Physical Therapy Commons^™

A National Study Of Opioid Knowledge Of Physical Therapy Professionals, Shelene Thomas, John Kiesel, Steven G. Kinney, Isain Zapata

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Deaths from opioid overdoses persist as the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Musculoskeletal pain remains the primary symptom for opioid prescription. Physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapy assistants (PTAs) provide non-prescription pain management strategies to people with musculoskeletal pain. Currently, there lacks research quantifying opioid overdose management knowledge possessed by PTs, PTAs, and their respective students. The purpose of this study was to quantify opioid overdose knowledge by PTs, PTAs, and their respective students, collectively termed physical therapy professionals (PTP). Methods: The electronic survey included several demographic characteristics and the opioid overdose knowledge scale (OOKS) …

Conflict Between Student Physical Therapists And Clinical Instructors During Full-Time Clinical Education, Megan W. Moran

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine what conflicts student physical therapists perceive with their clinical instructors during full-time clinical education experiences and if there was an association between conflict and the students’ opinions of their learning and the overall clinical education experience. Students in other healthcare disciplines experience conflict during clinical education. Additionally, research shows that licensed healthcare providers report conflict in the workplace. These conflicts can result in positive and negative consequences for the learner or provider and the patients. Tailored training may help to minimize the negative consequences; however, there is a lack of available …

Evaluating Assistive Technologies In High Acuity Patients: A Scoping Review With Swot Analysis, Mallory Kargela Pt, Dpt, Amanda Anderson Pt, Dpt, Lindsay Anderson Pt, Dpt, Tian Gong Pt, Dpt, Kylie Scott Pt, Dpt, Edd

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This publication examines the application of assistive technologies (AT) in high-acuity environments, including intensive care units (ICUs), acute care hospitals, and others. The aim is to systematically explore and synthesize the use of AT across these settings, identifying key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) associated. Methods: A literature search was conducted from 2016 to 2023 using PubMed, Tufts and Midwestern University Library databases. Search terms included ('physical therapy' OR 'physiotherapy') AND ('critically ill' OR 'acute' OR 'intensive care') AND ('assistive technology' OR 'technology' OR 'telerehabilitation' OR 'telePT' OR 'functional electrical stimulation' OR 'FES' OR 'cycle ergometry' …

Do Gender-Related Characteristics Impact Female Faculty Career Progression In Academic Doctor Of Physical Therapy Programs?, Bridget Eubanks

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This study explored the experiences of female faculty in academic Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs in the US and if gender, or more specifically any gender-related characteristics such as pregnancy or motherhood, impacts female faculty career progression. Evidence has demonstrated that several challenges disproportionately affect women in academia, but there is currently no research available related to female faculty experiences in academic DPT programs. Methods: This study used a qualitative research design with a descriptive statistics component. It utilized a descriptive, cross-sectional design with a nonexperimental survey methodology. The Culture Conducive to Women’s Academic Success instrument was used …

Defining And Addressing Student Unprofessional Behaviors From The Physical Therapy Clinical Instructors’ Perspective, Michele "Shelly" Lewis, Nicole Biltz, Moyo B. Tillery, Jamie Dunlap Coates, Tracy Ellison, Elsa M. Drevyn

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Developing professional behaviors is an integral part of health professional education. Despite physical therapy education programs’ efforts to assist student physical therapists in developing professional behaviors before entering the clinic, some students still struggle with professional behaviors during clinical education experiences. Literature describing unprofessional behaviors in the clinic and providing guidance for clinical instructors to assess and address professional behavior issues is scarce. This study was conducted to investigate the type of unprofessional behaviors student physical therapists display during clinical education experiences and to describe successful and unsuccessful strategies used by clinical instructors to address challenging behaviors. Method: A …

A Model For Teaching Social Determinants Of Health In Doctor Of Physical Therapy Programs, Elise N. Bjork, Rupal M. Patel Pt, Phd, Rebecca Operacz, Deandrea B. Melvey, Luciano Garcia Iii

