Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

A Literature Review On Wheelchair Products And Fitting, Lee M. Werchau

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Physical therapists are often involved in wheelchair prescription. An important factor when recommending or prescribing a wheelchair is proper fit. Proper wheelchair fitting is critical when attempting to get maximum independence, normalize tone in spastic or low tone clients, as well as decreasing bony deformities and pressure ulcers. Crucial measurements for wheelchair fitting include backrest height and seat width, depth, and height. To assure ultimate independence an individuals mental competence, ROM in upper extremities, cardiopulmonary health, and coordination must be evaluated prior to prescribing a wheelchair. Options to consider are the type of seat cushion, wheelchair frame, peripherals, and safety. …

Occupational Cumulative Trauma Disorders: Prevention And Treatment, Michelle Uyeno

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs) consist of a group of musculoskeletal injuries caused by overuse or repetitive strain. The purpose of this Independent Study was to review the literature concerning occupational CTDs, the methods of prevention, and treatment as it related to physical therapy. The most beneficial means of controlling CTDs appear to be taking preventative measures with jobsite analysis and employee education. Treatment is varied and dependent upon the actual diagnosis and causative factor. Therapists may attempt heat or cold modalities, work hardening programs, or manual therapy such as strain-counterstrain. An important aspect to treatment is early intervention. Due to …

A Literature Review Of The Results Of Traditional Versus Accelerated Anterior Cruciate Ligament (Acl) Rehabilitation In Treatment Following Acl Reconstruction, Cara L. Conway

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

In recent years, the rehabilitation of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) has undergone changes in its protocol. The changes in ACL rehabilitation protocol are due to clinical observations and trends in ACL rehabilitation across the country. The traditional and presently used accelerated ACL rehabilitation programs are not much different in the activities performed as in the time frames when each activity is permitted.

The main purpose of this literature review is to provide material for clinicians to have accurate and recent knowledge of ACL rehabilitation. This knowledge will allow the clinician to provide the best and most beneficial treatment to …

A Review Of The Utilization Of Emg Biofeedback, Jeanine Lee Forsgren

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback is gaining popularity as a treatment modality in physical therapy. It is used in the areas of neurological and orthopedic rehabilitation as well as injury prevention and performance improvement. The use of this modality can aid in the rehabilitation process by identifying weak muscles which need to be strengthened. Physical therapy also utilizes EMG biofeedback to identify and change movement patterns which may contribute to injury through the overuse or incorrect use of various muscles. EMG biofeedback is used to assist the patient in learning how to control muscular movement to correct the problems which are identified. …

An Overview Of Multidirectional Instability Of The Shoulder, Troy Ivesdal

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Multidirectional instability (MOl) of the shoulder is an increasingly recognized clinical entity to physical therapists, yet it remains poorly defined and not fully understood. The clinical importance of correct diagnosis is necessary for rehabilitation and surgical procedures. The purpose of this paper is to address the issue of MOl and its importance in the field of physical therapy.

General anatomy will be presented with attention given to biomechanics which may lead to this pathology. Etiological factors will be discussed including symptoms and proper diagnostic procedures for instability. Finally, treatment of multidirectional instability will be reviewed with a focus on proprioceptive …

A Historical Perspective Of Medical Care Coverage In The United States, Rhonda Noyes

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Reimbursement of medical services by third-party payers is becoming more contingent upon the effectiveness of services at an affordable cost. The push for cost containment brings about the need for the health care professional to have a sound understanding of medical care coverage to provide quality services at an affordable price.

The present coverage of medical care in the united States is largely dependent upon medical benefits offered by employers. In order to understand current trends in medical care coverage and the reliance on employer based coverage, this independent study explores the origins and development of the current medical care …

A Review Of The Sacroiliac Joint With Emphasis On Evaluation And Treatment, Rachele Reber

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Low back pain is a common reason for referral to physical therapy. Although the role of the sacroiliac joint in low back pain remains controversial, many physical therapists frequently evaluate and treat biomechanical lesions of the sacroiliac joint. It is important to have keen evaluation skills to pinpoint the type of sacroiliac joint lesion present. Having a good knowledge and understanding of the anatomy, movement, and function of the joint will aid the therapist to correlate the findings of the evaluation with the proper treatment regimen. The purpose of this independent study is to describe current evaluation techniques, pathological conditions, …

Survey Of Pharmacology Education In Entry-Level Physical Therapy Programs, Daniel C. Weaver

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this survey research is to document the current status of education in pharmacology in the curriculum of entry-level physical therapy programs. A questionnaire was sent to the 135 entry-level physical therapy programs located in the United States and accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association. The director or faculty member responsible for pharmacology instruction in 96 (71.1 %) of the entry-level physical therapy programs participated in the five-part survey.

