Award Date

5-15-2026

Degree Type

Doctoral Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Committee Member

Daniel Young

Second Committee Member

Keoni Kins

Third Committee Member

Brandi Varnado

Fourth Committee Member

Dustin Clow

Fifth Committee Member

Kai-Yu Ho

Number of Pages

117

Abstract

Introduction: This community-based academic initiative targeted a significant deficiency regarding rehabilitative care and wellness assets for Southern Nevada's fine arts practitioners. Despite possessing trauma frequency rates similar to those of collegiate-level athletes, this demographic lacks sufficient infrastructure for health support. The endeavor sought to bolster the University of Nevada, Las Vegas College of Fine Arts (CFA) and the regional performance art sector utilizing the UNLV College of Fine Arts Physical Therapy Clinic (CFA-PTC).

Description: The initiative focused on three essential objectives: (1) augmenting student consciousness and utilization of therapeutic care at the CFA-PTC, (2) broadening health-related guidance for the artistic sector through the first Healthy Performers Nevada Southern Workshop (HPNSW), and (3) refining the clinical and professional expertise of Student Physical Therapists (SPTs). These students championed clinical awareness via instructional sessions, strategic marketing, and cross-disciplinary partnerships. Professional advancement was monitored through monthly introspective reports centered on the Core Values established by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The HPNSW, executed alongside Healthy Performers Nevada (HPN), spanned two days and featured medical seminars, specialized physical assessments, and advanced training sessions, facilitated by comprehensive promotional campaigns.

Results: During the Fall 2024 semester, the CFA-PTC managed 21 individuals across 95 sessions (reflecting a 90% annual rise), followed by 18 individuals and 100 sessions in Spring 2025 (a 525% surge), with faculty members serving as the primary referral pipeline. The HPNSW engaged 68 attendees, who indicated substantial approval regarding the program's applicability and practical value. SPTs exhibited notable progression in diagnostic logic, clinical management, and organizational proficiency, while consistently manifesting APTA Core Values, including empathy and teamwork. Constraints included limited turnout for CFA seminars, a 30% response rate for patient exit evaluations, and early difficulties regarding communicative flow and role assignment with the HPNSW leadership. Conducting the HPNSW over a holiday weekend and summer hiatus further restricted attendance from the university population, youth artists, and expert tutors.

Discussion/Conclusion: This undertaking effectively improved therapeutic availability and health education for Southern Nevada performers while maturing the professional abilities of participating SPTs. Through the provision of complimentary physical therapy, health screenings, and instructional modules, the project championed injury mitigation and facilitated secure artistic engagement. Subsequent efforts should emphasize sustained institutional ties, wider promotional reach across various academic units, and the establishment of regular screening events to increase involvement. Furthermore, creating innovative methods to boost exit survey participation will ensure more accurate assessments of longitudinal results and project efficacy. These accomplishments establish a framework for subsequent student groups to further promote the health and longevity of performers at UNLV and the surrounding region.

Keywords

Fine arts; physical therapy; health literacy; and injury prevention

Disciplines

Physical Therapy

File Format

PDF

File Size

2220 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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