Students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Puget Sound can elect to complete a research project as part of their degree. These projects, typically undertaken in small groups and supervised by a faculty mentor, may take different forms, such as a systematic review of the professional literature, or experimental research in coordination with a faculty member’s research agenda. These projects begin in the second semester of the DPT curriculum and are completed by the end of the fifth semester. The project culmination includes presentation of their work at an annual symposium and the creation of professional posters, which are archived here along with the accompanying abstract.

Follow

Submissions from 2023

PDF

From Classroom to Practice: Implementing the Core Set of Outcome Measures in a Student-Led Clinic, Anders Brown SPT; Amy Zhou SPT; and Holly Roberts PT, DPT, PhD, NCS

PDF

Is Upright Exploratory Play Influenced by Partial Body Weight Support in Infants with Down Syndrome?, Sofia Hardin SPT; Christa Lum SPT; Julia Looper PT, PhD; Reham Abuatiq; Mia Hoffman; Alyssa Fiss PT, PhD; and Heather Feldner PT, PhD

PDF

Is There a Relationship Between Lived Discrimination and Chronic Pain? - A Pilot Study, Jordan Taylor Kasube SPT; Erin P. O'Neill SPT; Sean White SPT; and Karin Steere DPT, PhD

PDF

What Motivates Highly Active Mothers? A Self-Determination Theory Perspective, Natalie McDaniel SPT; Stephane Robert SPT; and Danny McMillian PT, DSc, OCS

Submissions from 2022

PDF

Motivational Characteristics and Fulfillment of Psychological Needs Among Physically Active Undergraduate Students, Rohan Cobb-Ozanne SPT; Kayla Renee Withers SPT; and Danny McMillian PT, DSc

PDF

Pain Catastrophizing, Pain Intensity and Perceived Injustice Do Not Predict HRV in Acute Pain, Jacqueline Diulio SPT; Hailey Kettel SPT; and Karin Steere DPT, PhD

PDF

A Systematic Review of Chronic Pain Mechanism Differential Assessment Strategies for Physical Therapy, Kate Hovde SPT; Kenny Li DPT; Kylie Wong BS; and Roger Allen PhD, PT

PDF

Effects of Treadmill Interventions on Infants with Developmental Delays Presenting with Mild and Severe Impairments: A Case Series, Eric Nguyen SPT and Nicolle Gerchak SPT

PDF

COVID Restrictions Did Not Decrease Physical Activity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Jillian Stoewer SPT; Cara Filce SPT; and Holly J. Roberts PT, PhD, GCS, NCS

Submissions from 2021

PDF

The Relationship of Catastrophization, Pain Intensity, and Heart Rate Variability in Acute Pain - A Pilot Study, Carolyn Barbee SPT, Elizabeth A. Waddell SPT, and Karin Steere DPT

PDF

Resiliency, Anxiety and Depression Amongst DPT Students - A Survey During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Michaela Corbitt SPT; Amber Odo SPT; and Robert Boyles PT, DSc, OCS, FAAOMPT

PDF

Investigating Professional Development: Comparing Students Self-Assessment with Assessment of the Clinical Instructors, Johana Kontarovsky SPT and Jennifer Hastings PT, PhD

PDF

Treadmill Training for Infants with Down Syndrome: A Case Study, Mary Ngo SPT; Anna Paradee SPT; and Julia Looper PT, PhD

PDF

Influences of Balance Confidence, Fear of Falling, and Fall History on Physical Activity Levels in Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Alison Yang SPT and Holly Roberts PT, PhD

Submissions from 2020

PDF

Center-Based Treadmill Training for an Infant with Down Syndrome Not Yet Pulling to Stand, Amber Calhoun SPT; Summer Halle SPT; and Julia Looper PT, PhD

PDF

Patient-Reported, Not Performance Based, Outcome Measures Are Correlated With Future Falls in Community Dwelling Older Adults, Alex Carr SPT; Hannah Johnson SPT; Elise Whisler SPT; and Holly Roberts PT, PhD