The questionnaire results indicate that nearly all of the program respondents (98.9%) incorporate pharmacology content into existing required courses and/or have in his or her curriculum a required …

Debridement Teaching Aid, Katharine E. Ward

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Physical therapists treat patients with wounds. Debridement is one area of wound care which physical therapists frequently perform. Debridement is a particularly difficult skill to learn in the classroom due to the inability to simulate authentic conditions.

This study is intended to be a debridement teaching aid in the physical therapy classroom and/or the professional setting. Written text discusses the classification, healing, assessment, debridement, and dressing of wounds. Photographs of wounds and wound care clarify the written text.

The purpose of this teaching module is to help students and professional staff feel more comfortable with wound care and debridement upon …

Outcome Based Survey On The University Of North Dakota Physical Therapy Curriculum, Elizabeth L. Malae

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

According to the American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA) current Standards for Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education Programs, "Criterion A for Standard VI states: The Comprehensive curriculum plan includes an organized and sequential series of integrated student-oriented learning experiences designed to enhance attainment of terminal competencies." How can we be sure that these educational goals and objectives of achieving technical clinical competency and meeting the needs of society and the profession are being met? One method is to get feedback from the students involved in the physical therapy program by means of a survey. This study will examine the content and …

The Effects Of Repeat Testing On Performance Scores Utilizing The Isostation B-200, Stephanie D. Kyes

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this experimental study was twofold: 1) to determine if there was a significant increase in performance, or learning effect, between the first and second test sessions on the Isostation B-200 for normal subjects, and 2) if so, was there a specific percentage of increase that can be attributed as a learning effect for each age, gender, or activity level.

Twenty-two subjects (8 men, 14 women) with no prior history or treatment for low back pain were utilized in this study. All subjects were tested in two positions. First, in an upright standing position and second, in twenty …

The Role Of Foot Biomechanics In Lower Extremity Pathologies, Don Martin

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Lower extremity pathologies caused by abnormal biomechanics of the subtalar joint are commonly seen in the health care setting. Certain foot types will predispose an individual to excessive amounts of subtalar joint pronation or supination during gait. Subtalar joint movement is transmitted proximally to the lower extremity during gait and excessive amounts of pronation or supination can lead to altered biomechanics in the lower extremity with development of various lower extremity injuries. The purpose of this study is to analyze the biomechanical events of the subtalar joint of the foot during gait in order to show how abnormalities in these …

1995 Touro College School Of Health Sciences Yearbook, Touro College School Of Health Sciences

Yearbooks and Newsletters

1995 Touro College School of Health Sciences Yearbook

Rehabilitation Of The Surgical Repair Of A Recurrent Anterior Dislocation Of The Glenohumeral Joint, Kellie L. Beckley

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Increasingly shoulder dislocations and instabilities are being recognized among athletes as a common disabling condition in the health care setting today.

Dislocations of the shoulder represent approximately 50% of all major joint dislocations. Of these shoulder dislocations, 95% are anterior dislocations. After a primary anterior dislocation, recurrence of dislocation occurs in 90% to 95% of patients in their mid 20s or younger. A high percentage of these injuries occur in repetitive athletic activities in which large forces and high velocities are produced, such as hockey, football, and baseball.

Consequently with the recognition of instability as the primary etiological factor for …

Physical Therapy Evaluation And Treatment Of Low Back Pain During Pregnancy, Jean Chouanard

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Low back pain (LBP) during pregnancy is a frequent complaint and is often considered a normal, nontreatable occurrence. However, much of the LBP of pregnancy can be eliminated with early intervention. Factors such as poor posture, mechanical changes, and relaxation. of ligamentous structures in the spine and pelvis are the most common explanations of low back pain. A careful history and evaluation are essential to identify the etiology and to guide an appropriate treatment. This independent study will be a literature review. Its purpose is to identify some of the causes for LBP during pregnancy and develop guidelines for evaluation …

A Survey: The Documentation Of Manual Therapy, Kimo Danielsen

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Manual therapy, though clinically valuable, lacks published research to support efficacy. The purpose of this project was to survey therapists in the U.S. who use manual therapy · in their clinical practice. Methods: All orthopedic clinical specialists (OCS) in the United States (n=325) as recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association's 1993 Directory of Clinical Specialists were sent a survey that contained questions regarding demographics, frequency of documentation, and items included in documentation. . The information gained through the survey questions were analyzed for descriptive trends. Results: There was a 45% response rate. Majority of the respondents indicated they were …

A Correlation Between Generalized Joint Hypermobility And Kt-1000 Values: A Prediction Of Knee Pathology, Leatha Noreen Hawbaker

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a correlation exists between students identified with generalized joint hypermobility and their values of knee joint mobility as measured by the KT-1000 knee ligament arthrometer.

