Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Using Virtual Reality To Improve Sitting Balance, Alice Kay Barnes

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This thesis focuses on using virtual reality (VR) to enhance sitting balance and core strength. It is a study in how to create a VR exercise program which is interesting enough to keep players/patients motivated, but comfortable to play and not overwhelming to the senses. The software used for this study was written with the hope that a later version of it might be used with occupational/physical therapy patients one day. For this master’s thesis, the initial testing has been done with healthy volunteers. The software incorporates what developers know thus far about designing for VR, and it is hoped …

Reliability Of An Observational Method Used To Assess Tennis Serve Mechanics In A Group Of Novice Raters, Natalie L. Myers, W. Ben Kibler, Gilson J. Capilouto, Philip M. Westgate, Tony English, Timothy L. Uhl

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Background: Previous research has developed an observational tennis serve analysis (OTSA) tool to assess serve mechanics. The OTSA has displayed substantial agreement between the two health care professionals that developed the tool; however, it is currently unknown if the OTSA is reliable when administered by novice users.

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to determine if reliability for the OTSA could be established in novice users via an interactive classroom training session.

Methods: Eight observers underwent a classroom instructional training protocol highlighting the OTSA. Following training, observers participated in two different rating sessions approximately a week apart. Each observer …

Association Between Sedentary Time And Quality Of Life From The Osteoarthritis Initiative: Who Might Benefit Most From Treatment?, Daniel Pinto, Jing Song, Jungwha Lee, Rowland W. Chang, Pamela A. Semanik, Linda S. Ehrlich-Jones, Christine A. Pellegrini, Dorothy D. Dunlop

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

To investigate the relationship between sedentary behavior and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) among participants in the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

Design

Longitudinal, observational design.

Setting

Osteoarthritis Initiative cohort.

Participants

Individuals (N=1794) from a prospective, multicenter longitudinal cohort were classified into quantile groups based on average daily sedentary time (most sedentary, quartile 1 [Q1] ≥11.6h; 10.7h≤ Q2

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Individual QALYs were estimated over 2 years from the area under the curve of health-related utility scores derived from the Medical Outcomes Study 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey versus time. The relationship between baseline sedentary behavior and median 2-year QALYs …

Pediatric Psychologists’ Career Satisfaction: 2015 Society Of Pediatric Psychology Workforce Survey Results., Marisa E. Hilliard, Andre A.A. Williams, Astrida S. Kaugars, Peggy Christidis, Karen E. Stamm, Cheryl Brosig, Jessica Valenzuela, Paul M. Robins, Tim Wysocki

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Little is known about the career satisfaction of pediatric psychologists, who specialize in psychological research, teaching, and clinical service in the context of pediatric health care. As part of the larger Society of Pediatric Psychology Workforce Survey and in collaboration with the American Psychological Association Center for Workforce Studies, this study aimed to (1) describe the career domains which pediatric psychologists perceive to be important and their satisfaction in each domain, and (2) compare satisfaction of pediatric psychologists across work settings, number of positions, appointment duration, professional roles, career stage, academic rank, and gender. Responses from 336 pediatric psychologists demonstrated …

Factors That Influence Self-Reported Health Changes With Caregiving, Margaret Danilovich, Xiaoling Xiang, Daniel Pinto

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Objective: This study examined factors associated with the self-reported change in health status as a result of caregiving. Method: Multinomial logistic regression were performed to examine the sociodemographic characteristics, care recipients’ characteristics, and caregiving experiences that affect caregivers’ perceptions of health affected by caregiving using data from 1,087 caregiver respondents in the Caregiving in the U.S. 2015 data set. Data were collected through an online or telephone survey of randomly selected adults in 50 states. Results: Worsened self-reported health with caregiving occurred for caregivers aged 50 to 64, racial/ethnic minorities, those who lived within 20 min of the care recipient’s …

The Role Of Balance And Neck Strength In Youth Concussion, Chris Koch, Jenny Neudorfer, Peter Heuberger, Tel Winegar, Calvin Lee, Jarrett Fegel

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

Concussion: A concussion is a trauma-induced alteration in mental status that may or may not involve loss of consciousness; this can include a direct blow to the head or a blow to the body resulting in the head and brain moving quickly back and forth (1).

Current Screen: Current concussion screen consists of: symptom checklist, cognitive assessment known as Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT), and Balance Errors Scoring System (BESS) (2).

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine an assessment to screen an individual’s risk of sustaining a sport-related concussion.

