Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Differences In Walking Mechanics Between A Traditional Walker And The Kb Balance Trainer, Silvia Zanini

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: Millions of individuals with ambulatory difficulties rely on walking aids to maintain independence and mobility. However, users of traditional walkers typically exhibit increased forward lean of their trunk while using the assistive device. The KB Balance Trainer is a new posterior walker designed to facilitate a more erect position during gait. PURPOSE: To compare gait mechanics across three walking conditions: unassisted, using a traditional walker, and using the KB Balance Trainer. METHODS: Seven adults with experience using walkers due to ambulatory difficulties participated in the study. The study consisted of one training session and one gait analysis session. The …

The Effects Of An 8-Week Stabilization Exercise Program On Lumbar Multifidus Muscle Thickness And Activation As Measured With Ultrasound Imaging In Patients With Low Back Pain: An Exploratory Study, Christian Larivière, Dany H. Gagnon, Sharon M. Henry, Richard Preuss, Jean-Pierre Dumas

Études primaires

Background

Lumbar stabilization exercise programs (LSEP) produce positive effects on clinical outcomes, but the underlying mechanisms remain relatively unexplored. Psychological and neuromuscular mechanisms can be involved, such as a better activation of the lumbar multifidus, which represents one possibility.

Objectives

To determine the following: (1) the effect of an LSEP on lumbar multifidus muscle thickness and activation, as measured with rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI), in patients with low back pain (LBP); (2) the correlation between RUSI measures and any change in clinical outcomes following the LSEP; and (3) the reliability of RUSI measures in control subjects over 8 weeks.

Design …

Caregiver Selection Of Treatments For Their Child With Autism, Amy Kurowski-Burt

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This project was completed to understand what treatments caregivers are selecting for their child with autism and why treatments were selected and discontinued. Caregivers of children with autism participated in a mixed methods study. An online survey was completed (N=127) to identify treatments used for their child. Interviews were completed (n=14) to understand why treatments were selected and discontinued. Selection of medical, dietary, therapeutic, complimentary/ alternative medicine, community-based, behavioral, and educational treatments were mostly influenced by recommendations of others. Caregivers reported discontinuing because relationships and professionalism were lacking between provider and family. Providers must consider all the variables that influence …

Trunk Postural Balance And Low Back Pain: Reliability And Relationship With Clinical Changes Following A Lumbar Stabilization Exercise Program, Ali Shahvarpour, Dany H. Gagnon, Richard Preuss, Sharon M. Henry, Christian Larivière

Études primaires

Lumbar stabilization programs reduce pain and disability, but the mechanisms of action underlying this treatment are unknown. Trunk postural control during unstable sitting represents a surrogate measure of motor control mechanisms involved to maintain the dynamic stability of the spine. This exploratory study aimed to determine the reliability of trunk postural control measures over an 8-week interval, their sensitivity to low back pain status and treatment and their relationship with clinical outcomes. Trunk postural control measures were determined in patients with low back pain before and after an 8-week lumbar stabilization exercise program. Healthy controls were assessed over the same …

Evaluation Of Alcohol Screening And Community-Based Brief Interventions In Rural Western Kenya: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Risa Takahashi, Calistus Wilunda, Karani Magutah, Wanja Mwaura-Tenambergen, Lukoye Atwoli, Usaneya Perngparn

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Aims:To assess the effectiveness of community-based alcohol brief interventions (ABI) implemented by community-health workers with and without motivational talks (MT) by former drinkers, in reducing harmful and hazardous alcohol consumption. Methods:We conducted a three-arm quasi-experimental study (one control and two intervention groups) between May and December 2015 in Kakamega County, Kenya. Participants were hazardous or harmful alcohol drinkers with an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score of 8–19 at baseline. One intervention group received only ABI while the other received ABI + MT. The interventions’ effects on AUDIT scores were analysed using linear mixed models. Logistic regression …

The Effect Of Asymmetry On Pregnancy-Related Pain In The Postpartum Period, Krista G. Meder

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Nearly 50% of women experience back pain and other lower extremity pain during pregnancy, with many reporting lasting pain postpartum. Pregnant women experience changes to their pelvis and lower extremities that do not always return to pre-pregnancy baseline. Not much is known of the lingering effects of pregnancy related asymmetry and its relationship to pain. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess asymmetries of the pelvis and lower extremities to determine whether malalignment is related to areas of pain at the low back, hip, thigh, knee, leg, and foot/ankle. Methods: Seventeen postpartum women and seven nulliparous controls were …

The Impact Of Story-Based Video Back Injury Prevention Training On Employee Motivation, Engagement, Knowledge, And Behavior, M. Courtney Hughes, Emaley Mcculloch, Elise Valdes

Faculty Articles, Papers, and Other Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Exploring Student-Led Interprofessional Education Through A Community Service Project, Lindsay Ann Doerschuk

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to explore the effectiveness of a student-led interprofessional education (IPE) workshop in improving student attitudes and perceptions toward IPE. Students from four health science programs including Dental Hygiene, Communication Sciences and Disorders/Speech and Hearing, Health Services Administration and Occupational Therapy participated in a community service event. Students provided screenings to veteran patients including a health history intake, hearing test, and sleep screening while other students observed.

