Physical Therapy Commons^™

A Literature Review And Introductory Pediatric Aquatic Therapy Manual, Dena Wright

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Aquatic therapy continues to grow as an acceptable and often times preferable means of achieving therapeutic goals across a variety of patient populations: pediatric to geriatric, orthopedic to neurologic. The unique properties of water allow people to exercise and to recover in a safe and relaxing environment that promotes similar goals to those on land. However, land exercises can not simply be performed in water due to the water's unique properties. Similarly, exercises for adults do not work as effectively for children. Many physical therapy programs across the nation provide only minimal instruction on aquatic or pediatric therapy as a …

Acupuncture And Pain: A Critical Analysis Of Current Research, Ryan K. Kuwahara

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Acupuncture as a treatment for pain relief has recently gained popularity in the United States despite the lack of substantial clinical proof of its analgesic effect. In the recent past there have been several reviews of the clinical studies on acupuncture's analgesic efficacy, all of which have demanded that future studies have more appropriate outcome measures, better design, and have proper credibility assessment. The present study critically analyzed the published literature over the past decade to see if the latest acupuncture studies provide a more definitive answer regarding acupuncture's efficacy. Analysis revealed that recent studies do not provide any more …

An Analysis Of Pathological Gait, Michael N. Nakamoto

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

No abstract provided.

1997 Touro College School Of Health Sciences Yearbook, Touro College School Of Health Sciences

Yearbooks and Newsletters

1997 Touro College School of Health Sciences Yearbook

Development Of A Scale To Assess Concern About Falling And Applications To Treatment Programs, Michelle M. Lusardi, Everett V. Smith Jr.

All PTHMS Faculty Publications

This study used Rasch methodology to pursue three goals. First, we sought to demonstrate the psychometric limitations of the Falls Efficacy Scale (Tinetti, Richman, & Powell, 1990). Second, we addressed these limitations using a simultaneous calibration of the Falls Efficacy Scale and Mobility Efficacy Scale items. Third, we review previous explorations of the self-efficacy construct in relationship to health behaviors and discuss a possible treatment program based on the simultaneous calibrated items and Social Cognitive Theory. Results indicate that responses from the Falls Efficacy Scale fail to assess the higher ends of the self-efficacy continuum. Simultaneous calibration of items improved …

A Review Of Anterior Instability Of The Shoulder, Ross M. Argent

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Shoulder dislocations are increasingly being recognized among physical therapists as a common disabling condition in the health care setting. Surgeons are constantly attempting to improve and develop new surgical techniques to help patients who present with anterior instability. The purpose of this paper is to address the issue of anterior instability and its clinical importance to physical therapy.

The shoulder complex demonstrates an important balance between stability and mobility. As the name implies, it is an extremely complicated joint with various components contributing to its strength. The shoulder joint is dislocated more often than any other major joint in the …

Correlation Between Isokinetic Plantarflexion Versus Vertical Height Jump Power Index, Eric H. Anderson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Twenty-five male subjects between the ages of 20 and 41 were tested on the KinCom isokinetic dynamometer to obtain peak torque values for the bilateral ankle plantarflexor muscle groups at 60 degrees/second. The subjects were also tested for vertical height jump (VHJ) and body composition to determine correlation between isokinetic plantarflexion peak torque and vertical height jump capacity.. VHJ was multiplied by the participant's body weight to obtain the vertical height jump power index (VHJPI). The results indicate that there was no significant correlation between VHJPI and peak torque of bilateral plantarflexion using the parameter of isokinetic peak torque.

Auricular Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation: A Review, Greg R. Burton

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Pain has oppressed man for centuries and is the most common symptom for which patients seek medical treatment. The goal of medical research has been to discover the simplest method of pain relief with the least detrimental or undesirable side effects. If pain is not treated successfully, it can lead to a chronic condition with crippling effects that can profoundly affect the individual's quality of life. Pain can also prevent the successful treatment of other disorders.

Auricular transcutaneous electrical stimulation (ATENS) is on~ of the most recent methods of pain management to arise from research. It combines both acupuncture and …

Upper Extremity Joint Mobilization, Carolyn Brown

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Musculoskeletal injuries are one of the most costly nonfatal pathologies in the United States. Eighty to 90% of persons afflicted with musculoskeletal dysfunctions will require a treatment other than surgery. Manual therapy is a system of techniques which may be used to ease the pain and dysfunction with which these patients present. The purpose of this paper and the accompanying video tape, is to provide the physical therapy student with a source to aid their study of upper extremity joint mobilization. The paper presents a brief history of manual therapy, beginning in ancient Thailand and Egypt and ending with the …

Correlation Of Generalized Joint Hypermobility And Knee Mobility With Knee Injury Prevalence And The Role Of Lower Extremity Dominance, Darin Didier

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of generalized joint hypermobility and knee mobility with knee injury prevalence among female high school basketball players. The role of lower extremity dominance with knee injury prevalence was also examined.

