Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Implementing Multifactorial Education Modules With Older Adults: Individualized And Interactive Fall Prevention Education, Salvador Chavez, Jocelle Flores, Rachelle Yambao

Student Research Posters

Falls are a significant concern for community-dwelling older adults (OAs), with one in four OAs reporting a fall every year. Occupational therapy students collaborated with first responders of the Novato Fire District to identify gaps in fall prevention community outreach programs and found that many interventions lack an interactive or individualized approach. Based on the gap analysis and current literature, seven education modules were developed to address key risk factors including home modifications, polypharmacy, fear of falling, and balance exercises. Thirty community-dwelling OAs participated in the education modules and were implemented at two senior community sites in Marin County. Participants …

Yoga And The Ability To Counteract Negative Effects Of Stress And Trauma, Allison R. Steinwand, Staci L. Born

Counseling and Human Development Faculty Publications

Many individuals today struggle with the effects of chronic stress, whether due to social and environmental factors or as a result of trauma embedded in their psychophysiology. Research has demonstrated that once an individual endures a traumatic event, there are undesirable changes that occur in the brain and body It is of the utmost importance that mental health counselors consider the relationship between the body and mind. The purpose of this paper is to describe the negative impact traumatic experiences and chronic stress has on the brain and body. Furthermore, the ways in which yoga practice can mitigate trauma symptoms …

Clinical Guidelines For Low Back Pain: A Critical Review Of Consensus And Inconsistencies Across Three Major Guidelines, N O'Connell, C Cook, B Wand, S Ward

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Given the scale and cost of the low back pain problem, it is imperative that healthcare professionals involved in the care of people with low back pain have access to up-to-date, evidence-based information to assist them in treatment decision-making. Clinical guidelines exist to promote the consistent best practice, to reduce unwarranted variation and to reduce the use of low-value interventions in patient care. Recent decades have witnessed the publication of a number of such guidelines. In this narrative review, we consider three selected international interdisciplinary guidelines for the management of low back pain. Guideline development methods, consistent recommendations and inconsistencies …

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (Tens) For Neuropathic Pain In Adults, W Gibson, B Wand, N O'Connell

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Neuropathic pain, which is due to nerve disease or damage, represents a significant burden on people and society. It can be particularly unpleasant and achieving adequate symptom control can be difficult. Non-pharmacological methods of treatment are often employed by people with neuropathic pain and may include transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). This review supersedes one Cochrane Review ’Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for chronic pain’ (Nnoaham 2014) and one withdrawn protocol ’Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for neuropathic pain in adults’ (Claydon 2014). This review replaces the original protocol for neuropathic pain that was withdrawn.

Objectives: To determine the …

The Development Of The Dutch Version Of The Fremantle Back Awareness Questionnaire, Lotte Janssens, Nina Goossens, Benedict M. Wand, Madelon Pijnenburg, Tinne Thys, Simon Brumagne

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Disturbed body perception may play a role in the aetiology of chronic low back pain (LBP). The Fremantle Back Awareness Questionnaire (FreBAQ) is currently the only self-report questionnaire to assess back-specific body perception in individuals with LBP.

Objectives: To perform a cross-cultural adaptation of the FreBAQ into Dutch.

Design: Psychometric study.

Methods: A Dutch version of the FreBAQ was generated through forward-backward translation, and was completed by 73 patients with LBP and 73 controls to assess discriminant validity. Structural validity was assessed by principal component analysis. Internal consistency was assessed by the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Construct validity was assessed …

Increased Burn Healing Time Is Associated With Higher Vancouver Scar Scale Score, Vidya Finlay, Sally Burrows, Maddison Burmaz, Hussna Yawary, Johanna Lee, Dale Edgar, Fiona M. Wood

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Increased burn wound healing time has been shown to influence abnormal scarring. This study hypothesized that scar severity increases commensurate to the increase in time to healing (TTH) of the wound. Wound healing and scar data from burn patients treated by the Burn Service of Western Australia at Royal Perth Hospital were examined. The relationship between TTH and scar severity, as assessed by the modified Vancouver Scar Scale (mVSS), was modelled using regression analysis. Interaction terms evaluated the effect of surgery and total body surface area – burn (TBSA) on the main relationship. Maximum likelihood estimation was used to account …

