Physical Therapy Commons^™

Case Study: Effects Of Virtual Reality On Motor Control With A Child Diagnosed With Spastic Ataxic Cerebral Palsy, Alyssa Madison, Princess Roblete, Maureen Rinehimer

Student Research Poster Presentations 2023

Background: Cerebral palsy is a neuromuscular disorder that affects a person’s motor control and balance. These individuals have difficulty co-contracting musculature resulting in decreased trunk control, hyper- or hypotonia, lack of body coordination, and sudden contractions when attempting to move. A recent technology that is beginning to be explored within the therapy world is the use of virtual reality (VR) to treat those with cerebral palsy.

Objective: The objective is to evaluate the effect of virtual reality technology with children who have cerebral palsy by focusing on motor control such as: functional reach, functional movements to promote independence, sitting balance, …

Clinical Effectiveness Of An Aquatic Exercise Program On Strength, Balance, Quality Of Life And Emotional Well-Being In Those With Visual Impairments: A Protocol Study, Laura Murphy, Nicole Joers, Alyssa Buonavolonta

Student Research Poster Presentations 2023

As of 2019, at least 2.2 billion people worldwide are living with some degree of visual impairment according to the World Health Organization. Generic physical therapy has been shown to benefit those with visual impairments. In a 2014 systematic review, researchers analyzed multiple studies that focused on the visually impaired population and their progress on strengthening after participating in exercise programs. They found that the generalized PT helped to improve the performance on tests of physical function in those with visual impairments. There has been minimal research on aquatic therapy and those with visual impairments, yet there have been other …

Effectiveness Of Sensory Integration On School-Age Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Maryssa Hodder, Lauren Cunfer, Saige Miller

Student Research Poster Presentations 2023

Introduction: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common mental disorder that poses significant effects on an individual’s ability to effectively carry out daily functions; characteristics include hyperactive, inattentive, and impulsive behaviors (Dogru; Kadam). ADHD is problematic for school-aged children; children with ADHD lack the ability to integrate sensory information. The purpose of this systematic review is to explore the effectiveness of sensory integration therapy in managing ADHD symptoms in school aged children.

Methods: A search of literature was conducted during September of 2022 and January of 2023. Databases used to complete the search included EBSCO Host, Academic Search Ultimate, …

Effects Of Context Perception And Haptic Feedback On Sway, Andrew Meszaros, Tess Swake, Robin Dorociack, Catherine Enger, Gavin Boen, Alex Johnston, Braedon Miller

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

The purpose of this research is to assess whether framing the context of haptic feedback as an "error" signal or "helpful" signal can impact sway control.

Perturbation-Based Balance Training Added To A Fall Prevention Exercise Program And Its Effect On Fall Risk And Fear Of Falling In Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Joseph Espero, Jeremiah Everett, Leanne Gehrke, Sage Goodman, Spencer Hall, Melody Hansen, Lyndsay Stutzenberger, Rebecca Dobler, Gabe Haberly

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

Background:

● Falls lead to decreased independence, increased disability, and increased risk of death

● Falls occur in more than one out of four older adults each year

Research Suggests:

● 50 hours of a structured strength and balance exercise program supplemented with fall prevention education over 12 weeks decreases fall risk in community dwelling older adults

● One session of perturbations provided at the appropriate dosage can decrease fall risk by 50%, with multidirectional perturbations having the greatest benefit

Hypothesis:

● Adding one session of perturbation-based training to a structured strength and balance exercise program will reduce the risk …

Usability Evaluation Of A Self-Management Mobile Application For Individuals With A Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Marquise M Bonn, Laura J. Graham, Stephanie Marrocco, Samantha Jeske, Becky Moran, Dalton L Wolfe

Physical Therapy Publications

OBJECTIVE: Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) are common and may result in persisting symptoms. Mobile health (mHealth) applications enhance treatment access and rehabilitation. However, there is limited evidence to support mHealth applications for individuals with an mTBI. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate user experiences and perceptions of the Parkwood Pacing and Planning™ application, an mHealth application developed to help individuals manage their symptoms following an mTBI. The secondary purpose of this study was to identify strategies to improve the application. This study was conducted as part of the development process for this application.

METHODS: A mixed …

Higher Intensity Walking Improves Global Cognition During Inpatient Rehabilitation: A Secondary Analysis Of A Randomized Control Trial, Sue Peters, Keith R Lohse, Tara D Klassen, Teresa Liu-Ambrose, Sean P Dukelow, Mark T Bayley, Michael D Hill, Sepideh Pooyania, Jennifer Yao, Janice J Eng

Physical Therapy Publications

Cognitive deficits are common poststroke. Cognitive rehabilitation is typically used to improve cognitive deficits. It is unknown whether higher doses of exercise to promote motor recovery influence cognitive outcomes. Our recent trial, Determining Optimal Post-Stroke Exercise (DOSE), shows more than double the steps and aerobic minutes can be achieved during inpatient rehabilitation versus usual care, and translates to improved long-term walking outcomes. Thus, the secondary analysis aim was to determine the effect of the DOSE protocol on cognitive outcomes over 1-year poststroke. The DOSE protocol progressively increased step number and aerobic minutes during inpatient stroke rehabilitation over 20 sessions. The …