Sixty female subjects evaluated for generalized joint hypermobility and knee mobility using the Beighton hypermobility criteria and KT-1000 knee ligament arthrometer, respectively, were followed-up for this study. Subjects were previously evaluated as sophomore high school basketball players. Fifty eight of the sixty eligible subjects participated in this study as high school juniors by: 1) completing a survey indicating their level …

Utilizing The Ryder's And The Thigh-Foot Angle Tests To Establish Normal Values Of Femoral Anteversion And Tibiofibular Torsion In Children Aged 5 Through 10 Years, Timothy M. Dahlke, Wendi L. Jabs

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research was to begin to establish normative data for femoral anteversion and tibiofibular torsion using the Ryder's and the Thigh-Foot Angle (TEA) tests. A secondary purpose was to establish the intertester and intratester reliability of the authors' measurements. Thirty-three normal children within the ages of 5 through 10 years volunteered for this study. All subjects' data were separated into the appropriate age groups. All data were pooled and mean/standard deviations and intertester/intratester reliability coefficients were determined. A small decreasing general trend in femoral anteversion with increasing age was found. However, no significant trend was noted in …

The Performance Of Children With Down Syndrome On The Bruininks Oseretsky Test Of Motor Proficiency, Erin Docter, Kristine Tyler, Victoria Van Horn

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to begin collection of nonnative data on how children with Down syndrome, that are educable and trainable mentally impaired, perform on the Bruininks Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency - Short Form (BOTMPSF). The researchers collected data on children with Down syndrome between the ages of 4.11 and 13.7. Twenty subjects including 15 males and 5 females volunteered for the study. All participants were from schools and support groups throughout Holland, Grand Rapids, and Muskegon, Michigan. Each child was tested using the BOTMP-SF. Results indicated that children with Down syndrome perform significantly lower than children …

The Interdisciplinary Treatment Of Temporomandibular Disorder, Wendy Conlon, Amy Jones, Brenda Mitus

Masters Theses

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a chronic complex disorder that is treated by many health care professionals including dentists and physical therapists. The purpose of the study was to investigate the extent an interdisciplinary relationship exists between the dental and physical therapy professions in the treatment of TMD. This was accomplished by sending a survey questionnaire to 300 dentists in three midwestem metropolitan areas. The questionnaire identified treatment strategies and referral patterns used by dentists treating TMD. It is believed that the results of this study will bring attention to the advantages of using an interdisciplinary approach in the treatment of …

Concurrent Validity Of Functional Reach In Community-Dwelling Elderly Women, Aimee Hosek, Kimberly Sackett

Masters Theses

The purpose o f this correlational study was to establish concurrent validity of functional reach, the maximal distance one can reach forward beyond arm's length without taking a step, as a measure of physical decline, by determining the relationship between functional reach and other physical performance measures. Subjects included 46 community-dwelling women over 65 years of age who performed the functional reach test, the timed Up and Go, and the 10-foot walk. Data analysis employed Pearson correlation coefficients. The association between FR and timed Up and Go and 10-foot walk was r = -.51 and r = -.53 respectively. After …

Nursing Students' Perceptions Of Clinical Instructor Behaviors That Affect The Development Of Self-Confidence, Debra E. Veltkamp

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine clinical instructor behaviors that students perceive as important in promoting or hindering their development of self-confidence. One hundred fifty-eight associate degree and baccalaureate nursing students rated 21 clinical teaching behaviors on the degree each helped or hindered their self-confidence as nurses and responded to two open-ended questions by identifying additional behaviors. Factor analysis of these behaviors revealed six dimensions of clinical teaching that characterized the instructor as: encourager, evaluator, discourager, enabler, benevolent presence, and resource. All behaviors contributing to the dimensions of clinical instructor were rated by students as helpful in their …

The Relationship Of Hamstring Length And Chronic Low Back Pain, Aaron Deline, David Doubblestein

Masters Theses

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most complex dysfunctions facing physical therapists today. There has been some research on the correlation between decreased hamstring length and LBP, but the results have been inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a direct correlation between decreased hamstring length and chronic LBP among males and females aged 20 - 60 years who are non-manual laborers.

Based on responses to a questionnaire thirty-nine volunteer subjects were placed into either the no LBP group or the chronic LBP group. The subjects were then tested bilaterally for hamstring muscle …

Knowledge Of Pre-Physical Therapy Students Regarding Admission Criteria At Grand Valley State University, Kerry Randolph, Beth Wieber

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine how informed pre-P.T. students at G.V.S.U. are about the admission criteria for the P.T. program. A qualitative design was used.

