Increased Cardiovascular Response To A 6-Minute Walk Test In People With Type 2 Diabetes, Jonathon Senefeld, Sarah E. D'Astice, Alison R. Harmer, Sandra K. Hunter

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Background and objective

Exercise is a cornerstone of management for type 2 diabetes; however, little is known about the cardiovascular (CV) response to submaximal functional exercise in people with type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to compare performance and CV response during a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) between people with type 2 diabetes and matched control subjects.

Methods

CV response and distance walked during the 6MWT were assessed in 30 people with type 2 diabetes, matched for age, body composition, physical activity, and estimated aerobic capacity with 34 control subjects (type 2 diabetes group: 16 men, 59.8 …

Efficacy Of Osteoporosis Prevention Smartphone App, Polly Ryan, Roger L. Brown, Mary Ellen Csuka, Paula E. Papanek

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Background

The Striving to be Strong study tested the efficacy of a multifaceted, theory-based, complex osteoporosis prevention smartphone application (app). We hypothesized use of the app would improve bone mineral density and trabecular bone scores.

Methods

The study was a three-group, prospective, repeated-measure, longitudinal randomized trial. Baseline sample consisted of 290 healthy women between 40 and 60 years of age. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: “Striving,” a dynamically tailored, person-centered app; “Boning Up,” a standardized osteoporosis-education e-book; and “Wait List,” a participant’s choice of intervention in the final 3 months of the 12-month study. Participants had …

Team Triathlon Effects On Physiological, Psychological, And Immunological Measures In Women Breast Cancer Survivors, Judy A. Tjoe, Linda B. Piacentine, Paula E. Papanek, Hershel Raff, John Richards, April Harkins, Jun Yin, Alexander V. Ng

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose

Exercise after breast cancer diagnosis and treatment improves cancer-related outcomes, although the mechanisms involved are not clear. This study evaluated the impact of exercise on body composition, strength, endurance, quality of life (QOL), fatigue, and endocrine and inflammatory biomarkers in breast cancer survivors participating in a highly monitored, clinically supervised, moderate-intensity exercise program. The association of hormonal and inflammatory biomarkers with the observed physiological changes was assessed.

Methods

Female breast cancer survivors (BCS; n = 46) who engaged in a goal-oriented 14-week triathlon exercise training program were compared to an untrained control group of female BCS (n = …

Feasibility And Acceptability Of A Self-Report Activity Diary In Families Of Children With And Without Special Needs, Bethany Forseth, Paula E. Papanek, Linda Bandini, Dale A. Schoeller, Andrea Moosreiner, Kathleen J. Sawing, Kimberley Zvara, Michael Fendrich, Michele Polfuss

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

This study was conducted to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a self-report activity diary completed by parents and older children to assess the child's daily activity in children with and without special needs. The study included 36 child/parent dyads stratified by child age and diagnosis. Parents (n = 36) and children ≥13 years (n = 12) were asked to report on the child's daily activity using an activity diary. Feasibility was determined based on successfully returned diaries and acceptability via post-study interview. Activity diaries were submitted by 94% of the parents and 100% of the children, with 83% and …

Energy Cost Of Slow And Normal Gait Speeds In Low And Normally Functioning Adults, Taylor W. Rowley, Chi Cho, Ann M. Swartz, John Staudenmayer, Allison S. Hyngstrom, Kevin G. Keenan, Whitney A. Welch, Scott J. Strath

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

Slow walking speed paired with increased energy cost is a strong predictor for mortality and disability in older adults but has yet to be examined in a heterogeneous sample (ie, age, sex, disease status). The aim of this study was to examine energy cost of slow and normal walking speeds among low- and normal-functioning adults.

