Physical Therapy Commons^™

Graston Soft Tissue Mobilization And Dynamic Balance Training Effects On Pain And Dynamic Postural Control Of Young Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability, Brandie Schmierer

Critically Appraised Topics (CAT)

A review of a randomized single-blind controlled trial by Schaefer and Sandrey was done to determine the effects of Graston soft tissue mobilization (GISTM) and dynamic balance training (DBT) on dynamic postural control of young athletes with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Three intervention groups were utilized in this study. The first group interventions consisted of dynamic balance training and Graston instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization (DBT/GISTM). The second group interventions consisted of dynamic balance training and Graston instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization sham (DBT/GISTM-S). The third group intervention was dynamic balance training as a control group (DBT/C). Based on the following outcome measures: Foot …

Is The Berg Balance Assessment A Reliable Predictor Of Fall Risk In Older Adults?, Paige Blasco

Critically Appraised Topics (CAT)

Bogle Thorbahn and Newton performed a prospective cohort study to determine if the Berg Balance Assessment was a reliable measure at predicting an elderly patient’s fall risk. According to the evidence, the Berg Balance Assessment had low sensitivity for identifying those who would fall, but was highly specific at correctly identifying individuals without a history of falls. In addition, the Berg Balance Assessment proved useful at predicting a person’s use of an assistive device with a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 94%. The authors concluded that falls are multi-factorial and individuals should be assessed in the environment in which …

Cancer Survivorship Care: An Emphasis On Rehabilitation Needs In Maine, Miranda Carlson, Nicole Christine, Charles Dowd, Cassandra Dawley, Irina Fedulow, Lisa Gerhardt, Erin Pike, Kaitlin Powers, Angela Serrani

Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Papers

The first section of this report addresses the evidence of causation concerning impairments developed as a result of a cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment. The second section investigates the evidence regarding rehabilitation and physical activity as an effective intervention in the prevention and treatment of impairments from cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment. The third section discusses the underlying behavioral change theory for incorporation of our Cancer Survivorship Rehabilitation Algorithm (Appendix 1), which details our proposed use of rehabilitation and wellness services in the continuum of cancer care and includes an outline for a survivorship care plan. This section also discusses …

Giving The Homeless Population A Chance To Become Healthier: An Initial Needs Assessment Of The Homeless Population Of Portland, Maine, Annarae Andresen, Oana Butnarasu, Jayme Keith, Sarah Kou, Dana Mccoy, Stephanie Sheehan, Jessica Takatsuki, Zoe Hull, Ian Imbert, Suzanne Dunn, Tara Lonneman, Marissa Prezanno, Catherine Bixby

Homeless Needs Assessment

Research poster stemming from IPEC mini-grant student project Homeless Needs Assessment. The project was designed to assess the greatest needs for people experiencing homelessness in Portland, Maine. UNE Students from several healthcare professions partnered together to provide a holistic approach to the community needs with hopes of developing and implementing intervention strategies. Goal was to conduct surveys of at least 100 homeless individuals.

Using The 6-Minute Walk Test As A Way To Measure Endurance Improvements In Older Individuals, Cory Marcoux

Critically Appraised Topics (CAT)

An appraisal was made on a randomized controlled trial by Rikli, R & Jones, C to determine if the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is a valid outcome measure to determine physical endurance in generally health, older individuals. The participants’ 6MWT results were compared to measures previously proven to be valid and reliable (treadmill testing, composite physical function scale, and self-reported physical activity levels. All data gathered fell within the 95% confidence intervals. The 6MWT was able to distinguish differences between age and fitness level groups, and was comparable to the Balke graded exercise treadmill test. This test has good test-retest …

The Responsiveness Of The Quick Dash Versus The Full Dash In Patients With Hand Pathologies, Erika Derks

Critically Appraised Topics (CAT)

No abstract provided.

