Physical Therapy Commons^™

Effect Of Stretch Frequency And Sex On The Rate Of Gain And Rate Of Loss In Muscle Flexibility During A Hamstring-Stretching Program: A Randomized Single-Blind Longitudinal Study, Daniel Cipriani, Megan E. Terry, Michelle A. Haines, Amir P. Tabibnia, Olga Lyssanova

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

This study evaluated the effects of four different weekly stretching protocols on the rate of gain and decline in hamstring flexibility over an 8-week period, across sex. Using a randomized single-blind design, 53 healthy subjects aged 18–46 years were assigned to 1 of 4 stretching protocols or a control group. The stretching protocols consisted of either daily or 3 times per week stretching and performed once or twice each day. These protocols differed in terms of frequency and total weekly stretching time. All the subjects stretched their hamstring muscles for 4 weeks and were measured weekly for their hip range …

Determination Of Stabilogram Diffusion Analysis Coefficients And Invariant Density Analysis Parameters To Understand Postural Stability Associated With Standing On Anti-Fatigue Mats, Rahul Soangra, Thurmon E. Lockhart

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Prolonged standing has been associated with loss of balance, onset of low back pain symptoms and development of fatigue in lower extremity muscles in working populations. Although so far, it is unknown how individuals’ postural stability is affected by standing on rigid versus cushioned platform but many industries are opting for anti-fatigue mats at workstations to reduce fall and injury related socio-economic cost. The goal of this study is to test SATECH's anti-fatigue mat for its effects on postural stability. A pilot test with seven healthy subjects (25–35 years old) has been conducted with a force plate to obtain kinetics …

Non-Invasive Fall Risk Assessment In Community Dwelling Elderly With Wireless Inertial Measurement Units, Thurmon E. Lockhart, Han T. Yeoh, Rahul Soangra, Manutchanok Jongprasithporn, Jian Zhang, Xuefang Wu, Arka Ghosh

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Falls are among the most serious accidents among the elderly leading to increased injuries, reduced functioning and mortality. In 2009, about 2.2 million nonfatal fall injuries were reported among the elderly population (CDC, 2010). In this study, eleven community dwelling elderly (aged 65-84 years) participated in fall risk assessment camp at sterling senior center organized by Northern Virginia Fall Prevention Coalition (NVFPC). Three custom made wireless inertial measurement units (IMUs) were attached on trunk and both shanks. All participants performed postural and locomotor tasks such as sit-to-stand (STS) and timed up and go (TUG). Temporal and kinematic parameters were obtained. …

Stroke-Related Changes In Neuromuscular Fatigue Of The Hip Flexors And Functional Implications, Allison S. Hyngstrom, Tanya Onushko, Robert Heitz, Anthony Rutkowski, Sandra K. Hunter, Brian D. Schmit

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare stroke-related changes in hip flexor neuromuscular fatigue of the paretic leg during a sustained isometric submaximal contraction with those of the nonparetic leg and controls and to correlate fatigue with clinical measures of function.

Design: Hip torques were measured during a fatiguing hip flexion contraction at 20% of the hip flexion maximal voluntary contraction in the paretic and nonparetic legs of 13 people with chronic stroke and 10 age-matched controls. In addition, the participants with stroke performed a fatiguing contraction of the paretic leg at the absolute torque equivalent to 20% …

Pain Relief In Older Adults Following Static Contractions Is Not Task-Dependent, Kathy J. Lemley, Breanna Drewek, Lauren Miller, Sandra K. Hunter, Marie K. Hoeger Bement

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Pain complaints increase with age. Exercise is frequently utilized for pain relief but the optimal exercise prescription to relieve pain is not clear. Following static contractions, young adults experience the greatest pain relief with low intensity, long duration contractions. The pain response to static contractions in older adults however is unknown.

PURPOSE : To compare pain reports in healthy older adults before and after static contractions of varying intensity and duration.

METHODS: Pain perception was assessed in 23 healthy older adults (11 men, 12 women; 72.0 ± 6.3 yrs) using a pressure pain device consisting of a 10 N force …

Clinical Preceptors' Perspectives On Clinical Education In Post-Professional Athletic Training Education Programs, Kelvin Phan, Cailee W. Mccarty, Jessica M. Mutchler, Bonnie Van Lunen

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: Clinical education is the interaction between a clinical preceptor and student within the clinical setting to help the student progress as a clinician. Post-professional athletic training clinical education is especially important to improve these students' clinical knowledge and skills. However, little research has been conducted to assess the pedagogical principles for clinical education at this level or what factors are necessary to enhance the clinical skills and decision-making abilities of post-professional students. Therefore, exploring the perspectives of clinical preceptors involved in post-professional education will help educators understand what strategies are necessary to improve post-professional athletic training education programs (PPATEPs). …

Low Dose Ct Vs Plain Abdominal Radiography For The Investigation Of The Acute Abdomen, Long K. Nguyen, Daniel D. Wong, Daniel M. Fatovich, Justin M. Yeung, Jennifer Persaud, Christopher J. Wood, David De Vos, Richard M. Mendelson

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Background: To compare low-dose abdominal computed tomography (LDCT) with plain abdominal radiography (AR) in the primary investigation of acute abdominal pain to determine if there is a difference in diagnostic yield, the number of additional investigations required and hospital length of stay (LOS).

