Physical Therapy Commons^™

College Of Fine Arts Outreach And Health Promotion For Injury Prevention: A Service Learning Project, Andrea Bejaran-Choto, Emily Horner, Marlene Quirarte, Shaye Robles, Dora Segura, Duc Tu, Trevor Williams

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction: This community-based academic initiative targeted a significant deficiency regarding rehabilitative care and wellness assets for Southern Nevada's fine arts practitioners. Despite possessing trauma frequency rates similar to those of collegiate-level athletes, this demographic lacks sufficient infrastructure for health support. The endeavor sought to bolster the University of Nevada, Las Vegas College of Fine Arts (CFA) and the regional performance art sector utilizing the UNLV College of Fine Arts Physical Therapy Clinic (CFA-PTC).

Description: The initiative focused on three essential objectives: (1) augmenting student consciousness and utilization of therapeutic care at the CFA-PTC, (2) broadening health-related guidance for the artistic …

Assessing The Reliability And Minimal Detectable Change Of Frontal Plane Projection Angles During Functional Tasks In Individuals With Patellofemoral Pain, Isabella Keefer, Derrick Smith, Brendan Yawn

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose/Hypothesis: Single-limb dynamic weight-bearing tasks are frequently used to evaluate lower extremity and trunk movement patterns in individuals with patellofemoral pain (PFP). These individuals frequently exhibit abnormal frontal plane projection angles (FPPAs) at the trunk, pelvis, and lower extremities, indicative of altered movement patterns such as knee valgus, pelvic drop, and lateral trunk lean. While test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change (MDC) values for various FPPAs have been established in pain-free individuals, comprehensive data for individuals with PFP remain limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate test-retest reliability, as well as the standard error of measurement (SEM) …

Enhancing Psychosocial Well-Being And Quality Of Life In Parkinson’S Disease: Integrating Patient Experiences And Physical Therapists’ Expertise, Adetayo Adeoti Babarinde

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by a wide range of non-motor symptoms that often affect the quality of life of persons with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD) even more profoundly than the motor symptoms typically associated with the condition. These non-motor symptoms include olfactory and gastrointestinal dysfunction, cognitive impairments, sleep disturbances, and psychological and social concerns. Psychosocial concerns include the mental, emotional, and social impact of PD on an individual’s functioning and, overall well-being. They reflect the interplay between symptoms of the disease, psychological development and functioning, personal relationships, and environmental factors. Mental health and psychosocial concerns such as depression, anxiety, fear …

Quadriceps Tendon Versus Patellar Tendon Autograft For Primary Acl Reconstruction: A Matched-Pairs Analysis At 3, 6, And 9 Months, Grant Gueller, Steven Higbie, Walter Lowe

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Investigating The Clinical Relevance Of A Modified 10 Meter Walk Test For Physical Therapists In The Treatment Of Acute Stroke Populations: Insights From A Case Series, Sarah Rowe, Gwen Juha, Todd E. Davenport, Joy Williams

Pacific Journal of Health

The purpose of this case series is to examine the utility of a modified 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT) for physical therapists treating acute stroke populations including discharge planning, equipment needs and clinical reasoning. Seven patients admitted within five days of various cerebrovascular accidents completed the 10MWT during inpatient treatment sessions with modifications such as assistive device use, modified instructions and physical assistance. Of these, two patients also completed a standardized 10MWT in the outpatient setting following discharge from inpatient services. Patients recommended versus actual discharge settings were recorded. Ultimately, those who were recommended for acute rehabilitation had the slowest …

Measuring Effectiveness Of A Mobility Aide On A Medical-Surgical Unit, Jamie L. Granatowicz, Laura N. Rogers, Leeza A. Struwe

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of a mobility aide on a medical-surgical inpatient unit to improve patients’ surgical outcomes, decrease hospital length of stay, and decrease the number of falls.

Design: A retrospective review was conducted to determine the effects of a mobility aide implemented on a medical-surgical unit. The intent was to ensure the utilization of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol for early mobilization before and after implementation. Two-month periods were analyzed before and after implementation.

