Physical Therapy Commons^™

“It’S Supposed To Be Super Easy And It’S Not”: Black And Latinx Student Experiences In The Doctor Of Physical Therapy Admissions Process, Melissa Yeung

Theses and Dissertations

Data provided by the Physical Therapy Central Application System (PTCAS) suggests that despite the large numbers of applicants to Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs on an annual basis, a gap remains between the number of White and Black and Latinx applicants who are offered admission to DPT programs. Efforts made by DPT programs to increase the diversity of their incoming cohorts include the use of holistic review processes and enrichment programs to recruit more diverse classes. However, research suggests that the undergraduate experiences of students of color have an impact on their aspirations to graduate and professional schools, and …

Non-Thrust Cervical Manipulations Reduce Short-Term Pain And Decrease Systolic Blood Pressure During Intervention In Mechanical Neck Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Emmanuel Yung, Cheongeun Oh, Michael Wong, Jason K. Grimes, Erica M. Barton, Muhammad I. Ali, Allison Breakey

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Objectives: To evaluate the association of resting blood pressure with pain response and evaluate the cardiovascular effects of anterior-to-posterior [AP] versus lateral [LAT] techniques of cervical spine non-thrust manipulation [NTM].

Methods: Forty-three (23 females) participants with non-chronic neck pain (mean age 29.00 ± SD 9.09 years) randomly received AP or LAT NTM to the cervical spine. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured before, during, and after the intervention. Disability and pain were measured pre- and post-intervention.

Results: Resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly associated with average pain reduction two days later on univariate and multivariate analyses (coefficients −0.029 …

Development Of A Device To Alert For Breaks To Prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders In The Neck And Low Back Among Office Workers, Pooriput Waongenngarm

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The objective of this thesis was to develop a device to alert for breaks to prevent musculoskeletal disorders in the neck and low back among office workers. This thesis was divided into four stages: 1) systematically review to gain insights into the effectiveness of breaks on low back pain, discomfort, and work productivity in office workers; 2) evaluation of the characteristics of perceived discomfort and postural shifts during a 4-hour sitting period; 3) evaluation of the effects of a device to alert for active breaks on preventing neck and low back pain among office workers: 6- and 12-month follow-up; and …

Effect Of The Robotic-Assisted Gait Training Device (Welwalk®) Plus Physiotherapy In Improving The Ambulatory Function In Sub-Acute Hemiplegic Stroke Patients: Assessor-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial, Natapatchakrid Thimabut

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Over the last decades, the effectiveness of robot-assisted gait training devices has been extensively studied. Welwalk® has been developed to support ambulatory functions in stroke patients based on motor learning theory. Objective: To investigate the effects of Welwalk® plus physiotherapy versus physiotherapy alone, in improving ambulatory function in subacute stroke patients with hemiplegia. Methods: The study was an assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Twenty-six subacute stroke patients with hemiplegia were randomized and allocated into either the Welwalk group or control. All patients received 30 training sessions (5 days/week for six weeks) which included standard physiotherapy treatment (60 min) and ambulation training …

Impact Of Psychological Factors On Adolescents With Anterior Knee Pain, Mitchell Selhorst

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Problem and purpose: Psychological factors impact self-report measures of pain and function among adults with anteriorknee pain (AKP), but we do not know (1) if psychological factors also impact pain, self-reported function, and objective measures of function among adolescents with AKP and (2) if a psychological intervention would affect function. The purpose of this dissertation is to determine the impact of psychological factors on pain, self-reported function, and objective measures of function in adolescents with AKP.

Methods: This dissertation was prospective, with three separate studies. Two were cross-sectional observational studies, and the third was a randomized-controlled trial. Patient questionnaires were …

Neck Muscle Composition In Persistent Whiplash Associated Disorder: A Relationship With Disability, Bradford G. Callan

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Purpose/hypothesis: Neck pain and related symptoms following a motor vehicle collision (MVC) can significantly influence the quality of life for some people. While the MVC related mechanics of the head and neck gives rise to the term whiplash, the signs and symptoms of neck related disability are often complex and are clinically referred to as whiplash associated disorder(WAD). Muscle fatty infiltrate (MFI) has been associated with persistent WAD, but its influence on the generation and maintenance of WAD is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between MFI and baseline demographic variables related to persistent …

Does One Session Of Pre-Operative Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Aid In Improving Urinary Incontinence Immediately Following Robotic Assisted Radical Prostatectomy? A Retrospective And Pilot Study, Francine Noel-Ford

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: Despite advancements in surgical techniques through the use of robotic assisted radical prostatectomy, urinary incontinence remains the most common side effect following surgery affecting men’s quality of life.

