Elastic Resistance Effectiveness On Increasing Strength Of Shoulders And Hips, Kelsey J. Picha, Muataz R. Almaddah, Jordan Barker, Tavis Ciochetty, W. Scott Black, Timothy L. Uhl

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Elastic resistance is a common training method used to gain strength. Currently, progression with elastic resistance is based on the perceived exertion of the exercise or completion of targeted repetitions; exact resistance is typically unknown. This study's objective is to determine if knowledge of load during elastic resistance exercise will increase strength gains during exercises. Participants were randomized into two strength training groups, elastic resistance only and elastic resistance using a load cell (LC) that displays force during exercise. The LC group used a Smart Handle (Patterson Medical Supply, Chicago, IL) to complete all exercises. Each participant completed the same …

The Pairing Of Trigger Point Dry Needling With Rehabilitation Techniques, Karle Kotze

Senior Honors Theses

Trigger point dry needling is a manual treatment modality used for individuals experiencing tightness, pain, and inhibited range of motion in any region of the body. Dry needling can be described as the insertion of a blunt, microfilament non-medicated needle into the skin for the purpose of targeting specific muscles, which contain tight bands known as trigger points. When the needle is inserted into the trigger point the muscle contracts, holds tight to the needle, and elicits a neural twitch response. This ultimately causes the muscle to relax, allowing for reduction in pain and improvements in range of motion. Although …

Do Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (Promis) Scales Demonstrate Responsiveness As Well As Disease-Specific Scales In Patients Undergoing Knee Arthroscopy?, Raymond J. Kenney, Jeff Houck, Brian D. Giordano, Judith F. Baumhauer, Meghan Herbert, Michael D. Maloney

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

Background: The Patient Reported Outcomes Information System (PROMIS) is an efficient metric able to detect changes in global health. Purpose: To assess the responsiveness, convergent validity, and clinically important difference (CID) of PROMIS compared with disease-specific scales after knee arthroscopy. Study Design: Cohort study (Diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.

Methods: A prospective institutional review board–approved study collected PROMIS Physical Function (PF), PROMIS Pain Interference (PI), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) results in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy. The change from preoperative to longest follow-up was used in analyses performed to determine responsiveness, convergent …

Does Weight Status Impact Metabolic Health In Adolescents When Controlling For Physical Fitness?, Stacy Stolzman, Joseph Skelton, April L. Harkins, Marie K. Hoeger Bement

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose:

To determines whether adolescents who are fit with overweight/obesity are similar in their metabolic profile to adolescents who are fit and normal weight.

Methods:

Adolescents participated in 3 sessions: (1) resting vitals and anthropometrics; (2) maximal aerobic treadmill test () to determine physical fitness; and (3) dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and fasting laboratory draw for analysis of insulin, glucose, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and C-reactive protein.

Results:

Of the 30 fit adolescents who are normal weight and 16 adolescents who are fit and overweight/obese (OW/OB), metabolic syndrome was apparent in 1 adolescent who are normal weight and 4 adolescents who are …

The Effect Of A Portable Electrical Muscle Stimulation Device At Home On Muscle Strength And Activation Patterns In Locomotive Syndrome Patients: A Randomized Control Trial, Yuichi Nishikawa, Kohei Watanabe, Shuhei Kawade, Tetsuya Takahashi, Hiroaki Kimura, Hirofumi Maruyama, Allison S. Hyngstrom

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

The aim of the present study was to quantify the effect of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) intervention using a portable device on muscle strength and activation patterns in locomotive syndrome. Nineteen women were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 10; age = 71–82 years) and control group (n = 9; age = 70–84 years). Participants in the intervention group used a portable EMS device to stimulate the bilateral quadriceps muscles for 8 weeks (23 min/5 days/week). To understand the effects of EMS, the following measurements were made at baseline, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks: locomotive syndrome assessment score, …

Oscillations In Neural Drive And Age-Related Reductions In Force Steadiness With A Cognitive Challenge, Hugo M. Pereira, Bonnie A. Schlinder-Delap Mrs., Kevin G. Keenan, Francesco Negro, Dario Farina, Allison S. Hyngstrom, Kristy A. Nielson, Sandra K. Hunter

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

A cognitive challenge when imposed during a low-force isometric contraction will exacerbate sex- and age-related decreases in force steadiness, but the mechanism is not known. We determined the role of oscillations in the common synaptic input to motor units on force steadiness during a muscle contraction with a concurrent cognitive challenge. Forty-nine young adults (19–30 yr; 25 women, 24 men) and 36 old adults (60–85 yr; 19 women, 17 men) performed a cognitive challenge (counting backward by 13) during an isometric elbow flexion task at 5% of maximal voluntary contraction. Single-motor units were decomposed from high-density surface EMG recordings. For …

