Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Frett: Fall Risk Evaluation Tool For Traumatic Brain Injury A Master’S Thesis Project, Heidi Ann Mertle, Kiley Elizabeth Richter, Louis A. Scirica

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

The goal of this thesis project was to develop an evidence-based multi-factorial assessment that appropriately measures fall risk in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The thesis team created an assessment they named FRETT (Fall Risk Evaluation Tool for Traumatic Brain Injury) that evaluates significant risk factors for falling in the TBI population through a variety of assessment tools. Methods included both portions of currently published assessments and original assessments developed by the thesis team. A manual was also developed with detailed instructions on how to perform and score FRETT. The target population for this project included the occupational therapists, …

Atropine Microdialysis Within Or Near The Pre-Bötzinger Complex Increases Breathing Frequency More During Wakefulness Than During Nrem Sleep, Clarissa Muere, Suzanne E. Neumueller, Justin Robert Miller, Samantha Olesiak, Matthew R. Hodges, Lawrence Pan, Hubert V. Forster

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Normal activity of neurons within the medullary ventral respiratory column (VRC) in or near the pre-Bötzinger Complex (preBötC) is dependent on the balance of inhibitory and excitatory neuromodulators acting at their respective receptors. The role of cholinergic neuromodulation during awake and sleep states is unknown. Accordingly, our objective herein was to test the hypotheses that attenuation of cholinergic modulation of VRC/preBötC neurons in vivo with atropine would: 1) decrease breathing frequency more while awake than during non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep and 2) increase other excitatory neuromodulators. To test these hypotheses, we unilaterally dialyzed mock cerebrospinal fluid (mCSF) or 50 mM atropine …

Introgression Of Brown Norway Cyp4a Genes Onto The Dahl Salt-Sensitive Background Restores Vascular Function In Ss-5Bn Consomic Rats, Kathleen M. Lukaszewicz, John R. Falck, Vijaya L. Manthati, Julian H. Lombard

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

The present study tested the hypothesis that the Dahl SS (salt-sensitive) rat has vascular dysfunction due, in part, to the up-regulation of the CYP4A/20-HETE (cytochrome P450 ω-hydroxylase 4A)/20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid) system. To assess the role of vascular 20-HETE, SS rats were compared with SS-5^BN consomic rats, carrying CYP4A alleles on chromosome 5 from the normotensive BN (Brown Norway) introgressed on to the SS genetic background. Cerebral arteries from SS-5^BN rats had less CYP4A protein than arteries from SS rats fed either NS (normal-salt, 0.4% NaCl) or HS (high-salt, 4.0% NaCl) diet. ACh (acetylcholine)-induced dilation of MCAs (middle cerebral …

Serving God In The Midst Of Multiple Sclerosis: A Holistic And Spiritual Model For Physical Sustainment, Timothy Harville

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Multiple Sclerosis is a devastating disease that affects not only the one who suffers with MS, but also their family and relationships leaving the patient feeling depressed and without hope. If the disease is disclosed, many churches and the International Mission Board will reject the person's application because of the potential cost and medical care needed. This author was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis in 2008. This writer has experienced the obstacles described above. This model will serve as a motivational tool to help all of us who suffer with MS to use the disability for …

Tracking Knee Joint Functional Axes Through Tikhonov Filtering And Plűcker Coordinates, Wangdo Kim, Yoon-Hyuk Kim, António P. Veloso, Sean S. Kohles

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Researchers have reported several compensation methods to estimate bone and joint position from a cluster of skin-mounted markers as influenced by Soft Tissue Artifacts (STA). Tikhonov Regularization Filtering (TRF) as a means to estimate Instantaneous Screw Axes (ISA) was introduced here as a means to reduce the displacement of a rigid body to its simplest geometric form. Recent studies have suggested that the ISA of the knee, i.e., Knee Functional Axes (KFA), might be closely connected to the estimation of constraint forces such as those due to medial and lateral connective tissues. The estimations of ISAs were known to be …