Critical Appraisal Of The Efficacy Of Various Assessment Tools In Determining Fall Risk In The Elderly Individual With Parkinson Disease, Gabriella Goshtigian

Critically Appraised Topics (CAT)

No abstract provided.

Use Of The Slump Test Over The Straight Leg Raise Test For Diagnosing Lumbar Disc Herniations In Physical Therapy Initial Evaluations, Clinton T. Boone

Critically Appraised Topics (CAT)

An appraisal was made on a prospective case-control study by Majlesi J, Togay H, Unalan H, and Toprak S, which determined the sensitivity and specificity of the Slump Test and Straight Leg Raise Test. Results of these tests were compared to the MRI results of the 75 patients involved in this study. Per Epi Info 2000, the Slump Test had higher levels of sensitivity and specificity compared to the Straight Leg Raise Test. The Slump Test had sensitivity and specificity levels of 84% and 89%, respectively. In comparison, the Straight Leg Raise Test had sensitivity and specificity levels of 52% …

Grant Application: Immigrant And Refugee Family Wellness Engagement Through Yoga And Zumba, Elizabeth Crawford, Faith Swenson, Angela Serrani, Kathleen Cassidy, Brittany Roy, Trixie Porter

Immigrant and Refugee Family Wellness Engagement Through Yoga and Zumba

IPEC Mini-grant application for funding of UNE student project Immigrant And Refugee Family Wellness Engagement Through Yoga And Zumba. Students from multiple health professions collaborated to provide Yoga and Zumba classes at the Riverton Community Center. The project aimed to increase the participants’ ability to utilize stress reducing activities through a blend of student created heath education materials and yoga and zumba classes for refugee women and children.

Grant Application: Homeless Needs Assessment Project, Annarae Andresen, Oana Butnarasu, Jayme Keith, Sarah Kou, Dana Mccoy, Stephanie Sheehan, Jessica Takatsuki, Ian Imbert, Zoe Hull, Tara Lonneman, Marissa Prezanno, Suzanne Dunn

Homeless Needs Assessment

IPEC Mini-grant application for funding of UNE student project Homeless Needs Assessment. The Homeless Needs Assessment Project was designed to assess the greatest needs for people experiencing homelessness in Portland, Maine. UNE Students from several healthcare professions partnered together to provide a holistic approach to the community needs with hopes of developing and implementing intervention strategies. Goal was to conduct surveys of at least 100 homeless individuals.

Improving Gait And Function In Children With Cerebral Palsy; A Comparison Of Supported Speed Treadmill Training To Therapeutic Exercise, Brianna Palmer

Critically Appraised Topics (CAT)

An appraisal was made of an article by Schindl et al, regarding the efficacy of supported speed treadmill training (SSTTEP) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The selected paper included children with GMFCS Level II-IV spastic CP, and compared SSTTEP intervention to therapeutic exercise.

Both intervention groups significantly improved gait speed, cadence, and Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) global scores, however only the SSTTEP group maintained those gains four weeks after the study ended. The SSTTEP group also yielded decreased stride length.

The study is optimistic for both SSTTEP and therapeutic exercise interventions for improving gait in children with …

Treatment For Cervicobrachial Pain Syndrome; A Comparison Of Direct And Indirect Manual Therapies, Brianna Palmer

Critically Appraised Topics (CAT)

An appraisal was made on a randomized controlled trial by Allison et al, which compared direct and indirect manual therapies for treating cervicobrachial pain syndrome. The direct therapy group (NT) received neural mobilizations, and the indirect therapy group (AT) received joint mobilizations for the glenohumeral joint and thoracic spine.

