Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Effects Of Walking Poles On Posture And Gait, Kate Darnell, Tatum Hall, Sadie Hefta, Jessica Lynch, Jenna Sagedahl, Nicole Salfer

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

INTRODUCTION: Walking poles have become increasingly popular not only as a tool for exercising, but also as an assistive device. Physical Therapists use them to assist patients with balance during ambulation. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to look at the effects of walking poles on gait speed and posture. METHODS: This study included 60 community ambulators between 21-74 years old (19 males and 41 females), seen for a single session. Participants were fitted for walking poles and given a 3-minute warm-up period to become comfortable with them. A 10 Meter Walk Test (10 MWT) was …

Tbi Stac Procedures: Touchscreen Tablet-Based Cognitive Assessment Versus Paper-Based Assessments For Traumatic Brain Injury, Sarah E. Wallace Ccc-Slp, Elena V. Donoso Brown Otr/L, James B. Schreiber Ph.D., Sarah Diehl M.S., Cf-Slp, Joanne Kinney M.S., Ccc-Slp, Lani Zangara M.S., Otr/L

Speech-Language Pathology Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Influence Of A Post-­Graduate Physical Therapy Residency Program On Clinical Reasoning, Professional Development, And Career Advancement In Nairobi, Kenya, Shala Cunningham

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Problem Statement

Residency programs that emphasize clinical reasoning and manual therapy can provide a means to optimize the outcomes of physical therapy without the need for or access to expensive equipment. The residency format of continuing education could allow physical therapists in developing countries access to specialty training and ongoing mentorship. However, there are limited studies that investigate the influence of residency training on the progression of clinical reasoning, professional development, and career advancement.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was threefold. The first objective was to describe the outcome of a post-graduate orthopaedic manual therapy residency program on development …

Impact Of An Exercise Program On Stress, Fatigue, And Quality Of Life For Individuals Living With Primary Immunodeficiency Disease, Kerri Sowers

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: There are over 300 Primary Immunodeficiency diseases (PID) that are a result of a genetic or idiopathic dysfunction of any aspect of the immune system. These conditions result in a higher frequency of infections, autoimmune conditions, or malignancies. Moderate intensity exercise is thought to help the immune system, while high intensity exercise may have a negative impact on immune function. The impact of exercise on individuals with an impaired immune system due to PID is not yet understood. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a low to moderate intensity exercise program would have an effect …

Physical Therapists’ Beliefs About Preparation To Work In Special Care Nurseries And Neonatal Intensive Care Units, Joyce Lammers

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

BACKGROUND: Physical therapists (PTs) may care for full-term or premature newborns in all levels of hospital nurseries. There is some endorsement in the published physical therapy literature for restricting practice in the nursery setting to only those PTs with specialized training.1-4 PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of becoming and being a physical therapist in a special care nursery (SCN) or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) from the therapists’ perspective. METHODS: The participants were physical therapists who have practiced in a SCN or NICU in the United States. A phenomenological approach was used and data …

Relationship Between Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging And The Modified Prone Straight Leg Raise Test To Identify Multifidus Weakness, Mitchell T. Maione

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is often associated with lumbar spinal instability (LSI). The multifidus muscle is considered a stabilizer of the spine and has been studied extensively with Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging (RUSI). There may be a relationshipbetween clinical signs of LSI, decreased cross-sectional area (CSA) of the multifidus and weakness. Having the ability to detect multifidus weakness without the use of RUSI may serve to be invaluable to the clinician in detecting multifidus weakness.Purpose: To investigate the relationship between the modified prone straight leg raise test (MPSLR) and CSA of the multifidusmuscle as measured by RUSI and to investigate …

Training Appalachian, Hospital-Based Occupational Therapists On The Use Of Standardized, Occupation-Based Outcome Measures And Treatment Concepts For Traumatic Upper Extremity Injuries: A Pilot Program, Donald G. Pitts