Exploring Mobility Help-Seeking Behavior Among People With Physical Disabilities: A Case Study Of Jaipur Foot, Alex Podell

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

It is estimated that as many as 90 million people living in India experience some sort of disability (The World Bank, 2007). As India’s population keeps growing and aging, not only will the medical aspects, but also the societal impacts of disability need to be brought to the forefront of discussion, developmental strategy, and policy implementation. This study sought to analyze factors influencing the process of seeking help from formal and informal sources for people with physical disabilities. Data was collected from 10 people with physical disabilities receiving a variety of mobility aids from the NGO, Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata …

Is Technology The Key To Prevention Of Falls Among The Elderly In Rapidly Aging Societies? A Case Study Of Kunming, China, Phoebe Kiburi

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

As the aging society rapidly becomes more dominant in the world, there is a pressing need for different stakeholders to tend to the needs of the aging sufficiently. This is crucial in ensuring the robustness of the healthcare system as a whole; given that it can only be as strong as its weakest link. This study focuses on one of the areas of need of the ageing society: fall prevention.

Numerous studies have been done on interventions by the government, private entities, elderly people and their caregivers to prevent occurrence and recurrence of falls. However, most of these have been …

Case Presentation On Congestive Heart Failure And Pulmonary Edema, Tetiana Soloviova, Denise Aris

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Fatiguing Trunk Flexor Exercise Decreases Pain Sensitivity In Postpartum Women, Rita Deering, Tatyana Pashibin, Meredith Cruz, Sandra K. Hunter, Marie K. Hoeger Bement

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is common in the general population and among postpartum women. Abdominal muscle exercise is often used to treat LBP, but it is unknown if fatiguing abdominal muscle exercise can produce exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH).

Objectives: To assess pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) at rest and following fatiguing trunk flexor exercise (EIH) in (1) nulligravid and postpartum women to evaluate the impact of pregnancy and childbirth and (2) nulligravid women and men to examine sex differences.

Methods: Seventy healthy adults (31 postpartum women, 23 nulligravid women, 16 men) participated. Postpartum and nulligravid women were tested twice (16–18 weeks …

Rehabilitation Protocols For Total Hip Replacement Patients: A Comparison Of Research And Practicing Physical Therapists, Austin C. Eubanks

Honors College Theses

Keeping procedures and recovery techniques current with new research is expected of the health professions. The main purpose of this study will be to compare the difference of opinion and implementation of recovery techniques, specifically full body weight bearing exercises, between physical therapists and current research in regards to a total hip replacement. By using a questionnaire created from the Eulenburg study (2015), Physical Therapists will record their own personal answers and opinions for the postop hip replacement recovery period. Information that will be gathered from this research will be beneficial for future practices to easily see if practicing Physical …

Obstacle Negotiation And Dual-Tasking In People With A Unilateral Transtibial Amputation., Humberto Omana, Michael Payne, Ricardo Viana, Susan Winnifred Hunter

Western Research Forum

Background: Falls in people with a lower limb amputation (PLLAs) are common and most often occur while walking, resulting in physical and psychological consequences that adversely affect quality of life. Walking is a complex motor task requiring cognitive resources. Due to walking with a prosthesis, PLLAs report focussing on every step they take, indicating greater cognitive needs. However, cognitive resources are limited, and most of our everyday activities also involve the simultaneous performance of motor and cognitive tasks, known as dual-tasking. The inter-relationship between mobility, cognition and postural stability in PLLAs using a prosthesis is just starting to be understood. …

Quantifying Physical And Psychological Outcomes After Periprosthetic Femoral Fracture In Older Adults, Rifat Islam, Brent Lanting, Susan Hunter, Somerville Lyndsay

Western Research Forum

Background: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are common and effective treatments for osteoarthritis. Falls risk is increased after these surgeries due to age, proprioceptive changes and leg weakness. One devastating consequence of falling after these surgeries, both functionally and psychologically, is a peri-prosthetic femoral fracture (PFF). Existing research on PFF has focused on surgical management and not the functional or psychological impacts to the person after this injury.

