Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Rehabilitation Pre And Post Mpfl Reconstruction Secondary To Mpfl Tear, Kayla Skersick

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: The medial patello-femoral ligament (MPFL) is the primary soft tissue structure that withstands forces throughout range of motion (ROM) to prevent the patella from sliding over the lateral femoral condyle and dislocating from the patellar groove. Impaired stabilization and line of pull of the patella can directly affect the patella and the entire kinematic chain during movement. MPFL reconstruction has become the most popular surgical treatment to correct this anomaly when conservative strengthening and biomechanical correcting treatments have failed. This case study evaluates the effectiveness of physical therapy treatment pre-operative and postoperative MPFL reconstruction, and discusses the …

The Effectiveness Of The "Stepping On" Program For Reducing The Incidence Of Falls In The Elderly, Lisa Yonker, Jacqueline Maddock, Kathleen Breuer

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background: One in three adults greater than 65 years of age have had an accidental fall in their lifetime. In 2012, accidental falls cost the U.S. healthcare system $30.1 billion dollars. Strength, balance, and coordination deficits contribute to an individual experiencing a fall. Studies have shown that community based-exercise programs for older adults can improve strength, balance, and coordination and reduce the risk of falls.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to discover whether participant balance and confidence improved following the completion of the Stepping On program. Also, the study evaluated the effectiveness of Stepping On in …

Multiple Fracture Following Non-Occupational Fall: A Case Report, Brittany Olson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Falls are prevalent in adults over the age of sixty-five due to lack of balance and decreased lower extremity strength. Non-occupational falls are reported to have an increasing prevalence with age and one-fifth of these types of falls results in hospitalization. The hospitalization of patients who sustain injuries following falls most often results in skeletal fractures. The cost to treat these patients is projected to reach $54.9 billion by the year 2020. The objective of this case report is to demonstrate the outcomes of a patient who sustained multiple fractures following a nonoccupational fall.

Case Description …

Mobility Device For Injured Us Army Corp Engineer, Jessica Jones, Robert Whittaker

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Low back pain affects 70-85% of American adults at some point in their life. Back pain can have a negative impact on a person's quality of life. A group of three engineering students and two physical therapy students collaborated on designing a mobility device for a US Army veteran to aid him in transfers and pain management. The purpose of this research proposal would be to assess how our client would respond to an individualized mobility device.

Case Description: Our client suffered lumbar disc injuries as a result of lifting and twisting a heavy object resulting in …

The Effectiveness Of Traction In A Patient With Recurring Neck Pain: A Case Report, Kassandra Kertz

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: According to Hoya et aI, neck pain is a common problem throughout the world, affecting 10.4-21.3% of the population each year. 50-85% of people with a new episode of neck pain will have a recurrence of neck pain 1-5 years later. Mechanical traction is an intervention commonly used to treat neck disorders; however, there is little current research supporting or refuting the effectiveness of the use of mechanical traction for neck pain. The purpose of this case report is to discuss the effectiveness of using mechanical traction in one patient with a recurring incidence of neck, shoulder, …

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (Bppv): A Case Report, Kylie J. Palmiscno

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common vestibular disorder. Of the vestibular disorders diagnosed in the general population, BPPV accounts for one third and may be successfully diagnosed and treated by a physical therapist in as little as one visit.

METHODS/CASE DESCRIPTION: This is a single case report of a 36-year-old female who was 5 months pregnant and diagnosed by her physician with vertigo. She was referred to physical therapy for further evaluation and treatment.

FINDINGS/INTERVENTION: With use of the Dix-Hallpike Maneuver the patient's diagnosis was confirmed and specified to be BPPV of the right …

A Case Report: Diabetic Amputee, Kip H. Thorstenson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this case study is to present the reader with a detailed description of the physical therapy provided for a diabetic lower extremity amputee. As the number of amputations across America steadily increase, there is an elevated importance of understanding the prevalence, causes, and reasons for amputations and which interventions are most effective in increasing a patient's quality of life.

