Excellence in Academic Physical Therapy: Promoting a Culture of Data Sharing.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Data analytics are increasingly important in health professions education to identify trends and inform organizational change in rapidly evolving environments. Unfortunately, limitations exist in data currently available to determine physical therapy (PT) academic excellence. It is imperative that the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) be able to demonstrate data-informed progress in addressing the common challenges faced by Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. POSITION AND RATIONALE: The Task Force to Explore Data and Technology to Evaluate Program Outcomes was convened by ACAPT to explore current and desired data and the needs, technology, and costs that would be required for ACAPT to assess program outcomes relative to excellence criteria. The Task Force performed a gap analysis of measures of excellence, provided evidence-based recommendations for advancing the use of data and technology systems in academic PT, and generated a comprehensive Assessment Excellence Map that subsequently led to a new streamlined Excellence Framework in the launch of the ACAPT Center for Excellence. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The vision of universal excellence in PT education necessitates clear alignment and centralization of common data to support efficient processes to assess excellence. The transformative nature of data is untapped in PT academic endeavors, and nascent work to establish and sustain a culture of centralized data sharing and assessment will help to drive program-level and profession-level excellence in PT education.

Quantification of patellofemoral joint contact area using magnetic resonance imaging.

To describe a method for quantifying patellofemoral joint contact area using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we used a repeated measures design using cadaver specimens. The use of contact area obtained from cadaveric specimens for biomechanical modeling does not permit investigators to assess the inter-subject variability in contact area as a result of patellofemoral pathology or malalignment. Therefore, a method for measuring patellofemoral joint contact area in-vivo is necessary. Six fresh frozen unmatched human cadaver knees were thawed at room temperature and minimally dissected to permit insertion of a pressure sensitive film packet into the suprapatellar pouch. A custom loading apparatus was designed to apply a compressive load to the patellofemoral joint at 30 degrees of flexion. Simultaneous measurement of contact area was made using both the pressure sensitive film technique and MRI. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variation were used to compare the agreement between the two methods and to assess the repeatability of the MRI method. Good agreement was found between the MRI and pressure sensitive film techniques (ICC 0.91; CV 13%). The MRI technique also was found to be highly reproducible (ICC 0.98; CV 2.3%). MRI assessment of patellofemoral joint contact area was found to be comparable to the established pressure sensitive film technique. These results suggest that this method may be a valuable tool in quantifying patellofemoral joint contact area in-vivo. Quantification of the patellofemoral joint stress has been dependent on patellofemoral joint contact area obtained from cadaver specimens, thereby negating the potential influence of subject specific variability. Developing a non-invasive technique to evaluate contact area will assist researchers and/or clinicians in obtaining patient-specific contact area data to be used in biomechanical analyses and clinical decision making.

Patellofemoral stress during walking in persons with and without patellofemoral pain.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether individuals with patellofemoral pain (PFP) demonstrate elevated patellofemoral joint (PFJ) stress compared with pain-free controls during free and fast walking. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study utilizing an experimental and a control group. BACKGROUND: Although the cause of PFJ pathology is believed to be related to elevated joint stress (force per unit area), this hypothesis has not been adequately tested and causative mechanisms have not been clearly defined. METHODS: Ten subjects with a diagnosis of PFP and 10 subjects without pain participated. All subjects completed two phases of data collection: 1) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment to determine PFJ contact area and 2) comprehensive gait analysis during self-selected free and fast walking velocities. Data obtained from both phases were required as input variables into a biomechanical model to quantify PFJ stress. RESULTS: On the average, PFJ stress was significantly greater in subjects with PFP compared with control subjects during level walking. The observed increase in PFJ stress in the PFP group was attributed to a significant reduction in PFJ contact area, as the PFJ reaction forces were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that increased patellofemoral joint stress may be a predisposing factor with respect to development of PFP. Clinically, these findings indicate that treatments designed to increase the area of contact between the patella and the femur may be beneficial in reducing the PFJ stress during functional activities. RELEVANCE: Patellofemoral pain affects about 25% of the population, yet its etiology is unknown. Knowledge of the biomechanical factors contributing to patellofemoral joint pain may improve treatment techniques and guide development of prevention strategies.

Patellofemoral joint stress during stair ascent and descent in persons with and without patellofemoral pain.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if persons with patellofemoral pain (PFP) demonstrate elevated patellofemoral joint (PFJ) stress during stair ascent and descent when compared to persons without PFP. DESIGN: A cross sectional study utilizing an experimental and a control group. BACKGROUND: Ascending and descending stairs is one of the most painful activities of daily living for persons with PFP. Whether or not the pain associated with stair ambulation is the result of elevated joint stress (force per unit area) has not been explored. METHODS: 10 subjects with a diagnosis of PFP and 10 subjects without pain completed two phases of data collection, (1) MRI assessment to determine PFJ contact area and (2) comprehensive motion analysis during stair ambulation at self selected climbing velocities. Data obtained from both data collection sessions were utilized as input variables into a biomechanical model to quantify PFJ stress. RESULTS: Although the knee extensor moment and PFJ reaction force (PFJRF) were significantly reduced in the PFP subjects during stair ascent, there was no difference in PFJ stress between groups. Similarly, there were no differences in PFJ stress during stair descent. CONCLUSION: Our results do not support the hypothesis that subjects with PFP demonstrate greater joint stress during stair ascent and descent compared to subjects without pain. However, subjects with PFP appeared to maintain normal levels of PFJ stress by minimizing the PFJRF. This was accomplished through a slower cadence and a reduced knee extensor moment. RELEVANCE: PFP is a common syndrome causing pain and functional limitations during stair climbing and other activities requiring high levels of quadriceps activity. Information obtained from this study will be useful in understanding the biomechanical mechanisms contributing to functional deficits in the PFP population.

The effects of patellar taping on knee kinetics, kinematics, and vastus lateralis muscle activity during stair ambulation in individuals with patellofemoral pain.

STUDY DESIGN: Pre- and postintervention repeated measures design. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of patellar taping on knee kinetics, kinematics, and vastus lateralis muscle activity during stair ambulation in individuals with patellofemoral pain (PFP). BACKGROUND: Patellar taping is a common treatment technique for individuals with PFP. Specific data on whether patellar taping improves gait variables, however, are limited. METHODS AND MEASURES: Ten subjects with a diagnosis of PFP were studied (five men, five women). The subjects' mean age, height, and mass were 36.5 +/- 11.1 years, 173.1 +/- 10.3 cm, and 70.9 +/- 13.3 kg, respectively. Lower extremity kinematics, ground reaction forces, and vastus lateralis EMG were obtained simultaneously while subjects ascended and descended stairs, under taped and untaped conditions. Knee moments were calculated using inverse dynamics equations. Four 2 x 2 (tape condition x stair condition) ANOVAs for repeated measures were generated for cadence and average stance phase knee extensor moment, knee flexion angle, and EMG. RESULTS: On the average, a 92.6% reduction in pain was observed following the application of tape. Increases in cadence, knee flexion angles, and knee extensor moments were observed under the taped condition for both stair ascent and descent; however, no difference in average vastus lateralis EMG was found. CONCLUSIONS: Although patellar taping resulted in decreased pain and increased knee extensor moments, knee flexion angles, and cadence during stair ambulation, the vastus lateralis EMG activity level did not change with taping. Based on data from the vastus lateralis, care must be taken if improved gait parameters indicate change in muscle recruitment.