Physical Therapy Commons^™

Use Of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation As An Assessment Of Corticospinal Excitability In Individuals With Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness, Elizabeth Cornforth

Theses and Dissertations

Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a common, disabling, chronic vestibular disorder whereby individuals experience symptoms of non-vertiginous dizziness, unsteadiness, and sway or rocking that are present most hours of the day, most days of the week. Individuals with PPPD have been noted to have an increased burden of dizziness and reduced quality of life compared to other dizziness diagnoses. The cause of PPPD is not well understood which can lead to years of diagnostic testing, failed therapies, and poor symptom management. It is important to understand PPPD pathophysiology so that optimal treatment interventions can be developed for this disorder to …

Sport Training Day Affects Adolescent Athletes’ Sleep Schedules, Abigail Larson, Jena Heck Street, Roman De Guia, Jacob J. Capin

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction: Sufficient sleep is integral to overall health whereas suboptimal sleep puts athletes at greater risk for injury, lengthens their recovery time, and decreases their performance. Our purpose was to compare sleep across training days (i.e., competition, practice, and rest) in adolescent athletes, specifically identifying differences between nights before and after training.

Methods: Participants [n = 33 (14 male, 19 female), aged 15.6 ± 1.0 years] wore an activPAL accelerometer continuously for 14 consecutive days and completed a sleep log noting training day status (i.e., competition, practice, rest).

Results: Athletes slept less on the day after competition compared to …

Beyond Weight Loss: Effects Of Trx Suspension Training Combined With Caloric Restriction On Thyroid Function And Mental Well-Being In Obese Hypothyroid Women, Siavash Naddafha, Christopher Taber

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Background

The rate of metabolism decreases in hypothyroid patients; hypothyroidism is associated with body mass increases; due to this and other factors, depression, anxiety, and stress increase, which, alongside the disease state and psychological problems, causes the quality of life to suffer.

Objectives

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of caloric restriction along with TRX exercise on body mass, thyroid hormones, and psychological measures in obese and overweight women with hypothyroidism.

Methods

34 women aged 18–50 with hypothyroidism and a body mass index above 25 participated in this study. They were divided into three groups: a …

The Effect Of In-Game Cervical Exercises On Shoulder Internal Rotation Range Of Motion And External Rotator Strength In Baseball Pitchers, Vincent Ceasrine, Christine Ferraro, Jason K. Grimes

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Background

Consensus is lacking regarding the underlying cause of two prevalent risk factors for shoulder and elbow pain in overhead throwing athletes: loss of shoulder internal rotation (IR) range of motion (ROM) and strength of the external rotators (ER). Consideration of cervical spine contribution may have important implications for rehabilitation and coaching of overhead throwers.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of performing active cervical retraction and retraction with extension exercises between innings of pitching a simulated game on shoulder IR ROM and ER strength following completion of the game.

Study Design

Randomized controlled study …

Mediapipe-Based Extraction Of Joint Rom And Position From Patient Videos For The Functional Movement Screen: An Exploratory Study, Joshua Paul Verdillo, Lily Ann Bautista

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction. The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is widely used to identify movement deficiencies and potential injury risk. However, its reliance on visual inspection introduces subjectivity, requires specialized training, and necessitates face-to-face assessment. Advances in computer vision, offer opportunities to automate and better objectify functional movement assessment. This exploratory study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using a MediaPipe-based system, Software-Optimized Movement Assessment (SOMA), to extract joint range of motion (ROM), joint position, and compensatory movement patterns from patient videos during FMS performance.

Methods. SOMA was developed using MediaPipe Pose and MediaPipe Hands libraries integrated with Python-based tools to analyze videos …

Biomechanics Of The Ribs During Respiration At The Costotransverse Joint: An In-Vivo Retrospective Pilot Study, Michael Maninang, Greg Almeter, Erik Pearson, Arvie Vitente

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction: Scarce in‑vivo data describe how ribs move at the costotransverse joints during quiet breathing—knowledge critical to thoracic biomechanics and pain mechanisms. This pilot study uses four‑dimensional computed tomography (4D‑CT) to quantify, for the first time, the three‑dimensional magnitude and direction of rib motion at these joints throughout quiet respiration.

