Open Access Publications

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Open access publications by faculty, staff, postdocs, and graduate students in the Department of Physical Therapy.

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Infant Motor Milestones: Analysis of Content and Variability Among Popular Sources for Parents
(Pediatric Physical Therapy, 2024-10-08) Orlando, Julie M.; Cunha, Andrea B.; Namit, Samantha; Banoub, Abram; Alharbi, Bashayer M.; Lobo, Michele A.
Purpose: Evaluate the content and variability of infant motor milestone education provided to parents in popular sources. Methods: Sources were screened for inclusion, and their motor milestone content was coded. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed. Results: Content from 241 websites, applications, and books was evaluated; 6984 motor milestones were extracted, representing 146 unique milestone codes across 14 categories. Books and applications had more milestone content than websites. There was variability in the milestones mentioned and their associated ages across the sources and relative to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) content. Several frequently mentioned milestones were behaviors that facilitate early learning. Conclusions: There is variability among sources in the motor milestones they provide to parents of infants. The AAP and CDC content likely has some influence on the broader content available, but there is substantial deviation from the information they provide. WHAT THIS EVIDENCE ADDS Current evidence: Education about developmental milestones can positively impact parental knowledge and confidence and enhance discussions between parents and healthcare providers.1 In addition to health care providers, parents report commonly accessing popular sources, including internet searches, websites, books, and mobile applications (apps), to learn about child development.2-5 Gap in the evidence: Parents are more likely to encounter information about milestones than suggestions for play activities or toys when searching about infant milestones, development, and play in popular sources.5 Yet, the nature of this motor milestone content has not been previously studied. How does this study fill this evidence gap? This study comprehensively describes which infant motor milestones parents are educated about by popular sources (ie, apps, books, and websites) and when those milestones are mentioned throughout infants’ first year of life. The study also evaluates whether the content available among popular sources besides those authored by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) varies from the information provided by the AAP and CDC. Implication of all the evidence: There is a large amount of variable information about infant’s motor milestones available to parents in popular sources, with similarities but also deviations and expansions from the AAP and CDC content. The results provide a comprehensive picture of the motor milestones that parents are likely to encounter in popular sources from birth through 1 year. They highlight behaviors parents are less likely to learn about on their own, suggesting health care providers might consider more active education if they want parents to be knowledgeable about these behaviors. Health care providers might suggest apps or books to parents seeking greater amounts of information yet may consider offering education periodically in concurrence with expected developmental skills.6
Evaluation of the Movement and Play Opportunities and Constraints Associated With Containers for Infants
(Pediatric Physical Therapy, 2024-10-01) Alghamdi, Zainab S.; Orlando, Julie M.; Lobo, Michele A.
Purpose: Containers (eg, strollers, bouncers) are an important part of infants’ environment but may negatively impact infant development and health. This study evaluated movement and play opportunities, constraints, and manufacturers’ developmental claims for infant containers. Methods: Containers were identified through Amazon.com. A content analysis of identified products was conducted to identify movement and visual-manual play opportunities, constraints, and developmental claims. Results: Content was analyzed for 460 containers. Containers varied in their movement and play opportunities; however, most did not incorporate toys and restricted trunk movement, self-directed locomotion, and independent head and trunk control. Containers, especially those with built-in toys, often had claims related to gross motor, sensory, and fine motor development. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the variability of movement and play opportunities observed across and within categories of infant containers. General recommendations about container use may be less effective than more specific education to parents about selecting and implementing containers. WHAT THIS EVIDENCE ADDS Current evidence: Infant containers such as strollers, jumpers, and floor seats are commonly used by caregivers in home and daycare settings.1,2 Caregivers’ reports of container use indicate that infants spend hours in containers each day.1,3 Although containers are a significant component of infants’ physical environment, their prolonged use has been discouraged by some professional organizations to prevent the negative developmental and health outcomes associated with container baby syndrome (CBS).4 However, manufacturers often make claims about the developmental benefits of their products. These claims, which may or may not align with current literature, can influence parents’ beliefs and purchasing decisions.5 Gap in the evidence: Containers may negatively impact infant development and health by limiting movement and environmental exploration opportunities; however, the opportunities and constraints provided by commercially available containers have not been evaluated. Additionally, the developmental claims made by manufacturers have not been examined. How does this study fill this evidence gap? In this study, we performed a systematic content analysis of the movement and play opportunities, constraints, and developmental claims made by manufacturers of a large sample of commercially available containers. Implication of all the evidence to clinicians: Most containers place young infants in supine or reclined, restrict trunk movement, limit independent support of the head, do not allow self-locomotion, and lack built-in toys. These findings provide insight into potential mechanisms by which containers may result in CBS. Varying levels of movement and play opportunities for containers were observed. The results can inform clinicians and others when supporting parents selecting containers and suggest recommendations for use should depend upon the container rather than being global. Manufacturers of many containers made claims related to motor, cognitive, sensory, and physical development. Clinicians’ awareness of these claims may support education efforts with parents since claims influence parents’ beliefs and purchasing decisions.
