Physical Therapy Commons^™

Physical Therapist Students’ Development Of Diagnostic Reasoning: A Longitudinal Study, Sarah Gilliland

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Background and Purpose. Clinical reasoning is a complex problem-solving process that is necessary for effective clinical practice in physical therapy. Within the process of clinical reasoning, a physical therapist’s diagnostic reasoning should address the patient’s functional movement abilities and the impact of the patient’s condition on his or her ability to participate in life activities. This longitudinal study examined the development of entry-level physical therapist students’ diagnostic reasoning processes across time in their doctor of physical therapy education.

Methods. Qualitative methods were used to analyze participants’ diagnostic reasoning during a simulated patient case scenario. Six physical therapist students …

Occupational Therapy And Physiotherapy Education And Workforce In Anglophone Sub-Saharan Africa Countries, Augustine O. Agho, Emmanuel John

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries are faced with the challenge of educating a critical mass of occupational therapists (OTs) and physiotherapists (PTs) to meet the growing demand for health and rehabilitation services. The World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) and World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT) have argued for the need of graduate-level training for OTs and PTs for decades. However, very few studies have been conducted to determine the availability of OT and PT training programs and practitioners in SSA countries.

Methods: Initial data were collected and compiled from an extensive literature search conducted using MEDLINE and …

Patient Experiences When Preparing For Discharge Home After Total Knee Replacement, Renee Causey-Upton, Dana M. Howell

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Following total knee replacement (TKR), patients must prepare quickly for discharge to home via education and rehabilitation. Patient needs may not fully be met prior to discharge after TKR surgery. The purpose of this descriptive study using transcendental phenomenology methods was to understand patients’ experiences when preparing to return home after TKR surgery. Method: Data was collected using semi-structured interviews that occurred 1 to 2 days prior to discharge in patients’ hospital rooms. Four participants were interviewed prior to discharge and interviews were transcribed verbatim for data analysis. Data analysis and data collection were concurrent, permitting subsequent interviews to …

Pattern Of Alteration In Foot Mechanics When Carrying Loads Unilaterally In Hand, Deepashini Harithasan, Baharudin Omar, Aatit Paungmali

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

PURPOSE: Carrying weight in one hand is a common functional activity. This study investigated the effects of incremental loads carried in one hand unilaterally and its influence on the foot mechanics [plantar pressure, maximum force and contact area]. METHOD: Twenty healthy individuals were tested, in standing and walking, while carrying different weights (no load, 5 kg, 7.5 kg and 10 kg) using their right hand. ANCOVA was conducted separately for the right and left leg to address the effect of incremental loads on the foot mechanics within each leg with navicular drop index and Q angle as covariates. Paired t …

Aquatic Therapy For A Patient With Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: A Case Report, Christine Tito, Judith Burton Hess

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background and Purpose: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) can have a debilitating effect on an individual’s quality of life. The purpose of this case report is to describe the use of interval training in an aquatic environment to decrease the symptoms of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. Aquatic therapy provides benefits for individuals with cardiovascular issues, mainly through the principle of hydrostatic pressure. Hydrostatic pressure aids in shunting the blood from the extremities back to the heart, thus increasing cardiac output while reducing the individual’s heart rate. Description: An 18 year-old female high school student who had been experiencing …

Combining Online Education With International Service Learning To Increase Cultural Competence, Elaine Keane, Ingrid Provident

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

PURPOSE: Although international service learning has the capacity to promote a variety of important professional behaviors, merely visiting another country does not automatically result in these benefits. METHODS: This article describes an evidenced-based course which used pre-trip preparation in combination with a nine day service learning trip to Ecuador to develop cultural competence among 6 occupational and 6 physical therapy students. Pre-trip preparation included online and in-person components to increase self-awareness, awareness of other cultures, knowledge about Ecuadorian culture and skill-building. On-site activities included exploration of the physical and social context in addition to providing occupational and physical therapy treatment …

Differences In Trunk And Hip Flexion/Extension Strength, Jasmin Brown

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Context: The definition of the “core” within the literature is misconstrued: some researchers believe the core only involves muscles of the trunk while others believe it also includes muscles of the hip. Core strength tests typically include exercises that activate hip flexors and extensors without a firm definition of the “core” including the muscles of the hip. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to differentiate between the strength of the trunk and hip during flexion and extension.

