Physical Therapy Commons^™

Fostering Intergenerational Connection Through The Implementation Of Bingocize: A Community-Based Fall-Prevention Program, Dejeigh Herrera, Shelby Humphreys, Kayla Lee, Danielle Platt

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Falling is an experience that can be traumatic and detrimental to the overall health of those aged 65 and older. As this portion of the population in the United States continues to grow, so does the importance of understanding the general health concerns of these individuals and the way they contribute to their risk of falling and impact their ability to live independently. One program to help address these risks is Bingocize, an evidence-based program designed by Jason Crandall, a professor of exercise science at Western Kentucky University in 2011. Bingocize is a 10-week fall prevention program designed to educate …

Lower Limb Loss Related Physical Therapy Outcome Measures: A Scoping Review, Cassandra Evergreen, Harrison Hess, Ryan Orton

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This scoping review aims to explore the use of performance-based outcome measures (PBOMs) and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in assessing the function of individuals with lower limb loss (LLL). The review identified common PBOMs, such as the 6- and 2-minute walk tests, Timed Up and Go (TUG), and Amputee Mobility Predictor (AMP), which evaluate mobility and overall physical function. PROMs, like the Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire (PEQ), focus on the prosthetic experience, including comfort, satisfaction, and quality of life. Both PBOMs and PROMs assess patient function, yet with differing emphases; PBOMs primarily evaluate physical performance while PROMs capture broader health attributes, …

Effects Of Different Cannabis Compounds On Balance, Freezing Of Gait, And Bradykinesia In Parkinson’S Disease: Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Self-Report Data From The Fox Insight Study, Alexandria Dockery, Adan Hernandez, Cody Miyashiro

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objective: To explore the effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)) on self-reported balance problems, freezing of gait (FOG), and bradykinesia in Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Background: Recent research has indicated that a high proportion of people with PD are interested in using cannabis for symptom management. Given the known intoxicating and motor impairing properties of THC, it may negatively affect postural instability and increase fall risk in people with PD.

Methods: Data from the Fox Insight online clinical study were analyzed in February 2024. The analysis only included participants with PD who answered questions about cannabis use (n=2754). Responses were …

Does Student Interest In Rural Or Underserved Practice Change Following Exposure To A Full Time Rural Or Underserved Clinical Experience?, Hans D. Capistrano, Maxwell D. Giedlin, Kayla A. Houston

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Access to healthcare in rural areas remains a significant challenge, with rural communities facing unique barriers such as limited healthcare providers, increased travel distances, and lower insurance coverage rates. Nevada exemplifies this issue, ranking 45th in the United States in access to physical therapy services, with particularly low provider availability in its rural regions. Research suggests that clinical education experiences in rural and underserved areas may encourage healthcare professionals to practice in these communities post-graduation. This study examined the relationship between clinical experiences in rural and underserved settings amongst University of Nevada, Las Vegas Physical Therapy (UNLVPT) students’ interest in …

Unlv Department Of Physical Therapy And The Fine Arts Clinic For Health And Injury Prevention, Madeline Cosgrove, Ashton Johnson, Keith Lopez, Diana Nguyen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

At the collegiate of performing arts, those who participate in classes and performances will often be at risk for musculoskeletal injury due to repetition and specific patterns of their movements. The establishment of a pro-bono physical therapy clinic for students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate-level fine arts programs may improve healthcare access for this often underserved community. The goals of this service learning project were to provide injury-prevention screenings to dancers and administer specialized physical therapy (PT) services in the form of evaluations and treatments to all students in the UNLV (University of Las Vegas, Nevada) College of Fine Arts …

Expanding Anatomy Academy In The Las Vegas Metropolitan Area: A Service Learning Project To Improve Childhood Health Through Supplemental Educational Sessions, Alekzander Hall, Brandon Paige, Marlee Parkin, David Sanchez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States, with approximately 18.5% of US children presenting with obesity. High levels of obesity are less common in higher income communities, but increasingly more prevalent in lower income communities. Currently in Clark County, Nevada, more specifically in lower socioeconomic communities and Title I schools within the Las Vegas area, there is an opportunity to educate students about the components of a healthier lifestyle to provide children with the tools to improve their health. Anatomy Academy (AA) is an eight-week health education program that was created to teach fourth and fifth grade …

Physical Therapists’ Confidence With Patients Expressing Suicidal Thoughts Or Behaviors, Amber J. Schwanebeck

