Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Physical Therapy Clinical Instructor's Viewpoints On Entry-Level Performance Of Physical Therapy Students And New Graduates, Elhana Selimovie

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to gain perspective on how physical therapy clinical instructors (CI) define entry-level in relation to the field of physical therapy. The research question asked CIs was whether or not there was a difference in how CIs defined entry-level physical therapists. Entry level is defined as “a student who is capable of functioning without guidance or supervision while managing simple or complex conditions, with proficiency in skilled examinations, interventions, and clinical reasoning, and is able to maintain 100% of a full-time therapist’s caseload in a cost-effective manner.”

Methods: A survey was sent …

The Progression, Treatment, And Rehabilitation Of Guillain Barré Syndrome: Case Report, Hannah M. Shaffer

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an acute demyelinating disease of the peripheral nervous system. It is characterized by sudden progressive weakness and paraesthesias of the limbs. This case study evaluates the effectiveness of physical therapy (PT) and the use of body-weight support gait training (BWST) in the return to function in GBS patients.

Case Description: The patient was a 42-year-old female who presented to the acute care hospital with sudden onset paresthesias and weakness causing sudden loss of ambulation and functional mobility.

Interventions: Due to decreased activity tolerance, initial PT treatment consisted of passive …

The Effects Of Physical Therapy For Acute Knee Pain With Meniscuc Involvement: A Case Report, Courtney R. Hornung

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Introduction: Cartilage tears and osteoarthritis are upon the most common sources of knee pain. The peak incidence for degenerative meniscal tears in women are from ages 61-70. The meniscus acts as a cushion within the knee and if this becomes damaged or degenerates over time, osteoarthritis is likely to become a factor as well. The purpose of this study is to find whether or not physical therapy is an appropriate treatment option for a patient with knee pain with indications of osteoarthritis and a meniscal involvement.

Case Description: The patient is an 82 year old female who came …

The Effects Of Palmar Cooling On Power, Strength, And Endurance: An Investigative Study, Madison Kramer

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose/Hypothesis: For many athletes and active individuals, the ability to improve endurance, strength, and power is a common goal. Millions of people around the world engage in sporting events and other physical activities every day. While each sport has differing physical requirements, each sport requires varying degrees of endurance, strength, and power. During sporting events or exercise routines, body temperature increases and eventually begins to have a negative impact on performance. Research on palmar cooling has shown endurance benefits. The palm is an area of the body with abundant anastomoses, or cross-connections of blood vessels. These areas transfer heat …

Outpatient Physical Therapy Management Of A Patient Presenting With Double Crush Syndrome: A Case Study., Nicholas G. Hatfield

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. This case study evaluates the effectiveness of physical therapy interventions in the treatment of a patient presenting with a potential Double Crush Syndrome.

Case Description. This patient was a 59-year-old male with reports of right shoulder pain and right upper extremity paresthesia, numbness, and tingling affecting his ability to perform daily tasks at work and at home.

Interventions. The physical therapy interventions given were all based on findings from the initial evaluation and included a mixture of manual therapy techniques such as shoulder mobilizations, therapeutic exercises/activities such as stretching, resistance training, and carries, and …

Outpatient Physical Therapy Management Of Symptoms Associated With A Brainstem Arteriovenous Malformation: A Case Report, Michell Hall

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Arteriovenous malformations are irregular connections between arteries and veins, while they can occur anywhere in the body, they are the most common in the brain and the spinal cord. The purpose of this case study is to describe the interventions, treatments, and results of conservative physical therapy for a patient diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation located in the brainstem.