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Executive Summary

Background. Traumatic injuries to the upper extremity, such as crush injuries, tendon lacerations, burns, and amputations, are common and may result in missed work, decreased independence in activities of daily living, and decreased the quality of life. In urban areas, traumatic upper extremity injuries are often treated by a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), who is an occupational or physical therapist with specialized training who has passed a national certification examination. In the Appalachian region of Kentucky, people with traumatic hand injuries are most likely to be treated in a hospital-based outpatient orthopedic setting that is primarily staffed with …

Understanding Parkinson’S Through Visual Narratives: “I’M Not Mrs. Parkinson’S”, S. G. Lutz, Jeffrey D. Holmes, D. Rudman, A. M. Johnson, K. Ladonna, M. E. Jenkins

Occupational Therapy Publications

Although it is accepted that individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) must navigate challenges such as receiving their diagnosis, and changing daily occupations, little is known about how they navigate. The purpose of this study is to deepen the current understanding of the experience of living with PD and its implications for occupation through a narrative visual methodology (photo-elicitation). Methods: Six individuals with PD were asked to take photographs and share verbal narrative accounts to illustrate their experience of living with PD. Findings: Results highlight the interrelationship between occupation and identity, as many of the participants stories were interpreted as foregrounding …

Expanding Beyond Individualism: Engaging Critical Perspectives On Occupation., Alison J Gerlach, Gail Teachman, Debbie Rudman, Rebecca M Aldrich, Suzanne Huot

Occupational Therapy Publications

BACKGROUND: Perspectives that individualize occupation are poorly aligned with socially responsive and transformative occupation-focused research, education, and practice. Their predominant use in occupational therapy risks the perpetuation, rather than resolution, of occupational inequities.

AIM: In this paper, we problematize taken-for-granted individualistic analyses of occupation and illustrate how critical theoretical perspectives can reveal the ways in which structural factors beyond an individual's immediate control and environment shape occupational possibilities and occupational engagement.

METHOD: Using a critically reflexive approach, we draw on three distinct qualitative research studies to examine the potential of critical theorizing for expanding beyond a reliance on individualistic analyses …

Mathematical Abilities In Children With Developmental Language Disorder, Alexandra M. Cross, Lisa M.D. Archibald, Marc F. Joanisse

Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Publications

Purpose. The present paper provides a scoping review of the literature on mathematical abilities in developmental language disorder (DLD). Children with DLD typically struggle with learning in school, however the mechanism by which DLD impacts academic success is unclear. Mathematics involves demands in the multiple domains, and therefore holds potential for examining the relationship between language and academic performance on tasks mediated by verbal and non-verbal demands.

Methods. A scoping review was performed via computerized database searching to examine literature on mathematics and DLD. The 21 papers meeting inclusion criteria compared children with typical development or DLD on various tasks …

Interrelationships Of Functional Status And Health Conditions In Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Descriptive Study., Doreen Bartlett, Emily Dyszuk, Barbara Galuppi, Jan Willem Gorter

Physical Therapy Publications

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship among the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), and the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to determine the average number and effect of health conditions.

METHODS: Participants were 671 children with CP aged 2 to 12 years from Canada and the United States. Cross-tabulation of functional classifications and averages were computed for the number and impact of health conditions and comparisons among groups.

RESULTS: A total of 78 of the 125 possible classification combinations were recorded. Most frequent were GMFCS I, MACS …

Physical Rehabilitation Interventions In The Intensive Care Unit: A Scoping Review Of 117 Studies., Julie C Reid, Janelle Unger, Devin Mccaskell, Laura Childerhose, David J Zorko, Michelle E Kho

Physical Therapy Publications

BACKGROUND: Physical rehabilitation (PR) interventions in the intensive care unit (ICU) can improve patients' functional outcomes, yet systematic reviews identified discordant effects and poor reporting. We conducted a scoping review to determine the extent of ICU PR interventions and how they were reported and measured.

METHODS: We searched five databases from inception to December 2016 for prospective studies evaluating adult ICU PR interventions. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full texts for inclusion. We assessed completeness of reporting using the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials, Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology, or Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting …

A Pilot Experimental Study Of Adding The Copm To The Occupational Therapy Evaluation Process In The Swing-Bed Division Of A Rural Hospital Setting, Sarah T. Durbin Ms.

