Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

The Association Of Generalized Joint Hyperlaxity And Occurrence Of Musculoskeletal Injury, Jocelyn Hagen

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Generalized joint hyperlaxity is characterized by excess range of motion in most joints, which surpasses accepted normal range of motion values for the population. Hyperlaxity is present in 4-7% of the general population. Literature is inconclusive regarding the significance of joint laxity as a predisposing factor to injury in non-athletic populations.

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a significant correlation between joint laxity and previous musculoskeletal injuries. In addition, the data was evaluated to compare laxity rates by gender, choice of collegiate major, type of injuries, and weekly activity level.

Two hundred thirty-nine students, age …

A Comparison Of Ultimate Pullout Strength Of Four Bioabsorbable Tacks, Leslie Haugen

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pullout strength, both parallel and perpendicular to that tack shaft, of four different bioabsorbable tacks: Suretac A, Suretac B, Bionx A and Bionx B. These tacks were fixated into a foam block and tension was placed on each tack until point of failure between the tack-foam interface. Results were analyzed via the one-way ANOYA and Scheffe's test was used for post hoc analysis. Results indicated that the Bionx B tack withstood the greatest mean ultimate parallel pullout strength with a mean of 292.04 N and failed at a force significantly higher …

A Study Of Patient Satisfaction At Big Horn Basin Orthopedic Clinic, P. C. Therapy Center In Powell, Wyoming, Jason Kamm

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was to design and distribute a patient satisfaction survey that identifies the needs of the patients of Big Horn Basin Orthopedic Clinic, P.C. Therapy Center in Powell, Wyoming (Clinic). The survey gathered information in 4 areas related to patient satisfaction: overall satisfaction, patient-therapist interactions, clinic operations, and billing procedures. During the summer of 2000, 150 surveys were sent out to discharged patients of the Clinic and 75 were returned. The mean scores for all of the questions on the survey scored near the high end of the scale. The questions related to clinic operations had …

Thermal Capsulorrhaphy Of The Shoulder: Literature Review And Clinical Outcome For One Collegiate Tennis Player, Kelsey J. Kean

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Glenohumeral joint instability is a clinical problem in both the athletic and general populations. When 3 months of conservative physical therapy treatments fail to stabilize the lax shoulder joint, surgery is indicated. Recently thermal capsulorrhaphy, an arthroscopic procedure that uses a heat probe to shrink redundant capsular tissue, has been offered as one alternative to tighten the lax glenohumeral joint capsule. There are numerous published reports describing the effects of thermal energy on joint capsular tissue, but only a few clinical outcome studies have been published regarding thermal capsulorrhaphy of the shoulder. Some initial reports of this surgical technique seem …

A Motion-Analysis And Electromyographic Study Of The Upper Trapeziues And Forearm Musculature While Typing At Different Heights On A Laptop Computer, Scott Kolar

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Laptop computers have become a common feature in both the workplace and the home. Computer technology has brought about vast benefits in terms of productivity and efficiency; however, the benefits have not come without repercussions. The wide use of laptop computers has without a doubt created an environment in which the user is susceptible to upper extremity cumulative trauma disorder (UECTD), also referred to as repetitive trauma disorder or overuse syndrome. The cost of UECTD to the individual and potentially his/her employer is enormous costing the United States alone an estimated $42 billion per year. Through ergonomic considerations, an optimal …

Reliability And Validity Of Angular Joint Velocity Using Peak Motus 2000 Motion Analysis And Kin-Com Isokinetic Dynamometer, Meaghan Kuklok

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Use of motion analysis systems for the study of human motion in research settings and clinical settings are becoming more prevalent. In a traditional sense, motion analysis systems are used for gait analysis; most recently, they are being utilized to analyze spinal motion, foot motion, and components of motion during sporting activities. Questions about the accuracy of these computerized motion analysis systems and the precision and reliability of the digitizing process remains. The purpose of this study is to determine the validity of the Peak Motus 2000 motion analysis system® (Peak Performance) in calculating dynamic velocities and …

An Electromyographic And Motion Analysis Study Of An Elliptical Trainer, Sarah Mannel

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Americans are increasingly interested in exercising to increase fitness and reduce the risks of disease. One of the latest machines used to accomplish this goal is the elliptical trainer, a combination stair stepper, treadmill, exercise cycle, and cross-country ski machine. The purpose of this study was to describe muscle activity and joint range of motion while moving both forward and backward on an elliptical trainer at different inclines.

Six subjects between the ages of twenty-two and twenty-five years rode an elliptical trainer backwards and forwards at different inclines for four trials. Electromyographic activity of eight lower extremity muscles was calculated …

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 …

Characteristics Of Effective Employment Services: The Consumers’ Perspective, Jaimie Ciulla Timmons, Jennifer Schuster, Doris Hamner, Jennifer Bose

All Institute for Community Inclusion Publications

This monograph reports on a study investigating the characteristics of effective state service systems. Findings are based on the experiences of individuals with disabilities who have used a state agency (Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Mental Retardation, Department of Mental Health, or One Stop Center) to find employment. Interviews were conducted to examine individuals' experiences with employment services including job search, job entry, strategies that facilitated involvement, supports provided, and barriers experienced. Findings indicated five key components to effective service delivery, including agency culture, consumer-directedness, access to resources, quality personnel, and coordinated services. Obstacles faced during the employment process and personal …

Vocational Rehabilitation Outcomes For People With Mental Retardation, Cerebral Palsy, And Epilepsy: An Analysis Of Trends From 1985 To 1998, Dana Scott Gilmore, Jennifer Schuster, John Butterworth

All Institute for Community Inclusion Publications

This monograph presents the results of secondary analysis of the RSA-911 database from the Rehabilitation Services Administration. All successful VR closures for individuals with mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy for six data points between 1985 and 1998 were investigated. Trends in competitive labor market and extended employment (sheltered workshops) closures were examined. The use of supported employment in the VR system and its outcomes were also discussed. Findings include increased incidence of competitive labor market closures and supported employment services, with a decrease in extended employment closures.