CASE DESCRIPTION: Descriptive case study of a patient scheduled two times a week for a 6-week episode of care. Conservative physical therapy interventions and treatments included lower extremity strengthening, static and dynamic balance training, gait training …

Physical Therapy Management Of Lower Exteremity Weakness And Balance Dysfunction Due To Sarcopenia And Frailty: A Case Report, Carla J. Maurstad

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Introduction: The aging population is on the rise and is expected to increase from 8.5% to 16.5% for those aged sixty-five years and older by 2050. With the expected rise comes the increased prevalence of frailty that leads to a decline in physiological function placing individuals at risk for sarcopenia, disability, falls, hospitalization, and death. The purpose of this case study is on lower extremity muscle weakness (sarcopenia) and frailty and the effectiveness of physical therapy to improve muscle strength, balance, proprioception, and functional mobility to decrease the risk of falls, improve performance with daily activities, and improve …

Outpatient Physical Therapy Management Of Patient With Torn Right Anterior Collateral Ligament Prior To Surgical Repair: A Case Study, Isaac Scott

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Anterior cruciate ligament injuries are one of the most common in sports medicine. This structure provides stability to the knee joint. Depending on the level of ligament injury, this injury can be treated conservatively or surgically. The purpose of this case study is to explore a preoperative treatment plan for a patient looking to have a future ACL surgical repair.

Case Description: This case study describes the 13-week treatment plan for a 21-year-old patient that had plans for a future surgical repair. This was the second time this patient tore the ACL in that extremity …

Comparison Between Active Interventions And Passive Interventions For Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Using The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Christian Servando Quinones, Jung Gil Kim, Kenneth Heimer

DPT Capstones

Aims and Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of active interventions, such as manual therapy and gliding exercises compared to passive interventions, such as kinesiotaping, splints, and modalities utilizing the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Background: A large number of people worldwide suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, which is a type of entrapment neuropathy. Treatment includes active interventions (manual therapy and gliding exercises) and passive interventions (splinting, kinesiotaping, and modalities). The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire is the most widely used self-administered outcome scale to measure the improvement of carpal tunnel syndrome. The effectiveness of the various …

Comparator Groups In Icu-Based Studies Of Physical Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review Of 125 Studies, Heather K O'Grady, Julie C Reid, Christopher Farley, Quincy E B Hanna, Janelle Unger, David J Zorko, Jackie Bosch, Lyn S Turkstra, Michelle E Kho

Physical Therapy Publications

OBJECTIVES: To characterize comparator groups (CGs) in ICU-based studies of physical rehabilitation (PR), including the type, content, and reporting.

DATA SOURCES: We followed a five-stage scoping review methodology, searching five databases from inception to June 30, 2022. Study selection and data extraction were completed independently, in duplicate.

STUDY SELECTION: We screened studies by title and abstract, then full-text. We included prospective studies with greater than or equal to two arms enrolling mechanically ventilated adults (≥ 18 yr), with any planned PR intervention initiated in the ICU.

DATA EXTRACTION: We conducted a quantitative content analysis of authors' description of CG type …

The Lotus Project: A Resilience Program For Dominican University Of California Occupational Therapy Graduate Students, Melissa Morini, Naema Dahdoul, Ashley Moffett, Regine Erika Saldivar, Viviana Vazquez

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Occupational therapy graduate students and occupational therapy practitioners experience chronic stress, adversity, and are at risk for burnout (de Witt, Monareng, Abraham, Koor, & Saber, 2019). Building a resilience practice early in the OT career has the potential to assist students in overcoming adversity from chronic stressors that could lead to burnout. We developed the L(OT)US project, a resilience program for occupational therapy students at Dominican University of California that consisted of three components: indoor resilience rest and recovery space, outdoor resilience resources box, and social media resources. e gathered feedback from current occupational therapy students who participated in our …

Life After Brain Injury - Family Perspectives, Shaina Snyder, Everlee Anderson, Allison Wyek, Elijah Tolentino-Medios, Cathyisabella Kintanar

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Background: Children who are Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) survivors experience changes to their occupational engagement and participation in family life. Families and children who are TBI survivors may experience long-term, chronic disabilities, yet these complex experiences are under researched and underserved.

