Physical Activity and Executive Functioning in Children and Adolescents with Congenital Heart Defects: A Scoping Review.

Children and adolescents (C&As) with congenital heart defects (CHDs) have decreased functional capacity and executive functioning (EF) due to brain abnormalities and decreased cerebral perfusion. Exercise may improve EF via increased cognitive demands and cerebral blood supply. The purpose of this review was to identify evidence describing the impact of physical activity (PA) interventions on EF in C&As with CHDs.

The association between social networks and functional recovery after stroke.

Background And Purpose: Social determinants of health (SDOH), including social networks, impact disability and quality of life post-stroke, yet the direct influence of SDOH on functional change remains undetermined. We aimed to identify which SDOH predict change on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) within 90 days after stroke hospitalization.

Methods: Stroke patients from the Transitions of Care Stroke Disparities Study (TCSDS) were enrolled from 12 hospitals in the Florida Stroke Registry.

Comparing physical therapist clinical specialists to experienced nonspecialists on physical activity education for patients with heart failure: A modified retrospective cohort study.

Background And Aims: The purpose of this study was to compare the knowledge and practices of specialist and experienced nonspecialist physical therapists in performing patient education about physical activity with patients with heart failure (HF).

Methods: Responses on a nationwide anonymous online survey were used to compare specialist and experienced nonspecialist physical therapists on knowledge and frequency of providing physical activity related education to patients hospitalized with acutely decompensated HF. Responses to survey items were scored on 5-point scales ranging from "Strongly agree" to "Strongly disagree" or "Always" to "Never.

The development and reliability testing of the Functional Lower-Limb Amputee Gait Assessment.

Objective: The study purpose was three-fold: (a) to describe the development of the Functional Lower-Limb Amputee Gait Assessment, (b) to determine its reliability with two groups of raters, physical therapists, and certified prosthetists, and (c) to determine the agreement on its results between the two groups.

Design: A reliability study.

Setting: Institution for higher education.

Inspiratory Muscle and Functional Performance of Patients Entering Cardiac Rehabilitation after Cardiac Valve Replacement.

Limited research has examined inspiratory muscle performance (IMP) and functional performance (FP) of patients after valve replacement surgery (VRS). The purpose of this study was to examine IMP as well as several measures of FP in patients post-VRS. The study results of 27 patients revealed that patients undergoing transcatheter VRS were significantly ( = 0.

Adherence to and impact of home-based high-intensity IMT in people with spinal cord injury: a pilot study.

Study Design: The pilot study was completed in 5 phases (Control and 4 phases of IMT) incorporating assessments at Baseline 1 (BL1), BL2, Follow-up 1 (F1), F2, F3, and F4.

Objective: To assess the adherence and impact of a daily high-intensity (80% of max) inspiratory muscle training (IMT) home program with once weekly supervision for people with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Setting: Assessments: research institution or zoom.

The Use of Movement Scripts for Clinical Reasoning in Physical Therapist Education and Practice.

The purpose of this Perspective is to present an application of script-based reasoning to physical therapist education and practice. Illness script-based reasoning has been described as a cognitive strategy for medical practitioners to diagnose and manage health conditions. Analogous to this medical model of patient management, "movement scripts" can be used by physical therapists in clinical reasoning.

Using theoretical frameworks to examine fall history and associated prosthetic mobility in people with nondysvascular lower limb amputation.

Background: Over a million people live with lower limb amputation (LLA) in the United States, and many of them will experience a fall in the next year. The aim of this study was to use existing theoretical frameworks in an attempt to organize the complex interactions of reported fall history and prosthetic mobility in community-ambulating people with LLA.

Methods: Self-reported fall rate and fall circumstances were recorded in a cross-section of people with unilateral LLA due to nondysvascular causes.

Age and Gender Differences in Injuries and Risk Factors in Elite Junior and Professional Tennis Players.

