Department of Physical Therapy Posters

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  Impact of Educational Models on Student Confidence in Acute Care Physical Therapy: A Comparative Analysis

  Robert Dekerlegand, PT, MPT, PhD, CCS

  Background and Purpose

  • Hybrid and blended education have evolved as innovative models to deliver physical therapy (PT) education.¹
  • PT faculty rapidly integrated these models into their pedagogy during the COVID pandemic in 2020 and many have retained these methods.¹
  • Assessment of these models most frequently use cognitive indicators of learning outcomes (e.g. National Physical Therapy Examination).²
  • Noncognitive indicators (e.g. confidence and self-efficacy), should be considered when assessing new educational models in PT given their relationship with competency and career direction.^3-5
  • The impact of “distance models” on noncognitive learning indicators is of particular value to acute care where face-to-face interactions may be paramount to cultivating interest, confidence, and self-efficacy.
  • This study compared changes in acute care self-efficacy (ACSE) in response to differing educational models in entry-level PT students.

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  Adoption and Awareness of Long-COVID Clinical Practice Guidelines Among Physical Therapists: A Nationwide Survey

  Robert Dekerlegand, PT, MPT, PhD, CCS and Malachy Clancy, PhD, OTR/L, BCPR

  Background and Purpose

  • Approximately 15% of individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 develop “Long-COVID” with persistent physical, cognitive, and/or mental symptoms potentially amendable to physical therapy.
  • Variability exists in the rehabilitation approach for individuals receiving physical therapy for this novel condition.
  • Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and other evidence-based resources exist to help standardized rehabilitation; however, it is unknown if physical therapists (PTs) are applying them in the management of individuals with Long-COVID.
  • We surveyed PTs in the contiguous United States (U.S.) to explore their awareness and application of Long-COVID CPGs along with their general awareness of this condition.

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  The Efficacy of Inspiratory Muscle Training Post COVID: A Systematic Review

  Robert Dekerlegand, Sydney Brannen, Olivia Bunch, Amrit Deo, Erin Dopke, and Kayleigh Moreland

  Introduction

  • Fatigue and dyspnea can persist post COVID infection and negatively impact both functional capacity and quality of life (QOL).^1,2
  • Residual pulmonary impairments and/or inspiratory muscle dysfunction associated with COVID infection contribute to these symptoms.^2,3
  • Ventilatory demands exceeding the capacity of the inspiratory muscles can exacerbate these symptoms accentuating activity limitations that restrict participation in life roles.
  • As symptom-limited exercise and QOL are related to inspiratory muscle function post COVID,^4,5 inspiratory muscle training (IMT) may improve rehabilitation outcomes.³
  • The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the potential efficacy of IMT in individuals post-COVID.