Physical Therapy Commons^™

Multi-Day Longitudinal Assessment Of Physical Activity And Sleep Behavior Among Healthy Young And Older Adults Using Wearable Sensors, Rahul Soangra

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Objectives

The number of elderly people is growing rapidly and aging is found to affect activities of daily living. Older adults are found to perform less physical activity when compared to younger ones. In the perspective of movement behavior, it is not well understood how are elderly different from younger ones. It is not known whether they produce only low frequency movement accelerations or the overall number of movements produced are reduced in elderly. It is also not known how elderly and younger ones perform movement transitions throughout the duration of a day and during night-time sleep.

Material and methods …

Enhancing Scholarly Productivity Among Physical Therapy Faculty Through Professional Networks, Betsy J. Becker, Gilbert Willett, Victoria Kennel

Posters and Presentations: Physical Therapy

Purpose

Let's build a talented workforce of physical therapy educators with diverse ideas who collaborate on projects and discover new knowledge! Faculty are the educational leaders in physical therapy. With growing demands on workload and time, it is essential to attract talent to academia and provide a supportive team to navigate the path toward a successful career. Scholarly productivity accreditation requirements are challenging, especially for new faculty with primary teaching responsibilities or those without an academic doctoral degree. Evidence suggests that network connections can improve faculty performance, innovation and retention. This study arose from concerns in recent years related to …

Revealing The Optimal Thresholds For Movement Performance: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis To Benchmark Pathological Walking Behaviour, Deepak K. Ravi, Michelle Gwerder, Niklas König Ignasiak, Christian R. Baumann, Mechtild Uhl, Jaap H. Dieën, William R. Taylor, Navrag B. Singh

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

In order to address whether increased levels of movement output variability indicate pathological performance, we systematically reviewed and synthesized meta-analysis data on healthy and pathological motor behavior. After screening up to 24’000 reports from four databases, 85 studies were included containing 2409 patients and 2523 healthy asymptomatic controls. The optimal thresholds of variability with uncertainty boundaries (in % Coefficient of Variation ± Standard Error) were estimated in 7 parameters: stride time (2.34 ± 0.21), stride length (2.99 ± 0.37), step length (3.34 ± 0.84), swing time (2.94 ± 0.60), step time (3.35 ± 0.23), step width (15.87 ± 1.86), …

Barefoot Running: Effects On Emg Activity Of Gluteus Medius And Tensor Fascia Latae In Habitually Shod Runners, Bailey Neubauer, Zach Drevlow, Alexandra Gerlach

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose/Hypothesis: Running has been a common practice in humans since the species’ dawn. Due to its relative ease and low cost, running continues to be one of the most popular forms of exercise today. Although running provides many benefits such as disease prevention, injury prevalence in running is high. The trend of minimalist shoes and barefoot training has gained popularity over the decade as a return to a more natural form of running. Some researchers hypothesize that barefoot running can reduce injury rate by changing the biomechanics of the runner. In this study we propose a different hypothesis: barefoot running …

Use Of Standardized Assessments And Online Resources In Stroke Rehabilitation, Susan H. Lin, Pamela R. Bosch, Veronica T. Rowe, Susan E. Fasoli, Jeanne Langan

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The extent to which movement-related standardized assessments and online resources are used in stroke rehabilitation is unclear in the United States.

Method: The researchers used a cross-sectional descriptive survey that examined (a) therapists use of movement-related standardized assessments, (b) factors influencing learning of new assessments, and (c) use of frequency of online resources by occupational therapists and physical therapists in the United States.

Results: Of 151 respondents (46.4% occupational therapists, 53.6% physical therapists), the most frequently used movement-related assessments by occupational and physical therapists were the Berg and Fugl-Meyer Assessment, respectively. More physical therapists use motor-related …

Longitudinal Change In Common Impairments In Children With Cerebral Palsy From Age 1.5 To 11 Years, Lynn M Jeffries, Alyssa Laforme Fiss, Sarah Westcott Mccoy, Lisa Avery

Physical Therapy Publications

Purpose: This project aimed to determine if change occurs over time for impairments of balance, range of motion (ROM), endurance, and strength of children with cerebral palsy (CP), by Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels.

Methods: Measurements were completed in 77 children at two sessions (T1, T2) on average 5.8 years apart. Mean ages were 2.9 years (SD .9) and 8.7 years (SD 1.1) at T1 and T2, respectively.

Results: Significant differences were noted from T1 to T2 for some children (GMFCS levels I, II, and III/IV: balance increased, GMFCS levels I and II: strength increased, and GMFCS levels …

Poster: Literature Review Of Causative And Non-Causative Risk Factors For Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema, Maya Ahluwalia, Casey Chabot, Jessica Diggins, Victoria Dwyer, Mikaela Mcguire, Lindsay Tiberi, Amy J. Litterini

Lymphedema Risk Reduction

Poster outlining results of a review of literature concerning causative and non-causative risk factors for breast cancer-related lymphedema. This document was created by UNE Doctor of Physical Therapy students to establish a knowledge base for clinicians to better understand, diagnose, and educate patients.