Dominant Arm Internal and External Rotation Strength is Related to Arm Pain in Youth Baseball Players
(International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 2024-11-01) Paskewitz, Jeffrey; Breidenbach, Fred; Malloy, Philip; Eckrich, P. Michael; Zarzycki, Ryan
Background and Purpose The prevalence of arm pain in youth baseball players is high with approximately half reporting arm pain during the season, and the number of ulnar collateral ligament reconstructions in youth baseball players is increasing. Few studies have examined the relationship between shoulder strength and passive range of motion (ROM) with arm pain (either shoulder or elbow pain) during throwing, especially in athletes in early adolescence. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between shoulder ROM and strength and the presence of arm pain during throwing in youth baseball players. It was hypothesized that less internal rotation (IR) ROM, less total rotational ROM, and lower IR and external rotation (ER) strength would be associated with arm pain. Study Design Observational cohort study Methods Sixty-five youth male baseball players between the ages of 12-15 were enrolled. Shoulder strength (ER, IR, ER/IR strength ratio, scaption) and passive ROM (ER, IR, flexion, horizontal adduction) were collected prior to the start of the spring 2021 baseball season. Players self-reported their arm pain frequency during throwing as never, rarely, sometimes, often, or always. The relationship between reported arm pain frequency during throwing and shoulder ROM and strength measurements was examined. Results ER (ρ= -0.289, p=0.020) and IR strength (ρ= -0.262, p=0.035) were weakly and negatively correlated with reports of arm pain during throwing. No other clinical variables were associated with reports of arm pain (p ≥ 0.124) Conclusion In youth baseball players, greater IR and ER strength were associated with less arm pain frequency during throwing, while ROM was not associated with arm pain frequency. Future research should explore these variables prospectively to determine if changes in ROM and strength are related to the development of arm pain in youth baseball players. Level of Evidence 3
Roles and interplay of reinforcement-based and error-based processes during reaching and gait in neurotypical adults and individuals with Parkinson’s disease
(PLoS Computational Biology, 2024-10-14) Roth, Adam M.; Buggeln, John H.; Hoh, Joanna E.; Wood, Jonathan M.; Sullivan, Seth R.; Ngo, Truc T.; Calalo, Jan A.; Lokesh, Rakshith; Morton, Susanne M.; Grill, Stephen; Jeka, John J.; Carter, Michael J.; Cashaback, Joshua G. A.
From a game of darts to neurorehabilitation, the ability to explore and fine tune our movements is critical for success. Past work has shown that exploratory motor behaviour in response to reinforcement (reward) feedback is closely linked with the basal ganglia, while movement corrections in response to error feedback is commonly attributed to the cerebellum. While our past work has shown these processes are dissociable during adaptation, it is unknown how they uniquely impact exploratory behaviour. Moreover, converging neuroanatomical evidence shows direct and indirect connections between the basal ganglia and cerebellum, suggesting that there is an interaction between reinforcement-based and error-based neural processes. Here we examine the unique roles and interaction between reinforcement-based and error-based processes on sensorimotor exploration in a neurotypical population. We also recruited individuals with Parkinson’s disease to gain mechanistic insight into the role of the basal ganglia and associated reinforcement pathways in sensorimotor exploration. Across three reaching experiments, participants were given either reinforcement feedback, error feedback, or simultaneously both reinforcement & error feedback during a sensorimotor task that encouraged exploration. Our reaching results, a re-analysis of a previous gait experiment, and our model suggests that in isolation, reinforcement-based and error-based processes respectively boost and suppress exploration. When acting in concert, we found that reinforcement-based and error-based processes interact by mutually opposing one another. Finally, we found that those with Parkinson’s disease had decreased exploration when receiving reinforcement feedback, supporting the notion that compromised reinforcement-based processes reduces the ability to explore new motor actions. Understanding the unique and interacting roles of reinforcement-based and error-based processes may help to inform neurorehabilitation paradigms where it is important to discover new and successful motor actions. Author summary Reinforcement-based and error-based processes play a pivotal role in regulating our movements. Converging neuroanatomical evidence show interconnected reinforcement-based and error-based neural circuits. Yet is unclear how reinforcement-based and error-based processes interact to influence sensorimotor behavior. In our past work we showed that reinforcement-based and error-based processes are dissociable. Building on this work, here we show that these process can also interact to influence trial-by-trial sensorimotor behaviour.