Methods: This randomized controlled trial was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was obtained. Patients presenting to the emergency department with an acute abdomen and who would normally be investigated with AR were randomized to either AR or LDCT. The estimated radiation dose of the LDCT protocol was 2–3 mSv compared to 1.1 mSv …

Falls And Physical Activity In Persons With Multiple Sclerosis, J. J. Sosnoff, B. M. Sandroff, J. H. Pula, S. M. Morrison, R. W. Motl

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Objectives. To examine the association between fall history and physical activity using an objective measure of physical activity (i.e., accelerometry) in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Design. A community-based sample of 75 ambulatory persons with multiple sclerosis volunteered for the investigation. Participants self-reported fall history in the last year, underwent a neurological exam to determine Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, and wore an accelerometer around the waist for 7 consecutive days to determine physical activity.

Results. Overall, 37 persons (49.3% of the sample) reported falling in the last year with 28 of the 37 falling more than once. Persons who …

Aging, Neuromuscular Decline, And The Change In Physiological And Behavioral Complexity Of Upper-Limb Movement Dynamics, S. Morrison, K. M. Newell

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Aging is characterized by a general decline in physiological and behavioral function that has been widely interpreted within the context of the loss of complexity hypothesis. In this paper, we examine the relation between aging, neuromuscular function and physiological-behavioral complexity in the arm-hand effector system, specifically with reference to physiological tremor and isometric force production. Experimental findings reveal that the adaptive behavioral consequences of the aging-related functional decline in neurophysiological processes are less pronounced in simple motor tasks which provides support for the proposition that the motor output is influenced by both extrinsic (e.g., task related) and intrinsic (e.g., coordination, …

A Systematic Review Of Sensorimotor Function During Adolescence: A Developmental Stage Of Increased Motor Awkwardness?, Catherine C. Quatman-Yates, Carmen Quatman, Andrew Mezsaros, Mark V. Paterno, Timothy E. Hewett

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

Two Different Fatigue Protocols And Lower Extremity Motion Patterns During A Stop-Jump Task, David Quammen, Nelson Cortes, Bonnie L. Van Lunen, Shawn Lucci, Stacie I. Ringleb, James Onate

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: Altered neuromuscular control strategies during fatigue probably contribute to the increased incidence of non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injuries in female athletes.

Objective: To determine biomechanical differences between 2 fatigue protocols (slow linear oxidative fatigue protocol [SLO-FP] and functional agility short-term fatigue protocol [FAST-FP]) when performing a running-stop-jump task.

Design: Controlled laboratory study.

Setting: Laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants: A convenience sample of 15 female soccer players (age = 19.2 ± 0.8 years, height = 1.67± 0.05m, mass = 61.7 + 8.1 kg) without injury participated.

Intervention(s): Five successful trials of a running–stop-jump task were obtained prefatigue and postfatigue during …

Is Pilates An Effective Treatment For Improving Functional Disability And Pain In Patients With Nonspecific Low Back Pain?, Koren V. Fleming

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is Pilates an effective treatment for improving functional disability and pain in patients with nonspecific low back pain?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary studies, two of which were published in 2006 and the other in 2009.

DATA SOURCES: Three single-blind randomized control trials comparing the Pilates method of treatment to a control group that did not receive Pilates intervention were found using PubMed and EBSCOhost databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Each of the studies had patients participate in Pilates sessions for six to seven weeks. …

Low Back Pain With Psoas Tightness, Trevor Northagen

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose

Low back pain is a prevalent healthcare issue which has a number of causes. There are many types of treatment with varying levels of success. The psoas is a back muscle which may undergo changes in a patient with back pain. Treatment may have to be modified if changes are seen in the psoas.