Annotated Bibliography: Literature Review Of Causative And Non-Causative Risk Factors For Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema, Maya Ahluwalia, Casey Chabot, Jessica Diggins, Victoria Dwyer, Mikaela Mcguire, Lindsay Tiberi, Amy J. Litterini

Lymphedema Risk Reduction

Annotated bibliography derived from a review of literature concerning causative and non-causative risk factors for breast cancer-related lymphedema. This document was created by UNE Doctor of Physical Therapy students to establish a knowledge base for clinicians to better understand, diagnose, and educate patients.

Healthcare Students’ Abilities To Translate Interprofessional Education To Collaborative Practice, Sally Mccormack Tutt, Meredith Parry, Shelley Cohen Konrad

Physical Therapy Faculty Posters

The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to examine the direct relationship between students learning about case-based, interprofessional education in their didactic coursework and then demonstrating a change in behavior that allows them to engage in interprofessional collaborative practice in the clinical setting. Specifically, the study determined if healthcare students from physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nursing programs demonstrated the behaviors learned during case-based, IPE training to engage in interprofessional collaborative practice in the clinical setting. The participants of the study had to have completed the case-based IPE training provided at their university during one semester and then participated …

Quantifying Balance Control After Spinal Cord Injury: Reliability And Validity Of The Mini-Bestest, Katherine Chan, Janelle Unger, Jae Woung Lee, Gillian Johnston, Marissa Constand, Kei Masani, Kristin E Musselman

Physical Therapy Publications

Context/Objective: Incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) causes deficits in balance control. The Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (mini-BESTest) is a comprehensive measure; however, further testing of its psychometric properties among the iSCI population is needed. We evaluated the mini-BESTest’s test-retest reliability, and concurrent and convergent validity among individuals living with iSCI for more than one year.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Rehabilitation hospital.

Participants: Twenty-one individuals with chronic motor iSCI (14 females, mean age 56.8 ± 14.0 years).

Interventions: None.

Outcome Measures: Participants completed the mini-BESTest at two sessions spaced two weeks apart. At the second session, participants …

The Impact Of Isometric Exercise On Somatosensory Processing In People With Or Without Chronic Pain, Ali Mohammed Alsouhibani

Dissertations (1934 -)

Despite an increase in our understanding of the pathomechanisms of chronic pain and the advancement of new treatments, pharmacological management of chronic pain remains poor. This presents the need for non-pharmacological treatments and understanding their efficacy and mechanisms in managing pain. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the effects of isometric exercise on the somatosensory system and other biopsychosocial aspects related to pain in individuals with and without fibromyalgia. The first aim was to determine whether isometric exercise improves pain inhibitory mechanisms and vibration sense. The second aim was to determine what biopsychosocial factors influence pain relief following …

Who's In The Inner Circle? Exploring Network Connections Among Health Professions Faculty For Career Advancement, Maureen Becker, Elsie Wordekemper, Betsy J. Becker

Posters and Presentations: Physical Therapy

Purpose/Hypothesis

The purpose of this study is to explore the meaning of network connections in new or early career health professional faculty. Knowing this information can foster targeted faculty development strategies to build, leverage and maintain connections for advancement with scholarly activity. Faculty shortages currently exist amongst the medical and healthcare professions compounded by an aging U.S. population, increasing the demand for health care services.1 Each year, new faculty are hired, following carefully executed and costly searches. Much time, energy and finances are invested into "human" resources, not limited to, but including; salary, benefits and start up packages. All of …

Sex Differences In Fatigability And Recovery Relative To The Intensity–Duration Relationship, Paul Ansdell, Paul Ansdell, Callum G. Brownstein, Jakob Škarabot, Kristy M. Hicks, Glyn Howatson, Kevin Thomas, Sandra K. Hunter, Stuart Goodall

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Females are less fatigable than males during isometric exercise at intensities relative to maximal voluntary contraction (MVC); however, whether a sex difference in fatigability exists when exercise is prescribed relative to a critical intensity is unknown. This study established the intensity–duration relationship, and compared fatigability and recovery between sexes following intermittent isometric contractions normalised to critical intensity. Twenty participants (10 females) completed four intermittent isometric knee extension trials to task failure to determine critical intensity and the curvature constant (W′), followed by fatiguing tasks at +10% and −10% relative to critical intensity. Neuromuscular assessments were completed at baseline …

Biomechanics And Postural Control Characteristics In Low Back Pain Subgroups During Dynamic Task, Amjad Shallan