Honors Thesis

This study was conducted as part of an undergraduate honors thesis, and it explored how physical therapists feel and manage situations involving patients experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Assessed via survey, the researchers gathered responses from practicing physical therapists, examining demographic information, confidence levels in managing suicidal situations, and a qualitative question about their perceived role in suicide prevention. Key findings revealed that most physical therapists did not routinely discuss suicide with patients. Despite this, many reported feeling confident in identifying patients with suicidal ideations, even in the absence of training. Individuals who received training after earning their physical therapy …

An After-School Adaptive Bicycle Program For Children With Disabilities: A Pilot Feasibility Study, Makenzie Dietz, Nicole Fuchs, Alli Hill, Kloe Muntz, Megan Petric, Sophia Wahib, Betsy Donahoe-Fillmore, Trisha Renner

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose/Hypothesis: Cycling has broad health benefits and is therapeutic across many populations. Physical therapists commonly fit children with gross motor delays for adaptive bicycles and assist with training during therapeutic intervention. Limited evidence exists regarding formalized adaptive bicycling programs apart from traditional therapy. The primary aim of this study was to investigate if an after-school adaptive cycling program is feasible in children with motor delay. The secondary aim was to determine if it can improve balance, endurance and functional strength in children with disabilities.

Number of Subjects: Ten children with motor delays, ages 6 to 11 (mean 7.7) years participated. …

The Effect Of Recumbent Stepping On Leg Muscle Activity In Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis, Caroline Buchheit, Jack Castetter, Jessie Lakamp, Morgan Vollmer, Kurt Jackson

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose/Hypothesis: Recumbent steppers are commonly used for improving cardiovascular and muscular endurance in neurological populations. Prior research has shown that using specific verbal cues and a foot strap can significantly alter lower extremity muscle activity and recruitment in healthy individuals during recumbent stepping. The purpose of this case series was to measure lower extremity muscle activity during recumbent stepping under a variety of stepping conditions in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Number of Subjects: 3 adults (2 F, 1 M; age 40 -54) with multiple sclerosis (MS) with varying levels of lower extremity motor function and disability.

Materials and Methods: During …

The Relationship Between Dorsiflexion Mobility And Achilles Stiffness, Philip Anloague, Emma Collett, Sarah Monnier, Megan Garro, Tyler Stiers, Brandon Chan, Kendra Kahle, Hailey Mcpherson, Joaquin Barrios

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose: The biomechanical properties of muscles and tendons are important in rehabilitation and sport performance but are not routinely assessed. Recently, the MyotonPro device has been used in the assessment of a specific aspect of soft tissue stiffness, the resistance in deformation to an external force, at the Achilles tendon. Interestingly, it remains unclear if this stiffness is related to decreased ankle joint dorsiflexion mobility, and further if limb dominance affects this relationship. Indeed, dorsiflexion mobility has been linked to lower extremity injury risk such as anterior knee pain and anterior cruciate ligament injury. Therefore, the primary purpose of this …

Effects Of An Ehealth Program On Physical Performance In Women With Cancer-Related Fatigue And Breast Cancer, Sydney George, Kelsey Haas, Delaney Hardery, Catherine Nasman, Mary I. Fisher

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose/Hypothesis: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is common in women treated for breast cancer. Exercise can reduce CRF, yet the impact of an eHealth exercise program on physical performance (PP) is rarely described. While the primary aim was to reduce CRF, this ongoing study reports on the effect of an 8-week multidisciplinary physical (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) eHealth program on measures of PP.

Materials and Methods: Participants ages 18-69 diagnosed with breast cancer in the last 5 years, who rated fatigue ≥4/10 on 0-10 scale and had completed primary cancer treatment, were randomized to intervention (EX) or control (CON) groups. Using …

Concurrent Validation Of A Reverse Wall Lunge Test Position To Assess Hip Joint Extension Mobility, Joaquin Barrios, Anne Breeding, Hannah Dressman, Emily Howard, Justin Mitchell, Elizabeth Schueler, Lauren Thomas

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose: Hip joint extension mobility is commonly assessed for restriction in clinical practice, most often with the modified Thomas test (MTT). However, the MTT is not without challenges, particularly in regards to achieving and standardizing the proximal pelvis and trunk positioning. The lone 3D validation study on the MTT used a blood pressure cuff under the lumbar lordosis in an attempt to achieve standard positioning, which is not always clinically pragmatic. Therefore, we propose assessing hip extensibility with a novel reverse wall lunge test (RWL) described below, essentially as an upright weight-bearing version of the MTT that also standardizes proximal …

Determining The Concurrent And Predictive Validity Of The Repetitive Step Test In Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease, Harold Merriman, Kurt Jackson, Kathleen Mulligan, Arrah Sandy

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose/Hypothesis: The Repetitive Step Test (RST) assesses rapid stepping capability in anterior lateral (AL) and posterior lateral (PL) diagonal directions. This study’s goal was to determine the predictive validity of the RST to identify fallers with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). A secondary objective was to determine concurrent validity of the RST to other established tests. It was hypothesized that those who completed fewer steps with the RST would be more likely to fall and that the RST would predict falls at least as well as the other balance tests.

