Physical Therapy Commons^™

Reliability Of The Modified-Modified Schober Method Of Measuring Lumbar Range Of Motion, Mira H. Mariano

Rehabilitation Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of the Modified-modified Schober (MMS) method of measuring lumbar flexion and extension on subjects with low back pain. Thirty patients (19 females, 11 males) between the ages of 18 to 61 years (mean=40.0, SD=l 1.7) were measured by two physical therapists who each had six years of orthopedic experience.

Each subject was evaluated twice, in random order, by each tester using the MMS method. Trials 1 and 2 were used to calculate intratester reliability for each tester and intertester reliability was calculated between the two testers. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) …

Windlass Taping Technique For Symptomatic Relief Of Plantar Fasciitis, Beth Anne Ernst

Rehabilitation Sciences Theses & Dissertations

This study investigated the biomechanical and symptomatic effects of a newly described taping technique to support the longitudinal arch in symptomatic plantar fasciitis patients. The subjects were 20 individuals all diagnosed by a physician with unilateral plantar fasciitis, ambulating full weight-bearing without an assistive device.

Measurements were taken pre and post-taping for calcaneal position, tibial position and navicular height, with the subjects serving as their own control. The subjects also reported pain level pre and post tape using a visual analog scale. The statistical analysis performed on the biomechanical data was the t-test, and Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed ranks test was …

Reference Serum Chemistry And Hematological Values For Spinal Cord Injured Patients, Michael S. Laymon, Antone L. Davis Ii

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Serum chemistry and hematological values from 220 traumatic spinal cord injured patients (157 male and 63 female between the ages of 15-47, with greater than six months from injury) were compiled via chart review. Traumatic spinal cord injured patient’s reference ranges were determined and compared with the general population reference ranges. Reference ranges within the spinal cord population were compared by age, gender, level of injury and chronicity of injury. The reference ranges determined for all groups within this spinal cord population fall within the reference ranges of the general population. This supports recent research which suggests that a decrease …

Discharge Outcomes : An Evaluation Of A Functional Index Of Physical Assistance, Jan R. Snell

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between a functional score given to the patient on the day of discharge from an acute setting and the setting to which the patient is discharged. There were 102 subjects (58 female, 44 male) included in the study and their ages ranged from 20 to 91 years (mean age=61.6 years). The following data were collected on all subjects: age, gender, diagnosis, past medical history, duration of hospital stay, duration of physical therapy, reason for discharge, family support, type of insurance, and Physical Assistance Key (PAK) score on …

Changes In Ankle Joint Proprioception Resulting From Strips Of Athletic Tape Applied Over The Skin, Guy G. Simoneau, Rebecca M. Degner, Cindi A. Kramper, Kent H. Kittleson

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Athletic trainers, physical therapists, and other rehabilitation professionals stress the importance of proprioceptive reeducation during the rehabilitation process following an injury." 2 It is believed that an injury such as an inversion ankle sprain, for example, results in a reduction of proprioceptive function that may lead to future reinjuries. 3 One suggested palliative method to supplement a deficit in proprioceptive function at the ankle is the use of external support such as taping and braces.47 The tape or brace is believed to provide increased mechanical support as well as increased proprioception.

Reliability Of The Saunders Electronic Inclinometer For The Assessment Of Lumbar Rom, Melanie C. Maneval

Rehabilitation Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The American Medical Association (AMA) advocates using the inclinometer for the measurement of spinal motion. Clinicians however, have not yet adopted this method in practice. Much controversy exists within the health care community with regard to which measurement method is the most reliable. The purpose of this study was: (1) to clarify the work that has been performed to date and (2) to examine the intrarater and interrater reliability of the Saunders Electronic Inclinometer for the assessment of lumbar flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation. The authors concluded that the SEI demonstrated moderate to good reliability for the assessment of …

Changes In Spinal Height Supine And Walking In Subjects With And Without Lower Back Pain, Dave Gregory

Rehabilitation Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and test a device that could be used in clinical situations to measure spinal height in subjects with lower back pain.