Location of Measurement Matters: Unveiling Regional Dynamics and Sex Differences in Patellar Tendon Strain In Vivo
(Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 2024-08-08) Ito, Naoaki; Scattone Silva, Rodrigo; Grävare Silbernagel, Karin
Patellar tendinopathy is more prevalent in males versus female athletes and commonly presents in the medial region of the tendon. Separate measures of patellar tendon strain in the medial, central, and lateral regions of the tendon, however, have not been quantified. The purpose was to investigate the differences in tendon strain between the medial, lateral, and central regions of the patellar tendon in healthy men and women. Strain in the medial and lateral regions of the patellar tendon in healthy participants (10 males, 10 females) was evaluated using ultrasound during isometric quadriceps contractions at 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVIC) in 60° and 90° of knee flexion. Central strain was also measured at 60% MVIC in 90° of knee flexion. Mixed models were used to determine strain between tendon regions and sex at 60% MVIC in 90° of knee flexion. Sequential modeling was used to fit region, sex, %MVIC, and angle to predict strain. The central region had less strain compared with both medial and lateral regions. The lateral region had higher strain compared with the medial region regardless of sex. Females had higher strain compared with males, regardless of region. Knee position did not influence tendon strain. Patellar tendon strain differs by region and sex. The varying prevalence between sex and in location of patellar tendinopathy may in part be explained by the unbalanced strains. Differential assessment of regional patellar tendon strain may be of importance for understanding injury risk and recovery with exercise.
Hop Distance Symmetry Moderately Reflects Knee Biomechanics Symmetry During Landing But Not For Controlled Propulsions
(International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 2024-08-01) Di Paolo, Stefano; Ito, Naoaki; Seymore, Kayla D.; Sigurðsson, Haraldur B.; Bragonzoni, Laura; Zaffagnini, Stefano; Snyder-Mackler, Lynn; Gravare Silbernagel, Karin
Background Landing with poor knee sagittal plane biomechanics has been identified as a risk factor for Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury. However, it is unclear if the horizontal hop test battery reflects knee function and biomechanics. Hypothesis/Purpose To investigate the correlation between clinical limb symmetry index (LSI) and landing and propulsion knee biomechanics during the hop test battery using markerless motion capture. Study Design Cross-sectional biomechanics laboratory study Methods Forty-two participants with and without knee surgery (age 28.0 ± 8.0 years) performed the hop test battery which consisted of a single hop for distance, crossover hop, triple hop, and 6-m timed hop in the order listed. Eight high speed cameras were used to collect simultaneous 3D motion data and Theia 3D (Theia Markerless Inc.) was used to generate 3D body model files. Lower limb joint kinematics were calculated in Visual3D. Correlation (Spearman’s ρ) was computed between clinical LSI and symmetry in peak and initial contact (IC) knee flexion angle during propulsion and landing phases of each movement. Results In the single hop, clinical LSI showed positive correlation with kinematic LSI at peak landing (ρ= 0.39, p=0.011), but no correlation at peak propulsion (ρ= -0.03, p=0.851). In the crossover hop, non-significant correlations were found in both propulsion and landing. In the triple hop, positive correlation was found at peak propulsion (ρ= 0.38, p=0.027), peak landing (ρ= 0.48 – 0.66, p<0.001), and last landing IC (ρ= 0.45, p=0.009). In the timed hop, peak propulsion showed positive correlation (ρ= 0.51, p=0.003). Conclusions Single hop and triple hop distance symmetry reflected landing biomechanical symmetry better than propulsion symmetry. Poor scores on the hop test battery reflect asymmetrical knee landing biomechanics, emphasizing the importance of continuing to use the hop test battery as part of clinical decision making. Level of Evidence 3b
Long-term patient outcome is affected by deep venous thrombosis after Achilles tendon rupture repair
(Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy, 2024-05-24) Aufwerber, Susanna; Svedman, Simon; Grävare Silbernagel, Karin; Ackermann, Paul W.
Purpose The aim of the study was to examine the impact of a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) on patient outcomes 3 years after Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) repair and if there were continued improvements between 1 and 3 years after surgery. A secondary aim was to determine risk factors associated with impaired patient outcomes in the long term. Methods This cohort study consisted of 181 ATR-repaired patients, from two large randomized clinical trials, who attended a 3-year follow-up evaluation. Patients were postoperatively randomized to two different weight-bearing interventions compared with immobilization in a below-knee plaster cast for 2 weeks. During immobilization, screening for DVT was performed with Doppler ultrasound. At 1 and 3 years postoperatively, functional- and patient-reported outcomes were evaluated by the validated heel-rise test and self-reported questionnaire, Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS). Results In total, 76 out of 181 (42%) patients exhibited a DVT at the 2- or 6-week screening after ATR surgery. Suffering from a DVT during immobilization resulted at 3 years in a worse limb symmetry index (LSI) of heel-rise total work compared to patients without DVT, adjusted for age (DVT mean LSI 68% vs. no DVT 78%, p = 0.027). At 3 years, patients with a DVT during immobilization displayed lower ATRS (DVT median 88 vs. no DVT 93, p = 0.046), which was not significant after adjustment for age. However, patients with DVT exhibited an improvement in ATRS, LSI total work, and LSI maximum height between 1 and 3 years, which was not seen among patients without DVT. Independent risk factors for reduced patient functional outcomes at 3 years were older age, greater calf muscle hypotrophy, and suffering a DVT. Conclusions DVT during immobilization affects patients' long-term functional outcomes 3 years after ATR repair. Clinicians should adequately address risk factors contributing to impaired patient outcomes in the long term, including calf muscle hypotrophy, DVT, and older age. Level of Evidence Level Ⅲ. Abbreviations ATR Achilles tendon rupture ATRS Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score BMI body mass index CDU compression duplex ultrasound DVT deep venous thrombosis EFM early functional mobilization IPC intermittent pneumatic compression LMWH low-molecular-weight heparin LSI limb symmetry index PAS Physical Activity Scale RCT randomized controlled study
A Portable, Neurostimulation-Integrated, Force Measurement Platform for the Clinical Assessment of Plantarflexor Central Drive
(Bioengineering, 2024-01-30) Collimore, Ashley N.; Alvarez, Jonathan T.; Sherman, David A.; Gerez, Lucas F.; Barrow, Noah; Choe, Dabin K.; Binder-Macleod, Stuart; Walsh, Conor J.; Awad, Louis N.
