Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Does Self-Soft Tissue Mobilization Of Obturator Internus Reduce Nonrelaxing Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?, Tess Swake, Katherine Briggs, Darschelle Desronvil, Caryn Jagla, Camille Jouzeau

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

The Obturator Internus (OI) is a muscle deep within the pelvis. This muscle is unique by being a muscle of the pelvic floor as well as a muscle of the hip. Currently, there’s limited research concerning the pelvic floor, especially regarding the rehabilitation of conditions related to Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD), however, manual techniques addressing Obturator Internus tension are indicated as a treatment to reduce dysfunction with soft tissue mobilization. The goal of this research is to assess if self-soft tissue mobilization of the OI muscle is beneficial for active females with relaxing or nonrelaxing PFD or hip pain, and …

Changes In Rectus Femoris Strength And Size With Daily Single Leg Bfr Vs Daily Non-Bfr Training In Recreationally Active Individuals, Terrell Kopping, Dj Wilson, Kenzie Ward, Kaileigh Dietrich-Denton,, Bethany Nguyen, Jason Brumitt

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

Blood flow restriction (BFR) utilizes a controlled form of arterial and venous occlusion during resistance exercise.

Resistance training closer to an individual’s one repetition maximum (1RM) (e.g., 70% or higher) has been found to elicit increases in muscle strength and size.1-5

BFR training at lower loads (e.g., 20-30% 1RM) can lead to increases in muscle hypertrophy and strength without the muscle damage associated with training at heavier loads.

Finger Touch And Trunk Haptics Impact Com Control During Vr Perturbations, Ally Wong, Caitlyn Ward, Robin Dorociak, Andrew Meszaros

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

CDC reports that falls in the US cost $50 billion per year. Previous research has indicated that light touch is a strategy that humans rely on to maintain upright (Baldan, et al). Assistive devices are often used for increased proprioception, but requires use of both or one upper extremity. The use of a wearable haptic sway vest allows for participation in bimanual tasks while decreasing risk of falls. This is crucial for the older population to maintain functional independence.

Influences On Peak Effort During 1 Minute Sit To Stand Test, Claire Davidson, Maggie Smith, Destinee Thomas, Taylor Wright, Rebecca Dobler, Jeff Houck

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

The purpose of this study is to determine the influences of peak effort in participants with knee pain and/or knee osteoarthritis during a 1 minute sit to stand test, and new approaches in knee pain education. Many individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA) may assume that engaging in physical activity could exacerbate their condition. As a result, they may refrain from participating in activities they enjoy due to concerns about worsening symptoms or the progression of OA in their knee. It has been shown in research that if we as clinicians, and other healthcare professionals shift the impairment based talk, individuals …

Improvement On The Slopes: The Impact Of An Adaptive Snow Sports Program On Children And Young Adults With Disabilities., Stephanie M. Barton, Matthew J. Mclaughlin, Mark T. Fisher

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

PurposeThis retrospective cohort study sought to examine participant skill and functional progression in an adaptive snow sports program for children and young adults with disabilities.MethodsOne hundred twelve individuals, majority male, who participated in at least 2 adapted ski or snowboard sessions were evaluated by trained adaptive instructors. The primary outcome measure was standardized skill level ranging from 1-novice to 9-expert. Secondary outcome measures of cognitive, emotional, social, physical, and independence scores, were rated on a scale from 1-5, with 5 being the highest.ResultsThe median number of sessions per participant was 4 (range 2-65 sessions) and median participation duration was 2 …

A Model For Advocacy: Advancing Policy Change In Support For Patients With Medicaid, Betsy J. Becker, Jenae Pope

Posters and Presentations: Physical Therapy

There are differences in access and utilization of care for patients with Medicaid. When patients cannot access timely therapeutic care, the resulting outcomes are often poor. Because a major limiting factor in accessing services is insurance type, investigating optimal coverage practices is an important first step in advocating for change. This abstract reports on Phase One of a larger collaboration with state professional associations for physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and speech-language pathology (SLP) to present a model that describes Medicaid authorization services for PT, OT, and SLP, serving as a guide for policy change.

We collaborated with the …

Effects Of Ischemic Conditioning On Microvascular Reactivity To Single Passive Limb Movement In Young Adults: A Pilot Study, Alicen A. Whitaker-Hilbig, Jennifer N. Nguyen, Amanda E. Wietrzny, Gabriel R. Merkow, Sergey Tarima, Emilie A. Klevenow, Luke Nelson, Allison S. Hyngstrom, Matthew J. Durand

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose

Single passive limb movement (sPLM) of the lower extremity is a simple and clinically relevant measure of the microvascular vasodilatory response to movement. A promising stimulus to improve microvascular health is ischemic conditioning (IC). We examined whether a single session of IC could improve microvascular reactivity to sPLM in young adults.

