Physical Therapy Commons^™

Home-Based Stroke Rehabilitation: Virtual Reality For The Elderly?, Joseph C. Moschella, Liam H. Kerrick

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Stroke remains the leading cause of long-term disability, especially within the elderly population. Nearly 50 percent of stroke survivors never achieve full independence post-stroke. This literature review examines the capability of virtual reality (VR), as home-based continuation of stroke rehabilitation for elderly patients. VR has the potential to improve motor recovery, increase independence, and reduce healthcare costs for stroke survivors. A comprehensive literature review has been conducted following the PRISMA guidelines to evaluate VR therapy compared to conventional post-stroke therapy. VR rehabilitation demonstrated improvements in motor ability, however it did not demonstrate significantly superior improvements when compared to conventional therapy. …

Addressing The Lack Of Patient Adherence To Exercise Within The Physical Therapy Clinic And Creating Infographics To Improve Patient Adherence, Gretchen Panovich

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The primary objective of this applied knowledge project is to develop educational materials to enhance patient adherence. The World Health Organization defines adherence as “the extent to which a person’s behavior…corresponds with agreed recommendations from a healthcare provider.” Within the physical therapy field, non-adherence to exercise is a significant problem linked with increased duration of treatment, more patient complaints, reduced positive clinical outcomes, and even surgical intervention.

Multiple factors affect patient adherence, making it hard to pinpoint a singular cause. Clinical observations and research suggest that belief in the rehabilitation process may suffer due to a prolonged recovery period, lack …

Efficacy Of Single Joystick-Operated Ride-On-Toy Navigation Training Program To Promote Increased Spontaneous Use And Motor Function In The Affected Arm In Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy, Neha Samuel

Honors Scholar Theses

The purpose of this study is to assess the adjunctive effects of a home-based single joystick-operated ride-on-toy navigation program to conventional care on affected upper extremity (UE) use and motor function in children with hemiplegia. Wrist-worn accelerometers were worn by children on both their affected and unaffected extremities at baseline (i.e., prior to start of the training program) and during ride-on toy training sessions to measure affected and unaffected arm activity, resulting in measurements of percent duration of time in every session that children engaged in sedentary, light, and moderate-to-vigorous activity (MVPA) using their affected and unaffected arms at baseline …

Tackling Recovery: Tibial Osteotomy In A 20-Year-Old Rugby Player With One Month Of Post-Surgery Setback, Maycee J. White, Michael J. Nolan

2025 Student Academic Showcase

Background: Tibial osteotomy is a surgical procedure commonly performed to correct lower limb malalignment in athletes. Full recovery typically takes 6-12 months, with athletes generally resuming sport-specific activities at 4-6 months. Delays in rehabilitation can result in prolonged deficits in strength, range of motion (ROM), and neuromuscular control. Case Presentation: This case study follows a 20-year-old collegiate rugby player who underwent tibial osteotomy, with rehabilitation delayed by one month. The athlete initially presented with knee stiffness, quadriceps atrophy, reduced ROM, and impaired proprioception. A multi-phase rehabilitation program was implemented as follows: •Phase 1 (Weeks 0-6): Pain management, restoring knee extension, …

Covid-19 And The Impact Of Physical Activity On Persistent Symptoms, Lauren E. Opielinski, Toni D. Uhrich, Michael H. Haischer, Rachel N. Beilfuss, Lindsey M. Mirkes Clark, Kamryn M. Kroner, Rachel E. Bollaert, Michael J. Danduran, Linda B. Piacentine, Marie K. Hoeger Bement, Paula E. Papanek, Sandra K. Hunter, Sarah J. Hamilton

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction: Physical activity is protective against chronic disease but whether activity is associated with persistent symptoms in non-hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors is unknown. The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity levels and the influence of physical activity on acute COVID-19 and long COVID symptoms in non-hospitalized COVID-19 survivors.

Methods: In total, 64 non-hospitalized COVID-19 survivors (45 female participants, 40 ± 18 years) were assessed for activity levels, body composition, and symptoms of COVID-19 8.5 ± 4.7 months post-infection and categorized into two groups: (1) persistent symptoms and (2) …

Quantifying The Functional Impact Of Chronic Patellofemoral Pain And Its Relationship To Perceived Duty-Related Medical Readiness Among Active Duty Service Members, Emma H. Beisheim-Ryan, Sara R. Gorczynski, Ryan W. Smith, Shawn Farrokhi

