Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Does Student Interest In Rural Or Underserved Practice Change Following Exposure To A Full Time Rural Or Underserved Clinical Experience?, Hans D. Capistrano, Maxwell D. Giedlin, Kayla A. Houston

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Access to healthcare in rural areas remains a significant challenge, with rural communities facing unique barriers such as limited healthcare providers, increased travel distances, and lower insurance coverage rates. Nevada exemplifies this issue, ranking 45th in the United States in access to physical therapy services, with particularly low provider availability in its rural regions. Research suggests that clinical education experiences in rural and underserved areas may encourage healthcare professionals to practice in these communities post-graduation. This study examined the relationship between clinical experiences in rural and underserved settings amongst University of Nevada, Las Vegas Physical Therapy (UNLVPT) students’ interest in …

Unlv Admissions: Effect Of The In-Person Interview On The Holistic Admissions Of Minority Applicants Into The University Of Nevada, Las Vegas Doctor Of Physical Therapy Program, Jonathan Madamba, Walker Riley, Isaiah Taylor

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose/Methods: The goal of this study is to analyze the effect of an in-person interview on the admission of minority applicants into the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Using data from the 2014-2022 admissions cycles we assessed inter-rater reliability of the interviewer’s, differences in average in-person interview score between racial groups, and compared the difference in pre-interview scores between racial groups.

Results: We found that students identifying as Black scored higher on interviews than their White counterparts. However, a smaller proportion of them matriculated into the program due to the difference …

Expanding Anatomy Academy In The Las Vegas Metropolitan Area: A Service Learning Project To Improve Childhood Health Through Supplemental Educational Sessions, Alekzander Hall, Brandon Paige, Marlee Parkin, David Sanchez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States, with approximately 18.5% of US children presenting with obesity. High levels of obesity are less common in higher income communities, but increasingly more prevalent in lower income communities. Currently in Clark County, Nevada, more specifically in lower socioeconomic communities and Title I schools within the Las Vegas area, there is an opportunity to educate students about the components of a healthier lifestyle to provide children with the tools to improve their health. Anatomy Academy (AA) is an eight-week health education program that was created to teach fourth and fifth grade …

Lower Limb Loss Related Physical Therapy Outcome Measures: A Scoping Review, Cassandra Evergreen, Harrison Hess, Ryan Orton

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This scoping review aims to explore the use of performance-based outcome measures (PBOMs) and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in assessing the function of individuals with lower limb loss (LLL). The review identified common PBOMs, such as the 6- and 2-minute walk tests, Timed Up and Go (TUG), and Amputee Mobility Predictor (AMP), which evaluate mobility and overall physical function. PROMs, like the Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire (PEQ), focus on the prosthetic experience, including comfort, satisfaction, and quality of life. Both PBOMs and PROMs assess patient function, yet with differing emphases; PBOMs primarily evaluate physical performance while PROMs capture broader health attributes, …

Enhancing Documentation Proficiency: Feasibility Of Integrating Ehr Go & Unfolding Case Studies In Occupational Therapy Education, Jeffery D. Holland Jr.

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objective: This capstone project evaluated the feasibility of integrating EHR Go and Unfolding Case Studies (UCS) into the first-year curriculum of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program. The goal was to enhance students’ SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) note documentation proficiency and critical thinking skills through simulation-based learning and increased exposure to real-world documentation expectations and examples. Feedback from 33 clinicians at Dignity Health St. Rose Dominican Hospital – Siena Campus informed the workshop design, and OTD faculty and graduate assistants at UNLV provided input on curriculum integration feasibility.Methods: A quasi-experimental, non-equivalent groups pretest-posttest …

Less Pain, More Game: Red Kinesiology Tape On Carpal Tunnel Syndrome And Occupational Performance In Fps Esports, Sarah Ashley Taing

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Esports encompasses competitive video gaming, requiring tactical, mental, and physical skills. It offers benefits like improved cognition and social inclusion but poses risks such as musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) from repetitive movements. Prolonged gaming can lead to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), with symptom severity correlating with gaming duration (Bibi & Khan, 2019; Basuodan et al., 2023). Kinesiology tape (KT), a treatment used for decades, shows promise for pain relief and functional improvement (Kase et al., 2013). Developed in 1973 by Kase, KT increases circulation, reduces pain, and improves joint stability, though its effectiveness remains ambiguous. Additionally, the psychosocial impact of tape …

Empowering Nurses, Enhancing Mobility: A Qi Initiative Using Plof And Clof To Promote Patient Ambulation, Kaela Nguyen

Master's Projects and Capstones

The quality improvement project involves the intervention of implemented mobility educational flyers about the mobility tools, Clinician Reported Level of Function (CLOF) and Patient Reported Level of Function (PLOF) and aims to increase patient mobility post surgery. The quality improvement project was conducted in two medical surgical units in a San Francisco hospital. To address unmet mobility goals, during change of shift, in-services on the educational flyers about the mobility tools (CLOF and PLOF), were utilized to provide education about the importance of mobility, how to utilize the mobility tools, and correctly document ambulation. More than twenty flyers were posted …