Twenty pre-P.T. students from G.V.S.U. participated in the survey portion of this study. Eight of these students participated in follow-up interviews.

The survey was used to collect information regarding knowledge of admission requirements and sources of information. A personal interview was used to further probe and clarify survey responses. Data was analyzed to identify common themes.

Results indicate that academic advisors for pre-P.T. students at G.V.S.U. are not used as a major …

Perspective Discrepancy Analysis Of Health Care Provider And Well-Elderly Regarding Environmental Fall Risk Factors, Deborah A. Bliler, Catherine I. Schenten, Kay A. Smaltz

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to discover the discrepancies in perspectives regarding environmental hazards in the home between the well-elderly and health care professionals.

Interviews, discussion groups, and review of a videotape were used to gather information. The interviews and videotapes were used to gain the health care professional’s perspectives and the discussion groups were used to gather the elderly’s perspectives.

This qualitative study found both similarities and discrepancies between the well-elderly and physicians. The major discrepancies were: 1) that the elderly and health care professionals are not entirely aware of environmental factors contributed to falls, 2) the physicians …

Strength And Neuromuscular Characteristics Of Female And Male High School Basketball Players, Diane M. Beach, Barbara J. Hoogenboom, Lisa M. Rose

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify possible differences in strength ratios and neuromuscular performance between high school female and male basketball players, as tested by concentric isokinetic testing using the Blodex® isokinetic system . We recruited high school basketball players, females (N=26) and males (N=27). All participants underwent isokinetic concentric testing of bilateral hamstrings and quadriceps at five speeds (60, 180, 240, 300, 450 degrees per second). Female subjects demonstrated lower hamstrlng/quadriceps ratios than males at 60 and 240 degrees per second. Compared with male subjects, the female subjects took significantly longer to generate maximum hamstring muscle torque …

A Study Of Preprofessional Grade Point Average As A Predictor Of Success For Physical Therapy Majors At Langston University, Jocelyn Evans

McCabe Thesis Collection

Admission criteria for allied health programs have been studied to determine the success a student will have in a given program. Program admissions committees seek students who will perform the best, didactically and clinically, completing the program and demonstrating the potential to pass the professional exams. In an effort to determine which students will successfully complete professional health programs, studies have been conducted to help predict which tools of selection are of most value. Included as variables in these studies to predict success in allied health programs are prerequisite grade point average (pre-GPA), science grade point average (sci-GPA), interview scores, …

Maximixing Clinical Education Options In Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy, Beverly D. Fein

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

The purpose of this article is to present a series of suggestions for increasing cardiopulmonary content in clinical education experiences. This article offers strategies for maximizing cardiopulmonary clinical education experiences of physical therapy students in order to better prepare them to function in the changing clinical environment. Specific strategies addressed include: 1) enhancing student selfdirectedness; 2) integrating cardiopulmonary content into management of patients with a variety of diagnoses; and 3) use of resources for student and staff development. A series of guiding questions to facilitate student learning in the area of cardiopulmonary physical therapy is provided. Alternative models for full …

The Relationship Between Vertical Jump Scores And Peak Force Measurements Of An Isokinetic Leg Press, David M. Silkey

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

This study evaluated potential correlations between related closed kinematic chain strength measurements on a Kin-Com isokinetic machine and a functional strength test. The correlation between standing vertical jump height and isokinetic leg press measurements were statistically analyzed. The following measurements were obtained from 22 subjects (mean age of 24.4 years): a body weight measurement, a vertical jump score, and the force measurements of an isokinetic leg press at 90°/second on each leg. Pearson correlation coefficients were significant (p < .001) when power quotient scores (vertical jump height multiplied by body weight) were compared to leg press results. However, second-order partial correlation coefficients did not find a significance (p > .005) between vertical jump scores and isokinetic leg press results when weight and gender were considered. A significant difference (p < .001) existed between left leg press and right leg press measures. Although isokinetics are useful for lower extremity assessment, this study found that the isokinetic leg press may not be appropriate in determining functional ability.

A Review Of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Jill C. Ballan

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is the most common pediatric rheumatoid disease in North America. and a principle cause of childhood disability. The disease course is unremitting in up to a quarter of the children with JRA, and a small percentage will grow-up with severe functional disabilities.. Physical and occupational therapy, along with prescribed drug and orthopedic provisions, are important in the management of JRA. The therapists, and other medical professionals involved, work toward the following goals: decreasing joint inflammation, relieving pain, achieving or maintaining an optimal level of function, and educating the patient and family on the disease course and …

Physical Therapy Techniques For Treating Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury (Tbi), Daren M. Flolo

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be devastating. Survivors of TBI and their families face complex needs that challenge physical therapists. To respond to this challenge, physical therapists need specific knowledge in regard to epidemiology, etiology, specialized treatment techniques, and the impact of the TBI on patients and their families.

