Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Gearing Up For Guide Dogs: An Exercise Video, Valerie J. Deroos, Skyler Moon

Student Research Posters

According to the World Health Organization (2007), age-related visual impairment is increasing. It is estimated that 65% of people who are visually impaired are over age 50 and 82% of those visually impaired over age 50 are blind (WHO, 2014).

• Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) is a national training program that serves individuals with blindness or low vision. As a non-profit organization, GDB provides all services free of charge to participants. Training lasts for two weeks with a class size of 6-8 students and instructor/student ratio of 1:2. Participants learn how to perform daily tasks with their dogs …

Handwriting And Metacognition: The Relationship Between Self-Reflection And Penmanship, Rachel E. Malmquist, Chelsey M. Robinson, Kirsten L. Rogers, Andrea B. Sosa

Student Research Posters

The majority of school-based occupational therapy (OT) referrals are for handwriting. In fact, fine motor and handwriting concerns affecting educational performance make up 80-85% of OT referrals in schools. Occupational therapists use an abundance of interventions for remediating handwriting difficulties, but there is scant evidence of why specific strategies or combinations of strategies are effective.

Cognitive interventions have shown to be successful in the treatment of handwriting. Metacognitive skill, a component of cognition, allows a child to self-monitor and self-reflect on his or her handwriting skills to correct mistakes and generate goals for improvement. Therefore, a child’s ability to self-reflect …

Interprofessional Collaboration Between Occupational Therapists And Registered Nurses In Acute Care Settings: An Exploratory Study, Vincent P. O'Brien, Bethany J. Loy, Kelly Nguyen, Holly Micheff

Student Research Posters

Background. Collaboration between occupational therapists and nurses is key to a positive prognosis for their patients. Currently, there is a gap in the research on professional relationships between occupational therapists and registered nurses in acute care settings. Purpose. To examine interprofessional collaboration between registered nurses and occupational therapy in an acute care setting. Methods. A phenomenological, qualitative design with use of semi-structured interviews was used. Interviewees were four occupational therapists and four registered nurses who currently work in acute care settings in Northern California and were recruited through a snowball, convenience and purposive sampling. Themes and subthemes …

Does Therapeutic Horseback Riding Decrease Balance Deficits In Community-Dwelling Older Adults?, Salwa Yaser, Lisa Mrsny, Krystin Beeman, Skyler Moon, Kitsum Li

Occupational Therapy | Critically Appraised Papers Series

Hippotherapy and therapeutic riding (TR) provide pleasurable activity and physical exercise to individuals and yet limited study is available on its therapeutic value to improve balance in older adults. In this study, the researchers measured the benefit of TR on balance and quality of life in communitydwelling older adults. A convenience sample of individuals 65 years and older was recruited from a local community. The study is a single-blind, pretest-posttest, controlled study of a 10-session TR program with a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) trained and certified TR instructor. Each TR session included grooming and tacking, mounting, a warm-up …

Facilitating Effective Communication Between First Responders And Older Adults During Fall Incidents, Krystin M. Beeman, Erica L. Berger, Isabel A. Cabezas, Nicole M. Mathews

Student Research Posters

PURPOSE. The purpose of this project was to provide first responders with communication strategies for older adults that may help when responding to fall- related calls. General information was also provided to First Responders on working with older adults with a focus on the aging process, fall risk factors, and communications strategies.

METHODS. A series of educational sessions to first responders at a local fire district were developed and presented by occupational therapy students. Materials were developed by presenters from evidence-based resources and tailored to the target population. Each presentation focused on statistics about older adults, the aging process, fall …

The Effect Of Therapeutic Listening(R) On Bilateral Coordination, Emily Smiley, Daryl Arora, Jiawen Liang, Melissa Ramirez

Student Research Posters

This study concludes a 2-year long randomized control pretest posttest design study examining the effects Therapeutic Listening® Bilateral Quickshift intervention, on bilateral coordination in typically developing children between the ages of seven to eleven. Participants were recruited from after school programs at Coleman Elementary and St. Anselm School located in Marin County, California, as well as word of mouth from the Dominican University community. Participants were randomly assigned to either the Therapeutic Listening® intervention or white noise control intervention. All participants completed a pretest to establish a baseline of bilateral coordination abilities. Participants then listened to 15-minutes of the intervention, …

Does A Multicomponent Home Intervention Reduce Functional Difficulties In Community-Dwelling Older Adults As Compared To No Intervention?, Laura Henty-Clark, Rosemarie Lion, Nadine Marcelo, Kitsum Li

Occupational Therapy | Critically Appraised Papers Series

Many older adults live with chronic conditions that may affect their ability to safely perform their daily occupations. Small decreases in ability of older adults to function independently can have profound effects, possibly leading to hospitalization, institutionalization, or death. However, preventative home-based interventions for older adults typically are not reimbursed by Medicare or other insurance carriers.

