supervisees’ perceptions of the impact of multicultural supervision on client outcome. Counselor supervisors and supervisees may have differences in how much they believe multicultural factors affect client outcome and this study aims to determine what differences exist. These differences are important in understanding how supervisors might better serve supervisees and in turn clients. There were 61 participants in the study that consisted of faculty, counselor supervisors, counselors, and graduate students in counseling-related fields. The current study found that multicultural supervision/competence alone predicted supervisor client outcome. The …

Knowledge And Attitudes Toward Persons With Schizophrenia Among Hispanic University Students Enrolled In Mental Health And Non-Mental Health Disciplines, Manisha Sharma

Theses and Dissertations

The present study was designed to examine university students’ knowledge regarding schizophrenia and factors that can influence university students’ attitudes toward persons with schizophrenia. An attribution questionnaire ([AQ-27], Corrigan, Markowitz, Watson, Rowan, & Kubiak, 2003), the Error Choice Test ([ECT], Michaels & Corrigan, 2013), and the Social Desirability Scale ([SDS-13], Reynolds, 1982) were utilized to collect data from undergraduate students attending The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), the largest U.S. Hispanic serving university located on the Texas-Mexico border. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized to analyze the survey data. Results indicated a non-significant relationship between students’ knowledge regarding …

Speech-Language Pathologist's Perspectives On The Efficacy Of Bilingual Education Programs In South Texas Public Schools For English As A Second Language Learners, Alexandra Rosas

Theses and Dissertations

Current research in regard to the assessment and treatment of ESLs is limited. Other problems found within the school setting, is that fact that SLPs have very limited resources and large caseloads. Hence, the fact that previous studies have found that SLPS working the school setting do not feel competent in serving ESL students.

The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of bilingual programs and explore the factors that impact English as a second language learners (ESLs), in public schools across the Rio Grande Valley. School based speech-language pathologists were surveyed for information concerning their perceptions and …

The Effects Of Dance Therapy On Voice In Patients With Parkinson's Disease In A Multicultural Population, Ivon N. Ramirez

Theses and Dissertations

Current literature suggests that dance therapy in individuals with Parkinson’s disease shows noticeable improvement in motor functions, for example gait and balance improvement. Additionally, patients with Parkinson’s disease who participate in dance therapy may perceive positive benefits on their quality of life. Therefore, it is believed that increases in core support and improvements in posture, as a result of dance therapy, will have effects on the voice in patients with PD.

This thesis pulls from literature supporting treatment approaches in the field of speech-language pathology for voice patients with Parkinson’s disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the …

Influence Of Muscle Strength On Mobility In Critically Ill Adult Patients On Mechanical Ventilation, Audrey R. Roberson

Theses and Dissertations

Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting are prone to develop muscle weakness and the causes are multi-factorial. Muscle strength in adult, critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation decreases with immobility. The influence of muscle strength on different muscle groups and its influence on progressive mobility in the adult, critically ill patient on mechanical ventilation has not been examined. Identifying muscle strength in this patient population can benefit overall muscle health and minimize muscle deconditioning through a progressive mobility plan. The objective of this dissertation was to describe muscle strength in different muscle groups and to describe the influence …

The Cognitive And Functional Impact Of Open Heart Surgery: A Pilot Study Including Three Common Procedures (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft, Heart Valve Replacement, And Left Ventricular Assist Device), Robert Fix

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the impact of open heart surgery (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft, Heart Valve Replacement, or Left Ventricular Assist Device placement) on cognition, functional performance, and mood in the three months following surgery. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Kettle Test (KT), Physical Self Maintenance Scale (PSMS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HD) measured global cognition, functional cognition, functional performance, and mood states, respectively.

