Examining the Effects of an Otago-Based Home Exercise Program on Falls and Fall Risks in an Assisted Living Facility.

Background And Purpose: The Otago exercise program is a strengthening, balance, and walking program designed to decrease falls among community-dwelling older adults. Few studies have examined the effects of the Otago program in an assisted living environment. The purpose of the current study was to assess the effects of an Otago-based home exercise program in decreasing falls and the risk of falls among older adults living in an assisted living facility.

Balance outcomes following a tap dance program for a child with congenital myotonic muscular dystrophy.

Purpose: This case report describes the effects of a 6-week progressive tap dance program on static and dynamic balance for a child with type 1 congenital myotonic muscular dystrophy (congenital MMD1).

Summary Of Key Points: A 6-year-old girl with congenital MMD1 participated in a 1-hour progressive tap dance program. Classes were held once a week for 6 consecutive weeks and included 3 children with adaptive needs and 1 peer with typical development.

South Dakota accidental childhood deaths, 2000-2007: what can we do?

Introduction: Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death in children around the world and are an under-recognized public health problem in the United States.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to highlight the nature of the problem in South Dakota and outline interventions that have been successful in reducing childhood injuries in other states.

Methods: This quantitative retrospective study examined mortality files in South Dakota for children birth to 19 years of age who died between January 1, 2000 to December 28, 2007.

An investigation of depression and fatigue post West Nile virus infection.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine depression and fatigue in individuals with a seropositive confirmed history of West Nile virus (WNV) infection.

Methods: The South Dakota State Epidemiologist sent 218 letters inviting residents with a diagnosis of WNV to participate in the study. Forty-five subjects were tested.

Health-related fitness of seven- to 10-year-old children with histories of preterm birth.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate health-related fitness and physical activity levels of seven-to 10-year-old children with histories of preterm birth.

Methods: Twenty-two children, aged seven to 10 years, that were born five to 10 weeks preterm were recruited into the study and matched based on age, gender, race, and body mass index to control group subjects who were born full term. Components of health-related fitness, body composition, flexibility, muscular strength and endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and physical activity levels were examined.

Research in pediatric physical therapy: an analysis of trends in first fifteen years of publication.

Purpose: All articles published in Pediatric Physical Therapy (PPT) within the first 15 years of publication were reviewed to determine research trends.

Methods: All articles published in PPT (n = 262) were categorized as research or nonresearch, classified as experimental or nonexperimental, and further categorized as examination/evaluation, intervention, prognosis, and economics. The data were divided into the following three groups: Volumes 1-5, Volumes 6-10, and Volumes 11-15.