This study on intervention effectiveness contributes to a growing body of evidence for providing preventative home-based intervention to older adults to support their abilities to function independently in their communities. This study examined whether a preventative home-based intervention, including occupational therapy and physical therapy, …

The Relationship Between Somatosensory Processing And Handwriting Proficiency, Hillary Colby, Ani K. Courville, Sherin Thomas, Salwa Yaser

Student Research Posters

Handwriting proficiency is reliant on the skill and coordination of the sensory, motor, cognitive, and perceptual systems. One aspect of sensory processing for penmanship is somatosensation. The contribution of somatosensory processing to handwriting proficiency has not been adequately researched. Therefore, this study evaluated the contribution of somatosensory processing to handwriting proficiency. Seventy-four typically developing second grade children were assessed on their handwriting proficiency and their somatosensory processing. Measurement instruments included the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment (MHA), The Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration-Motor Coordination Subtest, Sixth Edition (VMI-MC), and Quick Neurological Screening Test, 3rd Edition (QNST-3). Results showed a small, …

Examining The Validity Of The Preschool Kitchen Task Assessment : An Exploratory Study, Christine Kim, Angelica Soltis

Student Research Posters

Executive functioning (EF) helps build a strong foundation for school readiness, play development, and social participation in children. EF includes attention, inhibitory control, working memory, emotional regulation, planning, and problem solving

Currently, there are few ecologically valid assessments that measure EF in children. The purpose of this exploratory research study was to validate the Pre-school Kitchen Task Assessment (PKTA) as an ecological tool to assess EF in preschool age children. The PKTA utilizes an age appropriate art craft activity and a standardized scoring system to determine the level of assistance (cues) each child needs to complete each step of the …

Top 10 Research Questions To Promote Physical Activity Research In People With Binge Eating Disorder, Davy Vancampfort, Simon Rosenbaum, Michel Probst, Joanne Connaughton, Christy Du Plessis, Taisei Yamamoto, Jolien Diedens, Brendon Stubbs

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Despite emerging evidence illustrating the benefits of physical activity for people with binge eating disorder, engaging this population in physical activity is challenging. The International Organization of Physical Therapists in Mental Health (IOPTMH) set out to summarize, appraise and strengthen the direction of physical activity endeavors. This process led to the identification of 10 important research questions which are discussed. Addressing these 10 research questions is critical for developing evidence-based approaches for promoting and sustaining an active lifestyle in people with binge eating disorder.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (Tens) For Chronic Pain - An Overview Of Cochrane Reviews (Protocol), M J. Catley, W Gibson, B M. Wand, C Meads, N. E. O'Connell

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows:

1. To provide an overview of evidence from Cochrane systematic reviews of the effectiveness of TENS to reduce pain in adults with chronic pain (excluding headache or migraine).
2. To provide an overview of evidence from Cochrane systematic reviews of the safety of TENS to reduce pain in adults with chronic pain (excluding headache or migraine).
3. To identify possible sources of inconsistency in the approaches taken to evaluating the evidence related to TENS for chronic pain (excluding headache or migraine) in the Cochrane Library with …

Educators' Perspectives About How Older Hospital Patients Can Engage In A Falls Prevention Education Programme: A Qualitative Process Evaluation, Anne-Marie Hill, Steven M. Mcphail, Jacqueline Francis-Coad, Nicholas Waldron, Christopher Etherton-Beer, Leon Flicker, Katharine Ingram, Terry P. Haines

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Objectives: Falls are the most frequent adverse event reported in hospitals. Patient and staff education delivered by trained educators significantly reduced falls and injurious falls in an older rehabilitation population. The purpose of the study was to explore the educators’ perspectives of delivering the education and to conceptualise how the programme worked to prevent falls among older patients who received the education.

Design: A qualitative exploratory study.