Design

Adults aged 20–90 yrs were recruited for this study. Participants completed a 10-m functional walk test at a self-selected normal walking speed and were categorized as low functioning or normal functioning based on expected age- and sex-adjusted average gait speed. Participants completed two …

The Impact Of Isometric Exercise On Somatosensory Processing In People With Or Without Chronic Pain, Ali Mohammed Alsouhibani

Dissertations (1934 -)

Despite an increase in our understanding of the pathomechanisms of chronic pain and the advancement of new treatments, pharmacological management of chronic pain remains poor. This presents the need for non-pharmacological treatments and understanding their efficacy and mechanisms in managing pain. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the effects of isometric exercise on the somatosensory system and other biopsychosocial aspects related to pain in individuals with and without fibromyalgia. The first aim was to determine whether isometric exercise improves pain inhibitory mechanisms and vibration sense. The second aim was to determine what biopsychosocial factors influence pain relief following …

Sex Differences In Fatigability And Recovery Relative To The Intensity–Duration Relationship, Paul Ansdell, Paul Ansdell, Callum G. Brownstein, Jakob Škarabot, Kristy M. Hicks, Glyn Howatson, Kevin Thomas, Sandra K. Hunter, Stuart Goodall

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Females are less fatigable than males during isometric exercise at intensities relative to maximal voluntary contraction (MVC); however, whether a sex difference in fatigability exists when exercise is prescribed relative to a critical intensity is unknown. This study established the intensity–duration relationship, and compared fatigability and recovery between sexes following intermittent isometric contractions normalised to critical intensity. Twenty participants (10 females) completed four intermittent isometric knee extension trials to task failure to determine critical intensity and the curvature constant (W′), followed by fatiguing tasks at +10% and −10% relative to critical intensity. Neuromuscular assessments were completed at baseline …

Differential Effects Of Aging And Physical Activity On Corticospinal Excitability Of Upper And Lower Limb Muscles, Vianney Rozand, Jonathon William Senefeld, Christopher W. Sundberg, Ashleigh E. Smith, Sandra K. Hunter

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Corticospinal tract excitability can be altered by age, physical activity (PA), and possibly sex, but whether these effects differ between upper and lower limb muscles is unknown. We determined the influence of age, PA, and sex on corticospinal excitability of an upper limb and a lower limb muscle during submaximal contractions by comparing stimulus-response curves of motor evoked potentials (MEPs). Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to evoke stimulus-response curves in active muscles by incrementally increasing the stimulator intensity from below the active motor threshold (AMT) until a plateau in MEP amplitudes was achieved. Stimulus-response curves were analyzed from the …

Practical Guidance For Engaging Patients In Health Research, Treatment Guidelines And Regulatory Processes: Results Of An Expert Group Meeting Organized By The World Health Organization (Who) And The European Society For Clinical And Economic Aspects Of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis And Musculoskeletal Diseases (Esceo), Maarten De Wit, Cyrus Cooper, Peter Tugwell, Nathalie Bere, John Kirwan, Philip G. Conaghan, Charlotte Roberts, Isabelle Aujoulat, Nasser Al-Daghri, Islene Arajujo De Carvalho, Mary Barker, Nicola Bedlington, Maria Luisa Brandi, Olivier Bruyère, Nansa Burlett, Philippe Halbout, Mickaël Hiligsmann, Famida Jiwa, John A. Kanis, Andrea Laslop, Wendy Lawrence, Daniel Pinto, Concepción Prieto Yerro, Véronique Rabenda, René Rizzoli, Marieke Scholte-Voshaar, Mila Vlaskovska, Jean-Yves Reginster

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

There is increasing emphasis on patient-centred research to support the development, approval and reimbursement of health interventions that best meet patients’ needs. However, there is currently little guidance on how meaningful patient engagement may be achieved. An expert working group, representing a wide range of stakeholders and disciplines, was convened by the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Through a structured, collaborative process the group generated practical guidance to facilitate optimal patient engagement in clinical development and regulatory decisions. Patient engagement is a relational process. The …

The Relationship Between Blood Flow And Motor Unit Firing Rates In Response To Fatiguing Exercise Post-Stroke, Spencer Murphy, Matthew J. Durand, Francesco Negro, Dario Farina, Sandra K. Hunter, Brian D. Schmit, David D. Gutterman, Allison S. Hyngstrom

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

We quantified the relationship between the change in post-contraction blood flow with motor unit firing rates and metrics of fatigue during intermittent, sub-maximal fatiguing contractions of the knee extensor muscles after stroke. Ten chronic stroke survivors (>1-year post-stroke) and nine controls participated. Throughout fatiguing contractions, the discharge timings of individual motor units were identified by decomposition of high-density surface EMG signals. After five consecutive contractions, a blood flow measurement through the femoral artery was obtained using an ultrasound machine and probe designed for vascular measurements. There was a greater increase of motor unit firing rates from the beginning of …

