Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Effects Of Doctoral Program Education On Cardiovascular And General Health Outcomes Of Physical Therapy Students, Luzarianna Galindo, Laramie Tesillo, Carlos Quintana

DPT Capstones

No abstract provided.

Using Cognitive Dual-Task To Evaluate Individuals With Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries: A Pilot Study, Michelle Galvan, Maryam Buazza, Jacob Mendoza, Jallycia Pearson

DPT Capstones

Background: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) presents significant challenges, with cognitive and motor deficits often persisting long after the initial injury. Current assessment methods may fail to detect subtle impairments, highlighting the need for more comprehensive evaluation techniques. This pilot study aims to investigate the efficacy of cognitive dual-task assessments in detecting subtle gait deficits associated with concussion/mild Traumatic Brain Injury (c/mTBI), with a focus on identifying which cognitive dual task would provide the most cognitive cost and afford motion capture sensors the ability to detect subtle gait changes.

Methods: Twenty-two participants without prior concussion or mTBI history underwent dual-task assessments …

Enhancing Post-Injury Rehabilitation: A Focus On Prehabilitation For Athletes, Kariya Jennings, Kyanne Crockarell, Rishi Gulati, Mallory Rae, Dakota Hill, Deborah Edmondson

Physical Therapy Student Research

No abstract provided.

Acl Bracing: Is It Still Being Done Clinically And Does It Influence Confidence And/Or Biomechanical Performance During A Drop Vertical Jump?, Bailey Watson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Introduction: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures account for 60% of sports-related injuries and the gold standard for treatment is surgical intervention to replace the damaged ligament to restore function of the ACL. Braces are typically used to return to previous physical activity levels; however, there are no clear guidelines on their utilization. Beyond the physical consequences of undergoing ACL reconstruction surgery, the psychological component is often ignored.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to better understand the impact of knee bracing on both biomechanical factors and confidence following ACL reconstruction. Two aims comprise the overarching purpose; the first is …

Functional Movement Screen: Exploring Interrater Reliability Between Students, Katie Biegel, Maari Dolan, Sidni Kast, Abi Kuznia, Blake Sjostrom

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to assess the interrater reliability between five second-year physical therapy students on the scoring of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) on 45 participants via pre-recorded videos. To our knowledge, few studies have been completed regarding interrater reliability on the FMS with the new criteria on the ankle mobility clearing test and updated criteria on the rotary stability test.

Materials/Methods: The students and an FMS expert reviewed grading criteria for each test and clearing test. Each student rater was allowed to watch each video once to score the motion to the best of …

Outpatient Physical Therapy Treatment For A Patient With A Transtibial Amputation: A Case Report, Cade D. Salentine

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Introduction: Transtibial amputations (TTA) impose significant functional difficulty on those who undergo the procedure. Physical therapy is one of the resources that can be used to maximize a patient's outcomes following surgery. Physical therapists play a vital role in the improvement of strength, functional mobility, and independence following a TTA. This report covers the outpatient physical therapy evaluation and treatment of a patient status post-TTA. The purpose of this case was to identify different treatments, considerations, and outcome measures, that can be used when treating a patient with a TTA.

Case Description: The patient is a 66-year-old male who …

Physical Therapy Interventions And Outcomes For A Patient With Multiple Co-Morbidities: A Case Study, Morgan M. Johnson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Introduction. Multimorbidity is present in a significant percentage of hospital admissions with 84.1% involving one or more co-morbidities leading to longer, more expensive stays and higher inpatient mortality rates. The purpose of this case study is to evaluate physical therapy’s effects, interventions and outcomes for a patient with common co-morbidities to determine physical therapy outcomes.