Methods: Data were gathered from three sources: conducting a focus group and an interview (n=10 educators), written educator notes and reflective researcher field notes based on interactions with the educators during …

Eccentric Fatigue Modulates Stretch-Shortening Cycle Effectiveness - A Possible Role In Lower Limb Overuse Injuries, James R. Debenham, M Travers, William Gibson, A Campbell, G Allison

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

The role of fatigue in injury development is an important consideration for clinicians. In particular, the role of eccentric fatigue in stretch shortening cycle (SSC) activities may be linked to lower limb overuse conditions. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of ankle plantarflexor eccentric fatigue on SSC effectiveness during a hopping task in healthy volunteers. 11 healthy volunteers (23.2 ± 6.7 years) performed a sub-maximal hopping task on a custom- built sledge system. 3D motion capture and surface EMG were utilised to measure lower limb stiffness, temporal kinematic measures and muscle timing measures at baseline and …

Employment Patterns Of Notre Dame Graduate Physiotherapists 2006–12: Targeting Areas Of Workforce Need, Eleni Bacopanos, Susan Edgar

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Background: The Australian physiotherapy workforce is changing both in demographics and service needs. Physiotherapy curriculum and clinical education focus is ideally based on up-to-date knowledge of this changing workforce.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the employment patterns of Physiotherapy graduates from The University of Notre Dame Australia (Notre Dame).

Method: An online survey was conducted of Notre Dame Physiotherapy graduates (2006-2012) with a 50% response rate (n=157).

Results: Survey results established the employment location, employment status, healthcare sector, area of practice, salary and employment history of Notre Dame graduates. The results highlighted links between curriculum, clinical …

Trunk Postural Control In Unstable Sitting: Effect Of Sex And Low Back Pain Status, Christian Larivière, Dany H. Gagnon, Hakim Mecheri

Études primaires

Background

Adequate neuromuscular control of the lumbar spine is required to prevent lumbar injuries. A trunk postural control test protocol, controlling for the influence of body size on performance, was implemented to carry out between-subject comparisons. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of sex and low back pain status with the use of two measures of trunk postural control, the first based on chair motion, and the second based on trunk motion.

Methods

Thirty-six subjects (with and without low back pain) performed three 60-s trunk postural control trials with their eyes closed while seated on an …

Choice Of Human–Computer Interaction Mode In Stroke Rehabilitation, Hossein Mousavi Hondori, Maryam Khademi, Lucy Dodakian, Alison Mackenzie, Cristina V. Lopes, Steven C. Cramer

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Background and Objective. Advances in technology are providing new forms of human–computer interaction. The current study examined one form of human–computer interaction, augmented reality (AR), whereby subjects train in the real-world workspace with virtual objects projected by the computer. Motor performances were compared with those obtained while subjects used a traditional human–computer interaction, that is, a personal computer (PC) with a mouse. Methods. Patients used goal-directed arm movements to play AR and PC versions of the Fruit Ninja video game. The 2 versions required the same arm movements to control the game but had different cognitive demands. With …

The Effect Of Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation On Brain Structure And Cognition In Huntington's Disease: An Exploratory Study, Travis M. Cruickshank, Jennifer A. Thompson, Juan F. Dominguez D, Alvaro P. Reyes, Mike Bynevelt, Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis, Roger A. Barker, Mel R. Ziman

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: There is a wealth of evidence detailing gray matter degeneration and loss of cognitive function over time in individuals with Huntington's disease (HD). Efforts to attenuate disease-related brain and cognitive changes have been unsuccessful to date. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation, comprising motor and cognitive intervention, has been shown to positively impact on functional capacity, depression, quality of life and some aspects of cognition in individuals with HD. This exploratory study aimed to evaluate, for the first time, whether multidisciplinary rehabilitation can slow further deterioration of disease-related brain changes and related cognitive deficits in individuals with manifest HD. Methods: Fifteen participants who …

Hip Strengthening Compared With Quadriceps Strengthening In Conservative Treatment Of Patients With Patellofemoral Pain: A Critically Appraised Topic, Chyrsten L. Regelski, Brittany L. Ford, Matthew C. Hoch

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Clinical Scenario: Patellofemoral pain is a common injury that affects both athletic and sedentary populations. Clinicians may treat patellofemoral pain more effectively through a comprehensive understanding of the most effective exercise protocols. Clinical Question: In patients with patellofemoral pain, are hip abductor and external rotator muscle strengthening exercises more effective in reducing pain and improving patient-reported function compared with isolated quadriceps strengthening? Summary of Key Findings: A comprehensive and systematic database search was conducted for studies of level 2 evidence or higher. The search yielded 253 studies; of these studies, four randomized control trials and one comparative control trial fit …