Thirteen male participants (ages 38 – 75) completed assessments at four time points -- when they were scheduled for surgery, within one week prior to surgery, before hospital discharge after surgery, and three months after …

An Innovative Use Of Technology And Associative Learning To Assess Prone Motor Learning And Design Interventions To Enhance Motor Development In Infants, Tanya Tripathi

Theses and Dissertations

Since the introduction of the American Academy of Pediatrics Back to Sleep Campaign infants have not met the recommendation to “incorporate supervised, awake “prone play” in their infant’s daily routine to support motor development and minimize the risk of plagiocephaly”. Interventions are needed to increase infants’ tolerance for prone position and prone playtime to reduce the risk of plagiocephaly and motor delays. Associative learning is the ability to understand causal relationship between events. Operant conditioning is a form of associative learning that occurs by associating a behavior with positive or negative consequences. Operant conditions has been utilized to encourage behaviors …

Association Between Hispanic Parents' Attitudes And Knowledge Regarding Obesity And Their Children's Body Mass Index: Implications For The Development Of Obesity, Renee Starr

Theses and Dissertations

According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2017), more than 1.9 billion adults age 18 and older are overweight and over 650 million are obese. Data collected through the Centers for Disease Control indicates the prevalence of U.S. adults who are overweight and obese is estimated at 36.5% and the national childhood obesity rate is more than 12.7 million (17%), with approximately one in six school-aged children reaching the obesity level (Ogden, Carroll, Fryar, & Flegal, 2015). Hispanic children have the highest levels of obesity among all racial/ethnic groups (21.9%) and obesity rates are especially prevalent among impoverished Hispanics residing …

Variables Relevant To Self-Efficacy: Mexican-American High School Students With Specific Learning Disabilities, Matilde Barrera Alaniz

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to ascertain if a relationship exists between self-efficacy and grade point average (GPA), age, gender, language proficiency, socioeconomic status, and failed grade levels during school career among Mexican-American high school students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) residing along the southwestern state of the Mexican border. Moreover, to learn if a relationship exists between motivation and the above variables. This study also observed if a relationship between motivation as measured by the Academic Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ-A) (i.e., external regulation, introjected regulation, identified regulation, and intrinsic motivation) and GPA existed; it also observed the correlation between …

Resilience And Social Support Among College Students With Disabilities, Rachita Sharma

Theses and Dissertations

Since the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, individuals with disabilities have found enhanced opportunities in various areas of living. The numbers of students with disabilities in institutions of postsecondary education have also increased in the past few decades; however, despite this increase, the degree completion rates of students with disabilities continue to lag in comparison to their non-disabled peers in colleges and universities. As such, most universities currently have a designated office or department of disability accommodations designed to provide academic accommodations for students with disabilities. Nonetheless, current rehabilitation research is lacking in knowledge regarding interventions …

Proactive Personality And Voluntary Turnover: The Moderating Effects Of Development And Perceived Career Opportunities, Amy F. Huber

Theses and Dissertations

The present thesis reports the research and quantitative examination of the relation

between proactive personality and voluntary turnover, as well as the moderating influences of participation in development activities and perceptions of available career opportunities. Zero- order correlations and moderated binary logistic regression are used to test the hypotheses within an archival data set of 295 participations from a multinational European organization. A significant correlation was found between proactive personality and participation in developmental activities. Additionally, participation in developmental activities was found to be a negative predictor of voluntary turnover. Results of the moderated logistic regression analysis showed that both …

Altering A Runner’S Foot Strike Using A Modified Elliptical Trainer, Daniel Shull

Theses and Dissertations

One possible solution to common running related injuries is to transition runners from a rearfoot strike during initial contact to a midfoot strike. Natural rearfoot strike runners were studied to see if a modified elliptical trainer could be used to alter their running pattern to that of a midfoot strike runner. Their results were compared to subjects who ran on a non-modified elliptical trainer. After training on the modified elliptical trainer, subjects demonstrated a decrease in foot angle at initial contact when attempting to run with a midfoot strike. Training did not affect all kinetic metrics or stride frequency. However, …

Recovery From Design, Cassandra J. Ellison

Theses and Dissertations

Through research, inquiry, and an evaluation of Recovery By Design, a ‘design therapy’ program that serves people with mental illness, substance use disorders, and developmental disabilities, it is my assertion that the practice of design has therapeutic potential and can aid in the process of recovery. To the novice, the practices of conception, shaping form, and praxis have empowering benefit especially when guided by Conditional and Transformation Design methods together with an emphasis on materiality and vernacular form.