Case Description. The patient was a 75-year-old female who presented to physical therapy with an admitting diagnoses of congestive heart failure and acute kidney injury. Her additional relevant medical diagnoses were hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, obesity, depression, 2-month status post ORIF of right ankle …

A Comparison Of Senior Athlete Data To Normative Values: A Research Study, Brooke M. Flicek, Kailen G. Halvorson, Ashley J. Schuster, Kacee J. White

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

It is common to develop certain conditions with aging that can include but not limited to: osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, falls, and general geriatric syndromes (delirium, dementia, depression, pressure ulcers, urinary incontinence, sarcopenia, chronic pain). Physical activity can help prevent many conditions. This is where the Senior Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE) becomes relevant. It is specifically designed by physical therapist Becca Jordre, in order to evaluate cardiovascular, muscular, flexibility, and balance fitness within the older adult population. At the Senior Games, the SAFE is used as a screening tool designed to identify health and risk factors for the senior athlete. …

A Valid And Reliable Method For Measuring Navicular Drop, Kayla Ellison, Bree Lindley, Ashley Conneran

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose/Hypothesis: Understanding navicular motion during gait is crucial for research and clinical applications. This study aimed to assess a method of measuring navicular drop during dynamic walking trials. Our technique used a two-stage assessment of navicular drop; these stages consisted of an initial static examination of the navicular position in subtalar neutral, combined with a dynamic evaluation of navicular drop during walking gait. These stages were conducted twice, with a week between data collections. This study aimed to determine the reliability of this two-stage method. We hypothesize that a two-stage process, using two independent Vicon systems, will be able …

The Effect Of Physical Therapy Intervention On Fatigue, Balance, Depression And Quality Of Life In Clients Following Medical Treatment For Cancer: A Pilot Study, Elle G. Bryant, Morghan J. Bugge, Riley A. Grube, Megan M. Lacrosse, Hunter M. Lake, Katie J. Leary

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Approximately 18.1 million people living in the United States have survived cancer. The treatment for cancer can be accompanied by many long-lasting residual side effects including fatigue, decreased quality of life, balance deficits, and depression. A current problem that healthcare providers face is understanding these side effects and how to effectively treat the people who experience them.

The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate how cancer treatments affect the human body, specifically with fatigue, balance, quality of life, and depression, and how physical therapy interventions can be used to combat these factors. To assess the effects of physical …

Cannabidiol (Cbd) And Resistance Training: Does Cbd Attenuate Acute Pain?, Guillermo Pacheco

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

INTRODUCTION: Resistance training (RT) is an advantageous form of physical activity for health and performance benefits; these benefits are maximized when done strenuously. However, strenuous RT can induce acute inflammatory pain which can lead to delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Common analgesics like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can block protein synthesis, so other alternatives are needed for exercise and athletic communities to maintain physiological adaptations. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotropic cannabinoid with purported anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and analgesic properties. One of the main reasons for the use of CBD in exercise is pain alleviation; however, research in humans is limited. Therefore, the …

Investigating The Efficacy Of Yoga Vs Traditional Physical Therapy In Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review, Courtney Andrade, Casey David, Grace Hicks-Green, Riley Young

DPT Capstones

Introduction: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a complex diagnosis causing an increase in disability and decreased quality of life. This condition is defined as having low back pain for more than three months, in which an individual experiences a decline in function due to enduring pain. Several factors contribute to CLBP including core muscle weakness and decreased motor control to allow for lumbar stability. Though CLBP can be treated in multiple ways; this systematic review (SR) investigates the treatment effects of yoga combined with physical therapy (PT) vs. PT alone to measure the disability using the Oswestry Disability Index …

Prevalence Of And Influences For Incorporating Clinically-Relevant Spanish Into Doctor Of Physical Therapy Programs, Daniela Quinones, Deyanira Verdeja Sosa, Megan Giron

DPT Capstones

Introduction. The United States has 63.7 million Hispanic/Latino individuals, and approximately 40% of Spanish speakers have limited English proficiency (LEP). Patient-provider language discordance is a major contributor towards health disparities. Hence, many health professions educators offer clinically-relevant Spanish. The primary study purposes were to: 1) identify the prevalence of Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs in the United States that incorporate clinically-relevant Spanish language learning in their curriculum; and 2) describe how DPT programs incorporate Spanish language learning in their curriculum.