Oscillations In Neural Drive And Age-Related Reductions In Force Steadiness With A Cognitive Challenge, Hugo M. Pereira, Bonnie A. Schlinder-Delap Mrs., Kevin G. Keenan, Francesco Negro, Dario Farina, Allison S. Hyngstrom, Kristy A. Nielson, Sandra K. Hunter

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

A cognitive challenge when imposed during a low-force isometric contraction will exacerbate sex- and age-related decreases in force steadiness, but the mechanism is not known. We determined the role of oscillations in the common synaptic input to motor units on force steadiness during a muscle contraction with a concurrent cognitive challenge. Forty-nine young adults (19–30 yr; 25 women, 24 men) and 36 old adults (60–85 yr; 19 women, 17 men) performed a cognitive challenge (counting backward by 13) during an isometric elbow flexion task at 5% of maximal voluntary contraction. Single-motor units were decomposed from high-density surface EMG recordings. For …

The Effect Of A Portable Electrical Muscle Stimulation Device At Home On Muscle Strength And Activation Patterns In Locomotive Syndrome Patients: A Randomized Control Trial, Yuichi Nishikawa, Kohei Watanabe, Shuhei Kawade, Tetsuya Takahashi, Hiroaki Kimura, Hirofumi Maruyama, Allison S. Hyngstrom

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

The aim of the present study was to quantify the effect of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) intervention using a portable device on muscle strength and activation patterns in locomotive syndrome. Nineteen women were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 10; age = 71–82 years) and control group (n = 9; age = 70–84 years). Participants in the intervention group used a portable EMS device to stimulate the bilateral quadriceps muscles for 8 weeks (23 min/5 days/week). To understand the effects of EMS, the following measurements were made at baseline, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks: locomotive syndrome assessment score, …

Does Weight Status Impact Metabolic Health In Adolescents When Controlling For Physical Fitness?, Stacy Stolzman, Joseph Skelton, April L. Harkins, Marie K. Hoeger Bement

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose:

To determines whether adolescents who are fit with overweight/obesity are similar in their metabolic profile to adolescents who are fit and normal weight.

Methods:

Adolescents participated in 3 sessions: (1) resting vitals and anthropometrics; (2) maximal aerobic treadmill test () to determine physical fitness; and (3) dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and fasting laboratory draw for analysis of insulin, glucose, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and C-reactive protein.

Results:

Of the 30 fit adolescents who are normal weight and 16 adolescents who are fit and overweight/obese (OW/OB), metabolic syndrome was apparent in 1 adolescent who are normal weight and 4 adolescents who are …

Fatiguing Trunk Flexor Exercise Decreases Pain Sensitivity In Postpartum Women, Rita Deering, Tatyana Pashibin, Meredith Cruz, Sandra K. Hunter, Marie K. Hoeger Bement

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is common in the general population and among postpartum women. Abdominal muscle exercise is often used to treat LBP, but it is unknown if fatiguing abdominal muscle exercise can produce exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH).

Objectives: To assess pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) at rest and following fatiguing trunk flexor exercise (EIH) in (1) nulligravid and postpartum women to evaluate the impact of pregnancy and childbirth and (2) nulligravid women and men to examine sex differences.

Methods: Seventy healthy adults (31 postpartum women, 23 nulligravid women, 16 men) participated. Postpartum and nulligravid women were tested twice (16–18 weeks …

Incremental Clinical Effectiveness And Cost Effectiveness Of Providing Supervised Physiotherapy In Addition To Usual Medical Care In Patients With Osteoarthritis Of The Hip Or Knee: 2-Year Results Of The Moa Randomised Controlled Trial, J. H. Abbott, R Wilson, Daniel Pinto, C. M. Chapple, A. A. Wright

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

To investigate the clinical- and cost-effectiveness at 2-year follow-up of providing individual, supervised exercise physiotherapy and/or manual physiotherapy in addition to usual medical care.

