Physical Therapy Commons^™

Physical Therapy Applications For Individuals With Neurologic Dysfunction, Charlotte Chatto, Jeff Mastromonico

Nursing and Health Sciences Open Textbooks

This textbook for the Integration for Practice: Neuromuscular course is a multimedia PDF with videos embedded. The videos make the file size of the PDF almost 600MB, which is a large download but preserves offline use of videos.

Topics include interventions and assessment for patients with Guillain-Barre and spinal cord injury, respiratory assessment and interventions, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation.

NOTE: Because this is a video-integrated PDF, your web browser's preview functions will not work with this file. If your browser opens the file instead of downloading it, please right-click the "Download" button to download the PDF properly.

Sports And Exercise Medicine For Athletes And Footballers: The Case Of Kenya, Monil Patel

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Sports are one of life's greatest gifts. People love watching, discussing and participating in sports. Kenya has a rich and successful history in certain sports, notably in athletics (track and field). Since the 1960's, Kenyans have won several gold medals and numerous world champions. In addition, Kenyans have dominated the world marathons since the 1980's. Kenya has some of the best yet simplest training areas, some of the best coaches, and some of the hardest working athletes in the world. However, people do not realize that many Kenyan athletes only shine for a few years before they vanish in the …

Walking Speed: The Functional Vital Sign, Addie Middletown, Stacy Fritz, Michelle M. Lusardi

All PTHMS Faculty Publications

Walking speed (WS) is a valid, reliable, and sensitive measure appropriate for assessing and monitoring functional status and overall health in a wide range of populations. These capabilities have led to its designation as the “sixth vital sign”. By synthesizing the available evidence on WS, this scholarly review article provides clinicians with a reference tool regarding this robust measure. Recommendations on testing procedures for assessing WS, including optimal distance, inclusion of acceleration and deceleration phases, instructions, and instrumentation are given. After assessing an individual's WS, clinicians need to know what this value represents. Therefore, WS cut-off values and the corresponding …

Hydatid Cyst Of Thoracic Spine: A Rare Cause Of Paraplegia, Rahul Soangra, Mool Chand Soangra

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Primary spinal hydatid cysts are uncommon and extradural involvement is rare. We report an unusual case of Paraplegia due to hydatid disease of primary site of infection extra spinal muscles in thoracic region from T5 to T8 level extending into a daughter cyst at T9 level, is main cause of acute Paraplegia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an extradural round cystic lesion in the spinal canal filling the posterior and left postero-lateral expect at T9 level, markedly compressing the cord. The cyst was removed after laminectomy and opening of the dural sac, with excision of extraspinal mass in left paravertebral …

Piecing The Puzzle Together With The Use Of Physical Therapy, Mikayla Pruitt

Honors Projects

For my Honors Project I decided to create a set of exercise cards for children with autism. The front of each card had a picture symbolizing the exercise/activity, and on the back included directions, supplies and tips to complete the activity. The following is a selection of a few exercise cards from each of the four exercise sections, as well as the title card, table of contents cards, information cards, and source cards.

Decision Making About Rural Physiotherapy Service Provision Varies With Sector, Size And Rurality, Robyn Adams, Anne Jones, Sophie Lefmann, Lorraine Sheppard

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: Decisions about physiotherapy service provision occur within the context of organisations, locations, and settings. The uniqueness of rural communities means it is important to consider contextual factors when making decisions about rural health services. As literature describing decision making about rural physiotherapy services is limited, this study sought perspectives on service level decision making (SLDM) from a range of stakeholders. The research approach needed to support consideration of both location and the broader health system. Method: A sequential mixed methods approach within a systems theory-case study heuristic provided the framework to explore rural physiotherapy SLDM. The investigation site, a …

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 …

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 …

Physical Therapy Management For A Female Student Athlete Post- Concussion: A Case Report, Matthew Johnson

All Capstone Projects

Background and purpose: The purpose of this case report is to describe vestibular, oculomotor, and cervical interventions that were theorized to improve the function and decrease symptoms typically seen in the post-concussion population.

