Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Increasing Utilization Of Otago Fall Prevention Program By Nevada Physical Therapists: A Service-Learning Project, Jared Apostol, Erica Mooy Brown, Danielle Uptain

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Otago is an evidence-based program that is designed to reduce falls in community dwelling older adults by individualizing an exercise program with three key components: strength, balance, and a walking program. Unfortunately, Nevada clinicians do not utilize the program frequently or entirely with patients in outpatient and/or home health physical therapy. Evidence shows it reduces fall risk, but it has barriers to implementation in the United States. The barriers to integration are primarily due to the plan of care that stems from a 12-month timeframe and several phone call appointments which does not fit well in the American healthcare system. …

Effects Of A Remote Exercise Intervention On Aerobic Endurance In Individuals With Down Syndrome, Andrew Murata, Elena Wolf, Jonathan Crimm, Benjamin Lee

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose: Down syndrome (Ds) or Trisomy 21 is a common genetic birth condition, and those with Ds typically display decreased cardiorespiratory fitness compared to those without Ds, potentially leading to an increased risk for cardiovascular conditions and mortality. Low cardiorespiratory fitness is partially caused by low physical activity levels in this population. The COVID-19 pandemic caused community-based activity programs to shut down, as individuals with Ds are at increased risk for COVID-19 hospitalization and death. Thus, it was vital to explore alternatives of in-person exercise during the pandemic. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a …

Perceived Value Of Acute Care Physical Therapy, Juliana Amenta, Andrew Falcinelli, Erin Heenan, Hannah Kendall

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background/Significance/Objective: Although there is some research regarding physical therapy in the acute hospital setting, much of it is focused on the role physical therapists play with specific patient populations or diagnoses. By understanding more about how physical therapy services can add value in the acute hospital, their skills could be better utilized to maximize benefit for both individual patients and the hospital. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceived value that physical therapists bring to the acute care hospital from the perspective of both physical therapists and their supervisors in Southern Nevada.

Methods: This study used an …

Walking With Poles Improves Step Length Of Simulated Prosthetic Gait, Marissa Elquist, Daniel Perez, Jonathan Garcia, Brady Owens

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Individuals with lower limb loss often demonstrate gait deviations which cause instability and asymmetry. Walking with poles has been shown to improve stride length and stability in older adult and other patient populations. The enhanced arm involvement in bipedal walking with poles has the potential to facilitate interlimb coordination among arms and legs, and therefore is likely to improve prosthetic gait. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of walking poles on temporal gait parameters and the center of mass (COM) displacement during prosthetic and simulated prosthetic gait. It was hypothesized that walking with poles would improve …

Effects Of A 12-Week Telehealth Exercise Intervention On Gait Speed And Gait Deviations In Adults With Down Syndrome, Robert Lum, Taylor Souza, Christopher Roys, Daniel Stopka

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Down syndrome (Ds) is associated with impairments affecting overall motor development including gait pattern and speed. Research on the effects of exercise on adults with Ds is lacking. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of a 12-week telehealth exercise program on gait impairments in adults with Ds.

Methods: Twenty participants performed a 12-week telehealth exercise program based upon a diagnosis-specific procedure developed by Sarah Mann, PT, DPT. Gait deviations were assessed with the Ranchos Los Amigos Observational Gait Analysis. Comfortable gait speed was evaluated with the 4-meter walk test.

Results: Improvements in comfortable gait speed …

Factors Predicting Fear Of Falling Avoidance Behavior In Parkinsonisms, Kameron Eckard, Franjo Vukojevic, Ryan Hammar

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Fear of falling avoidance behavior (FFAB) is common in parkinsonisms and results in potentially mitigable downstream consequences.

Objective: Determine the characteristics of individuals with parkinsonisms most associated with FFAB.

Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted from medical records data of 142 patients with parkinsonisms. These data included: demographics (age, sex), disease characteristics (Movement Disorders Society – Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale Part III (MDS-UPDRS III), years since diagnosis), fall history (number of fall injuries in previous year), and gait and balance function (five times sit to stand, MiniBESTest, Timed Up and Go (TUG), dual-task TUG, ten-meter walk test …

Efficacy And Benefits Of Providing A Screening Clinic For Performing Arts Students, Shaun Bean, Joanna Centeno, Elizabeth Williams

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In past years, University of Nevada, Las Vegas physical therapy students (UNLVPT) have provided UNLV dance students with screening clinics, injury evaluations, and treatment sessions to help address their need for direct and specialized services. Through this project, UNLVPT has worked to help reduce injury risk in dancers and provided treatment and rehabilitation for injuries that have occurred. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our group was unable to treat dancers in person over the course of the 2020-2021 school year. In response to these limitations, we worked to reformat our screening process to make it practical in a virtual setting. …