Case Description: The patient is a 77 year old male with significant past medical history of type I diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and osteoarthritis. This patient has significant gross muscle weakness in both his …

Distal Femoral Osteotomy With Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy: A Multifaceted Therapeutic Approach, Mark Laraway

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: The surgical procedure known as a distal femoral osteotomy has been shown to be effective in treating valgus deformities of the knee with osteoarthritis in younger, active patients. But with any procedure, unsuspected complications such as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) can make rehabilitation for the patients and their therapists challenging. This study focuses on taking a multifaceted approach to treating all of the underlying impairments of a patient with recurring knee pathologies and an underlying secondary diagnosis of CRPS.

Case Description: The patient is a 38-year-old female who has had multiple surgeries on her …

Pilot Data: Are Vertical And Lateral Hop Tests Appropriate For Patients Post-Ankle Fracture?, Jeff Houck, R. Spaulding, T. Weiss, T. Dewilde

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

Ankle fractures effect 5 out of 10,000 individuals (van Staa, 2001). A recent study shows rapid functional gains over the first 6 months after an ankle fracture, but there are little or no gains 18-24 months into the recovery cycle (Beckenkamp, 2014). Similarly, other studies have shown that ankle fracture patients are categorized as having good recovery outcomes on popular measures such as the modified Olerud Molander scale (Egol, 2006), yet are unable to return to previous level of sport (Hong, 2013), indicating there may be persisting higher level performance deficits. This brings up the issue of whether there are …

The Need For Theory To Guide Concussion Research, Dennis Molfese

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

While the focus on concussion research has expanded greatly over the past decade, progress in identifying the mechanisms and consequences of head injury, the recovery path and the development of potential interventions to facilitate recovery have been largely absent. Instead, the field has largely progressed through an accumulation of data without the guidance of any systematic theory to guide the formulation of research questions or generate testable hypotheses. As part of this special issue on sports concussion, we advance a theory to describe the evolution of a neural network during the development of a cognitive process as well as the …

Programmed Physical Exertion In Recovery From Sports-Related Concussion: A Randomized Pilot Study, Arthur C. Maerlender, Wanda Rieman, Jonathan Lichtenstein, C. Condiracci

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Although no data exist, general practice recommends only rest following concussion. This randomized clinical trial found that programmed physical exertion during recovery produced no significant differences in recovery time between groups of participants. However, high levels of exertion were deleterious. This study provides initial evidence that moderate physical activity is a safe replacement behavior during recovery.

Resting-State Brain Connectivity After Surgical And Behavioral Weight Loss, Rebecca J. Lepping, Amanda S. Bruce, Alex Francisco, Hung-Wen Yeh, Laura E. Martin, Joshua N. Powell, Laura Hancock, Trisha M. Patrician, Florence J. Breslin, Niazy Selim, Joseph E. Donnelly, William M. Brooks, Cary R. Savage, W. Kyle Simmons, Jared M. Bruce

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

Objective: Changes in food-cue neural reactivity associated with behavioral and surgical weight loss interventions have been reported. Resting functional connectivity represents tonic neural activity that may contribute to weight loss success. This study explores whether intervention type is associated with differences in functional connectivity after weight loss. Methods: Fifteen participants with obesity were recruited prior to adjustable gastric banding surgery. Thirteen demographically matched participants with obesity were selected from a separate behavioral diet intervention. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was collected 3 months after surgery/ behavioral intervention. ANOVA was used to examine post-weight loss differences between the two groups in …

Differences In Prefrontal Cortex Activation And Deactivation During Strategic Episodic Verbal Memory Encoding In Mild Cognitive Impairment, Joana B. Balardin, Marcelo C. Batistuzzo, Maria Da Graca Moraes Martin, Joao R. Sato, Jerusa Smid, Claudia Porto, Cary R. Savage, Ricardo Nitrini, Edson Amaro Jr., Eliane C. Miotto