Combination Of Music And Aromatherapy To Improve The Efficiency Of Motor Functions And Speech In Patients Paralyzed From Stroke., Mounica Bevara

UROP Posters

With the rapid development of medical technology, millions of dollars are being spent on discovering innovative methods of treating fatal diseases such as stroke that may also result in temporary paralysis. Physiotherapy treatments aimed at restoring brain function in patients paralyzed following a stroke is subjective to the patient and does not guarantee complete rehabilitation. While many practitioners have attempted to employ complementary and alternative methods of treatment such as massage therapy, acupuncture therapy, siddha, and marma therapy, none of them proved to be equally as effective as physiotherapy. However, prior studies support the notion that aromatherapy used in combination …

Current Capacity Building Needs Of Occupational Therapists Related To Older Driver Screening, Assessment, And Intervention, Ranyouri Hines Senia

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Older adult safe driving is a growing public health issue; however, the skill set of occupational therapists that provide services to these older clients is unclear. The extent to which occupational therapists possess the skills to evaluate an elderly person's ability to operate safely an automobile is unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional survey was to determine the current capacity building needs of occupational therapists (OT) related to older driver screening, assessment, and intervention. The ecology of human performance framework was the theoretical base of the study. The independent variables were the OTs' training related to older drivers, …

A Comparison Of Self-Acceptance Of Disability Between Thai Buddhists And American Christians, Roy K. Chen, Wilaiporn Kotbungkair, Alicia D. Brown

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

Having a disability can significantly change a person’s life in many aspects. Research has shown that people with disabilities collectively have diminished access and fewer opportunities to pursue education, find gainful employment, and engage in intimate relationships. Self-acceptance of disability is, therefore, critical to help build resilience, confidence, and psychological well-being in this population. The purpose of the study was to compare the self-acceptance of disability in international settings, specifically in the context of religions. The sample of the study included 98 Thai Buddhists and 95 American Christians with neuromuscular disorders. Constructs used for the study included demographic characteristics, Hope …

The Effects Of Sustainability As A Positive Attribute On Equine Therapy Design: An Interdisciplinary Study, Andria Sinclair

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Interdisciplinary studies have brought benefits to introducing new solutions to the traditional environment and traditional therapies. Sustainability in relation to design has been suggested in 2006, by the Center for Building Performance and Diagnostic (CBPD) at Carnegie Mellon University to incorporate daylight, solar, heat and ventilation of the natural environment combined with the innovations of current technologies (Whitmore, 2011). This paper will look at how sustainability plays a key role of benefits including those that are health associated with equine therapy design and its relationship to the patient, or end user. Interdisciplinary research in the therapeutic value of equine-human bonding …

Relieving Post-Stroke Fatigue Using A Group-Based Educational Training Approach, Catherine E. Emery

Theses and Dissertations

Post-stroke fatigue is a common problem that may limit participation in everyday activities. Emerging evidence suggests that group-based training in fatigue management may be an efficient means of reducing the effects of post-stroke fatigue. This mixed methods, quasi-experimental study proposed to determine whether a group-based educational program could be successful in relieving post-stroke fatigue and improving participation in daily activities. A convenience sample of stroke survivors (n=20) from retirement communities in southeastern PA were invited to participate in the research. Participants were screened for depression, motor and cognitive recovery, and sleep quality. Fatigue was measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale …

The Role Of Cognitve Distortions In Adaptation To Disability And Perceived Quality Of Life In Spinal Cord Injury Survivors, Kerri M. Garruba

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a sudden, dramatic insult to the central nervous system that results in instant loss of sensory and/or motor function. In addition to physiological changes, survivors also endure both cognitive and emotional changes that increase susceptibility to depression, anxiety, and suicidality, all of which have been associated with cognitive distortions. This study sought to investigate the influence of cognitive distortions in relation to the ability to adapt to disability and establish a high quality of life among spinal cord injury survivors. Participants were 116 men and women living with spinal cord injury recruited via the …

Workplace Discrimination And Visual Impairment: An Analysis Of Eeoc Charges And Resolutions, Jane Mcneil

Theses and Dissertations

Workplace discrimination for individuals with visual impairments in the U.S. is an ongoing issue dating before the founding of the EEOC and the enactment of the ADA. Despite laws enacted to protect against unequal treatment in the workplace, the EEOC continues to receive submissions of formal discrimination charges from individuals with visual impairments.