Hypothesis: We hypothesized the SCAT 4, BESS, Four …

A Comparison Of Neuromuscular Control Between Subjects With And Without Chronic Ankle Instability, Hatem Jaber

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Ankle sprains are common and potentially disabling musculoskeletal injuries occur among physically active individuals. A subsequent problem that is commonly encountered by clinicians due to ankle sprains is the development of ongoing instability. The presence of ankle instability has been linked to impairments in postural and neuromuscular control; however, inconsistent findings have been reported. These discrepancies deem the need to further investigate and provide additional knowledge regarding postural and neuromuscular control strategies utilized by this population. This may enhance the current understanding of chronic ankle instability (CAI) and help to understand how rehabilitation can be customized to specifically target and …

Association Between Hispanic Parents' Attitudes And Knowledge Regarding Obesity And Their Children's Body Mass Index: Implications For The Development Of Obesity, Renee Starr

Theses and Dissertations

According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2017), more than 1.9 billion adults age 18 and older are overweight and over 650 million are obese. Data collected through the Centers for Disease Control indicates the prevalence of U.S. adults who are overweight and obese is estimated at 36.5% and the national childhood obesity rate is more than 12.7 million (17%), with approximately one in six school-aged children reaching the obesity level (Ogden, Carroll, Fryar, & Flegal, 2015). Hispanic children have the highest levels of obesity among all racial/ethnic groups (21.9%) and obesity rates are especially prevalent among impoverished Hispanics residing …

Effects Of Direction Time Constraints And Walking Speed On Turn Strategies And Gait Adaptations In Healthy Older And Young Adults, Dennis Torre

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Hip fractures can be life-threatening, debilitating, and costly. The odds for hip fracture increases from impact of sideways falls. While turning has been strongly associated with hip fracture & sideways falls, the distinction between the risks for walking-turns as opposed to low-velocity in-place turning is not clear. The present study sought to fill a gap as previous research had not compared walking-turn performance in young & healthy older adults at low-fall risk within the same study and response-conditions of speed interacting with direction-cue time constraints. Spatial-temporal variables representative of AP braking/propulsion (i.e. stride-length & speed) & ML stability (left/right H-H …

A Review Of Occupation And Impairment Based Assessments Used In Occupational Therapy, Mariana D'Amico

OCCUPATION: A Medium of Inquiry about Health through Occupation

Objective: The objective of this paper was to analyze the psychometrics, efficacy, and usefulness of assessments to measure occupational performance and occupation-based outcomes.

Methodology: Eight Doctor of Occupational Therapy Students at Nova Southeastern University, along with their professor, analyzed and appraised 46 commonly used assessments to discover and explore the assessments’ purposes, theory-bases, psychometric properties, and usefulness as outcome measures.

Results: We found that many high quality assessments exist and meet the standards for validity and reliability. Although some assessments are client-centered and useful, some still require additional research to strengthen their psychometric properties.

Conclusion: Some widely used assessments …

What Happens After The Nicu? Parents Experience Of Caring For Their Premature Infants At Home, Amanda Pignon

OCCUPATION: A Medium of Inquiry about Health through Occupation

This paper reviews the literature on what happens after the NICU with premature babies and their families and provides perspective of a lived experience. There have been numerous studies conducted on the traumatic experience of the NICU, however there is limited research involving the parenting process and experience following the NICU and caring for a high risk infant at home. Articles were searched through two databases, CINAHL and Pubmed, yielding 15 articles in which three specific themes were outlined; psychological distress of parents, perceptions of parents and linking family to resources. While there are programs available for families, not all …

The Occupational Experiences Of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual And Transgender (Lgbt) Individuals During The Coming Out Process: An Analysis Of Self-Acceptance, Disclosure, And Occupational Change, Lee Meach

OCCUPATION: A Medium of Inquiry about Health through Occupation

Human occupation is an intensely individual process that is colored by the cultural and life experiences of the individual who is engaged in an activity. The experiences of gender and sexual minorities typically defined as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) individuals are different in many ways from the rest of the population. One occupation unique to this community is the process of “coming out” in which the individual discloses their minority sexual orientation or gender identity to others. The coming out process is complex and multi-faceted, involving both the internal reflective process of first self-accepting one’s orientation and identity …

Contraction Intensity And Sex Differences In Knee-Extensor Fatigability, Paul Ansdell, Kevin Thomas, Glyn Howatson, Sandra K. Hunter, Stuart Goodall