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to 1) describe the development and implementation of a novel educational module on social determinants of health (SDOH) for Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students, and 2) to assess the effectiveness of the module on altering DPT students’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and barriers in addressing SDOH. Methods: Drawing on current literature, content expert feedback, identity theory, and experiential learning theory, a two-hour module on SDOH was created and delivered at two universities. The Physical Therapy Social Determinants of Health Scale (PT-SDHS) was used to assess change in students’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and barriers …

Virtual Lecture, Live Lecture, Flipped Classroom: Does Dpt Pain Curriculum Format Affect Student Pain Beliefs? A Preliminary Study, Jeb Helms, Jamie Ball, Kory J. Zimney Pt, Dpt, Phd

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Currently there are multiple published examples of successful DPT delivery models for the International Association for the Study of Pain curricular guidelines. However, there are no direct comparisons between different IASP delivery models such as in-person vs hybrid or lecture vs flipped classroom. The purpose of this study was to compare 3 delivery formats for teaching a DPT pain science IASP based course (1. Virtual Lecture 2. In-person Lecture 3. Flipped in-person) for pre course and post course differences in student biomedical/biopsychosocial beliefs, and confidence to treat patients in pain.Method The instructors remained consistent throughout the study period, …

Enjoyment, Motivation, And Self-Efficacy Towards Physical Activity Among Physical Therapy Students, Lauren Butler, Amanda Thomas, Teresa Munecas, Erasmo Alvarez, David Capote, Alexa Almonte, Madeline Dawson, Jordan Hale, Mikayla Kerekes, Kaitlyn Mitchell, Mark D. Rossi

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine physical therapy (PT) students’ participation in and attitudes toward physical activity (PA).

Methods An electronic survey assessed demographic, academic, and sports history. Student’s PA level was assessed with the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (Godin); PA enjoyment was assessed using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES); motivation was assessed using 4 items from the Modified Behavioral Regulation in Exercise (BREQ 3); and self-efficacy towards PA was assessed with the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and independent t-tests with 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) were used.

Results In total, 228 …

Meeting Interprofessional Education Competencies Through A Multi-Scene Standardized Patient Simulation: A Pilot Study, Joanna Behm, Kristen Slabaugh, Karen Burket

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose. Healthcare is increasingly delivered by teams of diverse disciplines. Interprofessional education for healthcare students is essential so that when students enter their respective fields, they come prepared with experience in interdisciplinary communication, teamwork, and communication. Accreditation and regulatory requirements for health professions programs have also increased the focus on interprofessional collaboration, requiring programs to be creative in finding effective and efficient integration methods. The purpose of this pilot study was to identify the perceived impact of an interprofessional collaboration event on enhancing students’ interprofessional education competency attainment. Methods. An interprofessional collaboration committee created a multi-scene, unfolding case study …

The Impact Of Non-Athletic, Flat-Soled Sneakers On Gait Kinematics: A Comparative Analysis With Socks, Aaron Aguilar, Kharen Bautista, Juan Claros, Raquel Dimaano, Ciara Franke, Mason Huber, Evan Kurishige, Anton Lam, Kevin Le, Alohi Sheung, Raj Kumar Chauhan, Sivakumar Rajagopal, Seong Hyun Moon, Michael Shiraishi, Rahul Soangra

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

This study investigates the kinematic effects of non-athletic, flat-soled sneakers on lower extremity joints during walking. Ten healthy gym-goers (24.4 ± 1.7 years) underwent treadmill gait analysis under two conditions: wearing non-athletic sneakers and walking with only socks. Gait was captured using the Gait Real-time Analysis and Interactive Lab (GRAIL). Dependent variables included cadence, support times, and stride length. Walking with socks significantly increased cadence (p <  .0001) and single support time (p = .0103), and decreased initial (p = .018), terminal (p = .0056), and total double support times (p = .0092). No significant difference in stride length was observed. These …