PDF

Feasibility of Twice a Week in-Clinic Treadmill Intervention in Infants with Down Syndrome, Taylor Clark SPT; Nicole Craig SPT; Katie Westin SPT; Laura Zuniga-Morales SPT; and Julia Looper PT, PhD

PDF

The Short-Term Effects of Thoracic Transverse Mobilization in Patients with Subacromial Shoulder Pain, Hannah Descoteaux SPT; Kyle Morris SPT; Sarah Taketa SPT; and Robert Boyles PT, DSc, OCS, FAAOMPT

PDF

Comparison of Balance Confidence, Balance Performance, and Falls Among Age Groups for Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Lindsay Dirringer SPT; Ana Sabates SPT; and Holly Roberts PT, PhD

PDF

Common Experiences and Beliefs Among Highly-Active, Previously-Sedentary, Middle-Aged Adults, Jordan Hirae SPT; Erin Krekling SPT; Elizabeth Piper SPT; and Danny McMillian PT, DSc, OCS, CSCS

PDF

The Effects of Heel Lifts on Dynamic Measures of Gait and Static Posture in Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, Elizabeth Jusko SPT; Breanna Roderos SPT; Sarah Uno SPT; and Jennifer Hastings PT, PhD

PDF

Autonomic Nervous System Changes in Individuals with Anxiety And Depression Across the Lifespan: A Systematic Review, Justin Peterson SPT, Brandon Funk SPT, Rachel C. Sannicandro SPT, Anna K. Ortung SPT, and Karin Steere DPT

Submissions from 2019

PDF

Latent Effects of Stress on Delayed Modulation of Chronic Low Back Pain: Case Series, Roger Allen PhD, PT; Anna Chang SPT; Catherine Mooney-Myers SPT; and Lauren Gallison

PDF

Demographics and Treatment Strategies Utilized During a Service-Learning Trip to a Medically Underserved Region: Guatemala 2019, Anna Chang, Alex Knapp, and Holly Roberts

PDF

A Global Perspective of Postural-Related Shoulder Pain (PRSP), Zoe Geiger, Kiley Pinder, Kasey Cottrill, and Holly Roberts

PDF

Physical Therapy Student Perceptions of a Global Health Service Learning Experience: A Qualitative Synthesis, Marissa Ginnett SPT, Meagan Patrick SPT, Cassandra St. Martin SPT, and Holly Roberts

PDF

Current Trends in Pediatric Physical Therapy Practice for Children with Down Syndrome, Beka Johnson, Julia Looper, and Alyssa Fiss

PDF

Common Experiences and Beliefs Among Highly Active, Older Adults, Alex Knapp SPT, Dominick Post SPT, and Danny McMillian PT DSc

PDF

Head-Shake Sensory Organization Test Performance in Concussed Military Service Members., Brandon Roadman; Daniel Trapp; and Dr. Holly Roberts PT, DPT, GCS, NCS

PDF

Autonomic Nervous System Changes In Individuals With Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Dr. Karin Steere, Jason Steere DPT, Kasey Cottrill, and Zoe Geiger

Submissions from 2018

PDF

Computerized Dynamic Posturography Testing in Concussion: A Systematic Review, Ashlynn Aoki, Whitney Peterson, Cameron Prins, and Holly Roberts

PDF

Comparison Of Abdominal Compression Devices In Persons With Abdominal Paralysis Due To Spinal Cord Injury, Michaela de Groot, Jennifer Swartz, and Jennifer Hastings

PDF

Physical Therapy Implications of Zika and Microcephaly in Latin America, Acacia Dyer, Miriam Janove, and Holly Roberts

PDF

Motor Competency And Physical Activity in Young Ambassadors of Physical Education, Wesley Geer, Courtney Norman, and Julia Looper

PDF

Implications of direct access to physical therapy in a global health context, Coty Hogue, Mercedes Friend, and Holly Roberts

PDF

Diversifying Physical Therapy: Recruitment and Retention of Under-represented Minorities to Improve Patient Outcomes, Miriam Janove, Isaac Aguliar, and Alex Knapp

