Department of Physical Therapy Capstone Posters

Follow

• 

  Does Yoga Practice Improve Balance in Older Adults?

  Joanna Alfieri, SPT; Andrea Barberio, SPT, RYT-500; Rebecca McCammitt, SPT; Kevin Reeder, SPT; and Susan Duff, PT, EdD, CHT, RYT-200

  Purpose and Hypothesis:

  The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the effects of a regular yoga program on balance in older adults. We hypothesized that a regular yoga program would improve balance and consequently reduce fall risk in the older adult population.

• 

  Biomechanical Factors Associated with Knee Pain in Cyclists: A Systematic Review of the Literature

  Tiara Baskins, SPT; Rachael Koppel, SPT; Sam Oliver, SPT; DJ Stieber, SPT; and Therese E. Johnston, PT, PhD, MBA

  Purpose:

  This systematic review will focus on literature related to positioning on, and configuration of the bicycle that can influence forces acting on the knee and their potential effects on injury. This review also serves to present recommendations for rehabilitation and injury prevention based on the findings in current literature. The goal of this research was to develop an algorithm that can be used in guiding decision making for the sports medicine practitioner.

• 

  Application of Dual Task Performance in Pediatrics and Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review

  Lauren Bilski; Kathleen Clancy; Victoria Dean; Danielle Melfi; Kristin Reardon; and Louis N. Hunter, PT, DPT

  Purpose:

  The aim of this systematic review of the literature is to investigate the application of cognitive and motor dual task paradigms in the physical therapy management of moderate to severe TBI population across the lifespan in physical therapy practice.

• 

  The effect of night splints in the treatment of plantar fasciitis: a systematic literature review

  Kelly Boatwright, SPT; Thomas Hutchinson, SPT; Alyssa Saurman, SPT; Ernesto Méndez, SPT; Christopher Wanyo, SPT; and Paul Howard, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT

  Objective:

  To investigate the use of night splints for the treatment of plantar fasciitis and the current evidence regarding their ability to affect symptoms associated with plantar fasciitis.

• 

  Does high-intensity exercise better improve ambulation in the population with chronic stroke, as compared to standard care?: A Systematic Review of the Literature

  Caitlin Caruso, SPT; Courtney Comstock, SPT; Ashley McKenna, SPT; Samantha Nixon, SPT; Ashley Wonneberger, SPT; and Christine M. Tyrell, PT, PhD, NCS

  Purpose:

  To assess the effectiveness of high-intensity exercise on the improvement of gait deficits in survivors of chronic stroke as compared to standard care.

• 

  The Most Effective and Efficient Bedside Exam for the Dizzy Patient in the Acute Care Setting: A Systematic Review of the Literature

  Alexandra Davis, SPT; KatieRae Hunsicker, SPT; Cathy Lee, SPT; Megan Shultz, SPT; and Janette Scardillo, PT, DPT, CBIS

  Purpose:

  The purpose of this systematic review of the literature (SRL) is to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of vestibular bedside tests for patients with complaints of dizziness and vertigo in the acute care setting. This includes differentiating between a central and peripheral disorder, as well as diagnosing peripheral disorders within the scope of physical therapy practice

• 

  Self-selected Foot Strike Patterns in Runners when Transitioning from the Shod to Barefoot Condition: A Systematic Review of the Literature

  Jarett Fisher, SPT; Thomas Fraind, SPT; David A. Girardot, SPT; Erin James, SPT; Mary McCoy, SPT; and Carl Pitts, PT, DPT

  Purpose and Background:

  Recent research has begun to focus on foot strike patterns as they relate to injuries in runners. Runners who employ a rear-foot strike (RFS) pattern (in which the heel lands before the ball of the foot) are more likely to experience repetitive stress injuries such as tibial stress fractures, patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), and plantar fasciitis. Conversely, runners demonstrating a forefoot strike (FFS) pattern (defined as the ball of the foot-usually the 4th and 5th metatarsal heads-landing before the heel) are more susceptible to Achilles tendon, plantarflexor, and metatarsal injuries. Several systematic studies have concluded that barefoot runners employed a FFS pattern while shod runners used a RFS pattern. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the effects of transitioning from traditionally shod running to barefoot running on self-selected initial contact patterns in long distance runners.

• 

  Locomotor Training in the Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury Population: A Systematic Review of the Literature

  Katelin Gorski, SPT; Kelsey Harbold, SPT; Katelyn Haverstick, SPT; Emily Schultz, SPT; Stephanie E. Shealy, MS, SPT; and Laura Krisa, PhD

  Purpose:

  The aim of this review was to investigate the effects of locomotor training on pediatric SCI and develop recommendations for pediatric LT guidelines.

• 

  Effects of High Intensity Exercise on Central Neural Drive in Healthy Populations

  Nicholas LeGrand, SPT; Kyra Robb, SPT; Emily Slobodian, SPT; Nicole Weaknecht, SPT; Megan Wood, SPT; and Stephanie Muth, PT, PhD

  Background:

  Current research suggests that strength gains related to central neural adaptation occur more rapidly than peripheral mechanisms5. Central neural drive (CND) is the measure of cortical output that coordinates up-regulation of agonist contraction and inhibition of antagonist musculature in voluntary muscle contractions2. Two common techniques for measuring CND are twitch interpolation and motor evoked potential from transcranial magnetic stimulation.

• 

  High Intensity Interval Training in High Risk Individuals: A Systematic Review of the Literature

  Claire Marine, SPT; Stephanie Nagy, SPT; Chelsea Payne, SPT; Carolyn Wise, SPT; and Christine K. Wade, PT, EdD, RN

  Purpose: This systematic review of the literature (SRL) aims to demonstrate that high intensity interval training is an effective, safe, and more efficient training protocol as compared to continuous moderate intensity exercise in patients with COPD or HF

• 

  The relationship between body positioning, muscle activity, and spinal kinematics in cyclists with and without low back pain

  Gabriel Streisfeld, SPT; Caitlin E. Bartoszek, SPT; Emily F. Creran, SPT; Brianna A. Inge, SPT; Marc D. McShane, SPT; and Therese E. Johnston, PT, PhD, MBA

  Objectives:

  • To determine if relationships exist between body positioning, spinal kinematics, and muscle activity in active cyclists with non-traumatic LBP.
  • To explore variations in optimal positioning and bike set up in order to address variables associated with LBP in the physical therapy clinic.