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Introduction

Chronic patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a heterogeneous pain condition that may significantly burden active duty service members, whose rigorous physical training demands include activities such as running and heavy load carriage. While chronic PFP is often defined by its pathoanatomical characteristics, evidence from other pain conditions (e.g., chronic low back pain) suggests classifying pain by its functional impact on work, social, and self-care activities may better inform personalized treatment approaches. As this approach has not been previously undertaken in chronic PFP or younger populations with chronic pain, this study aimed to characterize the global impact of PFP on day-to-day …

Gray Matter Morphology And Pain-Related Disability In Young Adults With Low Back Pain, Jo Armour Smith, Rongwen Tain, Isaac Chrisman, Kelli G. Sharp, Laura M. Glynn, Linda R. Van Dillen, Jesse V. Jacobs, Steven C. Cramer

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Structural neuroplasticity in the brain may contribute to the persistence of low back pain (LBP) symptoms and the disability associated with them. It is not known if structural adaptations are evident early in the lifespan in young adults with LBP. This study compared gray matter in cortical sensorimotor regions in young adults with and without persistent LBP and identified gray matter and clinical predictors of pain-related disability. Eighty-two individuals with and without a history of LBP participated. Peak and average gray matter density in cortical sensorimotor regions of interest was quantified using voxel-based morphometry. Pain-related disability, pain intensity, pain duration, …

Development Of A Scale To Evaluate Key Attributes Of Academic Advisors Essential To Physical Therapy Students, Robin M. Baker, Jamie L. Greco

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Acknowledging the crucial role of academic advising in enhancing student success, professionalism, and personal growth, this paper advocates for a shift from traditional reactive methods to proactive, personalized advising strategies that have been shown to improve retention and satisfaction rates in higher education. Our study highlights the development of a comprehensive scale through rigorous validity assessments to measure key attributes of academic advisors essential to physical therapy students (PTS). This scale, refined through extensive feedback from faculty and PTS over two development phases, consists of 18 items on a 4-point Likert scale, which together map the complex landscape of effective …

Effects Of An Educational Intervention On Firefighter Knowledge Of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors And Prevention, Scott Richardson, Andrew Haight, Kassandra Sanchez, Madison Jepperson, Kelsey Houston, Lauren Schembs

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Organized firefighting began in ancient Rome in 300BC, with the first fire engines in the 17^th century. Modern firefighters face extreme personal risk, responding to emergency situations and providing life-saving public support. Cardiovascular disease events account for 45% of on-duty fatalities among firefighters. Cardiovascular health in firefighters is not only important for immediate job performance but also for long-term health. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of an educational intervention to influence firefighter knowledge of cardiovascular disease risk factors and prevention. Method: A literature review determined that cardiovascular health was the leading knowledge deficit among firefighters …

Exploring Clinical Instructors' Views On Effective Role Modeling In Physical Therapy Education: Insights From A Qualitative Study Through The Lens Of Social Cognitive Theory, Brittney M. Gunterstockman, Kellee Harper-Hanigan, Andrew Bartlett, Ian Rheault, Karen Menard

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Acting as a role model is an essential competency and requirement for physical therapy clinical instructors. The social cognitive theory may explain how physical therapy students learn from clinical instructors during clinical education experiences. This theory suggests that individuals learn through observation of models who are competent, credible, enthusiastic, and similar to the observer. This study aimed to explore clinical instructors’ perceptions of effective role modeling. Methods: This phenomenological qualitative study used one-on-one virtual semi-structured interviews with clinical instructors (n=7) to explore effective role modeling in physical therapy clinical education. Inductive coding was used to develop codes and themes …

An Exploration Of Student Experiences And Perceptions Of A Physiotherapy Student-Led Clinic, Donna Wynne, Elizabeth Hancock Professor, Emma Stage, Kay Cooper Professor

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Student-Led Clinics (SLCs) offer a structured, real-life learning environment for healthcare students, where they provide services under supervision. SLCs can facilitate increased confidence with clinical reasoning, improve skill development and enhance leadership skills. Existing research has generally captured students' experiences at the end of their SLC participation, lacking a longitudinal perspective and therefore, little is known about how students’ perceptions develop over time. This study aimed to explore physiotherapy students' experiences in a neurological rehabilitation SLC, with a focus on participants’ perceptions captured after attending specific SLC sessions and over the course of multiple SLC sessions. Methods: Using interpretative …

Feasibility Of A Prescribed Walking Program In Older Adults With Dizziness: Challenges And Recommendations From A Pilot Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial, Amie Jasper, Mary T. Blackinton, Joann Gallichio, Anne Galgon

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Walking for endurance is a component of vestibular rehabilitation (VR); however, there is no study on increasing the physical activity of older adults with peripheral vestibular hypofunction through a prescribed walking program. This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of conducting a pragmatic randomized controlled trial on a prescribed walking program in a clinical environment; specifically, to determine recruitment, data collection retention, and adherence, and to estimate the variances of treatment outcomes. Method: Seventeen patients were randomly assigned into vestibular rehabilitation with walking with pedometer (VRWP), vestibular rehabilitation with walking without pedometer (VRW), and VR only. Recruitment, data …

