Physical Therapy Commons^™

Balance Confidence And Fear Of Falling Avoidance Behavior Are Most Predictive Of Falling In Older Adults: A Prospective Analysis, Sarrie Oscar, Jessica Sasaoka, Kyle Vaughn

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Evidence suggests that there are several fall predictors in the elderly population, including previous fall history and balance impairment. To date, however, the role of psychological factors has not yet been thoroughly vetted in conjunction with physical factors as predictors of future falls. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine which measures, physical and psychological, are most predictive of falling in older adults. Design: This was a prospective cohort study. Methods: Sixty-four participants (mean age=72.2 years, SD=7.2; 40 women, 24 men) with and without pathology (25 healthy, 17 with Parkinson disease, 11 with cerebrovascular accident, 6 with …

Preventing Non-Contact Acl Injuries In Female Athletes: What Can We Learn From The Dancers?, Sarah Crow, Thomas Crowther, Trenton Saupan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Study design: Cross-sectional case control.
 Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dance experience and movement instruction on lower extremity kinematics and muscle activation during landing tasks Background/Aim: Current research demonstrates that dancers exhibit a much lower incidence of ACL injuries when compared to athletes of other sports despite the fact that dancers jump and land frequently in their training and performance. The mechanism that underlies this disparity is unclear.
 Methods: We analyzed lower extremity biomechanics during landing in 27 subjects (age 18-25 years, 12 dancers and 15 non-dancers). In the non-instructed (NI) conditions, participants …

Influences Of Body Composition, Multimorbidity And Polypharmacy On Physical Mobility Of Older Adults, Chieh Chen, Linna Sestini, Rachel Wilde

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background and Purpose: The prevalence of falls, and the resulting injuries and complications reflect a key concern in the older adult population. An increased risk of falls is highly correlated with decreases in physical mobility and related functions. The Timed Up-and-Go test (TUG) has an established reliability and validity in assessing physical function and the risk of falling in the older adult population. With age, a person typically has an increased number of health morbidities, which may be reflected in changing body composition and the number of medications associated with diseases. However, the influence of these factors on physical mobility …

Heel-Raised Foot Posture And Weightlifting Shoes Do Not Affect Trunk And Lowerextremity Biomechanics During A Barbell Back Squat, Javier Ibarra, Derek Oldroyd, Ryan Zane

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background and Purpose: It is claimed that wearing weightlifting shoes with a raised-heel can improve posture and leg muscle activation, and reduce the risk of back injuries during a barbell back squat. However, these proclaimed biomechanical effects have not been thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this study was to compare the thoracic, lumbar, and lower extremity biomechanics during barbell back squat in 3 foot posture conditions. Subjects: 14 healthy recreational weightlifters (7 male and 7 female) between the ages of 18-50 participated in the study. A minimum of 2 years weightlifting experience and regular training with the barbell back squat …

A Prediction Model For Acute Core And Lower Extremity Injuries In Division 1 Collegiate Football Players, Alexandra Aline Mcdonald

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Context: Various intrinsic factors such as high exposure, poor endurance of core muscles, previous injury, strength deficits, suboptimal neurocognitive function, and orthopedic abnormalities have been found as predictors for sprains and strains among collegiate football players. Objective: Assess the applicability of pre-participation assessments as predictors of core or lower extremity injury. Design: Cohort Study. Setting: National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I football program. Patients or Other Participants: Athletes who underwent mandatory pre-participation examinations before preseason football training over two consecutive seasons (n=225). Main Outcome Measure(s): Associations between preseason protocols and injury incidence for core and lower extremity injuries were established …

Assessing Student Self-Perception Of Confidence In The Evaluation And Treatment Of The Neurologically Involved Across The Lifespan, Kristen Barta, Megan Flores

Physical Therapy Collection

PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to investigate student confidence in the evaluation and treatment of a person with a neurological condition through the use of Patient Oriented Integrated Neurological Treatment (POINT) labs. We hypothesized that POINT labs would significantly improve students' confidence in evaluation and treatment this population.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: As part of their curriculum, physical therapy students at the University of St. Augustine are required to participate in POINT labs during their Neuromuscular III and Pediatric PT classes. The POINT labs are divided into an adult and pediatric section, in which the students evaluate …

Validation Of A Pressure Pain Threshold Scale In Patients Diagnosed With Myofascial Pain Syndrome And Fibromyalgia, Scott William Cheatham

