Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Center-Based Treadmill Training For An Infant With Down Syndrome Not Yet Pulling To Stand, Amber Calhoun Spt, Summer Halle Spt, Julia Looper Pt, Phd

Physical Therapy Research Symposium

Background: Infants with Down Syndrome (DS) are typically delayed in ambulation and motor development. The effects of center-based treadmill training (TT) on the rate of development in infants with DS are documented in children who are pulling to stand. However, evidence is lacking on TT effects below this developmental level at onset.

Purpose: To explore the impact of a center-based TT program on an infant with DS who is unable to pull to stand.

Methods: The participant was unable to pull to stand at onset of the case study. Initial exam consisted of anthropometric measurements, walking 5 minutes on TM, …

The Short-Term Effects Of Thoracic Transverse Mobilization In Patients With Subacromial Shoulder Pain, Hannah Descoteaux Spt, Kyle Morris Spt, Sarah Taketa Spt, Robert Boyles Pt, Dsc, Ocs, Faaompt

Physical Therapy Research Symposium

Background: There is evidence that thoracic manipulation is effective for treating subacromial shoulder pain (SSP). However, evidence is limited for thoracic mobilization. Manipulation is not safe for all patients; therefore, effects of thoracic mobilization on SSP needs to be researched further.

Purpose: To measure the effects of thoracic spine transverse mobilization (TSTM) and a home exercise in patients with SSP immediately after treatment, and 48 hours later. Shoulder range of motion (ROM), shoulder pain, and patient perception of treatment effects were assessed.

Methods: This is a single treatment pretest/posttest design consisting of eight patients (five females, three males; mean age …

Common Experiences And Beliefs Among Highly-Active, Previously-Sedentary, Middle-Aged Adults, Jordan Hirae Spt, Erin Krekling Spt, Elizabeth Piper Spt, Danny Mcmillian Pt, Dsc, Ocs, Cscs

Physical Therapy Research Symposium

BACKGROUND: Physical Activity (PA) Guidelines recommend reducing sedentarism and describes correlations between adequate PA and improving health outcomes. The self-determination theory (SDT) was used to identify motivational factors crucial to a physically active lifestyle.

PURPOSE: Identify and analyze how motivational characteristics, fulfillment of psychological needs, and individual experiences/beliefs influence an individual’s motivation for PA.

METHODS: Participants (3 females, 2 males; age 36-55) were recruited using nominated sampling and public advertising. Current levels of moderate-to-high PA were determined by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and previous-sedentarism was self-reported as a minimum of 18 months. The SDT was the …

Patient-Reported, Not Performance Based, Outcome Measures Are Correlated With Future Falls In Community Dwelling Older Adults, Alex Carr Spt, Hannah Johnson Spt, Elise Whisler Spt, Holly Roberts Pt, Phd

Physical Therapy Research Symposium

Background: One-third of community-dwelling older adults fall at least once a year, yet many commonly used performance-based outcome measures for falls have ceiling effects. Additionally, psychological factors such as fear of falling and avoidance behaviors may contribute to fall risk.

Purpose: To determine whether balance confidence, fear of falling avoidance behaviors, or performance on high-level mobility outcome measures can predict falls in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: Eighty-nine participants (76 ± 7 years) completed the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), Fear of Falling Avoidance Behaviors Questionnaire (FFABQ), Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), and Community Balance & Mobility Scale (CB&M) and then recorded …

Feasibility Of Twice A Week In-Clinic Treadmill Intervention In Infants With Down Syndrome, Taylor Clark Spt, Nicole Craig Spt, Katie Westin Spt, Laura Zuniga-Morales Spt, Julia Looper Pt, Phd

Physical Therapy Research Symposium

Background: Children with Down syndrome (DS) on average take independent steps at 24-26 months compared to 12 months for typically developing children. In-home treadmill training has been shown to be an effective intervention to reduce delayed walking onset for infants with DS.

Purpose: To see if 20 minutes of in clinic treadmill training twice a week for infants with DS is a feasible intervention.

Methods: Participants must pull to stand independently but not yet walk. Pre-intervention testing included 5 minutes of treadmill walking and scores for sections D and E of Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM). 20 minute treadmill sessions …

Comparison Of Balance Confidence, Balance Performance, And Falls Among Age Groups For Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Lindsay Dirringer Spt, Ana Sabates Spt, Holly Roberts Pt, Phd

Physical Therapy Research Symposium

Background: Balance confidence and performance is crucial for fall prevention among the elderly but the correlation with age is unknown.

Purpose: Identify changes in balance confidence, balance performance and falls of older age.

Methods: 90 community-dwelling older adults (76+7 years, 54 female, 34 fallers) completed the Activity Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ), Community Balance and Mobility Scale (CB&M), and Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), and self-reported falls for 6 months. Scores on outcome measures and fall rates were compared using a one-way repeated measures ANOVA for age groups 65-74, 75-84, and 85+.

Results: There were no …

The Effects Of Heel Lifts On Dynamic Measures Of Gait And Static Posture In Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease, Elizabeth Jusko Spt, Breanna Roderos Spt, Sarah Uno Spt, Jennifer Hastings Pt, Phd

Physical Therapy Research Symposium

Background: One classic symptom of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a “stooped posture” characterized by multiple postural malalignments, which increases fall risk. In 2018, we addressed this posture with in-shoe heel lifts (HLs) and found significant improvements to static postural alignment and perceived stability as well as a correlation between the Falls Efficacy Scale and plantarflexion (PF) contractures. These findings are consistent with a Wright & DiBello (2020) study that found HLs can promote a normalization of joint alignment up the kinetic chain.

Purpose: To validate our prior findings and determine if HLs can improve dynamic measures of gait such as …

Autonomic Nervous System Changes In Individuals With Anxiety And Depression Across The Lifespan: A Systematic Review, Justin Peterson Spt, Brandon Funk Spt, Rachel C. Sannicandro Spt, Anna K. Ortung Spt, Karin Steere Dpt

Physical Therapy Research Symposium

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: As a measure of systemic health, heart rate variability (HRV) can strongly and independently predict adverse future prognosis.1–3 Reduced HRV has been correlated to numerous chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and chronic pain.4 Evidence suggests that psychiatric disorders can have similar systemic effects.5 Anxiety and depression are two of the most common psychiatric disorders in the world.6 The primary aim of this systematic review is to determine the relationship between anxiety and/or depression and heart rate variability across the age spectrum.

METHODS: Online databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Ovid, and CINAHL were searched for papers dated …