Materials and Methods: 19 subjects (10 F, 9 M; mean age 70.3 …

Soft Tissue Mobilization Is More Effective Than Self-Stretching In Reducing Common Wrist Extensor Tendon Stiffness In Recreational Tennis Players, Olivia Potts, Noah Knackstedt, Cayton Ruby, Harold Merriman, Joseph Day

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose/Hypothesis: Increased muscle and tendon stiffness plays a role in the development of musculoskeletal pathologies. A number of interventions have been proposed to temporarily reduce muscle/tendon stiffness including soft tissue mobilization (STM) techniques and stretching. The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate and short-term effects of STM versus self-stretching on common extensor tendon (CET) stiffness in a group of recreational tennis players.

Subjects: Healthy recreational tennis players

Materials/Methods: Stiffness, measured with the shear wave modulus in kilopascals (kPa), was obtained at rest on the dominant CET using 2D ultrasound imaging shear wave elastography (SWE) (GE Logiq S8, …

A Criterion Reference Validity Study For The Modified Thomas Test For Hip Extension Mobility Using Three-Dimensional Motion Capture, Joaquin Barrios, Anne Breeding, Hannah Dressman, Emily Howard, Justin Mitchell, Elizabeth Schueler, Lauren Thomas

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose: Hip region extension mobility is commonly assessed in physical therapy practice, most commonly performed using the modified Thomas test (MTT). The validity of the MTT using 3D motion capture methods has been evaluated in only a study evaluating only healthy young males. Further, this study utilized a blood pressure cuff at 60 mm Hg under the lumbar lordosis to control the pelvis and trunk, further modifying the MTT and limiting clinical translation. Therefore, the purpose of this ongoing 3D motion capture study was to acquire criterion reference data for the traditional modified Thomas test without use of blood pressure …

Efficacy Of Abdominal Curl Up Task As Abdominal Exercise For Diastasis Recti Abdominis For Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Julia Black, Ariana Bostwick, Sierra Darlington, Brooke Sizemore, Betsy Donahoe-Fillmore

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

Purpose/Hypothesis: Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a connective tissue disorder characterized by the inappropriate functioning and synthesis of collagen, elastin, and fibrillin in the body, affecting many systems including the musculoskeletal system. In hypermobility-type EDS, individuals can present with instability at various locations in the body and may result in joint dislocations and pain. This can result in difficulty activating the abdominal muscles. The purpose of this study is to determine if a focused 3 to 6 month rehabilitation program improves inter-rectus distance (IRD), abdominal strength, and body image in women diagnosed with EDS.

Number of Subjects: Women (n=24) 33-62 …

Variance In Heart Rate Variability Between Healthy And Concussed Individuals, Sebastian Herrera Vargas, Joonsuk Choi

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Heart-Rate Variability (HRV) is the interval between each individual heartbeat, from p-wave to p-wave on an electrocardiogram (ECG). In general, a high HRV indicates that a person has a healthy heart with effective stress management skills. This value means that one branch of the nervous system is not overpowering the other, sympathetic vs parasympathetic–for example. Generally, HRV is related to vagal tone, the ability for your body to activate the parasympathetic system and relax when imminent danger is not present. However, when someone is concussed, the entirety of their autonomic regulation can be affected such that their HRV is altered. …

Development And Feasibility Of An Immersive Feedback Protocol To Reduce Knee Moments And Pain With Potential Application To People With Knee Osteoarthritis, Evan Shrier, Shawn Farrokhi, P. Pallante, Natalia Sanchez Aldana

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common cause of disability in the US, affecting 1 in 5 people. Of that, 45% will experience OA in at least one knee. To alleviate pain and prevent knee OA disease progression, walking modification techniques have been proposed. While studies and meta-analyses exist suggesting reductions knee moments due to these modifications (Bechard 2012, Bowd 2019, Fregly 2012), little conclusive evidence exists quantifying their effectiveness. Objective: This research aims to assess the feasibility of an immersive bio-feedback system that provides real-time information about how to effectivedly perform walking modifications that reduce knee moments …

