Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Factors Influencing The Decisions Of Women Small Business Owners On Hiring People With Disabilities, Roy K. Chen, Stephen A. Zanskas, Hung-Jen Kuo, Noel A. Ysasi

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

Despite the passage of disability rights legislation in the United States, individuals with disabilities continue to experience high unemployment and underemployment rates than their counterparts without disabilities. The purpose of the study was to examine the attitudes of women small business owners towards hiring individuals with disabilities, and to determine what factors influence their hiring decisions. A total of 80 women small business owners in a southwestern U.S. state took part in the study. The Employer Attitudes Questionnaire (EAQ) and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale Short Form-C (M-C Form C) were used to assess participants’ attitudes. The results of a …

Physiatrists' Professional Opinions Of Secondary Complications After Sci, Noel A. Ysasi, Irmo Marini, Bradley Mcdaniels, Roy K. Chen, Lisa R. Dunkley, Shelby Kerwin

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

The professional opinions of physiatrists were collected to ascertain the likelihood of occurrence, frequency of hospitalization, and treatment required as a direct result of 13 secondary complications (SCs) of two otherwise healthy males in their mid-20s, one with a C5-C6 tetraplegia and the other with T6 paraplegia spinal cord injury. Physiatrists responded to our online survey and overall, a general consensus was found among practitioners. Descriptive statistics was implemented with details outlining the frequency, mean, standard deviations, and the probability (51% or greater) versus possibility (50% or less) of SC occurrence is provided. Implications for life care planners and recommendations …

A Comparison Of Physiatrist Life Care Planners Versus Non-Life Care Planner Physiatrists' Professional Opinions Regarding Secondary Complications Of Spinal Cord Injuries, Noel A. Ysasi, Irmo Marini, Danielle Leigh Antol, Kristin Maxwell, Shelby Kerwin

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

The specialization of life care planning continues to evolve through empirical research and periodic standards of practice symposiums. Within this evolution, the need exists towards advancing the profession through the creation of a universal and standardized approach among all who operate within the field of life care planning regarding when/when not to include secondary complication costs into a life care plan. Opposing life care planners (LCPs) are sometimes millions of dollars apart in projected costs, often generally attributed to the inclusion of such costs which may be possible (51%) from a life care planning certainty threshold. The current study surveyed …

A Comprehensive Literature Review Of Secondary Complications Of Spinal Cord Injury, Noel A. Ysasi, Shelby Kerwin, Irmo Marini, Bradley Mcdaniels, Danielle Leigh Antol

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

Spinal cord injury (SCI) and secondary complications (SCs) that occur as a direct result of the injury can be a contributing factor for increased hospitalization and need for specialized healthcare. For instance, level of injury, time since injury, gender, age, and personal health care have shown to increase and/or decrease the incidence rate of specific SCs. The authors conducted a comprehensive literature review for 12 SCs to examine the relative prevalence of each for people with SCI. The data utilized was to determine the probability (>50%) versus the possibility (

Positive Psychology And Hope As Means To Recovery From Mental Illness, Jinhee Park, Roy K. Chen

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications

The field of psychiatric rehabilitation has seen a paradigm shift in its perceptions of symptom reduction, recovery, and restoration of personal-growth and -development. Recovery is subjective in nature, as no two individuals achieve identical rehabilitation outcomes; the process is dynamic and influenced by an array of personal and environmental factors, all of which can facilitate a deeply personal, unique progression that changes one's attitudes, values, feelings, goals, skills, and roles. The concept of positive psychology is relevant to the perception from mental illness. Positive psychology seeks to understand what makes life worth living and encourages the use of mental strengths …

A Follow-Up Of Patient Reported Outcomes In Chronic Plantar Heel Pain Participants Treated With Graston Technique: A Mixed Methods Approach, Troy Richard Garrett

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Chronic Plantar Heel Pain (CPHP), commonly known as “plantar fasciitis,” is a condition that is estimated to affect 10% of the American population. A treatment for CPHP and other soft tissue overuse conditions that is increasing in popularity is the use of metal instruments for deep tissue massage for 10 minutes, twice a week for six weeks, called the Graston Technique.

