Physical Therapy Commons^™

Augmenting Hand And Arm Function For Persons With Hemiparesis, Brooke Stein, Susan Duff, Alison Mckenzie, Bailey Advincula, Isaac An, Annie Jeon, Casey Mcwilliam, Will Potter, Virginia Ruano, Paulina Vokulich, Audrey Howell, Rahul Soangra

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Background. Hand and arm dysfunction due to neural disorders significantly influences quality of life. Activity-based training has been found to improve function. These improvements could be augmented with transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) due to the modulatory effect it has on spinal and supraspinal networks. Objective. The primary aim is to determine if a 4-week training program will improve hand and arm function. The secondary aim is to determine if the addition of tSCS to a second 4-week training session will further improve function. Design. This is a pre-posttest, controlled trial for persons 10-75 years of age, >6 months post …

Structural Sensorimotor Adaptations In Young Adults With Low Back Pain, Isaac Chrisman, Jo Armour Smith, Rongwen Tain, Kelli G. Sharp, Laura M. Glynn, Linda R. Van Dillen, Jesse V. Jacobs, Steven C. Cramer

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is the largest cause of disability worldwide. There is evidence for regional structural brain adaptation in CLBP. Most studies have investigated middle-aged adults and show decreased grey matter density in pain processing regions. It is not clear if these adaptations are evident early in the lifespan of individuals with CLBP. The purpose of the study was to compare sensorimotor gray matter density in young adults with a history of CLBP with back-healthy controls. 53 young adults with a greater than 1-year history of CLBP and 29 young adults with no history of LBP participated. Clinical …

Spatiotemporal Gait Parameter Consistency Across Two Days Of Treadmill Walking In Stroke Survivors, Alejandro Aguirre Ramirez, Samantha N. Jeffcoat, Natalia Sanchez, Andrian Kuch

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Retraining impaired gait is essential in post-stroke recovery. This project aims to determine between day variability of spatiotemporal gait measures in treadmill walking post-stroke to differentiate between changes due to the intervention and measurement errors due to between day test-retest variability. Six individuals post-stroke performed a two-minute walk test at a self-selected speed (SSS) for two consecutive days. SSS was assessed through the six-minute walk test. Reflective markers were placed on anatomical landmarks (van den Bogert et al. 2013). The heel markers were used for step detection. We calculated spatiotemporal parameters: stride length, stride time, step length, stance time, and …

Increasing Social Inclusion And Engagement Of Exercise For Individuals With Spinal Cord Injuries: A Universal Resource Development For Wellness Facilities, Alexa Hall

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are 1.5 times more likely to disengage in exercise one-year post-injury despite 80% of these individuals agreeing that exercise is critical to their overall health and quality of life (Baehr. Et al., 2022). A needs assessment was conducted on why the lack of engagement in exercise exists for individuals with SCIs within fitness facilities to identify barriers preventing participation. A quality improvement program called the Spinal Cord Injury Wellness Toolkit was created based off these findings and implemented at the MUSC Wellness Center. 14 individuals with SCIs participated at wellness center; REDCap surveys were …

Evidence And Sources Of Placebo Effects In Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation During Visuospatial Working Memory Training, Andrew Hooyman, Nicole K. Haikalis, Peiyuan Wang, Heidi M. Schambra, Keith R. Lohse, Sidney Y. Schaefer

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can be used to non-invasively augment cognitive training. However, the benefits of tDCS may be due in part to placebo effects, which have not been well-characterized. The purpose of this study was to determine whether tDCS can have a measurable placebo effect on cognitive training and to identify potential sources of this effect. Eighty-three right-handed adults were randomly assigned to one of three groups: control (no exposure to tDCS), sham tDCS, or active tDCS. The sham and active tDCS groups were double-blinded. Each group performed 20 min of an adapted Corsi Block Tapping Task (CBTT), …

Cracking A Back Is Not Rehabilitation: A Comparative Analysis Of Chiropractic Vs. Physical Therapy, Lauren M. Radack

