Physical Therapy Commons^™

Outpatient Physical Therapy Management Of Symptoms Associated With A Brainstem Arteriovenous Malformation: A Case Report, Michell Hall

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Arteriovenous malformations are irregular connections between arteries and veins, while they can occur anywhere in the body, they are the most common in the brain and the spinal cord. The purpose of this case study is to describe the interventions, treatments, and results of conservative physical therapy for a patient diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation located in the brainstem.

CASE DESCRIPTION: Descriptive case study of a patient scheduled two times a week for a 6-week episode of care. Conservative physical therapy interventions and treatments included lower extremity strengthening, static and dynamic balance training, gait training …

Outpatient Physical Therapy Management Of Patient With Torn Right Anterior Collateral Ligament Prior To Surgical Repair: A Case Study, Isaac Scott

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Anterior cruciate ligament injuries are one of the most common in sports medicine. This structure provides stability to the knee joint. Depending on the level of ligament injury, this injury can be treated conservatively or surgically. The purpose of this case study is to explore a preoperative treatment plan for a patient looking to have a future ACL surgical repair.

Case Description: This case study describes the 13-week treatment plan for a 21-year-old patient that had plans for a future surgical repair. This was the second time this patient tore the ACL in that extremity …

The Correlation Between The Season Of Birth And Early Child Development In Healthy Children: Evidence From The Midwestern Region Of The United States: A Pilot Study, Elizabeth G. Bodensteiner

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Research has been conducted in countries like Japan and China assessing the impact of various factors on gross motor development. One variable that has been researched and discussed within studies in other countries is the relationship between gross motor development and birth season. This study aimed to address the impact of birth season on gross motor development, specifically within the Midwestern region of the United States. There is limited research regarding this topic within the Midwestern region of the United States.

Materials and Methods: Parents of 114 children completed self-reports on their children’s gross and …

Treatment Of Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction: A Case Study, Baylee Ann Reiser

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a progressive and debilitating disease that can lead to bony involvement or deformity. Common symptoms of PTTD include medial ankle and foot pain and acquired flat foot deformity. The purpose of this case study is to examine physical therapy interventions in a patient with chronic PTTD.

Case Description. This case study describes the 15-week physical therapy management in an outpatient clinic for a 34-year-old female with unstaged PTTD presenting with pain, decreased range of motion, strength deficits and muscle imbalance, impaired balance, and impaired gait. The patient lived a …

Association Of Generalized Joint Hypermobility And Occurrence Of Musculoskeletal Injury In Physical Therapy And Occupational Therapy Students, Katie A. Harris

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background: Previous studies have found a higher rate of hypermobility among physical and occupational therapy students compared to the rate of hypermobility within the general public. Hypermobility has been linked to increased injury rates. This raises the question of the influence hypermobility has on injury type and recurrence.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to examine the rate of hypermobility and injury history among physical and occupational therapy students. The injury type and frequency of those with hypermobility was compared to those without hypermobility to determine if there was a relationship. The Foot Posture Index was used …

Outpatient Physical Therapy Treatment Of Patient With Spondylosis: A Case Study, Paige B. Kropuenske

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: In the United States low back pain (LBP) is one of the leading causes for individuals to reach out to health care professionals. LBP is often associated with a diagnosis of spondylosis. Spondylosis is present in about 80% of peoples in the United States. The prevalence of spondylosis continues to increase without a definite cure or form of treatment. Overall, exercise and intervention have proven to decrease symptoms of pain of those with spondylosis. However, success of treatment may see large variables in success. Further research into specific treatment interventions may be warranted to decrease chronic …

Rehabilitation Of A Patient Diagnosed With Dermatomyositis In A Skilled Nursing Facilty: A Case Report, Chance D. Halvorson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Dermatomyositis is a disease of unknown origin that results in skin rashes and muscle wasting that can lead to significant respiratory issues and loss of function. This case report describes the response following functional training in a bedridden patient who recently reported to a skilled nursing facility.

Case Description: The patient was a 78-year-old male who was previously diagnosed with dermatomyositis that rapidly progressed after being hospitalized for over 4 months. The patient had a complicated past medical history and a difficult socioeconomic background.

