Physical Therapy Commons^™

Service-Learning Through A Community-Based Boxing Program For Persons With Parkinson’S Disease, Carrie Ellis, Jessica Watson

Educational Practices in Kinesiology

The purpose of this manuscript is to discuss how a community-based boxing program can be implemented to engage students in service learning, while also providing a valuable service to an underserved population in the community. The intended audience for this activity is undergraduate exercise science or kinesiology students and graduate Doctor of Physical Therapy students. The program is delivered in person and requires an estimated time commitment of 75 minutes twice weekly. This activity is unique in that it combines the pedagogical benefits of service-learning for students with evidence-based treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD). As PD is the second most …

The Use Of Tens To Help Manage Post-Mastectomy Pain, Alyssa B. Carey, Amanda Giarratano, Verena Gorgi, Lauren Vera

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been demonstrated to be an effective non-pharmacological adjunct for postoperative pain management in thoracic surgeries. However, few studies have examined its benefits in managing post-mastectomy pain. This study found that TENS provided positive effects on postoperative pain control, which were associated with improved physical and psychological outcomes. Overall, TENS appears to be a safe and effective modality for managing acute postmastectomy pain.

Whole-Body Vibration As An Adjunctive Modality For Radiation-Induced Fibrosis In Breast Cancer Rehabilitation: A Physical Therapist’S Perspective, Carla Steinberg

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

No abstract provided.

Occupational Therapy Interventions For Pediatric Patients With Cancer And Avascular Necrosis: A Case Report, Lucy Weathers, Sandra Murphy, Michael Neel, Raul Riberio

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

Background: Avascular necrosis (AVN) is a rare disease that can be caused by cancer treatment. AVN can affect multiple joints, which can disrupt one’s ability to perform daily activities. Rehabilitation services, including occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy, are used to improve a patient’s quality of life through skilled conservative interventions that improve daily task engagement. Occupational therapists are trained to address functional deficits experienced by pediatric patients with cancer and may play a key role in treating patients who have AVN. This case report describes the role of OT in addressing self-care for a patient experiencing early multifocal AVN. …

Individualized Aerobic Exercise Prescription As Part Of A Comprehensive Physical Therapy Treatment During Systemic Chemotherapy: A Case Report, Veronica Griesemer

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is commonly seen in cancer survivors. Multiple treatment modalities for breast cancer can cause cardiotoxicity during or even decades after treatment. Aerobic exercise has been well documented to treat non-cancer-related CVD; however, research regarding optimal dosing within the cancer population is needed. This case report discusses the examination, evaluation, and treatment of a patient with breast cancer receiving potentially cardiotoxic chemotherapy.

Case Description: This patient presented with decreased cardiorespiratory fitness, elevated heart rate, and shortness of breath when climbing the stairs after completing systemic chemotherapies doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide. She was preparing to start paclitaxel treatments and …

The Relationship Between Fatigue And Quality Of Life For Patients Participating In A Cancer Survivor Program, Madge Suzanne Tinsley, Marie Vazquez Morgan, Elizabeth Disbrow, Carol Crooms

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

Introduction: The purpose of this chart review was to examine differences in fatigue and quality of life following cancer treatment based on gender, race, age, cancer type, and referral for rehabilitation services.

Methods: Ninety-one patient charts were reviewed for demographic variables, cancer type, rehabilitation referral, and baseline scores on the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) and Reintegration to Normal Life Index (RNLI). Group differences were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test, and correlations between fatigue and quality of life were assessed using Pearson’s correlation (p < 0.05).

Results: Participants included 65 females (71%) and 26 males (29%), with 73% identifying as Black, 26% …

Impact Of Lymphedema Treatment Act Implementation On Lymphedema Therapists’ Compression Garment Practices, Sarah Stolker, Karla T. Washington, Kimberly Karr, Andrew Amari, Kyle A. Pitzer

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

Purpose: Lymphedema management requires routine use of compression garments to stabilize limb volume and diminish infection risk. The 2024 Lymphedema Treatment Act (LTA) established Medicare coverage for these essential medical supplies. However, this legislation introduced structural challenges to clinical workflows for lymphedema therapists, who traditionally perform measuring, ordering, and fitting. This study evaluated contemporary practices in compression garment fitting, procurement, compensation patterns, and policy-driven impacts on therapist workload and stress.

