Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

The Effects Of Patellofemoral Taping On Patellofemoral Joint Alignment And Contact Area, Ryan Epstein, Ron Garcia, Nicole Riley

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose/Hypothesis: It is widely accepted that patellofemoral pain (PFP) is the result of excessive stress between the retro-patellar surface and the femoral trochlea. Elevated patellofemoral joint (PFJ) stress may be associated with a reduction in PFJ contact area resulting from patellar malalignment (e.g., lateral displacement, lateral tilt, or patellar alta and/or quadriceps imbalance). McConnell and Kinesio taping techniques are commonly used to address PFP and improve PFJ alignment. It has been theorized that PFJ taping can alter the PFJ alignment which may increase the patella’s contact area within the femoral trochlea, thereby resulting in a reduction in PFP. To date, …

Influences Of Body Composition, Multimorbidity And Polypharmacy On Physical Mobility Of Older Adults, Chieh Chen, Linna Sestini, Rachel Wilde

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background and Purpose: The prevalence of falls, and the resulting injuries and complications reflect a key concern in the older adult population. An increased risk of falls is highly correlated with decreases in physical mobility and related functions. The Timed Up-and-Go test (TUG) has an established reliability and validity in assessing physical function and the risk of falling in the older adult population. With age, a person typically has an increased number of health morbidities, which may be reflected in changing body composition and the number of medications associated with diseases. However, the influence of these factors on physical mobility …

Thrust Joint Manipulation Utilization By Us Physical Therapists, Sean Reilly, Rebecca Slaughter, Erwin Ventura

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Study Design: Online survey study. Objective: To determine physical therapists’ utilization of thrust joint manipulation (TJM) and their comfort level in using TJM between the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions of the spine. We hypothesized that physical therapists who use TJM would report regular use and comfort providing it to the thoracic and lumbar spines, but not so much for the cervical spine. Background: Recent surveys of first professional physical therapy degree programs have found that TJM to the cervical spine is not taught to the same degree as to the thoracic and lumbar spines. Methods: We developed a survey …

Effects Of Simple Postural Instructions On Running Form Modification In Recreational Runners – Preliminary Findings, Elizabeth Billington, Scott Devries, Kenshin Scoggin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background and purpose: Running is one of the most popular exercises but it is also an activity with a high incidence of injury. Running form modification involving a forward lean of the trunk and forefoot strike pattern has been shown to be effective in attenuating the impact forces of the lower extremity. However, it is currently unknown how these changes can be most effectively instructed and learned by the runners. Previous studies have shown that practicing a motor task with an external focus can facilitate learning and retention when compared to the more common internal focus instructions. The purpose of …

Use Of A Mobile Application To Increase Patient Compliance To A Prescribed Home Exercise Program And Improve Outcomes, Ellie Cobb, Jed Hurst, Ethan Konshuk

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Methods: The creator of the app offered free use of their app to a physical therapy clinic. As the app is only compatible with Apple products, the clinic used the app with any patient that had an iPhone. Retrospective review was conducted to determine if differences in patient outcomes were observed. Patients who had access to an iPad or iPhone were considered part of the “app group” and used the mobile app to reference and report PT HEP compliance. Patients without access to an iPad or iPhone were considered part of the “non-app group” and received traditional PT HEP prescription …

Balance Confidence And Fear Of Falling Avoidance Behavior Are Most Predictive Of Falling In Older Adults: A Prospective Analysis, Sarrie Oscar, Jessica Sasaoka, Kyle Vaughn

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Evidence suggests that there are several fall predictors in the elderly population, including previous fall history and balance impairment. To date, however, the role of psychological factors has not yet been thoroughly vetted in conjunction with physical factors as predictors of future falls. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine which measures, physical and psychological, are most predictive of falling in older adults. Design: This was a prospective cohort study. Methods: Sixty-four participants (mean age=72.2 years, SD=7.2; 40 women, 24 men) with and without pathology (25 healthy, 17 with Parkinson disease, 11 with cerebrovascular accident, 6 with …

Heel-Raised Foot Posture And Weightlifting Shoes Do Not Affect Trunk And Lowerextremity Biomechanics During A Barbell Back Squat, Javier Ibarra, Derek Oldroyd, Ryan Zane

