Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Community Based Programming Promoting Physical Activity, Jennifer Hight M.S. Otr/L

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Childhood obesity is a growing health concern, negatively impacting a child’s quality of life, and ability to engage in daily occupations; while contributing to rising healthcare costs. This Capstone Project is a community based program encouraging the development of gross motor skills in the four year old population of a local childcare center to promote engagement in physical activity for less engagement in sedentary daily activities.

Purpose: Although many causal factors have been linked to childhood obesity, current review of the literature demonstrating effective interventions to decrease obesity in the pediatric population is limited, and there is a scarcity …

A Descriptive Study Of Menopausal Woman's Life Experiences, Stressors And Their Occupational Meanings, Melanie Ford Dr.

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

This study describes some of the major physical and emotional occupational needs of menopausal women, and the direct impact this has on their relationships and overall well-being. The primary objective of this research project was to describe the life experiences of menopausal women and how various stressors affected their emotional, physical, and relational occupations. A descriptive grounded theory method was used to explore the stressors, their meanings, and the women’s unique perspectives of their menopausal experiences. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and then coded and analyzed into key categories. From this information, specific themes were formulated, resulting in an …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Primary Care, Priti Patel

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The Capstone Project is focused on communicating, influencing and educating other health care professionals regarding the role of occupational therapy in the future model of primary care delivery initiated by the adoption of the Affordable Care Act and the Triple Aim Initiative. Currently, primary care, the largest health care platform in United States, is not inclusive of occupational therapy services. Occupational therapists have the scope, knowledge and understanding to be part of the redesigned team model of primary care. Educating those currently working in primary care about adding occupational therapy services can have a significant impact on the profession of …

Enriching Occupational Therapy In Early Intervention: Using And Documenting The Evidence, Shelli Dry, Christine Myers

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Occupational therapists working in Kentucky’s Early Intervention System (First Steps) are required to use evidence-based practice within their treatment sessions. Evidence-based practice incorporates information from scientific research, the clinician’s expertise and the family’s values in an all-encompassing treatment approach. Implementing evidence-based practice into treatment sessions promotes efficiency in treatment by improving clinical outcomes in a shorter period of time. This capstone project was developed as a first step in identifying methods to promote the implementation and documentation of evidence-based practice into early intervention services. This project included developing an online continuing education course and exploring changes in occupational therapists perceptions …

Handwriting With Adult With Developmental Delays, Joseph Hoctor

A with Honors Projects

This paper provides an assessment of the author's experience working with an adult male with Downs Syndrome to improve his cursive handwriting skills.

Emg Analysis Of Latissimus Dorsi, Erector Spinae And Middle Trapezius Muscle Activity During Spinal Rotation: A Pilot Study, Jamie Flint, Toni Linneman, Rachel Pederson, Megan Storstad

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose/Hypothesis: Rotation of the spine, a complex movement that has yet to be fully understood, occurs regularly in activities of daily living (ADLs) and sport performance. Rotation (twisting) of the spine is a contributing factor in low back pain pathology and, by reports, has been associated with up to 60% of all back injuries. One of the largest muscles of the back, the latissimus dorsi (LD), is the only muscle to attach to the spine, pelvis, ribs, scapula, and humerus, and has the potential to impact the spine during many different activities. To date, there is limited research on …

Transfemoral Amputation Of A Male With Type Ii Diabetes: A Case Study, Daniel Johnson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. This case study is focused on the treatment of an individual with a residual limb after a transfemoral amputation. The main goal is to help provide a greater understanding of how to treat the residual limb after a transfemoral amputation has been performed.

Case Description. This case study focuses on an older gentleman who recently underwent a transfemoral amputation of the right lower extremity because of dysvacularity. The patient was obese and had diabetes which is not uncommon for patients with an amputation. Physical therapy provided care in many ways including but not limited to …

Osteochondritis Dissecans (Ocd): A Case Report, Brady Meyer

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Osteochondritis Diseccans, (OCD) is the separation of articular cartilage and its adjacent underlying subchondral bone from the articular surface of a joint. Multiple hypotheses have been put forward regarding the cause of OCD including inflammation, ossification abnormalities, ischemia, and repetitive microtrauma. At this time, there is no single cause regarding the etiology of OCD. The purpose of this case study is to describe the physical therapy interventions performed on a college athlete for non-operative treatment of OCD. To also look at the non-operative treatment that the patient underwent, and determine if treatment could delay or stop …

Electromyographic Analysis Of Sit To Stand Dependent Transfers With And Without Education On Lifting Technique, Jordan Braun, Samantha Stegman, Alex Wohl

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess if there was a change in electromyography (EMG) activity in the back or leg muscles when performing a dependent sit-to-stand lift before and after a brief proper lifting intervention.

SUBJECT: The subjects in this study included 10 female third-year doctoral physical therapy students from the University of North Dakota that were all in good health with no significant pathology of either their backs or lower extremities.

INSTRUMENTATION: The EMG activity was recorded by the Noraxon ™ TeleMyo 2400R G2 transmitter and a TeleMyo 2400 SG150 unit. Knee flexion …

Eccentric Loading Increases Peak Torque Angle Of The Ankle Plantar Flexors In Healthy Volunteers, Matthew Willisch, Peter Hamer, Luke Hopper, Max Bulsara, James R. Debenham

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Eccentric loading of the ankle plantar Flexor’s (PF) has demonstrated clinical efficacy in the conservative treatment of Achilles tendinopathy, however, its mechanism of therapeutic benefit remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of PF eccentric loading on PF angle to peak torque (AtPT), peak torque (PT) and lower limb vertical stiffness. Thirty healthy volunteers were randomised to an eccentric (n=15) or concentric (n=13) exercise group. A 10-week loading programme of the ankle plantar flexors was completed. AtPT, PT and vertical stiffness were compared within and between groups before and after the interventions. AtPT increased in …

Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Orthosis Augmented By Either Stretching Or Stretching And Strengthening For Stage Ii Tibialis Posterior Tendon Dysfunction, Jeff Houck, Christopher Neville, Josh Tome, Adolph Flemister

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

Background: The value of strengthening and stretching exercises combined with orthosis treatment in a home-based program has not been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of augmenting orthosis treatment with either stretching or a combination of stretching and strengthening in participants with stage II tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction (TPTD).