The Impact Of Chemotherapy And Radiotherapy For Breast Cancer On Cognition And Functional Performance: A Comparative Analysis Of Survey Data Taken At Three Time Points Post-Treatment, Ann Marie Potter

Theses and Dissertations

Cognitive impairment related to treatment for breast cancer, affects as many as 75% of patients in study samples (Jansen, Cooper, Dodd & Miaskowski, 2011). Deficits in the cognitive domains of short-term memory, attention, speed of information processing, judgment, reasoning, spatial attention, and verbal memory have been documented. The extent to which these deficits impact functional performance within this population has not yet been quantified. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of breast cancer on self-reported cognition and functional performance in the six months post-completion in two groups of breast cancer survivors, a chemotherapy group and chemotherapy …

In-Shoe Plantar Pressure System To Investigate Ground Reaction Force Using Android Platform, Ahmed A. Mostfa

Theses and Dissertations

Human footwear is not yet designed to optimally relieve pressure on the heel of the foot. Proper foot pressure assessment requires personal training and measurements by specialized machinery. This research aims to investigate and hypothesize about Preferred Transition Speed (PTS) and to classify the gait phase of explicit variances in walking patterns between different subjects. An in-shoe wearable pressure system using Android application was developed to investigate walking patterns and collect data on Activities of Daily Living (ADL). In-shoe circuitry used Flexi-Force A201 sensors placed at three major areas: heel contact, 1st metatarsal, and 5th metatarsal with a PIC16F688 microcontroller …

The Effect Of Muscle Energy Technique On Forward Shoulder Posture, Pectoralis Minor Length, And Upper Extremity Blood Flow In Collegiate Female Swimmers, Elizabeth Gross

Theses and Dissertations

Context: Overhead sports are at an increased risk of shoulder injury, particularly when scapular posture is restricted. Pectoralis minor length has been linked to scapular malpositioning and forward shoulder posture. Upper extremity blood flow has also been linked to shortened pectoralis minor length, which could lead to thoracic neurovascular occlusion. Swimmers specifically may be at an increased risk for shoulder injury if the pectoralis minor is shortened. Stretching of the pectoralis minor has been suggested as a treatment to correct shortening of the muscle, however research examining muscle energy technique (MET) applied to the pectoralis minor is limited. Objective: To …

Growing Up In Ireland: Factors Impacting Sleep Patterns Of Preterm Infants, Joanne Fallon

Theses and Dissertations

GROWING UP IN IRELAND: FACTORS IMPACTING SLEEP PATTERNS OF PRETERM INFANTS

By Joanne Fallon MS, OT, PhD

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University, 2015.

Major Director: Shelly J. Lane, PhD, Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy

Preterm infants represent the largest child patient group in the European Union (EU), accounting for 5.5-11.4% of all births (European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants, 2011b). Preterm birth is defined as birth prior to 37 weeks gestation. Infants born late preterm (34-36 weeks) are considered more …

Individuals With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Predictive Factors For Successful Occupational Performance, Mary Culshaw

Theses and Dissertations

As awareness and diagnoses of FASD grow in Canada, there is increased need to support these individuals across their lifespan. One study suggested the prevalence of FASD may be as high as 10 per 1000 births (May & Gossage, 2001). The impact to society is growing as well, since this population requires support across their lifespan due to cognitive and sometimes physical impairments. It was estimated that the annual cost to Canadians was $53 billion (in 2007 dollar value) to support individuals aged 0-53 years (Stade et al., 2009). There is mounting evidence identifying the cognitive and physical impairments that …

Workplace Discrimination And Visual Impairment: An Analysis Of Eeoc Charges And Resolutions, Jane Mcneil

Theses and Dissertations

Workplace discrimination for individuals with visual impairments in the U.S. is an ongoing issue dating before the founding of the EEOC and the enactment of the ADA. Despite laws enacted to protect against unequal treatment in the workplace, the EEOC continues to receive submissions of formal discrimination charges from individuals with visual impairments.