Intervention: The plan of care was focused around promoting independence …

Analyzing Equity Within The University Of Nevada, Las Vegas Physical Therapy Program Admissions Process, Rebecca Altman, Savanna Cathey, Michelle Dedmon

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose The purpose of this study was to analyze the admissions process of the University of Nevada Las Vegas Physical Therapy (UNLVPT) program through the lens of racial equity. Methods A retrospective cohort of UNLVPT applicants between 2014-2019 was obtained from the physical therapy centralized admissions system and the UNLVPT admissions office. Applicant and application characteristics were compared by racial group. Results: Our sample included 2937 total applicants with 212 (7.2%) that were admitted and matriculated into the program. Applicants identified as 49% White, 24% Asian, 13% multiracial, 6% Hispanic, 2% Black, 0.2% American Indian, and 6% did not report …

Association Between Rural Background And Physical Therapist Practice Location, Caitlin Parker, Jace-Anne Sharp

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose/Hypothesis To examine the association between physical therapists’ rural background and their decision to practice in a rural setting. We hypothesized that years of rural upbringing and size of hometown would be related to rural practice. Number of Subjects 257 physical therapists who graduated from one of two physical therapy programs in the Western United States between 2000 and 2020. Materials and Methods A survey was emailed to 19 physical therapy schools consisting of questions regarding participants’ background, demographics, and job history. We collected total number of years of practice and total years of rural practice. Length of practice varied, …

Creating A University-Based Performing Arts Clinic: Challenges And Lessons, Carissa Limtiaco, Alan Savanapridi

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Fine artists performing at the collegiate level are at a high risk for developing performance related musculoskeletal injuries due to the unique physical demands and repetitive nature of their movements. Previous research has reported incidence rates as high as 81% and 62% for student dancers and musicians respectively. Despite the high injury rates, research has shown that student performers underreport injuries and are reluctant to seek medical management from health professionals due to unhealthy beliefs and attitudes often held by this population as well as the lack of specialized healthcare. The goal of the UNLV College of Fine Arts (CFA) …

Effects Of A 12-Week Remote Exercise Program On Balance In Adults With Down Syndrome, Kayla Kotake, Sherwin Cadiao, Nicole Kaes, Jayston Prudencio

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose/Hypothesis Individuals with Down syndrome (Ds) tend to have deficits in balance and postural control, which negatively affects their ability to perform physical activities safely and independently. Previous research has shown that exercise can improve balance in people with Ds, however, most studies looked at balance in children with Ds. As the average life expectancy for people with Ds has increased, there is a need for research investigating balance in adults with Ds. Also, there is a need to increase exercise opportunities (eg, remote exercise programs) for adults with Ds, as physical inactivity and sedentary behavior are prevalent among individuals …

Development Of A Multifactorial Virtual Fall Prevention Tool For Community Dwelling Older Women, Eduardo Gutierrez, Jacob James Nogra, Carol Sparks, Bradley Voels

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Falls are the leading causes of injury-related death in adults over the age of 65, with women sustaining more than twice the rate of fall-related fractures as men. Reduced access to in-person falls prevention programs during the COVID-19 pandemic created a need for a user-friendly guide to existing online fall prevention resources targeted at this vulnerable population. The first aim of this study was to create and make widely available a website with evidence-based resources that address a range of modifiable fall risk factors, and the second was to test its feasibility in a convenience sample of older women. The …

Lumbopelvic Biomechanics And Muscle Performance In Individuals With Unilateral Transfemoral Amputation: Implications For Lower Back Pain, Jason Ciccotelli

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Many people with lower extremity amputation (LEA) experience lower back pain (LBP). The amount of pain they experienced can be debilitating and severely interferes with activities of daily living. Previous studies have explored LBP in populations without LEA, and the evidence is also growing within the limb loss population. However, the mechanism for the high prevalence of LBP after LEA remains unclear. The lower back muscles, specifically the multifidi muscles, play an important role in stabilization of the spine during motion, and LBP has been associated with decreased mobility in patient populations, but the degree of dysfunction in the spinal …

Sex Differences In The Speed–Duration Relationship Of Elite Runners Across The Lifespan, Timothy J. Fulton, Christopher W. Sundberg, Blaine E. Arney, Sandra K. Hunter

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose

To determine if the speed–duration relationship is altered with age and sex of elite Master’s runners.