Exploring Clinical Fieldwork Educators’ Perceptions And Expectations Of Occupational Therapy Student Professional And Technical Skills At The Beginning Of Level Ii Fieldwork, Jessica A. Mason

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Educational programs must ensure students are prepared for clinical practice prior to initiating the mandated fieldwork experiences defined by ACOTE. This is done through a multitude of educational learning strategies including lectures, service learning opportunities, and skill competence. Occupational therapy professionals serving as fieldwork educators can offer unique insight to occupational therapy educators in how to best prepare students for clinical practice.

Sensory-Based Services In Adult Mental Health, Leslie Reed

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this Capstone Project was to evaluate the sensory room program used by occupational therapy to determine whether use of the sensory room and the elements within the room reduced perceived levels of distress and acting out and/or aggressive behaviors of patients with mental illness. Methods: This Capstone Project was an outcome evaluation of a routine clinical program using retrospective analysis of existing patient records to ascertain physical aggression episodes, sensory modulation ability, and self-ratings and staff ratings of patient distress levels pre- and post-sensory intervention. Results: Through analysis of quantitative data, the results of the project …

Opening Minds Through Art: Engaging Art Agencies To Foster Community Participation And Commitment, Ashlyn Cunningham

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Opening Minds through Art [OMA] is a visual arts program for individuals with dementia which aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals living with dementia, as well as their caregivers, through a creative opportunity held within their own community. The intent of this project was for community art agencies and galleries to participate in dementia-specific training to develop programming for individuals with dementia so that clients with memory needs can actively engage in the creative arts in St. Louis. This project used a pre-post design to analyze perceptions regarding arts based programming with people who have memory …

Total Knee Arthroplasty Rehabilitation Case Report, Abby R. Brenner

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background & Purpose Total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) are the most commonly performed elective surgery in the United States. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common diagnosis treated with a TKA, which aims to restore an individual's functional ability by improving joint biomechanics and decreasing pain. The purpose of this case report is to describe the progression of physical therapy rehabilitation for a patient status post total knee arthroplasty.

Case Description The patient was a 64 year old male who underwent a TKA surgery to resolve the complications from severe osteoarthritis (OA) of his left knee. He presented to physical therapy with …

Validation Of The Japanese Version Of The Fremantle Back Awareness Questionnaire In Patients With Low Back Pain, T Nishigami, A Mibu, K Tanaka, Y Yamashita, M Shimizu, B Wand, M Catley, T Stanton, G Moseley

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Background: There is a growing interest in the role of disturbed body perception in people with persistent pain problems such as chronic low back pain (CLBP). A questionnaire, the Fremantle Back Awareness Questionnaire (FreBAQ), was recently developed as a simple and quick way of assessing disturbed perceptual awareness of the back in people with CLBP and appears to have acceptable psychometric properties. The aim of the present study was to develop a Japanese version of the FreBAQ (FreBAQ-J) and evaluate its psychometric properties in a sample of Japanese people with low back pain (LBP).

Methods: Translation of the FreBAQ into …

Disrupted Body-Image And Pregnancy-Related Lumbopelvic Pain. A Preliminary Investigation, B Wand, R Elliott, A Sawyer, R Spence, D Beales, P O'Sullivan, A Smith, W Gibson

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Recent investigations have suggested that disrupted body-image may contribute to the lumbopelvic pain experience. The changes in body shape and size associated with pregnancy suggest that pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain might be a problem in which alterations in body-image are particularly relevant.

Objectives: To investigate if self-reported body-image is related to lumbopelvic pain status in women during pregnancy and explore the factors that might contribute to changes in body-image in women experiencing pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain.

Design: Cross-sectional cohort study.