Plantarflexor central drive is a promising biomarker of neuromotor impairment; however, routine clinical assessment is hindered by the unavailability of force measurement systems with integrated neurostimulation capabilities. In this study, we evaluate the accuracy of a portable, neurostimulation-integrated, plantarflexor force measurement system we developed to facilitate the assessment of plantarflexor neuromotor function in clinical settings. Two experiments were conducted with the Central Drive System (CEDRS). To evaluate accuracy, experiment #1 included 16 neurotypical adults and used intra-class correlation (ICC2,1) to test agreement of plantarflexor strength capacity measured with CEDRS versus a stationary dynamometer. To evaluate validity, experiment #2 added 26 individuals with post-stroke hemiparesis and used one-way ANOVAs to test for between-limb differences in CEDRS’ measurements of plantarflexor neuromotor function, comparing neurotypical, non-paretic, and paretic limb measurements. The association between paretic plantarflexor neuromotor function and walking function outcomes derived from the six-minute walk test (6MWT) were also evaluated. CEDRS’ measurements of plantarflexor neuromotor function showed high agreement with measurements made by the stationary dynamometer (ICC = 0.83, p < 0.001). CEDRS’ measurements also showed the expected between-limb differences (p’s < 0.001) in maximum voluntary strength (Neurotypical: 76.21 ± 13.84 ft-lbs., Non-paretic: 56.93 ± 17.75 ft-lbs., and Paretic: 31.51 ± 14.08 ft-lbs.), strength capacity (Neurotypical: 76.47 ± 13.59 ft-lbs., Non-paretic: 64.08 ± 14.50 ft-lbs., and Paretic: 44.55 ± 14.23 ft-lbs.), and central drive (Neurotypical: 88.73 ± 1.71%, Non-paretic: 73.66% ± 17.74%, and Paretic: 52.04% ± 20.22%). CEDRS-measured plantarflexor central drive was moderately correlated with 6MWT total distance (r = 0.69, p < 0.001) and distance-induced changes in speed (r = 0.61, p = 0.002). CEDRS is a clinician-operated, portable, neurostimulation-integrated force measurement platform that produces accurate measurements of plantarflexor neuromotor function that are associated with post-stroke walking ability.
Hand-Use Preferences for Reaching and Object Exploration in Children with Impaired Upper Extremity Functioning: The Role of Environmental Affordances
(Symmetry, 2023-12-05) Babik, Iryna; Lobo, Michele A.
Infants and young children with weakened or impaired upper extremity functioning often develop a strong hand-use “preference” for reaching and object manipulation. While “preferring” their stronger hand, they often partially or completely ignore their “non-preferred” hand. Such manual lateralization might impede complex object exploration, which would negatively affect children’s cognitive development. The question is whether environmental affordances would significantly affect children’s manifested hand-use “preferences” by promoting the use of the “non-preferred” hand. The current sample included 17 children (5 males; 13.9 ± 8.7 months at baseline) with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (arthrogryposis). The reaching and object exploration of the children were evaluated longitudinally across a 6-month period with and without the Playskin LiftTM exoskeletal garment (Playskin). Results showed that the use of the Playskin increased both unimanual and bimanual object contact. Also, when anti-gravity support was provided to the arms by the Playskin, children significantly increased the use of their non-preferred hand, which correlated with improved quality of object play—more bimanual object interaction and greater intensity, variability, and complexity of exploration. These findings suggest that hand-use “preference” in children with arthrogryposis is quite malleable during early development. It is likely that children with impaired upper extremity functioning do not “prefer” to use a particular hand but, rather, cannot afford using both hands due to their limited muscular or manual abilities. Importantly, environmental affordances (i.e., anti-gravity support for the arms) might significantly affect the early development of manual lateralization, with potential implications for children’s quality of object exploration and future cognitive development.