Student Scholar Showcase

There is an increasingly common belief among the general public that chiropractic care is more successful in treating injuries than physical therapy. Research shows that chiropractic care cannot be compared to physical therapy due to their different skill sets, knowledge of treatment, and applications; therefore, one modality cannot be determined better than the other. While the two domains are incomparable, individuals continue to feel pressured to select between chiropractic care and physical Therapy. Analyzing the influence of the false claims and misinformation that surrounds rehabilitation services, the belief that physical therapy treatment is able to be replaced by chiropractic treatment …

Quantitative Pilot Study: Impact Of Social Responsibility And Altruism Values On Rehabilitation Employee Satisfaction, Debra Beazley, Agnes Kim, Lori Bolgla

Asian Journal of Physical Therapy

Background: This study explores the association between physical therapist satisfaction in a rehabilitation private practice and perceptions of altruism and social responsibility in the workplace. Small private, for-profit businesses like therapy practices often embrace altruistic values and socially responsible cultures driven by close stakeholder relationships. Alignment between business culture and personal values is a stronger predictor of workplace and career satisfaction. Employees who perceive value alignment report higher job satisfaction and relatedness. Prosocial cultures, rich in altruism and social responsibility, foster job fit and reduce dissatisfaction and turnover. Physical therapy's core values, including altruism and social responsibility, are integral to …

Childhood Cancer Survivorship: Navigating A New Normal In Middle Tennessee, Karli M. Beaumont

OTD Capstone Projects

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in partnership with Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center offers REACH for Cancer Survivorship, a pediatric cancer survivorship clinic. REACH provides a full range of follow-up care designed to meet the physical, emotional, and practical needs of survivors and continuous surveillance of deleterious effects of cancer and its treatments. The purpose of this project was to meet population and agency needs through research of long- and late-term sequela while advocating for occupational therapy’s role in the oncology population through the proactive therapy and prospective surveillance models. The process of creating this project included synthesizing the literature, …

From Textbooks To Clinical Practice: Selecting And Implementing Outcomes Measures In Stroke Rehabilitation, Stacie Mae Larreau Christensen, Monica Dial

Posters and Presentations: Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Interplay Between Physical Activity Wellness, Social Networks, And Academic Performance In Pt Students, Grace C. Johnson, Kellie Gossman, Tessa Wells, Betsy J. Becker

Posters and Presentations: Physical Therapy

Purpose

Recognizing the intersection of peer influence, physical activity, student wellness, and academic performance, this study aims to provide insights that can inform educational practices and promote success among future physical therapist (PT) students. The study's purpose is to investigate the associations between students' physical activity wellness scores, their social networks, and academic performance within the school environment. The research questions are (1) Do students tend to form friendships with classmates who exhibit similar physical activity wellness scores and student achievement? and (2) How do the Exercise Factor scores of PT students align with published normative values?

Subjects: 124 students …

Participation And Outcomes Of A Community-Based Fall Prevention Program Before, During And After Covid-19 Pandemic., Bhavana Raja, Preeti Oza

Pacific Journal of Health

Introduction: Several community education programs aim to minimize risk of falling in community-dwelling older adults. However, due to the covid-19 pandemic most of these programs stopped or were delivered virtually. A matter of balance (MOB) is one such program that was delivered virtually during pandemic. The purpose of this study is to assess the differences in outcomes between in-person and virtual MOB program in San Joaquin County of California.

Methods: Participants were recruited from the community. Each MOB course ran for 8 sessions in-person or 9 sessions in the virtual format. A retrospective analysis was conducted on deidentified pre-post survey …

How Has Body Image Been Evaluated Among People With Lower Limb Loss? A Scoping Review, Kristin Nugent, Atharv Joshi, Ricardo Viana, Michael W Payne, Janelle Unger, Susan W Hunter

Physical Therapy Publications

PURPOSE: Lower limb loss can result in an altered body image, leading to changes in self-esteem, mental health and quality of life. This scoping review explored how body image has been evaluated among people with lower limb loss.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five databases (Embase, Medline, PsychINFO, CINHAL, and Nursing and Allied Health Database) were searched from inception until March 19, 2023. Inclusion criteria: 1) people with lower limb loss; 2) evaluated a body image outcome or theme; and 3) a qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods design.