Method

People with hip or knee osteoarthritis meeting the American College of Rheumatology clinical diagnostic criteria were randomised (1:1, concealed, assessor-blinded) to four groups: usual medical care; supervised exercise physiotherapy; manual physiotherapy; or combined exercise and manual physiotherapy. Physiotherapy group participants were provided 10 50-min treatment sessions including booster sessions at 4 and 13 months, in addition to usual care. The primary outcome at 2-year follow-up was incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) of each physiotherapy intervention …

Two Weeks Of Ischemic Conditioning Improves Walking Speed And Reduces Neuromuscular Fatigability In Chronic Stroke Survivors, Matthew J. Durand, Timothy F. Boerger, Jennifer Nguyen, Saad Z. Alqahtani, Michael T. Wright, Brian D. Schmit, David D. Gutterman, Allison S. Hyngstrom

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

This pilot study examined whether ischemic conditioning (IC), a noninvasive, cost-effective, and easy-to-administer intervention, could improve gait speed and paretic leg muscle function in stroke survivors. We hypothesized that 2 wk of IC training would increase self-selected walking speed, increase paretic muscle strength, and reduce neuromuscular fatigability in chronic stroke survivors. Twenty-two chronic stroke survivors received either IC or IC Sham on their paretic leg every other day for 2 wk (7 total sessions). IC involved 5-min bouts of ischemia, repeated five times, using a cuff inflated to 225 mmHg on the paretic thigh. For IC Sham, the cuff inflation …

Preferences For Physical Activity: A Conjoint Analysis Involving People With Chronic Knee Pain, Daniel Pinto, Ulf Bockenholt, Jungwha Lee, Rowland W. Chang, Leena Sharma, Daniel J. Finn, Allen W. Heinemann, Jane Louise Holl, Paul D. Hansen

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

To investigate individual preferences for physical activity (PA) attributes in adults with chronic knee pain, to identify clusters of individuals with similar preferences, and to identify whether individuals in these clusters differ by their demographic and health characteristics.

Design

An adaptive conjoint analysis (ACA) was conducted using the Potentially All Pairwise RanKings of all possible Alternatives (PAPRIKA) method to determine preference weights representing the relative importance of six PA attributes. Cluster analysis was performed to identify clusters of participants with similar weights. Chi-square and ANOVA were used to assess differences in individual characteristics by cluster. Multinomial logistic regression was …

Ballroom Dance For Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Feasibility Study, Alexander V. Ng, Sheri Bunyan, Jimin Suh, Pamela Huenink, Tyler Gregory, Shannon Gambon, Deborah Miller

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the exercise intensity and feasibility of recreational ballroom dance for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: Seven persons with MS participated in 2 one-hour dance sessions per week for 6 weeks. Dance types included rumba, foxtrot, waltz, and push-pull. Six other persons with MS comprised a control group that did not dance. Heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were monitored during the sessions. Outcomes included: quality of life, fatigue, depression, self-efficacy, timed up and go, Berg Balance Scale, Dynamic Gait Index and the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite comprising 9-hole …

A Principal Components Analysis Approach To Quantifying Foot Clearance And Foot Clearance Variability, Lauren C. Benson, Stephen C. Cobb, Allison S. Hyngstrom, Kevin G. Keenan, Jake Luo, Kristian M. O'Connor

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Low foot clearance and high variability may be related to falls risk. Foot clearance is often defined as the local minimum in toe height during swing; however, not all strides have this local minimum. The primary purpose of this study was to identify a nondiscrete measure of foot clearance during all strides, and compare discrete and nondiscrete measures in ability to rank individuals on foot clearance and variability. Thirty-five participants (young adults [n = 10], older fallers [n = 10], older nonfallers [n = 10], and stroke survivors [n = 5]) walked overground while lower extremity 3D kinematics were recorded. …

A Substruction Approach To Assessing The Theoretical Validity Of Measures, Polly Ryan, Marianne E. Weiss, Paula E. Papanek

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Validity is about the logic, meaningfulness, and evidence used to defend inferences made when interpreting results. Substruction is a heuristic or process that visually represent the hierarchical structure between theory and measures.

Purpose

To describe substruction as a method for assessing the toretical validity of research measures.

Methods

Using Fawcett's Conceptual-Theoretical-Empirical Structure. an exemplar is presented of substruction from the Individual and Family Self-Management Theory to the Striving to be strong study concepts and empirical measures.

Results

Substruction tables display evidence supporting theoretical validity of the instruments used in the study.