Findings: The results demonstrated clinical significance for patients when implementing a mobility aide. The mean length of stay was 1.044 days …

A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis: Psychometric Properties Of Functional Tests In The Cancer Population, Mckenna Culter, Austin Schlater, Grace Molfenter, Mary Fisher

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

An After-School Adaptive Cycling Program For Children With Disabilities: A Pilot Study, Betsy Donahoe-Fillmore, Trisha A. Renner, Kate Burkart, Emma Feldman, Raegan Oehler, Kennedy Dedario, Britney Kozlowski, Terri Dinkelaker, Mary Fisher

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

A Comparison Of Drop Vertical Jump And Running Biomechanics Among Varying Experience Levels With Running, Jacob Hamme, Joaquin Barrios

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Improving Functional Electrical Stimulation Prescription For Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Series, Shahla Hosseini, Kimberly Bigelow, Nick Padgett, Robert Campbell, Lauren Boland, Skylar Forsberg, Brett Weaver, Kurt Jackson

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Yoga On The Symptoms Of Perimenopause And Menopause: A Randomized Control Trial, Wendy Chorny, Betsy Donahoe-Fillmore, Brenlyn Rostad, Olivia Miller, Summer Rivas, Andrea Heitkamp, Cassidy Albers, Kennedi Gephart, Mary Fisher

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

A Tennis Ball Necklace As Simple Feedback To Effectively Reduce Impact Kinetics During Running, Kevin Sheehan, Matthew Minard, Andrew Clark, Jason Clingenpeel, Morgan Gigandet, Nicolas Love, Madison Scott, Joaquin Barrios

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Determining The Concurrent And Predictive Validity Of The Repetitive Step Test In Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease, Harold Merriman, Kurt Jackson, Kyle Arrowood, Kaylee Virag

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Split-Squat Lower Limb Biomechanics In Individuals With And Without Chronic Ankle Instability, Joaquin Barrios, Eva Carbone, Matt Cesario, Marshall Flynn, Danielle Updike

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Soft Tissue Mobilization Versus Hold-Relax Stretching On Wrist Extensor Tendon Stiffness In Tennis Players, Brendan Burck, Adina Taylor, Cody Pohlman, Andrew Traven, Harold Merriman, Joseph Day

University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Teaching Exercise: A Survey On Educational Aids And Self-Efficacy, Joshua I. Eaton, Lucas Morgan, Matthew Hermes

Honors College Theses

HEPs are an important part of therapeutic treatment because they allow for greater exercise stimulus than can be achieved from supervised exercise alone. 94.7% of physical therapists reported prescribing HEPs to their patients. However, patient adherence to these plans can be as low as 35%. Lack of HEP adherence likely leads to sub-optimal clinical outcomes in physical therapy patients. Self-efficacy is improved in patients by supplementing HEPs with instructional aids, especially in the form of videos instead of pictures or descriptions, because they act as a form of vicarious experience. It is possible that improving self-efficacy through vicarious experience could …

Evaluating The Suitability Of The Berg Balance Scale For Assessing Balance In Diabetes With And Without Prior Covid-19: A Methods-Validation Study, Garima Kaushik Dr, Sheetal Malhan Dr., Apoorva Tiwari Dr, Vishakha Daga Dr

Journal Of Indian Physician Associates

ABSTRACT

Background: Balance impairment in diabetes mellitus is predominantly driven by somatosensory loss secondary to peripheral neuropathy. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is widely used to evaluate functional balance, yet it mainly reflects motor performance and may not adequately represent sensory mechanisms. Following COVID-19, additional concerns regarding deconditioning have emerged, but interpretation depends on the measurement tool employed.

