The purposes of this study were to determine: 1) if movement patterns (MP5) described for young adults rising from bed depict adolescents' MP5, 2) if there are age-related differences in MP5 adolescents use to perform this task, 3) most common MP combinations (MCMPCs) of each age group, and 4) if individuals are likely to progress through proposed sequences in the same order. Sixty 11-, 14-, or 17-year-olds were videotaped during 10 trials of rising. MP5 demonstrated in each of four body regions were classified, and MP frequencies and MCMPCs were determined. One new "near" arm MP was observed. Age-related MP differences were present in each region. The MCMPCs observed in 11-, 14-, and 17- year-olds were described. One MP combination was common across all groups. Subjects varied among MP5 that were not proposed to be adjacent developmental steps. MP categories developed to describe adults' movements can be used to describe adolescents' movements. MP5 used by adolescents getting out of bed differ with age. Therapists can select age-appropriate MPs when teaching this activity.

The purpose of this study was to measure the illness behavior of acute and chronic upper extremity pain patients using the Illness Behaviour Questionnaire (IBQ), to determine' the rehabilitation outcome by pre-set criteria, and to determine the effectiveness of the seven scales of the IBQ in predicting the problem pain patient. Each subject completed a self-administered test packet which included the IBQ. Each was identified by the investigator as a problematic or as a problematic patient using information in the medical chart. Patients entering the study with acute pain (n=12) had less pain upon discharge and returned more quickly to activities of vocation, avocation and daily living than did the chronic pain patients (n=8). Statistical analysis of the IBQ scores of the problematic and a problematic patients did not support the use of the IBQ as a predictor of the problem pain patient.

Clinical reasoning refers to the thinking and decision making processes which occur during clinical practice. It has its origins in the study and teaching of problem solving in medicine. A review of the literature of the allied health fields, suggests clinical reasoning is not only a cognitive and diagnostically orientated process but also an interactional one. The aim of this qualitative study, using the grounded theory, case study methodology of Jensen et al (1990 and 1992), was to examine the clinical reasoning strategies of expert physiotherapists working in different physiotherapy settings, namely, manipulative therapy, neurological and domiciliary care areas. The objective was to generate further theory in clinical reasoning in physiotherapy. Two physiotherapists from each of the disciplines above, and who met certain criteria of expertise, were observed over at least two days in the course of their normal work. / Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2000

Thesis (M.P.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 74-75).

<p>With the current emphasis on evidence-based physical therapy practice, there is a need to understand how published research is translated into practice and utilized by clinicians (Hudon, Gervais, & Hunt, 2015; Jewell, 2018). Knowledge translation (KT), the process of moving research evidence into day-to-day practice, encompasses awareness of new evidence, modifications of existing beliefs and changes in clinical behaviors. The process of KT may be affected by factors associated with the practice environment, the new knowledge or the individual (Logan & Graham, 1998; Rogers, 2003d). Engagement in KT helps to ensure that practitioners are maintaining currency with the research evidence and narrowing the knowledge-to-practice gap (Rogers & Martin, 2009b; Sudsawad, 2007). There is a paucity of research examining physical therapists? experiences with acquiring and utilizing research evidence for practice in early intervention (Sudsawad, 2007). The purpose of this study was to explore the process of knowledge translation for physical therapists in early intervention through a theory-driven approach adapted from the Diffusion of Innovations Theory and Ottawa Model of Research Use. A qualitative exploratory study was conducted with 36 practicing physical therapists from early intervention programs in New York State. The therapists were asked to describe their practice patterns and how they acquire and utilize new knowledge. The conceptual model captured data relevant to the process of KT. The model enabled the researcher to understand the important role that social networks have for this group of physical therapists, identified therapists based on their utilization of research-informed interventions, and identified contributing factors that exist within the individual, the practice environment and the knowledge itself that impact the utilization of research evidence. The findings indicate variability in practice patterns among the physical therapists in this study. Some of the therapists reported using research-informed treatment interventions and others did not. The factors that influenced variability include level of professional education, membership in professional organizations and opportunities to network with professionals that have adopted an evidence-based approach to practice. The results of this study provide important information related to how physical therapists are acquiring their knowledge in early intervention and how they are practicing. Next steps would be to gather data clarifying the steps that move therapists from acquiring research evidence to implementation. Interpretation of physical therapists? experiences in knowledge translation is an important step in closing the knowledge-to-practice gap.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether community dwelling elders with chronic stroke who participate in a regular exercise group program demonstrate decreased fear of falls, decreased depression and improved quality of life/health status perception as compared to community dwelling elders with chronic stroke who don’t participate in such an exercise program. Two groups of 13 English speaking community dwelling elders with chronic stroke, were selected. The first group consisted of individuals who were currently participating in the Adult Fitness Group at South Miami Hospital (SMH) and the second group consisted of former SMH patients who had not been participating in any exercise programs since discharge from the hospital. Fall related self-efficacy was measured using the Falls-Efficacy scale (FES). Severity of depression was assessed with the Geriatric Depression Scale short form. Quality of life/perceived health status was assessed with the Health Assessment Questionnaire©.