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

In this study we examined differences in fMRI activation and deactivation patterns during episodic verbal memory encoding between individuals with MCI (n = 18) and healthy controls (HCs) (n = 17). Participants were scanned in two different sessions during the application of self-initiated or directed instructions to apply semantic strategies at encoding of word lists. MCI participants showed reduced free recall scores when using self-initiated encoding strategies that were increased to baseline controls' level after directed instructions were provided. During directed strategic encoding, greater recruitment of frontoparietal regions was observed in both MCI and control groups; group differences …

Church Pew Exercise Integrated With Conventional Physical Therapy Following Total Knee Arthroplasty (Tka): Case Report, Randell Gonzales, Jerome V. Danoff

Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Publications

Background and Purpose: Physical therapy treatment following Total knee Arthroplasty (TKA) consists of a combination of strengthening and range of motion exercises. The exercise technique, church pew exercise (CPE), has been proposed to enhance quadriceps facilitation and improve function. This is a technique that has the patient standing and rocking forward/back. The backward motion is arrested by engagement of the upper calf against a solid object, creating a sudden flexion torque at the knee and a sudden extension torque at the hip. The combination of CPE with standard physical therapy is claimed to provide better quadriceps control and faster walking …

A Community Needs Assessment For A Camp Activity Center For People With Disabilities, Jackie L. Main, Melissa A. Klenk, Samantha N. Vandriel

Community Based

This paper describes a needs assessment of a camp for individuals with disabilities. Utilizing a combination of focus groups and interviews, the needs assessment explores the benefits of additional space and services of an activity center and sensory room, the desire for additional equipment, the value of occupational therapy services, and the potential benefit these additions may have for the surrounding populations within the community. The participants include administrative staff, counselors, campers, and other key informants who maintain knowledge of the topics pertaining to the camp. The results revealed three major themes including marketing, staffing, and indoor space. It was …

Promoting Professional Behavior In Physical Therapist Students : Use Of Standardized Patient Feedback, Mary Anne Riopel

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: Entry-level physical therapist (PT) students receive feedback on professional behavior performance from academic and clinical faculty members. Literature is lacking on the impact that verbal feedback from standardized patients (SPs) may have on student learning of professional behavior in PT students. Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to examine the use of SP feedback as a strategy for professional behavior development. A secondary purpose was to describe the perspectives of PT students on the influence of SP feedback on clinical interactions and professional behavior during a full-time clinical experience. Participants: A sample of convenience identified 13 PT …

Dog Visitation In Long-Term Care And Its Effects On Depression, Leah Shea Simpkins

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The capstone project examined the effect of certified therapy dog interaction with residents of a long-term care facility. The primary researcher utilized the assistance of a certified therapy dog and certified therapy handler for five visits to the long-term care facility for a timeframe of once a week for five consecutive weeks. The visits were for a fifteen minute dog visitation in the participant’s room, which comprised the experimental group. The primary researcher monitored the participant’s interaction with the dog, verbalizations, and smile counts during this time. Control group was observed in the courtyard for five consecutive weeks for no …

Effect Of Monophasic Pulsed Current On Heel Pain And Functional Activities Caused By Plantar Fasciitis, Abdullah K. Alotaibi, Jerrold S. Petrofsky, Noha S. Daher, Everett Lohman, Michael S. Laymon, Hasan M. Syed

College of Health & Human Services (TUN) Publications and Research

Background: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is a soft tissue disorder considered to be one of the most common causes of inferior heel pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of monophasic pulsed current (MPC) and MPC coupled with plantar fascia-specific stretching exercises (SE) on the treatment of PF.

Material and Methods: Forty-four participants (22 women and 22 men, with a mean age of 49 years) diagnosed with PF were randomly assigned to receive MPC (n=22) or MPC coupled with plantar fascia-specific SE (n=22). Prior to and after 4 weeks of treatment, participants underwent baseline evaluation; …

Youth With Disabilities Talk About Spirituality: A Qualitative Descriptive Study, Patricia J. Baldwin, Jan Evans, Nicole Etherington, Megan Nichols, Viginia Wright, Janette Mcdougall