The workplace is experiencing changes with increasing amounts of older adults, women, minorities, and the use of technology and the Internet. By examining characteristics of the discrimination charges and the resulting outcomes, the knowledge gained can describe the current situation and the historical progression of workplace discrimination …

Intra-Tester Reliability And Concurrent Validity Of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound And Vernier Calipre In Quantifying The Anteroposterior Diameter Of The Common Extensor Origin Of The Forearm And The Radial Nerve: A Cadaveric Study, Valentine Dones Iii, Ian P. Aguinaldo, Svetlana Maris Aycardo, Buena Fe Apepe

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: The literature reports an increase in anteroposterior diameter of the common extensor origin (CEO) of the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) and extensor digitorum communis (EDC) or the radial nerve in painful elbows diagnosed with lateral epicondylalgia (LE) or supinator syndrome. The edge-to-edge measurements of these anatomical structures are quantified using musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS). However, in the current literature, reports on the reliability and validity of MSUS measurements of the CEO (of ECRB and EDC) and the radial nerve are not found. In this study, reliability was measured for three testers in determining the anteroposterior diameter of the CEO …

Neural Function, Injury, And Stroke Subtype Predict Treatment Gains After Stroke, Erin Burke Quinlan, Lucy Dodakian, Jill See, Alison Mackenzie, Vu Le, Mike Wojnowicz, Babak Shahbaba, Steven C. Cramer

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Objective

This study was undertaken to better understand the high variability in response seen when treating human subjects with restorative therapies poststroke. Preclinical studies suggest that neural function, neural injury, and clinical status each influence treatment gains; therefore, the current study hypothesized that a multivariate approach incorporating these 3 measures would have the greatest predictive value.

Methods

Patients 3 to 6 months poststroke underwent a battery of assessments before receiving 3 weeks of standardized upper extremity robotic therapy. Candidate predictors included measures of brain injury (including to gray and white matter), neural function (cortical function and cortical connectivity), and clinical …

The Clinical Utility Of Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation In Individuals With Huntington’S Disease, Travis Miles Cruickshank

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Background

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder characterised by a progressive loss of cognitive function, motor control and psychiatric features. Individuals also display a variety of systemic features. Progressive neuronal dysfunction and neuronal cell death are thought to underlie the onset and progression of many clinical features of HD.

Despite scientific progress, there is still no cure or disease modifying therapy for HD, and available pharmaceutical agents only provide partial relief of motor and psychiatric features. An emerging body of evidence indicates that lifestyle enrichment may delay the onset and progression of clinical features, and exert favourable effects …

Measures Of Functional Performance And Their Association With Hip And Thigh Strength, Roger Kollack, Bonnie L. Van Lunen, Stacie I. Ringleb, James M. Oñate

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: Insufficient hip and thigh strength may increase an athlete's susceptibility to injury. However, screening for strength deficits using isometric and isokinetic instrumentation may not be practical in all clinical scenarios.

Objective: To determine if functional performance tests are valid indicators of hip and thigh strength.

Design: Descriptive laboratory study.

Setting: Research laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants: Sixty-two recreationally athletic men (n = 30, age = 21.07 years, height = 173.84 cm, mass = 81.47 kg) and women (n = 32, age = 21.03 years, height = 168.77 cm, mass = 68.22 kg) participants were recruited.

Intervention(s): During session 1, …

On-Field Signs And Symptoms Associated With Recovery Duration After Concussion In High School And College Athletes: A Critically Appraised Topic, Jaebin Shim, Deanna H. Smith, Bonnie Van Lunen

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Clinical Scenario: Over the past decade, sport-related concussions have received increased attention due to their frequency and severity over a wide range of athletics. Clinicians have developed return-to-play protocols to better manage concussions in young athletes; however, a standardized process projecting the length of recovery time after concussion has remained an elusive piece of the puzzle. The recovery times associated with such an injury once diagnosed can last anywhere from 1 wk to several months. Risk factors that could lead to protracted recovery times include a history of 1 or multiple concussions and a greater number, severity, and duration of …