Physical Therapy Commons^™

Identification And Intervention Associated With Infants Exposed To Cocaine In Utero, Tracy Boehm

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The recent epidemic of cocaine in all its various forms, including crack, has resulted in large numbers of infants being born after in utero exposure to cocaine. Since most substance abusing pregnant women choose not to receive prenatal care, the diagnosis is often missed or made late during labor because that is when the mother is first examined by medical professionals.

A well-defined "fetal cocaine syndrome" does not exist. However, attempts to characterize the fetal effects of cocaine exposure during pregnancy when attempting to define this syndrome have revealed a wide variety of fetal effects.

The purpose of this study …

Electromyographic And Kinematic Analysis Of Hockey Skating, Michelle M. Fox

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

A limited amount of research has been done on the hockey treadmill and on the response of hockey players to individualized exercise programs.

PURPOSE: To evaluate muscle activity and joint motion of the trunk and knee of hockey players skating on a hockey treadmill.

METHODS: Seven male subjects, ages 18 to 25 years, were tested skating at 8 Mph on 0 percent and 30 percent grades on the treadmill. Electromyographical (EMG) data was collected from the following muscles: Rectus femoris, biceps femoris, adductor longus, gluteus maximus, rectus abdominus, and erector spinae. Motion analysis equipment was used simultaneously.

RESULTS: There was …

A Review Of Physical Therapy Intervention In The Healing Of Wounds, Stephanie Bertsch

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Treatment of chronic wounds, such as pressure ulcers or arterial-insufficient ulcers, are commonly seen in health care today. Wound treatment is advancing and physical therapists are using modalities in the intervention to hasten wound healing. Electrical stimulation and ultrasound have been established through clinical studies as effective modalities for the treatment of wound healing. The purpose of this paper is to review and analyze current literature about physical therapy and wound care. This paper will discuss an overview of the anatomy of skin, physiology of wound healing, documentation of wounds, and physical therapy intervention with emphasis on electrical stimulation and …

Treatment Of Urinary Incontinence, Megan D. Boyd

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Urinary incontinence is a condition in which involuntary loss of urine is a social and hygienic problem and is objectively demonstrable, affecting around 13 million adult Americans. In the past, many people suffering from incontinence never sought help. They may have been too embarrassed to speak out, and instead, ultimately restricted their lifestyle in order to accommodate their incontinence or they were unaware that there is help available in their community.

The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) established guidelines for the treatment of urinary incontinence in 1992 with an update in 1996. These guidelines state that, except …

An Electromyographic And Video Motion Analysis Study Of Elite Sprinters At Varying Speeds And Inclines, Erica Fretland

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this study is twofold 1) to describe muscle activity and joint motion while running on a treadmill at different speeds and inclines and 2) to examine whether or not running on a treadmill at high speeds and on an inline causes particular muscles to work harder or the sprinter to change their running technique to accommodate the increased workload.

Subjects and Methods: EMG and motion analysis data was collected from six subjects while they were running on a treadmill, first at twenty miles per hour at zero percent grade and then at thirteen miles …

An Analysis Of Generalized Joint Hypermobility And Knee Pathology, Jan L. Gustafson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study is to evaluate if a relationship exists between generalized joint syndrome and knee pathology. Both of these have been found to be of increased prevalence in females. Sixty female high school seniors from eight northwestern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota high schools were selected to participate in this study. Selection criteria consisted of prior testing for ligament laxity with a KT-IOOO and for generalized joint hypermoblity syndrome. Guidelines were established and a participation survey was approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of North Dakota. The survey form required the completion of open-ended …

Physical Therapy Awareness And Referral Patterns Of Physicians In Wyoming, Gavin Green

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study is to assess physicians' knowledge of and referral patterns for physical therapy. A questionnaire was developed using the scientific literature base as well as input from physical therapy faculty and practicing physicians. Subjects included Wyoming physicians from five specialty areas. Results were analyzed according to descriptive and analytical statistics and were shared with University of North Dakota faculty and the Wyoming chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Results suggest that physicians as a group are unaware of a significant number of physical therapy services. This study further demonstrated that physicians with better knowledge of …

Differential Diagnosis And Conservative Treatment For Cervical And Lumbar Radiculopathies, Scott Kurtz

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Back and neck pain are common afflictions affecting millions of Americans every year. The economic impact of these impairments is billions of dollars annually. Although less than 5 percent of patients with pain in the lumbar spine experience radiculopathies, patients with radiculopathies still make up a considerable number of the clients seen by physical therapists. Correct diagnosis and treatment of these disorders is vital in limiting the length of time people are disabled. In order to improve the outcomes of conservative treatment, a proper understanding of the anatomy and biomechanics of the spine is requisite along with knowledge of the …