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: Palpation is an examination technique used to diagnose and treat myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) and fibromyalgia (FM). Currently, there is no validated technique for classifying the results. A valid and reliable pressure pain threshold scale (PPTS) may provide a means for clinicians to grade, document, and report findings. The purpose of this dissertation was to validate a PPTS in patients diagnosed with MPS and FM. Design and Methods: An observational study. Participants who met the inclusion criteria were placed into three equal groups: MPS, FM, and control. All participants underwent one, two-part testing sessions using the American College of …

Effects Of Body Weight Loading On Arch Height, Anastasia Bjelopetrovich

Honors Theses

Deformation of the medial longitudinal arch under body weight loading is often assessed using the Arch Height Index Measurement System. This system assesses change in arch height between sitting and standing, estimated to be 10 and 50% of body weight, respectively. However, body weight forces during ambulation exceed these loads, therefore limiting our understanding of arch deformation under ambulatory load ranges. Thus, the study aims were 1) to assess if sitting and standing arch height differed from that seen under 10 and 50% body weight using a force target-matching procedure, and 2) to characterize the relationship between arch deformation and …

Fall Risk Assessment Of Older Adults With Dementia Attending Goodwill Easter Seals Adult Day Services Programs, Jamie Wynk

Honors Theses

Background and Purpose: Elderly individuals, especially those with dementia, are at an increased risk for falls. These falls can result in extremely serious injuries. However, little is known as to what factors put an Alzheimer’s patient most at risk for falls. This study seeks to determine which known fall risk factors are experienced by adults with dementia who attend adult day services. By understanding what risk factors put an individual at an increased likelihood for falls, a specific intervention can be designed to prevent falls in this population.

Participants: To be included in this study, participants had to …

Vestibular Rehabilitation For Peripheral Vestibular Hypofunction: An Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline, Courtney D. Hall, Susan J. Herdman, Susan L. Whitney, Stephen P. Cass, Richard A. Clendaniel, Terry D. Fife

ETSU Faculty Works

Background: Uncompensated vestibular hypofunction results in postural instability, visual blurring with head movement, and subjective complaints of dizziness and/or imbalance. We sought to answer the question, “Is vestibular exercise effective at enhancing recovery of function in people with peripheral (unilateral or bilateral) vestibular hypofunction?” Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed in 5 databases published after 1985 and 5 additional sources for relevant publications were searched. Article types included meta-analyses, systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case control series, and case series for human subjects, published in English. One hundred thirty-five articles were identified as relevant to …

Treatment For Vestibular Disorders: How Does Your Physical Therapist Treat Dizziness Related To Vestibular Problems?, Courtney D. Hall, Susan J. Herdman, Susan L. Whitney, Stephen P. Cass, Richard A. Clendaniel, Terry D. Fife

ETSU Faculty Works

Dizziness is very common, but it is never normal. Dizziness can make performing daily activities, work, and walking difficult. Many people get dizzy when they turn their head, which can cause problems with walking and makes people more likely to fall. Most of the time dizziness is not from a life-threatening disease. Often dizziness is because of a disorder of the vestibular (or inner ear balance) system. People can get vestibular disorders from infections in the ear, problems with the immune system, medications that harm the inner ear, and rarely from diabetes or stroke because of a lack of blood …

Spine Biomechanics Associated With The Shortened, Modern One-Plane Golf Swing, R. Barry Dale, Jason Brumitt

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

The purpose of this study was to compare kinetic, kinematic, and performance variables associated with full and shortened modern backswings in a skilled group of modern swing (one-plane) golfers. Shortening the modern golf backswing is proposed to reduce vertebral spine stress, but supporting evidence is lacking and performance implications are unknown. Thirteen male golfers performed ten swings of each swing type using their own 7-iron club. Biomechanical-dependent variables included the X-Factor kinematic data and spine kinetics. Performance-related dependent variables included club head velocity (CHV), shot distance, and accuracy (distance from the target line). Data were analysed with repeated measures …

The Effect Of Magnification Loupes On Posture During Instrumentation By Dental Hygienists, Emily Anne Ludwig

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of dental magnification loupes on posture during instrumentation. Methods: A convenience sample of twenty-seven righthanded dental hygienists with no history of injuries or disabilities of the head, neck, and trunk regions was enrolled. Baseline posture calibration was taken. Accelerometers were placed on four locations of the head and trunk (occipital pole of head, cervical vertebrae: C5, thoracic vertebrae: T5, lumbar vertebrae: L1) to measure changes in posture. Accelerations in three axes were recorded (anterior/posterior (AP), medial/lateral (ML), vertical (VT)). Mean accelerations of the three axes were used to compute …