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background and Purpose: It is claimed that wearing weightlifting shoes with a raised-heel can improve posture and leg muscle activation, and reduce the risk of back injuries during a barbell back squat. However, these proclaimed biomechanical effects have not been thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this study was to compare the thoracic, lumbar, and lower extremity biomechanics during barbell back squat in 3 foot posture conditions. Subjects: 14 healthy recreational weightlifters (7 male and 7 female) between the ages of 18-50 participated in the study. A minimum of 2 years weightlifting experience and regular training with the barbell back squat …

Perceptions Of Adults With Intellectual Disabilities On Experiences At A Weeklong Camp, Erica P. Teilhaber

Honors College Theses

This study was conducted to attempt to understand the perceptions of a weeklong camp experience for adults with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities. A survey was administered to campers from two of the three locations, asking questions pertaining to their time spent at camp. Specifically researchers asked questions related to the conceptual, social, and practical domains. Additionally, researchers sent a follow up survey to make sure the data they summarized was correct. Results showed positive feedback, and convey the participants perceived improvements in aspects related to the conceptual, social, and practical domains.

Occupational Therapy Discharge Planning And Recommendations In Acute Care: An Action Research Study, Helene Smith-Gabai

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In today’s health care environment of quick discharges and shortened hospital stays discharge planning has become increasingly important in acute care occupational therapy practice. Discharge planning is a complex process and an important aspect of patient care as poor discharge planning has been associated with poor patient outcomes and increased risk of adverse events and readmission. This study addressed the following research questions: (a) How do acute care occupational therapists describe their role in the discharge planning process? (b) What guides acute care occupational therapists discharge decisions and recommendations? (c) How do acute care occupational therapists define optimal discharge planning? …

1st Place Contest Entry: The Effectiveness Of Yoga Therapy On An Adult, Post-Stroke Population: A Systematic Review, Baylor E. Hogan

Kevin and Tam Ross Undergraduate Research Prize

This is Baylor Hogan's submission for the 2016 Kevin and Tam Ross Undergraduate Research Prize, which won first place. She wrote about the effects of yoga therapy on the physical and mental wellbeing of stroke patients. You can read the final essay that came out of her research here.

Baylor is a senior at Chapman University, majoring in Kinesiology. Her faculty mentor is Dr. Elizabeth DeBaets.

Tune Up Your Teaching Toolbox, Anne H. Zachry, J. Flick, S. B. Lancaster

Faculty Presentations

Occupational therapy (OT) educators strive to prepare entry-level practitioners who have the expertise to meet the diverse health care needs of society. A variety of instructional methods are used in the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) MOT program, including traditional lecture-based instruction (LBI), problem-based learning (PBL), team-based learning (TBL), and game-based learning (GBL). Research suggests that active learning strategies develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are necessary for effective clinical reasoning and decision-making abilities. PBL, TBL, GBL are being successfully implemented in the UTHSC MOT Program to enhance the learning process and improve student engagement.

Bridge/Adapt: Transfer From Computer Remediation To Functional Skill, Janice S. Li, Diana Lopez, Eugene Cheung, Angela Talamantez

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

This study explored the effectiveness of the Bridge/Adapt program for generalizing increased cognition to functional skills. Three participants, identified as having significant cognitive impairments as measured by the Cognistat assessment, participated in the Bridge/Adapt program, an eight-week program that includes both remedial and compensatory components. The remedial component used was a computer-based cognitive rehabilitation program called Parrot Software. Past studies have proven computer-based cognitive rehabilitation to be effective in increasing overall cognition. The Bridge/Adapt module is the compensatory component that utilized a variety of strategies and everyday tasks to facilitate the generalization of improved cognition to functional performance. A homework …

The Effect Of Therapeutic Listening On Bilateral Coordination, Avery Wilson, Michael Yra Munchua, Mios Buccat, Morgan Mousley, Amanda Grace Irao

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

Therapeutic Listening® is a sound-based treatment developed by Sheila Frick, OTR, rooted in sensory integration (Frick & Young, 2009). In Therapeutic Listening® programs, clients listen to music that has been electronically altered (Hall & Case-Smith, 2007). Therapeutic Listening® is an intervention increasingly used by occupational therapists despite the lack of supporting evidence in current literature.