Objective: This research focused on the following questions: What are the lived experiences of children who have survived brain injury and their families upon returning to their homes, schools and communities? What are the helpful and necessary supports and what are the barriers to engaging in meaningful occupations? How can in depth examination of these phenomena better …

Acquisition Of Psychomotor Skills In An Online Or Hybrid Classroom:A Systematic Review, Peyton Arneson, Braiden Burkes, Talia Cmaylo

DPT Capstones

Objective: During the COVID 19 pandemic, schools across the world have had to adapt their curricula to allow students to continue their education remotely or via hybrid classroom format. The effectiveness of online/hybrid teaching has been studied with respect to many academic skills. However, the effectiveness of this type of teaching on psychomotor skills has not yet been determined. The purpose of this systematic review was to compare healthcare students’ acquisition of psychomotor skills in an online format versus traditional classroom format.

Methods: Researchers reviewed over 100 articles using Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases and search engines. …

Wearable Sensor Efficacy In Detecting Deviations From Normal Gait Patterns: Normative And Mock Pathologic Gait, Kacey Bisienere, Jessica Maddox, Cicely Fabiano

DPT Capstones

Purpose/hypothesis: The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of the Smart Wireless Motion Sensors (SWMS) in detecting deviations or abnormalities in gait between normative and traumatic brain injury (TBI) data.

Subjects: We recruited participants from the faculty and students in the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. Inclusion criteria for participation in the study consisted of (a) current faculty and staff in UTEP’s DPT program, (b) 18 years old or older, (c) ambulatory, (d) no history of TBI or any other condition affecting gait and (e) English speaking. Participants were …

Dry Needling As An Alternative Physical Therapy Treatment For Patients With Cervicogenic Headaches: A Systematic Review, Justin Esparza, Bianca Magallanes, Alexis Mendez

DPT Capstones

Background: There has been an increase in prevalence in cervicogenic headaches (CGH) which is commonly accompanied by neck pain, decreased cervical range of motion (ROM), and other symptoms related to neck movement.

Purpose: The objective of this systematic review was to compare manipulation/mobilization versus dry needling (DN) to determine which treatment is most effective in improving pain intensity, ROM, and frequency in individuals with CGH.

Methods: Current literature was retrieved from a search using Pubmed and EBSCO (Medline) databases. The following keywords were used to guide searches: “cervicogenic” “headache” “neck pain” “dry needling” “manipulation” “mobilization” “manual therapy”. After filtering, 10 …

Effectiveness Of Telehealth Physical Therapy Compared To In-Person Physical Therapy On Pain And Disability In Patients With Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Retrospective Case Series, Leslie Porras, Andres Fernandez, Sebastian Garcia, Troy Belcher

DPT Capstones

Background: Physical therapy is a successful treatment option for non-specific chronic low back pain (NCLBP). Telehealth physical therapy (TPT) is a beneficial treatment option for various musculoskeletal conditions, but its effectiveness in treating NCLBP remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of TPT compared to in-person physical therapy (IPT) on pain and disability in patients with NCLBP.

Methods: Data were extracted from electronic medical records of adults with NCLBP who received care between June 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021. Patients included males or females who were 18 years or older, had NCLBP, and received …

Do Esports Gamers Differ From Non-Esports Gamers In Posture, Pain, And Range Of Motion?, Erick Sorto, Kendall Pieper, Ronald Ramon

DPT Capstones

Objective: The purpose of this research study is to compare posture, pain and range of motion (ROM) between young adult eSports gamers and non-esports gamers with similar sitting hours throughout an average week.

Methods: Subjects were recruited using social media and physical posts that included a screening survey. In total, 13 potential subjects were screened and 12 met the eligibility criteria. A total of four subjects were recruited to be assessed. Subjects were placed in either the eSports (N=2) or Control group (N=2) based on screening. Subjects were measured for ROM, posture, and pain characteristics. Independent sample t-tests and Pearson’s …

The Effects Of Therapeutic Horseback Riding On The Balance Of A Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Study, Liliana De Castro

DPT Capstones

Objective: Therapeutic riding is an emerging tool used by rehabilitation professionals to treat individuals with disabilities. Although recent studies suggest important benefits for this population, the groups represented, and the outcomes studied, in existing literature are limited. Namely, current scholarship focuses on individuals with cerebral palsy, or measures therapeutic outcomes linked to cognitive function in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The purpose of this case study is to highlight the gross motor benefits that this intervention provided for a child with autism spectrum disorder.