Expressing Emotions Through Participation In Painting, Molly Bathje

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The cover of the Winter 2013 Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, titled Miles eMOTION, was created by Miles Scharfenberg, an 18-year-old young man with multiple developmental impairments. Miles’ story and his artwork provide a reflection on the ways in which creativity and art can enhance the lives of people with disabilities and their families. Miles’ art exists because of his drive toward engagement and participation in life, but also essential is his mother’s commitment to providing opportunities for him to be creative. The Miles eMOTION series of paintings can inspire occupational therapists, families, caregivers, and people with disabilities to …

Online Learning Of Safe Patient Transfers In Occupational Therapy Education, Cynthia L. Hayden

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Online higher education is steadily increasing. For programs in allied health to be offered effectively in an e-learning format, clinical psychomotor skills need to be addressed. The aim of this research was to design, implement, and evaluate an online safe patient transfers module for occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students. The efficacy of teaching safe patient transfers in an e-learning environment was appraised using both quantitative and qualitative analysis. The applied research project was completed at a Tennessee community college. A convenience sample of eighteen students participated in the pilot study. Twenty-five students participated in the subsequent study. The instructional design …

The Training And Use Of Service Dogs In Occupational Therapy Education, Mary Isaacson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The purpose of this study is to describe the role of occupational therapy fieldwork students in the training of service dogs. Ethnography is an approach that strives to explore and describe the point of view of people. Ethnographers view the researcher as an instrument to gain insight into the subject. This researcher utilized her own experiences as an occupational therapist, an occupational therapy educator, and as a volunteer dog trainer of service dogs. She then validated the process through interviews with key informants. The results indicate that occupational therapists and occupational therapy students are capable of playing a significant role …

International Occupational Therapists Continuing Education Needs And Opportunities: A Survey, Husny Amerih

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists (OTs) are expected to maintain up-to-date knowledge and clinical competence by engaging in continuing professional education (CPE). The objective of this research was to obtain information on CPE needs and opportunities in developed and developing countries. A survey was created and emailed to 520 OTs in various countries, asking questions about CPE requirements, opportunities, and the avenues of CPE available to OTs. One hundred-nineteen OTs from 17 different countries responded. Of the 119 OTs, 28 practice in developing countries and 91 practice in developed countries. Thirty-nine percent of the OTs in developing countries stated that they have certain …

An Evaluation Of The Potential Effectiveness Of A Tai Chi Program For Health Promotion Among People With Severe Mental Illness, Ann M. Chapleau, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

In response to the significant health disparities among persons with severe mental illness (SMI), this pilot study was developed to evaluate the potential effectiveness of a Tai Chi program provided to adults who are members of a psychosocial clubhouse program. A non-randomized, controlled pretest-posttest design was used, and qualitative data from a program evaluation survey is shared to provide insight into the strengths and limitations of this explorative study. A simplified, beginner-level Tai Chi program was provided twice a week for 12 weeks. Changes in cardiac and pulmonary function and perceived quality of health were measured. Results support the potential …

Functional Improvement In Older Adults After A Falls Prevention Pilot Study, Pei-Fen J. Chang, Yong-Fang Kuo

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Falls are a costly, disabling, and life-threatening risk in the elderly. Improvements in physical function, balance, lower extremity strength, and health-related quality of life are hypothesized to help mitigate fall risk. In this pilot study, six women and men with an average age of 81 years participated in a 6-week exercise and education program created to reduce risk of falls. Evaluations were made at baseline and at 6 weeks on four tests: the Functional Status Questionnaire, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Six-minute Walk Test, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF 26-question test. Scores indicated significant improvement in …

A Survey To Determine The Reliability Of Dynamometer And Pinch Gauge Dial Readings Among Certified Hand Therapists, Theodore I. King Ii