Review of Literature. Researchers in a 2014 report identified 12 DPT programs offering Spanish; however, the current prevalence is …

Effects Of Using External Biofeedback In Improving Ankle Kinematics In Those With Chronic Ankle Instability Compared To Conventional Therapy Without External Biofeedback: A Systematic Review, Lachlan Cubbin, Kelli Kirkpatrick

DPT Capstones

I. Introduction: Lateral ankle sprains are amongst the most common injuries to occur in athletes and the general population alike. While most can recover without complications, there exists a considerable risk of recurrent injury which can result in ongoing difficulties related to pain, function, and overall quality of life. This high recurrence rate is due to excessive lateral deviations in the location of pressure-related variables in the foot. Ongoing instability of the foot, known as chronic ankle instability (CAI), results due to these abnormal gait and ankle kinematics which causes significantly greater inversion of the foot during initial contact of …

Art-Based Occupational Therapy For Adolescents With Mental Health Conditions, Sarah Helm

MOT Student Capstones

Pediatric and adolescent mental health disorders have a significant impact on occupational performance. This may include difficulty in social situations, decreased ability to engage in selfcare tasks, difficulty problem solving, or difficulty during mealtime. Occupational therapy practitioners can address occupational performance in this population through art-based activities to improve emotional and sensory regulation. Research shows that visual art activities can improve emotional expression, sensory regulation, abstract thinking, communication, and self-esteem. Art-based activities can include textile crafts, painting, drawing, making things with clay, or coloring. A presentation and activity booklet were created to share the impact of art-based occupational therapy on …

Bal-A-Vis-X Intervention To Improve Upper Limb Coordination In Children With Disability: A Pilot Study, Marta Boot, Zoe Clark, Kyla Hill, Mckenzie Stefanoff, Betsy Donahoe Fillmore, Trisha Renner, Bo Slutz, Mary I. Fisher

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose/Hypothesis: Balance/Auditory/Vision exercises (Bal-A-Vis-X) consists of a series of exercises using sand-filled bags and racquet balls. Most of the exercises are completed while standing on a rocker board and heavily rooted in rhythm. The rhythmic patterns are utilized to facilitate focused concentration, crossing midline, motor planning, right/left awareness, eye-hand coordination, balance, bilateral coordination, body and spatial awareness. Only a few published studies have explored Bal-A-Vis-X as an intervention in therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of Bal-A-Vis-X to improve upper limb coordination in children with motor delays.

Number of Subjects: Fifteen children with motor delays …

The Effect Of Field-Related Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy On Skeletal Muscle Regeneration: Initial Experiments, Leah Angelica De Leon

2024 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

Muscle trauma requires prompt recovery mechanisms, particularly in locations lacking specialized medical facilities. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy at 2.5 atmospheres absolute (ATA) positively impacts muscle recovery but necessitates specialized facilities. This study assessed the effectiveness of HBO2 therapy at a more accessible pressure level, 1.5 ATA, on muscle regeneration. Crush-injured muscle of 11 male and 8 female C57BL/6 mice were treated with mild HBO2 (100% oxygen at 1.5 ATA) or hyperoxia (100% oxygen at room atmospheric pressure). Regenerating myofiber properties were examined at 4- and 8-days post-injury, including the expression of a myosin-specific protein, developmental myosin heavy chain, myofiber cross-sectional …

Total Hip Arthroplasty Outcomes In A Patient With Moderate To Severe Scoliosis: A Case Study, Rachael Dobbs

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Introduction. The purpose of this case study is to discuss the role of physical therapy in patients who have moderate to severe scoliosis and plan to or have undergone a total hip arthroplasty. In evaluating the case of a female with moderate to severe scoliosis who recently underwent a total hip arthroplasty, it will be determined if physical therapy intervention was successful in improving her symptoms and reducing the risk of further complications.