An Electromyographic Study Of Backward Walking In Normals And In Subjects Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair, Matthew Johnson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Physical therapy strives to incorporate innovative and efficient protocols for rehabilitation of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgeries. Research supports the benefits of closed kinetic chain exercises (distal segment of extremity is fixed) over the traditional open kinetic chain exercises (distal segment not fixed). It is theorized that backward walking on inclined surfaces will recruit the knee musculature to a greater extent than forward walking, but there is little research to support this theory. The purpose of this study was to utilize electromyography during treadmill walking to analyze the muscle activity in the lower extremity of individuals were normal and who …

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Within The Field Of Physical Therapy, Dawn M. Leidholm

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Musculoskeletal injuries are frequently reported in the health care industry; an increasing number of physical therapists are affected. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and job factors within the field of physical therapy. A four page questionnaire was sent to 418 randomly selected individuals who graduated from the University of North Dakota Physical Therapy Program between 1970 and 1996. The survey instrument was derived from a literature review and previously conducted studies. It consisted of three sections: general practice, occupational injury, and demographic information. The highest prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders was …

An Electromyographic Study Of The Forearm And Upper Trapezius Musculature While Typing At Different Keyboard Heights, Karianne M. Sekiya

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: Ergonomics involves adapting the job and work environment to fit the worker and maximize safety and efficiency in the workplace. To mimimize the stresses on the musculoskeletal system, ergonomic guidelines have been established for visual display terminal workstations. The 90 degree angle position of the elbow is considered an industry standard, however available literature has not adequately established that this angle represents the optimal elbow position. The purpose of this study is to add to the current knowledge of ergonomics and reduce the risk of upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders in the workplace by determining the optimal elbow position …

Gynecological Factors Related To Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries In Women, Melissa Tuominen

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Current literature has just begun to look at gynecology and obstetrics beyond the point of pregnancy and into the realm of sports medicine. Clinical research is starting to determine that female athletes may be predisposed to musculosketal injuries because of regular hormonal fluctuations. The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is a correlation between ACL injuries in females and a specific phase of their menstrual cycle. Survey's were mailed to 52 female patients who had undergone ACL reconstructive surgery within the past year. Twenty-five (48%) of the women completed and mailed back the survey. A majority of …

The Effect Of Various Shoulder And Elbow Positions On Grip Strength, Melanie Wentz

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

This study investigated the effect of various shoulder and elbow positions on grip strength in 42 subjects. Both dominant and non-dominant upper extremities were tested using the Jamar dynamometer. The subjects were tested in the following positions while standing: 1) 90 degrees shoulder flexion and 90 degrees elbow flexion, 2) 90 degrees shoulder flexion and full elbow extension, 3) 90 degrees shoulder abduction and 90 degrees elbow flexion, and 4) 90 degrees shoulder abduction and full elbow extension. A repeated-measures ANOVA showed that shoulder and elbow position does significantly (p<.05) affect grip strength. A significant difference between genders was found for each position and hand dominance was significant (p<.05) for position 2. Both males and females were strongest with their shoulder in 90 degrees of flexion. The findings suggest that 90 degrees of shoulder flexion may be more of a position of function than 90 degrees of abduction. When measuring grip strength, position of testing and gender are two important variables to consider when trying to help patients attain their highest grip strength score.

Evaluating The Effects Of A Stretching Routine On The Peak Torque Of The Hamstrings, Christopher Thorson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Stretching has long been an accepted method of enhancing one's performance in most athletic events. However, while there has been other research performed on the subject of stretching benefits, there has been very little research found in the area of muscle performance being positively affected by stretching. In this study, 19 male subjects between the ages of 18 and 25 with no previous knee pathology volunteered to have their knee flexion torque tested on a Kin-Com isokinetic dynamometer. They were tested once with prior hamstring stretching and once without prior hamstring stretching. There was no significant difference found between the …

Tensile Properties Of The Autogenous Quadruple-Stranded Semitendinosus-Gracilis Graft Used For Reconstruction Of The Anterior Cruciate Ligament, James E. Swanton

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was to further enhance the knowledge of autogenous tissues around the knee which are used for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Ten fresh-frozen cadaveric knee specimens were used to conduct this experiment. The semitendinosus and gracilis tendons, as well as the bone-patellar tendon-bone complex, were excised and prepared for testing. The semitendinosus and gracilis tendons were doubled and fashioned into a quadruple-stranded graft. The tissue units were then individually fixated in a tensile testing apparatus and tested to failure. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze and compare our data with similar studies to …

Aquatic Physical Therapy Techniques For Neurologic Symptoms, Jennifer Skjefte

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Aquatic physical therapy (APT) has been defined as a comprehensive therapeutic approach that benefits a person physically, emotionally, and psychologically through active participation in an individualized pool program. The purpose of this study is to review the literature regarding aquatic therapy and neurologic symptoms to provide physical therapy students and professionals with techniques and exercises that can be used to treat persons who present with neurologic disorders.

