DPT Therapeutic Interventions & Techniques 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which gait training strategy is MOST effective for improving walking speed in patients with Parkinson's disease?
- Partial body-weight support treadmill training
- Auditory rhythmic cueing (metronome) (Correct answer)
- Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
- Constraint-induced movement therapy
Correct answer: Auditory rhythmic cueing (metronome)
Auditory rhythmic cueing using a metronome bypasses the defective basal ganglia timing mechanism and has strong evidence for improving gait cadence and speed in Parkinson's disease.
Question 2: A patient presents with piriformis syndrome. Which intervention directly addresses the neuromuscular cause of external hip rotation tightness?
- Hip abductor strengthening in open chain
- Sciatic nerve flossing
- Sustained piriformis stretch with internal hip rotation (Correct answer)
- Lumbar stabilization exercises
Correct answer: Sustained piriformis stretch with internal hip rotation
A sustained stretch with the hip in internal rotation directly lengthens the piriformis muscle and its external rotator synergists, addressing the primary musculoskeletal restriction.
Question 3: When performing cervical traction for a patient with C5-C6 disc herniation, which position is MOST commonly recommended to open the posterior intervertebral foramina?
- Neutral cervical position
- 15–25 degrees of cervical flexion (Correct answer)
- Cervical extension
- 10 degrees of cervical lateral flexion toward the symptomatic side
Correct answer: 15–25 degrees of cervical flexion
Approximately 15–25 degrees of cervical flexion maximally opens the posterior intervertebral foramina and unloads the posterior disc, reducing radicular symptoms.
Question 4: A therapist uses the Feldenkrais Method with a stroke patient. This approach primarily emphasizes:
- High-intensity resistance training
- Awareness through movement and sensory feedback (Correct answer)
- Passive range of motion and splinting
- Electrical stimulation of paretic muscles
Correct answer: Awareness through movement and sensory feedback
The Feldenkrais Method uses mindful movement exploration and sensory awareness to reorganize movement patterns, leveraging neuroplasticity through gentle, varied practice.
Question 5: Which form of biofeedback is MOST commonly used to help a patient with stress urinary incontinence improve pelvic floor muscle control?
- EEG biofeedback
- EMG biofeedback with surface or intravaginal electrodes (Correct answer)
- Heart rate variability biofeedback
- Thermal biofeedback
Correct answer: EMG biofeedback with surface or intravaginal electrodes
Surface or intravaginal EMG biofeedback provides real-time visual or auditory feedback of pelvic floor muscle activity, helping patients learn to contract and relax correctly.
Question 6: Which therapeutic exercise principle states that training adaptations are specific to the type, speed, and joint angle of the exercise performed?
- Overload principle
- Progressive resistance principle
- SAID principle (Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands) (Correct answer)
- Reversibility principle
Correct answer: SAID principle (Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands)
The SAID principle dictates that the body adapts specifically to imposed demands, meaning rehabilitation exercises should mimic the demands of the target function.
Question 7: A patient with lymphedema undergoes complete decongestive therapy (CDT). Which component of CDT is performed FIRST in the intensive phase?
- Compression garment fitting
- Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)
- Remedial exercises
- Meticulous skin and nail care (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Meticulous skin and nail care
Skin and nail care is performed first to prevent infection and create an intact skin barrier before MLD and bandaging are applied in each CDT session.
DPT Therapeutic Interventions & Techniques 4
Which gait training strategy is MOST effective for improving walking speed in patients with Parkinson's disease?