Method: Forty-two women in the third trimester of pregnancy were recruited regardless of clinical status. Pain intensity and disability were measured …

Physiotherapy In Upper Abdominal Surgery - What Is Current Practice In Australia?, S Patman, A Bartley, A Ferraz, C Bunting

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Upper abdominal surgery (UAS) has the potential to cause post-operative pulmonary complications (PPCs). In the absence of high-quality research regarding post-operative physiotherapy management, consensus-based best practice guidelines formulated by Hanekom et al. (2012) are available to clinicians providing recommendations for post-UAS treatment. Such best practice guidelines have recommended that physiotherapists should be using early mobilisation and respiratory intervention to minimise risk of PPCs. However, recent evidence supports the implementation of mobilisation as a standalone treatment in PPC prevention, though the diversity in literature poses questions regarding ideal current practice. This project aimed to document and report the assessment measures …

Resistance Training For Rehabilitation After Burn Injury: A Systematic Literature Review And Meta-Analysis, P Gittings, T Grisbrook, Dale Edgar, F Wood, B Wand, N O'Connell

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Background/aim: Resistance training is beneficial for rehabilitation in many clinical conditions, though this has not been systematically reviewed in burns. The objective was to determine the effectiveness of resistance training on muscle strength, lean mass, function, quality of life and pain, in children and adults after burn injury.

Methods: Medline & EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL and CENTRAL were searched from inception to October 2016. Studies were identified that implemented resistance training in rehabilitation. Data were combined and included in meta-analyses for muscle strength and lean mass. Otherwise, narrative analysis was completed. The quality of evidence for each outcome was summarised and …

Developing Minimum Clinical Standards For Physiotherapy In South African Icus: A Qualitative Study, H Van Aswegen, S Patman, N Plani, S Hanekom

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Rationale, aims, and objectives: Physiotherapists are integral members of the intensive care unit (ICU) team. Clinicians working in ICU are dependent on their own experience when making decisions regarding individual patient management thus resulting in variation in clinical practice. No formalized clinical practice guidelines or standards exist for the educational profile or scope of practice requirements for ICU physiotherapy. This study explored perceptions of physiotherapists on minimum clinical standards that ICU physiotherapists should adhere to for delivering safe, effective physiotherapy services to critically ill patients.

Method: Experienced physiotherapists offering a service to South African ICUs were purposively sampled. Three focus …

After-Hours Respiratory Physiotherapy For Intubated And Mechanically Ventilated Patients With Community-Acquired Pneumonia: An Australian Perspective, Lisa Van Der Lee, Anne-Marie Hill, Shane Patman

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Introduction: Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common reason for admission to an intensive care unit for intubation and mechanical ventilation, and results in high morbidity and mortality. The primary aim of the study was to investigate availability and provision of respiratory physiotherapy, outside of normal business hours, for intubated and mechanically ventilated adults with CAP in Australian hospitals.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional, mixed methods online survey was conducted. Participants were senior intensive care unit physiotherapists from 88 public and private hospitals. Main outcome measures included presence and nature of an after-hours physiotherapy service and factors perceived to influence …

The Effect Of Complex Falls Prevention Interventions On Falls In Residential Aged Care Settings: A Systematic Review Protocol, Jacqueline Francis-Coad, Christopher Etherton-Beer, Debbie Nobre, Chiara Naseri, Anne-Marie Hill

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

The objective of this review is to synthesize the best available evidence on the effectiveness of complex falls prevention interventions on fall reductions in the residential aged care population, implemented at two or more of the following levels: organization, facility or resident.

Specifically the review question is: What is the effect of complex falls prevention interventions on falls in residential aged care settings?

