Physical Therapy Commons^™

Enhancing Entry-Level Physiotherapy Student Learning In Interpreting Radiology – An Action Research Project, Courtney R. Clark, Andrea Bialocerkowski

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: In Australia, the ability to interpret orthopaedic x-rays is an entry-level skill for physiotherapists. Yet there is a paucity of evidence in the literature which details effective learning and teaching methods to optimise confidence and competence in x-ray interpretation. The aims of this study were to describe the content contained in an orthopaedic radiology module within an Australian 2-year graduate entry Master of Physiotherapy degree; approaches to learning and teaching used in this module; student satisfaction associated with this module over a 2-year period. Method: The University’s framework for quality assurance, which is based on the Plan-Implement-Review-Improve underpinned this …

Stepping On: Gait Velocity And Fall Risk Assessment, Brittney Herbst

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: To identify fall risk and determine if the Stepping On program is effective at reducing the risk of falls in participants by increasing gait speed to greater than or equal to 1 m/s. Step and stride length were also compared to age related norms to determine if they correlated to fall risk. Gait speed of less than I m/s has been shown to increase the risk for falls in elderly.

Methods: Fourteen female participants over the age of 65 (mean age of 87) were recruited from a local Stepping On class conducted at an assisted living facility …

Accessibility And Perceived Value Of Pre-Admission Clinical Contact Hours: A Physical Therapy Student Perspective, Katie Anderson, Megan Volden

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: The purposes of this study were to determine whether professional physical therapy students experience challenges obtaining pre-admission contact hours and if they found them to be beneficial. The results of the survey will be utilized to allow physical therapy programs to make informed decisions about admission requirements in regard to pre-admission contact hours.

Methods: This study was performed utilizing an electronic survey sent in an e-mail to program chairpersons or Directors of Clinical Education, asking them to distribute the survey to their respective current students. All accredited physical therapy programs in the United States were …

Electromyographic Analysis Of Hip Muscle Activity Comparing Maximal Voluntary Contraction To Manual Muscle Test Grades, Ty Bommersbach, Anthony Charbonneau,, Holly Koch, Braidy Solie

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between muscle activity during three manual muscle tests (MMT) and muscle activity during a maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the same muscle.

Subjects: Eleven female subjects voluntarily participated in this study. All participants were physical therapy students under the age of 30, nonpregnant, and without recent history of musculoskeletal injury.

Methods: Electromyographic (EMG) data was collected by placing surface electrodes over each participant's right tensor fasciae latae (TFL) and gluteus medius (GM) muscle. The EMG data from each muscle was transmitted by Noraxont TeleMy02400 G2 telemetry …

Shoulder Impingement, Jennifer Ramsay

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background. Women who undergo mastectomy are almost 6 times more likely to experience shoulder restriction and impairment than patients who undergo breast-conserving surgery. Many women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of their lives. The purpose of this case study is to review the rehabilitation plan for a patient with shoulder dysfunction and a history of surgical intervention for breast cancer.

Case Description. The patient was referred to physical therapy with complaints of pain in the right shoulder and anterior chest which increased with overhead movement. The patient's medical history included a skin …

Emg Activity Of Accessory Muscles Of Breathing During Recovery Positions, Joel Kramer, Kelsey Meyer, Eric Nefstead, Daniel Vilaubi

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is predicted to become the third leading cause of death worldwide between 2020 and 2030. Signs and symptoms of this disease can be debilitating, however techniques can be taught to decrease impairments. Suggested techniques for pulmonary recovery consist of supporting the upper extremities, supporting the head and leaning forward. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of recovery positions on the EMG activation of accessory muscles of respiration to decipher which recovery position is the most ideal for COPD patients. Fourteen healthy adults over the age of eighteen were recruited for …

Developmental Dysplasia Of The Hip: A Case Study, Joseph D. Taylor

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this case study was to describe the implementation of a conservative treatment protocol for dysplasia of the hip in a young girl in an attempt to prevent surgical intervention. A secondary objective of reducing femoral acetabular impingement was subsequently undertaken in the course of the case study.