Methods

The world’s top 10 performances for men and women in three events (800, 1500, and 5000 m) across six age groups (18–34 yr, 40–49 yr, 50–59 yr, 60–69 yr, 70–79 yr, and 80–89 yr) were analyzed from public data to establish theoretical models of the speed–duration relationship. Critical speed (CS) and the curvature constant (D′) were estimated by fitting the average speeds and performance times with a two-parameter hyperbolic model.

Results

Critical speed expressed relative to the 18- to 34-yr-olds, …

Self-Perceived Well-Being Among Doctor Of Physical Therapy Students In The United States, David Kietrys, Ellen Anderson, Suchismita Ray

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to describe self-perceived well-being among Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore factors associated with well-being.

Methods: This observational study was cross-sectional, using an anonymous, self-administered, nationwide survey. The survey included questions about an array of factors theoretically related to well-being, and incorporated the WHO-5 Well-being Index, the Perceived Stress Scale-10, and the Brief Resiliency Scale.

Results: A total of 1,542 responded to the survey. Data from 1,537 DPT students in the U.S. were included in the analysis. Well-being was positively correlated with resilience …

Exploring Sex As A Moderator Of Other Prognostic Variables In Whiplash Associated Disorder: An Observational Study., Bradford Callan, David M. Walton, Joshua Cleland, Morey J. Kolber, James M. Elliott

HPD Articles

BACKGROUND: Prognostic variables for assessing people with whiplash associated disorder (WAD) following a motor vehicle collision (MVC) have been evaluated in numerous studies. However, there is minimal evidence assessing how these variables may differ between males and females.

QUESTION/PURPOSE: 1) To assess if the sex of a person interacts with known prognostic variables within the development of chronic WAD. 2) To determine if commonly used outcome measures used in the assessment of chronic WAD differ between sexes.

METHODS: The study was a secondary analysis of an observational study with an inception cohort immediately following an MVC in an emergency department …

Recent Advances In The Role Of Rehabilitative Therapies For Parkinson’S Disease: A Literature Review, Bazza Sohail, Muhammad Affan Iqbal, Aisha Razzaq, Abdul Wasay Nafe, Robina Malik

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Regardless of medical therapies and surgical interventions for Parkinson’s disease, patients develop progressive disability. The role of therapies is to maximize functional ability and minimize secondary complications through movement rehabilitation within a context of education and support for the whole person. The overall aim is to optimize independence, safety and wellbeing, thereby enhancing quality of life. Trials have shown that physiotherapy has short-term benefits in Parkinson’s disease. However, which physiotherapy intervention are most effective remains unclear. This article provides a guidance framework rather than a ’recipe’ for treatment. This review shows that a wide range of rehabilitative therapy interventions to …

Student Physical Therapists’ Perceptions Of A Novel, Small-Group Presentation Method In The United States: A Cohort Study, Bhavana Raja, Leslie Bayers, Lott Hill, Alicia Rabena-Amen

Health Professions Education

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to explore perceptions of student physical therapists of a new, small-group presentation model called Presentation-Station-Rotation (PSR). Our hypothesis is that the PSR format will be a more effective, interactive, and stimulating mode of delivery than large group presentations. Method: Thirty-six first year student physical therapists were divided into groups of three students to give a presentation about their clinical experience. Presenters rotated to two other groups to present for three repetitions; listeners heard six different presentations. Thematic analysis was conducted on the questionnaire completed by the students regarding their experiences of the PSR …

Faculty Perceptions Of Health Professional Students’ Hybrid-Online Learning Strategies: A Multi-Center Qualitative Study, Evan M. Pucillo, Gabriela Perez, Leiselle Pilgrim