Can A Web-Based Community Of Practice Be Established And Operated To Lead Falls Prevention Activity In Residential Care?, Jacqueline Francis-Coad, Christopher Etherton-Beer, Caroline Bulsara, Debbie Nobre, Anne-Marie Hill

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

The aims of this study were to evaluate establishing and operating a web-based community of practice (CoP) to lead falls prevention in a residential aged care (RAC) setting. A mixed methods evaluation was conducted in two phases using a survey and transcripts from interactive electronic sources. Nurses and allied health staff (n = 20) with an interest in falls prevention representing 13 sites of an RAC organization participated. In Phase 1, the CoP was developed, and the establishment of its structure and composition was evaluated using determinants of success reported in the literature. In Phase 2, all participants interacted …

Effect Of Slant Boards In Combination With Handwriting Practice, Kristen N. Brevoort

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Handwriting difficulties affect 10% to 30% of children in elementary school often hindering their successful participation in a number of occupations, including academic participation. Occupational therapists provide treatments for handwriting difficulties; however, many of these interventions have limited to no evidence to support their effectiveness. One of these interventions is the use of a slant board, a treatment strategy often combined with handwriting practice. Clinicians commonly combine the use of slant boards and handwriting practice to facilitate the development of handwriting skills in young children. However, the effectiveness of this combination of interventions in improving the quality of handwriting remains …

Effects Of Moderate Pressure Massage On Self-Regulation And Play In Preterm Babies, Helene Chaya Hendel

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to examine whether mother-administered moderate pressure massage intervention could improve self-regulation, which would result in improvements in play outcomes. It was posited that a child who is self-regulated may be more successful in his/her play and that moderate pressure massage could be an effective tool to improve self-regulation in preterm infants with decreased self-regulation. Participants in the study were five preterm children ranging from 12 to 18 months corrected age and their mothers. The study utilized an A-B nonconcurrent multiple baselines across subjects design in which each participant acted as his/her own control as …

Dementia: Incorporating Families And Caregivers In Direct Speech-Language Intervention, Jocelyn Hartley

Online Theses and Dissertations

In a survey, 50% of 1,000 caregivers reported that they received no information on dementia at the time of diagnosis (Thompson & Pulsford, 2012). This statistic provides strong evidence as to why caregivers feel ill-prepared to care for individuals with dementia. The role of a speech-language pathologist (SLP) is suggested to not only treat the individual with dementia, but consider the role and perspective of the caregiver (Watson, Aizawa, Savundranayagam & Orange, 2013). Providing education and training to caregivers of individuals with dementia is within the scope of practice of speech-language pathologists (Watson et al., 2013).

A survey design for …

The Impact Of Sexual Assault On College Students' Daily Occupations: A Phenomenological Approach, Lee Ann Hodge

Online Theses and Dissertations

It is estimated that 1 in 4 women experience sexual violence while in college (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2006), which may result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Occupational therapy has been used to provide interventions for PTSD, but there is a gap in the literature addressing occupational therapy intervention for college students who have experienced sexual assault. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to inquire into students’ lived experiences of daily occupations while in college after having experienced sexual assault, through thematic analysis of data from two interviews conducted in Kentucky and Ohio. Six meaningful themes were developed: changes in …

Enhancing Child Self-Confidence Of Occupational Performance Through The Use Of A Movement Program, Emily Coleman

Online Theses and Dissertations

Sensorimotor deficits are a result of a child's difficulties processing sensory input in combination with motor incoordination. This can lead to many difficulties for children's occupational performance, which in turn, can lead to a decrease in self-confidence for those children. This mixed-method study, through pre and post test results combined with parent reported data, sought to determine if a movement program that combines motor, sensory, and self-awareness components is an effective means of increasing the self-confidence of children with sensorimotor deficits. The results of this study demonstrate an increase in self-confidence in the ability to complete activities of daily living, …

Exploring Parents' Experiences Of Raising A Child With Sensorimotor Impairments And Expectations For Leisure Participation, Emily Eicher

Online Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this phenomenological study was to explore parents' experiences and expectations of raising a child with sensorimotor impairments and how leisure pursuits impact their expectations of their children. The development and participation in leisure activities is different for these children and could affect the parents' hopes and dreams for their child's future. Six children between the ages of 5-8 years of age, with sensorimotor impairments, participated in a movement program that was held for eight sessions at an outpatient pediatric clinic to address praxis and sensory processing impairments. Six parent dyads were interviewed during the fifth, sixth, seventh, …

Grow Where You Are Planted: The Use Of Gardening As Offender Rehabilitation In Prison, Kendahl Verna Granger