Background: Elite tennis athletes experience injuries throughout the entire body. Impairments in trunk stability, lower limb flexibility, and hip range of motion (ROM) are modifiable risk factors that can impact injuries and performance. Information on nonmodifiable risk factors such as age and gender is limited.

Inspiratory Muscle Performance Is Related to Seated Balance Function in People With Spinal Cord Injury: An Observational Study.

Objective: To examine the relationship between inspiratory muscle performance (IMP) and functional sitting balance (FSB) in persons with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). We hypothesized that a moderate correlation would be found between IMP and FSB and that individuals with better balance would have better IMP.

Design: The SCI-specific modification of the Function in Sitting Test (FIST-SCI) measured FSB.

Inspiratory Muscle Performance and Anthropometric Measures-Novel Assessments Related to Pulmonary Function in People with Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and validity of using the novel axillary:umbilical (A:U) ratio and sustained maximal inspiratory pressure (SMIP) as supplementary measures in the assessment of respiratory function in people with spinal cord injury.

Design: Pilot study with a single day of data collection. All measurements were taken with participants in their personal wheelchairs to best represent normal functioning and positioning for each individual.

Moving from Strategy to Process: An Iterative and Formative Approach to Integrating the IASP Pain Curriculum Guidelines into an Established Physical Therapy Program.

Studies suggest that pain education in physical therapy (PT) programs is often insufficient to adequately prepare graduates to understand and manage pain. The International Association for the Study of Pain recently published updated curriculum guidelines for PT pain education (PCGs), and adoption of these PCGs will improve standardization of pain education in PT curricula. However, implementation of the PCGs will require programs to overcome key barriers including: 1) faculty competence with current pain science, 2) faculty alignment and collective commitment to addressing all domains in the PCGs, and 3) time and space in the curriculum for additional content delivery.

Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of a Multimodal Approach to Increase Physical Activity in Older Adults With Memory Complaints: The Education for Action Study.

In this randomized controlled pilot trial, the authors explored the feasibility, technology compliance, and preliminary efficacy of the Education for Action (EDU-ACT), a multimodal intervention combining evidence-based strategies of physical activity (PA) education and coaching in PA levels over 4 weeks between EDU-ACT and control groups. The authors also assessed pre-post changes in neurocognitive function, functional mobility and dual-task performance, sleep and quality of life. Thirty-two sedentary older adults with memory complaints (age = 66 ± 5.

The Utility of the 2-Minute Walk Test as a Measure of Mobility in People With Lower Limb Amputation.

Objectives: To establish reference values for the 2-minute walk test (2-MWT) distance and gait speed in people with a lower limb amputation (LLA) who are prosthetic ambulators. Also, to describe the differences in distance and gait speed between sexes, causes of amputation, levels of amputation, health risk classification, functional levels, and age groups.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Effectiveness of an Evidence-Based Amputee Rehabilitation Program: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Despite the prevalence of lower limb amputation (LLA), only a small percentage of people with LLA actually receive physical therapy post amputation and are rehabilitated to their full potential level of function. There is a need for the development of a rehabilitation program that targets impairments and limitations specific to people with LLA.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether the Evidence-Based Amputee Rehabilitation program would improve functional mobility of people with unilateral transtibial amputation (TTA) who have already completed physical therapy and prosthetic training.

Inertial sensor-based measures of gait symmetry and repeatability in people with unilateral lower limb amputation.

Background: People with lower limb amputation often walk with asymmetrical gait patterns potentially leading to long-term health problems, ultimately affecting their quality of life. The ability to discreetly detect and quantify the movement of bilateral thighs and shanks using wearable sensor technology can provide additional insight into how a person walks with a lower limb prosthesis. This study investigated segmental symmetry and segmental repeatability of people with unilateral lower limb amputation, examining performance of the prosthetic and intact limbs.

Variables that Influence Basic Prosthetic Mobility in People With Non-Vascular Lower Limb Amputation.

Background: There exists a dearth of evidence on rehabilitation factors that influence prosthetic mobility in people with lower limb amputation (LLA). Examining variables that contribute to prosthetic mobility can inform rehabilitation interventions, providing guidance in developing more comprehensive care for these individuals.