Development Of Online Modules To Introduce Prospective Students To The Profession Of Occupational Therapy, Hosia Towery

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Prospective students interested in Occupational Therapy academic programs are subject to the admission criteria of each educational institution, including experiential learning, clinical observation hours, volunteer experiences, or similar prerequisites. There are no standardized criteria established for these prerequisite requirements b the accreditation agency, as it is within the scope of Higher Education. There is no accountability at the regional or local level to ensure educational opportunities for prospective students interested in higher education, creating a gap as highlighted in the recent global pandemic, where student access to education was further challenged. Students are reliant on a variable set of requirements …

The Road Ahead: An Occupational Therapy Manual To Infant Development For Parents In The Nicu, Nicole Suzuki-Uyeno

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Occupational therapists have been collaborating with the parents of our tiniest patients in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for quite some time. They have a wealth of information and expertise in the area on infant development and parent education. Admitting a baby to the NICU is a shock for most parents and can take a toll on a family. The role of the occupational therapist is to help educate the family and to provide the tools to safely take care of their baby and to smoothen the transition from the hospital to home.

In the NICU, the OT has …

Randomized, Clinical Trials On The Effects Of Robotic-Assisted Gait Training For Stroke Subjects: A Scoping Review, Daniel K. Hufnagel

University Honors Theses

Robotic-assisted gait training has been cited as a potential rehabilitation intervention for the recovery of ambulation in hemiplegic stroke patients. Previous reviews on robotic gait training have elicited a need for more randomized, clinical studies on robotic gait training for the development of evidence-based intervention protocols and elimination of research bias. The purpose of this scoping review was to provide an updated examination of the clinical research on robotic assisted gait training and address any research gaps to be considered for future research. This review included randomized, clinical trials on stroke patients with a robotic-assisted treatment (RAGT) and conventional gait …

The Occupational Therapy Approach To Pain Treatment: A Pain Curriculum, Rosalee Howell

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

It is within the scope of the occupational therapy profession to treat patients experiencing pain. The holistic approach used to assess and treat patients to improve functional performance is vital in treating pain. The focus is to decrease the detrimental impact of pain on the patient’s mental health, enhancing their ability to function in social and vocational roles. However, education is not adequately addressed in occupational therapy programs and is vital in preparing clinicians to meet the patient’s needs effectively.

This Doctoral Capstone was developed to highlight the importance and the benefit of education in preparing clinicians to treat patients …

Light Acupuncture And Five-Element Music Therapy For Nurses' Mental Health And Well-Being During And Post-Covid-19: Protocol For A Randomised Cross-Over Feasibility Study, Carol Chunfeng Wang, Johnny Lo, Rosemary Saunders, Esther Adama, Caroline Bulsara, Christopher Etherton-Beer, Angela Wei Hong Yang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

INTRODUCTION: Australian nurses have experienced higher levels of anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the prepandemic. This may have affected their long-term mental health and intention to stay in the profession resulting in a workforce shortage, which further impacts the health of the public. Management is urgently required to improve nurses' well-being. However, there is limited evidence available. The proposed clinical trial aims to evaluate the feasibility and therapeutic effects of using a combination of light acupuncture and five-element music therapy to improve nurses' mental health and well-being during and post-COVID-19. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This randomised, single blinding, two-arm …

Age Moderates The Effect Of Injury Severity On Functional Trajectories In Traumatic Brain Injury: A Study Using The Nidilrr Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems National Dataset., Laraine Winter, Janell L Mensinger, Helene J Moriarty, Keith M Robinson, Michelle Mckay, Benjamin E Leiby

Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Faculty Papers

Age is a risk factor for a host of poor outcomes following traumatic brain injury (TBI), with some evidence suggesting that age is also a source of excess disability. We tested the extent to which age moderates the effect of injury severity on functional trajectories over 15 years post injury. Data from 11,442 participants from the 2020 National Institute of Disability and Independent Living Rehabiitation Research (NIDILRR) Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems (TBIMS) National Dataset were analyzed using linear mixed effects models. Injury severity was operationally defined using a composite of Glasgow Coma Scale scores, structural imaging findings, and the …

Blood Flow Restriction And Various Intensity Exercise In The Upper Extremity, Noelle Ashlyn Kaminski, Andrew Lowe

