Teresa Elliott-Burke, PT, D.P.T., M.H.S.
Academic Clinic Coordinator
Physical Therapy
- Academic Clinic CoordinatorPhysical Therapy
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Project 1
The purpose of this research is to determine if the treatment of visceral manipulation will decrease the diastasis recti abdominis (DRA, split of the abdominal muscles) in women. Visceral manipulation is a non-invasive, manual treatment, that will be applied to the small intestine and the tissue around it. Thirty female subjects with DRA with be recruited. Participants will come for one session to complete outcomes forms (Visual Analog Pain Scale of pelvic, abdominal, and low back pain; the Oswestry Disability index, the Pelvic Floor Disability Index-20 and the Multidimensional Body Self-Relations Questionnaire), be evaluated on the Beighton Scale for hypermobility, and have ultrasound images of the inter-rectus distance (space between the abdominal muscles) at three different locations on the abdomen. Ultrasound measurements are done by placing gel on the skin of the abdomen and then placing a transducer on the gel. The transducer makes and records soundwave images to measure the split in the abdominal muscles. Two weeks after the first visit participants will return for a second visit. Participants will be treated for 20-30 minutes while lying on their back with visceral manipulation. Every three weeks participants will return for another treatment for a total of seven visits. Each session will last no more than 60 minutes. Participants will have ultrasound measurements and complete forms again at the end of visits two, five and seven. Participants will attend seven visits over an 18-week period. The benefit participants might experience from this research study is a decrease in the separation of the abdominal muscles. Also, participants may have improved body image, experience a decrease in back pain, a decrease in constipation and/or improved bladder control.
Project 2
Real Time Ultrasound Imaging (RTUI) is reliable and valid tool in measuring morphological size musculoskeletal tissue, as well as, providing adequate biofeedback regarding effective muscle contraction. The aim of this study is to determine inter-rater reliability of hand-held rehabilitative ultrasound imaging between an experienced and novice physical therapy user when measuring the transverse abdominis and lumbar multifidus muscles. Forty healthy participants over the age of 18 will be recruited via fliers, social media, and email to the Midwestern University community. Those that meet the inclusion criteria will fill out a demographic questionnaire. This study will utilize RTUI to measure the thickness of the transverse abdominis and lumbar multifidus muscles at rest and during contraction. Each subject will attend one session. Participants will perform 3 repetitions of isometric lumbar multifidus contractions in the prone position as well as 3 repetitions of the transverse abdominis contractions in the supine position. An image of the muscle will be recorded during each repetition. The researcher operating the RTUI unit will be blinded to the thickness value for each measurement to reduce bias. Data from each researcher will be gathered and compared to determine the inter-rater reliability between the experienced and novice user
Ultrasound imaging
Diastasis recti abdominis
Lumbo-sacral-hip complex
The purpose of this research is to determine if the treatment of visceral manipulation will decrease the diastasis recti abdominis (DRA, split of the abdominal muscles) in women. Visceral manipulation is a non-invasive, manual treatment, that will be applied to the small intestine and the tissue around it. Thirty female subjects with DRA with be recruited. Participants will come for one session to complete outcomes forms (Visual Analog Pain Scale of pelvic, abdominal, and low back pain; the Oswestry Disability index, the Pelvic Floor Disability Index-20 and the Multidimensional Body Self-Relations Questionnaire), be evaluated on the Beighton Scale for hypermobility, and have ultrasound images of the inter-rectus distance (space between the abdominal muscles) at three different locations on the abdomen. Ultrasound measurements are done by placing gel on the skin of the abdomen and then placing a transducer on the gel. The transducer makes and records soundwave images to measure the split in the abdominal muscles. Two weeks after the first visit participants will return for a second visit. Participants will be treated for 20-30 minutes while lying on their back with visceral manipulation. Every three weeks participants will return for another treatment for a total of seven visits. Each session will last no more than 60 minutes. Participants will have ultrasound measurements and complete forms again at the end of visits two, five and seven. Participants will attend seven visits over an 18-week period. The benefit participants might experience from this research study is a decrease in the separation of the abdominal muscles. Also, participants may have improved body image, experience a decrease in back pain, a decrease in constipation and/or improved bladder control.
Project 2
Real Time Ultrasound Imaging (RTUI) is reliable and valid tool in measuring morphological size musculoskeletal tissue, as well as, providing adequate biofeedback regarding effective muscle contraction. The aim of this study is to determine inter-rater reliability of hand-held rehabilitative ultrasound imaging between an experienced and novice physical therapy user when measuring the transverse abdominis and lumbar multifidus muscles. Forty healthy participants over the age of 18 will be recruited via fliers, social media, and email to the Midwestern University community. Those that meet the inclusion criteria will fill out a demographic questionnaire. This study will utilize RTUI to measure the thickness of the transverse abdominis and lumbar multifidus muscles at rest and during contraction. Each subject will attend one session. Participants will perform 3 repetitions of isometric lumbar multifidus contractions in the prone position as well as 3 repetitions of the transverse abdominis contractions in the supine position. An image of the muscle will be recorded during each repetition. The researcher operating the RTUI unit will be blinded to the thickness value for each measurement to reduce bias. Data from each researcher will be gathered and compared to determine the inter-rater reliability between the experienced and novice user
Ultrasound imaging
Diastasis recti abdominis
Lumbo-sacral-hip complex