Methods

This was a blinded, crossover, randomized clinical trial. Participants were seated in an isokinetic dynamometer that passively moved the knee 90° at a frequency of 1 Hz while superficial femoral artery leg blood flow (LBF) was measured. The absolute and the relative peak changes in LBF were …

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Of Daxibotulinumtoxina For Injection For The Treatment Of Upper Limb Spasticity In Adults After Stroke Or Traumatic Brain Injury, Atul T Patel, Michael C Munin, Ziyad Ayyoub, Gerard E Francisco, Rashid Kazerooni, Todd M Gross

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin type A is a first-line pharmacotherapy for adults with upper limb spasticity (ULS). However, reemergence of symptoms within 12 weeks of treatment is common and longer-lasting treatments are needed.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of three doses of DaxibotulinumtoxinA for Injection (DAXI) for treatment of ULS in adults with stroke or traumatic brain injury.

Intervention: Intramuscular injections of placebo (N = 24), DAXI 250 U (N = 22), DAXI 375 U (N = 19), or DAXI 500 U (N = 18) to the suprahypertonic muscle (SMG) and other muscle groups.

Design: Randomized, …

Occupational Therapy Assistant Preparatory Course To Improve Mock Certification Exam Scores: An Evidenced-Based Intervention, Anderston St. Germain

Journal of Innovation in Health Sciences Education

Abstract

Introduction: The overall goal of educators of occupational therapy is to produce graduates capable of meeting entry-level employment status, which becomes evident when they pass the national certification exam. This evidence-based pilot project investigated an occupational therapy assistant certification exam preparatory course designed to improve mock certification test scores of graduates from an occupational therapy assistant program.

Methods: The project was implemented as a pilot study in the fall of 2017 with six participants. The course was delivered using a face-to-face teaching model and designed based on the most recent evidence from the literature. The course content included …

Return To Basketball For College And Professional Athletes After Surgical Repair Of Achilles Tendon, Paul Bonilla, Hunter M. Butler, Aasim Ahmad, Aamir Ahmad

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Basketball places extreme mechanical stress on an athlete’s body, leading to a variety of injuries within the sport. Achilles tendon (AT) ruptures have started to garner attention as the incidence of this season ending injury continues to increase [1]. AT ruptures have also been shown to have a higher prevalence in basketball compared to other sport populations. [2]. With the recovery time of AT ruptures being a minimum of 6 months, and data supporting a decrease in player performance and career longevity, it is important to understand the indicated pathophysiology behind the injury along with the surgical management options …

Exploring Vestibular Rehabilitation Self-Efficacy In Entry-Level Physical Therapy, Colin Hulls

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Vestibular rehabilitation, commonly performed by physical therapists, aims to improve the function and quality of life of individuals experiencing dizziness, vertigo, or disequilibrium. Vestibular curricular variation across physical therapy programs may lead to discrepancies in the self-efficacy of entry-level physical therapists to manage this population. The purpose of this study was to examine self-efficacy in vestibular rehabilitation in entry-level physical therapy and identify facilitators and barriers to its development. An online, cross-sectional survey design was utilized for quantitative and qualitative data collection, including a modified version of the Physiotherapist Self-Efficacy (PSE) Questionnaire, from new graduates and students preparing to graduate. …

Increasing Awareness Of Burnout And Developing An Action Plan To Reduce Stress For Graduate Health Profession Students Through An Interactive Workshop, Oaklee Rogers, Zachary Baker

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Healthcare students can experience stress and burnout before becoming practicing clinicians. Increasing education about your level of stress and understanding what burnout is are important factors in preventing burnout. Method: A 90 minute interactive workshop was developed and implemented for graduate health profession students to meet three objectives: 1) increase foundational knowledge about burnout and its impact on different health professionals, 2) assess student’s level of burnout and apply strategies to mitigate their stress, and 3) create and share a plan on how they would incorporate stress reduction strategies and/or reduce their level of burnout. Results: In total, 349 …

Technical Note: What Exercises Are Appropriate For Managing Back Pain In Persons With Lower Limb Amputation?, M. Jason Highsmith, Shawn Farrokhi, John M. Mayer

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Individuals with lower extremity amputation (LLA) have high rates of low back pain (LBP) and related disability. The purpose of this technical note is to discuss considerations and provide initial recommendations about what exercises may be appropriate for management of LBP in persons with LLA. Five commonly prescribed motor control and strengthening exercises (cat-camel, curl-up, bird dog, side bridge, and Roman chair extensor exercise) were examined for use in the LLA population. Each exercise seemed to be safe and appropriate for use in persons with LLA yet required additional considerations for use in this population. For example, some of the …

Reliability And Validity Of Trunk Flexion-Extension Angular Velocity Measurement In Healthy Young Adults Using Ai-Enhanced Motion Capture, Joga Katayama, Kai Tennan, Sakino Harada, Aoi Hirata, Hayato Shigetoh, Junya Miyazaki