Methods: Participants included 39 patients with stage II TPTD who were recruited from a medical center and then randomly assigned to a strengthening or stretching treatment group. Excluding 3 dropouts, there were 19 participants in the strengthening group and 17 in the stretching group. The stretching …

Functional Performance Deficits Exist In Female Naia Collegiate Athletes With History Of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, Jason Brumitt

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

The Lower Extreminty Functional Test: Normative And Epidemiological Data In A Collegiate Female Athlete Population, Jason Brumitt, Bryan Heiderscheit, Robert C. Manske, Paul E. Niemuth, A. Mattocks

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

Tracking Energy Balance In Adolescents: Levels Of Compliance, Energy Flux, And Learning, Senlin Chen, Xihe Zhu, Gregory J. Welk, Youngwon Kim

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Background/Objective: Advancing knowledge about energy balance (EB) is important for helping to reverse the obesity epidemic in many modern societies. This study examined adolescents' experience and perception of using an objective self-monitoring tool (SenseWear armband; SWA) and a portable diet journal to track EB for 7 days.

Methods: Forty-five 6th grade students in a midwestern state of the United States [Caucasian: n = 34, 76%; age: 11.7 ± 1.8 years; body mass index (BMI): 20.84 ± 3.94] participated in the study. The SWA, diet journal, and semistructured individual interview were used to measure energy expenditure (EE) and physical activity (PA), …

Promoting Character And Resiliency Among Elementary School Students: An Assessment Of The Care Now Program, Eddie Hill, Tammi Milliken, Jennifer Goff, Debbie Clark

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Youth, especially in inner-city areas of the country, are in need of effective, outcome-based camp programs when school is not in session. Character and Resiliency Education (CARE) Now (CN) is a comprehensive in- and afterschool program designed to promote academic enrichment through positive youth development with a focus on enhancing character and resiliency. In the summer of 2013, CN was adapted to create a three-week long day camp at a high-needs elementary school in eastern Virginia. Using theoretically-based and outcome focused programming, CN was widely praised for its effectiveness among youth in this summer camp. To assess its impact, a …

Contributors And Constraints To Involvement With Youth Sports Officiating, Lynn Ridinger

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

There is a growing concern about the shortage of sports officials and its impact on organized youth sport. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of psychosocial factors that impact involvement with youth sports officiating by comparing and contrasting the experiences of officials from two distinct sports. In-depth interviews were conducted with baseball umpires and lacrosse officials. Resulting themes were classified as either contributors or constraints to involvement with officiating. The most striking difference between the two groups was the support provided in terms of mentorship, training, and administrative consideration. The baseball umpires received greater support …

Moving Beyond Cardio: The Value Of Resistance Training, Balance Training, And Other Forms Of Exercise In The Management Of Diabetes, Marni J. Armstrong, Sheri R. Colberg, Ronald J. Sigal

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Traditionally, aerobic training has been a central focus of exercise promotion for diabetes management. However, people with diabetes have much to gain from other forms of exercise. This article reviews the evidence and recommendations on resistance, balance, and flexibility training, as well as other, less traditional, forms of exercise such as yoga and Tai Chi.

Acl Injuries In Female Athletes: Are Prevention Programs The Answer?, Brooke Chandor

Honors Theses

Around 400,000 people tear their anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs) every year in the United States. The majority of these injuries occur during athletics, and most commonly to females. Their neuromuscular abilities, anatomies, and hormones put female athletes at a much higher risk of ACL injury than male athletes. The current gold standard of treatment, ACL reconstruction, is an imperfect technique at best. It leaves patients with much higher risk of both ACL reinjury and early onset of osteoarthritis. Prevention programs, aimed at reducing the neuromuscular risk factors in female athletes, have proved to effectively reduce the number of noncontact ACL …

Participatory Action Research To Improve Caregiver Education Based On Cognitive Performance Test Results For Persons With Alzheimer's Disease Or Mild Cognitive Impairments, Terrianne Jones

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The aim of this study was to make changes to how occupational therapists in a transitional care unit setting provide education about Cognitive Performance Test (CPT) scores to caregivers of those patients with dementia or suspected dementia. Caregiver education for this population is important, as the incidence of persons living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias is expected to grow dramatically in the coming two decades. This study used a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach to gather input from occupational therapists and caregivers of patients evaluated with the CPT. Interviews of caregivers indicated that they were unhappy with the education …

Exploratory Study Of Breast Cancer Survivors' Lived Experience : Activity Engagement During And After Breast Cancer Treatment, Anne Fleischer

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The aim of this study is to describe breast cancer survivors' experiences and the associated meanings participating in their important activities during and after breast cancer treatment and the relationship among the survivor, environment, occupation, and performance, using a concurrent mixed method design. Ten survivors between the ages of 45 and 64 with Stage I, II, or III breast cancer who had been treated consecutively with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy were recruited for the study. Each survivor completed the Activity Card Sort-modified scoring system (ACSm) during the first and last week of radiation therapy and 3 and 6 months …