Understanding Physical Therapist Student Defined Success: A Qualitative Study, Katie Graves, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

Purpose: To (1) investigate student defined success in physical therapist education, and (2) generate key themes from the students’ perspective related to success to enhance physical therapist and health professions education. Method: A qualitative study was conducted through a series of focus groups with 13 first-year and 13 second-year Doctor of Physical Therapy students. Study participants were asked open-ended questions regarding student success and the associated contextual factors. An inductive coding method with thematic analysis utilizing Dedoose software identified major themes. Results: The use of focus groups allowed for in-depth participant discussion, with sample excerpts presented. Data analysis yielded five …

The Lasting Legacy Of Dr. Fritz Smith And Dr. Aminah Raheem: Founders Of Zero Balancing And Soul Lightening/Insight Acupressure, Deanna Waggy Otr

Journal of Transformative Touch

Dr. Fritz Smith and Dr. Aminah Raheem were pioneers in the field of holistic bodywork. Their innovative techniques, Zero Balancing (ZB) and Insight Acupressure (formerly Soul Lightening International), helped shape integrative medicine practitioners around the globe. Their marriage not only symbolized a personal union but also a professional synergy, with their complementary therapies offering a yin-yang approach to mind-body healing. Their legacy continues through the many practitioners trained in Zero Balancing and Soul Lightening/Insight Acupressure and the various organizations that uphold their commitment to research, education, and professional standards.

In A Healthy D-Iii Population, Is Blood Flow Restriction More Effective For Increasing Quadriceps Strength Compared To Concentric Resistance Training?, Conner R. Ruff

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Strength is an important factor in the prevention of injuries. However, strength can decrease for numerous reasons, such as age, chronic injuries, or acute injuries. In recent years, Blood flow restriction (BFR) has been used as a modality to increase a patient’s strength gain while utilizing a low load of weight. However, in most research, BFR has been used concurrently with conventional strength training or compared to concentric training in the treatment of an injured population. This study looked at the effect of BFR on a healthy Division III (DIII) collegiate student population and its effectiveness in increasing quadriceps strength …

Entry-Level Physical Therapists’ Perceptions Of Initial Employment, Richard G. Hubler Jr.

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

As physical therapy (PT) grows as an autonomous profession within the ever-changing healthcare system of the United States, PT educators strive to provide students all the training that they require for a career in professional clinical practice. Although graduates of PT education programs receive a doctoral degree, their preparedness to succeed in their early career is unclear. The purpose of this qualitative research study is to investigate the perceptions of entry-level physical therapists (PTs) toward early professional practice and their initial employment choices. Entry-level PTs that have been employed full-time for one year or less were interviewed to gain an …

Doctor Of Physical Therapy Student Performance On The National Physical Therapy Examination And Qualitative Feedback Of Dpt Program Administrators About The Covid-19 Pandemic In The Appalachian Region, Timothy Logan Yost

Ed.D. Dissertations

In this qualitative case study, I aimed to discern the presence of a downward trend in the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) during the COVID-19 pandemic and receive valuable qualitative feedback from Doctor of Physical Therapy program administrators concerning the effects of COVID-19. I first reviewed the available literature, followed by an examination of first-time scores via publicly available data from the Federation of State Board of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). This was followed by the development of a qualitative research methodology, which included a targeted qualitative questionnaire with Doctor of Physical Therapy program administrators within the Appalachian region to gain …

Comparative Long-Term Outcomes Of Cell Therapy And Cardiac Rehabilitation In The Treatment Of Non-Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Awrush Sean Namazi, Susrut Dube, Jay Kishor Patel

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

This systematic review explores long-term treatment approaches for non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, comparing cell therapy and cardiac rehabilitation. Cardiomyopathy is characterized by the progressive thinning and deterioration of cardiac muscle and is a significant cause of heart failure. Various treatment modalities have been developed to combat cardiomyopathy and prevent the onset of heart failure, with more recent efforts focusing on cell therapy—particularly allogeneic and autologous stem cell transplants. The efficacy of these novel treatments was compared to more established regimens, particularly cardiac rehabilitation. Studies demonstrate that both treatment modalities are associated with a significant overall improvement in ejection fraction (effect size …

Surf's Up! The Benefits Of Surf Therapy For Individuals With Disabilities, Isabella Leggett