Masters Theses

Purpose: To determine if using Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) combined with low-load exercise can elicit an increase in strength and tendon size of the distal biceps tendon when compared to high-load exercise protocol. Methods: Twenty-one participants (11 M, 10 F; 2 Left-handed: 19 Right-handed; Age range 18-25yoa) were randomized to either the treatment group (BFR + low load exercise) or the control group (high load exercise). Participants were enrolled in a 7-week exercise protocol, with exercise sessions held twice weekly. The first week included measurements of each participant's 1 repetition maximum (1RM) and ultrasound measurements of the dominant distal bicep’s …

Virtual Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Rapid Shift In Care Delivery In Response To The Covid-19 Pandemic, Clare Koning, Brigitte Friesen, Justin Daigle, Anita Ytsma

Patient Experience Journal

Cardiac rehabilitation is an integral part of recovery from a critical cardiac life event. This preventative strategy involves exercise rehabilitation, education, lifestyle modification, and self-management coaching – preparing patients for lifelong changes. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, these activities were supervised by clinicians in-person, on hospital grounds, and in large groups. However, due to pandemic regulations in Canada imposed in March 2020, all in-person group activities were restricted. Within the first two months of the pandemic, almost half of cardiac rehabilitation services in Canada closed and half of their employees were deployed to other areas. To continue to provide patient …

Positively Waiting: Technology As The Preferred Distractor In A Pediatric Outpatient Setting, Timothy Ernest, Victoria Maddex, Arnaldo Mejias, Lindy Davidson, Donna Ettel-Gambino

Patient Experience Journal

Visiting any pediatric outpatient clinic as a child may be considered a stressful and anxiety-inducing experience. The literature suggests that positive distractions, such as pet therapy and single-user electronic devices, may aid in reducing anxiety and maximizing patient satisfaction throughout the patient’s experience at a pediatric outpatient clinic. The aim of this pilot quality improvement project was to determine which positive distractions patients experienced and whether single-user electronic loaner devices should be provided to patients at pediatric outpatient facilities. A quantitative causal comparative approach was utilized in identifying patient exposure to key positive distraction techniques that may significantly decrease anxiety. …

Music As A Treatment For Perceived Postoperative Pain In Adults: A Critically Appraised Topic, Savannah G. Mcdaniel

Honors College Theses

Clinical Question: In postoperative patients, how does listening to music affect perceived pain levels? Clinical Bottom Line: There is consistent evidence to suggest music decreases perceived pain in postoperative patients undergoing nasal septal surgery, open heart surgery, total knee replacement surgery, and general orthopedic surgeries requiring hospitalization. Athletic trainers can confidently implement music during patients’ post-operative care sessions to help reduce pain.

Evaluating The Use Of Nintendo Labo As A Rehabilitation Tool, Jacob Colwell, Logan Suiter, Amanda Wells

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Serious gaming is the practice of using video games, either commercial or specifically designed, for physical rehabilitation. Serious games have emerged in the last decade as a way to increase patient involvement in rehabilitation, increase the likelihood of patients continuing treatment after progress stalls, and generally increase mental health during treatment. However, the current literature has not kept pace with the evolution of technology and therefore the use of next-generation consoles for serious gaming is underdeveloped.

The Nintendo Switch could provide new avenues for serious gaming because of the advanced sensing ability of its controllers (Joy-Cons) and the engaging ways …

Supporting Students After Concussion: What College Faculty Need To Know, Susan C. Davies

Thomas C. Hunt Building a Research Community Day

Returning to university life following concussion can be challenging for students. Our Brain Health Collaboratory, in conjunction with the Center on Brain Injury Research and Training, developed set of online resources to inform college faculty members about brain injuries. The module includes information about concussion effects, academic and environmental accommodations, and the role of college faculty in providing support. This session will share our research that led to development of the module, as well as our plan to evaluate its efficacy.

Differential Associations Of Conduct Disorder, Callous‑Unemotional Traits And Irritability With Outcome Expectations And Values Regarding The Consequences Of Aggression, J. Elowsky, S. Bajaj, J. Bashford‑Largo, R. Zhang, A. Mathur, A. Schwartz, M. Dobbertin, K. S. Blair, E. Leibenluft, D. Pardini, R. J.R. Blair

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

Background: Previous work has examined the association of aggression levels and callous-unemotional traits with outcome expectations and values regarding the consequences of aggression. Less work has examined the outcome expectations and values regarding the consequences of aggression of adolescents with Conduct Disorder (CD). Also, no studies have examined links between irritability (a second socio-affective trait associated with CD) and these social cognitive processes despite the core function of anger in retaliatory aggression and establishing dominance.