Case Description: The patient was a 16 year old female who was status post concussion due to head trauma during gymnastics routine. Symptoms included short term memory loss, fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, headaches, visual disturbances, and neck pain.

Outcomes: Patient was seen for 7 treatments over the course of 6 weeks which mainly focused on oculomotor training, vestibular training, and cervicogenic relief. Outcomes were consistent with …

Clinical Decision-Making In Transition To Consultative Physical Therapy Services For A Nine-Year-Old Girl With Spastic Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Case Report, Gina M. Kelly

All Capstone Projects

Background: Although many pediatric patients with non-progression conditions utilize rehabilitation services, clear pathways towards transitioning away from direct service aren’t adequately addressed in the literature. A number of established frameworks for clinical and ethical decision making can be utilized.

Purpose: The purpose of this case report is to illustrate the application of established frameworks in the literature to a particular case of a nine-year-old female patient with mild spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy receiving weekly home-based physical therapy services, in which the ultimate decision was to reduce services, highlighting the utility and limitations of such an application.

Case Description: This case …

Outcomes Of A Comprehensive Physical Therapy Treatment Program For A 22-Year-Old Patient With Migraine Without Aura, Chronic Migraine, And Cervicogenic Type Headache: A Case Report, Katrina L. Koltz

All Capstone Projects

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this case report is to describe the interventions and outcomes of a comprehensive physical therapy (PT) treatment program that emphasized addressing musculoskeletal deficits and increasing neuromuscular control, which was theorized to decrease headache (HA) symptoms for a patient with overlapping HA diagnoses.

Case Description: The subject was a 22-year-old Caucasian female with an 8-year history of migraine without aura, chronic migraine, and cervicogenic type headaches. A comprehensive PT program was implemented to address subject’s musculoskeletal deficits, neurological impairments, and functional limitations. Assessments were performed at initial evaluation and two weeks later at re-assessment. Outcome …

The Effect Of Core Strengthening Exercises And Sciatic Nerve Glides On 65 Year-Old Female With Low Back Pain And Lower Extremity Radicular Symptoms: A Case Report, Alex Bennett

All Capstone Projects

Background/purpose: Low back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide and is frequently accompanied by numbness, tingling, and burning sensation in the lower extremities. Oftentimes, LBP with lower extremity symptoms is treated with core stabilization exercises and nerve gliding activities, but limited research exists for the use of nerve glides for radicular lower extremity pain.

Case Description: The patient was a 67 year-old female with a chronic episode of LBP and left lower extremity sciatic pain. The patient’s symptoms included pain in the lower back and posterior thigh after sitting, standing, or ambulating for more than 10 minutes. …

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 …

Effects Of Early Physical Therapy Intervention In The Rehabilitation Of A Total Hip Arthroplasty Revision With An Anterior Approach: Case Report, Jordan Clevy

All Capstone Projects

Advances in medical technology have greatly changed the way surgeons perform surgical procedures. The push by surgeons and their patients for less invasive surgeries has caused surgeons to turn to an anterior approach for total hip arthroplasty and revisions of total hip arthroplasty. The less invasive nature of the anterior approach has led to faster recovery time and less pain. Nearly all total hip arthroplasty and revision patients will receive physical therapy services to guide and assist the patient in a steadfast recovery. This case study explores the results of functional physical therapy interventions on an 80 year old female …

Adult Male Status Post Chronic Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury: A Case Report, Kelly Cooke

All Capstone Projects

Background and Purpose: There is a lack of research using conservative treatment to treat chronic traumatic brachial plexus injuries. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a physical therapy treatment plan and home exercise plan (HEP) for a 47 year old male referred for shoulder pain following a traumatic compression injury 11 months ago.

Case Description: This study contained interventions focused on increasing joint mobility, resistance training, massage, and modalities to decrease patient symptoms and improve quality of life. To measure outcomes, the following examinations were used: numeric pain rating scale, gross shoulder manual muscle testing, …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …