2018 Theses and Dissertations
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/11274/13276
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Browsing 2018 Theses and Dissertations by Author "Becker, Kevin A."
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Item Arm ergometry exercise intensity interaction with motor memory(8/23/2018) Warner-Codish, Kristen A.; Becker, Kevin A.; Biggerstaff, Kyle D.Exercise interventions have demonstrated improvements in long-term declarative memory (Labban & Etnier, 2011; Potter & Keeling, 2005; Winter et al., 2007), and a smaller number of studies have produced the same benefit with procedural memory (Roig, Skriver, Lundbye-Jensen, Kiens, & Nielsen, 2012; Thomas et al., 2016). The purpose of this study was to determine if procedural memory was improved by either high or low-intensity arm ergometry exercise. Participants (N = 32) were assigned to control (CON), low-intensity (LOW), or high-intensity (HIGH) groups. Two motor tasks were investigated, fine and gross, utilizing three blocks of five trials at acquisition and one block of five trials at follow-up testing (one day and seven day). Repeated measures ANOVAs were executed. No significant effect was observed on fine or gross motor memory (p > 0.05). Many confounding variables existed to produce this outcome. Further research needs to be done to extrapolate a decisive conclusion.Item Improving the overhand throwing performance of children with autism spectrum disorder(4/24/2018) Adams, David; Silliman-French, Lisa; Ricco-Dillon, Suzanna; Myers, Diane; Becker, Kevin A.The purpose of this investigation was to compare the influence of three instructional conditions: (a) Direct Instruction only, (b) Direct Instruction plus Video Prompting, and (c) Direct Instruction plus Verbal Prompting on the performance of the overhand throw in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Researchers have reported that children with ASD have consistently demonstrated delays in gross motor skill performance when compared to their typically developing peers (Berkeley, Zittel, Pitney, & Nichols, 2001). Therefore, there is a need to develop interventions specifically aimed at improving the gross motor skill performance of children with ASD. Six students with ASD, aged 8 to 13 years attending a private school in Texas, were recruited for this investigation. Results from this investigation expand on previous reports which have demonstrated video prompting to be an effective instructional condition to influence the performances of children with ASD.Item The effects of simulated horseback riding on balance and quality of life in older adults with Parkinson's disease(5/3/2018) Goudy, Leah; Rigby, B. Rhett; Silliman-French, Lisa; Becker, Kevin A.; Buckley, Rhonda R.Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized as a chronic, progressive movement disorder. Motor symptoms may include posture and balance dysfunction. Non-motor symptoms may include changes in cognition, sleep patterns, and mood. Any combination of these symptoms can impact quality of life (QoL). Horseback riding may be an effective modality to slow the progression of symptoms in those with PD. The use of a simulator can be a cost-effective option to horseback riding in a therapeutic setting. The purpose of this investigation was to determine changes in balance and QoL following 6 weeks of simulated horseback riding (SHBR) in older adults diagnosed with PD. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 10 older adults with PD, 40 to 80 years of age, from across northern Texas. Participants completed a 6-week SHBR intervention that consisted of two, 60-min riding sessions per week. Aspects of postural sway, static and dynamic balance, and QoL were measured 6 weeks before, 1-week before, and immediately after the intervention. Pre-Intervention dynamic balance scores were significantly lower than Baseline scores (25.86 ± 4.36 vs. 28.25 ± 3.81; p = .001). Total balance scores at Pre-Intervention were also lower than Baseline (45.86 ± 6.42 vs. 48.36 ± 5.97; p = .050), and were increased at Post-Intervention when compared to Pre-Intervention (50.00 ± 4.38 vs. 45.88 ± 6.42; p = .002). No significant differences across time points were reported for measurements of postural sway, including reaction time and directional control. Only the cognitive impairment dimension of QoL exhibited statistical significance, as Post-Intervention scores were lower than Baseline (21.5 ± 14.4 vs. 37.5 ± 20.5; p = .007). Six weeks of simulated horseback riding may significantly improve overall balance and cognitive impairment in older adults with PD.