Kinesiotherapy Commons^™

A Golfer's Guidebook For Prevention And Intervention For Golf Injuries, Brianna A. Martinez, Lesley Khan-Farooqi Phd, Otd, Otr

Fall 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this capstone project was to create a guidebook for golfers who can be at increased risk for medial epicondylitis focused on prevention and intervention strategies to support productivity, leisure participation, and self-care.

Analysis Of Continuous Gait Data Requires Temporal Alignment Of Gait Phases, Elham Alijanpour, Kathryn Riis, Daniel M. Russell

College of Health Sciences Posters

A statistical method for comparing time-continuous curves, such as the kinematics of gait cycles, is statistical parametric mapping analysis (SPM) (Pataky, 2010). According to a recent study, SPM results were sensitive to how each stride's beginning was defined (Honert & Pataky, 2021). Nonetheless, for meaningful comparisons between gait cycles, temporal alignment of phases within a stride may be required (Helwig et al., 2011). With both temporally aligned and unaligned gait data, the goal was to evaluate SPM results for different walking speeds using various gait cycle definitions. Participants in this study were 10 young, healthy adults. To figure out the …

Blood Pressure Responses During Three Unweighted Conditions In A Lower Body Positive Pressure Treadmill, Danielle Toth, Madison Rees, Matthew Ballesteros, Bryanne N. Bellovary, James F. Hokanson, Erik Lind

Transformations: Presentation Slides

During exercise, lower leg muscle activation has been shown to increase venous return, exercise cardiac output, and arterial blood pressure (BP). Here we investigate BP at rest, with an increase in lower body pressure by unweighting volunteers in a lower body positive pressure treadmill (LBPP-TM). The purpose of this study was twofold; to determine if BP changes while standing over five-minute stages in response to four conditions. Nine participants (21.3±1.8 years) stood in a LBPP-TM in the following ordered conditions: 100%BWset (no unweighting, control), 70%BWset, 35%BWset, and 90%BWset (35%BWset is the greatest unweighted condition). A SunTech® automatic BP cuff measured …

Comparison Of Resting Heart Rates: Three Devices And Three Alter(Ed) Pressures, Matthew Ballesteros, Madison Rees, Danielle Toth, James F. Hokanson, Bryanne N. Bellovary

Transformations: Presentation Slides

Accurate heart rate (HR) measurements are key to exercise prescription. Many portable HR devices are available including the Apple watch. Resting HR from Apple series 3 watch were compared to measurements using a clinal grade Suntech Tango M2 (ST) and Vitalstream Caretaker (VS) pulse monitors. College-aged participants (N = 5) stood in the Alter G treadmill under positive pressures of 70%, 35%, and 90% body weight (BWset), respectively. Heart rates using each device were recorded at min 1, 3, and 5 for each condition. There were no significant differences in resting heart rates measured with the three devices. Average heart …

Standing Weight Perception Across Unweighted Conditions In A Lower Body Positive Pressure Treadmill, Madison Rees, Matthew Ballesteros, Danielle Toth, Erik Lind, Bryanne N. Bellovary, James F. Hokanson

Transformations: Presentation Slides

Lower body positive pressure treadmills (LBPP-TM) provide assistive body weight support to the user by forcing air into an inflatable chamber in which the user is secured. The result of this positive pressure can be experienced as a lift to the user. The degree of chamber air pressure (CAP) determines the amount of supportive lift provided with greater and lesser CAP producing more and less lift, respectively. Exercise studies consistently report lower effort perceptions with greater CAP which suggest a reduced physiological and mechanical strain on the body. What is less well known is the effect on resting perceptions of …

The Influence Of Lumbopelvic Function On Perceived Ankle Function In Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability, Sunghoon Chung, A. M. B. Suttmiller, K. R. Johnson, R. S. Mccann

College of Health Sciences Posters

Perceived functional impairments measured via patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are associated with reduced postural control ability in CAI patients. Furthermore, hip and trunk neuromuscular impairments are critical factors that can cause decreased postural stability in those with CAI. Identifying the relevance between reduced lumbopelvic function and impaired sensory-perceptual outcomes might direct clinicians to novel methods for CAI patients to improve postural control ability and perceived ankle function. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between tests of lumbopelvic function and PROs in individuals with CAI. Thirty-three individuals with CAI underwent assessment of transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus …

Effectiveness Of Physical Therapy Interventions For Women With Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review, Emily Hammond, Abigail Applegate, Emma Caldwell, Hayley Witmer, Amy Tremback-Ball

Student Research Poster Presentations 2021

Background and aims: Primary dysmenorrhea, or painful menstruation, is common in menstruating females. However, in some, it can cause intense pain, disrupt activities of daily living, and impact quality of life. The treatment of dysmenorrhea does not traditionally include physical therapy. A systematic review was conducted to explore the role of physical therapy in treating dysmenorrhea. Methods: A search was performed in August 2020 and January 2021 using EBSCOhost, Academic Search Ultimate, CINAHL Complete, and MEDLINE. Search terms included exercise or physical activity or fitness AND dysmenorrhea or menstrual pain or painful menstruation. Inclusion criteria were articles that were peer-reviewed, …

Analysis Of Physical Therapy Interventions Vs. Kinesio Taping For Relieving Low Back Pain, Amanda Orr

San Marcos, Summer 2020

Introduction/Background: This topic focuses on the utilization of kinesio taping (KT) to assist with decreasing pain in the low back. According to Shipton, low back pain has gone up by more than 50% since 1990. These factors are attributed to smoking, obesity, sedentary occupations, and to low socioeconomic status.Globally, in 2016, it is said that low back pain contributed 57.6 years to disability and the prevalence peaks around the ages of 35-55 years according to the World Health Organization.