Comparisons of successful VR closure outcomes to trends in the general labor …

Wrist And Hand Injuries In The Athlete, Timothy L. Uhl, Philip Blazar, Greg Pitts, Kelly Ramsdell

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Athletes subject themselves to considerable disability. No matter the sport, the hand and upper extremity are among the most commonly injured sites. Frequently, the most debilitating complications of these conditions are the result of misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. Unfortunately, many patients with these delayed and misdiagnosis injuries need to be treated with surgical procedures. To compound the dilemma in treating hand and wrist injuries in this population, one needs to appreciate the athletic personality and the mentality that wishes to dismiss hand injuries as minor. It is essential to educate athletes by clearly communicating the risks and complications inherent to …

Amateur Volleyball Attackers Competing Despite Shoulder Pain: Analysis Of Play Habits, Anthropometric Data, And Specific Pathologies, Ryan Jacobson, Cindy Benson

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

Giving Way Event During A Combined Stepping And Crossover Cutting Task In An Individual With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficiency, Jeff Houck, H. John Yack

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

Study Design: Case study.

Objective: To compare knee kinematics and moments of nongiving way trials to a giving way trial during a combined stepping and crossover cutting activity.

Background: The knee kinematics and moments associated with giving way episodes sugge motor control strategies that lead to instability and recovery of stability during movement.

Methods and Measures: A 27-year-old woman with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency reported giving way while performing a combined stepping and crossover cutting activity. P motion analysis system recorded motion of the pelvis, femur, tibia, and foot using 3 infrarec emitting diodes placed on each segment at 60 …

Providing Services To Family Caregivers At Home: Challenges And Recommendations For Health And Human Service Professions, Susan Toth-Cohen, Laura N. Gitlin, Mary Corcoran, Susan Eckhardt, Pamalyn Kearney, Rosalyn Lipsitt

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

The home represents a relatively new arena for practice for most service providers, especially those working with families of persons with dementia. This article describes four key factors to consider when working with caregivers of persons with dementia in their homes. The authors also discuss seven common challenges of service provision in the home and recommend strategies for addressing these challenges.

Physical Therapists' Perceptions Concerning The Determination Of Fibromyalgia Interventions: A Qualitative Study, Elizabeth Jayne Levengood

Masters Theses

This qualitative explored some of the concepts under which physical therapists in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area operate when treating patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. Four physical therapists with at least two years’ experience working in local pain clinics were interviewed. The data were transcribed, coded, and analyzed into themes. Seven categories of physical therapists’ perceptions concerning the determination of interventions were developed: (a) Factors affecting decision-making, (b) physical therapeutic interventions, (c) decision-making in the absence of intervention guidelines, (d) judgments of effectiveness according to clinical findings, (e) judgments of effectiveness through consultation, (f) perceptions of intervention decisions, and (g) perceptions …

Three Dimensional Gait Analysis Following The Adeli Treatment For Cerebral Palsy: A Case Report, Troy Lase

Masters Theses

This case report describes the use of three-dimensional gait analysis to identify kinematic changes following the Adeli suit treatment. The suit's original design was to decrease the effects of weightlessness in space but has been modified to become the primary modality for the Adeli treatment used to treat cerebral palsy. Data were quantitatively produced by three-dimensional gait analysis before and after treatment were used to identity any changes in gait. Following the Adeli treatment, instrumented gait analysis showed that no clinically significant changes in four critical events of gait following the Adeli treatment occurred.

A Journey Within A Journey: A Naturalistic Study Of The Early Relationship Development Process In Non-Directive Play Therapy, Nancy Lynne Riedel Bowers

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

An innovative qualitative methodology of "thematic analysis" was developed to describe the early relationship development process of non-directive play therapy. Through the analysis of individual and focus group meetings, six themes and hundreds of categories emerged which together describe the early process of play therapy and examine how these themes, separately and together, might facilitate the relationship development process. The themes identified are: description, qualities, goals, therapeutic support, process and indicators of growth. A new category emerged through the videotape analysis process of the research indicating that children resort to 'comfort play' when in time of distress. In addition, relationship …

The Effect Of Sesamoid Mobilization And Flexor Hallucis Strengthening On Reducing Pain And Improving Function In The Great Toe, Jennifer Shamus

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of standard physical therapy when combined with sesamoid mobilization, flexor hallucis strengthening and gait training for reducing pain and increasing function in the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MPJ) in persons with functional hallux limitus. Sprains of the first MPJ are common in athletics. Push off, forward drive and running can be significantly impaired after this injury. More importantly, MPJ sprains can also result in persistent pain and loss of range of motion. Given the debilitating nature of this injury, it is important to determine the most effective treatment for hallux limitus. …

Non-Predictability Of Abdominal Strength And Function With Trunk Manual Muscle Testing In Patients With Low Back Pain, Eric C. Shamus

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of the Clarkson and Gilewich manual muscle test of trunk flexion and rotation to predict abdominal muscle strength and function in patients with low back pain. In examining movement and function, physical therapists routinely test muscle strength.

The participants consisted of thirty-one adults with complaints of low back pain. For each subject, five tests were conducted. A manual muscle test of trunk flexion and rotation, dynamometer measurement of trunk flexion strength, and lumbar stabilization during a partial curl up and single leg slide were performed. Pearson product correlational statistics were …