Objective: To examine the construct behavior and suitability of the BBS for assessing balance in individuals with diabetes with and without prior COVID-19 infection, and to determine whether the scale reflects known determinants of diabetic imbalance.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted …

Success In Motion: A Comparative Thematic Analysis Of Patient Success In Inpatient And Outpatient Physical Therapy, William T. Gish

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Physical therapy is practiced across a wide range of clinical settings that differ substantially in patient populations, goals, and care timelines. While standardized outcome measures are commonly used to evaluate treatment effectiveness, little research has examined how physical therapists themselves define successful outcomes  or whether those definitions vary across inpatient and outpatient contexts. This study employed a qualitative mixed-methods design to explore how physical therapists conceptualize success in clinical practice. Ten licensed physical therapists participated in semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Supplementary quantitative data were collected via an online background survey. Five primary themes emerged: goal-oriented, patient-centered …

Play To Win: A Randomized Controlled Trial To Assess The Effects Of Play-Based Training On Upper Extremity Function In Children With Hemiplegia, Vivian London

Honors Scholar Theses

Hemiplegia, or paralysis of one side of the body, is the primary symptom of unilateral cerebral palsy, a subtype of cerebral palsy, the most common movement disorder in children. Standard of care is regular physical and occupational therapy to improve performance in bimanual activities, but conventional therapy can be expensive and draining for caregivers and children, so a need exists for a novel intervention that can take place at home and that is economical for families while being engaging for children. This thesis reports data from a subset of ten children seen as part of a randomized controlled clinical trial …

Interprofessional Palliative Care: Implementation Of What Matters Most, Nicole Moran, Madeleine A. Keppel, Madison E. Markey, Alicia Naccarato, Kristen Cumming, Lori Boright

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

Palliative care (PC) is defined as specialized care plans for people with serious, life-limiting illnesses, emphasizing comfort care and management of complex symptoms. Rehabilitation professionals such as physical and occupational therapists have unique skills and perspectives towards managing and contributing to this population though are often under-represented on interprofessional palliative care teams. The Guide to What Matters (The Guide) was created upon recognition of the need for an increased presence of rehabilitation services in PC.

Severe Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Presenting With Paraplegic Symptoms: A Rehabilitation Case Report, Cecilia Hammond, Elizabeth Campione

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is characterized by sensory and/or motor symptoms in distal extremities starting within 24 hours of receiving chemotherapy and can potentially last for years. Management of CIPN may include medication (i.e. Duloxetine) and physical therapy (PT). The purpose of this case report is to describe the rehabilitation process and adjustments to the plan of care for a patient with severe CIPN. This case underscores the importance of a proper diagnosis and the need for research to develop evidence-based guidelines for PT interventions for non-ambulatory patients with severe CIPN.

Case description: The patient was a 53-year-old female …

Clinical Management Of A Patient With Lipo-Lymphedema Using Adjustable Compression Wraps: A Case Report, Candace Alexander, Claire Davies, Martha Monroe

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

Background: Lipo-lymphedema indicates the presence of lipedema and lymphedema. Compression is used to achieve volume reduction and assist with long-term management. Adjustable compression wraps (ACWs) have been used in lymphedema care to replace traditional compression bandaging and facilitate patient self-care.

Case Description: This patient reported issues with bilateral leg edema for more than 35 years. She reported poor experiences with compression garments and had tried self-management with a compression pump only. She was referred for lymphedema care when her malfunctioning compression pump enabled her edema to worsen.

Assessment and Treatment: Lipedema may have been present for many years …

Recurring Axillary Web Syndrome (Aws) Following A Strenuous Increase In Upper Extremity Strengthening Exercise: A Case Report, David Locke, Linda Koehler

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

Background: Axillary web syndrome (AWS) refers to cords presenting in the axilla, upper extremity, and lateral chest wall after breast cancer surgery with axillary lymph node dissection. This unique case demonstrates the onset of AWS 2 weeks post-operatively with recurrence at 4 and 21 months, following rapid progression in upper extremity strengthening exercise.

