Twenty-one moderate to high functioning young children (mean age, two years) with Down syndrome receiving early intervention (physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy) were randomly assigned to additionally receive two 0.5-hour massage therapy or reading sessions (control group) per week for two months. On the first and last day…

This study was an attempt to evaluate how well a specific selection formula for admission to a physical therapist assistant program worked. It compared the relative selective admission score with the clinical and academic success of those students who completed the course of study; this necessitated a retrospective analysis. (Author/CT)

Reports the outcomes of a 1978 national survey of candidate selection practices in 4 baccalaureate level and 7 associate degree level allied health disciplines. Found that few programs conducted evaluation of their admissions activities and that physical therapy and dental hygiene programs were the most structured in student selection. (JOW)

In one seminar, 39 occupational and 34 physical therapy students interacted with a simulated patient; in another, they viewed a videotape of a simulated patient and clinician. Student identification of patient problems tended to agree with experts in the first seminar; more student treatment plans agreed with experts in the video seminar. (SK)

This pilot study into trunk muscle strength following brain lesions examined 11 patients to determine (1) whether the trunk muscles of the paretic side are impaired after brain lesions; (2) whether measurements of lateral muscle strength are reliable; and (3) the implications of trunk muscle strength for sitting balance and walking performance.…

In 1975, the American College of Sports Medicine began recommending the integration of change theory in the delivery of health-related and rehabilitation-based programs in which exercise prescription was a major part. The Stages of Change Model has been well integrated into the core curricula in the United States for many health care…

Majority of students with mental and/or motor impairments are frequently placed in general physical education classes. However, these students often are unable to attain the expected outcomes in these general settings. Based on the experience of the authors, general physical educators often attempt to modify their goals, objectives, teaching…

In January 2004 faculty from the University of Scranton traveled to Mexico to establish relationships with universities, clinic personnel, hospital personnel, school personnel, and parents in order to increase their understanding of the role disability play in that country. This interdisciplinary group of professionals in special education,…

This paper describes development, implementation, and evaluation strategies of a longitudinal geriatric curriculum, the Senior Mentor Program (SMP). The rationale for exposing undergraduate medical students to healthy, community-dwelling older adults is to use the relationship and activities as vehicles for improving knowledge of aging and…

The study examined role conflict in chairpersons of departments of occupational therapy and physical therapy. The literature disagrees on the existence of such role conflict. However, results indicate that role conflict does exist, but not to a great degree. Suggestions are offered for future research and the reduction of role conflict. (Author/CH)

The study explored the frequency with which authors were cited in the most recent edition of "Therapeutic Exercise," an internationally recognized text in physical therapy. Citation trends across three editions were also used as an index of long-term professional influence. Implications for the physical therapy profession are discussed.…

Compared the effectiveness of behavioral (BT) or physical therapy (PT) for treating chronic low back pain (CLBP), for 13 BT patients and 12 PT patients. Treatments were conducted in a group outpatient setting. Posttreatment results showed general improvement for patients in both groups, but few treatment-specific differences in outcome measures.…

Presented is an overview of the steps in the development of a competency-based curriculum and examples which apply the concepts to a physical therapy educational program. (JH)

Several interrelated issues pertaining to the measurement of spinal curvature are discussed, including the inherent limitations of the kyphotic index, the most widely used indicator in the evaluation of kyphosis. The paper suggests use of the Flexicurve to quantify spinal posture, suggests modifications to the Flexicurve, and presents results on…

Distance delivery in a bachelor's to master's degree program enabled 26 physical therapy students to receive degrees while working full time. According to 18 respondents, the program met goals of marketability and affordability. A few experienced technical difficulties with Internet delivery. (Contains 23 references.) (SK)