Sixty healthy female high school sophomores, active in basketball, participated in this study. They were evaluated using: 1) the Beighton hypermobility criteria and 2) the KT-1000 knee ligament arthrometer. The KT- 1000 variables identified were the anterior 20 lb. displacement, compliance index, and the total anterior-posterior displacement.

With an alpha level set at .05, one-tailed, the T-test for independent samples identified no significant difference in the …

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, Bryan L. Guthmiller

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Delayed-onset muscular soreness (DOMS), the sensation of pain and stiffness in the muscles that occurs from 1-5 days following unaccustomed exercise, can adversely affect muscle performance, both from voluntary reduction of effort and from inherent loss of capacity of the muscles to produce force. This exercise-induced muscle damage causes a response that can be characterized by a cascade of metabolic events. Increased circulating neutrophils and interleukin-1 occurs within 24 hours after the exercise, with skeletal muscle levels remaining elevated for a much longer time. Several theories underlying the physiological mechanisms of DOMS have been proposed. The majority of evidence contradicts …

Mentorship Experiences In A Group Of Occupational Therapy Leaders., Ruth Levine Schemm, Theodore Bross

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: The development of occupational therapy leaders is a long-held goal of many members of the American Occupational Therapy Association and of state associations. The initiation of mentor programs is a common means to accomplish this goal. These programs take time and effort, and, although occupational therapists have described how mentorship programs work in the literature, there are few articles that describe the actual mentorship experiences of occupational therapy leaders.

METHOD: To study the experiences of elected occupational therapy leaders, a 30-item questionnaire was distributed at the annual meeting of the Committee of State Association Presidents and completed by 53 …

The Psychological Effects Of Functional Electrical Stimulation Leg Cycle Ergometry On Persons With Spinal Cord Injury, Renee Christner, Scott Nolte

Masters Theses

Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects many individuals in the general population. Spinal cord injury (SCI) may exacerbate depressive symptoms as individuals must adapt to an altered lifestyle as a result of the injury. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Functional Electrical Stimulation Leg Cycle Ergometry (FES-LCE) on the subjective reports of the incidence and severity of symptoms of depression in individuals with SCI. Survey packets, including a demographic data sheet and the Inventory to Diagnose Depression (IDD), were mailed to 215 individuals participating in FES-LCE programs and 215 persons with SCI not involved in FES-LCE. …

Normal Kinetic Patterns Of The Lower Extremities During Natural Walking In Children Aged Six To Ten, Thomas Ellexson, Christopher Nawrocki, Darrin Schober

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research was to initiate a normative pediatric three-dimensional lower extremity kinetic database specific to the Mary Free Bed Hospital/Grand Valley State University Center for Human Kinetic Studies. Twenty healthy children (eleven girls and nine boys) with a mean age of 7.9 years volunteered for this study. Lower extremity kinetic data were obtained using a computerized three-dimensional motion analysis system coupled with a force plate. Kinematic and kinetic data were pooled and mean/standard deviations at each one percent of the gait cycle were determined for the twenty normative children. Results of the pediatric kinetic data were similar …

The Effects Of Partial Unweighting On Hemiplegic Gait, Natasha A. Creaser, Michael W. Jones

Masters Theses

This study investigated the effects of 30% body weight support on gait in two individuals with hemiplegia secondary to stroke. Two subjects with right hemiplegia were tested. Each completed four trials, two full weight bearing and two unweighted 30%, in random order. Each trial consisted of walking six meters on a treadmill at the subjects' self-selected speed. Temporal distance data were collected via Stride Analyzer footswitches. Subjects were also videotaped from the side during all trials. We expected velocity, cadence, stride length, uninvolved limb swing time, and involved limb stance time to increase with unweighting. Subjects 1's results agreed only …

Patellofemoral Pain In Female Ballet Dancers: Correlation With Iliotibial Band Tightness And Tibial External Rotation, John Winslow, Evangeline Yoder

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Review of the literature reveals that ballet dancers have a high incidence of idiopathic patellofemoral pain. Twenty-four female ballet dancers were subjects in a study of the relationship between: 1) iliotibial band (ITB) tightness and patellofemoral pain, and 2) ITB tightness and degrees of tibial external rotation used in the dance demi-plie. Dancers were initially assessed by questionnaire to determine if any had knee pain. Twelve subjects mel the study criteria for patellofemoral pain, and 12 dancers without knee pain served as controls for the study. Iliotibial band tightness was measured (Ober test), and degrees of tibial external rotation used …