Health Professions Education

Purpose. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the utilization of hybrid-online and fully-online instruction in health professional education. Physical (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) programs have become increasingly reliant upon this mode of instruction. Therefore, it is important to understand advising strategies for this educational environment. Faculty advisors may endorse specific learning strategies over others. However, advising strategies of faculty are not well represented in the scientific literature. Methods. A qualitative phenomenological design used a six-item, open-ended questionnaire to purposefully survey faculty members teaching and advising students in hybrid-online PT and OT graduate programs during COVID-19. Dedoose® v.9.4 qualitative software (Los Angeles, …

Professional Development Lgbtq+ Program For Faculty, Staff And Clinicians: Reported Month Post-Program Impact, Audrey L. Zapletal, Otd, Ms, Otr/L, Cla, Karla A. Bell, Pt, Dpt, Phd(C)

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Background

LGBTQ+ community experiences health care and health disparities; some reasons include:

• barriers in care,
• negative attitudes,
• lack of awareness by healthcare providers.

Studies have found healthcare professionals are not adequately trained in LGBTQ+ care

How Is Focused Attention Related To Infants Learning To Sit?, Emma Costello, Aleena Purewal, Melanie Schultz, Melanie Tommer

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

Focused attention is when an individual is completely absorbed in a task or attending to an object. This concept has been connected to learning and other cognitive skills. The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) is a tool used to quantify change in gross motor skills over time. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between total focused attention time and GMFM scores in early sitting infants. 26 infants, all between 6-8 months old, were given 3 different types of toys each for 90 seconds and were videotaped while they explored. Videos were later coded using Datavyu, a …

Predicting Walking Ability And Prosthetic Candidacy Following Lower Extremity Amputation; An Updated Systematic Review And Treatment Pathway, Scott Love, Carolyn Dias-Karch, Bianca Saragusti, Rebekah Langrek, Kayla Aponte, Rebecca Miro, Michael Jason Highsmith

Physical Therapy Collection

Background: There is not a clear compilation of existing literature that determines walking ability and prosthetic candidacy following lower extremity amputation (LEA). There is no multi-disciplinary instrument or patient centric decision-making protocol accepted that can predict walking ability and prosthetic candidacy nor support a treatment pathway. It is important to determine these factors to better assist clinicians in determining a patient’s MFCL K-level to assist with the delivery of proper prosthetic componentry. Medicare Functional Classification Level (MFCL) K-level is a 0 to 4-point scale of functional level for those with limb loss. The purpose of this systematic literature review …

Philippine Physical Therapy Association Convention 2022 Plenary Session 3 Keynote Address, Cheryl Peralta

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

Spatial Characteristics Of Reactive Stepping Among People Living With Chronic Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury, Matthew G Heffernan, Jae Woung Lee, Katherine Chan, Janelle Unger, Susan Marzolini, Timothy N Welsh, Kei Masani, Kristin E Musselman

Physical Therapy Publications

Objective: Compare the spatial characteristics of reactive stepping between individuals with chronic motor incomplete spinal cord injuries (iSCI) and able-bodied (AB) individuals.

Design: Cross sectional.

Setting: Lyndhurst Centre.

Participants: Twelve individuals with iSCI (3 males, 53.6 ± 15.2 years old) and 11 age- and sex-matched AB individuals (3 males, 54.8 ± 14.0 years old).

Interventions: The Lean-and-Release test was used to elicit reactive stepping. A horizontal cable, attached at waist height, was released when 8-12% body weight was supported in a forward lean position. Participants underwent up to 10 Lean-and-Release trials in a session. Kinematic and …

Using The Instrumented Sway System (Isway) To Identify And Compare Balance Domain Deficits In People With Multiple Sclerosis, Patrick G. Monaghan, Andrew S. Monaghan, Andrew Hooyman, Brett W. Fling, Jessie M. Huisinga, Daniel S. Peterson

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Objective
To develop a multiple sclerosis (MS)-specific model of balance and examine differences between (1) MS and neurotypical controls and (2) people with MS (PwMS) with (MS-F) and without a fall history (MS-NF).

Design and Setting
A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Gait and Balance Laboratory at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Balance was measured from the instrumented sway system (ISway) assessment.

