Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

The Effects Of Training On Cervical Range Of Motion Between Unilateral Breathers And Bilateral Breathers In Collegiate Swimmers During Freestyle Swimming, Anjanette Wong

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was to establish data on active cervical range of motion for collegiate freestyle swimmers, to determine if training has an effect on cervical range of motion, and to investigate if breathing style influences cervical rotation to the right and left after training. The sample consisted of 29 varsity swim team members from the University of North Dakota (12 females and 17 males) who had participated in experiment IRB-9504-257. This past study was performed at the start of the competitive swim season, and its measurements used as pre-season data. The same CROM device was used to …

The Recovery Of Matthew, A Success Story, Kathryn M. Loukas

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

In the fall of 1994, 11-year-old Matthew experienced a traumatic brain injury. Two years later, he is a consistent honor roll student. This is the story of how occupational therapy helped Matt heal and move on to life as a regular kid.

Occupation As Spiritual Activity, Brenda S. Howard, Jay R. Howard

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

Although spirituality is rarely explicitly mentioned in the occupational therapy literature, it is implied as an interwoven part of the human system. This article explores the meaning of occupation in the context of sociological and Judeo-Christian theological frameworks and the meaning of spirituality in the occupational therapy clinic. A case is made for acknowledging spirituality in clinical reasoning as a centralizing component of the patients' motivation and assignment of meaning to life.

An Electromyographic Study Of Trunk Muscle Activity During Exercise On The Fitness Plus Low Back Unit, Joel Anderson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: Fitness Plus, Inc. has developed a series of exercise machines for strengthening of the trunk musculature. Their Low Back Unit is claimed to target the rectus abdominus (RA), gluteus maximus (GM), biceps femoris (BF), and erector spinae (ES) muscles, but there is no research to solidify these claims. The purpose of this study was to describe the electromyographic (EMG) activity during the use of the Fitness Plus, Inc. Low Back Unit.

Methods: Fifteen healthy, males (ages 20-30) volunteered to participate in this study. Surface EMG was used to assess the muscle activity in four trunk and hip muscles. The …

Correlation Between Isokinetic Plantarflexion Versus Vertical Height Jump Power Index, Eric H. Anderson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Twenty-five male subjects between the ages of 20 and 41 were tested on the KinCom isokinetic dynamometer to obtain peak torque values for the bilateral ankle plantarflexor muscle groups at 60 degrees/second. The subjects were also tested for vertical height jump (VHJ) and body composition to determine correlation between isokinetic plantarflexion peak torque and vertical height jump capacity.. VHJ was multiplied by the participant's body weight to obtain the vertical height jump power index (VHJPI). The results indicate that there was no significant correlation between VHJPI and peak torque of bilateral plantarflexion using the parameter of isokinetic peak torque.

A Review Of Anterior Instability Of The Shoulder, Ross M. Argent

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Shoulder dislocations are increasingly being recognized among physical therapists as a common disabling condition in the health care setting. Surgeons are constantly attempting to improve and develop new surgical techniques to help patients who present with anterior instability. The purpose of this paper is to address the issue of anterior instability and its clinical importance to physical therapy.

The shoulder complex demonstrates an important balance between stability and mobility. As the name implies, it is an extremely complicated joint with various components contributing to its strength. The shoulder joint is dislocated more often than any other major joint in the …

Upper Extremity Joint Mobilization, Carolyn Brown

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Musculoskeletal injuries are one of the most costly nonfatal pathologies in the United States. Eighty to 90% of persons afflicted with musculoskeletal dysfunctions will require a treatment other than surgery. Manual therapy is a system of techniques which may be used to ease the pain and dysfunction with which these patients present. The purpose of this paper and the accompanying video tape, is to provide the physical therapy student with a source to aid their study of upper extremity joint mobilization. The paper presents a brief history of manual therapy, beginning in ancient Thailand and Egypt and ending with the …

Auricular Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation: A Review, Greg R. Burton

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Pain has oppressed man for centuries and is the most common symptom for which patients seek medical treatment. The goal of medical research has been to discover the simplest method of pain relief with the least detrimental or undesirable side effects. If pain is not treated successfully, it can lead to a chronic condition with crippling effects that can profoundly affect the individual's quality of life. Pain can also prevent the successful treatment of other disorders.