Targeting The Beiging Of Muscle-Associated Adipose Tissue To Promote Muscle Regeneration, Jacob C. Parson

WUSM Theses and Dissertations – All Programs

The expansion of intra-muscular adipose tissue (IMAT) between myofibers and epi-muscular adipose tissue (EMAT) outside of the muscle boundary accompanies numerous pathologies including diabetes, muscular dystrophy, and aging. IMAT and EMAT are anatomically juxtaposed to myofibers. Some evidence supports that IMAT and EMAT impede muscle function. This is potentially due to paracrine factors that are secreted by IMAT/EMAT. Different adipose depots can be classified in numerous ways including where they are located anatomically as well as the factors in which they secrete. Unlike classical white fat, adipose depots classified as brown or beige, noted by the marker uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) …

The Influence Of Intrinsic Foot Muscles In Modulating Foot Shape Relative To Substrate And The Efficacy Of Different Strengthening Approaches, Luke R. Lotsis

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Cross-sloped surfaces create an asymmetrical substrate for foot contact, introducing a slip force within the transverse plane and a gravitational pull within the coronal plane that increases the tendency to topple downslope. To maintain stability, the foot must make structural adjustments across the hindfoot, midfoot, forefoot, and hallux. In chapter 1, I investigated how IFMs respond to varying substrate conditions and balance demands, providing insight into their functional role in maintaining stability and adapting foot structure in static and dynamic locomotor tasks. Twenty-four healthy adults participated in a series of dynamic walking trials on flat, cross-sloped and sandy substrates and …

Unlv Department Of Physical Therapy And The Fine Arts Clinic For Health And Injury Prevention, Madeline Cosgrove, Ashton Johnson, Keith Lopez, Diana Nguyen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

At the collegiate of performing arts, those who participate in classes and performances will often be at risk for musculoskeletal injury due to repetition and specific patterns of their movements. The establishment of a pro-bono physical therapy clinic for students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate-level fine arts programs may improve healthcare access for this often underserved community. The goals of this service learning project were to provide injury-prevention screenings to dancers and administer specialized physical therapy (PT) services in the form of evaluations and treatments to all students in the UNLV (University of Las Vegas, Nevada) College of Fine Arts …

The Effect Of Amputation And Prosthesis Use On The Ability To Differentiate Between Surfaces Underfoot, Allen Paul F. Aquino, Bradley C. Belasco, Kara D. Hlebak, Amanda B. Lewin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background/ Purpose: There is limited understanding of how the sensory deficits associated with lower limb amputation (LLA) impact mobility during daily life. As a first step to developing this understanding, the aim of this study was to determine to what extent people with LLA can identify differences in commonly encountered walking surfaces beneath their feet. We hypothesized that people with LLA would demonstrate a poorer ability to discriminate between different surfaces than people without an amputation, and that discrimination ability would be surface characteristic-specific; discrimination would be poor for roughness discrimination due to the lack of plantar sensation in the …

Feasibility And Acceptability Of Tap Dance As A Therapeutic Intervention For Adults With Lower Limb Amputation: A Pilot Study, Julianne Roser, Allison Strande, Bailey Taggart

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of an 8-week adapted tap dance program as a therapeutic intervention for individuals with lower limb amputation (LLA).

Methods

Three participants with LLA (two with unilateral transfemoral amputation and one with bilateral transtibial amputations) attended weekly 1-hour tap dance classes, with movements adapted for their needs and mobility aids and dance barres available as needed. The Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) and participant feedback assessed acceptability. Functional mobility, balance and quality of life were measured using the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, Timed Up-and-Go (TUG), Berg Balance Scale …

Effects Of Altered Somatosensory Input On Gait Kinetics And Kinematics Via Different Footwear In Individuals With Chronic Post-Stroke Hemiparesis, Daniela Casillas, Lesley Ruiz

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose/Hypothesis: Individuals with post-stroke hemiparesis walk with significant asymmetries, leading to slow, effortful walking, and a high risk of falls. One contributing factor is altered sensation on the plantar surface. Studies examining altered somatosensory input via insoles, vibration and other tactile stimuli observed improvements in hemiparesis gait. This study investigates whether altering somatosensory input through different footwear can affect kinetics, kinematics and muscle activity during walking post-stroke. We hypothesized the barefoot conditions would have increased dorsiflexion (heel-strike, swing), increased plantarflexion during toe-off, increased muscle activity and kinetics, compared to memory foam conditions.