Objective: To explore the role of a single pre-operative pelvic floor muscle training session. To determine if men who receive the training session have a decrease incidence of incontinence post-op, whether pelvic floor muscle strength pre-operatively is an independent predictor of urinary incontinence, and the impact of incontinence on quality of life in men following a robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy in the early stages post-operatively.

Design: A two part study with a …

Impact Of Physical Therapist Attitudes And Beliefs On The Outcomes Of Patients With Low Back Pain, Adam P. Rufa

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Physical therapist attitudes and beliefs about low back pain (LBP) have been shown to influence patientbeliefs and affect clinician behavior. The purpose of this project was to investigate physical therapist attitudes and beliefsabout LBP, identify factors that influence those beliefs, and determine if attitudes and beliefs have an impact on patientoutcomes. Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort design that included a survey of physical therapists and thecollection of patient outcomes from Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes, Inc. (FOTO). Attitudes and beliefs were measured using the Health Care Providers’ Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale (HC-PAIRS) and the Pain Attitudes and …

Does The Type Of Dual Cognitive Task Impact Gait Variability Using The Quantitative Timed Up And Go (Qtug) In Community-Dwelling Adults?, Laurie G. Hiatt

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine how different cognitive dual-tasks impact gaitvariability in community-dwelling adults using the Quantitative Timed Up and Go (QTUG).

Methods: Participants aged 65 and older were recruited from two communities in Iowa and Wisconsin. Inclusion criteria: theability to stand and ambulate without an assistive device, having no orthopedic surgical procedures in the previous six weeks, living independently in the community, demonstrating corrected vision and ability to read, sufficient auditory function to carry on a conversation and ability to follow directions. Participants needed to follow three step commands and have no history …

Impact Of Strength And Range Of Motion On Loss Of Ambulation And Functional Change Measures In Boys With Dmd, Tina Duong

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an x-linked lethal progressive disorder affecting boys who are typically diagnosed due to motor delays or weakness. Key features include loss of motor function throughout the lifetime resulting in early mortality from cardiopulmonary complications in the late 2nd and 3rd decades of life. Rates of progression are variable yet sequential due to a typical pattern of motor weakness that occurs from proximal to distal muscle groups. Current standards of care include contracture management and Glucocorticosteroids (GC). Timed function tests have been used to understand and predict loss offunctional milestones such as walking, getting off the …

Does The Range Of Walking Speeds Produced By Community-Dwelling Older Adults Relate To Or Predict Function, Disability, And Community Mobility?, Michelle Germaine Criss

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: Self-selected (SSWS) and maximum walking speeds (MWS) are frequently studied and related to multiple body systems, function, falls, and mortality. Walking at a slow speed voluntarily or measuring a range of walking speeds (WS), however, has rarely been investigated. Purpose: The aims ofthis project were to explore a proposed measure of WS adaptability called total walking speed range(TWSR), to assess the reliability and validity of slow walking speed (slowWS) as a component of TWSR, to assess if TWSR could predict function, disability or community mobility, and finally, to compare thepredictive ability of TWSR to single walking speeds. Methods: This …

Effects Of Cueing On Sit To Stand Transfers In Parkinson Disease, Rebecca Ann Martin

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Problem Statement: Individuals with Parkinson Disease (PD) often experience difficulty transferring from sit to stand (STS). Current evidence suggests cues which promote an external attentional focus improve gait and transfers for individuals with PD. However, this research utilizes cues which are difficult to replicate in clinical or natural environments making the findings difficult to generalize or implement. Purpose: The primary purpose of this study is to determine the effect of 3 different explicit cues on STS for individuals with PD. Additionally we sought to determine if, in this population, a relationship exists between latency of movement initiation and postural sway …

Correlation Of Trust And Outcomes Following Physical Therapy For Chronic Low Back Pain, Kory J. Zimney

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: Trust is a key component for developing therapeutic alliance. Improvements in trust have been found to improve outcomes forpatients receiving psychiatric and medical physician care. Current trust measurement scales have not been utilized in a physical therapy setting and no studies have explored the relation of trust in provider to physical therapy outcomes.

Purpose: The primary goal was to explore the correlation of patient trust measured at various points within the therapeutic encounter to the change in outcome measurements after receiving physical therapy care.