Auricular transcutaneous electrical stimulation (ATENS) is on~ of the most recent methods of pain management to arise from research. It combines both acupuncture and …

Correlation Of Generalized Joint Hypermobility And Knee Mobility With Knee Injury Prevalence And The Role Of Lower Extremity Dominance, Darin Didier

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of generalized joint hypermobility and knee mobility with knee injury prevalence among female high school basketball players. The role of lower extremity dominance with knee injury prevalence was also examined.

Sixty female subjects evaluated for generalized joint hypermobility and knee mobility using the Beighton hypermobility criteria and KT-1000 knee ligament arthrometer, respectively, were followed-up for this study. Subjects were previously evaluated as sophomore high school basketball players. Fifty eight of the sixty eligible subjects participated in this study as high school juniors by: 1) completing a survey indicating their level …

Participation Of The Lower Extremity Amputee In Sports And Recreation, Pamela A. Helfrich

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Due to the increasing emphasis on fitness in our society, there has appeared a significant population of young and/or active lower extremity amputees who have a desire to participate in sports and recreational activities. The physical benefits of participation in sports and recreational activities may be obvious; however, there are many psychological and psycho-social benefits as well. In order to achieve a successful rehabilitation outcome it is imperative for the health care team to be well informed regarding sports and recreational options available for lower extremity amputees. Along with being knowledgeable in these areas, the health care professional also must …

Acupuncture And Pain: A Critical Analysis Of Current Research, Ryan K. Kuwahara

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Acupuncture as a treatment for pain relief has recently gained popularity in the United States despite the lack of substantial clinical proof of its analgesic effect. In the recent past there have been several reviews of the clinical studies on acupuncture's analgesic efficacy, all of which have demanded that future studies have more appropriate outcome measures, better design, and have proper credibility assessment. The present study critically analyzed the published literature over the past decade to see if the latest acupuncture studies provide a more definitive answer regarding acupuncture's efficacy. Analysis revealed that recent studies do not provide any more …

Behavior Management In Children With Autism And Related Disorders, Lisa J. Miller

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Children with autism and related disorders commonly suffer from developmental delays and physical impairments. These often require services such as physical and occupational therapy. The behavioral symptoms these children display can pose an additional challenge to therapy sessions, requiring therapists to spend time dealing with the behaviors rather than focusing on the treatment.

The purpose of the study is to review the literature on autism and related disorders and to provide effective means of behavior management to achieve more effective therapy sessions. This paper will discuss physical therapy interventions such as sensory integration and deep touch proprioception, and how these …

An Analysis Of Pathological Gait, Michael N. Nakamoto

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

No abstract provided.

Magnetic Therapy: An Alternative Approach To Treatment, Becky S. Rohr

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Magnetic therapy has been a treatment of choice for hundreds of years in many European countries as well as in several areas of the Orient, but has only recently been gaining popularity in the United States and Canada. It is believed that applying static magnets to a painful body structure will bring relief to the patient. It is also proposed that a general feeling of well ness and increased energy will be gained from magnetic therapy. These benefits are theorized to be attained through the placement of a static magnet on the surface of the body, which blocks the transmission …

Eating Disorders And Their Relevance To The Health Professional, Tammy L. Surdez

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa have become more prevalent among young people in our society. This rising pursuit of thinness can be attributed, in part, to our society's idealistic view of beauty and appeal, in addition to several other causal factors. Adolescents and young adults struggle to meet the unrealistic demands of society, often resorting to potentially fatal behaviors such as starvation, binging, and purging. These disorders often present with identifiable signs and symptoms. As health professionals, we must be prepared to identify these characteristic signs and symptoms in order to identify patients who are at …

The Effect Of Interset Rest Period Length On Quadriceps Muscle Recovery In Strength Training, Jesse J. Wosick

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Lower extremity strength training is one of the skills performed by physical therapists. The purpose of this experiment was to measure the percent of recovery of the quadriceps muscles after specified interset rest period lengths to obtain the optimal interset rest period length between sets in strength training.

