Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Trial And Error Versus Errorless Learning Of Functional Skills In Patients With Acute Stroke, Julie Mount, Samuel R. Pierce, Janet Parker, Rebecca Diegidio, Russell Woessner, Lenore Spiegel

Department of Physical Therapy Faculty Papers

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of errorless learning versus trial and error learning for teaching activities of daily living to patients with acute stroke with or without explicit memory impairments.

Design: Randomized crossover.

Setting: Rehabilitation hospital.

Participants: 33 adult subjects following an acute stroke.

Intervention: Subjects were taught to prepare a wheelchair for a transfer and to put on a sock with a sock-donner. Tasks were taught using errorless learning or trial and error learning. Explicit memory was assessed using the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Exam.

Main Outcome Measures: Days until subject was able to …

Revolution: A Philosophic Perspective On The Automotive Industry, Joshua Beasley

Whittier Scholars Program

For my project I will be utilizing the philosophic principles and business structure found at the sports camp I interned at and apply them in the car industry.

After interning at the camp, interviewing the founder and the current owner of the camp, I have begun doing research into the automotive industry to see where and how such a business structure and philosophic principles can be applied to the car industry, specifically to a new car company. The philosophic principles I will apply will be ones that involve customer relations and environmental ethics. I will apply these to a new …

Rehabilitation Following Pinning Of An Ulnar Fracture With Radial Head Dislocation, Sandra R. Jungwirth

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Study design: Case report.

Background and Purpose: Although upper extremity injuries and fractures are common in children, fractures of the ulna with dislocation of the radial head represent a small portion of the upper extremity fractures. The purpose of this case report is to describe the physical therapy intervention of such a fracture-dislocation in a child.

Case Description: The patient was a 6-year-old girl diagnosed with a fracture of the ulna with dislocation of the radial head. She had a pinning of the ulnar fracture. Six and one half weeks after injury, physical therapy was initiated, consisting of 6 visits …

Rehabilitation Of A 49 Year-Old Male Who Underwent A Right Knee Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Moderate To Severe Degenerative Joint Disease Of The Left Knee, Roy W. Osborn

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background/purpose: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is reported to be one of the most common and most serious injuries among physically active individuals, There are a multitude of articles addressing rehabilitation following ACL reconstruction, but there is no clear "best method' identified in the evidence, Subjects with a combination of ACL rupture and degenerative joint disease are less frequent in occurrence, and also lack evidence to identify the most appropriate rehabilitation method.

Description: This case study provides the details of the first 8 weeks of rehabilitation for a 49 year old male subject who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction of …

Hip Adductor Or Iliopsoas Tendonitis In An Adolescent Athlete: A Physical Therapy Case Report, Julie Berry

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Groin pain can be caused by many different entities from a "pulled adductor muscle" to something as serious as a femoral neck stress fracture. Other possible diagnoses include slipped capital epiphysis, avulsion fractures, osteitis pubis, osteoarthritis, labral tem adductor tendonitis and hernia, Iliopsoas tendonitis is all under diagnosed clinical problem, This injury affects millions of athletes every year and is often misdiagnosed and not properly treated, Potential implications to function include a decrease in the ability to perform activities of daily living (dressing, transferring into and out of bed/car/chair, and climbing stairs), inability to control inflammation which could progress to …

A Work Injury Prevention Program For A Rural Manufacturing Company, Pete Angell, Tara Copenhaver, Dustin Martinson, Heather Martinson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: This article discusses how a group of four physical therapy students built upon traditional ergonomic and biomechanical programs and applied it to a rural manufacturing company of 160 employees.

Methods: Meetings were held with the corporation's Safety Specialist and upper management. Based on research supported by evidence and suggestions from the company's administration, the students constructed an injury prevention program consisting of two presentations for office and production workers, exercise programs, a lifting and posture DVD and assessment, and a modified office assessment.

Results: Seventy-one employees attended the production lecture. Thirty-six workers took part in the office presentation. Sixty-four …

Electromyographic Analysis Of Lower Extremity Muscle Activity During Wall Squats With An Adduction Contraction In Varied Foot Positions, Jill Eken, Ashlee Jesperson, Heather Sletten

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if an isometric hip adduction contraction and varied foot positions during a wall squat results in increased muscle recruitment of the lower extremity.

Subjects: Eleven healthy female adult volunteers without a prior history of knee pathology participated.