Research Design and Methods: Non-experimental correlational quantitative analysis of patient trust in their physical therapist …

Training Postural Control With Eyes Closed Vs. Eyes Open And Effects On Postural Control Improvement, Mark D. Ulbricht

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Introduction: Ankle sprains are one of the more common injuries in an athletic population. Postural control training can be used in prevention and rehabilitation for ankle sprains. When used preventively postural control training can decrease the risk of sustaining an ankle sprain by 38% (McGuine & Keene, 2006). There are a variety of postural control training programs all emphasizing different aspects of postural control, such as eyes closed, or eyes open situations. Training protocols with either eyes closed or eyes open have been shown to improve both static and dynamic postural control (Zech et al., 2010). The purpose of this …

Team Triathlon Effects On Physiological, Psychological, And Immunological Measures In Women Breast Cancer Survivors, Judy A. Tjoe, Linda B. Piacentine, Paula E. Papanek, Hershel Raff, John Richards, April Harkins, Jun Yin, Alexander V. Ng

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose

Exercise after breast cancer diagnosis and treatment improves cancer-related outcomes, although the mechanisms involved are not clear. This study evaluated the impact of exercise on body composition, strength, endurance, quality of life (QOL), fatigue, and endocrine and inflammatory biomarkers in breast cancer survivors participating in a highly monitored, clinically supervised, moderate-intensity exercise program. The association of hormonal and inflammatory biomarkers with the observed physiological changes was assessed.

Methods

Female breast cancer survivors (BCS; n = 46) who engaged in a goal-oriented 14-week triathlon exercise training program were compared to an untrained control group of female BCS (n = …

Exploring Family-Centered Care From The Perspectives Of Home-Health Physical Therapists, James Mathews

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Older adults may need, or desire, caregiver and family involvement to avoid hospitalizations and institutionalizations. The caregivers of these older adults have the highest rates of burnout, injury, and turnover. Family-centered care (FCC) involves collaboration between healthcare practitioners, patients, family members, and caregivers. FCC is both established and effective in pediatric care settings. There is a paucity of evidence on how FCC is applied to older adult populations. Home health physical therapists (HHPTs) work with older adults in their homes and train both family members on how to safely handle and manage the care-dependent older adult. The purpose of this …

Differential Effects Of Reduced Foot Sole Sensitivity And Nerve Conduction Velocity On Postural Control And Functional Gait, Kelsey D. Lewis

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: Peripheral neuropathy is characterized by a loss of foot sole sensitivity and slowed nerve conduction velocity. Individuals with peripheral neuropathy have decreased postural control ability and functional gait performance. No research was found that differentiated the effects of the main symptoms of peripheral neuropathy on postural control and functional gait. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the differential effects of reduced foot sole sensitivity and slowed nerve conduction velocity on postural control and functional gait. METHODS: Two main clinical symptoms, H-index and foot sole sensitivity were evaluated among 35 participants. Outcome variables are the center of …

Knee Joint Loading Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Link To Patient Reported Outcomes And A Novel Method To Monitor With Wearable Sensors, Alex Spencer

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Recovery from anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) commonly results in undesirable physical and patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Identification of modifiable factors such as knee contact force (KCF) early in rehabilitation that can improve these outcomes is important due to the rapid decrease in function, quality of life, and joint health in this population. Additionally, if noninvasive measurement of KCFs outside of a traditional laboratory were possible, clinicians could optimize patient treatment with personalized care. Therefore, there are two primary aims to this thesis: 1) quantify the link between KCF and PROs which measure pain, ability to perform activities of daily living, …

Sustained Acoustic Medicine Combined With A Diclofenac Ultrasound Coupling Patch For The Rapid Symptomatic Relief Of Knee Osteoarthritis: Multi-Site Clinical Efficacy Study, Alex Madzia, Chirag Agrawal, Paddy Jarit, Stephanie Petterson, Kevin Plancher, Ralph Ortiz

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Background:

Sustained Acoustic Medicine (SAM) is an emerging, non-invasive, non-narcotic, home-use ultrasound therapy for the daily treatment of joint pain. The aim of this multi-site clinical study was to examine the efficacy of long-duration continuous ultrasound combined with a 1% diclofenac ultrasound gel patch in treating pain and improving function in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Methods:

The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) were followed. Thirty-two (32) patients (18-males, 14-females) 54 years of average age with moderate to severe knee pain and radiographically confirmed knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade II/III) were enrolled for treatment with the SAM device and diclofenac …

Comparison Of The Accuracy To Predict Falls Of The Figure Of 8 Walk Test With And Without Dual-Task In Older Adults, Tidarat Nualyong

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Background: The figure of eight walk test (F8W) is a measurement tool that examines the ability to walk on a curved path. Adding secondary tasks to the F8W test may increase its ability to predict falls in older adults. This research aimed 1.) to examine the accuracy of the F8W test and the F8W test with dual-tasking for predicting future falls in older adults; 2.) to investigate the reliability and the concurrent validity of the F8W test with and without dual-task in older adults. Methods: Eighty older adults between the ages of 60 and 80 were recruited. At the beginning …