Gait Adaptations Under Cognitive And Motor Dual-Task Conditions, Gabriel Coutinho Gazio, Denise Litonjua, Alex Omaszta, Lindsey Perry, Sophia Tsotras, Mason Salazar, Julie Woo, Alicia Qiu, Julian Palmer, Emma Rogers, Christopher Sagahon, Ethan Parker, Ray Kasama, Joonsuk Choi, Raj Kumar Chauhan, Sivakumar Rajagopal, Seong Hyun Moon, Michael Shiraishi, Rahul Soangra

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Modern walking often involves secondary tasks that may increase fall risk, especially in older adults. About one-third of adults aged 65+ fall annually, with dual-tasking further elevating this risk. This study examines how cognitive and motor dual-tasks affect gait variability. Ten healthy young adults completed baseline and three dual-task conditions: (1) walking with a Stroop test, (2) walking while carrying a tray with water, and (3) both tasks combined. Gait parameters—including step length, step width, stride length, and double support time—were analyzed. Significant alterations were observed with P-values of 0.0019 (right step length), 0.004 (step width), 0.0007 (stride length), and …

Multitasking While Walking: How Green Noise And Texting Alter Gait, Kirstin Merrill, Kyle Navarro, Raymond Ngu, Nathan Nguyen, Alex Owyang, Anthony Prajin, Karli Slater, Uyen Truong, Ryan Ye, Eileen Zhu, Sebastian Herrera Vargas, Raj Kumar Chauhan, Sivakumar Rajagopal, Seong Hyun Moon, Michael Shiraishi, Rahul Soangra

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

This study examines the combined effects of green noise and texting on gait to understand how multitasking and auditory stimuli affect walking stability. Green noise, associated with relaxation, was the environmental stimulus; texting the cognitive distractor. We hypothesized texting would reduce cadence and stride length, with green noise either stabilizing or disrupting gait. Ten participants walked on a treadmill under five conditions: normal walking (NW), no texting/sound (WNTNS), sound only (WNTS), texting only (WTNS), and texting with sound (WTS). Gait parameters—step length, step width, single support time, and terminal double support time—were analyzed. Step length decreased in WNTS (p …

Sex-Based Differences In The Representation Of Top Youth Athletes, Jessica J. James, Sandra K. Hunter, Elizabeth P. Bueckers, Michael J. Joyner, Jonathon W. Senefeld

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Although emerging research demonstrates that male athletes outperform female athletes before puberty, the effect of these sex-related advantages on ordinal ranking of top performances remains unclear.

Objectives

Among overall top performances of youth track and swimming athletes, we aimed to determine 1) the proportional number of male compared with female athletes represented and 2) at what age females are no longer represented.

Methods

Finishing times and sex of the top 10 and top 100 performances of youth runners and swimmers between 5 and 18 yr were abstracted from online U.S.-based databases for four running (100 m–800 m) and six freestyle …

Sex Differences In Motor Unit Behavior In Patients With Parkinson's Disease, Yuichi Nishikawa, Kohei Watanabe, Aleš Holobar, Tetsuya Takahashi, Noriaki Maeda, Hirofumi Maruyama, Allison Hyngstrom

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

The aim of this study was to determine whether there are sex differences in motor unit firing behavior in patients with Parkinson's disease. Twenty-seven patients with Parkinson's disease (females = 14 [age = 71.1 ± 6.8], males = 13 [age = 69.2 ± 10.3], Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III score; females = 10.8 ± 4.8, males = 11.4 ± 1.4) performed a contraction at 30% of the maximal voluntary contraction. For each participant, motor unit spike trains were decomposed from high-density surface electromyography data recorded from bilateral vastus lateralis muscles via blind source separation algorithms. In addition to …

Doctor Of Physical Therapy Programs Report Teaching Telehealth With Large Discrepancies: A United States Survey, Jason Ashby, Jean-Michel Brismée, Derrick F. Campbell

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the extent to which telehealth is taught in entry level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs in the United States, and to describe where it is taught in the curriculum. Method: A survey was sent during spring 2023 to 254 United States DPT program directors using email addresses from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) list of accredited DPT programs, with questions regarding telehealth education within the didactic and clinical portions of the programs. Results: Twenty-nine responses (11.4%) were received. Two participants did not complete the survey and …