Methods: The subject was a 12-year-old boy who was diagnosed with high functioning autism spectrum disorder. …

The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic And A Physical Therapy Program On Students’ Health Outcomes, Kristin Moreno, Caitlyn Ferguson, Vanessa Garcia

DPT Capstones

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic affected many aspects of everyday life including school, fitness regimens, and social interactions. The purpose of this study is to understand how COVID-19 affects the cardiovascular and mental health of Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students as they progress through the program.

Materials and Methods: Data collection occurred in 16 DPT students over a total of 3 visits from 2020 – 2022. Outcome measures included VO2max, Venous Occlusion Plethysmography (VOP), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). A RM-ANOVA with pairwise comparisons was utilized. Significance was set prior at an α level of …

Comparison Of Aquatic And Land-Based Rehabilitation In Post-Stroke Patients For Balance And Gait: A Systematic Review, Guillermo Mota, Halil Rodriguez, Edgar Hinojosa, Rebeca Baeza

DPT Capstones

Introduction. Cerebral vascular accidents (CVA), or stroke, can lead to impairments in strength, range of motion (ROM), balance, cognition, sensory integrity, and motor function. These several impairments all contribute to a decline in dynamic and static balance among stroke patients. Traditional rehabilitation for stroke involves land-based therapy (LB) techniques addressing impairments within each individual patient. Aquatic therapy (AQ) has also been utilized for rehabilitation in stroke and has been found to be beneficial among stroke patients. The purpose of this Systematic Review (SR) is to compare the effect of AQ and LB therapies on balance and gait. The rehabilitation programs …

The Efficacy Of Mirror Therapy On Lower Extremity Function, Gait, And Balance In Hemiparetic Individuals Post-Stroke: A Systematic Review, Van Tran, Mauricio Calvo, Valerie Fairley

DPT Capstones

Objective: Common residual impairments of the lower extremity following a stroke include hemiparesis, inability or difficulty with walking, decreased walking speed, or decreased balance with ambulation. Mirror therapy is a recognized intervention for stroke rehabilitation that aims to facilitate functional motor recovery of a paretic limb. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of mirror therapy in combination with conventional stroke rehabilitation interventions on lower extremity function, gait and balance in hemiparetic individuals recovering from stroke.

Methods: A systematic search of the current literature was performed using MEDLINE, PEDro and PubMed to identify studies concerning mirror therapy …

Efficacy Of Coping Strategies On Emotional Regulation For Individuals With Childhood Trauma, Alyssa Szatmary

MOT Student Capstones

In childhood, individuals may be exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and carry the weight of the trauma throughout the lifespan. Childhood trauma can have a negative impact on mental health, causing emotional dysregulation, and influencing perspective, actions, and social patterns. Individuals who have experienced childhood trauma may improve their quality of life by creating resilience, advocating a healthy lifestyle, and developing adaptive, coping strategies to cope with adverse, or major life events. In the Upper Cumberland of Tennessee, there are limited resources within the community that targets this population. This capstone project aims to assess the differences in emotional …

Will Increasing The Knowledge About Community Transition Programs For Adolescents And Young Adults With Intellectual Disabilities Enable Ot Practitioners To Integrate Transition Services Into Practice?, Emily Draughon

MOT Student Capstones

The transition from adolescence to adulthood for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) can be especially challenging due to intellectual and adaptive deficits. Without adequate support and guidance throughout this transition, these individuals are not able to maximize their independence and participation with essential occupations including post-secondary education, employment, and community participation. Occupational therapists (OT) use a holistic and client-centered approach and specialize in adapting the environment and/or the task to meet the specific needs of the person to promote independence and full participation in desired occupations. The current trend in transition programming displays an underutilization of OT support. Increasing OT …

Training Program For Occupational Therapists Working With Skilled Caregivers In Skilled Nursing Facilities, Lovegifty Dudero, Mai Huynh, Ridhee Patel