Simulation Based Learning And Development Of Clinical Decision-Making Skills, As Perceived By Dpt Students, A Qualitative Analysis, Fabian Bizama, Kristy Demers, Mansoor Alameri, Derrick F. Campbell

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Simulation-based learning (SBL) has been shown to help Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students transfer academic skills to a range of clinical settings. However, the perceived beneficial and not beneficial elements of SBL have not been fully explored. While most research has focused on acute care settings, previously published findings demonstrated that an SBL course with outpatient-based scenarios can have a significant impact on the development of clinical decision-making (CDM) skills in DPT students; however, details on perceived successful elements were not explored. The purpose of this study was to explore what factors DPT students perceive as helpful and …

Quantifying Afo Use, Fit, And Function Via Outcome Measures By Physical Therapists, Jennifaye V. Brown, Julie Suhr

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: For individuals with cerebrovascular accident (IwCVA), there is no outcome measure considered as the gold standard to justify ankle foot orthosis (AFO) use, fit, and function and that takes into consideration inherent properties of the AFO. Data is lacking indicating AFO effectiveness, which can be used to justify insurance reimbursement for the cost of more efficient mechanisms to produce person-centered AFOs using scanning and 3D printing technology, as is commonly done for individuals with lower extremity amputation requiring a prosthesis. Methods: This study surveyed physical therapists (PTs) via electronic medium to inquire about their knowledge and use of AFO-specific …

Exploring Clinician Understanding Of Therapeutic Alliance, Melissa Cole, Robert Welsh, Susan Shore

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background. Therapeutic alliance is being discussed more readily in allied health literature regarding its potential to improve functional outcomes and patient satisfaction with care. The construct was imported from psychotherapy literature, and the degree and depth of familiarity among practicing physical therapists have not been fully explored. Purpose. This study aims to gain insight into the general level of familiarity and perceptions of therapeutic alliance among practicing clinicians. Methods. A survey was designed to capture a broad professional point of view and distributed using an anonymous link. Results. 73 surveys were completed. 43.3% of respondents reported they were not familiar …

Vision For The Future Of Oncology Physical Therapy: Apta Oncology’S Strategic Plan, Christopher M. Wilson, Emily Compagner

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

This article summarizes the 2024-27 strategic plan of the Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy. The strategic plan consists of five strategic pillars — advocacy, engagement, education, collaboration, and research. Although the strategic plan is slated for another review in 2027, the 2024-27 strategic plan sets forth the key initiatives to advance the field of cancer physical therapy and oncology rehabilitation. This piece summarizes some key initiatives and how the academy and the profession will aim to achieve the APTA and APTA Oncology visions. For the full 2024-27 strategic plan of APTA Oncology, visit www.oncologypt.org.

Axillary Web Syndrome (Aws) In Absence Of Breast Cancer History Or Surgery: A Case Report, David B. Locke, Linda Koehler

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

Background: Axillary web syndrome (AWS) is a complication of breast cancer surgery with axillary lymph node removal. Cords are found within 2 weeks post-surgery in the axillary area of the operated side, and many extend down the arm or into the lateral chest wall. The purpose of this report is to present a unique case of idiopathic AWS, and to increase awareness of non-cancer related AWS in the medical community.

Case Description: A 39-year-old healthy female presented to physiotherapy with a 2-week history of a palpable tight cord in her left axilla without history of cancer or surgery. She sought …

The Therapeutic Effects Of A High-Velocity Resistance Training Intervention For Chemotherapy-Induced Polyneuropathy, Mariah Gleeson, Lori Boright, Elise C. Brown, Deborah Doherty

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

Purpose: Chemotherapy-induced polyneuropathy, also referred to as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), is a dose-dependent, neurotoxicity from known neuropathic agents (e.g., taxanes, platinums, and vinca alkaloids) causing damage to the peripheral nervous system. CIPN can present as sensory, motor, or autonomic symptoms, such as muscle weakness and balance impairments. Currently, there are no treatment or prevention methods for CIPN. The purpose of this case series was to assess the therapeutic effects of a high velocity resistance training (HVRT), or power training, in women diagnosed and treated for cancer, who presented with CIPN by measuring balance, functional performance, neuropathy, quality of life …

Importance Of Objective Assessment To Determine Physical Function In Persons Undergoing Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Anne Swisher

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

No abstract provided.

Editorial Board Message—Coming Soon: Research Roundups

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

No abstract provided.