Physical Therapy Commons^™

Implementation Of A Land And Aquatic-Based Physical Therapy Program For A 6-Year-Old Male With Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome: A Case Report, Kristin A. Cheney

All Capstone Projects

Background & Purpose: There is little research surrounding Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome (AGS) in all aspects of patient care, including physical therapy. AGS, a rare, early-onset, neurodegenerative disorder, includes symptoms of postnatal microcephaly, spasticity, muscle hypotonia, and developmental delay. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a land and aquatic-based physical therapy treatment program for improving functional limitations and balance for a 6 year-old male referred to physical therapy for developmental delay secondary to an onset of AGS.

Case Description: This case study included a land and aquatic-based physical therapy treatment program focused on neuromuscular re-education, strengthening exercises, …

Brachial Plexus Injury And Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Following A Fall: A Case Report, Przemyslaw Ilczyk

All Capstone Projects

Background: In the elderly population, research has shown that impairments of balance and strength are common reasons for falls. Falls constitute one of the main reasons for emergency department and hospital admissions, and are the second most common reason for brachial plexus injury. Another common symptom, after a fall and head trauma incident, is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). Approximately 50% of subjects with traumatic brain injury complain about positional vertigo. Research shows that traumatic BPPV is commonly misdiagnosed in clinical practice.

Purpose: The purpose of this case report is to present interventions that were used to treat a patient …

Physical Therapy Management Of 44-Year-Old Female With Lateral Ankle Sprain And Multiple Sclerosis In The Outpatient Setting: A Retrospective Case Report, Michael Gassett

All Capstone Projects

Background and purpose: Recent literature has shown that neuromuscular re-education and lower extremity muscle strengthening are important therapeutic components of preventing re-injury in patients with lateral ankle sprains (LAS). There is very literature however on the effectiveness of this treatment on a person with a LAS as well as overall balance issues secondary to a medical diagnosis such as multiple sclerosis (MS). The purpose of this retrospective case study is to describe the outcomes of using neuromuscular re-education as well as lower extremity muscle strengthening in a 44-year-old female patient with a LAS and a medical diagnosis of MS.

Case …

Effectiveness Of Conservative Physical Therapy On A 17 Year Old Female Diagnosed With Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, Bethany Hyde

All Capstone Projects

Background & Purpose: There is currently a lack of research for physical therapy as an intervention in the treatment of Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease. The purpose of this case report is to explore the effectiveness of conservative physical therapy intervention for a 17-year-old female diagnosed with Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease.

Case Description: This case report includes the examination, evaluation, and treatment of a patient with Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease. Interventions focused on increasing strength and range of motion of the left lower extremity, improving balance and proprioception, and the incorporation of functional activities. To measure the effectiveness of the intervention the following examinations where used: Lower …

Implementation Of A Comprehensive Treatment Program For A Patient With Tbi To Address Balance And Gait Deviations: A Case Report, Robert De Lara

All Capstone Projects

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective case report is to describe physical therapy interventions provided to improve the balance and ambulation of a 20-year-old patient with apparent lower extremity foot drop and fatigue 20 months post severe traumatic brain injury secondary to a motor vehicle accident.

Case Description: The patient initially had decreased active and passive range of motion in bilateral ankles, decreased BERG balance test scores, and decreased ambulation distance without the use of an assistive device. Treatment interventions included balance and ambulation training program that incorporated stretching and joint mobilizations, balance exercises, and endurance training.

Outcomes: …

The Effects Of A Mckenzie-Based Approach Combined With Functional Training For A Patient With Low Back Pain And Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Report, Mitchell Cronk

All Capstone Projects

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this case report is to describe the outcome of a McKenzie-based intervention plan combined with functional training for a patient with low back pain and multiple sclerosis.

Case Description: CS was a 58-year-old female who presented to therapy with primary complaints of low back and calf pain. Also, the patient was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in 2009. The patient ambulates with a significantly increased base of support. A CT-scan in 2012 revealed a bulging disc at the L5-S1 vertebral junction. The patient swims 3x a week for 30 minutes.

Outcomes: All of the …

Multimodal Physical Therapy Management Of A 24 Year-Old Male With Chronic Retrocalcaneal Pain: A Case Report, Matthew Herring

All Capstone Projects

Background and Purpose: The multimodal approach reflects the type of individualized treatment commonly used in the clinical setting, in which many different interventions are available to the physical therapist. The purpose of this case report is to describe the physical therapy management process for a patient with chronic retrocalcaneal pain using a multimodal intervention approach.