Participants: 13 individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis (4F/9M, …

Efficacy Of Dorsal Application Of Kt For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome In Esport Gamers: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Anthony Foreman

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This doctoral study investigated the impact of the dorsal application of kinesiotape on carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) symptoms and performance among Esport gamers. The study was conducted in controlled environments at the UNLV Esports Lounge, Black Fire Innovation, and the Musculoskeletal Lab using a randomized two-group pretest-posttest design. To maintain ecological validity, participants were permitted to use personally owned gaming peripherals (e.g., computer mouse), and all received brief instruction on proper body mechanics to promote consistency during testing. Participants (n = 11) were systematically assigned by order of registration to either an intervention group receiving dorsal application of kinesiotape on …

Enhancing Motor Function In Individuals With Lower Limb Amputation Through Peerbased Learning Of Balance And Fall Recovery Skills, Zoe Castle, Jer Ja Chuang, Jewel Granados, Danna Shaw

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose: Lower limb amputation (LLA) is a devastating condition that is becoming more prevalent in the United States. We examined the effects of peer-based action observation learning on the brain activation and the eyetracking pattern in individuals with LLA.

Methods: Fourteen individuals with LLA (51.9±12.6 years, 4 females, 9 with transfemoral amputations) were asked to learn a balance task through observing the movements demonstrated by individuals with LLA or persons with intact limbs. Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, visual attention time, and peak saccade velocity were recorded when participants watched the demonstration videos. Power spectral density (PSD) was used to analyze the …

Effects Of Different Cannabis Compounds On Balance, Freezing Of Gait, And Bradykinesia In Parkinson’S Disease: Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Self-Report Data From The Fox Insight Study, Alexandria Dockery, Adan Hernandez, Cody Miyashiro

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objective: To explore the effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)) on self-reported balance problems, freezing of gait (FOG), and bradykinesia in Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Background: Recent research has indicated that a high proportion of people with PD are interested in using cannabis for symptom management. Given the known intoxicating and motor impairing properties of THC, it may negatively affect postural instability and increase fall risk in people with PD.

Methods: Data from the Fox Insight online clinical study were analyzed in February 2024. The analysis only included participants with PD who answered questions about cannabis use (n=2754). Responses were …

The Effectiveness Of Occupational Therapy Objective Structured Clinical Exam & Student Self-Efficacy In Preparation For Fieldwork Rotation, Angela Kay

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This capstone project focuses on exploring the effectiveness of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Department of Occupational Therapy’s Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) on students’ perceived self-efficacy in preparation for and throughout fieldwork rotation. This retrospective study analyzed repeated measures of the New General Self-Efficacy (NGSE) Likert Scale collected from a sample of 49 occupational therapy students across five time points. Findings indicated a statistically significant increase in self-efficacy over time (p< .001). These results suggest that the OSCE may play a meaningful role in enhancing students’ self-efficacy in their clinical hands-on skills, supporting its continued use in occupational therapy academics.

The Impact Of Psychosocial Factors On Occupational Therapy Doctoral Students’ Communication With Fieldwork Educators: A Retrospective Analysis, Melissa Montes

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This capstone project investigates the impact of adverse psychosocial factors, such as depression, anxiety, and stress, on effective communication of occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) students with their fieldwork educators (FWEds) during level II fieldwork experiences at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Using a convergent parallel mixed methods design and retrospective analysis, the study integrates quantitative data from the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and qualitative data from the Fieldwork Experience Assessment Tool (FEAT) to explore how these factors affect communication and the management of the adverse psychosocial factors OTD students experience. This study involved 36 OTD students …

Exploring The Occupation Of Parenting With A Cognitive Disability, Alysa Polley

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objective: To investigate how parents with cognitive disabilities perform child-rearing tasks and barriers associated with their disability, to determine their needs and self-efficacy to improve the role of occupational therapy in supporting child-rearing for parents with cognitive disability.Design: Qualitative Case-study, Phenomenology Setting: Gigi's Playhouse Participant(s): Inclusion criteria: parents or expecting parents, individuals with a cognitive disability resulting from an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, English speaking, 18+, and autonomy to consent participation. Exclusion criteria: non-English speaking, individuals without a cognitive disability resulting from an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, and under 18. Measure(s): Semi-Structured Interview and Tool for Measuring Parental Self-efficacy. Results: …

Maximizing Functional Independence And Well-Being: The Impact Of Sensory Impairments On Iadls And Functional Mobility Skills, Jessica L. Ryan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objective: Sensory impairments involving vision and hearing among the adult population are predicted to double by 2030 (Gutherie et al., 2018). Individuals with experiences of sensory impairments like low vision are at risk of decreased functional participation in their homes and communities, which often leads to mental health concerns due to social withdrawal, experiences with environmental barriers, and limited occupational engagement (Bezyak et al., 2017; Gerami et al., 2015; Pfeiffer et al., 2020; Vreeken et al., 2020). This doctoral capstone focused on program evaluation to support adults with low vision and blindness in transferring learned skills from a simulated environment …