A previous thesis study attempted to determine the effectiveness of Therapeutic Listening® through the outcome measure of bilateral movement. In the previous thesis study, three assessments were used to measure bilateral coordination in typically developing children. However, the quantifiable results did not reflect the qualitative …

The Psychological And Physical Rehabilitation Of Amputees, Victoria Ramos

Senior Honors Theses

Since physical therapy requires constant interaction with other people, it is a career that requires not only medical knowledge, but knowledge of the human psychology as well. A physical therapist may be well versed in recovery techniques, but how will he or she get the patient motivated if the patient is not motivated to begin with? Every person is different. Rehabilitation of amputees is a delicate process that requires significant work over an extended time period. Many factors are involved during the preoperative phase, as well as the postoperative phase. However, by being aware of the patient’s mental status and …

Recurring Ankle Injuries In Dancers, Alexis Jawny

Honors Theses

The purpose of this research, obtained from various Journals of Dance Medicine and Science, is to identify the cause of recurring ankle injuries in the dance community. Ankle injuries are the most common type of injury making up 50% of injuries in dancers. The main cause of recurring ankle injuries is improper diagnosing and then leading to the wrong treatment plan. The research focusses on how to prevent these improper diagnoses and what the dancer and specialty care professional (orthopedics, physical therapists, and rehabilitative medicine) can do to decrease the number of ankle injuries occurring and reoccurring in the dance …

Effect Of Breathing Apparatus On The Patterns Of Response For Physiological Variables During An Incremental Test To Exhaustion, Rachel Lechtenberger, Kristen C. Cochrane, Terry J. Housh

UCARE: Research Products

During running exercise, trained runners will utilize both nasal and oral breathing mechanisms. However, during most clinical running tests, the breathing apparatus blocks the nasal pathway, therefore only allowing oral breathing. It has been suggested that a breathing apparatus that allows both nasal and oral breathing may provide an environment that is more similar to running outside of a lab setting. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the patterns of responses for physiological variables during an incremental treadmill running exercise test to exhaustion utilizing both a traditional mouth piece (MP) and breathing mask (MSK) apparatus. METHODS: …

Ot & Industrial Design: Developing Client-Centered Product Designs To Enhance Occupational Performance & Participation, Kimberly S. Mollo, Otd, Otr/L, Robert W. Walsh, Ms, Otr/L, Michael Mcallister, Mid

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Objectives

• Recognize the needs and benefits of broadening inter-professional collaborations outside traditional occupational therapy models of teaching, learning, and practice.
• Identify components required to create, conduct, and integrate effective inter-professional occupational therapy and industrial design collaboration
• Describe outcomes to measure effectiveness at the student, client, and inter-professional levels.

The Abcs Of Ebp: Opportunities And Challenges For Evidence-Based Practice Education In Developing Countries, Ramprasad Muthukrishnan, Tatjana Ille, Saravana Kumar

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

The importance of embedding evidence-based practice as part curricula and practice is now well recognised in health disciplines. However, despite this recognition there continues to be ongoing challenges. Nowhere are these challenges more evident than in developing countries where a tsunami of challenges confronts health care stakeholders. This commentary sheds some light on opportunities and challenges for evidence-based practice education in developing counties.

Using Animals During Occupational Therapy To Improve Quality Of Life, Lauren Morosky, Mat, Ots, Elizabeth Gina Fenn, Ots, Audrey Zapletal, Ms, Otr/L

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Background:

Integrating animals into occupational therapy intervention with individuals of various health conditions…

• Incorporating animals into an OT intervention plan is unique and can be an alternative to traditional device. Research suggests the animals may be viewed as a form of assistive technology(Camp, 2001).
• Occupational therapy intervention incorporating animals may:
• Increase participation in the community
• Augment the individual’s independence
• Positively impact the individual's psychosocial functioning (Camp, 2001)

Enhancing Occupational Therapy Student Systematic Reviews: An Occupational Therapy Faculty And Librarian Collaboration, Teal W. Benevides, Phd, Otr/L, Katie Moran, Ots, Gary E. Kaplan, Ms, Ahip, Paul Hunter, Mlis, Dmd, Daniel G. Kipnis, Msi

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Objective: To describe the outcomes of a curriculum-based collaboration between Occupational Therapy faculty and librarians (‘collaboration’) to enhance graduate student skills for conducting and disseminating a systematic review (SR)