Methods: Surface electromyography (EMG) data were collected from the adductor longus (AL), vastus medialis oblique (VMO), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), gastrocnemius (GN) and anterior tibialis (AT) muscles of the dominant leg for each individual during six wall squats with different treatment conditions. Experimental trials included three different rotation positions with or without …

Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation And Indicators Of Muscle Damage After Endurance Exercise, Beau K. Greer, John L. Woodard, Jim P. White, Eric M. Arguello, Emily M. Haymes

All PTHMS Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to determine whether branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation attenuates indirect indicators of muscle damage during endurance exercise as compared with an isocaloric, carbohydrate (CHO) beverage or a noncaloric placebo (PLAC) beverage. Nine untrained men performed three 90-min cycling bouts at 55% VO_2peak. Subjects, blinded to beverage selection, ingested a total of 200 kcal of energy via the CHO or BCAA beverage before and at 60 min of exercise, or they drank the PLAC beverage. Creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), isokinetic leg-extension and -flexion torque, and muscle soreness were assessed before and …

Development Of A Needs Assessment For Youth Violence Prevention Programs In A Large Midwestern City, Laura Lynn Savel

Masters Theses

This research project was designed to examine the relationship between the needs for violence prevention programs and the qualities of occupational therapists. A needs assessment relevant to violence prevention program could not be located. One was therefore created based on the literature available as well as professional input. A pilot study was conducted, revisions were made and the needs assessment was distributed when approval was granted. The assessment was distributed to elementary, middle and high school principals, assistant principals, occupational therapists, guidance counselors/psychologists, and support staff from two western Michigan school systems. A model program was created based on the …

Birth To Three Early Intervention Parent Handbook, Sarah C. Nicholas

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this study was to investigate family-centered advocacy in early intervention, specifically the development of a parent handbook for families of young children who are eligible to receive early intervention services in Wyoming. Early intervention programs provide services for children with disabilities ages birth to three and their families under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (2004), Part C. The resource handbook was designed for parents and community partners so that they may better understand and utilize early intervention in the community where they reside. The parent handbook was designed to be as a written reference of …

Parkinson's Disease And Occupational Therapy: Evidence Based Practice, Gordon Stubbings, Tiffany Vliem

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The therapeutic benefit of occupational therapy with Parkinson's disease has not been studied in great detail. The purpose of this Scholarly Project was to provide extensive and comprehensive evidence-based information about Parkinson's disease as it applies to occupational therapists. This information was utilized to generate clinical guidelines in the form of a user-friendly manual meant for practicing OTs in treating Parkinson's disease.

An extensive literature review was performed using PubMed to determine current evidence-based practice that occupational therapists and other rehabilitation therapists were currently using. Following the review of literature, a needs assessment was completed per survey directed towards practicing …

Early Childhood Fine Motor Assessment, Naomi Kapaun

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The development of hand function is ongoing from infancy through adulthood. Hand function is especially important in the early years as a child prepares for school. As with all skills, the level of hand function can range from "excellent" to "average" to "clumsy" or "immature." Stability, strength, and endurance are key components of adequate hand skill development. These components are often areas of weakness in today's society of technology and passive activities. Creating an assessment designed specifically for the identification of skill acquisition, as it pertains to hand function and fine motor development, in the early childhood years will assist …

The Effect Of High Velocity Sport Specific Training On Throwing Velocity, Christopher Albrecht, Mandy Caspers, Jennifer Hammond

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Previous studies have shown strength training programs to be effective in improving throwing velocity. The aim of this study was to determine whether there was a significant training effect, as measured by an increase in throwing velocity, among subjects who had been instructed to perform proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques of the dominant upper extremity at a slow and controlled speed, subjects who had been instructed to perform PNF techniques of the dominant upper extremity at a sport specific speed, and a control group. A total of 28 male and female subjects, between the ages of21 and 30 participated in …

The Obesity Epidemic: Survey Of Current Physical Therapy Trends In North Dakota, Alexis M. Barten, Kristi M. Just, Lori A. Perry, Cassie R. Seal

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. Many different health professionals are involved in the prevention and treatment of obesity. The APTA believes that physical therapists should be in a leadership role among other health care providers in providing patient education and instruction regarding physical activity. The purpose of this study was to determine current practice trends among physical therapists in the state of North Dakota relating to patients who are overweight or obese.

Subjects and Methods. Three hundred surveys were mailed to randomly selected physical therapists licensed in the State of North Dakota. The survey consisted of23 questions concerning level of training, referral …

Survey Of Parents Participating In An Infant Toddler Screening Program: Identification And Education Regarding Torticollis, Amanda Carlson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Since 1992 there has been an increased number of children diagnosed with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT), which is a condition that affects the position and shape of the head. This study was designed to find out from parents involved in an infant toddler screening program about the information they have received regarding torticollis and if they feel it has been satisfactory.