Implementation Of Increased Physical Therapy Intensity For Improving Walking After Stroke: Walk 'N Watch Protocol For A Multisite Stepped-Wedge Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial, Sue Peters, Shannon B Lim, Mark T Bayley, Krista Best, Louise A Connell, Hélène Corriveau, Sarah J Donkers, Sean P Dukelow, Tara D Klassen, Marie-Hélène Milot, Brodie M Sakakibara, Lisa Sheehy, Hubert Wong, Jennifer Yao, Janice J Eng

Physical Therapy Publications

RATIONALE: Clinical practice guidelines support structured, progressive protocols for improving walking after stroke. Yet, practice is slow to change, evidenced by the little amount of walking activity in stroke rehabilitation units. Our recent study (n = 75) found that a structured, progressive protocol integrated with typical daily physical therapy improved walking and quality-of-life measures over usual care. Research therapists progressed the intensity of exercise by using heart rate and step counters worn by the participants with stroke during therapy. To have the greatest impact, our next step is to undertake an implementation trial to change practice across stroke units where …

Premotor And Posterior Parietal Cortex Activity Is Increased For Slow, As Well As Fast Walking Poststroke: An Fnirs Study, Shannon B Lim, Sue Peters, Chieh-Ling Yang, Lara A Boyd, Teresa Liu-Ambrose, Janice J Eng

Physical Therapy Publications

Background and Purpose. The ability to change gait speeds is important for interacting with the surrounding environment. Gait speed modulation poststroke is often impaired and is related to decreased walking independence after stroke. Assessment of brain activation during walking at different speeds can provide insight into important regions for facilitating gait recovery. The purpose is to determine: (1) the symmetry of brain activation as individuals increase or decrease their gait speed, (2) the activation levels in frontal to parietal brain regions during walking at different speeds, and (3) the relationship between an individual’s stroke impairment or their ability to modulate …

Factors Leading To Satisfaction Following A Total Knee Arthroplasty, Scot Bauman

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

One of the most common surgical treatment options for knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a total knee arthroplasty (TKA), which utilizes a combination of metal and plastic to resurface the damaged cartilage surfaces of the knee, leading to decreased pain and improved function for the patient. However, despite fairly good subjective scores following surgery, up to 20% of patients report being dissatisfied with their outcome. Previous research has assessed reasons for this high dissatisfaction rate including postoperative range of motion (ROM), preoperative education, and postoperative strength. Nevertheless, there continues to be a paucity in the literature regarding how preoperative function affects …

An Exploration Of The Relationship Between Physical Therapists’ Pyschological Characteristics And Feedback Methods, Dustin Cox

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Providing treatment interventions to clients with chronic pain is a complex task for any professional. Research suggests that clients with chronic pain experience declines in physical, emotional, and psychological quality of life. Client’s that have chronic pain have complex effects from dealing with this condition in their lives. Hashmi and colleagues found that clients with chronic pain (i.e., pain lasting > three months) process pain through the emotional and reward circuitry in the brain. The literature base provides evidence that clients with chronic pain who receive psychologically based interventions along with physical rehabilitation have better outcomes than individuals with chronic pain …

Variation In Organizational Factors Influencing The Implementation Of The Pediatric Annual Physical Therapy Visit, Katherine Anne M. Smith

Dissertations

Hypothesis and Research Question

The research hypothesis is “Organizational Factors influencing the implementation of the Pediatric Annual Physical Therapy Visit (PAPTV) vary by practice setting, geographic location, and experience implementing the PAPTV.” The related research question is “How do organizational factors influencing the implementation of the PAPTV vary by geographic location, practice setting, and therapists experience with the PAPTV?

Problem and Purpose of Research

While health promotion and wellness (HPW) initiatives are widely accepted as beneficial to both the patient and the healthcare system, the rollout of new initiatives is often challenging. The PAPTV has been a significant HPW initiative …

Outpatient Physical Therapists’ Knowledge, Attitudes, And Behaviors Regarding Eating Disorder Screening, Esther Thomas, Morgan Russo, Kara Martin, Kristen Karnish, Audrey Campbell

Student Research Poster Presentations 2023

Background & Purpose: Approximately 9% of Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime1 and these disorders can impact the recovery of patients receiving physical therapy services. Physical therapists (PT) should be aware if a patient has a history of, or current history of an eating disorder or nutritional deficiency as these can negatively impact a patient’s participation and optimal functioning. Minimal research has been performed related to physical therapy and eating disorders. Determining outpatient physical therapists’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors towards eating disorders and if they are screening for eating disorders is the first step in furthering research …

Implementing A Walking Program For Sedentary Patients In A Weight Management Clinic, Bailey Tetrault