Methods: Participants included 28 Division I collegiate athletes from a single university (12 males, 16 females, height (in.) = 69.14 ± 4.81, …

Effect Of Self-Determination, Motivation, And Dispositional Optimism With Physical Therapy In Geriatric Patients, Leslie Yaneth Urias-Bodnar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Older people are frequently faced with physical conditions that require treatment. A better understanding of the components of engagement relating to the outcomes of treatment was the focus of the study. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine whether there was an association between the independent variables of optimism, pessimism, motivation, and self-determination and their impact on the dependent variable of achieving physical activity goals in 86 geriatric patients, ages 65 to 80 receiving physical therapy services. The theoretical framework of self-determination, motivation, optimism, and pessimism was assessed by using two self-report questionnaires, The Self-Determination Scale and The …

Mandated Continuing Education And The Competency Of Illinois Physical Therapists, Denise Lynn Hunter Ethington

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Continuing education (CE) mandate laws are passed by states because it is in the public interest. The intent behind the passage of Illinois's CE law for physical therapists is to protect public health and safety through ensuring the competency of providers. However, studies into the impact of mandated CE on competency have been mixed. The problem addressed by this study was whether Illinois's CE law was effective in improving the competency of physical therapists and its impact on patient care. The purpose of this study was to understand what role mandated CE played in developing the competency of physical therapists …

Physical Therapy Management Of A Patient With Chronic Knee Pain: A Case Report, Mohamed Elsaid

Case Report Papers

Background and Purpose: Knee pain affects a large number of adults, and as a result limits their functional mobility and may induce participation restrictions. A number of risk factors may contribute to knee pain, with osteoarthritis (OA) being the most prevalent cause. The rate of knee replacement surgery among individuals 65 and older has increased significantly over the years. Physical therapy (PT) is a non-surgical option that offers individuals relief of their knee pain. Case Description: The patient was a 48-year-old Caucasian female referred to physical therapy with chronic right knee pain. She received PT twice a week for eight …

Management Of A Patient With Bronchiectasis Using Pulmonary Rehabilitation And Balance Training: A Case Report, Megan Witherow Quarles

Case Report Posters

Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disease defined by permanent abnormal dilation of the bronchi. Bronchiectasis often includes airway infection and inflammation. Pulmonary rehabilitation including progressive gait training, stair climbing, and cycling is a standard guideline for the treatment of bronchiectasis symptoms and for symptoms of other chronic lung diseases. Little research has been conducted on the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with bronchiectasis. The purpose of this case report is to examine physical therapy (PT) management, utilizing pulmonary rehabilitation with incorporated balance training, for a geriatric patient with bronchiectasis.

Shoulder Strengthening, Taping And Postural Reeducation In A Breast Cancer Survivor After Bilateral Mastectomy: A Case Report, Nalis Mbianda

Case Report Posters

Breast cancer is the most common cancer experienced by females in the United States. In breast cancer survivors, weakness of the rotator cuff musculature is often considered a contributing factor to rotator cuff pathology. The purpose of this case report was to help fill the gaps in literature by documenting the use of therapeutic exercises to strengthen the shoulder complex, in conjunction with taping techniques for postural reeducation, of a female breast cancer survivor.

Management Of A Patient With Bronchiectasis Using Pulmonary Rehabilitation And Balance Training: A Case Report, Megan Witherow Quarles

Case Report Papers

Background and Purpose: Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disease defined by permanent, abnormal dilation of the bronchi and accompanied by chronic airway infection which leads to airway inflammation. Bronchiectasis is progressive and leads to a cycle of worsening pulmonary damage. Pulmonary rehabilitation, including progressive gait training, cycling, and stair climbing, is often utilized as treatment for this condition. However, there has been little research conducted on its effectiveness for bronchiectasis. The purpose of this case report is to examine physical therapy (PT) management, utilizing pulmonary rehabilitation with incorporated balance training, for a geriatric patient with bronchiectasis. Description: The patient was …

Identification And Intervention For Action Planning Deficits In Children With Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy, Swati M. Surkar