The workplace is experiencing changes with increasing amounts of older adults, women, minorities, and the use of technology and the Internet. By examining characteristics of the discrimination charges and the resulting outcomes, the knowledge gained can describe the current situation and the historical progression of workplace discrimination …

Relieving Post-Stroke Fatigue Using A Group-Based Educational Training Approach, Catherine E. Emery

Theses and Dissertations

Post-stroke fatigue is a common problem that may limit participation in everyday activities. Emerging evidence suggests that group-based training in fatigue management may be an efficient means of reducing the effects of post-stroke fatigue. This mixed methods, quasi-experimental study proposed to determine whether a group-based educational program could be successful in relieving post-stroke fatigue and improving participation in daily activities. A convenience sample of stroke survivors (n=20) from retirement communities in southeastern PA were invited to participate in the research. Participants were screened for depression, motor and cognitive recovery, and sleep quality. Fatigue was measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale …

Moderators Of The Relationship Between Perceived Employability And Voluntary Turnover, Joseph Kenneth Morrison

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis reports a quantitative research project examining the relation between perceived employability and voluntary turnover and the moderating roles played by job embeddedness and perceived organizational support. This examination uses archival data from 230 participants from a multinational organization using zero-order correlations and moderated binary logistic regression techniques. Significant correlational effects were found between perceived employability and voluntary turnover. Significant moderated logistic regression effects were found when adding job embeddedness and perceived organizational support to the perceived employability and voluntary turnover logistic regression model. Following the results is a discussion of the implications of this research, both theoretically and …

The Effects Of A Foot-Toe Orthosis On Dynamic Balance And Hallux Valgus Angle, Adam Richard Kelly

Theses and Dissertations

Context: Decreased balance has been identified as a risk factor for lower extremity injury in several populations. Previous literature has investigated the effects of using orthotics, textured insoles and textured surfaces on balance. However, no research exists on the effects of a foot-toe orthosis on dynamic balance. Objective: To determine the effects of a foot-toe orthosis on dynamic balance and hallux valgus angle. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Setting: Athletic Training research laboratory. Participants: Sixty-three healthy and recreationally active collegiate students. (age: 21.59±1.49yrs, height 172.48±8.99cm, mass 73.86kg±15.64kg) Interventions: Participants were randomly allocated to one of three groups that received either …

Effects Of Graston Technique On Blood Flow In The Upper Extremity, Ashley Nicole Keck

Theses and Dissertations

Context: When musculature around the shoulder is tight, alterations in scapular positioning may result, thus compressing the blood vessels to the upper extremity and decreasing blood flow. Graston Technique (GT) mobilizes the soft tissues to break up adhesions in fascia and lengthens tight musculature. The effect of GT has on blood flow after treatment to the shoulder musculature is unknown. Objective: To determine if GT has an effect on blood flow and pectorals minor length after a single treatment session. Design: Controlled laboratory study with randomization. Setting: University athletic training laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Sixty healthy subjects (27 male, …

Examining The Effects Of Human-Animal Interaction On Individuals With Developmental Disabilities, Jennie Feinstein

Theses and Dissertations

Companion animals play a pivotal role in typical human development. It remains unknown how animals affect individuals with developmental disabilities. Based on the knowledge that companion animals help typically developing individuals, this research examined the effects of human-animal interactions on individuals with developmental disabilities.

Human-animal interactions are based on the Biophilia hypothesis, an assertion that an emotional and beneficial relationship exists between humans and nature, in which there is an “innate tendency to focus on life and lifelike processes.” These are the shared, dynamic associations between people and animals, and the effects of those relationships on health and well-being. Sparse …

Examining The Sensory Characteristics Of Preschool Children With Retentive Fecal Incontinence, Isabelle Beaudry-Bellefeuille