Occupational Therapy Publications

There is little known about what spirituality means for youth with disability or about the potential relevance of youths’ spirituality in pediatric rehabilitation. This study explored perceptions of spirituality for youth with disabilities. Using a qualitative descriptive methodology, we examined the lived experiences of eighteen youth ages 11-20 years with disabilities including cerebral palsy, central nervous system disorder or autism spectrum disorder. In individual interviews, followed by a focus group, youth identified key spiritual themes – the importance of their beliefs, personal sources of comfort and strength, finding purpose in helping others, significance of personal connections, and strengths-based perspectives on …

Quality Of Life And Self-Determination: Youth With Chronic Health Conditions Make The Connection, Janette Mcdougall, Patricia Baldwin, Jan Evans, Megan Nichols, Nicole Ehterington, Virginia Wright

Occupational Therapy Publications

While optimizing quality of life(QOL) is a key goal of rehabilitation care,no previous study has reported on what ‘QOL’ means to youth with chronic health conditions. In addition, no qualitative studies have explored the relationship between QOL and self-determination(SD). Objectives of this qualitative study were to examine: what the terms ‘quality of life’ and ‘self-determination’ mean to youth with chronic conditions; the factors these youth think are linked with these concepts; the relationship they see between concepts, the types of future goals youth have and how they view the connection between their SD and these goals. A descriptive methodology was …

Situating Occupation In Social Relations Of Power: Occupational Possibilities, Ageism And The Retirement ‘Choice’, Debbie Laliberte Rudman

Occupational Therapy Publications

Introduction: Research attending to social relations of power can enhance understanding of the mechanisms through which occupational injustices occur and inform socially transformative practice. This study explored how power operates through ageism in ways that shape what people come to take for granted regarding occupation in relation to age, and what occupations are supported through socio- political conditions.

Methods: Narratives were collected using a two-stage interview process with 17 retired Canadians. A critical narrative analysis approach was employed to examine how these narratives revealed the complex ways occupations are negotiated within broader discourses and age relations.

Findings: Ageism mattered for …

Visual Voices Approved Consent Form, Collyn Baeder, Zoe Hull, Rebecca Masterjohn, Virginia Sedarski, Adrian Jung, Michaela A. Hoffman, Nicole O'Brien

Visual Voices: An Arts-Based Assessment of the Perceived Identity of Aging Maine Residents

Approved project consent form for UNE student project Visual Voices: An Arts-Based Assessment Of The Perceived Identity Of Aging Maine Residents, designed to investigate the topics of perception, identity, and aging.

Between February and May 2015, over the course of twelve sessions, the UNE team met with six female residents of the Park Danforth senior living community in Portland to have conversations and create art about how the residents perceive themselves in contrast to how they feel perceived by important people in their lives, such as friends, family, and healthcare providers.

This form documents the scope of the project …

Visual Voices Weekly Session Scripts, Collyn Baeder, Zoe Hull, Rebecca Masterjohn, Virginia Sedarski, Adrian Jung, Michaela A. Hoffman, Nicole O'Brien

Visual Voices: An Arts-Based Assessment of the Perceived Identity of Aging Maine Residents

Eleven weekly session scripts for UNE student project Visual Voices: An Arts-Based Assessment Of The Perceived Identity Of Aging Maine Residents. This project was designed to investigate the topics of perception, identity, and aging. Between February and May 2015, over the course of twelve sessions, the UNE team met with six female residents of the Park Danforth senior living community in Portland to have conversations and create art about how the residents perceive themselves in contrast to how they feel perceived by important people in their lives, such as friends, family, and healthcare providers.

The Manual Ability Classification System: A Scoping Review, Deepa Jeevanantham, Emily Dyszuk, Doreen Bartlett

Physical Therapy Publications

PURPOSE: To examine the use of the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) and to identify gaps in the literature by conducting a thorough search of existing publications from 2006 to March 2013.

METHODS: An extensive literature search included 15 databases, using the search terms "Manual Ability Classification System" or "MACS" to retrieve relevant abstracts.

RESULTS: A total of 161 articles were identified for final inclusion. The review identified literature that supports the reliability, validity, and stability of the MACS.