Participants
In total, 118 people with relapsing-remitting MS (MS-F=39; MS-NF=79) and 46 age-matched neurotypical controls.

Intervention
Not applicable.

Outcome Measures
A total of 22 sway measures obtained from the ISway were entered into an exploratory factor …

Does Training With A Simulation Stethoscope Facilitate The Acquisition Of Cardiopulmonary Knowledge And Confidence In Doctor Of Physical Therapy Students, Archana Vatwani, Melissa Morris, Cheryl J. Hill, Alicia Fernandez-Fernandez

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not training with a computerized stethoscope could impact Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) student cardiopulmonary assessment knowledge and confidence. Methods: Eighty-seven (87) DPT students in years 2 (DPT2s, n=39) and 3 (DPT3s, n=48) participated after previously completing a cardiopulmonary course. All subjects took a baseline test and confidence survey for cardiopulmonary skills. Two weeks later, DPT2s attended a 1-hour lab session with simulation stethoscopes and did a post-test and survey. Test scores and confidence data were compared within DPT2s, and for DPT2s vs DPT3s. Results: After training, DPT2 …

Evaluation Of Concussion Assessment Tools For Collegiate Athletes, Jacqueline D. Villanueva Arevalo, Emily R. Brown

Student Scholar Showcase

BACKGROUND: Due to the increase in sports-related concussions in the United States, there is a rising concern about concussion assessments in collegiate athletes with regard to long term vestibular ocular motor dysfunction and post-concussion syndrome.

PURPOSE: Due to varying practices in concussion diagnosis, this systematic review analyzed three concussion diagnostic instruments, The King Devick, Screening Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT-5), and Vestibular Oculomotor Screening Tool (VOMS), to determine the most appropriate instrument(s) for reducing vestibular ocular-motor dysfunction and post-concussion symptoms in collegiate athletes.

METHODS: Nested Knowledge was used to identify articles from PubMed, Europe Pubmed Central, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases. Key search …

The Effectiveness Of The Six Minute Walk Test For Tracking Progress In Patients With Post-Covid Condition: A Case Report, Jason Angellano, Alexander M. Ferreira, Colleen Mcgonagle, Yurong Ren, Michael Tran

Case Report Papers

Background and Purpose Post-COVID Condition (PCC) is defined as the presence of symptoms related to SARS-CoV-2 four weeks past the initial infection. The SARS-CoV-2 virus impacts many organs and body systems. The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a standardized measure of cardiovascular endurance commonly used in physical therapy practice. Use of the 6MWT has been studied in specific patient populations (e.g., geriatrics, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder). The purpose of this case report is to discuss the utility of the 6MWT as a measure of walking capacity in individuals with PCC.

Case Description The patient was a …

Pne - Lots Of Talk, Superficial Results, Aidan Keller, Michael Ray, Taylor Baugher

ASPIRE 2023

A narrative review (NR) of meta-analyses (MA) and systematic reviews (SR) that assess the effectiveness or efficacy of pain neuroscience education (PNE) on various outcome measures in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain. Systematic searches were conducted on 4 databases. Study selection included MAs and SRs that assessed the effectiveness or efficacy of PNE on CP populations. Quantitative eligibility criteria included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), adults (18+ years of age), English or Spanish speaking individuals, and reporting of chronic pain (persistent or recurrent pain lasting ≥ 3 months). Qualitative eligibility criteria included individuals reporting chronic pain and experienced a PNE …

Home Exercise Program Adherence In Physical Therapy: Application Of The Transtheoretical Model, Charis Brown

Senior Honors Theses

Home exercise programs (HEPs) are a foundational component of physical therapy (PT). However, the majority of patients are not compliant with their HEP; they lack the motivation and habits necessary to be compliant. The transtheoretical model (TTM) is a framework for understanding the decision-making of the individual and is a model of intentional change. When properly understood and applied, the TTM can improve a physical therapist’s ability to help patients to change their behavior and to become HEP compliant. This paper seeks to address patient exercise noncompliance by educating and instructing physical therapists in the application of the TTM, which …