Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Effects Of Early Physical Therapy Intervention In The Rehabilitation Of A Total Hip Arthroplasty Revision With An Anterior Approach: Case Report, Jordan Clevy

All Capstone Projects

Advances in medical technology have greatly changed the way surgeons perform surgical procedures. The push by surgeons and their patients for less invasive surgeries has caused surgeons to turn to an anterior approach for total hip arthroplasty and revisions of total hip arthroplasty. The less invasive nature of the anterior approach has led to faster recovery time and less pain. Nearly all total hip arthroplasty and revision patients will receive physical therapy services to guide and assist the patient in a steadfast recovery. This case study explores the results of functional physical therapy interventions on an 80 year old female …

Adult Male Status Post Chronic Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury: A Case Report, Kelly Cooke

All Capstone Projects

Background and Purpose: There is a lack of research using conservative treatment to treat chronic traumatic brachial plexus injuries. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a physical therapy treatment plan and home exercise plan (HEP) for a 47 year old male referred for shoulder pain following a traumatic compression injury 11 months ago.

Case Description: This study contained interventions focused on increasing joint mobility, resistance training, massage, and modalities to decrease patient symptoms and improve quality of life. To measure outcomes, the following examinations were used: numeric pain rating scale, gross shoulder manual muscle testing, …

Implementation Of A Land And Aquatic-Based Physical Therapy Program For A 6-Year-Old Male With Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome: A Case Report, Kristin A. Cheney

All Capstone Projects

Background & Purpose: There is little research surrounding Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome (AGS) in all aspects of patient care, including physical therapy. AGS, a rare, early-onset, neurodegenerative disorder, includes symptoms of postnatal microcephaly, spasticity, muscle hypotonia, and developmental delay. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a land and aquatic-based physical therapy treatment program for improving functional limitations and balance for a 6 year-old male referred to physical therapy for developmental delay secondary to an onset of AGS.

Case Description: This case study included a land and aquatic-based physical therapy treatment program focused on neuromuscular re-education, strengthening exercises, …

Brachial Plexus Injury And Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Following A Fall: A Case Report, Przemyslaw Ilczyk

All Capstone Projects

Background: In the elderly population, research has shown that impairments of balance and strength are common reasons for falls. Falls constitute one of the main reasons for emergency department and hospital admissions, and are the second most common reason for brachial plexus injury. Another common symptom, after a fall and head trauma incident, is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). Approximately 50% of subjects with traumatic brain injury complain about positional vertigo. Research shows that traumatic BPPV is commonly misdiagnosed in clinical practice.

Purpose: The purpose of this case report is to present interventions that were used to treat a patient …

Physical Therapy Management Of 44-Year-Old Female With Lateral Ankle Sprain And Multiple Sclerosis In The Outpatient Setting: A Retrospective Case Report, Michael Gassett

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Background and purpose: Recent literature has shown that neuromuscular re-education and lower extremity muscle strengthening are important therapeutic components of preventing re-injury in patients with lateral ankle sprains (LAS). There is very literature however on the effectiveness of this treatment on a person with a LAS as well as overall balance issues secondary to a medical diagnosis such as multiple sclerosis (MS). The purpose of this retrospective case study is to describe the outcomes of using neuromuscular re-education as well as lower extremity muscle strengthening in a 44-year-old female patient with a LAS and a medical diagnosis of MS.

Case …

Effectiveness Of Conservative Physical Therapy On A 17 Year Old Female Diagnosed With Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, Bethany Hyde

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Background & Purpose: There is currently a lack of research for physical therapy as an intervention in the treatment of Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease. The purpose of this case report is to explore the effectiveness of conservative physical therapy intervention for a 17-year-old female diagnosed with Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease.