CONCLUSIONS: The MACS could be considered as a standard classification for children with cerebral palsy on the basis of manual abilities. …

For Healthy Older Adults, Does Participation In A Water-Based Balance Training Exercise Program, When Compared To A Land-Based Balance Training Exercise Program, Improve Balance Performance?, Sara Pro, Rajvinder Bains, Kitsum Li

Occupational Therapy | Critically Appraised Papers Series

Occupational therapy plays a significant role in wellness promotion for older adults. Critical to maintaining health and wellness in older adults is prevention of falls and fall-related injuries. One in three community-dwelling older adults reports a fall every year, and the incidence of falls increases exponentially from ages 60 to 65 and 80 to 85. Falls are associated with increased morbidity and mortality from fractures and secondary complications. Leading causes of falls in older adults include decreased balance and an abnormal gait pattern. Balance training programs can help improve balance, decrease the risk of falling, and promote functional independence. However, …

Sleep Occupation Quality And Occupation-Based Hand Function In Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Angela M. Goorman Ms, Otr/L

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Sleep disturbance is considered a health crisis by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013). It is not uncommon for clients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) to also have poor sleep (Patel et al., 2014). The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of sleep quality on hand function, while controlling for pain level and CTS diagnostic electromyography severity in CTS clients at a Southern Arizona orthopedic practice. This study tested the following hypothesis: Sleep quality is positively associated with hand function above and beyond the association of pain and CTS severity to occupation-based hand function in CTS …

Exploring And Examining Sensory Processing And Social Participation In Gifted Students, Gwendolyn Goodman

MOT Student Capstones

The purpose of this project was to examine and explore the relationship of sensory processing and social anxieties among the gifted in order to better inform occupational intervention and education. With limited research regarding the sensory processing of this specific group, understanding where sensory and social characteristics intersect can assist in understanding occupation based needs. Gifted students have historically been labeled with oddities of social norm presentation and sensory idiosyncrasies. Occupational therapists, educators and parents can be empowered and broaden student diversity to increase participation in occupation for students that are otherwise deemed "self sufficienf' due to their intelligence yet …

Reaping The Rewards Of Gardening: A One Day Workshop Demonstrating The Holistic Effects Of Incorporating Horticulture And Gardening Into Long Term Care Facilities, Annah Furr

MOT Student Capstones

As the American population continues to age the number of individuals ages 60 and over that will need full-time care will eventually outweigh the number of people 15 and under needing care. The total cost of care for the elderly individual will continue to rise due to an increased need for assist in institutional care. The elderly entering institutional care will experience physical, mental, emotional, and social changes that will influence their overall health and wellbeing. These changes can potentially start a domino effect that can lead to multiple comorbidities and global decline in abilities. Finding ways to promote positive …

Occupation Based And Compensatory Techniques To Promote Functional Independence In Clients With Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy, Kathryn W. Mckinnell

MOT Student Capstones

The origin of this project was derived from a personal desire to acquire more knowledge related to a population where occupational therapy is an emerging area of practice. Coinciding with this craving for more comprehension was the great need for occupational therapy program development within the oncology service line at an area hospital. These factors provided an excellent forum for the development of personal and professional growth. As the project developed, it became increasingly apparent that the topic population would also greatly benefit from the outcomes of the literature synthetization required to fulfill the first two needs. These factors combined …

The Use Of Theatre To Develop Social And Communication Behaviors For Students With Autism, Suzanne Reading, James Reading, Robert J. Padgett, Samantha Reading, Pete Pryor

Scholarship and Professional Work - Communication

Social and communication behaviors are often a focus of instruction for individuals with autism. A theatre rehearsal and production process is challenging and joyful work that nurtures the development of social and language skills. This study evaluated and described social and language behaviors for students with autism both before and after a 10-week theatre experience. The results indicated that, when compared with a control group, the students with theatre experiences had significant and positive changes in the development of social and language skills. Most particularly, these students had significant improvement in social responsiveness, acknowledgement of the perspective of others, and …