Subjects: A survey of 150 parents with children who participated in an infant toddler screening program were initially included in a randomized sample for this study. Fifty-four surveys were returned to the researchers, of which 4 …

Und Physical Therapy Alumni: Job Satisfaction Survey Results In 2004 And Over 10 Years, Amber Entzel, Jill Gibbon, Laura Parent

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

This study investigates University of North Dakota Department of Physical Therapy (UND PT) alumni job satisfaction. The field has evolved greatly with regards to educational requirements, autonomy of practice and utilization of skilled services. With these significant changes in the field, a look at job satisfaction of alumni was warranted.

Methods: The Job Descriptive Index (JDI), Job In General (JIG), and a demographic survey were sent out in 1994, 1999, and 2004 to all alumni of the University of North Dakota (UND) physical therapy program. Subjects were excluded if they were no longer practicing physical therapy, or if they were …

Physical Therapy Diabetic Protocol, Jered Field, Jason Hahn, Corey Samuelson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

As the number of individuals in the United States with Type II Diabetes continues to increase significantly, so too does the incidence of lower extremity secondary complications. Ulcer care and possible lower extremity amputation are very expensive to patients and the healthcare system and can be extremely debilitating. Preventative measures have been implemented; however, a greater focus in this area may provide significantly greater results. Previous research states that preventative programs for lower extremity complications are cost effective if they can provide a 25% decrease in these conditions. In this project, a comprehensive prevention program has been designed to increase …

Effects Of Ambulatory Assistive Devises On Subjects Post-Cva: A Series Of Case Studies, David Fulton, Richard Zaruba

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if regularly ambulating with and without an ambulatory assistive device will lead to differences in the spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters of gait demonstrated by the subjects status post cerebral vascular accident. This study was comprised of a series of three case studies. All subjects were a minimum of fifty years old, at least three months status post cerebral vascular accident, capable of effectively communicating with researchers, and in good health. Ambulation criteria for inclusion were to regularly ambulate independently for 50 feet without use of an ambulatory assistive device, and regularly ambulate …

The Effects Of Taping Versus Bracing On Postural Stability Of The Ankle, Rachel Johnston, Lindsey Kramer, Leah Nikle, Heather Stecher

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

External ankle supports, such as athletic tape and braces, used prophylactically and postinjury, have enabled athletes to participate, when their absence would have either limited participation or possibly allowed an injury. These supports offer an extrinsic mechanical source of support for the ankle. The ankle, however, is also dependent on the proprioception system, including visual input, to maintain balance through motor involvement of regional ankle musculature. It would appear that the addition of external support would enhance the overall integrity of the ankle; however, does that support exert an influence, positive or negative, on the proprioception system at the joint? …

The Effect Of Hamstring Contractions In The Activation Of The Abdominal Muscles During A Standard Abdominal Crunch, Deborah Sue Larson, Barry Pederson, Adam Suedel, Wayne Voth

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a hamstring contraction on the abdominal musculature during a standard crunch. Studies in the past have looked at abdominal and core strengthening, exercise equipment, and exercise techniques and their effect on abdominal electromyography (EMG). Few published studies have looked at the effect on the abdominals during a modified crunch, which is a hamstring contraction during a standard crunch.

Methods: Participants (n=30) for this study were between the ages of 18 and 60 with no history of acute or chronic back pain or major abdominal surgery. EMG was used …

Criteria Used For Identification Of Torticollis By Professionals Providing Developmental Screenings, Amanda Van Hatten, Lacey Jenson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to gather data from development screeners providing infant/toddler developmental screening regarding the criteria used to identify torticollis, information about referral practices when torticollis is suspected, and the information being provided to parents regarding torticollis.

Subjects: Subjects were recruited through a midwestern developmental screening organization. All developmental screeners were invited to participate in this study and inclusion criteria consisted of participants that currently were completing developmental screenings in the selected regional area.

Procedures: Focused interviews along with pre-questionnaires were utilized to gather the data. The pre-questionnaire which was distrusted first, included questions regarding …

Physical Therapy Intervention Following An Arthroscopic Bankart Repair, Elizabeth Frye

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. Returning athletes to high level activity following surgery is a delicate decision. The purpose of this case study is to describe the physical therapy intervention and the results an athlete following an arthroscopic Bankart repair.

