Hearing Loss Health Literacy in Speech-Language Pathologists: Impact of Academic Training and On-the-Job Experience.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore if academic training and/or on-the-job experience predicts general health literacy, hearing loss health literacy, and self confidence levels of speech-language pathologists (SLPs).

Method: Participants included 423 SLPs with differing levels of academic training and on-the-job experience working with children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH). General health literacy, hearing loss health literacy, and confidence levels treating children who are DHH were assessed.

Neurophysiological Effects of Latent Trigger Point Dry Needling on Spinal Reflexes.

Deep dry needling (DDN) is a method to treat muscle trigger points (TrPs) often found in persons with neuromuscular pain and spasticity. Currently, its neurophysiological actions are not well established. Thus, to understand how DDN affects spinal cord physiology, we investigated the effects of TrP DDN on spinal reflexes.

Straight From the Source: Doctor of Physical Therapy Students' Perspectives on the Impacts of Program Policies and Procedures on Sense of Belonging.

Introduction: There is an urgent need to increase access to and inclusion in health professions education programs for individuals with diverse backgrounds and needs. The purpose of this study is to explore student perspectives of the ways in which current Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program policies, procedures, and practices may facilitate or hinder a culture of belonging and the ability to participate across diverse student identities and needs.

Review Of Literature: To date, there are no best practices in promoting and supporting health profession student belonging, and the student voice is absent in the literature.

Development, Content Validity, and Reliability of the Physical Therapy Social Determinants of Health Scale.

Introduction: This study describes the development, content validity, and reliability of the Physical Therapy Social Determinants of Health Scale (PT-SDHS), in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students.

Review Of Literature: Addressing inequities stemming from the social determinants of health (SDOH) is critical for providing effective clinical care and improving population health. Currently, no tool exists to assess DPT students' education or competence with SDOH.

Effect of integrated manual and verbal cueing on functional transfers in chronic stroke survivors: a randomized controlled study.

Purpose: The profession of physical therapy has historically relied on manual facilitation to improve motor control strategies and performance in persons rehabilitating from a stroke, yet there is insufficient evidence to support its use during functional task training. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of integrated cueing (verbal and manual) and verbal cueing approaches during sit-to-stand training on midline alignment & muscle activation in chronic stroke survivors.

Methods: Twenty-one chronic right-brained stroke survivors with hemiplegia were randomly assigned to the Integrated Cueing or Verbal Only group and outcome measures were recorded using an 18-Camera Motion Capture System, force plates, and surface electromyography (EMG).

The effect of tongue-to-palate on deep neck flexor activity.

Deep neck flexor (DNF) muscles contribute to cervical stability and proprioception. Reduced muscle strength and endurance lead to faulty movement patterns, muscle imbalances, and dysfunction. Potentially, the orofacial muscles contribute to cervical strength by providing stability through muscular connections.

The cognitive structure of gross anatomy knowledge in physiotherapy students.

Cognitive structures are the mental representation of domain knowledge and its organization. A preliminary investigation of the cognitive structure of gross anatomy knowledge was conducted on physiotherapy students. The criterion-related validation study examined two data modeling strategies (multidimensional scaling and Pathfinder networks) as potential visual and quantitative representations of cognitive structure.

Evaluation of an innovative dementia care competency model among physical and occupational therapy students.

The rising prevalence of dementia calls for a competent workforce capable of delivering quality dementia care. A standard for assessing dementia-care-specific competencies is necessary to guide curriculum development and implementation in a competency-based educational framework during academic training. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Dementia Care Competency Model (DCCM) among students enrolled in physical (PT) and occupational therapist (OT) programs.

Comparison of the Effects of Compound Training, Plyometric Exercises, and Kettlebell Exercises on Strength, Power, Dynamic Balance, and Pitched Ball Velocity in 30 Male High School Baseball Pitchers Aged 16-19 Years.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine how the combination of plyometric training (PT), which builds strength through fast, repetitive extensions and contractions, and kettlebell training (KT), using a device that is smaller than a barbell and allows for strength and full-body work, affects the physical performance and performance of high school pitchers during the season. MATERIAL AND METHODS Participants (n=30 males; age group=16-19 years) were randomized into 3 groups: compound training group (CTG) (n=10), plyometric training group (PTG) (n=10), and kettlebell group (KTG) (n=10). All groups performed training twice weekly for 4 weeks.

Bimanual Coordination in Children with Bilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Aim: To compare bimanual coordination in children with bilateral cerebral palsy (BCP) with that of children with typical development (TD) and correlate bimanual coordination with clinical measures of hand function.

Methods: 3-D kinematic data were collected from 14 children with BCP (mean age 13 years 1 month; range 7.3-17.

Precision Rehabilitation After Neurostimulation Implantation for Multifidus Dysfunction in Nociceptive Mechanical Chronic Low Back Pain.

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a debilitating, painful, and costly condition. Implantable neuromuscular electrical stimulation targeting the multifidus musculature is growing as a non-pharmacologic option for patients with recalcitrant nociceptive mechanical CLBP who have failed conservative treatments (including medications and physical therapy) and for whom surgery is not indicated. Properly selecting patients who meet specific criteria (based on historical results from randomized controlled trials), who diligently adhere to implant usage and precisely implement neuromuscular rehabilitation, improve success of significant functional recovery, as well as pain medication reductions.

An exploration of the relationship between grit, reflection-in-learning, and academic performance in entry-level doctor of physical therapy students.