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Extensive evidence is available on the efficacy of occupation-based practice for improving patient outcomes in hospital settings. There were no studies that took place specifically in the swing-bed division of rural hospital settings regarding occupation-based practice prior to the implementation of this study. Purpose: This study sought to determine whether the addition of the COPM would increase occupational performance and patient satisfaction for individuals treated in the swing-bed division of a rural hospital setting. Theoretical Framework: The Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement is the primary theory supporting this study, due to the emphasis placed on client-centeredness, spirituality, …

The Impact Of Interactive Education On Caregivers Caring For Individuals With Dementia, Lisa K. Hong

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are becoming more prevalent and individuals with the disease requiring much physically and emotionally from caregivers. As caregivers are often thrust unprepared into their roles, the need for quality education becomes increasingly important.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify changes in caregiver perception after participation in an interactive educational program. The following research questions were used: 1) What is the perception of both professional and family caregivers about their ability to provide care following an interactive education program for dementia care? 2) Does an education program change the caregiver’s general knowledge …

Critically Appraised Paper For “Adaptive Vs. Non-Adaptive Cognitive Training By Means Of A Personalized App: A Randomized Trial In People With Multiple Sclerosis.”, Kevin Ng, Jeffrey Kou, Patricia Lyons, Yvonne Lam, America Ortega, Kitsum Li

Occupational Therapy | Critically Appraised Papers Series

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that causes cognitive and physical fatigue, which can slow cognitive processing speed (CPS). Slow CPS affects occupational engagement. Evidence suggests that physical activity can be used as an intervention to address and manage slowed CPS in MS. This Level I randomized controlled trial (RCT) examined the impact of a physical-activity behavioral intervention on CPS and walking performance among people with mild to moderate MS.

Seventy-six participants with mild to moderate MS participated in the study for 6 months. The participants were split into two groups, the intervention group and the wait-list control group. In …

Promoting Utilization Of The Allen Cognitive Level Screen 5 {Acls-5) Assessment Tool With Long Term Care Clients With Dementia To Promote Quality Of Care, Michelle S. Verni

MOT Student Capstones

The purpose of this capstone project was to examine any changes, after participating in an educational training, in occupational therapists' (OTs') clinical knowledge of the Allen Cognitive Level Screen 5 (ACLS-5) assessment tool related dementia levels and the OTs' perceived professional value and intention to use for promoting quality of care with long-term dementia clients. A one-day educational/training in-service with self-reported questionnaires was held. The questionnaires were used to measure the effectiveness of the educational/training in-service through any changes in clinical knowledge that would assist in increasing the intent to use the ACLS-5 in their settings to promote quality of …

Transition In Occupations Of Refugees During Resettlement, Jennifer H. Daine, Adam A. Chan, Jacqueline-Elizabeth Cantrell, Kimberley Keagan Banuelos

Student Research Posters

Purpose: In 2016, there were 22.5 million refugees worldwide (UNHCR, 2017). California resettled just over 5,000 of those 85,000 (Igielnik & Krogstad, 2017). Limited research has been conducted in the United States (U.S.) focusing on the refugee experience; furthermore, there is a significant gap in research regarding the impact of the refugee experience on the occupations of refugees as they transition to living in the U.S. Smith (2012) explored the adaptation of cultural weaving among Karen refugees to maintain their previous occupations and the impact of daily weaving on their lives within Western culture; however, the study focused only on …

Autism And Occupation: Video Modeling For Maker Activities, Hannah Gibeson, Kelly Yerby, Molly Smith, Brittany Yung

Student Research Posters

Understanding the lived experiences of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using video modeling (VM) while engaging in Maker activities is an essential part of occupational therapy research. Participants in this study were four individuals with ASD recruited from a project-based studio located in San Rafael, CA, and one staff member. The qualitative portion of this study analyzed the lived experiences and perspectives of the individuals with ASD and their service provider through qualitative semi-structured interview methods. The quantitative portion of this study analyzed the effectiveness of VM for Maker activities during the activity of making a box using a …