The purpose of this study is to longitudinally examine the foot pain and function of participants who received Graston Technique treatment approximately two years before this study. A mixed methods design where quantitatively, three self-reported survey instruments were utilized, …

Implementation And Strategies To Address Sensory Regulation Of Students With And Without Disabilities In Two Kindergarten Classrooms, Yvette Rosil Mere-Cook

Doctoral Dissertations

Results from previous research studies suggest that inclusive settings benefit all learners. However, general education teachers often do not have built in supports within the classroom to meet the needs of students with disabilities. Implementing a sensory diet curriculum (SDC) is one instructional practice that addresses needs of students with disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder, and could be applied widely for students without disabilities. Sensory regulation is defined as the body’s physiological process of adapting arousal or alertness levels to cope with sensory events and situational demands that occur throughout the day. The purpose of this study was to …

In-Shoe Plantar Pressure System To Investigate Ground Reaction Force Using Android Platform, Ahmed A. Mostfa

Theses and Dissertations

Human footwear is not yet designed to optimally relieve pressure on the heel of the foot. Proper foot pressure assessment requires personal training and measurements by specialized machinery. This research aims to investigate and hypothesize about Preferred Transition Speed (PTS) and to classify the gait phase of explicit variances in walking patterns between different subjects. An in-shoe wearable pressure system using Android application was developed to investigate walking patterns and collect data on Activities of Daily Living (ADL). In-shoe circuitry used Flexi-Force A201 sensors placed at three major areas: heel contact, 1st metatarsal, and 5th metatarsal with a PIC16F688 microcontroller …

Communication: How Do Females With Rett Syndrome Perform This Activity And What Factors Influence Performance?, Anna Urbanowicz

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Background Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder primarily caused by mutations in the X-linked methyl-Cp2G-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene. The disorder affects approximately 1 in 9000 females and is usually associated with language, physical and intellectual impairments, each of which contributes to difficulties with communication. In Rett syndrome, eye gaze is considered a common form of communication and conventional methods, such as talking and gestures, less common. Females appear to use these forms of communication to serve a number of functions including choice making, requesting, social convention, bringing attention to themselves, and to reject, comment and answer. However, the literature …

The Experience Of Role Balance Among Australian Working Women With Multigenerational Caring Responsibilities, Kiah Lee Evans

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Approximately 10% of women in developed countries are working sandwich generation women, who combine paid employment with ongoing multigenerational caring responsibilities for at least one child under 18 years and one parent or parent-in-law. This role combination is expected to become more common due to the increased workforce participation of women, childbirth at an older age, reduced fertility rates, an ageing population and a trend towards community based care. Although there are numerous benefits related to membership in the working sandwich generation, there are also a range of costs related to role participation and quality of life. In particular, these …

Body Composition Measurement In Children With Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida And Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Michele L. Polfuss, Paula E. Papanek, Fallon Meyer-Wentland, Andrea Moosreiner, Lenore R. Wilkas, Kathleen J. Sawin

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Pediatric obesity is a major health concern that has an increased prevalence in children with special needs. In order to categorize a child’s weight, an assessment of body composition is needed. Obtaining an accurate body composition measurement in children with special needs has many challenges associated with it. This perplexing scenario limits the provider’s ability to screen, prevent and treat an abnormal weight status in this vulnerable population. This systematic review summarizes common methods of body composition measurements, their strengths and limitations and reviews the literature when measurements were used in children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida and spinal cord …

The Effects Of External Focus Of Attention Exercise Rehabilitation On Dual Task Walking In Parkinson's Disease, Eric N. Beck

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Parkinson’s disease impairs control of well-learned movements, and therefore, individuals with Parkinson’s disease are forced to walk with greater conscious control. This causes difficulties while walking and completing a secondary task simultaneously (dual tasking), in that distractions from conscious control of walking increase the risk of falls and injury. Although, attention-based exercise may be a potential avenue to decrease the demands associated with walking in Parkinson’s disease. For example, an external focus of attention (on manipulated objects) has been found to recruit the networks that are important for walking with little conscious control (automatic control networks). In contrast, an internal …

Organizational Behavior Of Rehabilitation Residents In Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Correlation Study, Kuancheng Chen, Yujen Chen, Chiayi Shen, Chengming Chiu, Yitien Su

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Most studies on organizational behavior in Taiwan have focused on nurses and general medical staff; however, few studies have focused on rehabilitation residents. We conducted a cross-sectional correlation study on the organizational behavior of 30 rehabilitation residents in Taiwan by administering anonymous questionnaires through mail. The results revealed low continuance commitment scores (p＜.05) among female residents, whereas senior residents showed a high tendency to quit their current jobs. In addition, 19 residents presented type A personality and 11 residents presented type B personality.

The Effect Of Outpatient Physiotherapy After Stroke On Cardiopulmonary Training Goals: The Current Situation In A Single Medical Center, Yichun Lu, Chiachi Huang, Chenliang Chou

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Study background and objectives: Reduced cardiopulmonary function after stroke has drawn increasing attention. Cardiovascular function and muscle fiber composition change after stroke, leading to a decline in physical fitness. Some studies have also reported decreased maximum oxygen uptake after stroke, which would further reduce patient ability to perform daily life functions, inducing a circle of disability and reduced mobility. Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation after early or late strokes has been found to improve cardiopulmonary function; these improvements are especially noticeable in patients with lower levels of physical activity before their stroke onset. However, traditional rehabilitation programs mostly focus on recovery of limb …