The Effects Of Instrument Handle Design On Forearm Muscle Activity During Scaling By Dental Hygienists, Jessica Rae Suedbeck

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 4 different commercially available instrument handle designs (A. 16 grams and 12.7 mm diameter; B. 23 grams and 11.1 mm diameter; C. 21 grams and 7.9 mm diameter; D. 18 grams and 6.35 mm diameter) on the muscle activity of four forearm muscles during a simulated scaling experience. Methods: A convenience sample of 27 dental hygienists used a Columbia 13/14 curet with four different instrument handles to scale artificial calculus. While scaling, each participant’s muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography (sEMG). Participants completed an end user opinion …

Physical Therapy Capstone Posters In The Jefferson Digital Commons, Daniel G. Kipnis, Msi

Jefferson Digital Commons News

New Department of Physical Therapy capstone posters have been loaded in the Jefferson Digital Commons.

Altered Multifidus Recruitment During Walking In Young Asymptomatic Individuals With A History Of Low Back Pain, Jo Armour Smith, Kornelia Kulig

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Study Design

Cross sectional, laboratory study.

Background

Individuals with low back pain have impaired activation of multifidus during postural adjustments and increased activity of the erector spinae musculature during walking. However, it is unclear if these alterations in muscle activity are evident during locomotion in individuals with a history of low back pain when they are between symptomatic episodes.

Objectives

To compare paraspinal muscle activity in young healthy individuals and young individuals with a history of low back pain during walking turns.

Methods

14 asymptomatic individuals with a history of low back pain and 14 controls performed 90° walking turns …

Influence Of Visual Feedback On Dynamic Balance Control In Chronic Stroke Survivors, Eric R. Walker, Allison S. Hyngstrom, Brian D. Schmit

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Chronic stroke survivors have an increased incidence of falls during walking, suggesting changes in dynamic balance control post-stroke. Despite this increased incidence of falls during walking, balance control is often studied only in standing. The purpose of this study was to quantify deficits in dynamic balance control during walking, and to evaluate the influence of visual feedback on this control in stroke survivors. Ten individuals with chronic stroke, and ten neurologically intact individuals participated in this study. Walking performance was assessed while participants walked on an instrumented split-belt treadmill with different types of visual feedback. Dynamic balance control was quantified …

Knowledge Of A1c Predicts Diabetes Self- Management And A1c Level Among Chinese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, Shengnan Yang, Weimin Kong, Cunyi Hsue, Anne Fish, Yufeng Chen, Xiaohui Guo, Qingqing Lou, Robert Anderson

Nursing Faculty Works

This study was to identify current A1c understanding status among Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes, assess if knowledge of A1c affects their diabetes self-management and their glycemic control and recognize the factors influencing knowledge of A1c among patients with type 2 diabetes. A multi-center, cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and July 2010 in 50 medical centers in the Mainland China. Participants were recruited from inpatients and outpatients who were admitted to or visited those medical centers. The survey included core questions about their demographic characteristics, diabetes self-management behavior, and A1c knowledge. Overall, of 5957 patients, the percentage of …

Understanding The Complexity Of Biopsychosocial Factors In The Public Health Epidemic Of Overweight And Obesity, Diane Rosenbaum, Kamila White

Psychology Faculty Works

Obesity is a complex and multifaceted public health problem. This commentary reflects on a new theoretical model of obesity (i.e. Homeostatic Theory of Obesity proposed by Marks), and calls for additional research to examine biopsychosocial factors that may be of importance in developing interventions that promote long-term maintenance of weight loss and in developing obesity prevention programs. Furthermore, we discuss the role of socioeconomic factors in obesity and call for interdisciplinary efforts to address obesity risk factors in the interest of public health.

Effect Of Jet Lag On Postural Stability, Faisal M. Al Mubarak

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Postural stability is essential in people’s daily life. Crossing time zones can disrupt our body clock and lead to jet lag. Some studies reported that jet lag affects human physical and cognitive functions. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, none of these studies examined the effects of jet lag on postural stability. Twenty-two healthy young adult males between 23 and 36 years of age who had a round trip flight planned between the United States and Saudi Arabia were recruited. Participants attended one preflight assessment and three post-flight assessments (within 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours). Participants were divided …