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Females are less fatigable than males during isometric contractions across various muscles and intensities. However, sex differences in knee-extensor fatigability remain relatively unexplored. Purpose: To determine the sex difference in performance fatigability for intermittent, isometric contractions of the knee-extensor muscles. Methods: Eighteen participants (10 males, 8 females) performed intermittent, isometric, knee-extensor contractions at 30% of their maximal voluntary force (MVC) for 30 min and in a separate session at 50% MVC until task-failure. During both fatiguing protocols a MVC was performed every 60 s and electromyography (EMG) was recorded during all contractions. Results: At task completion males had a larger …

Variables Relevant To Self-Efficacy: Mexican-American High School Students With Specific Learning Disabilities, Matilde Barrera Alaniz

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to ascertain if a relationship exists between self-efficacy and grade point average (GPA), age, gender, language proficiency, socioeconomic status, and failed grade levels during school career among Mexican-American high school students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) residing along the southwestern state of the Mexican border. Moreover, to learn if a relationship exists between motivation and the above variables. This study also observed if a relationship between motivation as measured by the Academic Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ-A) (i.e., external regulation, introjected regulation, identified regulation, and intrinsic motivation) and GPA existed; it also observed the correlation between …

To Heal, Escape: Using Theatre Arts To Promote Holistic Health In The Clinical Setting, John Filegar

Senior Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to provide an argument for the implementation of theatre arts therapy in the clinical setting. The effects of traditional art therapies involving visual arts, expressive arts, and music on the holistic health of the patient in the clinical setting have been thoroughly researched and understood. However, the extent of the influence of theatre arts therapy on the holistic health of individuals in the clinical setting lacks sufficient evidence and therefore cannot be compared to the influence of traditional art therapies on the holistic health of individuals in the same setting. Following an overview on …

Optimization Of The Hockey Fans In Training (Hockey Fit) Weight Loss And Healthy Lifestyle Program For Male Hockey Fans, Wendy Blunt, Dawn P. Gill, Shannon Sibbald, Brendan Riggin, Roseanne Pulford, Ryan Scott, Karen Danylchuk, Cindy M. Gray, Sally Wyke, Christopher Bunn, Robert Petrella

Lifestyle Research Team

BACKGROUND:

The health outcomes of men continue to be poorer than women globally. Challenges in addressing this problem include difficulties engaging men in weight loss programs as they tend to view these programs as contrary to the masculine narrative of independence and self-reliance. Researchers have been turning towards sports fans to engage men in health promotion programs as sports fans are typically male, and tend to have poor health habits.

METHODS:

Developed from the highly successful gender-sensitized Football Fans in Training program, Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT) recruited 80 male hockey fans of the London Knights and Sarnia Sting …

The Pathway To The Use Of A Structured And Supported Approach To Debriefing, Anne H. Zachry, S. B. Lancaster

Faculty Presentations

Debriefing plays a critical role in the transfer of knowledge in simulation education. Various methods are used in the debriefing process based on a variety of factors; this presentation sheds light on the pathway to the use of a structured and supported approach as traversed in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Tennessee Healthcare Center as well as reflections and lessons learned along the way. Engagement in this session will allow learners to further develop their debriefing skills through exposure to information about strategies to use in the debriefing process that can be used as part of …

Cortical Contribution To Linear, Non-Linear And Frequency Components Of Motor Variability Control During Standing, Niklas König Ignasiak

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Motor variability is an inherent feature of all human movements and reflects the quality of functional task performance. Depending on the requirements of the motor task, the human sensory-motor system is thought to be able to flexibly govern the appropriate level of variability. However, it remains unclear which neurophysiological structures are responsible for the control of motor variability. In this study, we tested the contribution of cortical cognitive resources on the control of motor variability (in this case postural sway) using a dual-task paradigm and furthermore observed potential changes in control strategy by evaluating Ia-afferent integration (H-reflex). Twenty healthy subjects …

Dynamic Range Of Frontoparietal Functional Modulation Is Associated With Working Memory Capacity Limitations In Older Adults, Jonathan G. Hakun, Nathan F. Johnson

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Older adults tend to over-activate regions throughout frontoparietal cortices and exhibit a reduced range of functional modulation during WM task performance compared to younger adults. While recent evidence suggests that reduced functional modulation is associated with poorer task performance, it remains unclear whether reduced range of modulation is indicative of general WM capacity-limitations. In the current study, we examined whether the range of functional modulation observed over multiple levels of WM task difficulty (N-Back) predicts in-scanner task performance and out-of-scanner psychometric estimates of WM capacity. Within our sample (60–77 years of age), age was negatively associated with frontoparietal modulation range. …

Targeting Mitoneet With Pioglitazone For Therapeutic Neuroprotection After Spinal Cord Injury, Alexander G. Rabchevsky, Samir P. Patel, Patrick G. Sullivan

Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.