The critically appraised topics (CATs) on this site were created by students in the Pacific University School of Physical Therapy doctoral degree program. Information on the program can be found here. The CATs on this site have been evaluated by Pacific University PT faculty, but have not undergone additional peer review.
While these CATs provide a valuable summary of the best available evidence at the time of writing, readers are encouraged to use the CATs on this site as a starting point for further reading and investigation, rather than as definitive answers to the clinical questions posed.
Submissions from 2013
Submissions from 2012
The Predictive Validity of the Test of Infant Motor Performance on School Age Motor Developmental Delay, Meredith Brunette
The diagnostic accuracy of patient subjective history compared to the gold standard of urodynamic testing for diagnosing genuine stress urinary incontinence (GSI), Gina Clark and Lauren Murphy
The Effectiveness of Warm Water Pool Therapy as Measured by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire in the Outpatient Setting of Middle-Aged Women who have Fibromyalgia, Sara Hieter and Sara Garfinkel
Early Intensive Gait Training vs. Conventional Low Intensity Gait Training in Individuals Post Stroke, Healani Leite-Ah-Yo and Bethany Banke
Diagnostic Accuracy of the Thessaly Test for Predicting Meniscal Tears in Patients aged 15 to 50 as Measured by Sensitivity, Specificity, and Likelihood Ratios, John Peixoto and Alexandra Tarpo
A comparison between minimally invasive and traditional surgical approaches to total knee arthroplasties in improving functional outcomes and reducing pain levels in adult patients, Heather Robinson and John Eng
Submissions from 2011
Trigger point therapy. Is it effective for pain and improving patient function?, David Cieslowski
Efficacy of segmental versus global core stabilization exercises for patients with chronic low back pain (LBP), Hui En Gilpin
Diagnostic Accuracy of Orthopedic Special Tests for Meniscal Injury, Alison Horn
Functional Training as Compared to Resistive Strength Training in Older Adults with Functional Deficits, Kristine Hostager
The efficacy of traditional approaches with and without hip strengthening in the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome, Marissa Loosli
The Use of Interferential Current and Therapeutic Exercise in the Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain, Ashley Mildren
Using the Nintendo Wii Balance Board™ + Wii Fit™ software to decrease the risk of falls in the geriatric population, David Peterson
The effect of continuous passive motion on knee flexion, pain, and function after total knee arthroplasty, Cheryl Rudisile
The effects of mirror therapy on upper extremity rehabilitation following hemiparesis after a stroke, James Webster
Submissions from 2010
Efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to relieve severe pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), Hui En Gilpin
Comparison of hospital-based versus home-based cardiac rehabilitation for patients following an acute cardiac event, Alison Horn
Thoracic Manipulation in the Treatment of Patients with Mechanical Neck Pain, Kristine Hostager
The effects of manual therapy and exercise for adults with temporomandibular joint disorders compared to electrical modalities and exercise, Ali Jakubowski
Chest physical therapy (chest PT) for adults over the age of fifty years suffering from acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Karla Krasnoselsky
Gait Speed as a Fall Predictor for Elderly Patients in Rehabilitation, Kirsten Meyer
The Effect of Intensive Suit Therapy Compared to Traditional Physical Therapy on Gross Motor Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy, Ashley Mildren
Regaining Glenohumeral Motion lost to Adhesive Capsulitis…do Mobilizations Help?, David Peterson
The Influence of Early Physical Therapy on Hospital Length of Stay, Cheryl Rudisile
Is Kinesio Tape effective in relieving musculoskeletal pain in the geriatric population?, Shane Rushing
Electrical Stimulation for Quadriceps Strengthening in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury, Amy Smith
The Effect of Body-Weight Support Treadmill Training on Gait Speed for Patients with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury, Erin Tagami
Submissions from 2009
Effectiveness of the canalith repositioning procedure (CRP, or Epley maneuver) in treating adults with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Kristine Hostager and Alexandra Jakubowski
The Effectiveness of an Aquatic Therapy Program in Improving Health Related Quality of Life for Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy, Ashley Mildren