Methods: A cross-sectional exploratory survey of US lymphedema therapists evaluated the impact of the LTA on clinical workflows. The survey assessed weekly time spent on garment-related tasks, workflow changes since …

Demonstrating Competence In Oncology Rehabilitation: Credentials, Clinical Preparation, And Professional Trust, Christopher M. Wilson

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

Every rehabilitation professional will inevitably provide care for people living with and beyond cancer across acute care, outpatient settings, inpatient settings, and home care and within the community. Yet, many clinicians report feeling underprepared or unqualified to address the complex effects of cancer and its treatments. Continuing education, mentorship, and clinical experience remain important routes to professional development, but advanced credentials can offer a structured pathway for developing knowledge and skills and an external recognition of this preparation. This perspective discusses the potential value of specialization or board certification for rehabilitation professionals and other pathways for skill and knowledge attainment …

Editor's Message: About This Issue, Bryan A. Spinelli

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

In this issue, we are pleased to publish the President’s Message, two research reports, two case studies, a research round-up, and a clinical perspective. In the President’s Message, Dr. Wilson discusses the role that advanced credentials and mentorship can play in enhancing professional development and fostering interprofessional trust.

Cover And Front Matter, Volume 3, Issue 3

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

No abstract provided.

Reliability And Validity Of Upper Extremity Neurocognitive Reactive Tests In Collegiate Athletes, Matthew L. Gauthier, Marisa Pontillo, George J. Davies

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Objectives: Neurocognitive function is vital in sports, but evidence supporting neurocognitive reaction testing in upper extremity return-to-sport testing is limited. This study's purpose was to quantify measurement properties of upper extremity reactive testing in collegiate athletes, hypothesizing acceptable measurement properties for clinical use.

Design: Cross-Sectional Study.

Setting: Collegiate athletics.

Participants: Sixty-three healthy athletes (25 females, age = 20.8 ± 1.6 years, BMI = 25.6 ± 2.6 kg/m2; 38 males, age = 20.8 ± 1.6, BMI = 25.7 ± 2.6 kg/m2).

Main outcome measure(s): Successful touches and average reaction time on the Upper Extremity Reactive Closed Kinetic Chain Test (UERCKCT) and …

Sedation Minimization And Early Mobility To Prevent Intensive Care Unit Delirium, Alana M. Kugelard

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

The purpose of this paper is to synthesize current evidence on sedation minimization, early mobility, and multicomponent care bundles for the prevention of intensive care unit (ICU) delirium in critically ill adults. ICU delirium is a common and serious complication associated with increased mortality, prolonged mechanical ventilation, extended ICU and hospital length of stay, and long-term cognitive impairment, making it a significant safety and quality-of-care concern. A literature review was conducted using PubMed and the Cochrane Library, with search terms including “ICU delirium,” “sedation minimization,” “light sedation,” “early mobilization,” and “ABCDEF bundle.” Filters included adult populations, peer-reviewed studies, randomized controlled …

Improving Fall Risk Assessment In Inpatient Rehabilitation, Sarah B. Flick, Aaliyah Garcia, Trista Hamblin

Scholars Week

This evidence-based practice project examines how fall-risk assessment can be improved for patients in inpatient rehabilitation by incorporating rehabilitation-specific functional factors into the existing assessment process. A review of four research studies identified toileting, transfers, ambulation, cognition, previous falls, and functional limitations as important considerations for fall-risk identification. The project proposes a structured functional review to supplement current assessment tools, with a phased implementation plan using staff education, a pilot program, and ongoing evaluation to support patient safety and individualized fall-prevention interventions.