Developed An Interactive Visual Dashboard To Assess The Fall Risk Among Community-Dwelling Elderly, Weichiao Lu, Shuchuan Wu, Hsihsun Su, Chingjen Cang, Tienlung Sun, Chienhua Huang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

The main purpose of data visualization is to provide an overview of data characteristics. In this study, a data visualization-based interactive exploration environment was developed to assess the risk of falling among community-dwelling elderly adults. The research goal was to enable clinicians to apply their expert knowledge to quickly derive information from the data and analyze the risk of falling. By visualizing the data to derive information, the clinicians were able to analyze preliminary screening results to identify elderly adults at a high risk of falling and subsequently advise them to return to hospital for a comprehensive geriatric assessment. In …

Effect Of Individualized Bladder Rehabilitation Program In Patients With Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction, A Pilot Study, Peir-Renn Wang, Wei-Che Wang, Sung-Lang Chen, Yu-Hui Huang, Yu-Fen Lai, Hsiu-Chun Yang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Objectives: Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) is one of the major sequelae after spinal cord injury (SCI) and a cause of increased morbidity and mortality in SCI patients. Current treatment strategies for NLUTD include medication, non-invasive conservative management, minimally invasive therapy, and surgical intervention. However, there are no studies regarding non-invasive conservative management that combines pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises and electrical stimulation (ES). This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of individualized bladder rehabilitation programs, which included education on voiding behavior, PFM exercise training combined with electromyography (EMG) biofeedback, and ES (for bladder inhibition or PFM strengthening), …

Neuropsychological Rehabilitation With Prospective Memory Process Training In A Patient With Severe Amnesia After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Casereport, Pin-Hsiu Chen, Ya-Fang Hsu, Wen-Chih Lin, Tai-Ching Wu

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Patients with severe amnesia frequently experience difficulty in storing and retrieving new information, resulting in prospective memory impairment, one of the main reasons for sustained loss of functioning in daily life. Currently, little literature on the neuropsychological interventions for severe amnesia patients has been published. The present study applied prospective memory process training (PROMPT) in neuropsychological intervention to a patient with severe amnesia caused by traumatic brain injury, and investigated the efficacy of this method. The intervention was administered for 12 months long to a 23-year-old male participant with severe amnesia caused by traumatic brain injury. The intervention was administered …

Deep Vein Thrombosis In An Ambulatory Hemiparetic Stroke Patient Probably Due To Exercise-Related Repetitive Impact: A Casereport, Kun-Chang Lee, Chien-Ting Liu, Pi-Wei Wang, An-Fang Hsiao, Yi-Shiung Horng

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremity is a multifactorial and potentially fatal complication following stroke. However, repetitive impact on the lower extremity is a relatively uncommon risk factor for DVT. We report an ambulatory hemiparetic stroke patient who, without classic DVT risk factors, developed a lower extremity DVT probably due to repetitive impact on the popliteal fossa after the inappropriate use of a seated leg flexion machine. This case can remind physiatrists and therapists of the importance of preventing patients from using non-ergonomic postures during training sessions.

Factors Associated With Nasogastric Tube Removal In Patients With Post-Stroke Dysphagia Following Acute/Subacute Stroke, Hsin-Chiao Wen, Hao-Wei Tang, Chang-Ren Peng, Kuan-Lin Chen, Ching-Min Hsiao, Chung-Che Lin

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Purpose: Stroke is a common cause of dysphagia, and persistent post-stroke dysphagia is associated with a poor outcome and an increased mortality rate. Nasogastric tubes (NGTs) are frequently the recommended method for the safe administration of nutrition and hydration in stroke patients. However, prolonged use of NGTs can lead to complications, such as gastro-esophageal reflux and aspiration pneumonia. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with NGT removal in patients with post-stroke dysphagia. Method: This was a retrospective study. We recruited patients with post-stroke dysphagia who had received feeding either partially or totally via NGT and …

Correlation Between Sternocleidomastoid Muscle Stiffness After Radiation Therapy And Quality Of Life In Patients With Head And Neck Cancer, Shih-Chung Chang, Peir-Renn Wang, Hsien-Chun Tseng, Su-Ju Tsai, Yu-Li Cheng

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Objective: Radiation-induced fibrosis after radiation treatment frequently results in neck and shoulder pain/dysfunction, trismus, dysphagia, muscle stiffness and lower health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with head and neck (H&N) cancer. Here, we access the correlation between neck muscle stiffness after radiation therapy and HRQOL, and the effect of rehabilitation on muscle stiffness and HRQOL. Method: We used real-time sonoelastography to evaluate sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) stiffness after radiation therapy. We used the EORTC QLQ-30 and EORTCQLQ H&N35 to evaluate the HRQOL of H&N cancer patients. Each participant received real-time sonoelastography and an HRQOL evaluation twice with the course of …