Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive movement disorder characterized by substantial walking-related disability. Loss of dopaminergic neurons in the basal ganglia results in reduced gait automaticity, for which persons with PD appear to compensate by reallocating attention to the task of walking. The re-allocation of attention contributes to walking disability by increasing stride time variability and hindering distribution of attentional resources to real-world walking. Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS) is a rehabilitation intervention which shows promise for improving walking in PD. RAS is an external cueing medium utilizing repetitive auditory beats to prime neurons in the motor cortex by way of direct connections between auditory and motor brain regions. RAS hypothetically enhances gait automaticity through a process of auditory-motor entrainment, in which the motor signal frequency locks to the frequency of the auditory stimulus, reducing attention directed towards walking. RAS has demonstrated immediate and potent effects on walking, as reflected clinically by improvements in speed, stride length, and step frequency. Although promising, most RAS studies have been conducted in controlled clinic settings using fixed-tempo auditory cues to which a person must entrain. This open loop approach fails to account for the vast heterogeneity in PD gait impairments, varying entrainment abilities, and real-world environments that demand adaptive walking behavior. Moreover, the impact of RAS on gait automaticity and cognitive load is poorly understood. To overcome these limitations and advance this field, the following studies seek to examine the effects of our autonomous closed-loop, music-based intervention designed to individualize a progressive RAS gait training program for use in real-world environments in persons with PD. Study 1 of my dissertation evaluates the feasibility of deploying this music-based device over a four-week period in an unsupervised, naturalistic environment in individuals with PD. Concurrently, this study aims to demonstrate proof-of-concept of this autonomous closed-loop music intervention through examining its impact on daily steps, daily minutes of moderate intensity walking, and walking quality (spatiotemporal gait characteristics). Complementing this, Study 2 of my dissertation is a mechanistic study exploring how persons with PD respond in real-time to the autonomous closed-loop, music-based intervention in terms of stride-to-stride entrainment stability, key spatiotemporal gait parameters, and gait automaticity. Stride time variability has been a surrogate measure recognized to capture gait automaticity and will be used to better understand whether this intervention may increase gait automaticity and reduce attention directed towards walking. Together, my dissertation will provide insight into the potential effects of gait training using RAS in real-world environments and assist in advancing gait rehabilitation interventions in persons with PD. / 2026-05-13T00:00:00Z

This thesis offers new insights into physiotherapy practice by asking 'how is physiotherapy discursively constructed?" Physiotherapy is a large, well-established, orthodox health profession. Recent changes in the economy of health care in developed countries, added to an increasing prevalence of chronic illness amongst aging populations, and growing public distrust for the established health professions, are now challenging physiotherapists to consider how best to adapt to the future needs of health care consumers. / Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2008.

Thesis (MHSc--Health Science) -- AUT University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references. Also held in print (x, 171 leaves. ; 30 cm.) in North Shore Campus Theses Collection (T 615.82 ROL)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Illinois State University, 2001. / Title from title page screen, viewed April 13, 2006. Dissertation Committee: Edward R. Hines [Chair], James Palmer, William Tolone, Phyllis McCluskey-Titus, Mary Jo Mays. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 135-143) and abstract. Also available in print.

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This resource list is a starting point before working with a mentor in the specialized area of neonatal physical therapy practice.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / This study examined how recent Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates, trained in Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) principles and practices during their professional academic program, implement EBP in their clinical settings. This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to explore the experiences of recent DPT graduates and their mentors, reviewed EBP-related documents and analyzed interviewee self-assessments of EBP skills. Interviewees (N=18) included twelve recent DPT graduates and six mentors. Data analysis included open coding of interview transcripts to identify emerging themes, axial coding of patterns and relationships between themes and content expert review. A major finding was the interrelationship between organizational factors (culture, structural supports) and the roles the graduates assumed in their clinical settings, which suggest that organizational culture (values) and structure (e.g. roles, responsibilities and resources) shape the clinical practice environment and influence how the DPT graduates implement EBP in their practice. The findings also suggest that DPT graduates practicing EBP may influence the culture and structure of the clinical setting, which has implications for academics and managers in physical therapy practice settings. / 2031-01-02