Per the Northwick Park Questionnaire and the Short Form-McGill Pain Questionnaire, decreases in pain were statistically significant for both groups from pre-assessment to post-assessment, but not between groups. When using the Visual Analog Scale, a statistically significant improvement was found for both groups over the treatment period, though only the NT …

Can The Upper Limb Tension Test 1 (Ultt1) Stand Alone In Diagnosing Median Nerve Compression In Adult Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (Cts)?, Brianna Palmer

Critically Appraised Topics (CAT)

An appraisal was made on a validity study by Vanti et al, regarding the upper limb neurodynamic test 1 (ULTT1) for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The selected paper included current patients at an occupational medicine clinic with suspected CTS and referral for nerve conduction study (NCS).

Using Wainner’s Criteria to indicate a positive ULTT1, calculated sensitivity was 0.9167 and specificity was 0.150. In limiting criteria for a positive test by requiring provocation of 1^st-3^rd digits only, the sensitivity decreased to 0.5417, however specificity increased to 0.70.

This study was effective in defining the inclusion criteria for …

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 …

Telecommuting As The Director Of Clinical Education (Dce) In A Doctoral Physical Therapy Program, Sally Mccormack Tutt

Physical Therapy Faculty Posters

Poster describing a case study created to help determine the feasibility of allowing the Director of Clinical Education to telecommute from Florida to Maine as a unique way to retain a valued core faculty member of the DPT department. Concludes there are benefits to departments considering this method of job performance, including: decreasing the turnover of quality faculty at an institution, reducing stress of a vacancy on the department and other faculty, decreasing the cost associated with searching for and hiring a new faculty member, and providing students with consistency with regards to the teaching and advising they receive from …

Turf, Team, And Town: A Geriatric Interprofessional Education Program, Nancy Macrae

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

Describes the Interprofessional Geriatric Education Program (IGEP) at the University of New England (U.S.). This course involves collaboration among health care students and faculty, including dental, occupational therapy, physician assistant, and physical therapy programs, and is focused on treatment for and feedback from elderly patients, who serve as “teachers” for students in the program.

Changes In Evidence-Based Practice Skills Of First-Year Dpt Students, Michael Fillyaw, Elizabeth Dyer, Sally Mccormack Tutt

Physical Therapy Faculty Posters

Poster presentation describing the outcomes for 30 first-year DPT students instructed in the elements of Evidence-Based Practice in a 2 credit course - Scientific Inquiry 1 (SI1). Faculty evaluated changes in: (1) DPT students’ knowledge and skills of EBP, as measured by the Adapted Fresno Test of Competence in Evidence-Based Practice (AFT) and (2) students’ self-confidence in EBP skills. This is the first study to use the AFT to evaluate changes in DPT students’ knowledge and skills related to EBP after formal instruction. The observed 24 point increase in the mean total score is educationally important and comparable to the …

Faculty-Librarian Collaboration Teaching Evidence-Based Practice, Michael Fillyaw, Elizabeth Dyer

Physical Therapy Faculty Posters

Poster presentation describing the collaboration of physical therapy faculty and university librarian in teaching elements of evidence-based practice in Scientific Inquiry 1 in the DPT curriculum. These elements included: Writing a patient-centered clinical question P: Patient/Problem/Population I: Intervention C: Comparison O: Outcome; Developing an effective search strategy; Searching electronic databases for articles. Although the literature contains examples of faculty-librarian collaboration in other disciplines, reports about the collaboration in physical therapy programs are scarce and this collaborative teaching model is unique.

A Comparison Of Outcomes After 8 And 12 Weeks Of Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Michael Fillyaw, Kim Hasegawa, Mary Anne Riley, Burton D. Tepfer

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Purpose: To compare changes in functional exercise capacity, dyspnea, functional status, and depression in patients after 8 weeks (24 sessions) and 12 weeks (36 sessions) of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Methods: A prospective sample of 31 participants in our PR program completed outcome measures prior to and during the eighth and twelfth weeks of the program. The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and a stairs climbing test (ST) measured functional exercise capacity. Perceived dyspnea (PD) was measured with a 6-20 scale. The Pulmonary Function Status Scale (PFSS) measured functional status, and the Cardiac Depression Scale (CDS) measured depression. Results : Statistically significant …