Method: The current study, investigating these issues, involved 193 adolescents (typically developing [TD; N = 106], 87 cases with CD [N = 87]). Participants completed …

Mov 300: Kinesiology Oer Curation, Chealsye Bowley

Curated OER Collections

This OER curation is an annotated bibliography of prospective OER for the GVSU course MOV 300: Kinesiology, assembled by request from the instructor.

Pt 654: Applied Geriatric Practice Oer Curation, Chealsye Bowley

Curated OER Collections

This OER curation is an annotated bibliography of prospective OER for the GVSU course PT 654: Applied Geriatric Practice, assembled by request from the instructor.

Implementing Environmentally Informed Occupational Therapy In Clinical Practice Settings, Chelsea A. Heilbrun

MOT Student Capstones

Anthropogenic environmental decline and associated climate change is causing negative health and wellness and consequently occupational injustices. As human activity continues to be the largest contributing factor to environmental degradation, sustainability practices are essential now more than ever to remediate ecological damages for the health, wellbeing, and occupational justice of current and future generations. Occupational therapy (OT) is an occupation-based profession and therefore implies a focus on human activity with an underlying responsibility to promote environmental sustainability. OT practitioners have a unique ability to support client engagement and participation in ecosystem conservation and sustainability. The purpose of this paper was …

Independent Study Curriculums For Adult Students With Idd At Lipscomb University - Ideal, Megan Roman

OTD Capstone Projects

Independent study curriculums targeting independent living skills for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities attending the Igniting the Dream of Education and Access at Lipscomb (IDEAL) program. The curriculum was created using the constructivism model and social cognitive theory for an active approach to learning that promotes self-efficacy in independent living skills to facilitate student success within the program and upon their transition into the community.

Advocacy And Collaboration To Promote And Enhance Services Provided By Ability App, Callie Emerson

OTD Capstone Projects

This poster details advocacy effort made to promote Ability App to healthcare students in Bloomington, Indiana in hopes of increasing accessibility for individuals with disabilities, educating future healthcare professionals, and encouraging individuals in Bloomington to use Ability App.

Evaluating Accessibility In Tn State Parks, Ashley C. Phillips

OTD Capstone Projects

During this Capstone experience, I partnered with Tucker's House and the TN State Parks to evaluate the efficacy of the State Park ADA Assessment tool. After modifying the assessment tool, I evaluated the three most visited state parks in TN and made suggestions on how to improve accessibility of the parks.

Home And Environmental Modifications And Community Resources For Individuals With Visual Impairment, Kimberly Mclaughlin

OTD Capstone Projects

Tucker's House is a non-profit organization that provides home and environmental modifications as well as assistive devices to families in Middle Tennessee that have a child with a disability. This doctoral capstone project focused on developing resources the organization can provide to individuals with low vision, visual impairment or blindness as well as their families/caregivers. The resources created include family intake forms, adaptive devices and durable medical equipment lists, community resources, general strategies, and smartphone/technology accessibility guides all related to increasing safety, participation in daily living tasks, and independence for individuals with visual impairment.

Exercise Education Of Western Michigan University Students Who Use The University Recreation Center, Rachael Brewer

Honors Theses

According to the American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) annual survey data, various modalities of resistance training are reported in the top 20 ways to exercise in 2022. According to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital, there has been a significant increase in acute care visits resulting from resistance training as it becomes more common to train without proper professional oversight (Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 2010). Many exercisers watch, replicate, or take advice from friends in the weight room; however, professional instruction is key for a safe workout experience. Injuries can and do occur on resistance machines, treadmills, and stair mills with little …

Promoting Participant And Community Participation At Saddle Up!, Savannah R. Macisaac

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project was completed through partnership with Saddle Up!, in Franklin, Tennessee. Saddle Up! is a nonprofit adaptive barn providing children and youth with disabilities the opportunity to grow and develop through therapeutic, educational, and recreational activities with horses. The primary focus of this project was to create a volunteer training manual for operating the mechanical lift. The deliverable was a PowerPoint which bridged the gap between instructor and volunteer knowledge. It included step by step instructions, as well as education on how to best support participants during the lift process. The secondary focus of the project was educating …

Therapeutic Rock Climbing And Its Impact On Children And Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Abigail S. Miller

MOT Student Capstones

Rock climbing is an activity that incorporates physical, mental, social, and emotional abilities due to the environmental and personal components involved with each climbing challenge. The aspects of this sport support the development of foundational skills essential for independent living and occupational engagement. This research suggests that participation in therapeutic rock climbing is effective in improving motor planning, social engagement, sensory processing, and self-regulation skills for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). An educational in-service was implemented to 14 professionals including occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and adults who engage daily with children and teens with ASD. Each participant …