Telehealth Versus Face-to-Face Fine Motor and Social Communication Interventions for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Efficacy, Fidelity, Acceptability, and Feasibility
(American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2023-12-04) Su, Wan-Chun; Cleffi, Corina; Srinivasan, Sudha; Bhat, Anjana
Importance: The efficacy of telehealth (TH) interventions needs to be studied. Objective: To compare the efficacy, fidelity, acceptability, and feasibility of face-to-face (F2F) versus TH seated play (SP) interventions among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Design: As part of a larger randomized controlled trial, children were assigned to the SP group and received TH and F2F interventions over 8 wk using a pretest–posttest study design. Setting: A research lab or through videoconferencing. Participants: Fifteen children with ASD (ages 5–14 yr) were randomly assigned to the SP group and received the intervention F2F or through TH. Intervention: Children received 16 SP intervention sessions (2 sessions per week for 8 wk). Outcomes and Measures: Pretests and posttests included standardized fine motor assessments. Video coding compared socially directed verbalization during training sessions. Parents and trainers provided feedback on their experiences. Results: Seven children received the intervention F2F, whereas 8 received TH intervention. Children in both subgroups showed similar training improvements in fine motor skills and socially directed verbalizations (ps > .01). Parents rated both interventions as acceptable and feasible; however, they reported longer preparation time and effort during TH interventions (ps < .01). Trainers reported greater parental involvement but more communication and technological issues during TH interventions. Fidelity checks indicated fewer reinforcements during TH versus F2F sessions. Conclusions and Relevance: TH intervention is feasible and effective in improving fine motor and social communication performance. Clinicians should reduce parental burden and overcome technological issues. What This Article Adds: This study confirmed the efficacy, fidelity, acceptability, and feasibility of delivering seated play, standard of care interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder via telehealth. However, clinicians should work on reducing parental burden and overcoming communication and technological issues related to telehealth.
Immediate and Short-Term Effects of In-Shoe Heel-Lift Orthoses on Clinical and Biomechanical Outcomes in Patients With Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy
(Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 2024-02-07) Alghamdi, Nabeel Hamdan; Pohlig, Ryan T.; Seymore, Kayla D.; Sions, Jaclyn Megan; Crenshaw, Jeremy R.; Grävare Silbernagel, Karin
Background: Physical therapists frequently employ heel lifts as an intervention to reduce Achilles tendon pain and restore function. Purpose: To determine the short-term effect of heel lifts on clinical and gait outcomes in participants with insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT). Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Participants with IAT underwent eligibility screening and completed assessments at baseline and 2 weeks later. Primary outcomes included symptom severity (Victoria Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles [VISA-A]), gait analysis with the 10-m walk-test at 2 speeds (normal and fast), and pain during walking. Pain and gait analysis were assessed under 3 conditions: before fitting 20-mm heel lifts, immediately after heel-lift fitting, and after 2 weeks of wearing heel lifts. Ultrasound images and measurements at the Achilles insertion were obtained from prone and standing positions (with and without heel lifts). Spatiotemporal gait parameters and tibial tilt angles were evaluated at normal speed using inertia measurement units during the 3 study conditions. Differences between the conditions were analyzed using paired t test or analysis of variance. Results: Overall, 20 participants (12 female, 13 with bilateral IAT; mean age, 51 ± 9.3 years; mean body mass index 31.6 ± 6.8 kg/m2) completed all assessments. Symptom severity (VISA-A) of the more symptomatic side significantly improved at 2 weeks (60 ± 20.6) compared with baseline (52.2 ± 20.4; P < .01). Pain during gait (Numeric Pain Rating Scale) was significantly reduced immediately after heel-lift fitting (0.7 ± 2.0) when compared with baseline (2.2 ± 2.7, P = .043). Spatiotemporal gait parameters and tibial tilt angle before and after using heel lifts at normal walking speed were not significantly different; however, gait speed, stride length, and tibial tilt angle on both sides increased significantly immediately after using heel lifts and were maintained after 2 weeks of wear. Conclusion: Using heel lifts not only improved symptom severity after 2 weeks but also immediately reduced pain during gait and had a positive impact on gait pattern and speed.
Pain, Balance-Confidence, Functional Mobility, and Reach Are Associated With Risk of Recurrent Falls Among Adults With Lower-Limb Amputation
(Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation, 2023-12-10) Seth, Mayank; Horne, John Robert; Pohlig, Ryan Todd; Sions, Jaclyn Megan
Objective The study evaluated whether pain intensity and extent, balance-confidence, functional mobility, and balance (eg, functional reach) are potential risk factors for recurrent falls among adults with a lower-limb amputation. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Research laboratory. Participants Eighty-three adults with unilateral lower-limb amputation that occurred >1 year prior (26 transfemoral- and 57 transtibial-level amputation; 44.6% women; 51.8% traumatic cause of amputation; N=83). Intervention Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Participants reported on the number of falls in the past year, as well as pain intensity in the low back, residual, and sound limbs. Balance-confidence (per the Activities-Specific Balance-Confidence Scale [ABC]), functional mobility (per the Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility ([PLUS-M]), and balance (per the Functional Reach and modified Four Square Step Tests) were obtained. Results After considering non-modifiable covariates, greater extent of pain, less balance-confidence, worse self-reported mobility, and reduced prosthetic-side reach were factors associated with recurrent fall risk. Adults reporting pain in the low back and both lower-limbs had 6.5 times the odds of reporting recurrent falls as compared with peers without pain. A 1-point increase in ABC score or PLUS-M T score, or 1-cm increase in prosthetic-side reaching distance, was associated with a 7.3%, 9.4%, and 7.1% decrease in odds of reporting recurrent falls in the past year, respectively. Conclusions Of the 83 adults, 36% reported recurrent falls in the past year. Presence of pain in the low back and both lower-limbs, less balance-confidence, worse PLUS-M score, and less prosthetic-side reaching distance were identified as modifiable factors associated with an increased odd of recurrent falls.