Mesotocin Influences Pinyon Jay Prosociality, J. F. Duque, W. Leichner, H. Ahmann, Jeffrey R. Stevens

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

Many species exhibit prosocial behavior , in which one individual’s actions benefit another individual, often without an immediate benefit to itself. The neuropeptide oxytocin is an important hormonal mechanism influencing prosociality in mammals, but it is unclear whether the avian homologue mesotocin plays a similar functional role in birds. Here, we experimentally tested prosociality in pinyon jays (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus), a highly social corvid species that spontaneously shares food with others. First, we measured prosocial preferences in a prosocial choice task with two different pay-off distributions: Prosocial trials delivered food to both the subject and either an empty cage …

Integration Of Pet Therapy To Enhance Occupational Performance, Brooke Harrell

MOT Student Capstones

Individuals with a Dementia diagnosis are on the continual rise in America. This debilitating condition remains incurable even with all the research and technology we have available today. Benefits of canine interactions have been demonstrated and it is becoming more common to incorporate canines into therapy practice. Canines have the ability to reduce anxiety and improve an individual's overall mood. By successfully impacting these two variables, canine interaction enhance client's potential and abilities tremendously. Canines provide an alternative outside of the box treatment method for clients with Dementia. Our role as an occupational therapist is to provide client centered care, …

The Benefits Of A Screening Tool For Seating And Mobility During The Initial Occupational Therapy Evaluation In Skilled Nursing Facilities, Ryan Haines

MOT Student Capstones

Occupational therapy practitioners are familiar with the idea that wheelchair positioning and mobility can have an impact on one's ability to participate in daily routines and leisure activities, yet many times it is overlooked during the initial evaluation process. Residents of skilled nursing facilities who rely upon wheelchairs for their mobility are at a particularly high risk of developing medical complications, such as pressure sores, and respiratory issues secondary to long-term seated positioning. The purpose of this project is to create an easy to use wheelchair positioning screening tool to use on both long-term care residents and individuals who are …

The Effect Of An Iadl Group Serving Moderate Functional Adults With Intellectual Disabilities In A Group Home Setting, Megan P. Buckland

MOT Student Capstones

Objective: The purpose of this project is to explore and provide participants an opportunity to engage in meaningful activities in the hopes to increase their performance participation and improve their satisfaction in areas of occupations for Instruments of Daily Activities (IADL 's). These areas included, meal preparation and home management tasks. The IADL's were accomplished through group participation and on an individual basis. Method: The occupational therapy student provided two questionnaires for the parents and or guardians, as well primary caregivers in the group home. The participants were also given the Lawton-Brody's IADL scale and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. …

Let It Flow: Increasing Occupation-Centered Practice In Skilled Nursing Facilities, Patrick D. Robbins

MOT Student Capstones

The purpose of this study was to use the Kawa Model to discover and analyze the performance of the occupational therapy profession to incorporate occupation-centered practice in the skilled nursing setting. The guiding questions of the Kawa Model were used to guide phenomenological research inquiry into literature sources to generate drawings of the historical and current aspects of occupation-centered practice in the SNF setting. Environmental restrictions and obstacles from multiple sources were identified to prevent the implementation of occupation-centered services, while professional skills and values were identified with potential to initiate change in current practice trends. Two possible strategies for …

Effect Of Low-Intensity Long-Duration Ultrasound On The Symptomatic Relief Of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Double-Blind Study, Dominic Klyve, Ralph Ortiz, Davie O. Draper, Thomas M. Best

Mathematics Faculty Scholarship

Background: Wearable long-duration low-intensity ultrasound is an emerging non-invasive and non-narcotic therapy for the daily treatment of musculoskeletal pain. The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to examine whether long-duration low-intensity ultrasound was effective in treating pain and improving function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: Ninety patients with moderate to severe knee pain and radiographically confirmed knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade I/II) were randomized for treatment with active (n = 55) or placebo (n = 35) devices applied daily to the treated knee. Investigators and subjects were blinded to treatment groups. Ultrasound (3 MHz, 0.132 W/cm2, 1.3 W) …