<p> Employees who develop and report nontraumatic acute low back pain that occurs while performing work duties, or shortly thereafter, are classified as having occupational isolated acute low back pain (OIALBP). The purpose of this project was to identify and implement an evidence- based time frame to refer occupational isolated acute low back pain patients (OIALBPPs) to physical therapy (PT) that returns them to full duty work (FDW) more quickly. The diffusion of innovation theory aided the project leader and health care providers to develop strategies to overcome barriers in implementing the project&rsquo;s results into the practice. A total of 932 medical records of OIALBPPs who presented to the organization from 2009 through 2015 were retrieved and abstracted by the organization&rsquo;s occupational health providers. The project leader analyzed the data and identified the best time frame to refer their OIALBPPs to PT. A t test, Chi-square, and an Analysis of Variance were used in the data analysis. The results were employed to design and construct tables in Excel. Early PT is defined as a PT initial evaluation that occurs &lt; 10 days after back pain onset. A significant (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) difference of 13.5 days between early and delayed PT groups was identified. Significant differences persisted when evaluated by sex, age bracket, occupational group, and incidence of failure to return to FDW. In conclusion, OIALBPPs who receive early PT return to FDW nearly 2 weeks sooner than do those who delay PT. Early PT may reduce health care cost, reduce lost employee income, increase productivity, increase company revenue, and lower insurance costs. Referring OIALBPPs to PT early may lower the economic burden placed on health care budgets and society as a whole.</p>

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / 2031-01-01

Paediatric rehabilitation is currently becoming an independent sub-discipline of physiotherapy (Helders et al, 2003). South Africa has a population pyramid resembling other developing countries with one-third of the population being children younger than 14 years (Saloojee & Pettifor, 2005). To date no national audit of paediatric content of physiotherapy programmes in South Africa has been conducted. The United States has spent almost 18 years on methods to ensure adequate content of paediatric physiotherapy and standardisation of training in programmes across the country. The main aim of this study was to determine whether the paediatric physiotherapy curricula of three South African universities equipped students with the basic knowledge of the variety of paediatric diagnoses seen by physiotherapists at the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital. The study was divided into two phases. Phase 1 analysed paediatric diagnoses treated by physiotherapists at the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital in 2010. Phase 2 evaluated the content of the paediatric physiotherapy curricula of the University of the Witwatersrand, the University of Limpopo and the University of Pretoria. A retrospective review of the physiotherapy statistics at the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital was used to record the types of diagnoses referred for paediatric physiotherapy assessment and treatment. The 2010 statistics of paediatric diagnoses referred for physiotherapy management at the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital were as follows: -­‐ Total number of patients seen by physiotherapists = 36490 -­‐ Total number of paediatric patients seen by physiotherapists = 8093 -­‐ Amount of time spent in treating all patients = 149331 hours -­‐ Amount of time spent in treating paediatric patients = 33101 hours More than a fifth of patients referred for physiotherapy intervention at the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital in 2010 were paediatric patients (22,03%). The large number of paediatric patients treated by physiotherapists at the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital in 2010 highlights the need to include paediatrics as an independent module within the physiotherapy curriculum. University A was the only university that had an independent block and lecturer dedicated to paediatrics. Due to limited time available in undergraduate physiotherapy programmes, a minimum of the fifteen most common diagnoses seen at the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital could be included in the curricula of universities in South Africa namely; burns, developmental delay, cerebral palsy, ICU, lower limb fracture, acute lung disease, early intervention, neurosurgery, pneumonia, congenital, routine pre/post operation, haemophilia, TB, head injury and meningitis. Not one of the 15 most frequently seen diagnoses, seen by physiotherapists in 2010, were simultaneously covered by all three universities as recorded by the explicit documented curriculum. Areas that were well covered by all three universities included certain standardised assessments, such as the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and the Gross Motor Function Classification Scale (GMFCS) and certain diagnoses, such as cerebral palsy (CP). All three universities incorporated a research based approach in their respective curricula. This study has highlighted the need for an independent paediatric module within physiotherapy curricula and has provided a preliminary framework for paediatri diagnoses within physiotherapy undergraduate degrees.