Risk Factors for Underreporting of Life-Limiting Comorbidity Among Adults With Lower-Limb Loss
(INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 2023-10-14) Stauffer, Samantha Jeanne; Seth, Mayank; Pohlig, Ryan Todd; Beisheim-Ryan, Emma Haldane; Horne, John Robert; Smith, Sarah Carolyn; Sarlo, Frank Bernard; Sions, Jaclyn Megan
Peripheral neuropathy (PN) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are life-limiting comorbidities among adults with lower-limb loss that may not be adequately addressed in current care models. The objective of this study was to evaluate underreporting of PN and PAD among adults with lower-limb loss. We conducted a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional dataset of community-dwelling adults with unilateral lower-limb loss seen in an outpatient Limb Loss Clinic (n = 196; mean age = 56.7 ± 14.4 years; 73.5% male). Individuals participated in standardized clinical examinations including Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing to assess for PN and pedal pulse palpation to assess for PAD. Bivariate regression was performed to identify key variables for subsequent stepwise logistic regression to discern risk factors. Clinical examination results indicated 16.8% (n = 33) of participants had suspected PN alone, 15.8% (n = 31) had suspected PAD alone, and 23.0% (n = 45) had suspected PN and PAD. More than half of participants with clinical examination findings of PN or PAD failed to self-report the condition (57.7% and 86.8%, respectively). Among adults with lower-limb loss with suspected PN, participants with dysvascular amputations were at lower risk of underreporting (odds ratio [OR] = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1-0.6). For those with suspected PAD, those who reported more medication prescriptions were at lower risk of underreporting (OR = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.7-1.0). Adults with lower-limb loss underreport PN and PAD per a medical history checklist, which may indicate underdiagnosis or lack of patient awareness. Routine assessment is highly recommended in this population and may be especially critical among individuals with non-dysvascular etiology.
Research Agenda for Physical Therapy From the American Physical Therapy Association
(Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal, 2023-09-15) Stevens-Lapsley, Jennifer; Hicks, Gregory E.; Zimney, Kory; Slaven, Emily J.; Manal, Tara Jo; Jeffries, Lynn M.
Research agendas play an important role in directing scholarly inquiry in a field. The Research Agenda for Physical Therapy From the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) outlines research priorities that are vital to advancing physical therapist practice and the profession. The development of the research agenda included multiple iterative steps and feedback from stakeholders. A research agenda subgroup (n = 6) of the APTA Scientific and Practice Affairs Committee (SPAC), with APTA staff support, gathered information on existing research agendas, developed draft priority descriptions, and gathered feedback via surveys. The subgroup first conducted an environmental scan of the research agendas in the physical therapy and rehabilitation fields. To gather information about research priorities, APTA’s Technology and Organizational Performance department distributed a survey to 3 samples. APTA staff organized the feedback, and SPAC edited and synthesized a draft agenda. This draft was sent out in survey form to the original samples and to members of the APTA Academy of Research. Concurrently, a repeat environmental scan was conducted. A final draft of the research agenda was sent for final review to a smaller cohort (n = 95) that included content experts in each of the main categories of the agenda as identified by the APTA Academy of Research. The SPAC research agenda subgroup reviewed and incorporated the information into the final draft. The final research agenda includes priorities in topical areas (population health, mechanistic research, clinical research, education/professional development research, health services research, and workforce development) identified as key in the evolution of our profession. Impact The Research Agenda for Physical Therapy From APTA identifies research priorities within the profession vital to advancing the practice and profession of physical therapy. The research agenda has 6 key areas of focus: population health research, mechanistic research, clinical research, education and professional development research, health services research, and workforce research. Researchers, funding agencies, and public policy makers can use the research agenda to concentrate research efforts around these areas.
Corticosteroid Injections for Symptomatic Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Pilot Blinded Randomized Trial
(ACR Open Rheumatology, 2023-09-22) Baker, Joshua F.; Olave, Marianna; Leach, William; Doherty, Caleigh R.; Gillcrist, Rachel L.; White, Daniel K.; Ogdie, Alexis; England, Bryant R.; Wysham, Katherine; Quinones, Mercedes; Xiao, Rui; Neogi, Tuhina; Scanzello, Carla R.
