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Spring/Summer 2024 Edition

Conference Highlights

Over the past year and a half, ´å»¨ÂÛ̳ PT faculty and students have presented their research posters and educational platforms at national conferences. These conferences have provided a great opportunity to share the outstanding research and clinical initiatives at ´å»¨ÂÛ̳ and within the Buffalo area. These conferences have included the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting in Denver, Educational Leadership Conference (ELC) in Philadelphia, and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Combined Sections Meeting in San Diego (2023) and Boston (2024).

PT Evidence Based Practice Clinical Research Symposium

The recent Evidence Based Clinical Practice Research Symposium showcased the graduating class of 2024 DPT student research and findings, all in collaboration with a physical therapy faculty member. Around 300 students, faculty, clinicians, and family members attended the event in Schenck Hall, which began with keynote speaker Dr. Shannon Lupien, an associate professor of Psychological Sciences at ´å»¨ÂÛ̳ and chair of the ´å»¨ÂÛ̳ Institutional Review Board (IRB - Humans Subjects Research).

A number of sessions were held where third-year professional Doctor of Physical Therapy students presented their capstone research projects in a 25-minute platform format. The projects are a culmination of three semesters of clinical research coursework with a faculty mentor.

The students showcased their findings on a wide variety of topics that represented multiple practice patterns in the physical therapy profession.

Analysis of Backwards Gait Assessment and Standardized Walking Obstacle Course Performance in Typical Older Adults and Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease.

Samantha Connery, SPT; Jean Denson, SPT; Nicole Gawron, SPT; Jelani Greene, SPT; Matthew Grigg, SPT; Maria Mera, SPT; Sarah O’Shei, SPT; Suresh Rai, SPT; Lisa Inglis PT, DPT, NCS; and Margaret Mazzone PT, PhD

Assessment of Risk for Hospitalization in Patients Seen in a Home Health Care Setting

Kate Sidoti, SPT; Alyssa Shelander, SPT; Amelia Stash, SPT; Jillian Riley, SPT; Chris Chimenti, PT; Michael Seils, PT, DPT, EdD; and Michael Ross, PT, DHSc, OCS, FAAOMPT

Female and Male Athlete Triad and Anxiety

Dustin Kowalik, SPT; Amanda Lenau, SPT; Amanda Roberts, SPT; Emily Young, SPT; and Jennifer Scheid, PhD, CSCS

How is Graduate Physical Therapy Student Self-Reflection and Self-Assessment Facilitated in the Clinical Environment?

Gabrielle Andzel, SPT; Dayna Degenfelder, SPT; Marissa Demkowicz, SPT; Christina Empl, SPT; Theresa A. Kolodziej, PT, DPT, PhD; and Colleen Corcoran PT, DPT

Incidence of Undiagnosed Hypertension in Outpatient Physical Therapy—A Pilot Study

Gabrielle Burkard, SPT; Samantha Kmiotek, SPT; Erik Matthews, SPT; Collin Reese, SPT; Pamela Bartlo, PT, DPT, CCS; and Ron White, PT, DPT, OCS

Knowledge of Hyponatremia in Marathon Runners

Christina Aldridge, SPT; Madeline Barrick, SPT; Elliott Pohlman, SPT; Jason Wong, SPT;
and Michael Ross, PT, DHSc,OCS, FAAOMPT

Perceptions of Leadership Training in Professional Phase Doctor of Physical Therapy Students

Ryan James Hartley Beck, SPT; Jaden Gillette, SPT; Alexander Kazmierczak, SPT; Amal Kurian, SPT; Anthony Laquitara, ATC, SPT; Michael Seils, PT, DPT, EdD, GCS; Margaret Mazzone, PT, PhD; and Sherry Kessler, PT, DPT

Performance Anxiety Experienced by Doctor of Physical Therapy Graduate Students Before Their First Objective Structured Practical Examination and Relationship to Practical Outcomes

Casey Decatur, SPT; Danny Guan, SPT; Kendyll Kearney, SPT; Christina Middleton, SPT; Joella McLaurin, SPT; Mia Picciano, SPT; Katelyn Schaeffer, SPT; Jennifer Zheng, SPT; Jennifer
Bogulski, PT, DPT; and Laura Favaro, PT, DPT, DSc

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, and Burnout in Graduate Physical Therapy Students

Jacob Fay, SPT; Eithan Hahn, SPT; Patrick O’Brien, SPT; Sierra Smith, SPT; and Ryan Boggs, PT, DPT, DSc, Cert VRS

Reliability of Goniometric Techniques for Measuring Hip Flexor Length Using The Modified Thomas Test

Emma Stoddard, SPT; Andrew Vincek, SPT; Briana Janes, SPT; Mason Smith, SPT; and Kira Eimiller, PT, DPT, OCS Cert., MDT

The Negative Health Effects of Wearable Technology

Haley Flower, SPT; Hayley Latvala, SPT; Anthony Luparello, SPT; Chris Wright, SPT; and Jennifer Scheid, PhD, CSCS

The Relationship between Non-Cognitive Factors and Academic Success of Graduate Students in a Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Bailey Huber, SPT; Katherine Niver, SPT; Alexis Nowicki, SPT; Amber Oczowinski, SPT; Jennifer Priore, PT, DPT, MS, PCS; and Margaret Mazzone, PT, PhD

The Relationship Between Sub-Threshold Exercise and Prior Concussions to Predict Days to Discharge in High School and College Athletes

Kathryn Bilicki, SPT; Kaitlyn Bulega, SPT; Gillian Chorazak, SPT; Ellen Dupree, SPT; Tony Surace, MEd, ATC; and Lynn Matthews, ATC, DPT, FAAOMPT