Methods: This retrospective, descriptive pilot study analyzed ten 4D‑CT scans obtained from patients undergoing thoracic imaging prior to radiation therapy. End‑expiration and end‑inspiration phases were aligned with a demons deformable‑registration algorithm. For each costotransverse joint, the three‑dimensional displacement vector, its absolute magnitude, and its components along the lateral–medial (L–M), …

Standardizing Assessment Of Clinical Performance In Physical Therapy: From Good Intentions To Shared Standards, Arvie Vitente, Carmina Rafael, Rolando Lazaro

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Clinical education is the crucible in which physical therapy students integrate knowledge, skills, and professional judgment into safe, ethical, and person-centered practice. Yet globally, the assessment of clinical performance remains highly variable, shaped by disparate tools, rubrics, and levels of assessor preparation. While several countries have adopted nationally standardized approaches to clinical assessment, many contexts—including the Philippines—continue to rely on locally developed or institution-specific systems, resulting in inconsistent expectations, inequitable student experiences, and limited capacity for benchmarking, research, and quality improvement. This editorial argues that good intentions alone are insufficient and that the profession must move toward shared, trustworthy standards …

Precision Education In Health Sciences Education: A Call-To-Action For Developing An Interprofessional Strategy, Arvie Vitente, Jennifer Bosworth, Robert Sweet, Rebecca Cozzi, Christopher Galloway, Piotr Szczurek, Melanie Obispo-Young, Eron Bozec, Erica Brkovic, Tina Bobo, Jennifer Lubinski

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction. Growing learner diversity, expanding biomedical knowledge, and rapid clinical digitization have exposed the limits of on-size-fits-all health sciences training. Competency-Based Education (CBE) has sharpened the focus on outcomes, yet many programs still move learners through fixed sequences, infrequent assessments, and retrospective remediation. Precision Education (PE) offers a complementary, data-enabled approach that uses learning analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and continuous feedback loops. Embedded within CBE, PE converts competencies from static milestones into dynamic trajectories that can be measured, visualized, and adjusted in real time across the curriculum. This abstract highlights the need for an interprofessional strategy to design, fund, and …

Standardizing Assessment Of Clinical Performance In Physical Therapy: From Good Intentions To Shared Standards, Arvie Vitente, Carmina Rafael, Rolando Lazaro

Rehabilitation Sciences Department Faculty Articles

Clinical education is the crucible in which physical therapy students integrate knowledge, skills, and professional judgment into safe, ethical, and person-centered practice. Yet globally, the assessment of clinical performance remains highly variable, shaped by disparate tools, rubrics, and levels of assessor preparation. While several countries have adopted nationally standardized approaches to clinical assessment, many contexts—including the Philippines—continue to rely on locally developed or institution-specific systems, resulting in inconsistent expectations, inequitable student experiences, and limited capacity for benchmarking, research, and quality improvement. This editorial argues that good intentions alone are insufficient and that the profession must move toward shared, trustworthy standards …

Biomechanics Of The Ribs During Respiration At The Costotransverse Joint: An In-Vivo Retrospective Pilot Study, Michael Maninang, Greg Almeter, Erik Pearson, Arvie Vitente

Rehabilitation Sciences Department Faculty Articles

Introduction: Scarce in‑vivo data describe how ribs move at the costotransverse joints during quiet breathing—knowledge critical to thoracic biomechanics and pain mechanisms. This pilot study uses four‑dimensional computed tomography (4D‑CT) to quantify, for the first time, the three‑dimensional magnitude and direction of rib motion at these joints throughout quiet respiration.