Objective To quantify the effect of corticosteroids compared to lidocaine-only injections over 12 weeks among patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods Participants with KOA were randomized to receive a knee injection of methylprednisolone acetate 1 mL (40 mg) plus 2 mL lidocaine (1%) or 1 mL saline and 2 mL lidocaine. Participants and providers were blinded to treatment allocation using an opacified syringe. The outcome was the average change from baseline of the total Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) (range 0-100) assessed at 2-week intervals over 12 weeks. Participants received KOOS questionnaires on their smartphones through a web-based platform. We used linear mixed-effects regressions with robust variance estimators to evaluate the association between the intervention and change in KOOS total and subscales (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03835910; registered 2019-02-11). Results Of the 33 randomized participants, 31 were included in the final analysis. The predicted mean (SE) change in total KOOS over the 12-week follow-up was 9.4 (3.2) in the corticosteroids arm versus −1.3 (1.4) in the control arm (P = 0.003). Of participants, 47% achieved change as large as the minimal clinically important difference (16 units) in the intervention arm compared to 6% of participants in the lidocaine arm. Further, there were greater improvements in the intervention arm for KOOS subscales and for Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) assessments of pain intensity, behavior, and interference. Conclusion Corticosteroid injections demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in KOA symptoms over 12 weeks of follow-up. These data support larger studies to better quantify short-term benefits.
Autism-Related Differences in Cortical Activation When Observing, Producing, and Imitating Communicative Gestures: An fNIRS Study
(Brain Sciences, 2023-09-04) Su, Wan-Chun; Culotta, McKenzie; Mueller, Jessica; Tsuzuki, Daisuke; Bhat, Anjana N.
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have difficulties in gestural communication during social interactions. However, the neural mechanisms involved in naturalistic gestural communication remain poorly understood. In this study, cortical activation patterns associated with gestural communication were examined in thirty-two children with and without ASD (mean age: 11.0 years, SE: 0.6 years). Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to record cortical activation while children produced, observed, or imitated communicative gestures. Children with ASD demonstrated more spatial and temporal errors when performing and imitating communicative gestures. Although both typically developing (TD) children and children with ASD showed left-lateralized cortical activation during gesture production, children with ASD showed hyperactivation in the middle/inferior frontal gyrus (MIFG) during observation and imitation, and hypoactivation in the middle/superior temporal gyrus (MSTG) during gesture production compared to their TD peers. More importantly, children with ASD exhibited greater MSTG activation during imitation than during gesture production, suggesting that imitation could be an effective intervention strategy to engage cortical regions crucial for processing and producing gestures. Our study provides valuable insights into the neural mechanisms underlying gestural communication difficulties in ASD, while also identifying potential neurobiomarkers that could serve as objective measures for evaluating intervention effectiveness in children with ASD.
School nurses: Researcher and clinician collaborations to address paediatric health inequities
(Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2023-08-02) Covington, Lauren B.; Hildick, Heidi; Robinson, Anastasia; Pennington, Mandy; Mansi, Suzanne; Ji, Xiaopeng; Strang, Abigail; Rani, Seema; Robson, Shannon; Lobo, Michele A.; Cuffee, Yendelela; Selekman, Janice; Taherzadeh, Sanaz; Carroll, Jill; Covey, Ann; Murray, Kenna; Zimmerman, Chriss; Horney, Jennifer A.; Sowinski, Christine; Patterson, Freda
School nurses are front-line paediatric public health providers who are eager and poised to address paediatric health inequities. They are tasked with remaining informed about current health issues (i.e. immunization updates, surges in emerging and reemerging illnesses, novel medications and side effects, etc.), but also the disparities that arise within different populations of students (Willgerodt et al., 2018). Further, school nurses are well-positioned to be advocates for the most vulnerable students at risk for health disparities and inequities. For example, school nurses are able to identify and advocate for students who experience food and housing insecurity, lack access to medical or dental care, and/or those who live in unstable or insecure environments (Gratz et al., 2021). School nurses bridge gaps that address lack of healthcare access for their students by making referrals to social workers, public health departments or statewide agencies. School nurses are truly community engaged—sharing with community members the top issues plaguing their students, as well as listening to and addressing priority health issues afflicting the community (Gratz et al., 2021; Willgerodt et al., 2018).