PDF

Common Experiences and Beliefs among Highly Active Individuals, Amy Luong, Aaron Hall, and Danny McMillian

PDF

Exploration of a Novel Approach to Measure Brain Smudging in Dancers, Connor Mickelson, Morgan Cooke, Mercedes Friend, and Laura Shellooe

PDF

Global Health Perspectives in Physical Therapy Education: A Qualitative Report on a Service Learning Experience in Guatemala, Adriana Sandoval; Winter F. Wildt-Bailey; and Dr. Holly Roberts PT, DPT, GCS, NCS

PDF

Symmetry of Resting Tone, Alignment, and Strength in the Pelvic Region, Scott Shelton, Grant Kinnee, Robert Boyles, and Rebecca Fowler

PDF

Effect of Interferential Current in the Management of Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review, Ginny Skipper SPT; Sarah Maissy SPT; and Roger Allen PhD, PT

Submissions from 2017

PDF

Comparing seated pressures in daily wheelchair and sports equipment and investigating the skin protective effects of padded shorts., Torey M. Anderson BA, SPT; Kaitlynn L.C. McKirgan BS, SPT; and Dr. Jennifer Hastings PT, PhD, NCS

PDF

The Ability of the Movement Assessment for Children (MAC) to Predict Fine and Gross Motor Development in Typically Developing Children at a Five and a Half Year Follow Up, Lauren Christianson, Brady Houbrick, Elizabeth Peterson, and Joe Weber

PDF

Manual Therapy and Exercise in Treatment of Patients with Cervical Radiculopathy: A Protocol for a Case Series, Andrew E. Didricksen SPT, Justin Y. Higa SPT, Daniel T. Kobayashi SPT, and Robert Boyles

PDF

Relationship between delayed pain flares, psychogenic stress and free thyroxine in patients with phantom limb pain., Arista Ip; Eva Fazzini; and Roger Allen PhD, PT

PDF

Utilization of the Progressive Return to Activity Following Acute Concussion Clinical Recommendations, Elena Liroff, Erika Schultz, and Holly Roberts

PDF

International Service Learning: An Overview, Kaitlynn L.C. McKirgan SPT; Daniel Murty SPT; and Dr. Holly Roberts PT, DPT, GCS, NCS

PDF

Mirror visual feedback therapy for treatment of phantom limb pain: a clinical practice guideline, Erick Moon, Roger Allen, and Garret Hoskins

PDF

Movement Snacks: A Novel Program for Breaking up Sedentary Time in the Workplace, Daniel Murty SPT, Michael Westbrooks SPT, and Kendra Guest SPT

PDF

The use of Heel Lifts for Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease to Improve Postural Stability., Cassandra Repasky, Connor Brown, McKenna McNabb, and Jennifer Hastings

PDF

Low Back Injuries in Male Ballet Dancers: A Review of the Literature, Dr. Karin Steere, Amanda Duncan, Kaitlyn Johnstone, and Emma Lux

PDF

Utilization of Physical Therapy During Student Service Learning Project to Guatemala, Lucas Willers, Hannah Hourie-Collins, and Bonnie Cramer

Submissions from 2016

PDF

The Temporal Relationship between Stress and Spasticity, a Comparison between Subjects with and without Intact Thyroid Function, Dr. Roger Allen, Benjamin L. Hannula, Benjamin T. Gilksion, and Caitlin A. Turner

PDF

Change in Function, Pain and Quality of Life following Structured Nonoperative Treatment in Patients with Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: A Systematic Review, Ian Andersson and Anna Dembek

PDF

Lymphedema Therapy for the Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Sarah Armstrong, Jake Look, L. Fletcher Christie, and Roger Allen

PDF

The Nature of Movement Symmetry: Implications for Function and Injury Risk, Laura Broudy, SPT; Aerie Glowka, SPT; Katie Schaner, SPT; Michelle Wrigley, SPT; and Danny McMillian, DSc, MPT, CSCS

PDF

Defending the Art of Physical Therapy: Expanding Inquiry and Crafting Culture in Support of Therapeutic Alliance, Nicole Brun-Cottan SPT; Jennifer Hastings PT, Ph.D, NCS; and Danny McMillian PT, DSc, OCS