BACKGROUND: The patient was a 16 year old female with a diagnosis of bilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip (DOH), bilateral femoral acetabular impingement (FAI), anterior superior labral tear to left (L) hip, elevated antinuclear antibody (ANA) screening and a history of depression.

PLAN OF CARE …

Critical Illness Polyneuropathy, Complications, Erica E. Hjelmstad

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Critical Illness Polyneuropathy/Myopathy results from the presence of sepsis, multi-organ or respiratory failure, septic inflammatory response syndrome, or difficulty weaning from the ventilator. Decreased amplitudes of compound muscle and sensory action potentials, and widespread denervation potentials in muscle are the primary cause for the resultant muscle weakness. The purpose of this paper is to report on the rehabilitation progress in a woman who developed CIP following surgical complications.

Case Description: A 63-year-old woman suffered from critical illness polyneuropathy following a complicated recovery following a sigmoidectomy secondary to diverticular disease. Multiple surgeries, inability to wean from …

Mckenzie Evaluation And Treatment For Lumbar Dysfunction And Anr, Michael Brooks

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: When it comes to low back pain, McKenzie theory is considered highly effective for evaluating and treating patients with low back symptoms. There are three main classifications within McKenzie theory; postural, dysfunction, and derangement syndromes. The main focus of this case will be on the dysfunction classification and its subcategory adherent nerve roots (ANR). Dysfunction syndrome is characterized by pain due to deformation of structures and tissues that limit ROM causing pain at end range. ANR's are caused by scar tissue build up encompassing nerve roots due to trauma or surgery that produces symptoms when nerve …

Total Knee Arthroplasty And Iliotibial Band Syndrome: A Case Report, Brandon James Moeller

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most common joint replacements performed in orthopedic medicine. The decision to replace a knee is made through evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon, imaging of the joint, clinical presentation, and the patient's individual needs and desires. Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) is a soft tissue dysfunction that can present as pain and tenderness in the hip, thigh, or knee. It primarily stems from rubbing or friction of the IT Band at the lateral femoral condyle. Pain caused by knee degeneration and pain from ITBS can have similar presentations and deserves …

Post Total Knee Arthroplasty Protocol Adaptations: A Case Study, Ashley Sebelius

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the largest source of physical disability in the United States and the joint most commonly affected by OA is the knee. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is frequently implemented as a treatment for knee OA There is research that anxiety affects the patient's outcomes following total joint arthroplasty, but nothing to suggest how to specifically manage it. The purpose of this scholarly report is to discuss the physical therapy (PT) of a patient post TKA and how modifications to PT intervention were needed due to other medical and emotional issues.

Case Description: Patient …

Rehabilitation Following A Total Hip Arthroplasty For An Individual With Polyarticular Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Study, Anna Jung

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose- Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) is an autoimmune disorder present in children under the age of 17, most commonly seen in females. In JRA, the immune system attacks the body's cells and tissues causing persistent joint swelling and stiffness. There are 3 principle types of JRA, systemic JRA, pauciarticular JRA and polyarticular JRA. Polyarticular JRA is classified as involving 5 or more large and small joints of the legs, arms, jaw and neck. The purpose of this case study was to illustrate the rehabilitation program used for a patient with JRA following a left total hip arthroplasty (THA) …

Physical Therapy For A Female With Acute Stroke: A Case Report, Lisa Grandpre

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Strokes are the 5th leading cause of death and adult disability in the US. Strokes affect each individual differently, some individuals more severely than others. The goal of physical therapists is to come up with the best treatment plan for each individual in order to restore as much function as possible.