Hypothesis/Objectives: The study objectives are: 1) To evaluate the subjective and objective functional and psychological outcomes after sustaining a PFF, and 2) to estimate the prevalence of falls …

(Poster) Design And Fabrication Of A Custom Wrist Orthosis For Enhanced Patient Comfort, Marko Tasic, Matthew Hansen, Mang Lian, Demetre Mitchell, Rashedul Sarker, Renny Fernandez, Erin Peterson, Joseph Herzog, David Olawale, Najmus Saqib

ASEE IL-IN Section Conference

This custom wrist orthosis project is the continuation of efforts made by students in the R.B Annis School of Engineering during the 2017-2018 academic year. Throughout this project, we have implemented the Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) methodology to guide the design process. Within the R.B. Annis School of Engineering, this methodology has been adapted into guide the DesignSpine process. We have designed a new orthosis that is custom fabricated for enhanced patient comfort. In the occupational therapy field, patients have reportedly not been wearing their prescribed orthoses/braces, which are designed to stabilize injured areas so that they heal properly. …

The Moderating Effect Of Employee Bottom-Line Mentality On The Relation Between Personality And Unethical Pro-Organizational Behaviors, Jordan Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

Unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB) refers to unethical actions that employees engage in to benefit the company they work for. The issue of employees engaging in UPB has been high-lighted in various high-profile scandals, such as the Volkswagen emissions scandal. The current study examined the interaction between employees’ personality traits, perceptions of bottom-line mentality (BLM), and UPB. The results suggested that when employees who are low on trait conscientiousness and honesty-humility are placed in an environment in which they perceive to have high levels of BLM, they are more likely to engage in UPB than those individuals who had higher levels …

Improving The Quality Of Consumer Health Information On Wikipedia: Case Series., Shira Schecter Weiner, Jill S. Horbacewicz, Lane Rasberry, Yocheved Bensinger-Brody

The School of Health Sciences Publications and Research

BACKGROUND: Wikipedia is one of the most consulted health resources in the world. Since the public is using health information from Wikipedia to make health care decisions, improving the quality of that health information is in the public interest. The open editable content design of Wikipedia and quality control processes in place provide an opportunity to add high-value, evidence-based information and take an active role in improving the health care information infrastructure.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this project was to enhance Wikipedia health pages using high-quality, current research findings and track the persistence of those edits and number of page …

Preparing For A Short-Term Volunteer Experience, Beth Sullivan

Occupational Therapy Collection

Occupational Therapy (OT) practitioners who volunteer for short-term medical service trips in developing countries face many challenges, including gaining an appreciation of that country's culture (values, economy, political, and medical systems) and understanding how these factors influence provision of OT services.

As OT practitioners, we "contribute to the global health of society and individuals by enabling the right to engage in meaningful, purposeful occupations" (World Federation of Occupational Therapists, n.d., para 4). The frequency of short-term medical service trips (STMST) undertaken by persons living in high income countries to low income countries is increasing (Sykes, 2014). Despite this fact, systematic …

Meeting Point: Partner Dancing As Couple's Therapy, Rami Eckhaus

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

This dissertation research explored the experience of partner dancing as a therapeutic process that reflects upon the dynamics and interactions of couples who are in the process of couple's therapy. The research also aimed to gain insight on the ways in which the experience of partner dancing can support these couples' therapeutic processes. Partner dancing is a dance-form that is based on the interaction between two individuals. Such interaction requires the dancing couples to communicate on many levels that may uncover layers of their relational dynamics. In this research, five couples who were undergoing couple's therapy were asked to participate …

An Analysis Of The Developmental Enrichment Of The Seattle Children's Playgarden, Caitlin Koob

Honors Theses

This paper analyzes the opportunities for developmental enrichment, as provided by the Seattle Children’s PlayGarden, from the perspective of occupational therapy. The PlayGarden, located in Seattle, Washington, is an inclusive playground, preschool, and summer camp that promotes inclusion of children with disabilities. The analysis highlights each area of occupation, as identified in the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, and discusses the garden’s contribution to facilitate growth in those specific skills (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2014). The intentionality of the design and program structure advocates for children to maximize their independence in activities of daily living, despite the play-based approach. …

Exploring A Connection Between Learning And Student Perception Of Place, Katelyn Roberts

Honors Theses

The quality of the physical environment is understood to impact overall health, wellbeing, and capacity to learn and engage in daily life. This pilot study explores how students in the Speech Language and Hearing Sciences program at Western Michigan University view the effects of indoor and outdoor nature spaces at the College of Health and Human Services on the East Campus of Western Michigan University on their learning experience. Results of the study suggest that there are significant relationships between the participant’s perception of interesting qualities in the College of Health and Human Services and feeling a sense of connection …