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Dynamic balance impairments are commonly observed in people with low back pain (LBP). People with LBP have reduced lumbopelvic stability and may exhibit spinal biomechanical and postural control changes during dynamic balance. A limited number of studies are available about the spinal kinematic and postural control changes during dynamic balance in people with nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) subgroups. Therefore, the aim of this dissertation was to compare spinal kinematics and postural control between NSCLBP subgroups and healthy individuals during dynamic balance using a modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT). Eighteen NSCLBP subjects [9 active extension pattern (AEP), 9 …

A Low-Cost Soft Robotic Hand Exoskeleton For Use In Therapy Of Limited Hand–Motor Function, Grant Rudd, Liam Daly, Vukica Jovanovic, Filip Cukov

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

We present the design and validation of a low-cost, customizable and 3D-printed anthropomorphic soft robotic hand exoskeleton for rehabilitation of hand injuries using remotely administered physical therapy regimens. The design builds upon previous work done on cable actuated exoskeleton designs by implementing the same kinematic functionality, but with the focus shifted to ease of assembly and cost effectiveness as to allow patients and physicians to manufacture and assemble the hardware necessary to implement treatment. The exoskeleton was constructed solely from 3D-printed and widely available of-the-shelf components. Control of the actuators was realized using an Arduino microcontroller, with a custom-designed shield …

Effects Of Obesity And Fall Risk On Gait And Posture Of Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Thurmon E. Lockhart, Christopher W. Frames, Rahul Soangra, Abraham Lieberman

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Epidemiological studies link increased fall risk to obesity in older adults, but the mechanism through which obesity increases falls and fall risks is unknown. This study investigates if obesity (Body Mass Index: BMI>30 kg/m2) influenced gait and standing postural characteristics of community dwelling older adults leading to increased risk of falls. One hundred healthy older adults (age 74.0±7.6 years, range of 56-90 years) living independently in a community participated in this study. Participants’ history of falls over the previous two years was recorded, with emphasis on frequency and characteristics of falls. Participants with at least two falls in the …

Wavelet-Based Analysis Of Physical Activity And Sleep Movement Data From Wearable Sensors Among Obese Adults, Rahul Soangra, Vennila Krishnan

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Decreased physical activity in obese individuals is associated with a prevalence of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Physicians usually recommend that obese individuals change their lifestyle, specifically changes in diet, exercise, and other physical activities for obesity management. Therefore, understanding physical activity and sleep behavior is an essential aspect of obesity management. With innovations in mobile and electronic health care technologies, wearable inertial sensors have been used extensively over the past decade for monitoring human activities. Despite significant progress with the wearable inertial sensing technology, there is a knowledge gap among researchers regarding how to analyze longitudinal multi-day inertial sensor data …

Embedding Interprofessional Activities With Physical Therapy And Athletic Training Students In Shared Professional Course, Katie Sniffen, Anthony P. Breitbach, Erick Briggs, Leslie Hinyard

International Journal of Health Sciences Education

Introduction and Background: Interprofessional education (IPE) is outlined in many health professions education standards creating an increased demand for its inclusion in already crowded curricula with limited faculty and financial resources. The Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) developed “Core Competencies for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice” that outline a framework for meaningful IPE experiences. Case-based learning activities have been used to foster improvements in interprofessional role clarity, communication, and rapport among student groups. The authors describe one trial of incorporating interprofessional and team work activities in a shared professional course and report on student learning outcomes in the context of IPEC competencies.

Course …

Rehabilitation Modifications For A Patient With Parkinson’S Disease Following A Suspected Case Of Gilbert’S Syndrome: A Case Study, Jason Bandong, Hy Ia, Naureen Imam, Kayla Wilcox, Travis Dennis

San Marcos, Summer 2019

The purpose of this case study was to assess the effects of core stabilization exercises, balance training, agility ladder step drills, fine motor, and dual-task training in the treatment of a high-functioning, 55-year-old, male patient with a history of Parkinson’s Disease and suspected Gilbert’s Syndrome.

This treatment program delivered for 1 hour once per week over 4 weeks led to mild improvements in activity limitations with the most notable being able to button a shirt with decreased time and assistance. The patient also exhibited mild improvement in body structure/function impairments with decreased loss of balance as evident during tandem walking …

Maternal Cognitions And The Origins Of Early Sensorimotor Based Play In Infants Born Preterm, Sandra L. Willett

Theses & Dissertations

Maternal cognitions are beliefs, perceptions, and expectations that guide parenting practices. For at-risk infants born prematurely, these maternal constructs may influence the caregiving environment and opportunities for motor experience. The impact of maternal cognitions on motor development in infants born preterm is not well-documented. This three-part dissertation systematically explores: 1) the nature and extent of existing evidence supporting the link between maternal cognitions and motor development of infants born preterm, 2) if maternal perception of infant vulnerability as measured by an adapted Vulnerable Baby Scale (VBS) can be validly and reliably quantified in mothers of infants born preterm and near …