Case Description: This case report includes the examination, evaluation, and treatment of a patient with Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease. Interventions focused on increasing strength and range of motion of the left lower extremity, improving balance and proprioception, and the incorporation of functional activities. To measure the effectiveness of the intervention the following examinations where used: Lower …

Implementation Of A Comprehensive Treatment Program For A Patient With Tbi To Address Balance And Gait Deviations: A Case Report, Robert De Lara

All Capstone Projects

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective case report is to describe physical therapy interventions provided to improve the balance and ambulation of a 20-year-old patient with apparent lower extremity foot drop and fatigue 20 months post severe traumatic brain injury secondary to a motor vehicle accident.

Case Description: The patient initially had decreased active and passive range of motion in bilateral ankles, decreased BERG balance test scores, and decreased ambulation distance without the use of an assistive device. Treatment interventions included balance and ambulation training program that incorporated stretching and joint mobilizations, balance exercises, and endurance training.

Outcomes: …

The Effects Of A Mckenzie-Based Approach Combined With Functional Training For A Patient With Low Back Pain And Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Report, Mitchell Cronk

All Capstone Projects

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this case report is to describe the outcome of a McKenzie-based intervention plan combined with functional training for a patient with low back pain and multiple sclerosis.

Case Description: CS was a 58-year-old female who presented to therapy with primary complaints of low back and calf pain. Also, the patient was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in 2009. The patient ambulates with a significantly increased base of support. A CT-scan in 2012 revealed a bulging disc at the L5-S1 vertebral junction. The patient swims 3x a week for 30 minutes.

Outcomes: All of the …

Multimodal Physical Therapy Management Of A 24 Year-Old Male With Chronic Retrocalcaneal Pain: A Case Report, Matthew Herring

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Background and Purpose: The multimodal approach reflects the type of individualized treatment commonly used in the clinical setting, in which many different interventions are available to the physical therapist. The purpose of this case report is to describe the physical therapy management process for a patient with chronic retrocalcaneal pain using a multimodal intervention approach.

Case Description: The patient was a 24 year-old male with chronic left retrocalcaneal pain. The patient’s impairments included decreased left ankle dorsiflexion, decreased left talocrural joint mobility, left ankle swelling, and gait deviations. The patient’s functional limitations included decreased ability to stand and walk for …

Outcomes Of Conservative Physical Therapy Treatment For Osteoarthritic Knee Pain In A 58 Year-Old Female: A Case Report, Sarah Wicklin

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Background/Purpose: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the most commonly diagnosed form of arthritis in older adults. The purpose of this case study is to describe a conservative physical approach towards alleviating symptomatic knee OA pain and achievement of functional outcomes.

Case Description: The patient was a 58-year-old Caucasian female with complaints of left shin and knee pain with a complex medical history. The patient’s goal for physical therapy was to return to functional activities such as walking greater than 60 minutes and climbing stairs pain free.

Outcomes: Upon completion of physical therapy, the patient demonstrated slight increases in left knee flexion …

Rehabilitative Management Of A 66-Year-Old Female With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Case Report, Rachael Matthews

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Background and Purpose: There is a lack of research demonstrating standardization of treatment protocols for patients with chronic low back pain and lumbar spinal stenosis. The purpose of this case report was to examine the effectiveness of a physical therapy rehabilitation program for a 66-year-old female referred for lumbar radiculopathy and lumbar spinal stenosis.

Case Description: This case report contained interventions focused on lumbar extension exercises, upper and lower extremity and postural control exercises, aerobic training, and modalities, in order to achieve the patient’s goals and to improve quality of life. To measure the outcomes the following tests and measures …

Comparative Literature Analysis Of Peripheral Vestibular Function Assessment Tools, Riddhi Chinoy

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Objective Purpose: One main function of the peripheral vestibular system's semicircular canals is to stabilize images on a target during head movements through the important vestibula-ocular reflex (VOR) in order to maintain clear vision. Abnormal VOR response results in fast, compensatory, catch­ up saccadic eye movements suggesting dysfunction in the semicircular canals. Several functional assessment tools have been developed since the twentieth century to measure the VOR response and saccadic eye movement, and some are still widely used currently, such as the caloric test, rotary chair test, bedside head impulse test (bHIT), scleral search coil technique, and video head impulse …

Physical Therapy Treatment For A 90-Year Old Male After Lacunar Stroke With Bppv: An Outpatient Case Report, Adam Nicholson

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Background and Purpose: The purpose of this case report was to delineate the differential diagnosis of vertigo symptoms in a patient after a stroke and describe interventions used in the outpatient physical therapy setting.

