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This study examined upper extremity function, including manual dexterity, in chronic stroke survivors following a 10-week high intensity interval treadmill walking intervention. Six stroke survivors completed two 35-minute high intensity interval treadmill walking sessions based on ventilatory threshold per week. In addition, each participant completed one 30-minute low-intensity walking session at home. Participants completed upper extremity and manual dexterity testing at baseline, acutely, and after the 10-week intervention. Contrary to the prediction made, significant improvements in both paretic and non-paretic upper-extremity function including manual dexterity were not found. While time to complete the Nine Hole Peg Test (9HPB) somewhat decreased and the number of blocks transferred in the Box and Blocks Test (BBT) slightly increased, results were not found to be statistically significant. The results do suggest, nonetheless, that high intensity interval treadmill training may lead to improvements in upper extremity function and potentially daily living in chronic stroke survivors.
ContributorsHatty, Laura Elizabeth (Author) / Ringenbach, Shannon (Thesis director) / Bosch, Pamela (Committee member) / Holzapfel, Simon (Committee member) / School of Nutrition and Health Promotion (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
Previous research has found improvements in motor and cognitive measures following Assisted Cycle Therapy (AC) in adolescence with Down syndrome (DS). Our study investigated whether we would find improvements in older adults with DS on measures of leisure physical activity (GLTEQ) and sleep, which are early indicators of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in persons with Down syndrome. This study consisted of eight participants with Down syndrome between 31 and 51 years old that cycled for 30 minutes 3 x/week for eight weeks either at their voluntary cycling rate (VC) or approximately 35% faster with the help of a mechanical motor (AC). We predicted that, based on pilot data (Gomez, 2015), GLTEQ would either maintain or improve after AC, but would decrease after VC and would stay the same after NC. We predicted that the sleep score may improve after both VC or AC or it may improve more after VC than AC based on pilot data related to leisure activity. Our results were consistent with our prediction that GLTEQ will either maintain or improve after AC but will decrease after VC. Our results were not consistent with our prediction that sleep may improve after both VC or AC or it may improve more after VC than AC, possibly because we did not pre-screen for sleep disorders. Future research should focus on recruiting more participants and using both objective and subjective measures of sleep and physical activity to improve the efficacy of the study.
ContributorsParker, Lucas Maury (Author) / Ringenbach, Shannon (Thesis director) / Buman, Matthew (Committee member) / Holzapfel, Simon (Committee member) / School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Contributor) / School of Nutrition and Health Promotion (Contributor) / College of Public Service and Community Solutions (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
The purpose of this study is to better understand factors that may contribute to the changes in physical activity from high school to college. Using questions based on the social cognitive theory, intra and interpersonal factors that affect being and/or remaining physically active, as well as those that can help encourage students to participate in the future will be identified, hopefully generating a positive domino effect for future generations when they transition from high school to college. 20 minute zoom interviews were conducted with participants and responses were analyzed and placed into one of three categories: social, personal, or behavioral. Overall, we found that physical activity by students in college was performed as an intentional health-related activity, whereas physical activity by those same students in high school was performed for enjoyment and social purposes. So, this means we must change the stigma about physical activity as people become older, and adults must rediscover why they participated in physical activity when they were younger. Relating more to another theory rather than social cognitive theory, self-determination theory, supports that adults must find personal motivation and enjoyment in physical activity again in order to increase participation.
ContributorsKupitz, Kendall (Author) / Montalvo, Alicia (Thesis director) / Holzapfel, Simon (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor)
Created2023-05
Description
The genetic disorder Down syndrome (DS), clinically known as Trisomy 21, is characterized by the presence of either a part or full extra copy of chromosome 21. When compared with children of typical development, children with DS consistently score lower on gross motor skill tasks. Balance specifically is one of the hardest skills for individuals with DS (especially
children) to acquire, and neglecting to train balance early on can predispose individuals with DS to further movement instabilities, injuries, social struggles from activity limitations, and an overall lack of independence. One of the more unique forms of physical activity that requires a large amount of both static and dynamic balance is ballet. Dance-specific therapy has been shown to improve gross motor control functioning and specifically balance in a variety of populations with neuromuscular condions, but the research around ballet-specific therapy for those with DS is lacking. The purpose of this pilot study was to further investigate the effects of ballet-specific training on balance ability and general motor functioning in young students with DS as measured by the Four Square Step Test (FSST), Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), and the gross and fine motor domains of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale lll (VABS lll). It was hypothesized that participation in the 6-week summer cohort of Ballet Arizona’s Adaptive Dance Program would lead to improved scores on the PBS and VABS lll and decreased test times in the FSST. Improvements were observed for all measures for both participants (sample size n=2), except for P1's FSST, which increased in post-testing by 2.25s. Due to the study design, no conclusive statements can be made about whether the ballet program was responsible for the improvements observed in post-testing. More rigorous research with larger sample sizes (>30) is warranted to more fully understand the impact of an adapted ballet program on the balance ability of young individuals with DS. However, the program is still recommended for young individuals with DS because of the benefits it provides outside of motor skill development.