Conclusion

A high degree of congruence between theory …

Clinical Decision-Making For Thrombolysis Of Acute Minor Stroke Using Adaptive Conjoint Analysis, Ava L. Liberman, Daniel Pinto, Sara K. Rostanski, Daniel L. Labovitz, Andrew M. Naidech, Shyam Prabhakaran

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction:

There is practice variability in the treatment of patients with minor ischemic stroke with thrombolysis. We sought to determine which clinical factors physicians prioritize in thrombolysis decision-making for minor stroke using adaptive conjoint analysis.

Methods:

We conducted our conjoint analysis using the Potentially All Pairwise RanKings of all possible Alternatives methodology via the 1000Minds platform to design an online preference survey and circulated it to US physicians involved in stroke care. We evaluated 6 clinical attributes: language/speech deficits, motor deficits, other neurological deficits, history suggestive of increased risk of complication from thrombolysis, age, and premorbid disability. Survey participants were …

Recommendations For The Conduct Of Economic Evaluations In Osteoporosis: Outcomes Of An Experts’ Consensus Meeting Organized By The European Society For Clinical And Economic Aspects Of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis And Musculoskeletal Diseases (Esceo) And The Us Branch Of The International Osteoporosis Foundation, M. Hiligsmann, J.-Y. Reginster, A.N.A. Tosteson, S.V. Bukata, K.G. Saag, D.T. Gold, P. Halbout, F. Jiwa, E.M. Lewiecki, Daniel Pinto, J.D. Adachi, N. Al-Daghri, O. Bruyère, M. Chandran, C. Cooper, N.C. Harvey, T.A. Einhorn, J.A. Kanis, D.L. Kendler, O.D. Messina, R. Rizzoli, L. Si, S. Silverman

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Summary

Economic evaluations are increasingly used to assess the value of health interventions, but variable quality and heterogeneity limit the use of these evaluations by decision-makers. These recommendations provide guidance for the design, conduct, and reporting of economic evaluations in osteoporosis to improve their transparency, comparability, and methodologic standards.

Introduction

This paper aims to provide recommendations for the conduct of economic evaluations in osteoporosis in order to improve their transparency, comparability, and methodologic standards.

Methods

A working group was convened by the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis to make recommendations for the design, conduct, …

Patients’ Preferences For Osteoarthritis Treatment: The Value Of Stated-Preference Studies, Mickael Hiligsmann, Daniel Pinto, Elaine Dennison, Nasser Al-Daghri, Charlotte Beaudart, Jaime Branco, Olivier Bruyère, Philip G. Conaghan, Cyrus Cooper, Gabriel Herrero-Beaumont, Famida Jiwa, Willem Lems, Thierry Thomas, Nicola Veronese, Jean-Yves Reginster

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Brain Activation During Passive And Volitional Pedaling After Stroke, Brice T. Cleland, Sheila M. Schindler-Ivens

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Background: Prior work indicates that pedaling-related brain activation is lower in people with stroke than in controls. We asked whether this observation could be explained by between-group differences in volitional motor commands and pedaling performance. Methods: Individuals with and without stroke performed passive and volitional pedaling while brain activation was recorded with functional magnetic resonance imaging. The passive condition eliminated motor commands to pedal and minimized between-group differences in pedaling performance. Volume, intensity, and laterality of brain activation were compared across conditions and groups. Results: There were no significant effects of condition and no Group × Condition …

Identifying Trippers And Non-Trippers Based On Knee Kinematics During Obstacle-Free Walking, Lauren C. Benson, Stephen C. Cobb, Allison S. Hyngstrom, Kevin G. Keenan, Jake Luo, Kristian M. O'Connor

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Trips are a major cause of falls. Sagittal-plane kinematics affect clearance between the foot and obstacles, however, it is unclear which kinematic measures during obstacle-free walking are associated with avoiding a trip when encountering an obstacle. The purpose of this study was to determine kinematic factors during obstacle-free walking that are related to obstacle avoidance ability. It was expected that successful obstacle avoidance would be associated with greater peak flexion/dorsiflexion and range of motion (ROM), and differences in timing of peak flexion/dorsiflexion during swing of obstacle-free walking for the hip, knee and ankle. Three-dimensional kinematics were recorded as 35 participants …