With improvements in medical technology, the number of children and adults surviving brain injuries has increased. Many of these survivors require specialized training to improve impairments as a result of their injuries.

Physical therapists play a vital role in the evaluation and treatment of the patient with traumatic brain injury. In …

The Effects Of A Downhill Skiing Program On Standing Balance In Adults And Children With Various Disabilities, Colleen Kavanaugh, Tara Mcnabb, Tami Revett

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to assess possible improvements in balance following a downhill ski program at Cannonsburg Ski Area. The 15 subjects' ages ranged from 7-67 and were obtained by a convenience sample of participants in the Cannonsburg Challenged Ski Association. Diagnoses of the participants included cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, cerebral vascular accident, hearing impaired, visually impaired, and developmentally disabled.; A pre-test, post-test design was used to assess the participants balance using the functional reach test--yardstick method. Data was analyzed by computer using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Using the t-test for paired comparisons, …

Geriatric Knowledge, Attitudes And Interests Of Physical Therapy Alumni Of Grand Valley State University, Elizabeth Johnson

Masters Theses

Gerontologic knowledge, attitudes and interest in working with the elderly were investigated and potential relationships explored. Six years of Grand Valley State University alumni (3 years Bachelor's {dollar}\{lcub} \rm N=63\{rcub}{dollar} and 3 years Master's {dollar}\{lcub} \rm N=84\{rcub} ){dollar} were surveyed. Questionnaires consisted of: a Personal History Questionnaire, to collect demographic data; the Palmore's Facts on Aging Questionnaire Part 2 with a "don't know" option added; and a modified Semantic Differential by Rosencrantz and McNevin. P-values were set at {dollar}\le{dollar}.05 to determine statistical significance. Correlations were also run on the data. Results indicate a fairly high correlation between people who believe …

The Effects Of Contralateral Limb Strength Training On Muscle Atrophy In An Immobilized Upper Extremity, Robin R. Hlavacek

Masters Theses

Four case studies were used to evaluate the effects of three weeks of isokinetic strength training on retarding muscle atrophy in the contralateral casted limb. The non-dominant arm of each subject was immobilized in a long-arm plaster cast. Two subjects participated in an isokinetic strength training program three times per week for three weeks and two subjects were untrained. Each subject was measured for limb circumference and strength before and after casting. Pre- and post-immobilization values were compared within each subject. The results suggest a possible cross transfer effect of strength from the trained limb to the casted limb in …

Exercise Walking For Obesity Management In Older Adult White Women, Mary I. Dallas

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if a program of exercise walking would lead to any changes in the level of physical fitness for obese white women, aged fifty and over. Twenty-two women were recruited from three sites located in Holland, Michigan. The ten week program consisted of exercise walking three times a week for forty-five minutes at 60% to 70% maximum heart rate capacity. Subjects' weight, mean percentage of body fat, waist to hip ratio, body mass index, and the step test were found to decrease significantly between the pre- and post-test measures. As a result of …

The Effects Of An Eleven-Week Therapeutic Riding Program On Motor Skills As Measured By The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test Of Motor Proficiency, Angela M. Cripe, Angela A. Schmid

Masters Theses

The purpose of this single-case experimental design study was to determine whether or not therapeutic horseback riding was effective in improving motor skills. The subject was a 7-year-old girl with diplegic cerebral palsy. She participated in a therapeutic riding program for 11 weeks. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-Short Form (BOT-SF) was administered a total of seven times (two pretests, three tests during the riding program, and two posttests). Due to the limited number of testing sessions and only having 1 subject, the results of the study are considered inconclusive. However, based on visual analyses of graphs, some improvements in …

Electromyographic Comparison Of Internal And External Obliques Using A Modified Version Of Kendall's Strength Test Positions For Upper And Lower Abdominals, Rebecca A. Currier, Margie L. Johnson

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the activity of the internal obliques (upper abdominals) versus the external obliques (lower abdominals) during a modified version of Kendall's upper and lower abdominal strength tests using surface electromyography on adults. The study was not correlated to Kendall's theory due to the necessity to have the internal oblique electrode placed on the anterior abdomen. Twenty-four women and sixteen men participated in the study. All subjects were taught two positions ("easy" and "hard") for both abdominal tests and performed eight trials. A normalized ratio was generated by dividing one "hard" trial by the …