Methods: Students were asked to attend an orientation, the Vets Day IPE workshop, and a debrief session. This mixed methods approach study utilized the Readiness for Interprofessional …

Personality Oriented Job Analysis To Identify Non-Cognitive Factors For A Doctor Of Physical Therapy Program In The United States, Maureen A. Conard, Kristin Schweizer

Psychology Faculty Publications

It aimed to conduct a personality oriented job analysis to identify non-cognitive factors that may predict successful performance or performance difficulties in doctorate in physical therapy (DPT) students. The study employed focus groups and a survey with 9 DPT subject matter experts. Focus group participants including 3 DPT faculty members and 4 recent graduates of the DPT program identified 22 non-cognitive factors. Out of them, 15 factors were possibly associated with successful performance and 7 factors were possibly associated with performance difficulties. The questionnaire employing the Combination Job Analysis Method resulted in 12 factors which could be used in selection, …

A Breast Prosthesis Infection Update: Two-Year Incidence, Risk Factors And Management At Single Institution, Ashley Nadia Boustany, Shady Elmaraghi, Nneamaka Agochukwu, Benjamin Cloyd, Adam J. Dugan, Brian Rinker

Surgery Faculty Publications

Background: Infection following augmentation and prosthetic-based breast reconstruction can cause significant physical and psychological distress for patients. It may delay adjuvant therapies and compromise aesthetic outcomes. The aim of this study is to identify modifiable risk factors for infection and identify common bacterial isolates to achieve optimal outcomes for patients.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed for patients undergoing implant-based breast reconstruction over a 2-year period. In each case, we documented demographics, co-morbidities, complications and antibiotic use. We reviewed treatments, infectious species cultured where applicable and all outcomes.

Results: A total of 292 patients met the inclusion criteria. Fifty-five …

Patient Experiences Of A Physiotherapy-Led Multidisciplinary Rehabilitative Intervention After Successful Treatment For Oesophago-Gastric Cancer, Annemarie Bennett, L. O'Neill, D. Connolly, E. M. Guinan, L. Boland, Suzanne Doyle, J. O'Sullivan, J. V. Reynolds, J. Hussey

Articles

Purpose To qualitatively explore the perceived impact of a 12-week rehabilitative intervention for oesophago-gastric cancer survivors on their physical, mental and social wellbeing. Methods Of the 21 participants who completed the intervention, 19 took part in a semi-structured focus group interview. Four audio-taped focus groups were held, ranging in size from two to eight participants. Focus groups were transcribed and analysed using a descriptive qualitative approach. Results At recruitment, participants were 23.5 ± 15.2 months post-surgery and all had suboptimal fitness levels. Participants reported improvements in their physical capacity and ability to carry out activities of daily living during the …

Student And Faculty Perceptions Of Live Synchronous Distance Education For Allied Health Students Following Program Expansion To A Rural Campus, Betsy J. Becker, Kelsey Rutt, Allyson Huntley, Harlan Sayles, Kim Michael

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background & Purpose: Distance education (DE) is a means to meet allied health workforce needs in rural locations where healthcare worker shortages are apparent. Five allied health programs were expanded to a rural campus teaching synchronously using distance education technology. The purpose of this convergent parallel mixed methods study was to explore perceptions of allied health students and faculty at two campus locations.