Case Description. Patient is a 70-year-old female who presents to physical therapy evaluation several weeks post total hip arthroplasty. The patient has comorbidities of osteoarthritis and moderate …

Inpatient Physical Therapy Management Of A Patient Sustaining Multiple Fractures And A Hemorrhagic Temporal Lobe Contusion Due To An Absent Seizure And Fall: A Case Report, Kylie M. Helgeland

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Introduction: A case report for the acute care assessment and treatment of a patient after a seizure and fall that resulted in multiple fractures and a temporal lobe contusion. Every injury has an impact on a patient’s mobility and their ability to perform activities of daily living. Physical therapists need to see each injury and understand how each one can affect the patient and have a barrier on their recovery.

Case description: A 59-year-old female who fell down 3 stairs during an absent seizure resulting in multiple fractures and a temporal contusion. The patient presented with impairments of motor planning, …

The Effects Of Palm Cooling On Power, Strength, And Endurance: An Investigative Study, Klye Henningsgard, Riley Mattheis, Shawn Stolz

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Modern day athletes are continuously searching for ways that they can find a competitive advantage over their peers. This study aimed to assess if palm cooling was effective in increasing power, strength, and/or endurance during exercise. After completing a warmup, 24 participants (11 males,13 females; age 22.75 ± 1.36) were assessed on two separate occasions where they performed three separate exercises: vertical jump to analyze power, isometric knee extension to analyze strength, and Queen’s College Step Test to analyze endurance. On the first day of testing, participants were randomly assigned into a cooling or non-cooling group. Thus, completing all three …

The Correlation Between The Season Of Birth And Early Childhood Development In Healthy Children: Evidence From Midwest Region Of The United States, Paige E. Argent, Emma R. Botker, Anna L. Kiffmeyer, Victoria K. Maiz, Alexis N. Pettersen

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: While many different factors may affect early childhood development, one significant factor is the season of birth. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the season of birth and early childhood gross motor development in healthy children ages 0-5 years old in the greater Midwest area.

Methods: Parents of 372 children completed self-reports on their children’s gross and fine motor development using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). Parents were provided with an online survey version of the ASQ. Data was based upon closed-ended questions and analyzed using the percentages of responses …

Inpatient Rehabilitation And Clinical Decision Making Of A Patient With Severe Stroke And Acute Kidney Injury: A Case Report, Kassandra G. Anshutz

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) are common and are estimated to affect around 795,000 people in the United States every year. Cerebrovascular accidents can be detrimental to one’s health and have a wide range of complications including death and decreased independence. Current evidence-based practice supports exercise and movement through physical therapy to restore function and independence. However, current guidelines do not exist for patients with acute kidney injury during stroke recovery.

Case Description: In this case study, we examine a 63-year-old male with a diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke further complicated by severe rhabdomyolysis. Upon initial evaluation and examination, …

Incorporating Music Into Pediatric Occupational Therapy, Abby Kays

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Music in therapy research currently focuses on the role of music therapy in children with behaviors, mood, and social/communication difficulties. However, limited research exists on the role of music in occupational therapy. The purpose of the capstone project was to use music-focused occupation-based interventions with children to improve social/communication skills, mood, and behaviors at a pediatric outpatient clinic. A literature review was completed on the objectives listed above to determine the need of the project. The theoretical foundation of the project is the Ecology of Human Performance Model, focusing on the unique contexts of each child. Music was used in …

Promoting Life Skills Through An Occupation-Based Program For Youth In The Juvenile Justice System, Maggie L. Dejong

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Youth who have experienced trauma are at risk for negative developmental changes to their brain, which may lead to poor health outcomes, involvement in the juvenile justice system, and early death. This population may experience a lack of occupational engagement, decreased self-regulation strategies, and difficulty forming life skills that are necessary for carrying out everyday tasks. Having trauma-informed awareness in the contexts of these individuals is essential when providing care and meeting their needs. The doctoral capstone project aimed to promote life skills through an occupation-based program for youth in the juvenile justice system. Current literature supports the need for …

Sensory Processing Difficulties In Children Born Preterm And The Needs Of Their Families, Shelby J. Buie