RESULTS: Twenty-four quantitative (n = 19 cross-sectional, n = 3 intervention cohort and …

Increased Perceived Confidence In Professional Role Skills Among Undergraduate Dietetic Students Following Simulation-Based Learning Experiences, Makenzie Barr-Porter, Elizabeth Combs, Lauren Batey, Dawn Brewer, Aaron Kyle Schwartz, Tammy Stephenson

UK CARES Faculty Publications

Simulation-based learning experiences (SBLEs) are effective for teaching healthcare students clinical and communication skills. The current study assessed self-perceived clinical and communication confidence among dietetics students completing a series of four SBLEs (3 group, 1 individual) across nine months. Dietetics students were recruited in February 2023 prior to their first SBLE. Simultaneously through the academic year, students completed clinical and communication courses. Students were invited to complete an online, anonymous self-reported survey regarding confidence with nutrition care and communication prior to their first SBLE (Time 1), prior to their third SBLE (Time 2), and following their final SBLE (Time 3). …

Mechanisms Of Neuromuscular Fatigability In Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis, Mitra Rouhani

Dissertations (1934 -)

Subjective fatigue and pain are commonly reported in people with MS (pwMS), as is neuromuscular fatigability. The dynamometry protocols used to measure neuromuscular fatigability in pwMS varied substantially in terms of components, leading to inconsistent findings regarding the extent of neuromuscular fatigability and its central and peripheral mechanisms in pwMS compared to non-MS controls. This dissertation aimed to compare neuromuscular fatigability and its underlying mechanisms following a sustained maximal to intermittent submaximal ankle dorsiflexion in pwMS, grouped by disease severity, and non-MS controls. Additionally, we aimed to determine the impact of physical activity, muscle oxidative capacity, and exercise-induced pain on …

Blood Flow Restriction Therapy: A Review Of Physiology, Clinical Application, And Guidelines For Implementation, Nathan Schuliger

Senior Honors Theses

Blood flow restriction (BFR) therapy is an emerging clinical modality utilizing the metabolic stress of a hypoxic state to induce hypertrophic and strength adaptations in a manner allowing for reduced external loading. BFR has a variety of applications in rehabilitation settings, showing great potential for patients seeking the benefits of high intensity training without the associated degrees of mechanical stress. This literature review details the proposed mechanisms of BFR, along with various clinical applications of BFR including active and aerobic BFR. Concerns and contraindications for BFR usage are discussed regarding certain clinical populations, with risk stratification recommendations provided. Current BFR …

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation In Comparison To Heat Therapy As A Modality After Exercise-Induced Muscle Fatigue, Diana Dzasezeva

All NMU Master's Theses

Increasing blood flow to exercised areas expedites metabolite removal, aiding quicker recovery and preventing injury during return to exercise. However, the effectiveness of different recovery modalities remains unclear. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and heat therapy (HT) as recovery modalities after inducing fatigue with maximal exercise in active individuals. The study involved 56 participants who performed a fatiguing exercise before the intervention. They then either rested (control group) or received one of three treatments: HT, NMES, or NMES+HT for 15 minutes. Afterward, they performed another bout of fatiguing exercise. Outcomes …

Finger Contracture Relief Sensorized Splint, Katia Campos, Alfonso Gonzalez, Olivia Rojas

Posters - 2024

Hand traumas may result from an accident, a burn, or even something far more common like a jammed finger. Due to the pain, the hand is immobilized and this lack of movement, in addition to the healing processes, can lead to a deformity. The specific deformity addressed in this project is a Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Flexion Contracture, which is when the middle knuckles of the fingers are stuck in a flexed position. Contractions can occur after trauma or certain illnesses. It is the shortening of muscles, tendons, skin, and nearby soft tissues that causes the joints to become very stiff. …

Prevalence Of Depression In Physical Therapy Environments For Young Adult Populations In The U.S.: A Systematic Literature Review, Audrey N. Baucom

Honors College Theses

Objective: This systematic review aimed to examine interactions of depression symptoms and diagnoses and its prevalence in physical therapy settings among the young adult population ages 18-24 in the United States through current literature and to identify existing literature. Methods: This review followed the PRISMA guidelines to form a systematic review. Ten databases were extensively searched. Results were screened by one researcher and those that met the criteria were verified as inclusive by a second researcher. Results: The search yielded 3,017 results and included two studies. In each study, age was not identified as a prevalent variable in mental health …