ContributorsMitrovic, Jelena (Author) / Peterson, Daniel (Thesis director) / Holzapfel, Simon (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor)
Created2022-12
Description
Why aren’t people with disabilities readily accepted into all aspects of the community and society? What are we missing out on?
Even though inclusion is a civil right, people with disabilities are commonly discriminated against and excluded in all different aspects of society. We as a community are not affording individuals with disabilities the opportunity to feel that they fully belong and have a purpose. Everyone deserves a chance to be understood and included, no matter the misconceptions or circumstances. The inclusion of people with disabilities affects all people. When we, as a community, readily accept and include individuals with disabilities, we all learn to value people’s differences and learn to see what each person has to offer.
For my creative project, I conducted a 4-week virtual speakers series on disability and inclusion. Over the course of four weeks in September 2022 I hosted a virtual speakers series with a new speaker each week focusing on different topics. Topics discussed included self-advocacy, research on inclusion and early childhood development, inclusive sports, and IEP advocacy and inclusive education.
My goal within this project and for society as a whole is for people with disabilities to be accepted and included without having to fight for it. People are afraid of what they don't know. If people with disabilities were more commonly included in the community, the fear would dissipate. People with disabilities would just be teammates, peers, and fellow employees. It would be a natural authentic everyday occurrence. I hope that society can work together to treat everyone the way they deserve to be treated.
ContributorsMaestretti, Tegan (Author) / Holzapfel, Simon (Thesis director) / Puruhito, Krista (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor)
Created2022-12
Description
The maximal amount of oxygen a person’s body can use while exercising is their VO2max. It is important to test VO2max in chronic stroke survivors who experience stroke-related deficits. The American College of Sports Medicine defines criteria for determining if a VO2max was reached. These criteria appear not to be applicable for this population. We explored an alternative set of criteria that appears more appropriate. Criteria for VO2max testing post-stroke should be further tested and defined.
ContributorsBauer, Rebecca Ellen (Author) / Holzapfel, Simon (Thesis director) / Bosch, Pamela (Committee member) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor, Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
The intergroup contact theory purports positive effects of intergroup contact on both implicit and explicit attitudes. Implicit attitudes refer to the lack of awareness of the attitude, whereas explicit attitudes are conscious to each individual. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of direct interaction with people with intellectual disabilities on both the conscious and unconscious attitudes of college students without intellectual disabilities. The intergroup contact was accomplished through the Exercise Program for Adults with Down Syndrome (ExDS) at Arizona State University (ASU). ExDS is a semester long program integrating ASU students with adults with Down syndrome to design and perform workouts in a buddy system twice a week. ASU students enrolled in unrelated on-ground courses served as control participants. Implicit attitudes were tested using the Implicit Association Task at the beginning and end of the semester. Explicit attitudes were also tested using a self-report questionnaire--Community Living Attitudes Scale-ID version before and after enrollment in the program. Results were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA, where the interaction effects were statistically insignificant for both the IAT and CLAS-ID. Limitations included inconsistencies in the data collection process, the type of contact with those with intellectual disabilities, possible testing effects of learning both measures pre- and post- testing and a small sample size. Further research is necessary to determine the most effective way to measure implicit and explicit biases to those with intellectual disabilities.
ContributorsHightower, Tristany Fayeth (Author) / Holzapfel, Simon (Thesis director) / Tran, Alisa (Committee member) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
Physical therapy patients still receive their plan of care onto a piece of paper when there are hundreds of engaging physical therapy exercise videos on the internet. These exercise videos are way more appealing to watch and physical therapists should consider delivering Home Exercise Programs (HEP) digitally. There are apps and online services such as Physioadvisor, Physprac app, Anterior Cruciate Ligament repair app, and work-out apps for people to create their own plan of care and are easily accessible with any electronic device. Most people are receiving information and learning through a lit screen anyways so it may only be a matter of time before people start using these resources instead of a physical therapist. Physical Therapists need to provide better resources for their patients and an app may be all they need. Figures of the results of the Qualtrics survey both Physical Therapists and Patient responses and were provided. A data analysis of each question and responses were interpreted to determine whether patients and physical therapists would like to use a physical therapy app as part of their rehab program. A Physiotherapy research journal with Switzerland researchers conducted a case study in a hospital and determined whether a HEP app testing was effective for patients to utilize.
ContributorsChang, Cheng H. (Author) / Holzapfel, Simon (Thesis director) / Peterson, Daniel (Committee member) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor, Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
The purpose of this project is to present research within three main categories of treatment and care such as exercise, socialization and alternative therapies (art, pet, and reminiscent therapies) for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). These categories will be examined in the following countries: United Kingdom, United States, Brazil, and China. Then, the synthesized material will be analyzed and placed into a comparison and contrast model showcasing what each country is currently using and the success of the particular resource within a heat map. According to the research found on the following categories of exercise, socialization and alternative therapies, I will conclude that a combination of aerobic and resistance training, routine support groups and art/pet therapies are the most effective treatment options against Alzheimer’s Disease.
ContributorsLew, Arianna Freedom (Author) / Lupone, Kathleen (Thesis director) / Holzapfel, Simon (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Watts College of Public Service & Community Solut (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05