Parents' Feelings And Perceptions Towards Their Child's Speech Or Language Disorder, Elizabeth Holley

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Throughout society, there remains a stigma in regards to a person’s speech and language. While the stereotype that a person with a speech or language disorder may have a lower quality of life shines light on the perceptions of mainstream society, there has been research that provides insight into parent’s feelings. The purpose of this project was to explore the research regarding parents’ feelings and perceptions towards their child’s speech or language disorder by conducting a literature review and a questionnaire that could be used as a measuring tool. The researchers used a questionnaire to focus on two main points: …

Physical Therapy And The Integration Of Dry Needling, Katie Montgomery

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This research paper analyzes how the field of Physical Therapy has grown and evolved in the United States over the last sixty years. It also explores the education process of becoming a therapist, the responsibilities it entails, and the different treatment interventions therapist can use by taking a deeper look at the integration of dry needling techniques into the field of Physical Therapy.

Dry needling is defined and different techniques being utilized in the field currently are explained. Also discussed are locations where physical therapists are legally allowed to perform dry needling in the United States, the certification process, precautions …

Evaluating The Impact Of Operating A Falls Prevention Community Of Practice On Falls In A Residential Aged Care Setting, Jacqueline Francis-Coad, Terry Haines, Christopher Etherton-Beer, Debbie Nobre, Anne-Marie Hill

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Background/Purpose: Falls are a leading adverse event in residential aged care (RAC) settings with prevention a global aim. The purpose of this study was to determine whether operating a falls prevention community of practice (CoP) delivering evidence-based prevention interventions could change the rate of falls and injurious falls in a RAC setting.

Methods: A prospective quasi-experimental pre/post design was conducted. Participants were 13 RAC sites (779 beds) of a single RAC organization, with 20 multidisciplinary staff volunteering as CoP members.

Results: Falls rates pre CoP were 10.1/1,000 occupied bed days (OBD) compared with 10.9 /1,000 OBD post CoP operation [coefficient …

Embodying The Illusion Of A Strong, Fit Back In People With Chronic Low Back Pain. A Pilot Proof-Of-Concept Study, Tomohiko Nishigami, Benedict Wand, Roger Newport, Natasha Ratcliffe, Kristy Themelis, David Moen, Cat Jones, G Lorimer Moseley, Tasha R. Stanton

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Objective: This proof-of-concept pilot study aimed to investigate if a visual illusion that altered the size and muscularity of the back could be embodied and alter perception of the back.

Methods: The back visual illusions were created using the MIRAGE multisensory illusion system. Participants watched real-time footage of a modified version of their own back from behind. Participants undertook one experimental condition, in which the image portrayed a muscled, fit-looking back (Strong), and two control conditions (Reshaped and Normal) during a lifting task. Embodiment, back perception as well as pain intensity and beliefs about the back during lifting were assessed. …

The Effects Of A Cognitive Training Program For Cognitively Intact Older Adults, Caroline Kinskey

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Cognitive training is a term used to describe programs that provide guided practice on tasks requiring different cognitive abilities such as memory or language. It is assumed that regular practice will improve or maintain functioning in a particular cognitive domain (e.g., memory) and those results will generalize beyond the context of training. Results have been mixed in the existing literature that has evaluated the potential benefits of cognitive training on cognitive and emotional functioning in cognitively intact older adults. This study investigated the effectiveness of a cognitive training program for older adults with no to very minimal cognitive decline. Nine …

How Graduate Experience Changes Beliefs In Working With Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Populations: A Survey Study, Stephanie Bove

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Speech-language pathologists work in a variety of settings that require savvy transitions between patients from many cultures and backgrounds. Graduate students may get little practice working with culturally and linguistically diverse populations depending upon where they perform their practicum and internships. Researchers at a mid-western university developed a survey to collect student perspectives regarding cultural competence. A single cohort received the survey at three intervals to track a change in responses from the beginning of their first year of graduate school through their clinical fellowship. Students took a Multicultural Issues class between their first and second survey responses. Data collected …