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Dementia impairs one’s ability to live independently and participate in everyday activities (CDC, 2019). Individuals with dementia (IwD) are often referred to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) for around-the-clock care to receive support for their everyday challenges brought on by dementia symptoms. Although certified nursing assistants (CNAs) help IwD with everyday self-care tasks, they frequently lack specialized dementia care training. Consequently, CNAs experience low self-efficacy when providing care and managing challenging behaviors IwD may have. OTs have expertise and understanding regarding the stages of dementia and how the symptoms of dementia impact participation in daily occupations. OTs working in SNFs are …

Occupation-Based Cna Program To Build Caregiver Knowledge And Self-Efficacy In Dementia Care, Lucky Ung, Judy Chen, Michelle Hong

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are primary caregivers to individuals with dementia (IwD) who reside in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). CNAs are also expected to know how to provide person-centered and occupation-based care while managing challenging behaviors of IwD without formal training which become sources of strain and stress for CNAs and often leads to feelings of uncertainty and inadequacy (Pelissier et al., 2015). Further research shows that specialized dementia care training programs are beneficial to CNAs in acquiring the knowledge and skills required to provide high quality dementia care and that CNAs prefer the use of a multimodal education program …

Nutrition Needs Assessment For Women Of Childbearing Age With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Callie Coleman, Whitney Bignell

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that affects women’s menstrual cycles, androgen (male hormones) levels, and cysts on the ovaries. This endocrine disorder has various symptoms, with insulin resistance as a hallmark symptom. Approximately 65-70% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, whether or not they are overweight, obese, or lean (Marshall & Dunaif, 2012). Many women with PCOS struggle to lose weight because their excess weight is related to nutrition, lifestyle factors, and imbalanced hormones. Understanding PCOS as a metabolic disorder with nutritional implications led to investigating the potential benefit of having registered dietitian nutritionists …

Treatment Of Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction: A Case Study, Baylee Ann Reiser

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a progressive and debilitating disease that can lead to bony involvement or deformity. Common symptoms of PTTD include medial ankle and foot pain and acquired flat foot deformity. The purpose of this case study is to examine physical therapy interventions in a patient with chronic PTTD.

Case Description. This case study describes the 15-week physical therapy management in an outpatient clinic for a 34-year-old female with unstaged PTTD presenting with pain, decreased range of motion, strength deficits and muscle imbalance, impaired balance, and impaired gait. The patient lived a …

Rehabilitation Of A Patient Diagnosed With Dermatomyositis In A Skilled Nursing Facilty: A Case Report, Chance D. Halvorson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Dermatomyositis is a disease of unknown origin that results in skin rashes and muscle wasting that can lead to significant respiratory issues and loss of function. This case report describes the response following functional training in a bedridden patient who recently reported to a skilled nursing facility.

Case Description: The patient was a 78-year-old male who was previously diagnosed with dermatomyositis that rapidly progressed after being hospitalized for over 4 months. The patient had a complicated past medical history and a difficult socioeconomic background.

Intervention: The plan of care was focused around promoting independence …

The Correlation Between The Season Of Birth And Early Child Development In Healthy Children: Evidence From The Midwestern Region Of The United States: A Pilot Study, Elizabeth G. Bodensteiner

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Research has been conducted in countries like Japan and China assessing the impact of various factors on gross motor development. One variable that has been researched and discussed within studies in other countries is the relationship between gross motor development and birth season. This study aimed to address the impact of birth season on gross motor development, specifically within the Midwestern region of the United States. There is limited research regarding this topic within the Midwestern region of the United States.

Materials and Methods: Parents of 114 children completed self-reports on their children’s gross and …

Association Of Generalized Joint Hypermobility And Occurrence Of Musculoskeletal Injury In Physical Therapy And Occupational Therapy Students, Katie A. Harris

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background: Previous studies have found a higher rate of hypermobility among physical and occupational therapy students compared to the rate of hypermobility within the general public. Hypermobility has been linked to increased injury rates. This raises the question of the influence hypermobility has on injury type and recurrence.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to examine the rate of hypermobility and injury history among physical and occupational therapy students. The injury type and frequency of those with hypermobility was compared to those without hypermobility to determine if there was a relationship. The Foot Posture Index was used …