Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2010. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 93 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--West Virginia University, 2006. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 176 p. : ill. (some col.), col. map. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 138-150).

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University

<p> Previous studies have linked poor cognitive-motor dual-task performance to increased fall risk in older adults. However, the degree to which cognition and vision influence gait is disputed. The current study investigated the impact of two executive function tasks (working memory versus executive inhibition) and peripheral vision on gait performance during dual-task in healthy younger and older adults. It was hypothesized that there would be an interaction effect between 1) cognitive tasks and age groups, and 2) vision and age groups on overall gait performance interference. It was also hypothesized that there would be a main effect for 3) cognitive tasks, 4) vision, and 5) age groups. Participants performed two separate cognitive tasks (serial subtraction by 3s and a Stroop task) while walking under a normal-vision and peripheral vision-loss condition. Gait parameters were measured under single and dual task conditions. Results showed that the Stroop task produced greater gait interference for all age groups and vision conditions. Also, older adults had greater gait interference compared to younger adults, regardless of the type of concurrent cognitive tasks. Findings from this study can be implemented into fall prevention programs in community-dwelling and clinical populations. </p><p>

<p> The dissertation consists of three parts. The first part is a systematic review of the literature regarding transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and its effects on lower extremity motor behaviors and corticospinal excitability of the lower extremity representation of the motor cortex in healthy subjects. The second part investigates how different electrode montages and electrode conductance mediums affect corticospinal excitability of the tibialis anterior (TA) representation of the motor cortex in healthy subjects. The third part studies how different electrode montage and electrode conductance medium combinations affect ankle tracking accuracy in healthy subjects regarding the dominant lower extremity.</p><p>

<p> Inability to walk and void efficiently after spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with secondary health problems that affect quality of life. Individuals with paraplegia rate return of bladder function as one of their top priorities. Recently, studies have begun to investigate the recovery of bladder function after SCI. Additionally, several studies have shown improvements in locomotor function after SCI in human and animal models, however there is a gap of studying the correlation of temporal pattern of recovery of bladder and locomotor function after SCI. The aim of this research was to study the correlation of the temporal pattern of recovery of locomotion and lower urinary tract (LUT) function following treadmill training (TT) after SCI in a rat model. </p><p> Following a period of acclimatization, all rats (n = 19) underwent a moderate SCI (210kd) at the thoracic 8 vertebral level. Two weeks following SCI, rats were randomly divided into control (n = 9, SCI + no TT) and experimental groups (n = 10, SCI + TT). TT continued for 5X/week for 10 weeks where assistance was provided to trunk and hindlimbs where needed. To investigate LUT function, we developed a novel, minimally invasive method called serial transurethral cystometry (STUC). STUC allowed for the repeated measurement of bladder and external urethral function (EUS) function under ketamine-xylazine anesthesia. Measures of LUT from awake rats were taken by placing them in metabolic chambers overnight. Locomotor function was assessed weekly by using behavioral tests including the BBB, horizontal ladder and catwalk gait analysis. </p><p> Serial transurethral cystometry is a minimally invasive and effective method for serial measurements of LUT function. Our results show improvements in locomotor function (weight supported plantar stepping, coordination, base of support and paw placements) between 3&ndash;6 weeks of TT. There were no further improvements beyond 6 weeks of TT. LUT function shows a trend of better recovery of bladder function in the trained group. The EUS function, in particular the relaxation time (silent periods) showed robust recovery in the trained group. We found that recovery of LUT and locomotor are correlated, both have somatic innervation and the circuitry for both is located in the rostral lumbar spinal cord. Our findings show that TT can be an effective rehabilitation tool not only to improve walking function, but concomitant bladder function as well.</p><p>

