Tag: Poster 80

Symmetry Differences in Clinical and Running Measures between Achilles Tendinopathy and Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome and Controls

Presenter: Varneet Brar

Faculty Mentor: Li-Shan Chou, JJ Hannigan

Presentation Type: Poster 80

Primary Research Area: Science

Major: Human Physiology

Achilles tendinopathy (AT) and medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) are two common overuse injuries prevalent in the running population (Gallo et al, 2012). Susceptibility to such injuries may arise from training errors, but biomechanical and structural asymmetries may also be contributing factors (Zifchock, 2008). The purpose of this study was to compare static and dynamic asymmetries between injured (AT and MTSS) and healthy runners. 12 AT and 9 MTSS injured subjects and 21 matched, healthy, uninjured subjects running at least 20 miles per week participated in the study. Dynamic ankle range of motion (ROM) was collected as subjects ran continuous laps in the UO Motion Analysis Laboratory using a 10 camera motion capture system. Static flexibility and ROM measures of the lower extremity were gathered by a trained clinician using a goniometer. Asymmetry between limbs for both running and clinical measures was then calculated using an established method: the symmetry index (SI). An independent samples t-test calculated differences between the symmetry indices of injured and control subjects, p < .05. A significant difference between AT and matched controls was seen for ankle dorsiflexion (p = 0.041). Subtalar eversion (p=0.052) also trended towards significance. In both measures, there was greater asymmetry in the injured population. No additional significant differences were found. Future studies should evaluate the efficacy of corrections to these asymmetries in runners with AT.

Qualitative Study of Speech Language Pathologists Working With Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Patients with Dysphagia

Presenter(s): Brianna Southworth

Faculty Mentor(s): Samantha Shune

Poster 80

Session: Social Sciences & Humanities

Dysphagia, commonly described as difficulty swallowing, affects a wide-range of culturally and linguistically diverse patients. As the importance of patient-centered care has continued to grow in the medical field, speech-language pathologists continue to search for ways to accommodate the needs, and wants of the countless diverse patients that they treat, particularly when they vary from the mainstream culture. This is especially true in inpatient settings, such as hospitals and nursing homes. This qualitative study was conducted to identify common challenges and potential solutions for accommodating the unique preferences of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) patients with dysphagia. In this study we interviewed six speech language pathologists who had experience working with CLD populations in nursing homes and hospitals. Interviews were transcribed and data was then analyzed using thematic analysis, or “qualitative description” in order to identify the common themes across participants. Analyses revealed many problems created by the limiting environment that these patients are confined to, such as decreased flexibility in food options and eating times. It was clear that speech-language pathologists have to be creative and compassionate to minimize these barriers and that individualized care and trusting relationships are crucial. This research is vital for identifying strategies for speech-language pathologists to be able to better care for the ever growing diverse population in America.