Online Theses and Dissertations

Being outdoors is an integral part of our lives, even as we are experiencing rapid urbanization. Research shows that nature and purposeful work in it have a profound effect on physical and mental health. What, then, about prison inmates? They often do not have the opportunity to engage in nature or enjoyable, outdoor tasks. One way in which this could be remedied is through the use of prison horticulture or garden programs. Prison horticulture is a productive, outdoors activity in which inmates raise gardens that would benefit their group, facility, or the community. In the process, prisoners learn about gardening …

No One Fights Alone: Exploring Social Participation Of Young Adults With Cancer, Susan Blake Hodgson

Online Theses and Dissertations

Background: Young adults are relatively understudied and often misrepresented in oncology research and practice, as they are often overlooked or clumped in with pediatric or older adult patients. There is a gap in literature for young adults with cancer and this study was done in an effort to help bridge that gap while exploring social participation along with peer support. Social participation is the interweaving of occupations to support desired engagement in community and family activities as well as those involving peers and friends (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2014). This will not only elicit a better understanding of the impact …

Somatosensory Deficits In Post-Acl Reconstruction Patients: A Case-Control Study, Johanna M. Hoch, William O. Perkins, Jonathan R. Hartman, Matthew C. Hoch

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Introduction: Diminished cutaneous detection thresholds have been identified in patients with multiple orthopedic conditions, and these phenomena may occur in postanterior cruciate ligament reconstructed (ACLR) patients. The purpose of this study was to determine if differences in lower extremity cutaneous detection thresholds exist in post-ACLR patients when compared with healthy controls. Methods: Fifteen individuals who were post-ACLR and 15 individuals who had no history of knee injury participated. Light touch cutaneous detection thresholds were assessed at 4 locations on the foot and ankle (first metatarsal, fifth metatarsal, medial malleolus, and lateral malleolus). Nonparametric statistics examined group differences between the …

Play It Again! Individualized Music Improves Social Interaction Of Women, But Not Men, With Dementia, Emily Farrer

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Dementia is tragic both for patients with the disease and for their family members. As this neurodegenerative disorder progresses, cognitive functions deteriorate, agitation and aggression increase, and mood worsens (McDermott, Orrell, et al., 2014; Spiro, 2010; Vasionyté & Madison, 2013). Non-pharmacological approaches, such as active music therapy or passive music listening, can be effective in reducing these symptoms. However, no past studies have examined how music listening affects the social interactions of patients with dementia. As such, this study examined whether nursing home residents with dementia are more engaged and interactive if they listen to individually selected music for 15 …

The Effect Of An Interprofessional Registered Nurse-Physical Therapist Team On Reducing Prescribed Opioid Dependence In Patients With Chronic Lower Back Pain, Amber Chesney, Stephanie Jan, Amanda Pedrazoli, Brandon Simmons, Kaylene Woods, Nicole Yeats

OUR Journal: ODU Undergraduate Research Journal

Long-term prescribed opioid use for chronic pain is shown to reduce recovery potential and increase risk for dependence, which is contributing to the nationwide opioid crisis. There is a need for an innovative, multidisciplinary approach to address prescription opioid dependence. We propose implementation of a community-based interprofessional registered nurse-physical therapist team (IRNPTT) focused on reduction of opioid dependence in adult patients with chronic lower back pain.

Cardiovascular Risk, Remote Ischemic Postconditioning, And Endothelial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury, Brian A. Hemenway

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Remote ischemic postconditioning (rIpost) is a potent vasculoprotective stimulus that is thought to reduce reperfusion injury associated with heart disease. However, certain animal models of cardiometabolic risk factors such as dyslipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension suggest the beneficial effects of rIpost to lessen reperfusion injury may be diminished. These findings have not been studied in clinically relevant humans. The aim of this study was to determine whether the protective effects of rIpost are reduced in the context of raised cardiometabolic risk in humans. Seven participants with raised cardiometabolic risk burden (age:57±7 years; BMI: 31±4kgm²participated in this 2X2 randomized cross-over …