Long Term Restoration Of Peak Torque, Endurance And Muscle Activation Post Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, Darryl Alan Turner

Theses : Honours

In recent years, Accelerated Rehabilitation (A.R.) protocols have been used following Anterior Cruciate Ligament (A.C.L.) reconstructions, the longer term effects of these programs are seldom analysed. This study examined musculoskeletal mechanisms that might affect long term functional restoration, the control subjects (n = 19) of mixed age and gender, had no previous knee deficiencies and were recreationally fit. The experimental subjects (n = 17) had undergone intra-articular A.C.L reconstruction, using bone patellar-tendon bone grafts performed by the same surgeon and had also participated in the A.R. protocol, similar to that described by Shelbourne and Nitz (1990). The experimental group attended …

A Comparison Study Of The Effects Of Methods Of Pain Control On Client Outcomes, Susan K. Cristofori

Masters Theses

A correlational ex post facto design was used to study the relationships between methods of pain control and client perception of pain, achievement of the physical therapy regime and length of stay following total joint replacement surgery. Continuous epidural infusion and patient controlled analgesia (PCA) were the pain control methods examined in the study.; Perception of pain was measured using a 6-word descriptor verbal rating scale. Achievement of physical therapy was measured using the activity criteria on the case care map used at the study hospital. Length of stay was measured using daily census records. (1) The study site was …

Development And Evaluation Of The Cardiac Exercise Health Belief Scale, Virginia R. Mcginn

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study was to develop and evaluate the Cardiac Exercise Health Belief Scale (CEHBS) which is based on the Health Belief Model. The CEHBS focuses on the concepts of benefits and barriers. Ninety post cardiac event subjects, 69 males and 21 females, were recruited from two Michigan hospitals during their hospital stay. The CEHBS was mailed to subjects six to eight weeks following discharge.; Cronbach alpha for the CEHBS benefits subscale was.90 and for the barriers subscale was.84. Content validity was established by expert review. During factor analysis all items did load on factors related to the …

The Effect Of Family Participation On The Outcome Of Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury In Rehabilitation, Grant Middleton, Brett Ransom

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between physical therapists' perceptions and institutional policies relating to family participation in rehabilitation and rehabilitation outcome of patients with traumatic brain injury. Utilizing surveys, we collected information about institutional policy from institutions that were members of the Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) in the Midwestern United States. Thirteen institutional surveys provided usable Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores for patients rehabilitated in 1993, which were used as the outcome measure. The therapists' perceptions survey (n = 104) gathered data about the belief of physical therapists relating to family involvement …

Employer Perceptions Of Entry-Level Master's Degree Physical Therapy Graduate's Ability To Practice In A Direct Access Environment, Michele Allen, Matthew J. Duley, Jamie J. Eltzroth

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if employers in physical therapy outpatient facilities believed entry-level Master's degree graduates were adequately prepared to practice in a direct access environment. Three-hundred surveys were sent to employers in facilities in Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio. A Likert Scale was utilized to determine opinions regarding physical therapy skills a new graduate may have after graduating from an entry-level Master's degree program. Analysis of variance was used to determine differences in opinion based on skill and employer categorization. Results indicated that employers did not believe physical therapy graduates have adequate skills to recognize diagnoses …

The Effects Of Lumbar Facet Joint Dysfunction Isoinertial Range Of Motion Testing, Mary Lomonaco-Parks

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of lumbar facet joint dysfunction on individual trunk movement characteristics, as measured by computerized range of motion testing on asymptomatic subjects. A sample of 40 subjects was examined for lumbar facet joint dysfunction via palpatory exam and placed into two groups. Group one consisted of subjects with 0-2 levels of lumbar facet joint dysfunction. Group 2 consisted of subjects with greater than 2 levels of lumbar facet joint dysfunction. Each performed all planes of trunk range of motion without resistance and at 25% of their maximal isometric strength. The null …

In Vitro Effects Of Two Silver Electrodes On Select Wound Pathogens, Linda Jean Laatsch-Lybeck, Poh Chye Ong, Luther C. Kloth

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

The use of electrical current to promote wound healing is well documented. However, little is understood about the effects of micro-amperage direct current (μADC) on growth of wound pathogens. The purpose of this project was to investigate the antibacterial effects of a silver wire/silver nylon electrode carrying μADC in vitro on several Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. The current was delivered via silver wire and silver nylon electrodes at an amplitude of 100 μA for a 30-minute duration in an in vitro system. Results demonstrated that only silver wire carrying current inhibited bacterial growth around …