The purpose of this study was to determine physical therapists utilization of methods to increase compliance with home exercise programs, and to determine their perceptions of barriers patients have to completing exercise programs. The secondary purpose of this study was to describe the association, if any, between therapists' age, participation in exercise and/or lifestyle changes and the utilization of methods to increase exercise compliance. A sample of 73 physical therapists attending the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting were surveyed for this study. This study found that barriers listed by patients were similar to those found in the literature. This study also found that a significant association, p = .015, existed between therapists engaging in behavioral changes and use of lifestyle activities.

Hospitals are seeing a reduction of physical therapy (PT) staff due to increased opportunities and competition. Planning effective recruitment and retention strategies for PTs in hospital settings may play an important role in reducing the problem. The primary purpose of this descriptive research was to compile information on recruitment and retention strategies used for physical therapists working in hospital settings. Four hundred surveys were mailed nationwide to hospital-based physical therapy managers. Strategies most commonly used were: attractive benefit package, interdisciplinary teams, competitive salaries, and student employment. The least used strategies used were: sign-on bonus, incentive pay programs, recruitment and retention committee and temporary staffing. It was concluded that hospital administrators need to analyze current strategies used and future recruitment and retention staffing trends, in order to institute successful strategies appropriate to their departments to effectively recruit and retain their staff.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the evidence for the effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound (US) therapy in the treatment of open wounds as an adjunct to the usual and customary treatment provided by physical therapists. An exhaustive search of all published studies on the effects of therapeutic ultrasound on open wounds was performed. Every article, which met certain criteria, was reviewed in detail. Criteria included the use of human subjects, animal subjects, or human cells in vitro, publication in referred journals indexed by MEDLINE, CINAHL and availability of full text in the English language. Fourteen studies met the selection criteria. A total of 31 possible outcomes were available from these studies. Outcomes were categorized as positive, negative or non-significant. The results indicated a total of seventeen positives, eight negatives and six non-significant outcomes. The results of the analysis indicate that there is evidence in the literature to suggest that therapeutic US is beneficial in the treatment of open wounds.

The purpose of this study was to examine the phenomenological aspect in the empowerment process of mothers of children with disabilities, and to determine if the coding categories used by Dunst & Trivette (1996) could be replicated. Three mothers of children with disabilities agreed to participate in the study. A semistructured interview was used to determine the specific events that lead to empowerment. Interviews were audio-taped and transcribed by the researcher. Fifteen coding categories and four majors themes of empowerment were identified. Triangulation was used to assure reliability and validity. The findings demonstrated that the coding stages of empowerment as outlined by Dunst & Trivette (1996) are reproducible, as well as the envisionment of the future for their children is the essence of empowerment for these mothers. Specific suggestions are made by which occupational therapists can facilitate the empowerment process of mothers who have children with disabilities.