Effect of Symptom Duration on Injury Severity and Recovery in Patients With Achilles Tendinopathy
(Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 2023-05-22) Hanlon, Shawn L.; Scattone Silva, Rodrigo; Honick, Brian J.; Silbernagel, Karin Grävare
Background: Achilles tendinopathy is a common overuse condition. Distinguishing between early- and late-stage tendinopathy may have implications on treatment decisions and recovery expectations. Purpose: To compare the effects of time and baseline measures of tendon health on outcomes among patients with varying symptom durations after 16 weeks of comprehensive exercise treatment. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Participants (N = 127) were categorized into 4 groups based on the number of months since symptom onset: ≤3 months (n = 24); between >3 and ≤6 months (n = 25); between >6 and ≤12 months (n = 18); or >12 months (n = 60). All participants received 16 weeks of standardized exercise therapy and pain-guided activity modification. Outcomes representing symptoms, lower extremity function, tendon structure, mechanical properties, psychological factors, and patient-related factors were assessed at baseline and at 8 and 16 weeks after the initiation of exercise therapy. Chi-square tests and 1-way analysis of variance were used to compare baseline measures between groups.Time, group, and interaction effects were evaluated using linear mixed models. Results: The mean age of the participants was 47.8 ± 12.6 years, 62 participants were women, and symptoms ranged from 2 weeks to 274 months. No significant differences were found among symptom duration groups at baseline for any measure of tendon health. At 16 weeks, all groups demonstrated improvements in symptoms, psychological factors, lower extremity function, and tendon structure, with no significant differences among the groups (P > .05) Conclusion: Symptom duration did not influence baseline measures of tendon health. Additionally, no differences were observed among the different symptom duration groups in response to 16 weeks of exercise therapy and pain-guided activity modification.
Information Available to Parents Seeking Education about Infant Play, Milestones, and Development from Popular Sources
(Behavioral Sciences, 2023-05-19) Orlando, Julie M.; Cunha, Andrea B.; Alghamdi, Zainab; Lobo, Michele A.
Parents commonly seek information about infant development and play, yet it is unclear what information parents find when looking in popular sources. Play, Milestone, and Development Searches in Google identified 313 sources for content analysis by trained researchers using a standardized coding scheme. Sources included websites, books, and apps created by professional organizations, commercial entities, individuals, the popular press, and government organizations/agencies. The results showed that for popular sources: (1) author information (i.e., qualifications, credentials, education/experience) is not consistently provided, nor is information about the developmental process, parents’ role in development, or determining an infant’s readiness to play; (2) milestones comprise a majority of the content overall; (3) search terminology impacts the information parents receive; (4) sources from the Milestone and Development Searches emphasized a passive approach of observing developmental milestones rather than suggesting activities to actively facilitate learning and milestone development. These findings highlight the need to discuss parents’ online information-gathering process and findings. They also highlight the need for innovative universal parent-education programs that focus on activities to facilitate early development. This type of education has potential to benefit all families, with particular benefits for families with children who have unidentified or untreated developmental delays.
Understanding Recruitment Yield From Social Media Advertisements and Associated Costs of a Telehealth Randomized Controlled Trial: Descriptive Study
(Journal of Medical Internet Research, 2023-05-18) Aily, Jéssica Bianca; Copson, Jennifer; Voinier, Dana; Jakiela, Jason; Hinman, Rana; Grosch, Megan; Noonan, Colleen; Armellini, Megan; Schmitt, Laura; White, Mika; White, Daniel
Background: Recruiting study participants for clinical research is a challenging yet essential task. Social media platforms, such as Facebook, offer the opportunity to recruit participants through paid advertisements. These ad campaigns may be a cost-effective approach to reaching and recruiting participants who meet specific study criteria. However, little is known about the extent to which clicks on social media advertisements translate to the actual consent and enrollment of participants who meet the study criteria. Understanding this is especially important for clinical trials conducted remotely, such as telehealth-based studies, which open the possibility to recruit over large geographical areas and are becoming more common for the treatment of chronic health conditions, such as osteoarthritis (OA). Objective: The aim of this study was to report on the conversion of clicks on a Facebook advertisement campaign to consent to enrollment in an ongoing telehealth physical therapy study for adults with knee OA, and the costs associated with recruitment. Methods: This was a secondary analysis using data collected over the first 5 months of an ongoing study of adults with knee OA. The Delaware Physical Exercise and Activity for Knee Osteoarthritis program compares a virtually delivered exercise program to a control group receiving web-based resources among adults with knee OA. Advertisement campaigns were configured on Facebook to reach an audience who could be potentially eligible. Clicking on the advertisement directed potential participants to a web-based screening form to answer 6 brief questions related to the study criteria. Next, a research team member called individuals who met the criteria from the screening form and verbally asked additional questions related to the study criteria. Once considered eligible, an electronic informed consent form (ICF) was sent. We described the number of potential study participants who made it through each of these steps and then calculated the cost per participant who signed the ICF. Results: In sum, between July and November 2021, a total of 33,319 unique users saw at least one advertisement, 9879 clicks were made, 423 web-based screening forms were completed, 132 participants were successfully contacted, 70 were considered eligible, and 32 signed the ICF. Recruitment costed an average of US $51.94 per participant. Conclusions: While there was a low conversion from clicks to actual consent, 32% (32/100) of the total sample required for the study were expeditiously consented over 5 months with a per-subject cost well below traditional means of recruitment, which ranges from US $90 to US $1000 per participant. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrails.gov NCT04980300; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04980300 J Med Internet Res 2023;25:e41358 doi:10.2196/41358

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