<p> Since the introduction of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), researchers explored how resulting scores related to injury incidence, often by utilizing the sum score of all seven patterns. This study isolated the shoulder mobility screen and upper body injury incidence for collegiate Division II football athletes at a private Midwestern university. The researcher was interested in determining if pain on the screen indicated by a score of 0, too much or too little mobility, left to right asymmetry, and general score of the screen were related to upper body and/or shoulder injuries for football athletes during the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 academic years. Injuries were classified as all reported and recorded and as injuries resulting in three or more days lost from practices or games. Additionally, the head football strength and conditioning coaches and head football athletic trainer were interviewed to provide information related to perceptions of effectiveness of the FMS in identification of injury and barriers to implementation of FMS results. Many significant conditions were identified in the 2014-2015 cohort related to shoulder mobility score and injury likelihood, while only one condition was identified in the 2015-2016 cohort. This lack of transferability from one academic year to the next, in conjunction with the limitations of time and resources identified by the strength and conditioning and athletic training staff, led the researcher to express concern in the utilization of the FMS shoulder mobility screen as a consistent primary tool in the identification of potential injury of the upper body and prescription of individual corrective exercise for this population.</p><p>

This study investigated the effect of shoulder position on grip strength in 30 female students from Florida International University. A Jamar dynamometer was used to measure the grip strength in three testing positions (0,90 and 135 degrees of shoulder flexion with full elbow extension). The highest mean grip strength measurement was found at 135 degrees of shoulder flexion, followed by 0 degrees and then 90 degrees. An ANOVA indicated that there was a significant difference between at least two of the three positions. A Fisher's LSD post hoc test indicated that mean grip strength at 135 degrees of flexion was significantly higher than at 0 and 90 degrees of flexion.

This study examined the effects of massage therapy on delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) following unaccustomed exercise in healthy, sedentary adults. Fifteen volunteers between the ages of 23 and 63 performed 100 calf raises followed by 15 minutes of rest. After the rest period, one leg was randomly assigned to receive a 5-minute massage while the other leg received a 5-minute placebo ultrasound treatment. A questionnaire was administered to evaluate DOMS at 24, 48, and 72 hour posttreatment intervals when DOMS reportedly is at its peak. A double blind control was employed so that the examiner was unaware as to which treatments were performed on each leg. A t-test for nonindependent samples was used with significance set at the 0.05 level. There was less DOMS reported in the massaged leg at each interval, however, only a significant reduction in DOMS was reported at the 24 hour posttreatment interval.

Background: Activity and exercise that are sustainable are essential for maximizing their long-term health and therapeutic benefits. Physical therapists (PTs), as clinical exercise specialists, are committed to the exploitation of these benefits. Dance is often perceived as social and enjoyable, both potentially motivating factors that could contribute to its being such a sustained activity. Purpose: To describe the beliefs and practices of PTs regarding the use of dance as a therapeutic intervention for individuals at risk of or experiencing one or more chronic lifestyle conditions. A secondary aim was to establish an appropriate estimate of statistical power and effect size for subsequent survey or intervention studies. Design: Descriptive study based on a self-administered questionnaire. Subjects and Methods: A 5-page survey questionnaire, comprised of 67 items was developed and pre-tested prior to distribution to 231 PTs (with an anticipated response rate of 40%). Public and private practitioners were randomly sampled from the 2008 list of registered PTs in British Columbia. The randomized population was contacted up to five times according to Dillman’s method. Results: The survey resulted in 136 returned questionnaires (124 returned by respondents, 12 returned undeliverable) resulting in a response rate of 57%. Respondents expressed moderate to high agreement that dance could positively impact clients’ physiological and psychological states. Although most respondents did not prescribe dance, they expressed interest in doing so. Finally, the majority of respondents were amenable to the inclusion of dance in physical therapy practice, professional development education, and research. Rather than inclusion in entry-level education however, most respondents believed dance should be a post-graduate education topic. Discussion and Conclusion: We believe that this is the first study designed to examine the beliefs and practices of PTs with respect to use of dance as a therapeutic intervention. PTs appear responsive to recommending dance as an activity alternative, and are interested in learning more about its use as a therapeutic intervention and/or health promotion activity. Notably, dancing’s perceived social and enjoyable features were cited by PTs as potential facilitating factors that could sustain long-term participation and corresponding health benefits. / Medicine, Faculty of / Graduate