Asian Journal of Physical Therapy

Background: Openpose is a motion capture system that uses artificial intelligence. This study aimed to verify the reliability and validity of motion angular velocity using Openpose in trunk flexion-extension movements (TFEM) and compare Openpose with methods that use accelerometers and marker measurements. Methods: Fifty healthy young participants were included in the study. The TFEM tasks were performed. Motion analyses were performed using accelerometers, markers, and the Openpose software. To examine the reliability and validity of the angular velocity of motion, we calculated intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) (1,1) and ICC (1,3) for each maximum flexion and extension angular velocity. …

Mantra Meditation For Chronically Impaired Attention After Stroke: A Trial Using Single-Case Experimental Design, Cheryl Carrico, Dana Howell, John A. Patterson, Richard D. Andreatta, Camille Skubik-Peplaski

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Impaired attention after stroke is a common problem for which rehabilitation would potentially be indicated. Systematic review evidence has revealed a lack of high-quality research that supports the effectiveness of standard-of-care cognitive rehabilitation for sustained attention, alertness, and functional impact on daily life after stroke. Standard-of-care cognitive rehabilitation does not include meditation. Meditation has been defined in contemporary scientific literature as a regime entailing voluntary self-regulation of attention. As such, meditation could potentially improve attention in keeping with tenets of neuroplasticity. The present study investigated whether mantra meditation would benefit attention for adults with chronically impaired attention after right-hemisphere …

Physiotherapists' Knowledge Of Ageing And Its Associated Factors, Unyime Jasper, Olayinka Akinrolie, Cornelius Mahdi Ishaku, Nnamdi Mgbemena

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: To evaluate knowledge of ageing and its associated factors among Nigerian physiotherapists (PTs).

Methods: We used a three-part questionnaire. Knowledge of ageing was evaluated with Palmore’s Facts on Aging Quiz (FAQ). Certain questions in the FAQ were modified to reflect the local setting. We conducted a validity and reliability check on the questionnaire using test-retest with 10 PTs. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and multiple linear regression.

Resullts: Out of 204 PTs invited, 186 agreed to participate. Test-retest of the FAQ revealed a Cronbach alpha of 0.78. The age of participants ranged from …

Fostering Future Professional Contemporary Collaboration, Rene'e M. Huth, Jordan M. Tucker

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Collaborative teamwork needs to be fostered early and often to meet contemporary practice ideals. This qualitative phenomenological designed study’s purpose was to investigate student physical therapists (SPTs) and student physical therapist assistants' (SPTAs) perceptions of an intraprofessional online activity reflective of contemporary home health and telehealth settings. A convenience sample of 25 SPTs from one program and 24 SPTAs from another program met synchronously online to view a video case of an ambulatory patient with dementia, develop a plan of care, and discuss appropriate interventions reflective of practice in Virginia. Following interactions, students wrote reflections on their experiences that were …

Patient Adherence And Outcomes In Home Exercise Programs For Obese Osteoarthritic Patients: A Meta-Analysis, Areeba Khan, Kiran Yameen

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Globally, knee osteoarthritis affects millions of individuals, reflecting a 113% increase in the disease prevalence. This investigation delves into the intricate dynamics among excess weight, joint degeneration, and patient adherence to home exercise regimens with and without digital supervision. Methods: The study protocol follows PRISMA guidelines for review articles. A thorough search was conducted by two researchers who examined six databases for article selection using the keywords, “exercise," "rehabilitation," "obesity,", “knee osteoarthritis,” and "pain". Only those articles that were conducted between 2019 to 2023, published in the English language, and that examined the effects of home exercise program …

A Quasi-Experimental Study Examining The Effects Of A Proprioceptive Rehabilitation Protocol For The Cervical Spine On Balance And Function Using A Laser Head Light In Older Community Dwelling Individuals, Vern M. Swanson Jr., M. Samuel Cheng, Leah Nof, Eric Shamus, Phd

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Falls continue to be a major health issue when considering health risks for older individuals. The multi-factorial nature of falls in older adults leads to an overwhelming number of causal factors. Cervical joint position sense and joint position error could be additional factors that could influence the fall risk of older individuals. This research examined the effects of a proprioceptive rehabilitation protocol for the cervical spine using a laser head set in older community dwelling individuals. Methods: Sixty (60) subjects were purposively assigned into an experimental and a control group. Control group subjects were given a general lower extremity …

Assessment Of Physical Therapy Students’ Self-Efficacy And Accuracy Measuring Blood Pressure Using A Low-Fidelity Task Trainer, Daniel C. Dale, Deborah M. Wendland, Tiffany Haney

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if use of a task trainer in physical therapy education improves the self-efficacy and accuracy of students when assessing blood pressure measurements. Methods: Participants from consecutive cohorts of Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students (38 students per cohort) participated in the first semester of their first year of study in a DPT program. The study was conducted concurrently with the course in which the measurement of blood pressure and pulse rate are typically taught. In addition to traditional classroom instruction and lab practice for both groups, the experimental group also had …