Introduction: Spinal height measurement provides information on the impact of spinal loading on the intervertebral disc. The stadiometer is presently the most accurate device for this purpose but users of the device must be trained to be measured. This excludes untrainable subjects such as those with lower back pain. For this study, a new ins1rument was developed combining aspects of the stadiometer and other devices to produce a simpler method …

Exercise During Pregnancy, Sue Merkel

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Physical fitness and sports participation has increased in popularity over the years. This raises concerns as to whether exercising while pregnant is beneficial or harmful to the mother and her unborn child. Research has determined the maternal and fetal responses during various forms of exercise. This research has been used to help establish guidelines and recommendations for pregnant women. However, there continues to be controversy as to the exercise guidelines pregnant females need to follow. Women experience physical changes throughout their pregnancy which can lead to low back pain, abdominal or pelvic floor dysfunctions. These complications can be prevented or …

Joint Mobilization For The Lower Extremity, Michelle C. Robert

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

In the field of physical therapy there are a number of therapeutic techniques used for evaluation and treatment of dysfunction. There is one technique that is seen especially jn the orthopedic setting and has been around since ancient Egyptian times. 1,2 This technique is joint mobilization and even though there are limited studies on its usefulness, it can not be ignored as a treatment technique. Due to the complexity of the techniques, students often need additional resource materials to assist in the learning process.

Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to introduce theoretical background, terminology, and an explanation of …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

An Electromyographic And Video Analysis Study Of The Shoulder Girdle Musculature Activity During Exercise With The Multi Sport Cord, Melanie Michaels

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: The Multi Sport Cord is a resistive device used to strengthen the shoulder girdle musculature. The purpose of this study is to determine which shoulder girdle muscles are active, as well as when they are active throughout the range of motion of selected therapeutic exercises with the Multi Sport Cord.

Methods: Five healthy male subjects (ages 23-28) without shoulder pathology were recruited for this study. The subjects performed five exercises two times each: once with the Multi Sport Cord and once with a free weight. The selected exercises were the following: sidelying external rotation, prone external rotation, standing external …

The Effects Of A Dorsiflexor Strengthening And Plantarflexor Stretching Program On Balance In The Elderly: A Pilot Study, Danielle R. Mongeon

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Today, falls have become the most common life-threatening hazard in seniors. Falls have been associated with a number of disabilities including the muscular weakness and decreased flexibility that accompany aging. These factors may be involved in the poor balance that has also been idetified as a risk factor for falling. It was the purpose of this research project to: (1) determine if the exercises prescribed to increase strength and flexibility of the ankle were effective in a control group of ten college students, and (2) to test the effects of a plantarflexor stretching and dorsiflexor strengthening program on balance in …

Video Education And Mechanical Traction, Tiffany A. Orth

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

I began this endeavor with several goals to accomplish. The main goal is to provide an educational video that may be used as a supplementary tool to PT 319: Techniques ll. Theory and Technique of Thermo-Photo-Hydrotherapy. This video will demonstrate mechanical lumbar traction in the supine and prone positions as well as cervical traction in the seated and supine positions. The use of video in education enhances the transfer of information from instructor to student by providing consistent information, repetition, easy use, and realism. Included with the video is a study guide that contains detailed listings of traction information that …

Ankle Injuries And Ankle Strength, Flexibility, And Proprioception In College Basketball Players, Kristen A. Payne, Kris E. Berg, Richard W. Latin

Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Injuries to the ankle joint are among the most common of all sport-related injuries. Figures range from 10% to 30% of all injuries and from 5% to 20% of all time-loss injuries.1-9 Athletes participating in sports such as football, soccer, basketball, and volleyball are especially at risk for this type of injury, largely because of the running and jumping involved. In 1977, Garrick3 reported that during any single year of a 6-year period at the University of Washington, at least 16% of all time-loss injuries for all sports involved ankle sprains.

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 …

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 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, …

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 …

An Electromyographic Study Of Back And Lower Extremity Muscle Activity During A Traditional Squat And The Plyo Press Leg Press, Heidi C. Ivesdal

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Strength training is a primary factor in athletics and rehabilitation. Lower extremity strength training has traditionally consisted of free weights, biomechanically designed weight machines, or plyometrics. The Plyo Press is a new machine that is currently being utilized in the Frappier Acceleration Program for athletes. It is specifically designed for lower extremity strength training in combination with plyometrics. The principle behind its design is to build strength in the most effective way to enhance speed and dynamic activity without the stress to the low back or legs that is present with the use of free weights.

Because the Plyo Press …

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 …