Description. A 24 year old male, professional surfer, underwent an arthroscopic Bankart repair to the right shoulder and physical therapy was initiated at week 4 as ordered by his orthopedic surgeon. The patient presented with decreased range of motion (ROM), decreased strength, pain upon movement, and functional disability of the right shoulder. Interventions included postural training, therapeutic exercise, and joint mobilization to …

Weight Lifting Through Life: A Guide To Safe Weight Training, John A. Andrew

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

You Can Lift Weights Withllut Getting Hurt!

Have you ever injured yourself when trying to lift weights or initiate an exercise program? If so, you are not alone. Over many years of working as a physical therapist in an outpatient orthopedic and sports medicine clinic I have been surprised by the number of people that walk through the doors that are hurt by weight lifting. This really concerns me as one should not get hurt lifting weights as this is the opposite of why you are training. You are trying to improve your health--not get hurt! I am amazed by …

Outpatient Physical Therapy Management Of A Young Male Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, Leslie Harris

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. This paper describes the physical therapy management of a 17 -year-old male high school student, from two weeks postoperative to week 10 outpatient, after left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. An intra-articular patella bone-tendon-bone graft as well as a medial meniscus repair and notchplasty were completed using video arthroscopy. The patient presented with decreased range of motion and strength in the left knee and slightly decreased strength in the left hip.

Purpose, The purpose of this article is to describe the interventions used for this patient, the results from these interventions and to discuss current ACL treatment …

A Case Study Of A Patient With Low Back Pain And Radicular Symptoms Treated With The Mckenzie Method, Reyn A. Hata

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Objective: The objective of this case study is to describe the use of the McKenzie Method (MM) with a patient with low back pain (LBP) with radicular symptoms.

History: The patient is a 26 year-old, male with complaints of low back pain with radicular symptoms down his right lower extremity to his ankle. The patient presented with decreased range of motion to lumbar spine, a flexed and left laterally shifted posture, decreased strength of right lower extremity, and peripheralizing symptoms of pain.

Description: The treatment for this patient involved repeated flexion and extension movements, stretching, posture education, instruction in body …

Examination And Treatment For A Patient With A Distal Radius Fracture, Chuck Mccullough

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This article describes the eight month outpatient physical therapy management of 67 year old female who had an open fracture of the left distal radius that was stabilized internally with K-wire and externally with the application of external fixator. Initially, this patient presented with a need for patient education on wound care, edema control techniques, splinting, and a maintenance program for finger and shoulder range of motion. The physical therapy intervention progressed to range of motion, strengthening, joint mobilization, and functional exercises for the wrist and hand. The purpose of this article is to describe the interventions …

Nonoperative Management Of A Client With A Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tear, Samantha Neary

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Shoulder pain caused by a rotator cuff tear may inhibit one's ability to perform activities of daily living. Although surgery is a common intervention with this diagnosis, some clients are not surgical candidates or do not wish to undergo surgical intervention leaving conservative treatment as their only option. Therefore, the purpose of this case report is to describe the intervention used in the nonoperative management of a client with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear. The client was a 68 year old male with the diagnosis of a right shoulder rotator cuff tear. The client participated in physical therapy 2 times …

Physical Therapy Intervention In A Patient With Open Reduction Internal Fixation Of A Left Scapula Fracture, Amber Saienga

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. This case report describes the physical therapy intervention for a patient with an open reduction and internal fixation of a scapula fracture with decreased shoulder strength,

Description. A 53-year-old-man with decreased left shoulder strength resulting from a 9-week period of inactivity following his surgery received physical therapy services for 4 sessions consisting of therapeutic exercise and manual therapy techniques, Active range of motion and manual muscle testing were completed at the initial evaluation and at discharge,

Outcome . Following the physical therapy intervention, improvements were noted in shoulder strength and patient was able to return to most …

State Agency Promising Practices: Employment First! Making Integrated Employment The Preferred Outcome In Tennessee, Jean Winsor, Thinkwork! At The Institute For Community Inclusion At Umass Boston

ThinkWork! Publications

The Tennessee Division of Mental Retardation Services (DMRS) implemented the Employment First! initiative in 2002. The goal of Employment First was to make employment the first day service option for adults receiving supports funded by DMRS, Medicaid, or the state. Employment First set the standard that employment was the preferred service option for adults with mental retardation and developmental disabilities (MR/DD).

State Agency Promising Practice: Shifting Resources Away From Sheltered Workshops In Vermont, Jennifer Sullivan Sulewski, Thinkwork! At The Institute For Community Inclusion At Umass Boston

ThinkWork! Publications

Over six years, regulations in Vermont gradually restricted and eventually prohibited the use of state funds for sheltered workshops or enclaves. Concurrent with the change in funding regulations, the state worked with providers to convert the remaining sheltered workshops in Vermont.