Case Description: The patient was a Caucasian female in her 80s who suffered a stroke while in the hospital. She was living in assisted living prior to her hospital stay and was functional in the home only. The passive range of motion in her …

Physical Therapy And Above-Knee Amputation Pre-Prosthetic Rehabilitation: A Case Report, Sierra J. Maucort

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Promotion of functional mobility through surgical and therapeutic interventions has seen a dramatic increase within the past decade due to the aging population and increased push for objective functional assessment data. A key to obtaining optimal functional performance is core stability and this can be applied to individuals with a variety of limitations including an amputation. The purposes of this case study are to look at the preprosthetic rehabilitation regimen of an individual with an above-knee amputation and discuss the importance of key elements that should be present in a pre-prosthetic training program to allow a …

The Trials Of Transverse Myelitis: A Case Study, Catherine Heggie

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Idiopathic acute transverse myelitis (ATM) is an inflammation in the spinal cord that develops suddenly. In the span of a day, an individual can lose all motor control. Most of the time the motor impairment is not permanent and strength can return as the inflammation dies down. However the physical rehabilitation component of recovery is remarkably unstudied.

Case Description: This case report details the hospital stay of a young man with ATM from the perspective of his physical therapists. When evaluated, the patient had only trace (1/5) muscle strength in some of his extremities.

Intervention …

The Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale And Its Use In Assessing Confidence In Elderly Community-Dwellers Attending The Stepping On Program, Sierra Heeren

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Introduction: Stepping On is a 7-week comprehensive fall program aimed at reducing falls for the community-dwelling elderly. Participants are educated on balance and strengthening exercises, and the influence medications, visions, inclement weather, etc. has on safety and falls.

Purpose: The main purpose of this study is to utilize the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale (ABC) and survey results to determine if attendance of Stepping On improves balance confidence. Secondly, this research sought out to discover if increased balance confidence relates to decreased fall risk.

Methods: Participants of this were included 13 individuals initially (with one participant joining the …

A Case Report: Cerebrovascular Accident, Kayla Andreasen

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background: Cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) are one of the leading disabilities in America resulting in mild to severe functional limitations. These functional limitations can be addressed in physical therapy (PT).

Purpose: The purpose of this case report is to review background, treatments, physical therapy interventions and outcomes of a patient with a sub-acute stroke, treated in an inpatient setting.

Case Description: The patient was a 70 year old male with a severe ischemic CVA following surgery to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The patient was transferred to a nursing home to recover and returned to the hospital 5 …

Disturbed Body Perception, Reduced Sleep, And Kinesiophobia In Subjects With Pregnancy-Related Persistent Lumbopelvic Pain And Moderate Levels Of Disability: An Exploratory Study, Darren Beales, Alison Lutz, Judith Thompson, Benedict M. Wand, Peter O'Sullivan

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Background: For a small but significant group, pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain may become persistent. While multiple factors may contribute to disability in this group, previous studies have not investigated sleep impairments, body perception or mindfulness as potential factors associated with disability post-partum.

Objectives: To compare women experiencing no pain post-pregnancy with those experiencing pregnancy-related persistent lumbopelvic pain (either low- or high-level disability) across multiple biopsychosocial domains.

Design: Cross-sectional

Methods: Participants completed questionnaires for thorough profiling of factors thought to be important in pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain. Specific measures were the Urinary Distress Inventory, Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale, Back Beliefs Questionnaire, Tampa …

The Development Of Narrative Reasoning: Student Physical Therapists’ Perceptions Of Patient Stories, Kathryn C. Nesbit, Kenneth E. Randall, Toby B. Hamilton

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Narrative reasoning is an inductive cognitive strategy used to understand patients’ experiences with illness within the biosocial context of their lives. The purpose of this study is to examine the meaning of the patient’s illness experience to physical therapist students and propose a theory of narrative reasoning development in these novice clinicians.The data collected from twenty-one first year physical therapy students consisted of narratives written during their clinical internships describing a patient’s experience with illness and post-internship interviews telling the patient’s story. Data were analyzed in a process of constant comparison, evolving codes, and researcher memoing using both grounded theory …

Health-Related Fitness For Children And Adults With Cerebral Palsy, Yvette Blanchard, Mary E. Gannotti, Wendy Romney

All PTHMS Faculty Publications

Position Statement of ACSM Sports Medicine Basics 2016: Health-related physical fitness for persons with Cerebral Palsy should be developed in the same model as fitness for all of us: start early, be easily available and continue throughout the life span.