Flow In Sport Performance: A Systematic Review Of Psychological Mechanisms And Conceptual Gaps, Nanda Farah Muftia, Heny Setyawati, Donny Wira Yudha Kusuma, Churia Dina Rahmatin, Dewi Ayu Kusumaningtyas, Siti Baitul Mukarromah, Adi S

Indonesian Journal of Research in Physical Education, Sport, and Health

Background: Athletic performance is a psychologically complex process, with “flow” recognized as central to optimal performance. However, its emergence is often treated as automatic and lacks sufficient explanation through broader psychological mechanisms. Objective: This study synthesizes recent literature on flow in sport performance, emphasizing psychological mechanisms, situational determinants, and conceptual gaps. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Eight peer-reviewed, English-language articles (published 2022-2026) retrieved exclusively from the Scopus database met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed using thematic synthesis. Result: Flow is a dynamic psychological process, not a static state. Supporting optimal athletic performance through enhanced …

From Zoom To The Room: A Practical Model For Holographic Instructor Presence In Multi-Campus Dpt Education, Stacie Mae Larreau Christensen, Brad Dexter

Posters and Presentations: Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

In-Home Free-Living Gait Monitoring Using A Single Lumbar Imu Reveals Nonlinear Complexity Changes During Intensive Stroke Rehabilitation, Rahul Soangra, Susan V. Duff, Alison Mckenzie

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Conventional clinical assessments of stroke rehabilitation are limited to supervised environments and fail to capture continuous real-world motor behavior. This proof-of-concept pilot study (case series, n = 3) evaluated the feasibility and longitudinal sensitivity of wearable IMU-derived digital biomarkers of three individuals with chronic stroke across Chapman University’s Stroke Boot Camp (SBC), a two-week intensive interdisciplinary rehabilitation program. A lower-back-mounted DynaPort McRoberts IMU provided continuous multi-day free-living monitoring across five sessions that spanned one week pre-intervention through to three months post-intervention. A validated Python-based pipeline implemented Mobilise-D gait sequence detection, wavelet-based heel strike and toe-off identification, and extraction of linear …

Role Of Perceived Control Over Falls In Older Adults, Kanjanaporn Tantrongphak, Kanthee Anantapong, Duangporn Suriyaamarit

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Falls among older adults constitute a significant public health challenge, often leading to severe physical injuries, reduced independence, and a diminished quality of life. Perceived control, a critical psychological construct, plays a significant role in sustaining physical health, cognitive function, and overall life satisfaction and is strongly associated with positive health outcomes. This review aims to examine the role of perceived control in fall risk among older adults. Concern about falling (CaF) is a prevalent psychological factor that influences fall risk by impacting behaviors linked to physical activity, balance, and adaptive responses. Perceived control theory provides a framework for understanding …

Editors' Note: From Scientific Discourse To Clinical Competence: Preserving Human Accountability In The Age Of Generative Ai, Arvie Vitente, Rolando Lazaro

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

From Anatomy To Safe Action: The A2d And Scope-D Frameworks For Teaching Clinical Reasoning And Referral Communication In Physical Therapist Education, Arvie Vitente, Pamela Taylor, Christopher Dela Rosa, Art Lubinski

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction. Physical therapist learners may accurately recall anatomy yet struggle to translate it into testable hypotheses, recognize discordant findings, select proportionate actions, and communicate uncertainty within scope. Existing frameworks address clinical reasoning or structured communication, but limited guidance connects anatomy-based hypothesis testing directly to patient-centered referral communication when findings do not fit. This theory piece pairs Anatomy-to-Decision (A2D) with SCOPE-D to address that curricular gap.

Methods. Integrative conceptual design drew on literature concerning physical therapist clinical reasoning, illness scripts, cognitive load, dual-process reasoning, hypothesis-oriented patient management, safety screening, and communication of diagnostic uncertainty. These foundations were translated into features intended …

Interrater Reliability Of Software Optimized Movement Assessment With Traditional Methods And Video-Based Functional Movement Screen Scoring And Compensatory Movement Identification, Joshua Paul Verdillo, Nj Ermina, Tanya Mariel Capilla, Russel James Balane, Evriel Prince Apura, Daryl Reymon Apla-On, Ressyl Love Salvador

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction: The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a seven-part movement assessment used to identify injury risks caused by faulty biomechanics. There are three barriers in traditional FMS assessments that could affect the tool’s validity: the subjectivity of human scores that could cause bias, the need for in-person evaluations which limit access for remote patients, and the requirement of specialized training to use the tool, which makes it less accessible. This study investigates the effectiveness of SOMA, an AI-based web application that uses the MediaPipe framework to automatically assess (FMS) performances.

Methods: This study employs a quantitative, cross-sectional, comparative design to …