Methods: This retrospective, descriptive pilot study analyzed ten 4D‑CT scans obtained from patients undergoing thoracic imaging prior to radiation therapy. End‑expiration and end‑inspiration phases were aligned with a demons deformable‑registration algorithm. For each costotransverse joint, the three‑dimensional displacement vector, its absolute magnitude, and its components along the lateral–medial (L–M), …

Evaluating The Effect Of Ethnicity And Amyloid On Gait Speed In The Healthy Aging Brain Study-Health Disparities Study, Alexandra M. Reed, Andrew Hooyman, Edward Ofori, Sydney Y. Schaefer

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Many novel Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers have been studied in non-Hispanic White populations, despite Hispanic/Latino adults being 1.5 times more likely to develop AD and receiving a later diagnosis. Equitable, accessible assessments are needed to identify individuals at risk earlier. While cognitive screening monitors early AD signs, neuropsychological tests are often inequitable across ethnicity, race, and other social determinants of health. However, we have shown that performance-based motor assessments may be less susceptible to demographic factors than memory tests, and may be more equitable for screening older adults. Gait speed has been linked to elevated amyloid in non-Hispanic White …

Manual Therapy In Conjunction With Other Multimodal Interventions In A Patient With Chronic Pain And Hypertension: A Case Report, Craig P. Hensley, Renzo Mendoza, Jennifer Ryan, Emmanuel Yung

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Chronic pain and hypertension (HTN) are worldwide epidemics that are difficult to manage and frequently encountered as comorbid conditions in patient care. There is a paucity of information regarding the effect that manual therapy has on blood pressure (BP), particularly in those with chronic pain and HTN. This case report describes the management of a patient with chronic pain and HTN. The patient was a 41-year-old female with chronic multisite pain and multiple comorbidities, including HTN. Her BP at the initial evaluation was 147/78 with an oscillated device and 142/82 with a sphygmomanometer in the right arm and 144/80 in …

Dual-Task Exercise Protects Healthy Older Adults Against In-Creased Risk For Dementia: A Controlled Trial, Helen Tatiane Santos Pontes, João Bento-Torres, Naina Yuki Vieira Jardim, Victor Oliveira Da Costa, Josilayne Patricia Ramos Carvalho, Cristovam Wanderley Picanço-Diniz, Natáli Valim Oliver Bento-Torres

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Functionality in aging is closely linked to the ability to divide attention during multitasking activities, which are essential for activities of daily life. However, coordination between motor and cognitive simultaneous tasks decreases with age, impairing functional ability and restricting older adults' participation and healthy aging. This study aimed to assess the effects of a multimodal dual-task exercise intervention on motor and cognitive dual-task costs and its potential to mitigate age-related declines in healthy older adults. Materials and Methods: A controlled trial was conducted with community-dwelling older adults assigned to either the Dual-Task Exercise group, which participated in a 24-session …

Cv: Robert Sweet (Physical Therapy), Robert Sweet

Rehabilitation and Health Sciences Department Faculty Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

Cv: Rebecca Cozzi (Physical Therapy), Rebecca Cozzi

Rehabilitation and Health Sciences Department Faculty Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Exercise Engagement And Gait In Parkinson Disease: Participation Factors, Novel Approaches, And The Role Of Rhythmic Auditory Cueing, Allison Haussler

WUSM Theses and Dissertations – All Programs

Parkinson disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, characterized by gait and balance impairments that reduce independence and diminish quality of life. Exercise and other rehabilitation strategies, such as rhythmic auditory cueing, are well-researched methods to address motor impairments. However, despite the strong body of research supporting these approaches, many individuals with PD remain sedentary and do not meet current exercise recommendations. This highlights a critical gap between evidence and real-world behavior.

While prior research identified general motivators and barriers to exercise in people with PD, emerging exercise modalities and the growing diversity of community-based programs emphasize the …

Cv: Rebecca Cozzi (Physical Therapy), Rebecca Cozzi

Rehabilitation Sciences Department Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

Cv: Robert Sweet (Physical Therapy), Robert Sweet

Rehabilitation Sciences Department Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

Transforming Fear Of Falling Care: Bridging Evidence Synthesis And Clinical Trial On Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Based Multicomponent Interventions For Older Adults, Haehyun Lee