Theses and Dissertations

Occupational therapists are concerned with individuals´ abilities to engage in daily occupations. When a daily activity such as bowel management is problematic, participation in key occupations can be limited. Retentive fecal incontinence is a common disorder in children. Behavior seems to be partly responsible for this condition. Occupational therapists have hypothesized that some behaviors could be related to sensory over-responsivity. This study investigated the relationship between retentive fecal incontinence and sensory over-responsivity and examined the Toileting Habit Profile Questionnaire, a tool designed to screen for toileting difficulties. The study showed that a group of children (n=16) with retentive fecal incontinence …

Effects Of Thoracic Spinal Manipulative Therapy On Thoracic Spine And Shoulder Kinematics, Thoracic Spine Flexion/Extension Excursion, And Pressure Pain Sensitivity In Patients With Subacromial Pain Syndrome, Joseph Kardouni

Theses and Dissertations

EFFECTS OF THORACIC SPINAL MANIPULATIVE THERAPY ON THORACIC SPINE AND SHOULDER KINEMATICS, THORACIC SPINE FLEXION/EXTENSION EXCURSION, AND PRESSURE PAIN SENSITIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH SUBACROMIAL PAIN SYNDROME By Joseph R. Kardouni, Ph.D., PT A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2013. Major Director: Lori A. Michener, PhD, PT, ATC, Professor, Department of Physical Therapy In patients with shoulder pain, the use of manual therapy directed at the spine and shoulder have been reported to provide superior outcomes to exercise based interventions or usual care without …

Understanding Turnover Propensity Via Affective Beliefs, Adam Bradshaw

Theses and Dissertations

Three latent variable models examined relationships among neuroticism, situation-specific affective beliefs, and turnover propensity and were evaluated with Structural Equation Modeling to determine model fit. Results provided additional insight into how affective belief systems relate to turnover propensity reinforcing and expanding upon previous research by Binning, Bradshaw, LeBreton, and Scheier (2010) as the Correlated Antecedents and the Mediated Antecedents Models fit the data as proposed. Neuroticism and situation-specific affective beliefs continue to play distinguishable roles in explaining turnover propensity. Research by Binning et al. (2010) and the present study make it increasingly clear that understanding how affective belief systems relate …

Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery Care: Demand Forecasting, Staffing, And Treatment Planning, Mitchell R. Kieffer

Theses and Dissertations

Improvised Explosive Device attacks have skyrocketed since the start of the War on Terror. Many troops wounded by these tactics receive long-lasting unseen wounds including Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). TBI sufferers are treated along with other casualties. This has created an increasing, and varying, demand for ongoing post operative recovery care for troops returning from deployments. Diagnosis and treatment for TBI wounded troops is costly. This thesis is motivated by the recognition that budgets are constrained yet quality of care should not be compromised. Additive Holtz-Winters smoothing is used to forecast overall patient care demand, a regression based on queueing …

Effectiveness Of Sensory Integration And Behavioral Interventions On Nonengagement In Preschool Aged Children, Tiffany Kuyper

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract EFFECTIVENESS OF SENSORY INTEGRATION AND BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS ON NONENGAGEMENT IN PRESCHOOL AGED CHILDREN By Tiffany Ann Kuyper, OTR/L A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University, 2012 Director: Marie Anzalone ScD, OTR, FAOTA This single subject pilot study explored a combination of sensory-based interventions and behavioral interventions in a preschool aged child identified with Sensory Over-Responsivity (SOR). Children often display nonengagement associated with escaping and avoiding tactile and/or vestibular information because they perceive sensory input as negative or aversive. The subject …

Is Gait Training With The Elliptically Based Robotic Gait Trainer (Ebrgt) Feasible In Ambulatory Patients After Stroke?, J. Cortney Bradford

Theses and Dissertations

In response to the potential benefits of task specific training in rehabilitation of gait after stroke and the need for affordable, simple ways to implement it, our group designed the elliptically based robotic gait trainer (EBRGT). A design review of the EBRGT, covering the design goals, an overview of the mechanical and electrical design, and a discussion of the novelty of the device and why it may be beneficial for individuals with hemiparesis secondary to stroke is discussed (Chapter 2). To characterize the new device, a study was performed to determine if the EBRGT produced a gait pattern that mimicked …