Case Description

A 66 year-old woman reported low back and right hip pain, as well as right-sided abdominal pain around a surgical incision. The physical therapy examination revealed adhered scar tissue around the incision, psoas muscle tightness, as well as low back and …

Influence Of Foot Position On Lower Extremity Muscle Activation, Casey Darling

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee is often sprained or torn in injuries resulting from jumping, cutting, or hyperextension of the knee. When the knee is put under a valgus, varus, or rotatory stress it can put strain on the ACL. Lower extremity motor control can help control the amount of varus and valgus stress on the knee. Lower extremity muscle control is involved with preventing this stress and resulting injuries. This study was performed to determine whether the position of the foot (neutral, supination, and pronation) has an effect on lower extremity muscle activity during single-leg squats. …

Fiber Type And Cross-Sectional Area Characteristics In Hindlimb Muscles Of The Long-Lived Ames Dwarf Mouse, David Farder

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background: Aging is associated with sarcopenia and a change of composition in muscle fibers. Ames dwarf mice have been found to have a decreased susceptibility to the deleterious effects of the aging process, when compared to a normal mouse counterpart. This study looks at the muscle composition of the Ames dwarf mouse compared to the normal mouse by analyzing two muscles, extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus (Sol).

Methods: Researchers harvested hind limb muscles from Ames dwarf mice and normal mice. The fours muscles were EDL, Sol, Gastrocnemius/Plantaris, and tibialis anterior (TA). EDL and Sol were sliced and stained with …

Influence Of Foot Position On Lower Extremity Muscle Activity, Hayley J. Letvin

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Being that the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most commonly torn ligament, much research has been performed regarding this matter. Females have been found to be more likely to tear their ACL. This may be due to strength, structural (anatomical), hormonal, and neuromuscular differences compared to men. Several studies have also been conducted to help improve preventative measures with using strengthening and neuromuscular training programs. Many speculations have been made about the precipitating factors of an ACL injury. The general consensus in regard to foot placement is that the foot is usually placed in pronation during an ACL tear. …

Rating Scale Analysis And Psychometric Properties Of The Caregiver Self-Efficacy Scale For Transfers, Daniel Cipriani, Francine E. Hansen, Danielle L. Mcpeck, Gina L.D. Kubec, Julie J. Thomas

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Parents and caregivers faced with the challenges of transferring children with disability are at risk of musculoskeletal injuries and/or emotional stress. The Caregiver Self-Efficacy Scale for Transfers (CSEST) is a 14-item questionnaire that measures self-efficacy for transferring under common conditions. The CSEST yields reliable data and valid inferences; however, its rating scale structure has not been evaluated for utility. The aims of this study were to evaluate the category response structure of the CSEST, test the utility of a revised rating scale structure, and confirm its psychometric properties. The Rasch Measurement Model was used for all analyses. Subjects included 175 …

Investigation Into The Functional Mobility Difference Between Obese And Non-Obese Elderly, Xuefang Wu, Han T. Yeoh, Rahul Soangra, Thurmon Lockhart

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Obese aging population is increasing in the United States, and obese elderly experience fall twice as frequent as their lean counterparts. However, the mechanisms of older obese adults fall are still not clear. It is not known whether the obese elderly has more functional mobility impairments than their lean counterparts, and consequently have increased risks of falls. It was hypothesized that obese elderly have more functional mobility impairments compared with their healthy weight counterparts. Six lean and six obese community-dwelling elderly participated in the study. “Timed up & go” test was used to quantify the functional mobility for both lean …

A Comparative Study For Performance Evaluation Of Sit-To-Stand Task With Body Worn Sensor And Existing Laboratory Methods, Rahul Soangra, Thurmon E. Lockhart

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Human movement such as sit-to-stand (STS) is one of the most fundamental and essential movement among daily living activities. Elderly who are unable to stand are severely limited in daily activities and rely on others for their care. In the coming next two decades about 20% of US population will be above the age of 65 years, and considering ever-increasing elderly population and health care expenses, the rehabilitation of functionally limited elderly is becoming a topic of greater concern. Clinically STS movement is looked upon with great interest, such as its analysis is meaningful in order to evaluate motor control …

Near Infrared Spectroscopy Describes Physiologic Payback Associated With Excess Postexercise Oxygen Consumption In Healthy Controls And Children With Complex Congenital Heart Disease, Michael J. Danduran, J. E. Dixon, Rohit P. Rao

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Exercise creates a physiologic burden with recovery from such effort crucial to adaptation. Excess postexercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) refers to the body’s increased metabolic need after work. This investigation was designed to determine the role of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in the description of exercise recovery in healthy controls (NL) and children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Subjects were recruited with exercise testing performed to exhaustion. Exercise time (EXT), heart rate (HR), and oxygen consumption (VO₂) were measured. Four-site NIRS (brain, kidney, deltoid, and vastus lateralis) were measured during exercise and into recovery to establish trends. Fifty individuals …