Physical Therapy
Research

As part of the Rockhurst Physical Therapy curriculum, students complete either an individual or group research project under faculty mentorship. The following projects were completed by students in the Class of 2009. They were presented in poster format at the MPTA spring meeting and in platform format to the Rockhurst community in March 2009.

Comparison of Lower Trapezius and Serratus Anterior Muscle Activation During Shoulder Flexion Under Three Hand Held Load Conditions in Young and Old Adults
Jennifer Gloystein, SPT and Kara Sullivan, SPT
Faculty Mentor: Ann Marie Decker PT, GCS, MSA

The Effects of an Audience Response System on Exam Scores in Physical and Occupational Therapy Neuroscience Course
Isaac Cowart, SPT and Michelle Webb, SPT
Faculty Mentor: Brian McKiernan PT, PhD

The Effect of Exercise on the Ability of Asymptomatic Older Adults to Reach Overhead
Melissa Dutcher, SPT; Kristin Fassnacht, SPT; Beth Glasbrenner, SPT; and Chris Maguire, SPT
Faculty Mentor: Jim Dronberger PT, DPT, OCS, MBA

Exploring Naming Conventions for Physical Therapy Exercises
Amy Werner, SPT
Faculty Mentor: Steve Wilkinson PT, PhD

The Effect of Workload on Measures of Gross Motor Performance While Cycling
Kenneth Krings, SPT; Erin Wilfong, SPT; and Mindy Frederick, SPT
Faculty Mentor: Don Hoover PT, PhD

Does Parent Instruction with Audiovisual Technology Impact Parenting Self-Efficacy and Gross Motor Development of At-Risk Infants?
Lisa Bush, SPT; Erin Dunn, SPT; Emily McDonnell, SPT; and Lindsey Rosemann, SPT
Faculty Mentor: Catherine Thompson PT, PhD, MS

Academic Integrity in Physical Therapist Assistant Education Programs
Amanda McSwain, SPT; Elizabeth Wilson, SPT; and Anita Wilson, SPT
Faculty Mentor: Ellen Spake PT, PhD

The Effects of Treadmill Training with Partial Body Weight Support on Patients Following Total Knee Arthroplasty
Katie Fager, SPT; Emily Gourley, SPT; and Jackie Karther, SPT
Faculty Mentor: Mohamed Kohia PT, PhD

Does Short-Term Use of Dance, Dance Revolution Increase Motivation and Motor Proficiency of At-Risk Children and Youth?
John Brackle, SPT; Katie Carnahan, SPT; and Brandi Dorton, SPT
Faculty Mentor: Catherine Thompson PT, PhD, MS

The Development of Leadership in Physical Therapy: Student Elected Leaders
Christine Johnson, SPT; Jessica Stegman, SPT; and Kathleen Totsch, SPT
Faculty Mentor: Ellen Spake PT, PhD

Effect of Gender and Exercise Type on Relative Hand Grip Strength
Will Murray, SPT and Erin Petersen, SPT
Faculty Mentor: Jean Hiebert PT, PhD

Biomechanical Analysis of Gait During Unloaded Walking in Normals and Patients with Total Knee Arthroplasty
Kim Freed, SPT, Danny Laughlin, SPT; and Stephanie Provance, SPT
Faculty Mentor: Mohamed Kohia PT, PhD

The Effect of Hormonal Fluctuation in the Menstrual Cycle on Knee Joint Laxity
Jan Baird, SPT; Marion Plunkett, SPT; and Elizabeth Schroeder, SPT
Faculty Mentor: Amy Foley, PT, DPT, MA