Force Steadiness During A Cognitively Challenging Motor Task Is Predicted By Executive Function In Older Adults, Hugo M. Pereira, Bonnie A. Schlinder-Delap Mrs., Kristy A. Nielson, Sandra K. Hunter

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Motor performance and cognitive function both decline with aging. Older adults for example are usually less steady for a constant-force task than young adults when performing low-intensity contractions with limb muscles. Healthy older adults can also show varying degrees of cognitive decline, particularly in executive function skills. It is not known, however, whether age-related changes in steadiness of low-force tasks and cognitive function are independent of one another. In this study, we determined if executive function skills in aging are associated with the steadiness during a low-force muscle contraction performed with and without the imposition of a cognitive challenge. We …

Home-Based, Square-Stepping Exercise Program Among Older Adults With Multiple Sclerosis: Results Of A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Study, Emerson Sebastião, Edward Mcauley, Ryosuke Shigematsu, Brynn C. Adamson, Rachel E. Bollaert, Robert W. Motl

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

There is very little known about exercise rehabilitation approaches for older adults with multiple sclerosis (MS), yet this growing segment of the MS population experiences declines in cognition and mobility associated with disease progression and aging. We conducted a RCT examining the feasibility of a 12-week, home-based Square-Stepping Exercise (SSE) program in older adults with MS. Older adults with MS (N = 26) with mild-to-moderate levels of disability were recruited and randomized into the intervention (i.e., SSE) or a minimal activity, attention-control conditions. Participants in the SSE condition received a mat for home-based practice of the step patterns, an …

Swallow Strength Training Exercise For Elderly: A Health Maintenance Need, D. Agrawal, Mark Kern, F. Edeani, Gokulakrishnan Balasubramanian, Allison S. Hyngstrom, Patrick Sanvanson, Rita Shaker

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Background: Recent studies have shown high prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia associated with frailty‐ and age‐related muscle weakness. Strength training exercises have been advocated for locomotive health maintenance in the elderly and have shown positive outcomes. As muscles involved in oropharyngeal phase of swallowing are also comprised of striated muscles, the aim of this study was to determine biomechanical effect of a novel resistance exercise program, Swallowing Against Laryngeal Restriction (SALR), on pharyngeal phase swallowing in the healthy elderly. Methods: A total of 28 volunteers (75 + 7 years; 17 females) with no complaint of dysphagia were studied using video fluoroscopy …

Experience Of Robotic Exoskeleton Use At Four Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems Centers, Allen W. Heinemann, Arun Jayaraman, Chaithanya K. Mummidisetty, Jamal Spraggins, Daniel Pinto, Susan Charlifue, Candy Tefertiller, Heather B. Taylor, Shuo-Hsiu Chang, Argyrios Stampas, Catherine L. Furbish, Edelle C. Field-Fote

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Background and Purpose: Refinement of robotic exoskeletons for overground walking is progressing rapidly. We describe clinicians' experiences, evaluations, and training strategies using robotic exoskeletons in spinal cord injury rehabilitation and wellness settings and describe clinicians' perceptions of exoskeleton benefits and risks and developments that would enhance utility.

Methods: We convened focus groups at 4 spinal cord injury model system centers. A court reporter took verbatim notes and provided a transcript. Research staff used a thematic coding approach to summarize discussions.

Results: Thirty clinicians participated in focus groups. They reported using exoskeletons primarily in outpatient and wellness settings; 1 center used …

Locomotor Adaptations To Prolonged Step-By-Step Frontal Plane Trunk Perturbations In Young Adults, Eric R. Walker, Allison S. Hyngstrom, Tanya Onushko, Brian D. Schmit

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

The purpose of this study was to quantify the magnitude and time course of dynamic balance control adaptations to prolonged step-by-step frontal plane forces applied to the trunk during walking. Healthy young participants (n = 10, 5 female) walked on an instrumented split-belt treadmill while an external cable-driven device applied frontal plane forces to the trunk. Two types of forces were applied: 1) forces which accentuated COM movement in the frontal plane (destabilizing) and 2) forces which resisted COM movement in the frontal plane (stabilizing). We quantified dynamic balance control using frontal plane measures of (1) the extent of center …