The history of hydrotherapy, the relative properties of water, the contraindications, precautions, and indications of aquatic exercise, and the definitions and treatments of specific neurologic symptoms will be addressed. The symptom specific techniques …

Hamstring Tendons As Autograft Replacements In Acl Reconstructions: A Review Of The Literature, Jason Anderson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Hamstring tendons have gained a great deal of acceptance in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction procedures in the 1990's, but some misconceptions concerning the ability of hamstring grafts to successfully replace ruptured ACLs still exist. More surgeons are using hamstring tendons to reconstruct ACL-deficient knees because their harvest does not disrupt the extensor mechanism of the knee. Enthusiasts of the hamstring graft believe that it promotes quicker return of quadriceps strength and knee range of motion without a prevalence of postoperative pateIIofemoral symptoms.

The purpose of this review is to dispute the concerns that exist concerning the initial tensile strength, …

A Review Of Periodization Of Strength And Its Clinical Implications To Physical Therapy, John Andrew

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Currently no literature or studies in the physical therapy profession explore the use of periodization of strength principles. Therefore, the purpose of this independent study will be to perform a literature review of periodization of strength and how these training concepts are applicable to physical therapy.

Periodization is a strengthening technique which varies the training stimulus so that continuous gains in strength are accrued. The general progression of training is from low intensity and high volume to high intensity and low volume. To achieve these changes in intensity and volume the number of sets, repetitions, and load is periodically changed. …

The Effectiveness Of The Lateral Retinacular Release On Decreasing Pain And Increasing Stability In The Patellofemoral Joint, Celeste M. Hansen

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The lateral retinacular release is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures used to treat patellofemoral pain and instability. The purpose of this pilot study is to provide insight into the effectiveness of the lateral retinacular release for decreasing patellofemoral pain with activity and increasing knee stability. A survey \vas sent to 21 patients who had undergone the LRR that addressed the following issues: reason for surgery, stability and pain following surgery, return to prior activities, and the presence of physical therapy before and after surgery. The results from this pilot study identified the following areas of concem: a …

Physical Therapy Outcomes In Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, Tammy Reis

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

This study was conducted to assist St. Alexius Medical Center's Institute of Sports Medicine in the analysis of physical therapy outcomes for patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. A retrospective review of data gathered by the physical therapists at this facility was performed and statistically analyzed to ascertain the clinical and functional effectiveness of treatment. This outcomes analysis will assist in illumination of practice patterns and provide a measure of clinical effectiveness for The St. Alexius Institute of Sports Medicine. The results of this study will be useful as an internal measure as well as an informative tool for …

The Effects Of Exercise On The Elderly Population: A Literature Review, Angela M. Thoreson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The population of those 65 years old or older has increased dramatically over the past several decades and will continue to grow well into the 21 st Century. This change in U.S. demography has also led to an increased interest in geriatric medicine and the implications physical activity has on the social, medical, and economical aspects of treating this patient population.

Research has shown that people who participate regularly in aerobic activity have lower mortality and morbidity rates, even if an exercise program is started later in life. Moderate exercise has been proven to be an important part of treatment …

A Survey: Frequency Of Spondylolysis Or Spondylolisthesis In Young Athletes, Kara D. Dewhirst

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this survey research is to survey male and female high school varsity track athletes regarding the occurrence of low back pain, and then correlating the occurrence of a spondylolysis and/or spondylolisthesis with athletic involvement in the sport of track. A questionnaire was sent to 115 high school varsity track athletes in varsity track programs in the state of North Dakota. Only those athletes who participate in high jump, pole vault, discus, shot put, javelin, and 400M sprints or shorter were asked to take part in the survey.

The survey results were unable to answer the research question …

Theoretical And Practical Considerations For Enhancing Power To Improve Athletic Performance, Douglas A. Herron

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Power is of extreme interest to coaches and athletes alike because of the crucial role it plays in athletic performance. This independent study examines the essence of power and attempts to describe its components in detail as they relate to various sporting events and explores theoretical and practical considerations for anaerobic power augmentation using mathematical arguments as a basis for the suggested changes to traditional training protocol.