Case Description: The patient was a 24 year-old male with chronic left retrocalcaneal pain. The patient’s impairments included decreased left ankle dorsiflexion, decreased left talocrural joint mobility, left ankle swelling, and gait deviations. The patient’s functional limitations included decreased ability to stand and walk for …

Outcomes Of Conservative Physical Therapy Treatment For Osteoarthritic Knee Pain In A 58 Year-Old Female: A Case Report, Sarah Wicklin

All Capstone Projects

Background/Purpose: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the most commonly diagnosed form of arthritis in older adults. The purpose of this case study is to describe a conservative physical approach towards alleviating symptomatic knee OA pain and achievement of functional outcomes.

Case Description: The patient was a 58-year-old Caucasian female with complaints of left shin and knee pain with a complex medical history. The patient’s goal for physical therapy was to return to functional activities such as walking greater than 60 minutes and climbing stairs pain free.

Outcomes: Upon completion of physical therapy, the patient demonstrated slight increases in left knee flexion …

Rehabilitative Management Of A 66-Year-Old Female With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Case Report, Rachael Matthews

All Capstone Projects

Background and Purpose: There is a lack of research demonstrating standardization of treatment protocols for patients with chronic low back pain and lumbar spinal stenosis. The purpose of this case report was to examine the effectiveness of a physical therapy rehabilitation program for a 66-year-old female referred for lumbar radiculopathy and lumbar spinal stenosis.

Case Description: This case report contained interventions focused on lumbar extension exercises, upper and lower extremity and postural control exercises, aerobic training, and modalities, in order to achieve the patient’s goals and to improve quality of life. To measure the outcomes the following tests and measures …

Comparative Literature Analysis Of Peripheral Vestibular Function Assessment Tools, Riddhi Chinoy

All Capstone Projects

Objective Purpose: One main function of the peripheral vestibular system's semicircular canals is to stabilize images on a target during head movements through the important vestibula-ocular reflex (VOR) in order to maintain clear vision. Abnormal VOR response results in fast, compensatory, catch­ up saccadic eye movements suggesting dysfunction in the semicircular canals. Several functional assessment tools have been developed since the twentieth century to measure the VOR response and saccadic eye movement, and some are still widely used currently, such as the caloric test, rotary chair test, bedside head impulse test (bHIT), scleral search coil technique, and video head impulse …

Physical Therapy Treatment For A 90-Year Old Male After Lacunar Stroke With Bppv: An Outpatient Case Report, Adam Nicholson

All Capstone Projects

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this case report was to delineate the differential diagnosis of vertigo symptoms in a patient after a stroke and describe interventions used in the outpatient physical therapy setting.

Case Description: The patient was a 90 year old male treated in an outpatient physical therapy clinic after a lacunar stroke 6 months prior. The patient presented with symptoms of vertigo that are common after a stroke, but also exhibited symptoms consistent with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

Outcomes: Overall, the patient greatly improved his abilities for gait and balance after treatment. The patient appeared much …

Treatment Of A 92 Year Old Female Deconditioned After Hospitalization Secondary To A Hemorrhagic Stroke: A Case Report, Paul A. Naujokas

All Capstone Projects

Background and Purpose: Research suggests that older adults are more likely to be hospitalized and to be at risk for hospital-associated deconditioning after successful treatment of their medical condition.This case report demonstrates that a walking program with progressive resistive exercises (PREs) helped one 92 year old female patient, suffering from hospital associated deconditioning, improve her strength, cardiovascular endurance, and functional abilities, including sit-stand transfers, ambulation with the least resistive assistive device (LRAD) and stair climbing. These improvements allowed the patient to return to her prior level of functioning, living independently in her 2nd story apartment with assistance as needed from …

Outcomes Of Endurance Training For A 76 Year-Old Male With Hospital Acquired Pneumonia And Elevated Troponin Levels: A Case Report, Kathryn M. Limberopoulos

All Capstone Projects

Background/Purpose: The purpose of this case report is to describe the interventions that were implemented for a patient with hospital-acquired pneumonia with multiple co-morbidities.

Case Description: The patient was a 76 year old Caucasian male who was status-post 3.5 weeks in acute care and 11 days in the ICU secondary to hospital-acquired pneumonia and elevated troponin levels. The patient presented with decreased lower extremity strength, impaired balance, and difficulty with bed mobility, transfers and gait. The patient underwent endurance training and weaning of supplemental oxygen to return to prior level of function. Assessments were performed on a weekly basis. Outcome …

Task-Specific Resistance Training Bedside For An 80-Year-Old Deconditioned Female: A Case Report, Maura Ryan

All Capstone Projects

Background: The purpose of this case report was to describe the use of task-specific resistance training bedside on an 80-year-old deconditioned female.