Case Description: The patient was a 90 year old male treated in an outpatient physical therapy clinic after a lacunar stroke 6 months prior. The patient presented with symptoms of vertigo that are common after a stroke, but also exhibited symptoms consistent with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

Outcomes: Overall, the patient greatly improved his abilities for gait and balance after treatment. The patient appeared much …

Treatment Of A 92 Year Old Female Deconditioned After Hospitalization Secondary To A Hemorrhagic Stroke: A Case Report, Paul A. Naujokas

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Background and Purpose: Research suggests that older adults are more likely to be hospitalized and to be at risk for hospital-associated deconditioning after successful treatment of their medical condition.This case report demonstrates that a walking program with progressive resistive exercises (PREs) helped one 92 year old female patient, suffering from hospital associated deconditioning, improve her strength, cardiovascular endurance, and functional abilities, including sit-stand transfers, ambulation with the least resistive assistive device (LRAD) and stair climbing. These improvements allowed the patient to return to her prior level of functioning, living independently in her 2nd story apartment with assistance as needed from …

Outcomes Of Endurance Training For A 76 Year-Old Male With Hospital Acquired Pneumonia And Elevated Troponin Levels: A Case Report, Kathryn M. Limberopoulos

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Background/Purpose: The purpose of this case report is to describe the interventions that were implemented for a patient with hospital-acquired pneumonia with multiple co-morbidities.

Case Description: The patient was a 76 year old Caucasian male who was status-post 3.5 weeks in acute care and 11 days in the ICU secondary to hospital-acquired pneumonia and elevated troponin levels. The patient presented with decreased lower extremity strength, impaired balance, and difficulty with bed mobility, transfers and gait. The patient underwent endurance training and weaning of supplemental oxygen to return to prior level of function. Assessments were performed on a weekly basis. Outcome …

Task-Specific Resistance Training Bedside For An 80-Year-Old Deconditioned Female: A Case Report, Maura Ryan

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Background: The purpose of this case report was to describe the use of task-specific resistance training bedside on an 80-year-old deconditioned female.

Case Description: The patient was a retired 80-year-old African-American female seen in a skilled nursing facility who was hospitalized due to defibrillator firing with atrial fibrillation with abdominal pain and Clostridium Difficile. Three weeks prior the patient was hospitalized for a right inguinal hernia repair.

Outcomes: The patient was unable to return to her prior level of independence for all functional mobility, yet the patient increased her gait distance, improved her lower extremity strength evidenced by manual muscle …

Physical Therapy Management Of A 16 Year Old Female With Vestibular Symptoms Following Suspected Concussion: A Case Report, Gina Tassione

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Background: Post concussion syndrome has become more common in adolescents involved in school related sports. Management of dizziness and imbalance is challenging after concussion; vestibular rehabilitation has been shown to reduce symptoms and improve balance.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe and implement appropriate interventions for a patient with suspected post concussion syndrome. A combined approach using targeted physical therapeutic exercise as well as functional tasks were evaluated and assessed.