Purpose: The purpose of this literature review is to compare research articles between KT with physical therapy interventions as compared …

Effects Of Increased Attention Allocation On Postural Stability Related To History Of Concussion, Nicholas Reilly, Jessica Prebor, Jacquelyn Moxey, Eric Schussler

College of Health Sciences Posters

Postural instability is among the most common symptoms associated with concussion. However, clinical screenings for concussion are heavily reliant on self-reports of cognitive symptoms such as nausea and headache to determine if a full recovery has been achieved. The objective of this study was to determine if impairments of postural stability that are associated with the acute stages of concussion persist beyond the current clinical standards for determination of recovery from concussion. Fifty-four healthy participants were recruited for the study and divided based on whether they reported having no history of concussion (n = 27) or whether they had been …

Relationships Between Injury-Related Fear, Balance Self-Efficacy, And Dynamic Balance Performance In Those With Chronic Ankle Instability, Ashley M. B. Suttmiller, Kelly Johnson, Ryan S. Mccann

College of Health Sciences Posters

Interactions between sensory-perceptual and motor-behavioral impairments in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) are important for successful assessment and treatment of CAI. One of the most consistently reported motor-behavioral impairments is poor reach performance in a dynamic balance task. Injury-related fear is recognized as an important sensory-perceptual impairment, and those with injury-related fears may engage in protective movement strategies found to be associated with reach deficits. Injury-related fear may also impact one’s perception of ability, or self-efficacy, which has demonstrated positive associations with balance performance in other populations, but these relationships have yet to be investigated in the CAI population. …

A Case Study On The Effects Of Functional Exercises In Improving Quality Of Life (Qol) In A Patient Diagnosed With Glioblastoma Multiforme (Gbm), Kathy Nguyen, Savonna Reed, Sepehr Rezaei, Vanessa Rindge-Silvas, Brianne Bozzella

San Marcos, Fall 2019

Background and Purpose: The estimated prevalence of primary brain tumors in the US population is 14 per 100,000. GBM accounts for 50% of primary central nerve tumors in people older than 15 years old. Approximately 12,820 deaths each year are due to primary and nervous system tumors. There is limited research on the optimal interventions and effects of physical therapy on individuals diagnosed with GBM.¹ The purpose of this case report was to determine which aspects of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health model are the most important to consider during physical rehabilitation and possible interventions that …

Rehabilitation Modifications For A Patient With Parkinson’S Disease Following A Suspected Case Of Gilbert’S Syndrome: A Case Study, Jason Bandong, Hy Ia, Naureen Imam, Kayla Wilcox, Travis Dennis

San Marcos, Summer 2019

The purpose of this case study was to assess the effects of core stabilization exercises, balance training, agility ladder step drills, fine motor, and dual-task training in the treatment of a high-functioning, 55-year-old, male patient with a history of Parkinson’s Disease and suspected Gilbert’s Syndrome.

This treatment program delivered for 1 hour once per week over 4 weeks led to mild improvements in activity limitations with the most notable being able to button a shirt with decreased time and assistance. The patient also exhibited mild improvement in body structure/function impairments with decreased loss of balance as evident during tandem walking …

Exercise As A Form Of Medicine, Steven J. Elmer

TechTalks

My research goals are to find better ways to restore musculoskeletal function, maintain health, and improve mobility in healthy and clinical populations. Students in my laboratory (engineering, kinesiology, physical therapy) investigate how humans move and implement new exercise interventions to improve physical conditioning and performance. We work with populations ranging from individuals living with a spinal cord injury to adults recovering from ACL surgery to elite athletes. Applications for our research range from basic aspects of muscle contraction to applied human performance in a variety of settings including rehabilitation, ergonomics, and sport.

Parkinson's Disease And Forced Exercise In A Community Setting: A Feasibility Study, Alati Gagne, Sarabeth Makins, James Walrath

Research Posters

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that increases an individual’s fall risk. In recent studies, an 8-week tandem bike forced exercise program was effective in reducing overall Parkinsonian symptoms. The feasibility of a tandem bike forced exercise program in a community setting has not been studied previously, and no published study has evaluated balance and health outcomes after participation in a forced exercise program. This six week tandem bike forced exercise protocol, conducted in a community setting for individuals with Parkinson’s disease, aimed to assess the feasibility of such a protocol, and to assess resultant balance and health outcomes.

The Physiological Effects Of Exercising Alone Versus With A Partner, Tyler Chamberlin, Kristen Green, Patrick Robichaud

Research Posters

The general population is in constant pursuit for sources of motivation to maintain a consistent workout routine. Research demonstrates increased motivation when exercising with a partner but does not investigate any physiological effects. The objective of this study was to investigate changes in heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and time in target HR zone when exercising alone compared to exercising with a same-sex partner. The study was conducted in the Physical Therapy lab at the University of New England in Portland, Maine, utilizing an experimental 2x9 repeated measures research design. Forty-one graduate students were …