Few studies have examined the long-term effects of lung volume recruitment (LVR) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This study aimed to clarify the impact of LVR on respiratory function (Aim 1) and survival (Aim 2).

The American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA) vision of transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience must include a reduction in the unwarranted variation in physical therapist practice. The APTA proposed that the profession adopt the movement system as a basis for developing diagnoses to classify movement dysfunction so that treatment is more consistent and specific. In 2021, the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Movement System Diagnosis Task Force developed 10 movement system diagnoses for balance dysfunction, a diagnostic process, and recommended intervention strategies. The purpose of this special interest paper is to report on the ongoing refinement of the balance diagnoses and the diagnostic process based on a pilot survey of practicing clinicians and colleagues' informal feedback.

Pain is a frequent symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). Algometry as a method to measure pressure pain threshold (PPT) has not yet been validated for test-retest reliability and construct validity in persons with MS (pwMS). This research aims to investigate the test-retest reliability and construct validity of the pressure algometry for pain in MS.

Stroke clinicians need access to cost-effective, accurate, and time-efficient tools that can assist with cardiorespiratory fitness (V̇O2peak) screening. The associations and diagnostic metrics between physical activity as measured by the Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities (PASIPD) and V̇O2peak among individuals ≥6 months post-stroke were evaluated.

Muscle strength is important for functional independence after a stroke. Given the rise in telerehabilitation, there is a need to study the measurement properties of virtually administered performance-based measures. The purpose of this study was to assess the validity and responsiveness of a virtually administered 30-second chair stand test (30sCST-Virtual) in people with stroke.

Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) effectively treats some of the motor manifestations of Parkinson disease (PD). However, previous work suggests STN-DBS may lead to worsening of balance and gait in some people with PD. Physical therapy (PT) is often used to improve balance and gait in PD, but its safety, feasibility, and efficacy have not been tested in people with STN-DBS. The purpose of this study was to test the safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of PT for improving gait and balance in persons with PD and STN-DBS.

Physical activity (PA) can be neuroprotective for people with neurodegenerative diseases; however, rehabilitation programs often fail to address strategies to increase long-term PA. This study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and effect estimates of a PA coaching program in people with degenerative cerebellar disorders (PwDCD).

-values and “statistical significance” (e.g., set α = 0.05, test if < α) play a central role in modern medical research. However, an overreliance on significance has led to misinterpretation, questionable research practices, and oversimplified conclusions. Reformers have made mutually exclusive calls to abandon statistical significance, to redefine statistical significance (α = 0.005 instead of α = 0.05), or to develop decision rules based on the study context (balancing Type I Errors, α, against Type II Errors, β).

Enhancing health care through the implementation of evidence-based practices is a complex task, demanding specialized expertise and a distinct set of skills to facilitate success. A knowledge translation (KT) capacity-building initiative is a process that leads to greater individual, organizational, or system capabilities to translate high-quality evidence, such as clinical practice guidelines, into practice. The KT Summit, a KT capacity-building initiative, was developed by the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy and includes an in-person workshop, quarterly reports, mentoring for 2 years, and a funding opportunity. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the development, implementation, and outcomes of the KT Summit over a 6-year period.

No clear consensus exists regarding the expected proficiency of entry-level physical therapists (PTs) when practicing vestibular physical therapy (VPT). The aims of this research were to: 1) ascertain clinicians' and administrators' expectations of entry-level PTs' knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) for practicing VPT, and 2) explore correlations between clinician characteristics and their expectations for VPT KSA and performance level for entry-level PTs.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) presents significant challenges due to its inflammatory and degenerative nature, often manifesting in debilitating symptoms such as gait disturbances. Non-invasive stimulation techniques, such as trans-spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS), offer promising avenues for enhancing functional recovery, but evidence on tsDCS effectiveness in neurological disorders remains sparse. This study aimed to investigate the effects of cathodal tsDCS on gait function and fatigue in people with MS (pwMS) compared to sham tsDCS.

Moderate-to-high intensity locomotor training (M-HIT) is strongly recommended in stroke rehabilitation, but outcomes are variable. This study aimed to identify baseline clinical characteristics that predict changes in walking capacity following M-HIT in chronic stroke.

The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) is a well-established tool for assessing disability. However, diverse factor structures complicate its interpretation, necessitating further validation. This study examined the factorial validity of the 32-item WHODAS 2.0 in persons with stroke using 1-factor, 6-factor, and 2-level hierarchical structures.

Neurorehabilitation research utilizes wearable technology (WT) and mobile phone apps (MPA) to measure gait and walking activity in people with various neurological conditions. Despite physical therapists' perceptions that WT is useful, the reported use of WT in clinical practice remains low. The purpose of this brief review is to discuss the advantages of WT and MPA for gait assessment in the clinical setting, highlight WT and MPA that are available for clinical use, and acknowledge the limitations and future potential of these technologies in patient care.

Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience mobility declines and an increased risk of falls. Studies in MS have suggested backward walking (BW) as a promising intervention to improve mobility, yet the impact of BW on reactive balance, physical activity, prospective falls, and brain structure has not been explored. The purpose of this case series was to examine feasibility, acceptability, and impact of 8 weeks of BW training (BWT) on gait speed, static and reactive balance, fall incidence, physical activity, and white matter microstructure. A secondary aim was to explore concurrent changes in structure and function with BWT.

This study determined the prevalence of loneliness in a regional community-based exercise class program for people with Parkinson disease (PwPD) and examined relationships with demographic characteristics, functional independence, functional mobility, and quality of life (QOL).

To determine the feasibility of low-load resistance blood flow restriction training (BFRT) in people with Parkinson disease (PD).