Introduction: Recent literature in physical therapy education suggests learners' non-cognitive skills, such as grit and reflection, may be predictors of success. Little is known about the relationship of these constructs to each other or success during the first year of entry level physical therapist education.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between Reflection-In- Learning Scale (RLS), grit, and grade point average (GPA) of entry-level physical therapy students during the first year of didactic instruction.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: Macules, Papules, and Bullae.

Objective: The objective of this discussion paper is to illuminate the importance of early identification and treatment of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). SJS/TEN may occur as quickly as 4 days, more commonly 4 to 8 weeks after starting a new medication and early identification is essential.

Methods: A review of literature revealed there is a lack of diagnostic awareness related to the clinical presentation and diverse populations at risk for this devastating syndrome.

The Montana Postural Care Project: A pilot study implementing posture care management in a rural, low-resource region.

Background: Mobility impairment limits control of posture and body alignment. This leads to altered body shapes, co-occurring problems with pain and sleep, cardiopulmonary concerns, digestive health issues, and emergent health outcomes, which further complicate functions of daily living. 24-hour posture care management was developed to remedy these challenges by restoring body symmetry.

The effect of chronic low back pain and lumbopelvic stabilization instructions on gluteus medius activation during sidelying hip movements.

Background: People with chronic low back pain (LBP) often demonstrate altered muscle activation with movements that involve the lumbopelvic region and hips.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare gluteus medius activity during sidelying hip abduction (SHA) and sidelying hip abduction-lateral rotation (SHALR) with and without instruction for lumbopelvic stabilization in people with and without chronic LBP.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted recruiting participants with ( = 17) and without ( = 17) chronic LBP.

Work-Life Balance of Faculty in Professional Physical Therapist Education: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Introduction: The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to explore perceptions of work-life balance (WLB) of full-time faculty in professional physical therapist (PT) education programs.

Review Of Literature: Studies show that faculty are at risk of diminution of WLB and subsequent burnout due to job expectations and changing educational landscapes. Limited evidence exists to describe perceived WLB of faculty in professional PT education.

The decline in postural balance has a negative impact on the performance of functional tasks in individuals with Parkinson's Disease.

Introduction: An accurate assessment of balance problems is critical for decreasing the risk of falling in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Reliable diagnostic tools such as Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP) are not feasible for the clinical setting. Therefore, the present study's aim was to assess the correlation between the clinical Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) and CDP.

A Comparison of Physical Therapist Educational Outcomes Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multicenter Study.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare educational outcomes of Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Review Of Literature: Reports show increased stress, anxiety, and burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have negatively affected academic performance. Historically, academic performance is predictive of National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) scores.

Psychometric properties of 3-meter backward walk test (3MBWT) in people with Parkinson disease.

Background And Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the 3-meter backward walk test (3MBWT) in individuals with Parkinson Disease (PD) to determine the following: (1) concurrent validity with other gait velocity measures and (2) interrater and intrarater reliability of in-person and video assessment.

Methods: A convenience sample of 25 people with PD participated. Forward gait velocity was measured using a computerized walkway (Zeno Walkway System), the 10-meter walk test (10MWT), and 4-meter walk test (4MWT).

Professional Experience Related to Self-Assessed Teaching Effectiveness Among Physical Therapist Clinical Instructors.

Introduction: Physical therapist (PT) students learn through clinical practice with the supervision of a clinical instructor (CI). Clinical instructors have teaching, education, and practice experiences that can positively affect their self-assessed clinical teaching effectiveness (CTE), which may improve learning outcomes for students.

Review Of Literature: Identifying CI experiences, such as specific teaching, education, or practice expertise, as they relate to effective clinical teaching may be beneficial in the selection of PT CIs and allow instructors to focus on professional experiences that will elevate their self-assessed teaching abilities.

Investigation of the Approaches to Optimal Exercise Interventions Based on Dementia Type: A Theoretical Review.

The aim of this study is to enhance comprehension of the different types and features of dementia, including their symptoms, diagnosis and medical treatment, and to propose various evidence-based exercise interventions and their clinical applications tailored to each specific type of dementia. The theoretical review includes the analysis of publications in the scientific databases PubMed/Medline, Ebsco, Scielo, and Google. A total of 177 articles were found, of which 84 were studied in depth.

Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy: A Modern Definition and Description.

Currently, orthopaedic manual physical therapy (OMPT) lacks a description of practice that reflects contemporary thinking and embraces advances across the scientific, clinical, and educational arms of the profession. The absence of a clear definition of OMPT reduces understanding of the approach across health care professions and potentially limits OMPT from inclusion in scientific reviews and clinical practice guidelines. For example, it is often incorrectly classified as passive care or incorrectly contrasted with exercise-therapy approaches.

Comparisons of lumbosacral kinematics among non-specific chronic low back pain subgroups and healthy during prolonged sitting: A cross-sectional observational study.

Background: The literature has suggested a variety of postural changes of the spine that possibly contribute to the increase in back pain during sitting in persons with non-specific chronic low back pain (NS-CLBP). However, the heterogeneity of NS-CLBP persons has made the ability to attribute pain increase to a particular sitting posture very difficult. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare lumbosacral kinematics and their roles in pain increase among homogenous NS-CLBP subgroups and healthy controls over a 1-h sitting period.

Student Perceived Confidence with Complex Patients Before and After a Simulated Case-Based Course.

Purpose: This study compared Doctor of Physical Therapy students' perceived confidence with evaluating/treating complex patients before and after a case-based patient management course. The impact of simulated learning and prior clinical exposure were explored.

Methods: A longitudinal, pretest-posttest design was used across 4 university campuses.