PDF

Orthotic Intervention for Children with Down Syndrome: A Review Based on the ICF Model, Emily Burman, Vanessa Thompson, Monica Finney, and Julia Looper

PDF

Effects of Desensitization on Pain Distribution and Normalization of Somatosensation in a Patient with Quadrilateral Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Lisa Cook, Kristen Dullen, Jacob Hoffman, Megan Vento, and Roger Allen

PDF

Does Patient Self-Efficacy at Intake Predict the Therapeutic Outcome?, Molly J. Geiger, Stephanie Juhnke, Ellen Maloney, and Danny McMillian

PDF

The Safety and Efficacy of Physical Agents on Cancer Survivors: An Update, Katelyn Ratliff SPT; Gentry Ensign SPT; Kathryn Flyte SPT; Michael Moore SPT; and Ann Wilson PT, M.Ed., GCS

PDF

Musculoskeletal Imaging Education in a Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, William Chaz Sak-Ocbina, Rebecca Lancaster, Travis Muraoka, and Robert Boyles

PDF

The Influence of a Supine Kicking Intervention on Infants with Down Syndrome Compared to Typically Developing Infants, Kara Schimke, Bryana Pardo, Kaylee Redmann, Kimberly Mahoney, and Julia Looper

PDF

Balance-Related Outcome Measures of Acquired Brain Injury Patients in a Student-Led Onsite Physical Therapy Clinic: A Retrospective Records Review, Lauren M. Wilson, Corey R. Kaleshnik, Parke K. Humphrey, and Ann M. Wilson

Submissions from 2015

PDF

The Effect of Symmetrical, Hand-held Load Carriage on Thoracic Rotation during Gait: An Observational Study, Robert Bennett, Claire E. Tenenbaum, and Danny C. Winnwalker

PDF

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on the tibialis anterior muscle and the effects on strength and gait mechanics on stroke patients: A systematic review., Katherine Chan SPT, Rachel Milhem SPT, and Casey Hampton SPT

PDF

Ability to Maintain a 0.22 m/sec Gait Speed as Directed by an Auditory Metronome in Adults, Brady Christoph, Stacey McCutchan, and Samantha McDaniel

PDF

Clinical Pain Scale Compendium, Tiffany M. Crow, Nicholas J. Pilch, and James P. Aiken

PDF

Salutogenesis: Implications for Maintaining a Psychologically Informed Physical Therapy Practice, Maximillian Gorchels SPT, Thomas Molyneux-Elliot SPT, Christina Phillips SPT, and Danny McMillian PT

PDF

The Impact of Electrical Stimulation and Exercise on Independent Static Standing Balance, Denise A. Gyselinck SPT, Jennifer R. Briant SPT, and Elizabeth L. Goldstein SPT

PDF

The Effectiveness of Desensitization Therapy for Individuals with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review, Lauryn M. Helmers, Kira L. Donnelly, Olivia M. Verberne, and Roger J. Allen

PDF

Effectiveness of Spinal Manipulation in the Treatment of Non-Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review, Aynsley Muller SPT; Elizabeth Murphy SPT; Sarah Brownstein SPT; and Robert Boyles PT, DSc

PDF

Determining Leg Dominance Using the Unipedal Stance Test (UPST), Sheree Reed, Nia Jennings, Jordan Nakamura, and Ann Wilson

PDF

The Immediate Effects of Kinesio Taping Versus Thoracic Manipulation in Subjects with Mechanical Neck Pain: A Pilot Study, Ashley Rojan, Brynn Blickenstaff, Jenae Perman, and Bob Boyles

PDF

Arm Positioning and Walking Styles of Children During First 5 Months of Independent Walking, Bernadette Schrempf; Julia Looper PhD, PT; Lauren Poole; Alison Gunselman; and Katrina Brett

PDF

Effect of Early Mobilization Programs in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). A Review of Systematic Reviews, Rondamarie Smith, Stephanie Pelham, Nicholas Higa, and Ann M. Wilson