Case description: The patient was a 16 year old Caucasian female who presented to the clinic with a physician order to evaluate and …

Implementation Of An Exercise Program In Breast Cancer Rehabilitation To Improve Shoulder Outcomes: A Pilot Study, Dragana Ceprnja, Katherine Maka

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: To examine the effects of a group exercise program on shoulder pain, disability, range of motion, and strength. Method: This was an observational study of twenty-six patients who had undergone breast cancer surgery and were receiving physiotherapy intervention. The intervention was a supervised 8-week exercise group program. The primary outcome measure was shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI). Secondary outcome measures were shoulder range of motion of flexion and abduction and strength of shoulder flexion and abduction. Results: The average age of patients referred to the group was 56-years (range of 29 to 71 years). The average time …

Drug Policy In Sports, Autumn Wimbush

Nebraska College Preparatory Academy: Senior Capstone Projects

I always wanted to look at how drugs impacted high school athletes and how many of them actually start using drugs. With the research I found, I hoped to analyze why athletes aren’t gettng tested and why associations aren’t trying to test them. With my research I found that most leagues and associaNons don’t take the right precautions to testing their athletes. High school athletes feel pressured to do better because of scholarships and competitions. The pressure causes many athletes to start using performance-­‐enhancing drugs and several leagues are still trying to figure out how to end the epidemic.

Use Of Functional Manual Therapy And A Strengthening Program In The Treatment Of A 41-Year-Old Female With Low Back And Sciatica Pain: A Case Report, Justin Jones

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Background and Purpose: Although low back pain is a common diagnosis treated in physical therapy clinics, there is disagreement in the literature as to the preferred interventions for this patient population. The purpose of this case report is to describe the outcome of a patient with acute onset of low back and sciatica pain with a treatment directed towards Functional Manual Therapy and a strengthening program based on initial examination findings.

Case Description: The patient was a 41 year-old female secretary with four day history of low back and sciatica pain that initiated after straining during a bowel movement. The …

Treatment Of A 41 Year Old Male Status/Post Mva With Radicular Symptoms In The Left Arm And Scapula: A Case Report, Eric Bihl

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Background and Purpose: Motor vehicle accidents with a whiplash mechanism of injury are one of the most common causes of neck injuries, with an incidence of perhaps 1 million per year in the United States. The purpose of this case report was to examine the progress of a patient with symptoms of cervical radiculopathy through a conservative treatment approach.

Case Description: The patient was a 41 year old (y.o.) male status/post (s/p) a rear end collision 1 month prior and was experiencing neck pain and radicular left arm and scapular numbness and tingling. Interventions occurred in an outpatient physical therapy …

Physical Therapy Interventions And Functional Outcomes For An 80-Year-Old Female Following Total Knee Replacement And Subsequent Infection: A Case Report, Hailey Corwin

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Background and Purpose: The purpose of this case study is to describe the interventions and outcomes of a physical therapy (PT) episode of care in an inpatient skilled nursing facility (SNF) for a subject following a left total knee replacement and subsequent infection.

Case Description: The subject was an 80-year-old Caucasian female who was status post left total knee replacement (TKR) with subsequent infection. The subject presented with left knee pain, limited range of motion (ROM), and impaired function.

Outcomes: Increased active range of motion (AROM) of left knee, increased balance, increased ambulation distance, improved performance on Tinetti-POMA, and increased …

Outcomes After A Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation Treatment Program For A Patient With A Right Pontine Stroke: A Case Report, Traci Rzeszutko

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Background/Purpose: A stroke occurs as a result of decreased blood flow to the brain and can cause serious limitations in mobility, balance, coordination, and strength resulting in functional limitations. The purpose of this case study is to examine the effects of a comprehensive acute inpatient rehabilitation program focusing on gait, balance, lower extremity strengthening, neuromuscular control, bed mobility, coordination, and stair training on a 67-year-old male after a right pontine stroke with a medical history that includes a right stroke eight years ago.