Senior Honors Projects

Surf therapy is a structured intervention that utilizes elements of the ocean and surfing to improve health. It is an increasingly popular sport for development focused on enhancing mental, physical, and social well-being. While research demonstrates that surf therapy is beneficial for all people, most research aims to gather the impact of surf therapy on children and adolescents with developmental disabilities, veterans with mental health disorders, and people with traumatic brain injuries or physical disabilities. The International Surf Therapy Organization (ISTO) is a non-profit organization with surf therapy practitioners and researchers who work to advance surf therapy as an evidence-based …

Home-Based Stroke Rehabilitation: Virtual Reality For The Elderly?, Joseph C. Moschella, Liam H. Kerrick

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Stroke remains the leading cause of long-term disability, especially within the elderly population. Nearly 50 percent of stroke survivors never achieve full independence post-stroke. This literature review examines the capability of virtual reality (VR), as home-based continuation of stroke rehabilitation for elderly patients. VR has the potential to improve motor recovery, increase independence, and reduce healthcare costs for stroke survivors. A comprehensive literature review has been conducted following the PRISMA guidelines to evaluate VR therapy compared to conventional post-stroke therapy. VR rehabilitation demonstrated improvements in motor ability, however it did not demonstrate significantly superior improvements when compared to conventional therapy. …

Addressing The Lack Of Patient Adherence To Exercise Within The Physical Therapy Clinic And Creating Infographics To Improve Patient Adherence, Gretchen Panovich

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The primary objective of this applied knowledge project is to develop educational materials to enhance patient adherence. The World Health Organization defines adherence as “the extent to which a person’s behavior…corresponds with agreed recommendations from a healthcare provider.” Within the physical therapy field, non-adherence to exercise is a significant problem linked with increased duration of treatment, more patient complaints, reduced positive clinical outcomes, and even surgical intervention.

Multiple factors affect patient adherence, making it hard to pinpoint a singular cause. Clinical observations and research suggest that belief in the rehabilitation process may suffer due to a prolonged recovery period, lack …

Efficacy Of Single Joystick-Operated Ride-On-Toy Navigation Training Program To Promote Increased Spontaneous Use And Motor Function In The Affected Arm In Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy, Neha Samuel

Honors Scholar Theses

The purpose of this study is to assess the adjunctive effects of a home-based single joystick-operated ride-on-toy navigation program to conventional care on affected upper extremity (UE) use and motor function in children with hemiplegia. Wrist-worn accelerometers were worn by children on both their affected and unaffected extremities at baseline (i.e., prior to start of the training program) and during ride-on toy training sessions to measure affected and unaffected arm activity, resulting in measurements of percent duration of time in every session that children engaged in sedentary, light, and moderate-to-vigorous activity (MVPA) using their affected and unaffected arms at baseline …

Tackling Recovery: Tibial Osteotomy In A 20-Year-Old Rugby Player With One Month Of Post-Surgery Setback, Maycee J. White, Michael J. Nolan

2025 Student Academic Showcase

Background: Tibial osteotomy is a surgical procedure commonly performed to correct lower limb malalignment in athletes. Full recovery typically takes 6-12 months, with athletes generally resuming sport-specific activities at 4-6 months. Delays in rehabilitation can result in prolonged deficits in strength, range of motion (ROM), and neuromuscular control. Case Presentation: This case study follows a 20-year-old collegiate rugby player who underwent tibial osteotomy, with rehabilitation delayed by one month. The athlete initially presented with knee stiffness, quadriceps atrophy, reduced ROM, and impaired proprioception. A multi-phase rehabilitation program was implemented as follows: •Phase 1 (Weeks 0-6): Pain management, restoring knee extension, …

Covid-19 And The Impact Of Physical Activity On Persistent Symptoms, Lauren E. Opielinski, Toni D. Uhrich, Michael H. Haischer, Rachel N. Beilfuss, Lindsey M. Mirkes Clark, Kamryn M. Kroner, Rachel E. Bollaert, Michael J. Danduran, Linda B. Piacentine, Marie K. Hoeger Bement, Paula E. Papanek, Sandra K. Hunter, Sarah J. Hamilton

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction: Physical activity is protective against chronic disease but whether activity is associated with persistent symptoms in non-hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors is unknown. The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity levels and the influence of physical activity on acute COVID-19 and long COVID symptoms in non-hospitalized COVID-19 survivors.

Methods: In total, 64 non-hospitalized COVID-19 survivors (45 female participants, 40 ± 18 years) were assessed for activity levels, body composition, and symptoms of COVID-19 8.5 ± 4.7 months post-infection and categorized into two groups: (1) persistent symptoms and (2) …