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction: Fear of falling (FoF) and associated avoidance behavior represent critical health concerns for older adults, with profound impacts on physical functioning, independence, psychosocial well-being, and healthcare utilization. Although fear of falling avoidance behavior (FFAB) is increasingly recognized as a distinct construct and clinically meaningful construct, intervention research remains limited due to fragmented assessment methodologies and incomplete integration of cognitive-behavioral and physical approaches. This dissertation addresses these gaps through two interrelated projects (1) a scoping review of the evidence base, assessment methods, and intervention strategies for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) targeting FFAB in older adults; and (2) a randomized controlled …

Information About Task Duration Influences Energetic Cost During Split-Belt Adaptation And Retention Of Walking Patterns Post-Adaptation, Samantha N. Jeffcoat, Adrian Aragon, Andrian Kuch, Shawn Farrokhi, Andrew Hooyman, Russell Johnson, Natalia Sanchez

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Studies of locomotor adaptation have shown that adaptation can occur in short bouts and can continue for long bouts or across days. Information about task duration might influence the adaptation of gait features, given that task duration influences the time available to explore and adapt the aspects of gait that reduce energy cost. We hypothesized that information about task duration and frequency of updates influences adaptation to split-belt walking based on two competing mechanisms: individuals anticipating a prolonged adaptation period may either (1) extend exploration of energetically suboptimal gait patterns, or (2) adapt toward a more energy-efficient pattern earlier to …

Implementing Pain Curricula In Prelicensure Physical Therapy Education: Faculty Perspectives And Experiences, John D. Kiesel

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The impact of pain on society has implications for individuals’ well-being and the overall health of society. Despite the high prevalence of pain, many new healthcare providers often lack the confidence and skills to manage patients with pain effectively. This phenomenological research study aimed to understand the lived experiences of faculty responsible for developing and delivering pain education to prelicensure physical therapy students. A secondary purpose was to examine the barriers that exist from the perspective of faculty members with subject matter expertise in pain education to implementing effective pain education in prelicensure curricula. Prelicensure pain education is essential for …

Graduate Physical Therapy Students Perceived Benefit Of Prior Anatomy Experiences Following Their First Semester Graduate Physical Therapy Anatomy Course, Austin Alexander

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

Human anatomy stands as a cornerstone prerequisite for admission into graduate-level Physical Therapy Programs. As such, prior anatomy experiences need to prepare students for success in graduate-level coursework. However, studies have demonstrated that undergraduate anatomy courses vary in their ability to predict success in graduate Physical Therapy anatomy coursework. This research aimed to utilize students' perceptions of their undergraduate anatomy experiences to predict grades in graduate-level Physical Therapy anatomy coursework. The multinomial logistic regression in this study revealed that the absence of perceived preparedness was a significant predictor of membership in the C graduate anatomy grade group. Students who did …

Physical Therapy Direct Access To Unrestricted Access In The State Of Michigan- Is Michigan Ready To Embrace Change? A Policy Analysis, Erica M. Fernandes, Mary D. Lagerwey, Kieran Fogarty

Michigan Journal of Public Health

Michigan’s Direct Access Provision of 2015 (Enrolled Senate Bill No. 690, 201), which aimed to increase patient access to physical therapy and reduce waiting times, has created hurdles for patient access and for physical therapy as an autonomous profession. The purposes of this policy analysis were: 1) to analyze the Direct Access (DA) policy including examining existing challenges resulting from implementation, 2) provide recommendations for implementing an alternative policy, and 3) outline the benefits of the alternative policy. The DA policy with provisions was examined using the Patton and Sawicki (1993) framework, which provides a basic approach that …

Relationships Between Social Determinants Of Health And Pain Outcome Changes After Exercise In Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis, Klarissa Siebert

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common musculoskeletal disease with pain as the primary symptom. KOA pain is a major contributor to disability and reduced quality of life and has been associated with social determinants of health (SDOH) variables. As for treatments of KOA pain, exercise such as stationary cycling is a first-line and recommended treatment. However, limited research has examined how SDOH influence pain outcomes following such interventions. Objective: This study investigated whether income level, education level, employment status, acculturative stress, and perceived ethnic discrimination are associated with changes in pain following a standardized cycling ergometer exercise in adults …

Energy Flow Differences In Throwing Arm Joints Between Javelin And Weighted Balls In Male Javelin Throwers, Hans-Peter Köhler, Kristof Kipp, Nikola Prvulović, Maren Witt

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction: To enhance release velocity during competition, javelin throwers incorporate implements of varying mass into their training regimens. Previous research has demonstrated that, although velocity contributes quadratically to the computation of kinetic energy, heavier implements generate substantially greater kinetic energy at the moment of release, despite markedly lower release velocities. The primary objective of the present investigation was to analyze energy transfer within the throwing arm to gain deeper insight into the biomechanical mechanisms underlying the use of implements with different masses.