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Children who are born preterm frequently experience sensory processing difficulties due to their underdeveloped brains and the atypical early sensory experiences that are associated with increased medical needs. These factors impact the development of a child’s sensory system, which ultimately influences how a child participates in daily activities. Having a child born preterm that requires increased medical attention causes stress on the family. Increased stress and a decrease in mental health can disrupt the parent-child bond. This project aimed to provide sensory-based occupational therapy treatment sessions to children who were born preterm to improve their sensory processing skills. Furthermore, the …

Animal-Assisted Therapy In An Outpatient Pediatric Occupational Therapy Setting, Peyton N. Stolle

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

The use of animals to assist in the healthcare industry has been around for some time now, however, only recently have those in the occupational therapy industry begun looking at the effects that it would have on patients within their scope of practice. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has various uses, and recent studies have shown that the use of dogs within a healthcare setting can greatly increase patient motivation and well-being. However, prior literature shows that there are limited studies on the effects of AAT in a pediatric occupational therapy (OT) setting, specifically an outpatient setting. My capstone project aimed to …

Postural Control In Young Adults With And Without Recurrent Back Pain: Influence Of Symptom Characteristics, Rachel Berns

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Many individuals with low back pain (LBP) experience episodic symptoms. During symptomatic episodes, individuals with LBP have delayed trunk muscle activation during anticipated postural perturbations, though it's unclear if these postural control changes persist between symptomatic episodes. This study examined anticipatory postural muscle activation in adults with and without recurrent LBP to determine the influence of muscle fatigue and typical symptom characteristics on trunk muscle activation. 55 young adults with a greater than one-year history of recurrent LBP and 30 young adults with no history of LBP were recruited. Electromyography electrodes were placed on their thoracic and lumbar paraspinals, external …

Augmenting Hand And Arm Function For Persons With Hemiparesis, Brooke Stein, Susan Duff, Alison Mckenzie, Bailey Advincula, Isaac An, Annie Jeon, Casey Mcwilliam, Will Potter, Virginia Ruano, Paulina Vokulich, Audrey Howell, Rahul Soangra

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Background. Hand and arm dysfunction due to neural disorders significantly influences quality of life. Activity-based training has been found to improve function. These improvements could be augmented with transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) due to the modulatory effect it has on spinal and supraspinal networks. Objective. The primary aim is to determine if a 4-week training program will improve hand and arm function. The secondary aim is to determine if the addition of tSCS to a second 4-week training session will further improve function. Design. This is a pre-posttest, controlled trial for persons 10-75 years of age, >6 months post …

Spatiotemporal Gait Parameter Consistency Across Two Days Of Treadmill Walking In Stroke Survivors, Alejandro Aguirre Ramirez, Samantha N. Jeffcoat, Natalia Sanchez, Andrian Kuch

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Retraining impaired gait is essential in post-stroke recovery. This project aims to determine between day variability of spatiotemporal gait measures in treadmill walking post-stroke to differentiate between changes due to the intervention and measurement errors due to between day test-retest variability. Six individuals post-stroke performed a two-minute walk test at a self-selected speed (SSS) for two consecutive days. SSS was assessed through the six-minute walk test. Reflective markers were placed on anatomical landmarks (van den Bogert et al. 2013). The heel markers were used for step detection. We calculated spatiotemporal parameters: stride length, stride time, step length, stance time, and …

Efficacy Of Curl Up Task As Abdominal Exercise Program For Diastasis Recti Abdominis, Wendy Chorny, Betsy K. Donahoe-Fillmore, Rio Harrelson, Laney Hulbert, Jessica Westerfield, Mary I. Fisher

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose/Hypothesis: The separation between the rectus abdominal muscles caused by a widening and thinning linea alba, called diastasis recti abdominis (DRA), contributes to impairments in strength of the abdominal and trunk muscles. DRA is most frequently observed during pregnancy and may recede after childbirth but can be present at 12 months or later after giving birth. The purpose of this study was to determine if a focused 12 or 24 week exercise program improves inter-rectus distance and abdominal strength in women who have given birth.

Number of Subjects: Forty-eight women 27-49 years (mean 37 years) were randomized into a 12 …