Case Description: The patient was a retired 80-year-old African-American female seen in a skilled nursing facility who was hospitalized due to defibrillator firing with atrial fibrillation with abdominal pain and Clostridium Difficile. Three weeks prior the patient was hospitalized for a right inguinal hernia repair.

Outcomes: The patient was unable to return to her prior level of independence for all functional mobility, yet the patient increased her gait distance, improved her lower extremity strength evidenced by manual muscle …

Physical Therapy Management Of A 16 Year Old Female With Vestibular Symptoms Following Suspected Concussion: A Case Report, Gina Tassione

All Capstone Projects

Background: Post concussion syndrome has become more common in adolescents involved in school related sports. Management of dizziness and imbalance is challenging after concussion; vestibular rehabilitation has been shown to reduce symptoms and improve balance.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe and implement appropriate interventions for a patient with suspected post concussion syndrome. A combined approach using targeted physical therapeutic exercise as well as functional tasks were evaluated and assessed.

Case description: The patient was a 16 year old Caucasian female who presented to the clinic with a physician order to evaluate and …

Staff Perceptions Of The Barriers To Mobilizing Icu Patients, Simone Dafoe, Kathy Stiller, Marianne Chapman

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Whilst early progressive mobilization is known to be safe and beneficial for patients in an intensive care unit (ICU), barriers still exist to its implementation. As part of a broader quality improvement project that had the overall aim of increasing the frequency of mobilization in our ICU, we conducted a survey of ICU staff to investigate their perceptions of the barriers to the early progressive mobilization of ICU patients. Method: A prospective survey of ICU staff in an Australian, tertiary care, public hospital ICU was undertaken. A total of 93 medical, nursing, and physiotherapy staff participated. A purpose-designed survey …

Implementation Of An Exercise Program In Breast Cancer Rehabilitation To Improve Shoulder Outcomes: A Pilot Study, Dragana Ceprnja, Katherine Maka

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: To examine the effects of a group exercise program on shoulder pain, disability, range of motion, and strength. Method: This was an observational study of twenty-six patients who had undergone breast cancer surgery and were receiving physiotherapy intervention. The intervention was a supervised 8-week exercise group program. The primary outcome measure was shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI). Secondary outcome measures were shoulder range of motion of flexion and abduction and strength of shoulder flexion and abduction. Results: The average age of patients referred to the group was 56-years (range of 29 to 71 years). The average time …

Use Of Functional Manual Therapy And A Strengthening Program In The Treatment Of A 41-Year-Old Female With Low Back And Sciatica Pain: A Case Report, Justin Jones

All Capstone Projects

Background and Purpose: Although low back pain is a common diagnosis treated in physical therapy clinics, there is disagreement in the literature as to the preferred interventions for this patient population. The purpose of this case report is to describe the outcome of a patient with acute onset of low back and sciatica pain with a treatment directed towards Functional Manual Therapy and a strengthening program based on initial examination findings.

Case Description: The patient was a 41 year-old female secretary with four day history of low back and sciatica pain that initiated after straining during a bowel movement. The …

Treatment Of A 41 Year Old Male Status/Post Mva With Radicular Symptoms In The Left Arm And Scapula: A Case Report, Eric Bihl

All Capstone Projects

Background and Purpose: Motor vehicle accidents with a whiplash mechanism of injury are one of the most common causes of neck injuries, with an incidence of perhaps 1 million per year in the United States. The purpose of this case report was to examine the progress of a patient with symptoms of cervical radiculopathy through a conservative treatment approach.

Case Description: The patient was a 41 year old (y.o.) male status/post (s/p) a rear end collision 1 month prior and was experiencing neck pain and radicular left arm and scapular numbness and tingling. Interventions occurred in an outpatient physical therapy …

Physical Therapy Interventions And Functional Outcomes For An 80-Year-Old Female Following Total Knee Replacement And Subsequent Infection: A Case Report, Hailey Corwin

All Capstone Projects

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this case study is to describe the interventions and outcomes of a physical therapy (PT) episode of care in an inpatient skilled nursing facility (SNF) for a subject following a left total knee replacement and subsequent infection.

Case Description: The subject was an 80-year-old Caucasian female who was status post left total knee replacement (TKR) with subsequent infection. The subject presented with left knee pain, limited range of motion (ROM), and impaired function.

Outcomes: Increased active range of motion (AROM) of left knee, increased balance, increased ambulation distance, improved performance on Tinetti-POMA, and increased …