Twelve male and twelve female healthy subjects were divided into three equal groups of eight (four males, four females). The subjects performed two sets of six repetitions of unilateral isokinetic knee extension with their dominant lower extremity on the Chattanooga KIN-COM Dynamometer. One, two, or three minute interset rest period lengths were …

A Literature Review And Introductory Pediatric Aquatic Therapy Manual, Dena Wright

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Aquatic therapy continues to grow as an acceptable and often times preferable means of achieving therapeutic goals across a variety of patient populations: pediatric to geriatric, orthopedic to neurologic. The unique properties of water allow people to exercise and to recover in a safe and relaxing environment that promotes similar goals to those on land. However, land exercises can not simply be performed in water due to the water's unique properties. Similarly, exercises for adults do not work as effectively for children. Many physical therapy programs across the nation provide only minimal instruction on aquatic or pediatric therapy as a …

The Efficacy Of Electrical Stimulation And Conservative Physical Therapy In The Treatment Of Female Genuine Stress Incontinence, Patrick Hadlock, Heath Jabs, Jason Ricci

Masters Theses

The purpose o f this study was to determine which of three treatment strategies was most effective in the treatment of female genuine stress incontinence (GSI).

Nine females ages 41-86, diagnosed with GSI, were included in the study. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups, one received electrical stimulation twice a week for 15 minutes; another received electrical stimulation three times a week for thirty minutes; and a control group receiving no electrical stimulation. All groups received identical instruction in Kegel pelvic floor muscle exercises, with the assistance of audio and visual biofeedback. Each treatment was evaluated on …

The Effect Of Upper Extremity Immobilization Following Surgical Rotator Cuff Repair On Balance In Elderly Individuals, Edward S. Gagné, Rebecca L. Schneider

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between upper extremity immobilization following surgical rotator cuff repair and balance in elderly individuals. Twenty-eight healthy volunteers (nine with rotator cuff repair, nineteen without) aged 53 to 74 participated in the study. Balance was measured using the Berg Balance Measure, Modified Berg Balance Measure, Functional Reach Test, and force plate analysis. Results were analyzed using t-tests for paired and independent samples, Mann Whitney U (Wilcoxon Rank Sum W) tests and Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed- Ranks tests. Significant differences were found between the post-rotator cuff surgery and control groups for …

Developing Normative Data For Three Unilateral Lower Extremity Functional Tests, Brian Fulton, Kathleen Hegyan, Troy Wieling

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research study was to gather normative data on three unilateral extremity functional tests: single-leg triple hop for distance, single-leg timed hop, and single-leg cross-over triple hop for distance. A total o f ninety-six male and female subjects between the ages of 18-30 volunteered to participate in this study. The variables looked at in this study were: age, gender, height, weight, leg dominance, activity level, and order o f tests performed. Data from the three functional hop tests were divided into aggregated data and non-aggregated data. The data were analyzed using SPSS© for Windows and SAS® software …

A Comparison Of The Knowledge, Misconceptions, And Attitudes Toward The Elderly Of First Versus Final Year Students In Accredited Physical Therapy Programs, Christina J. Fleming, Mark A. Kandes, Jennifer E. Shultz

Masters Theses

Physical therapy is one of the many professions that must respond to the increase of health care utilization by the rapidly growing elderly population. The purposes of this cross-sectional study were to compare first and final year physical therapy students’ knowledge, misconceptions, and attitudes toward the elderly and to determine if knowledge correlates with attitudes. Students in their first year (N=168) and final year (N=149) of accredited Master’s level physical therapy programs were surveyed. Questionnaires consisted of: a short demographic sheet, Palmore’s Facts on Aging Quiz 1 with a “don’t know” response added, and a modified Aging Semantic Differential by …

Normative Database Of Adult Unilateral Trans-Tibial Amputee Gait, Kevin Carley, Kristin Dart, Margery Vos

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to compile a database of gait characteristics for adult, unilateral trans-tibial amputees specific to the protocol for the Center of Human Kinetic Studies. Subjects were community ambulators with established gait patterns and had used their current prosthesis for greater than three months. Kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographic data of the lower extremities were collected and analyzed using a motion analysis system, force plates, and surface electrodes. Data were normalized to percent gait cycle and presented as an average of trials taken. Results of this study were similar to previously published literature. This database of amputee …

A Preliminary Study Of Trunk Kinematics During Walking In Normal Subjects, Lisa R. Elders, Heather L. Greenwald, Celeste A. Sartor

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to systematically describe the three-dimensional trunk kinematics in normal subjects, to establish a baseline for comparison to future research in gait analysis and aid in the identification of pathological gait. Seventeen volunteers between the ages of twenty and fifty, who met criteria for normal subjects, participated in this study. Trunk kinematic data were collected using an optoelectronic technique. An ensemble average of trunk kinematic data in each of the cardinal planes was plotted in degrees of motion versus percentage of gait cycle. A distinct pattern of trunk kinematics during gait was found in this …