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Practice Innovation Projects

Background: Promoting physical activity in weight management patients promotes better patient outcomes.
Methods: Weight management clinic patients were enrolled in the 6-week Walk with Ease (WWE) program. At the first session, each participant’s walking distance was measured over a 20-minute timeframe using pedometers. WWE group met 3 times weekly for six weeks for walking activities and with education on movement, mobility, and strength. At each session, the walking distance of participants was measured over 20 minutes. Race, gender and age descriptive were also collected.
Results: Statistical tests included the Friedman Test, ANOVA, and linear regression were calculated at the 5% …

Comparison Of Postural Control, Balance And Fall In Copd Patients With Breathing Pattern Disorder, Irfan Ahmad

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Objective Up to 50% of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience breathing pattern disorders (BPD). The diaphragmatic dysfunction associated with COPD has been associated with balance impairment, and improved diaphragmatic breathing has been preliminarily associated with improved static balance and marching in place. This study aimed to compare clinical gait and balance measures and the risk of falling between patients with COPD-induced BPD and older adult controls and correlate the severity of BPD to gait and balance measures. Methods Gait and balance of fifty-six patients with COPD and 56 older adult controls were measured using the timed up …

High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation For Upper Extremity Rehabilitation In Moderate-To-Severe Ischemic Stroke: A Pilot Study, Jordan N Williamson, Shirley A James, Dorothy He, Sheng Li, Evgeny V Sidorov, Yuan Yang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Previous studies found that post-stroke motor impairments are associated with damage to the lesioned corticospinal tract (CST) and hyperexcitability of the contralesional cortico-reticulospinal tract (CRST). This proof-of-concept study aims to develop a non-invasive brain stimulation protocol that facilitates the lesioned CST and inhibits the contralesional CRST to improve upper extremity rehabilitation in individuals with moderate-to-severe motor impairments post-stroke.

Methods: Fourteen individuals (minimum 3 months post ischemic stroke) consented. Physician decision of the participants baseline assessment qualified eight to continue in a randomized, double-blind cross-over pilot trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05174949) with: (1) anodal high-definition transcranial direct stimulation (HD-tDCS) over …

Effects Of Mckenzie’S Neck Exercise On Pain, Craniovertebral Angle, Strength And Endurance Of Deep Neck Flexor Muscles, And Disability In Individuals With Chronic Neck Pain, Sawita Chaiyawijit

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of McKenzie’s neck exercise and cranio-cervical flexion (CCF) exercise on strength and endurance of deep neck flexor (DNF) muscles, pain, disability, and craniovertebral angle (CVA) in individuals with chronic neck pain. Methods: Forty individuals with chronic neck pain were randomly allocated to the McKenzie’s neck or CCF exercise group. Each group performed exercises at home daily. The strength and endurance of DNF muscles were measured at baseline, immediately after the first exercise session, and each week follow-up for six weeks. Average pain over the past week was measured at baseline and each week follow-up for …

Effects Of A Game On A Smartphone (“Pilotgold”)To Prevent Non-Specific Neck Pain Among Office Workers:A 6-Month Cluster-Randomised Controlled Trial, Natchanon Intipanya

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of a smartphone game for active neck movement exercise on perceived neck discomfort, new onset neck pain, and active cervical range of motion (ROM) among high-risk office workers. Methods: A 6-month prospective cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 100 healthy but high-risk office workers from nine organizations. They were randomly assigned at the cluster level into either the intervention group (n = 50), who received a smartphone game to play twice a day on workdays for 6 months, or the control group (n = 50), who received a placebo seat pad to use while sitting. …

Comparison Of The Effects Of Dynamic Seat Cushion At Low Back And Buttocks On The Number Of Postural Shifts And Body Perceived Discomfort In Office Workers, Narumon Roynarin

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study compared the number of postural shifts and body perceived discomfort while leaning and sitting on air-filled seat cushion for 1-hour in healthy office workers. Sixty office workers typed a standard text at a computer workstation for an hour in three sitting conditions: leaning on a seat cushion placing behind the low back, sitting on a seat cushion placing under the buttocks, and sitting without a seat cushion (a control condition). The number of postural shifts, average pressure (AP), peak pressure (PP), and frequency of sitting posture were collected using a seat pressure mat device. Body perceived discomfort at …

Moving Toward And Accessing Adult-Oriented Rehabilitation Therapy Services For Adults With Lifelong Disabilities: A Tale Of Three Studies, Catherine Gohrband

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

The aim of this dissertation was to explore how adults with a Lifelong Disability (LLD) access and experience rehabilitation therapy services across their lives. Many LLD diagnoses such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida are considered non-progressive; however, there are common challenges that occur as people with LLD become adults, including increased pain, fatigue, and functional loss. Literature addressing the needs of people with LLD to access adult-oriented medical providers has focused primarily on medical transitions, which have described the processes for pediatric patients moving to adult-oriented settings from pediatric settings. Few studies have addressed the rehabilitation therapy needs of …