Perturbation-Based Gait Training, Julia Bohlman, Ashwini Kulkarni

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Background:

Falls during walking are common in older adults and individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) [1]. These falls are often caused by trips [2]. Injuries caused by falls can be severe, in all age groups and populations. Given the potential severity of injuries resulting from falls, it is crucial to implement interventions aimed at preventing falls. Such interventions focus on anticipatory and/or reactive mechanisms. Perturbation-based gait training (PBT) addresses both mechanisms by intentionally destabilizing participants to induce a loss of stability, triggering a motor response to regain postural stability. PBT works on the principle of specificity. While earlier studies on …

Exploring The Prospects Of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (Tes) As A Therapeutic Intervention For Post-Stroke Motor Recovery: A Narrative Review, Hao Meng, Michael Houston, Yingchun Zhang, Sheng Li

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Stroke survivors often have motor impairments and related functional deficits. Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (tES) is a rapidly evolving field that offers a wide range of capabilities for modulating brain function, and it is safe and inexpensive. It has the potential for widespread use for post-stroke motor recovery. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS), and Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation (tRNS) are three recognized tES techniques that have gained substantial attention in recent years but have different mechanisms of action. tDCS has been widely used in stroke motor rehabilitation, while applications of tACS and tRNS are very …

Idiopathic And Neuromuscular Scoliosis In A Female College Basketball Player Requiring Spinal Correction Surgery, Magan Kim

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

The purpose of this report is to present the case of a 20-year-old female collegiate basketball player who was diagnosed with a combination of idiopathic and neuromuscular scoliosis. Patient underwent thoracic spinal fusion surgery when she was 15 to resolve her extreme scoliosis. The uniqueness of this case stems from the athlete’s urgency to have to undergo a life-altering spine operation and still be able to successfully contribute to a collegiate basketball team. Athletic trainers should be knowledgeable and aware of how to maintain treatment/rehabilitation for athletes with scoliosis, operative or non-operative. Scoliosis should no longer be a reason to …

Pilot Study For Use Of An Arthrometer To Assess Joint Laxity In People With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Dawn T. Gulick, Valerie Iovine, Kerstin Palombaro

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Joint hypermobility is a condition in which synovial joints move beyond normal limits. Approximately 10-25% of children and 5-25% of adults experience hypermobility syndrome. One such hypermobility syndrome is an inherited connective tissue disorder known as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). Typically, a score of 4-5 out of 9 on the Beighton scale is indicative of hypermobility in adults. Whereas 6 out of 9 is the criteria for children. No significant correlations were found between the systemic features of EDS and the Beighton score. The purpose of this pilot study was to see if an arthrometer could be used …

Civic-Mindedness And Core Values Ratings Across Three Cohorts Of Dpt Students: Impact Of Covid19, Sandra L. Campbell, Kerstin M. Palombaro, Ellen A. Erdman

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) defines expected professional behaviors beyond legal and ethical expectations in the Core Values document. Civic mindedness may be related to core values. Civic-minded professionals have strong ethics and work cooperatively to promote the general welfare of others. Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) education programs use a variety of methods to develop professional behaviors, Core Values, and civic mindedness in students, including experiential service-learning. The purpose of this study was to describe the trajectory of civic mindedness and core values over the course of a three-year DPT program in three cohorts of graduate …

Measuring Similarities Between The Patient Specific Functional Scale And Physical Therapist-Created Long-Term Goals In Outpatient Physical Therapy, Robin Zappin, Soo Yeon Sun

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: The Patient-specific Functional Scale (PSFS) can be used to promote person-centered goal setting. This study aimed to determine how often PSFS Items and Target Activities from physical therapist-created long-term goals (PTC-LTG) agreed. The relationship between patient demographics, meeting/partially meeting PTC-LTG and meeting or exceeding the minimal clinical important difference (MCID) for PSFS activities was also investigated. Method: PTC-LTGs, patient demographic questionnaires, and pre/post-physical therapy intervention PSFS were collected. Each item in PSFS and Target Activity in PTC-LTGs was linked to a World Health Organization International Classification of Function (WHO ICF) category. A regression analysis determined if there was …