Efficacy Of Neurodevelopmental Treatment With Primary Focus On Dynamic Postural Control In A Chronic Stroke Individual, Renee E. Baer, Mary Kathryn Koeninger, Neha S. Shah

Masters Theses

This study examined the efficacy of Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) with primary focus on seated dynamic postural control (DPC) in a chronic stroke individual. Secondarily, the relationship between postural control and upper extremity function was examined. An 11 week ABAB single subject design was utilized. DPC was measured using the Modified Functional Reach Test (MFRT) and DPC Checklists (DPCCs). The MFRT had high interrater reliability (> 0.97) for the four reach directions and therefore could be clinically useful. Data was graphically analyzed using the two standard deviation band width method. During treatment phase 1, significant upward trends were noted in anterior …

The Relationship Between Vertical Leap And Eccentric Ground Force Time In Competitive University Men And Women Basketball Players, Cory Alan Ash

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

This study evaluated the relationship between vertical leap and eccentric ground force time as measured by the Cybex Fastex TM. Ten male and ten female competitive university basketball players volunteered to perform three maximum vertical jumps on the Fastex TM force platform. Pearson correlation coefficients were not significant between eccentric ground force time and vertical leap when all subjects on all jumps were assessed. When differences in gender were examined, pearson correlation coefficients showed a significant positive relationship between eccentric ground force time and vertical leap for men, but no such relationship was found for women. These results show that …

An Electromyographic Study Of Trunk Muscle Activity During Exercise On The Fitness Plus Abdominal Unit, Michelle M. Baumgartner

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Strengthening of trunk musculature is an important part of prevention and treatment for low back pain. Various exercise machines have been developed to strengthen the trunk muscles. One such machine, the Abdominal Unit, has been marketed by a company in North Dakota, Fitness Plus, Inc. However, there is currently no research to validate the manufacturer's claims as to muscles exercised through the use of their machine.

The purpose of this study was to measure and describe the muscle activity elicited while exercising on the Fitness Plus Abdominal Unit. Telemetried electromyography was used to study muscle activity in the rectus abdominis, …

A Review Of Tbi And Return To Work, Anne Berg

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Approximately two million traumatic brain injuries occur every year and of those 70,000 to 90,000 individuals develop disabilities which prevent a normal independent lifestyle. The typical individual afflicted is a 20 year old male with a normal life expectancy who is likely to face a lifetime of unemployment and dependency on public assistance if post-acute rehabilitation services are not provided. There is a lack of vocational programs and very limited funding available. This literature review will begin to fill the void of information regarding return to work programs by examining the return to work rate, specific return to work programs, …

An Educational Tool For Spinal Manual Therapy, Jennifer Brandt

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Spinal manual therapy is a broad term used in physical therapy. Its applications include evaluation, pain relief, relaxation, and restoration of normal joint motion. Unfortunately, there is a lack of scientific research supporting the therapeutic effects of spinal manual therapy. Despite its questionable effectiveness, spinal manual therapy has become a widely used and integral practice for physical therapists. To a physical therapist, spinal manual therapy can include a vast array of procedures including: soft tissue mobilization, passive muscle stretching, muscle energy techniques, and joint manipulation. The purpose of this project is to provide the student with a brief summary on …

Environmental Illumination In Relation To Balance Performance In Healthy Community-Dwelling Elders, Laura Habermann

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects low levels of lighting have on balance in healthy, community dwelling elders. The balance of 14 volunteer subjects (13 females and 1 male) who are older than 65, who live in · the community and who are generally healthy was tested. Each subject's balance was tested in both optimal and poor lighting conditions using the functional reach balance assessment tool. Subjects were given two practice trials and were then instructed to reach three times in each condition while the researcher measured the amount of light in the room and the …

Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy: A Clinical Literature Review, Michele Heinrich

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Cerebral palsy is one of the most common chronic disabling conditions of children occurring in 1.5 to 2.5 per 1000 live births with a similar prevalence rate into adolescence and adulthood. The most common type of cerebral palsy is spastic cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy (CP) is characterized by increased muscle tone, decreased range of motion, and altered motor coordination resulting in an impairment in function. Spasticity contributes to muscle contractures and creates abnormal movement patterns.

Selective dorsal rhizotomy is a surgical procedure that is used to reduce a child's spasticity. It has been proven to reduce the spasticity, but is …