Objective: To determine the influence of modifiable and non-modifiable variables related to LLA and their impact on prosthetic mobility, using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model.

Comparison of Single-Session Dose Response Effects of Whole Body Vibration on Spasticity and Walking Speed in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury.

Unlabelled: Spasticity affects approximately 65% of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) and negatively impacts function and quality of life. Whole body vibration (WBV) appears to reduce spasticity and improve walking function; however, the optimal dose (frequency/duration) is not known. We compared single-session effects of four different WBV frequency/duration dose conditions on spasticity and walking speed, in preparation for a planned multi-session study.

Temporal-Spatial Values During a 180° Step Turn in People with Unilateral Lower Limb Amputation.

Background: Daily ambulation with a prosthesis often involves turning to negotiate within the home and community environments, however how people with lower limb loss perform turns is infrequently studied. Administering a common clinical outcome measure to capture turn performance data provides a convenient means of assessing this ubiquitous activity.

Research Question: What temporal-spatial parameters are exhibited by people with unilateral lower limb amputation while performing a 180˚ turn task?

Methods: Forty community-ambulating subjects with unilateral lower limb amputation (20 transtibial amputees, 20 transfemoral amputees) performed the Component Timed-Up-and-Go (cTUG) test turning once in each direction, both toward the intact and toward the prosthetic limb.

The Component Timed-Up-and-Go test: the utility and psychometric properties of using a mobile application to determine prosthetic mobility in people with lower limb amputations.

Objective: Using a custom mobile application to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Component Timed-Up-and-Go test to assess prosthetic mobility in people with lower limb amputation.

Design: Cross-sectional design.

Setting: National conference for people with limb loss.

Integrating Health Promotion Into Physical Therapy Practice to Improve Brain Health and Prevent Alzheimer Disease.

Background And Purpose: Alzheimer disease is the most common cause of dementia, and brain pathology appears years before symptoms are evident. Primary prevention through health promotion can incorporate lifestyle improvement across the lifespan. Risk factor assessment and identifying markers of disease might also trigger preventive measures needed for high-risk individuals and groups.

Management of falls in community-dwelling older adults: clinical guidance statement from the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Background: Falls in older adults are a major public health concern due to high prevalence, impact on health outcomes and quality of life, and treatment costs. Physical therapists can play a major role in reducing fall risk for older adults; however, existing clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) related to fall prevention and management are not targeted to physical therapists.

Objective: The purpose of this clinical guidance statement (CGS) is to provide recommendations to physical therapists to help improve outcomes in the identification and management of fall risk in community-dwelling older adults.

Physical exercise and cognitive performance in the elderly: current perspectives.

In an aging population with increasing incidence of dementia and cognitive impairment, strategies are needed to slow age-related decline and reduce disease-related cognitive impairment in older adults. Physical exercise that targets modifiable risk factors and neuroprotective mechanisms may reduce declines in cognitive performance attributed to the normal aging process and protect against changes related to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. In this review we summarize the role of exercise in neuroprotection and cognitive performance, and provide information related to implementation of physical exercise programs for older adults.

Motor proficiency, strength, endurance, and physical activity among middle school children who are healthy, overweight, and obese.

Purpose: To compare motor proficiency, strength, endurance, and physical activity among children from minority backgrounds who were healthy weight (HW), overweight (OW), or obese (OB).

Methods: Eighty-six children, aged 10 to 15 years, of mostly Hispanic ethnicity, participated. Children were categorized according to body mass index-for-age percentile.

A randomized controlled trial of an activity specific exercise program for individuals with Alzheimer disease in long-term care settings.

Objective: To determine whether an activity specific exercise program could improve ability to perform basic mobility activities in long-term care residents with Alzheimer disease (AD).

Design: Randomized, controlled, single-blinded clinical trial.

Setting: Residents of 7 long-term care facilities.