Student Physical Therapists’ Perceptions Of A First Semester Integrated Clinical Experience: A Descriptive Study, Alicia K. Rabena-Amen, Tyler Goslinga, Amber Orchard, Fatema Ghani, Todd E. Davenport

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The value of an Integrated Clinical Experience (ICE) is well documented, but student physical therapists’ perspectives of an early ICE are not. A first semester ICE allows practice of expected skills and behaviors from the onset of a professional program. The purpose of this study was to explore students’ perceptions of a first-semester ICE. Methods: A questionnaire was completed by 36 student physical therapists after a first semester part-time ICE. SPSS Statistics, thematic analysis, and a mixed-methods approach were used to analyze the data. Results: Students agreed the ICE emphasized the importance and allowed practice of professional and communication …

Educational Lessons From A Pandemic: Lecture Recording And Learning Outcomes, Melissa Lesser, Lora Packel

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The use of lecture capture (LC) in higher education classrooms has increased, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, its effectiveness as a learning strategy is largely untested in graduate students. In undergraduate students, the use of LC has mixed findings related to academic performance. Some studies show no improvement in assessment or course grades while others show small gains. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of LC on academic performance in graduate doctor of physical therapy students (DPT). Methods: In module 1, students received two virtual synchronous lectures which were recorded …

The Clinical Placement Process Through The Lens Of The Director Of Clinical Education: A Qualitative Multiple Case Analysis, Jamie L. Greco, Katherine Myers

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The placement process is a key contributor to current challenges in health science clinical education. The Director of Clinical Education (DCE) is the central figure in coordinating the placement process in physical therapist education. Despite their central role, there is no research exploring the DCE perspective during this process. The purpose of this study was to explore the DCE’s experience in navigating the placement process to further understand how the DCE role is impacted by barriers and facilitators encountered during this process. Methods: Fourteen DCEs representing private and public institutions from across the country participated in the …

A Perfect Storm?: The Association Of Vitamin D With Injury Incidence Among Acrobatics And Tumbling Athletes, Katherine M. Lee, Andrew R. Gallucci, Jeff S. Forsse, Leticia Cherpe De Souza, Laura R. Irvin, Emily J. Boyer, Kristin H. Fant, Jeffery Heileson, Leslee Funderburk

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Acrobatics and Tumbling (A&T) is an emerging NCAA sport. Due to the novelty of the sport, limited research on injury incidence and correlates exists. Anecdotal evidence suggests that A&T presents with high injury rates. A relationship between vitamin D and bony injuries exists among athletes, but little is known about soft tissue injuries. Understanding the causes and incidence of injuries, including vitamin D, may assist athletic trainers. Methods: Forty-two A&T athletes (19.69 ± 1.199 years) completed 2 blood draws as part of routine medical care prior to and following fall training period. Results: Average vitamin D at T1 was …

Effect Of Russian Current And Structured Exercise Program On Postpartum Diastasis Recti Abdominis: A Case Series, Nagma Khan, Ashwini Bulbuli

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is the most common complication occurring post-delivery that limits the functional well-being of the affected individuals. Management of diastasis recti can include an abdominal binder, core strengthening, taping, and various surgical procedures. There is limited evidence to support the Russian current and structured exercise intervention in managing patients with DRA. Methodology: Three patients identified with DRA underwent a multi-modal treatment regimen including a hot moist pack, Russian current, abdominal binder, transverse abdominus activation exercises, treadmill training, and stationary cycling training. Outcomes were assessed using the visual analogue scale, abdominal girth, Ranney DRA scale, Oswestry …

Exploring Practices Of Board-Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialst Physical Therapists In Addressing Needs Of Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Olga Chaikovsky

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

ABSTRACT

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex condition affecting multiple domains of development. Physical Therapists (PTs) are members of the interprofessional team addressing the needs of individuals with ASD. A lack of uniformity in evidence-based assessments and practices employed by therapists to address the needs of children with ASD exists in the literature. PTs often implement approaches that are not evidence-based but rather learned from more experienced professionals or discovered by trial and error.

Pediatric clinical specialist physical therapists (PCSPTs) are PTs who possess advanced education and clinical skills in Pediatrics. As pediatric experts, PCSPTs play a major …