Theses & Dissertations

The primary purpose of this investigation was to describe and quantify action-planning deficits during goal-directed movements in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP). Three specific topics were addressed: brain activation, kinematics, and the use of visual input. First, we assessed prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation during complex goal-directed actions in children with HCP. The outcome suggested that children with HCP have higher PFC activation than age matched typically developing (TD) children during action planning, potentially due to the difficulty in allocating attentional resources for simultaneously processing the cognitive (i.e., attention, memory, information processing) and motor demands of the goal-directed task. Reduced …

E For Everyone: Strategic Plan, Lindsay Calcaterra, Kaela Fischer, Kelley Flahaven, Megan Witherow Quarles, Maria Stern, Christina Tilton

Physical Therapy Administration

‘E for Everyone’ is an innovative and unique inclusion program that equalizes the playing field among all people with and without disabilities by creating opportunities to build synergistic relationships through teamwork, fun, and physical activity. Created during the Fall 2016 semester of the course Physical Therapy Administration, this strategic plan summarizes the program.

E For Everyone: Implementation Guide, Lindsay Calcaterra, Kaela Fischer, Kelley Flahaven, Megan Witherow Quarles, Maria Stern, Christina Tilton

Physical Therapy Administration

‘E for Everyone’ is an innovative and unique inclusion program that equalizes the playing field among all people with and without disabilities by creating opportunities to build synergistic relationships through teamwork, fun, and physical activity. Created during the Fall 2016 semester, concurrent with the course Physical Therapy Administration, this implementation guide describes the step by step process for implementing the program.

Physical Therapy Management Of A Patient After Hemorrhagic Stroke Using A Task-Oriented Approach In A Skilled Nursing Facility: A Case Report, Kaela Fischer

Case Report Posters

Stroke is the leading cause of long term disability in the U.S.; nearly 800,000 Americans have a stroke each year. Subarachnoid hemorrhagic stroke occurs when one of the blood vessels in the brain bursts causing a release of blood which increases intracranial pressure. There is a lack of rehabilitation research in the skilled nursing setting for hemorrhagic stroke. The purpose of this case report is to describe the PT management, using a task-oriented approach, of a patient with a subarachnoid hemorrhagic stroke being treated in a skilled nursing setting.

Physical Therapy Management Of A Patient With Chronic Brainstem Stroke Syndrome To Improve Functional Mobility: A Case Report, Kelley Flahaven

Case Report Papers

Background and Purpose: Brainstem strokes are much less common and have a higher mortality rate than cortical strokes. Brainstem strokes can lead to several physical impairments, including gaze palsies, quadriplegia, ataxia, or cranial nerve deficits, leading to decreased balance and safety as well as decreased independence with functional activities. The purpose of this case report is to provide an overview of the physical therapy care plan created for a patient with chronic brainstem strokes. Case Description: The patient is a middle-aged man who had two brainstem strokes over two years ago. He initially received physical, occupational, and speech therapies, then …

Functional Training In A Patient With Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke With Multiple Comorbidities: A Case Report, Darien Lewis

Case Report Papers

Background and Purpose: Strokes affecting the middle cerebral artery (MCA) cause impairments of recovery affected by the patient’s premorbid status. Although there is a significant amount of research detailing physical therapy (PT) interventions for patients with hemiplegia, there is a lack of evidence supporting interventions for patients with hemiplegia following stroke that have multiple comorbidities. The purpose of this case report is to describe a progressive PT plan of care (POC) for a patient following MCA stroke with multiple comorbidities in the skilled nursing setting. Case Description: The patient was a 71-year-old male admitted to the skilled nursing facility (SNF) …

The Use Of Manual Therapy In The Treatment Of A Patient With Chronic Low Back Pain And Sciatica: A Case Report, Elia N. Darazi

Case Report Papers

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is one of the most common conditions encountered in an outpatient physical therapy (PT) setting. While there are many different approaches used in the treatment of CLBP, the purpose of this case report is to detail the successful utilization of a short-course of manual therapy (MT) for a patient with CLBP and sciatica. Case Description: The patient was a 60-year-old male who presented to PT with a medical diagnosis of nerve root compression-left sciatica. At the initial evaluation, he presented with radiating left sided low back and lower extremity pain of approximately six months …