Case Description: A 33-year-old athletic woman with invasive ductal carcinoma underwent a left mastectomy with sentinel node biopsy (6 nodes removed). Cord development occurred at 2 weeks after surgery. She sought physiotherapy consisting of AWS education, myofascial pin-and-stretch techniques applied to the cord in end-range abduction, a …

Physical Therapy Management Of An Adult Patient Diagnosed With Spindle Cell Rhabdomyosarcoma: A Case Report, Jennifer Carrano

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

Background: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma that primarily affects children and adolescents. Adult RMS is uncommon and associated with poorer prognosis and limited evidence to guide rehabilitation.

Case Description: A 29-year-old male presented with right facial pain, hearing loss, tinnitus, and right facial and tongue paresthesia. Imaging and biopsy revealed spindle cell RMS of the right masticator space. He had no cancer-related family history, did not smoke, and used alcohol occasionally. Treatment included neoadjuvant chemotherapy, major oncologic resection with scapular free flap reconstruction, and adjuvant radiation. He was referred to outpatient physical therapy with trismus, restricted …

Navigating Care In Cancer: Aligning Rehabilitation And Exercise To Support Patients, Christopher M. Wilson

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

The growing evidence base supporting both exercise oncology and cancer rehabilitation highlights their complementary roles across the cancer continuum. Research consistently demonstrates that physical activity improves physical function, fatigue, quality of life, and survival, while rehabilitation addresses impairments and restores participation in meaningful activities. Despite these advances, current care models often lack coordination, resulting in fragmented services, inappropriate referrals, and missed opportunities for optimal patient outcomes. Some individuals are directed to exercise programs without adequate screening for underlying impairments, while others may receive rehabilitation services when supervised, independent or community-based activity would suffice.

To address these gaps, there is a …

Editorial Board Message: About This Issue, Bryan A. Spinelli

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

Bryan Spinelli provides a summary of the contents of the issue.

Cover And Front Matter, Volume 3, Issue 1

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

Cover and front matter, Volume 3, Issue 1

Coordinated Telehealth For People With Parkinson’S Disease: A Qualitative Comparison Of Providers’ And Patients’ Experiences, Erin J. Bush, Reshmi L. Singh, Josephine Cox, Merrill R. Landers, Annalisa V. Piccorelli

The Qualitative Report

Telehealth increases access to allied healthcare in rural areas. People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) need improved access to health care, and from a patient-centered perspective, the coordination of their healthcare should be a priority. Four speech-language pathologists, two physical therapists, two pharmacists, and two study coordinators provided a coordinated allied healthcare intervention for people with PD in rural Wyoming and Nevada. Both the providers of the intervention, as well as the participants who received it, were interviewed about their experiences with the eight-week intervention and asked about aspects that were successful or unsuccessful. Through a naturalistic paradigm using a qualitative …

Patient Facing Physical Therapy Clinicians’ Experience Of Leader Development Across Their Professional Span: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Judith R. Gelber

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

While healthcare professions call for leadership among its practitioners as a key function of practice, hospital systems typically employ a top town leadership structure. In physical therapy, leadership is centered around managers and educators. This leaves a gap in understanding about leadership at the level of the patient facing clinician. This study explored the experience of leader development across the career span of experienced patient facing physical therapists in the United States. The study used a hermeneutic phenomenological approach undergirded with leader development, experiential learning, and distributed leadership theories. Participant recruitment focused on patient facing physical therapists with ten or …

Sedentary Behavior Modifies The Effect Of Balance Rehabilitation On Balance Discordance In Parkinson’S Disease, Franziska Albrecht, Sarah J. Conklin, Andrew Hooyman, Daniel S. Peterson, Jason K. Longhurst, Erika Franzén

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) often experience a misalignment between their perceived and actual balance ability, known as balance discordance, which has been associated with falls. We examined whether high-intensity balance and gait training (HiBalance) alters balance discordance in individuals with PD, and whether baseline sedentary behavior influences these changes. A secondary analysis examining pre- to post-intervention discordance changes of two HiBalance clinical trials (N = 97) using linear regression with interactions between sedentary behavior and pre-intervention discordance. The sample included two cohorts: one clinical and one research based. The model including sedentary behavior and its interaction with pre-intervention …