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Using a cross-sectional descriptive study design, surveys were mailed to 200 randomly selected certified hand therapists of the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) to determine how they document analog dynamometer and pinch gauge dial readings. Three different needle settings for the dynamometer and pinch gauge were presented in picture format. For each instrument, one needle setting was just above a gauge marker, one was just below a gauge marker, and one was set exactly between two gauge markers. A total of 126 out of 200 surveys were returned for a participation rate of 63%. For the dynamometer readings, therapists …

Letter From The Editor: The Importance Of Frames Of Reference, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

The Road From Marja: Wounded In Afghanistan, Capt. Erik Quist '99, Usmc, Sees Another Side Of Combat, Gerry Boyle

Colby Magazine

Marine Corps Capt. Erik Quist ’99 had fought in two wars. Now he fights again as he recovers from severe wounds suffered in Afghanistan.

A Pilot Study To Measure Upper Extremity H-Reflexes Following Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Therapy After Stroke, Ann M. Stowe, L. Hughes-Zahner, V. K. Barnes, L. L. Herbelin, Sheila M. Schindler-Ivens, B. M. Quaney

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Upper extremity (UE) hemiparesis persists after stroke, limiting hand function. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is an effective intervention to improve UE recovery, although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Our objective was to establish a reliable protocol to measure UE agonist–antagonist forearm monosynaptic reflexes in a pilot study to determine if NMES improves wrist function after stroke. We established the between-day reliability of the H-reflex in the extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) and flexor carpi radialis (FCR) musculature for individuals with prior stroke (n = 18). The same-day generation of ECRL/FCR H-reflex recruitment curves was well tolerated, regardless of …

Meeting The Challenge: Technological Advances In Stroke Rehabilitation, Peggy Seminara Rn, Ne-Bc, Mha, Bernadette R. Anderson Bsn, Rn, Alberto Esquenazi Md

Population Health Matters (Formerly Health Policy Newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Dr. Robert L. Bennett: Pioneer And Definer Of Modern Physiatry., John F. Ditunno, Jr, Richard E. Verville

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Faculty Papers

Few physiatrists today would appreciate Dr. Robert L. Bennett’s contributions to our specialty, since he most commonly was associated with poliomyelitis, a cured disease for over a half century. Less are aware of the pioneering fusion of physical medicine in 1941 by Krusen’s first resident with the independent living environment of the Georgia Warm Spring Foundation (GWSF) created by a USA president. Bennett recognized polio/GWSF as the workshop and laboratory for showcasing the new specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR). He taught us that accurate muscle testing determined the plan of muscle reeducation, which led to functional training with …

Adjunctive Atypical Antipsychotic Treatment For Major Depressive Disorder: A Meta-Analysis Of Depression, Quality Of Life, And Safety Outcomes, Glen I. Spielmans, Margit I. Berman, Eftihia Linardatos, Nicholas. Z. Rosenlicht

Dartmouth Scholarship

Atypical antipsychotic medications are widely prescribed for the adjunctive treatment of depression, yet their total risk-benefit profile is not well understood. We thus conducted a systematic review of the efficacy and safety profiles of atypical antipsychotic medications used for the adjunctive treatment of depression.

Service Learning In Guatemala: Using Qualitative Content Analysis To Explore An Interdisciplinary Learning Experience Among Students In Health Care Professional Programs, Kathleen S. Fries, Donna M. Bowers, Margo Gross, Lenore Frost

Nursing Faculty Publications

What is the experience of interprofessional collaboration as a nursing, occupational, or physical therapy health care student taking part in a weeklong service-learning experience? Interprofessional collaboration among health care professionals yields improved patient outcomes, yet many students in health care programs have limited exposure to interprofessional collaboration in the classroom and in clinical and service-learning experiences. This practice gap implies that students enter their professions without valuing interprofessional collaboration and the impact it has on promoting positive patient outcomes.

The aim of this study was to describe the interprofessional experiences of students in health care professional programs as they collaborated …

Ua35/8 The Topper, Vol. 21, Issue 1, Wku Veterans Upward Bound

WKU Administration Documents

Newsletter published by WKU Veterans Upward Bound includes articles and calendar of events.