Case Description: The subject was a 67-year-old male with a diagnosis of right pontine stroke. The subject …

Decision Making About Rural Physiotherapy Service Provision Varies With Sector, Size And Rurality, Robyn Adams, Anne Jones, Sophie Lefmann, Lorraine Sheppard

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: Decisions about physiotherapy service provision occur within the context of organisations, locations, and settings. The uniqueness of rural communities means it is important to consider contextual factors when making decisions about rural health services. As literature describing decision making about rural physiotherapy services is limited, this study sought perspectives on service level decision making (SLDM) from a range of stakeholders. The research approach needed to support consideration of both location and the broader health system. Method: A sequential mixed methods approach within a systems theory-case study heuristic provided the framework to explore rural physiotherapy SLDM. The investigation site, a …

Student Adjustment To College: Examining The Impact Of An Outdoor Orientation Program, Timothy Posey, Eddie Hill, Edwin Gomez, Mike Mcfall, Shea Humenik, Dakota Clifford

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

This pilot study examined the impact of an outdoor orientation program (First Ascent) on participants’ level of transference, resilience, well-being and transition to college. Pre and posttest instruments were administered during a four- day college outdoor orientation program, as well as an open-ended series of questions. Nonparametric tests revealed significant differences from the pre- and posttest of the measures on skill transference and resiliency. Additional, individual items from each questionnaire were examined.

Treatment Of A 65 Year Old Deconditioned Female Admitted With Complications Resulting From Morbid Obesity: A Case Report, David Sarvin

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Background/Purpose: Obesity is a growing concern among the population of adults and children living in the United States. It costs the medical industry a great deal of money each year treating these patients, especially in those individuals classified as morbidly obese. The purpose of this study is to assess effectiveness of a cardiovascular based treatment plan on a deconditioned subject who suffers from complications resulting from morbid obesity.

Case Description: The patient described in this case study is a 65 year old Caucasian female admitted to the skilled nursing facility with complications resulting from morbid obesity, among other co-morbidities.

Interventions/Ouctomes …

Physical Therapy Applications For Individuals With Neurologic Dysfunction, Charlotte Chatto, Jeff Mastromonico

Nursing and Health Sciences Open Textbooks

This textbook for the Integration for Practice: Neuromuscular course is a multimedia PDF with videos embedded. The videos make the file size of the PDF almost 600MB, which is a large download but preserves offline use of videos.

Topics include interventions and assessment for patients with Guillain-Barre and spinal cord injury, respiratory assessment and interventions, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation.

NOTE: Because this is a video-integrated PDF, your web browser's preview functions will not work with this file. If your browser opens the file instead of downloading it, please right-click the "Download" button to download the PDF properly.

Hydatid Cyst Of Thoracic Spine: A Rare Cause Of Paraplegia, Rahul Soangra, Mool Chand Soangra

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Primary spinal hydatid cysts are uncommon and extradural involvement is rare. We report an unusual case of Paraplegia due to hydatid disease of primary site of infection extra spinal muscles in thoracic region from T5 to T8 level extending into a daughter cyst at T9 level, is main cause of acute Paraplegia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an extradural round cystic lesion in the spinal canal filling the posterior and left postero-lateral expect at T9 level, markedly compressing the cord. The cyst was removed after laminectomy and opening of the dural sac, with excision of extraspinal mass in left paravertebral …

Piecing The Puzzle Together With The Use Of Physical Therapy, Mikayla Pruitt

Honors Projects

For my Honors Project I decided to create a set of exercise cards for children with autism. The front of each card had a picture symbolizing the exercise/activity, and on the back included directions, supplies and tips to complete the activity. The following is a selection of a few exercise cards from each of the four exercise sections, as well as the title card, table of contents cards, information cards, and source cards.

Usefulness Of The Managemed Screen (Mms) And The Screening For Self-Medication Safety Post Stroke (S5) For Assessing Medication Management Capacity For Clients Post-Stroke, Jessica J. Bolduc, Regula H. Robnett

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Occupational therapists need to efficiently and accurately screen a client’s medication management capacity, especially for clients post-stroke. Most therapists are not aware of, nor do they utilize specific assessments for, medication management capacity. The purpose of this pilot study was to compare the results of the ManageMed Screen (MMS), the Screening for Self-Medication Safety Post Stroke (S5), and the Montreal Assessment of Cognition (MoCA) on a population of rehabilitation clients post-stroke to determine the usefulness of the medication assessment tools in clinical practice. These screens were designed for use in occupational therapy practice among other healthcare professions: the MMS was …