The Benefits Of Infrared Therapy, Mirror Exercise, And Faradic Current In A Patient With Bell’S Palsy: Case Study, Dhyan Rachmawati, Sugiono -, Fendy Nugroho, Noerdjanah -

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Background: Bell’s Palsy is defined as paralysis of one side of the facial nerve, with an unknown cause. Several other conditions can also cause facial paralysis, such as brain tumors, stroke, myasthenia gravis, and Lyme disease. However, if no specific cause can be identified, this condition is known as Bell’s Palsy, which is caused by swelling and pressure on the nerve at the stylomastoid foramen, leading to nerve compression or damage. Often, the affected side’s eye cannot be closed. Physiotherapy management plays a vital role in the rehabilitation process for Bell’s Palsy patients to reduce symptoms, accelerate recovery, and …

The Effectiveness Of The Addition Of Slow Deep Breathing To Brain Gym Exercise On Cognitive Impairment Of The Elderly, Dhia Maharani Ms, Mohammad Ali Mr, Zahra Sativani Mrs

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Background: According to WHO, 65.5 million elderly people worldwide have impaired cognitive function. Cognitive impairment can be caused by impaired oxygen supply to the brain, stress, and lack of physical activity. Physiotherapy has a role in elderly cognition through interventions to improve cognition, namely in the form of Brain Gym Exercise with the addition of Slow Deep Breathing. Objective: Knowing the effectiveness of the addition of Slow Deep Breathing to Brain Gym Exercise on cognitive impairment of the elderly at Panti Sosial Tresna Werdha Budi Mulia 4. Methods: This study used quasi experimental with two group pre-post …

Efektivitas Massage Endorphin Untuk Mengurangi Kecemasan Pada Ibu Hamil Menjelang Persalinan, Widiya Saryani, Dini Nur Alpiah

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Pregnancy is a biological process involving complex physiological and psychological transitions that demand high adaptability from women, especially approaching childbirth. Anxiety during the third trimester is frequently reported and is associated with increased cortisol secretion, which may negatively impact labor effectiveness. This literature review aimed to synthesize scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of endorphin massage in reducing anxiety among pregnant women in the third trimester. The review used a systematic approach based on the PICO framework, covering studies published between 2021 and 2025. Databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and SINTA were used to identify quasi-experimental studies comparing endorphin massage …

Peningkatan Keterampilan Makan Pada Anak Down Syndrome Melalui Terapi Okupasi Berbasis Sensory Integration: Studi Kasus, Reza Nur Arsyi, Tambunan Seselia Thresagloria, Muhammad Luthfi, Ayleen Alicia K, Hermito Gideon

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Children with Down Syndrome (DS) frequently experience feeding difficulties due to hypotonia, sensory processing disorder, and oromotor impairments. This case study aimed to describe the clinical reasoning and effectiveness of a sensory integration (SI)-based occupational therapy intervention in improving feeding skills in a 10-year-old child with DS. The intervention consisted of 12 structured sessions focusing on postural stability, proprioceptive awareness, fine motor control, and oromotor coordination. Evaluation tools included Sensory Profile 2 and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Post-intervention outcomes indicated significant improvement in spoon use, posture during mealtime, texture tolerance, and self-feeding independence. FIM scores improved from total assistance …

Penatalaksanaan Fisioterapi Pada Kasus Brachial Plexus Injury Di Rsup Dr. Sardjito Yogyakarta: Case Report, Ahmad Fatih Fauzi

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Brachial Plexus Injury (BPI) is one of the most severe peripheral nerve injuries, frequently resulting from traffic accidents and causing significant functional impairment of the upper limb. Management of BPI requires a multidisciplinary approach, including physiotherapy interventions aimed at restoring muscle strength, preventing atrophy, and improving sensory and motor function. This article reports the physiotherapy management of a 23-year-old male with BPI following a traffic accident, who underwent surgical procedures and rehabilitation at Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta. The method used is a case report with literature review conducted via PubMed using relevant keywords. Physiotherapy interventions included Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) …