The effects of a daily stretching protocol on passive glenohumeral internal rotation in overhead throwing collegiate athletes.

INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: Shoulder dysfunction and injury are common in throwing athletes. Loss of internal rotation has been correlated to shoulder pathologies. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a stretching protocol on passive internal rotation. The purpose of this study was assess the effects of a stretching protocol on passive internal rotation motion in the throwing shoulders of collegiate baseball players. STUDY DESIGN: Pre-Post, intervention, using a within subjects comparison of a convenience sample. METHODS: Glenohumeral internal rotation and external rotation of the throwing and non-throwing shoulders of NCAA Division I baseball players were measured using a universal goniometer. Determinations were made as to the degree of Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit (GIRD) in the throwing shoulder. A daily (5 days per week), 12-week posterior capsule stretching program was administered. Post-stretching internal rotation and external rotation measures were again obtained. The coaches and athletic trainers of the included team monitored the players for shoulder injuries and innings of training/competition lost due to shoulder injuries during the 12 week intervention. RESULTS: A significant increase in range of motion was found for dominant arm internal rotation (IR) and total range of motion (TOT) following the stretching program. No statistically significant improvement in range of motion was found for external rotation (ER), non-throwing arm internal rotation (NDIR), non-throwing arm external rotation (NDER), and non-throwing arm total motion (NDTOT). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a posterior capsule stretching program may be helpful to facilitate increased passive internal rotation range of motion at the glenohumeral joint. Further research should be performed using a control group not receiving the stretching program in order to more completely establish the impact of stretching on measures of passive glenohumeral range of motion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1b.

Relationship of the Nelson Denny Reading Test to scores on the National Physical Therapy Licensure Examination.

This study examined the relationship between scaled scores of reading comprehension as measured by the Nelson Denny Reading Test and scaled scores on the National Physical Therapy Licensure Examination (NPTE). Sixty-seven graduate students from Arkansas State University participated in this study. The Nelson Denny Reading Test was given at the initiation of the physical therapy program, and the NPTE was taken after successful completion of the graduate program in physical therapy. A correlation analysis examined the scaled scores of these graduates from the Reading Test and the NPTE. Analysis revealed that a moderate positive relationship and statistically significant difference existed between scaled scores on the Reading Test and the NPTE for those graduates who passed the NPTE their first time.

An evaluation of the usefulness of noncognitive variables as predictors of scores on the national physical therapy licensing examination.

This study employed a correlational design to develop a model to assess the predictive nature of noncognitive variables with regard to the physical therapy licensing examination. Fifty-seven graduates of an accredited physical therapy education program completed the Non-Cognitive Questionnaire-Revised (NCQ-R) and provided their scores from the licensing examination. Regression analysis was used to explore combinations of the eight domains of the NCQ-R as predictors of licensing examination scores. A model combining four of the NCQ-R domains (long-range goals, leadership, community ties, and academic familiarity) was constructed that would account for 21.3% of the variance in licensing examination scores. Some of the NCQ-R domains were related inversely, however, to higher scores on the licensing examination. The authors concluded that although noncognitive variables might be used by admissions committees as indicators of potential future success on the licensing examination, the NCQ-R as it is currently constructed may not be the best tool for measuring noncognitive variables to predict scores on the physical therapy licensing examination. Other health disciplines (e.g., occupational therapy, speech pathology, clinical laboratory science) could consider examining the predictive values of noncognitive variables when making admissions and advising decisions.

A comparison of plantar pressure in patients with diabetic foot ulcers using different hosiery.

Abnormally high plantar pressure has been associated with the development of foot ulcers in populations with diabetes. Improved foot care includes the use of hosiery (socks) as well appropriate footwear. In this study, the Parotec System, an in-shoe plantar pressure measurement device, was used to measure the plantar pressure of the forefoot of 21 participants. All patients were diagnosed with diabetes and were assessed while wearing a combination of either a diabetic sock,a dress sock, or no sock and the participant's own shoe or slipper. There were no statistically significant differences between combinations of socks and footwear.

Patient compliance: its relevance to the management of a patient with Charcot's foot.

This case report discusses the challenges related to the management of a diabetic patient with Charcot's foot and a neuropathic foot ulcer. The patient received good coordinated care including foot pressure measurements. The case is an example demonstrating that patient compliance is a determinant of treatment outcome.