Methods: Quantitative and qualitative information were collected through a survey of students and faculty (physical therapy, physician assistant, and medical imaging [diagnostic medical sonography, radiography, magnetic resonance imaging] programs). Both campuses served as live and distance sites …

Psychological Readiness Of Athletes To Return To Play Following Injury, Alyssa C. Monahan

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Background: Returning an injured athlete to sport before they are both physically and psychologically ready can lead to increased psychological concerns. Traditionally, return to play decisions are based on physical outcomes and it is rare if an athlete is held back from returning to sport if he or she is not psychologically ready to return. Therefore, athletes may be returning to play before they are psychologically ready. Purpose: The purpose of the present study is to investigate the psychological readiness of the athlete to return to play following injury, and the degree to which psychological readiness was considered by the …

The Effect Of Wearing A Lumbar Belt On Biomechanical And Psychological Outcomes Related To Maximal Flexion-Extension Motion And Manual Material Handling, Ali Shahvarpour, Richard Preuss, Michael J.L. Sullivan, Alessia Negrini, Christian Larivière

Études primaires

Workers with low back pain (LBP) may benefit from wearing a lumbar belt (LB), but the biomechanical and psychological mechanisms involved are not fully understood. Two types of flexible LB (extensible and non-extensible) were compared to a control condition (no LB) regarding pain-related (pain, fear of pain and catastrophizing) and biomechanical (range of motion – ROM) outcomes related to two tasks: maximal trunk flexion-extension and manual material handling. Healthy controls and participants with LBP were tested. During both tasks, the two LBs reduced the lumbar ROM in participants with LBP in the same way as healthy controls. This was observed …

Applying The Social Change Model Of Leadership To An Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program, Lorry Liotta-Kleinfeld, Debra Gibbs, Yvette Hachtel, Teresa Plummer

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy educators are tasked with preparing the future leaders in the profession. This responsibility requires a thoughtful and evidence based approach to reviewing and revising curricula to address changing professional and societal needs while aligning with a university’s mission and vision. While the need for occupational therapy leadership has been a topic of much discussion in the literature, little has been written about evidence-based curricular practices to develop and prepare students for leadership roles. This article demonstrates how one entry-level occupational therapy doctorate program incorporated the underpinnings of the Social Change Model of Leadership Development (Wagner, 2006) into the …

Professional Behaviors And Fieldwork: A Curriculum Based Model In Occupational Therapy, Gabrielle R. Hackenberg, Susan Toth-Cohen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Professional behaviors have been identified as imperative for fieldwork success in occupational therapy, and are held to high expectations by fieldwork educators. This study consisted of three phases. Phase one was a retrospective analysis of past Fieldwork Performance Evaluations (FWPE; n=319). Phase two consisted of the development of a curricular model and Level I Fieldwork Seminar with a focus on low-scoring professional behaviors on the FWPEs, which included verbal/ non-verbal communication, written communication, professional responsibility, work behaviors, and time management. Finally, phase three was a review of the course by the Philadelphia Region Fieldwork Consortium and edits to the seminar …

The Editors’ Perspective: A Successful First Year Of The Journal Of Occupational Therapy Education, Cynthia L. Hayden, Renee Causey-Upton, Dana Howell

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

No abstract provided.

Clinician, Educator, And Student Perceptions Of Entry-Level Academic Degree Requirements In Occupational Therapy Education, Whitney M. Lucas Molitor, Ranelle Nissen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Entry-level occupational therapy degree requirements have varied since the establishment of the profession. Currently multiple degree paths exist. There are cited benefits for a multiple degree path system; however, barriers also exist. Most notable among these are confusion among recipients of services and other health care providers. As other healthcare professional programs have transitioned to a single point of entry at the doctoral level, occupational therapy, until recently, had not yet made this change. A nationwide online survey was used to assess perceptions of the entry-level doctorate. Participants included current occupational therapy practitioners (clinicians or educators) and students in entry-level …

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Programs’ Emphasis On Play: A Survey, Anita W. Mitchell, Jennifer Hale, Meg Lawrence, Erwin Murillo, Katie Newman, Hannah Smith

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Play is a key occupation for children. Despite this, research suggests that pediatric occupational therapists primarily use play as a modality rather than addressing it as an outcome. Lack of education related to play has been identified as a factor contributing to the limited use of play in intervention; therefore, this study examined entry-level occupational therapy programs’ emphasis on play in their curricula. Faculty from entry-level occupational therapy programs in all regions of the U.S. responded to a validated survey. The majority (82%, n = 33) reported meeting Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) standards related to play, notwithstanding …

Using Online Professional Development To Increase Self-Efficacy In School-Based Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Educators, Meghan Suman, Ingrid Provident

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The purpose of this study was to determine if school-based occupational therapists who participated in a series of online professional development modules on the topic of fieldwork education reported increased feelings of self-efficacy regarding the ability to fulfill the role of fieldwork educator. In this single-group design, participants completed a series of six online professional development modules. Each module consisted of a narrated slideshow presentation, case study activity, and online discussion board. Participants completed a self-efficacy survey before and after completing the series of modules. Results indicated a significant increase in self-efficacy related to fieldwork education following completion of the …