Methods: The three-dimensional coordinates of 16 reflective markers were recorded for 6 athletes during throws using 6 different …

Pengaruh Aerobic Low Impact Exercise Terhadap Fungsi Kognitif Lansia Dengan Risiko Demensia Di Sasana Tresna Werdha Cibubur Tahun 2025, Nur Achirda, Liza Laela Abida, Kania Annisa Zahra

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Background: Entering old age, the elderly often face various problems, one of which is impaired cognitive function. Some factors that influence the decline in cognitive abilities in the elderly include gender, education level, occupation, nutritional status, and comorbidities that can interfere with the nervous system, such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The problem of dementia in the elderly is an important concern that requires effective prevention and treatment. Dementia in the elderly can include several aspects, such as orientation, registration, attention and calculation, memory, and language. Physiotherapy has an important role in maintaining and improving body movement function, so that …

Pengaruh Deep Neck Flexor Exercise Terhadap Neck Pain Non-Specific Pada Penjahit, Salwa Maylani, Fendy Nugroho, Yoni Rustiana

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Background: tailors tend to bow for a long time which results in excessive activation of the postural muscles in maintaining the position of the neck which causes weakness, decreased activity, and muscle imbalance which results in pain in the neck area. In overcoming these disorders, the intervention that can be given is deep neck flexor exercise. Objective: to determine the effect of deep neck flexor exercise on non-specific neck pain in tailors. Methods: this study used an experimental one group pre and post test with control design which was carried out in May-July 2024 at PT. Iskandar Indah Printing Textile …

Kecemasan Orang Tua Yang Memiliki Anak Disabilitas Intelektual Di Slbn 4 Jakarta, Hermito Gidion, Purnama Betty Sitorus, Zahrah Nabila Humayrah

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Anxiety is a common mental condition characterized by feelings of nervousness, fear, and restlessness that can interfere with daily life. Parents who have children with intellectual disabilities often experience anxiety due to various factors, including psychological pressure and high emotional burdens. The aim of this study was to analyze the level of anxiety among parents who have children with intellectual disabilities at SLBN 4 Jakarta and to identify the relationship between predisposing and precipitating factors and the level of anxiety. This research employed a quantitative descriptive approach with a cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of 81 parents at SLBN 4 …

Hubungan Alignment Knee Joint Terhadap Kecepatan Berlari Pada Anak Usia 4-6 Tahun, Rifka Alifia Haura, Miranti Yolanda Anggita, Abdul Chalik Meidian

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Alignment Knee joint alignment is a critical component in the biomechanical analysis of the body, particularly in locomotor activities such as running. Imbalance or malalignment in the knee joint can disrupt movement patterns and increase the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. In pediatric physiotherapy, early identification of lower limb posture is essential to support optimal gross motor development. This study aims to examine the relationship between knee joint alignment and running speed in children aged 4–6 years. A crosssectional design was used, involving 45 children who met the inclusion criteria. Measurement of knee alignment was performed using a goniometer to assess …

Pengaruh Biofeedback Terhadap Program Peningkatan Kekuatan Otot, Aditya Johan Romadhon, Fendy Nugroho, Pajar Haryatno

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Background: In sport the muscle fiber composition surely affect athlete performances, selective training technic and using advance technology may improve and set a new standards for athlete optimal performances, technology innovation such as computer simulator has been use to generate realistic match simulation in several sport, but the technology is not cheap that many sport clubs can afford, so biofeedback may become innovation to improve athletes performance by monitoring muscle activation to achieve selective muscle contraction in muscle strengthening programs. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether auditory feedback as biofeedback can improve muscle activation in a …