Specifically, this study suggests changes to traditional resistance training protocol during the power phase of a mesocycie by decreasing the percentage of the maximal lift from 90% through 95% to 60% through 85%. …

Influences Of The Menstrual Cycle On Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction, Jennifer Hieb

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is a common but many times untreated contributor to low back pain. The female population in particular is more likely than their male counterparts to injure the sacroiliac joint. A factor that may predispose the female population to injury is the fluctuating levels of hormones a female progresses through during a normal menstrual cycle. The purpose of this pilot study is to review the literature regarding sacroiliac joint anatomy, pathology and dysfunction and to determine whether enough evidence exists correlating sacroiliac joint injuries with a specific time of the menstrual cycle to warrant further investigation. Data was …

The Effect Of An Accelerated Protocol On Patients Receiving Rotator Cuff Repair: An Outcome Study, Jerret Hopstad

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study is to establish the outcome of rotator cuff repair and rehabilitation for St. Alexius Medical/Bone and Joint Center, Bismarck ND, using standardized measurement which both third-party payers and providers can utilize. Thirty-seven rotator cuff repairs (36 patients) performed between September 1995 and December 1996 were reviewed retrospectively. One subject was excluded because therapy was completed outside of St. Alexius Physical Therapy. There were 22 males (61 percent of cases) and 13 females (14 shoulders) included in the study. The average age patient was 62.06 years, ranging from 38-80 years, with a median age of60.5. The …

The Effect Of Hippotherapy On Sitting Balance In Children With Cerebral Palsy, Theresa A. Jurgens

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Hippotherapy programs have grown rapidly since 1969, when the first center opened in the United States. Despite the growing enthusiasm for hippotherapy in North America, research regarding the efficacy of hippotherapy is not well documented. Literature that pertains to the therapeutic benefits of hippotherapy consists primarily of descriptive articles containing subjective reports of riding instructors, riders, parents, and therapists. Hippotherapy is proposed to develop neuromuscular control, facilitate posture, elicit righting and equilibrium reactions, provide vestibular input, and improve psychological wellbeing. While these descriptive articles have identified variables to be empirically studied, few investigators have documented the therapeutic effects of hippotherapy. …

An Electromyographic Study Of Forward And Backward Walking In Normals And In Subjects Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair, Christopher C. Kraemer

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Physical therapy strives to incorporate innovative and efficient protocols for rehabilitation of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgeries. Research supports the benefits of closed kinetic chain exercises (distal segment of extremity is fixed) over the traditional open kinetic chain exercises (distal segment not fixed). It is theorized that backward walking on inclined surfaces will recruit the knee musculature to a greater extent than forward walking, but there is little research to support this theory. The purpose of this study was to utilize electromyography during treadmill walking to analyze the muscle activity in the lower extremity of individuals were normal and who …

Physical Therapy Awareness And Referral Patterns Of Physicians In North Dakota, Cathy M. Mcmahan

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Recent trends in healthcare reinforce the idea that interdisciplinary teams are essential for quality patient care. Optimal team function requires respect and communication among team members as well as knowledge of their roles. The purpose of this ·study is to assess physician knowledge and referral patterns of physical therapy.

Subjects in this study included 200 physicians of varying specialty areas from North Dakota. Physician knowledge and referral patterns were assessed through a questionnaire. Results were analyzed according to descriptive and analytical statistics, and were shared with University of North Dakota faculty and the North Dakota chapter of the American Physical …

Exercise And Pregnancy: A Guide For Health Care Professionals, Stacy L. Ripplinger

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Health and fitness has become nationwide trends resulting in people of all ages making wiser choices regarding nutrition and exercise. Pregnant women are also participating in this fitness revolution to help ease the discomforts of pregnancy, maintain fitness levels, and regain their shape after delivery. These women often turn to health care providers, including physical therapists, for guidance. The purpose of this independent study, accomplished by a review of the literature, is to provide physical therapists and general health care practitioners an overview of maternal body changes, nutritional requirements, and emotional changes that occur during pregnancy, and how these factors …

A Review Of The Sacroiliac Joint, Michael Schielke

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this review is to explore the literature regarding sacroiliac joint motion in an attempt to ascertain the extent of movement possible, to describe relevant sacroiliac joint anatomy and joint function, and to review assessment and treatment techniques used with sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Sacroiliac joint motion and function have been the subject of much controversy among clinicians who treat low back pain. Because of its location, orientation, and morphology, the sacroiliac joint is a difficult joint to visualize clearly with radiographic procedures, which increases the problems in diagnosis of sacroiliac joint pathology. Although the arthrokinematics of the sacroiliac …