return to faculty and staff listing

Paul Mintken, PT, DPT, OCS

Assistant Professor

Office:
University of Colorado Denver
Physical Therapy Program - C244
Education Building 2 South
13121 E. 17th Avenue - PO Box 6508
Room 3130
Aurora, CO 80045

Link to Mintken Research Activities
Phone:
303-724-9545 office
303-881-1569 cell
Email:
paul.mintken@uchsc.edu

Professional Credentials, Licensure, and Certification(s)

  • Licensed PT-Colorado
  • Orthopedic Clincal Specialist - 2005
  • Currently enrolled in Regis University Fellowship in Manual

Institution & Location Degree Yr. Conferred Field of Study

  • University of Colorado Denver, Doctor of Physical Therapy, 2004
  • University of Colorado Denver, MS PT, 1994, Physical Therapy
  • University of Northern Colorado, BA, 1991, Exercise Physiology

Offices, Membership in Professional Organizations, Advisory Councils, Boards, etc.

  • Awards Committee Chair, Colorado Chapter of the APTA
  • Member, American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
    • Orthopaedic Section
    • Research Section
  • Member, American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Therapists (AAOMPT)
  • Past President & Member, Board of Directors of the CU Physical Therapy Alumni Association
  • Past Member, Human Research Committee (IRB) University of Colorado at Boulder

Major Research and Professional Interests

  • My research is focused on identifying the role of regional interdependence in common musculoskeletal conditions.  My main area of interest revolves around manual therapy techniques, particularly mobilization/manipulation.  Areas I am currently investigating include identifying which patients benefit from these interventions (clinical prediction rules), and the role of dysfunction and impairments in distant regions, both extremity and spine, that may affect or contribute to a patient’s primary complaint.

Current Research Projects

  • Establishing Minimal Clinically Important Differences for Scores on the Shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH) in Patients with Shoulder Pain.
    • The QuickDASH is a regional outcome tool that is frequently used in patients with upper extremity dysfunction.  It has demonstrated reliability and validity, however the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) has not been established to date.  The primary aim of this research project is to determine the MCID of the QuickDASH in patients with a primary complaint of shoulder pain.
    • Role:  Primary Investigator

  • Development of a Clinical Predication Rule to Identify Patients with Shoulder Pain, Likely to Benefit from Cervicothoracic Manipulation.  (Funded by the Cardon Rehabilition Grant from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists, Awarded 2006)
    • The primary aims of this research project are to:
      • Develop a clinical prediction rule (CPR) to identify patients with a primary complaint of shoulder pain who are likely to benefit from cervicothoracic manipulation (thrust and non-thrust).
      • Investigate the psychometric properties, including test retest reliability of a modified version of the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) and the shortened Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-11) in patients with shoulder pain.
    • Role:  Primary Investigator

  • Thoracic Manipulation for Cervicogenic Headaches: A Multi-Centered Randomized Clinical Trial.  (Josh Cleland Primary Investigator.  Funding applied for through the Headache Foundation)
    • Role:  Co-Investigator

  • An Evidence-Based Paradigm: Student Perceived Barriers to Learning and Practicing Spinal Manipulation. (John May Primary Investigator.  Funded by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists)
    • Role:  Co-Investigator

  • Validation of a Clinical Prediction Rule to Identify Patients with Neck Pain Likely to Benefit from Thoracic Spine Thrust Manipulation. (Josh Cleland Primary Investigator.  Funded by the Orthopaedic Section of the APTA)
    • Role:  Co-Investigator

  • Development of a Clinical Prediction Rule to Indentify Patients Status Post-Inversion Ankle Sprain, Likely to Benefit from Manual Physical Therapy Interventions and Exercise. (Julie Whitman Primary Investigator.  Funded by the Orthopaedic Section of the APTA)   
    • Role:  Co-Investigator

  • Optimizing Lower Extremity Muscle Function After Total Knee Arthroplasty. (Jennifer Stevens Primary Investigator.  Funded by the Orthopaedic Section of the APTA)   
    • Co-Investigator

Current Grants

  • May J, Carpenter K, Sonnenberg L, Struessel T, Mintken P.  Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Products (OPTP) Grant from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT):  An Evidence-Based Paradigm: Student Perceived Barriers to Learning and Practicing Spinal Manipulation.  $4,000; Awarded:  10/2007-10/2008. Role: Co-Investigator.
  • Cardon Rehabilitation Grant from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT):  Development of a Clinical Prediction Rule to Identify Patients with Shoulder Pain Likely to Benefit from Cervicothoracic Manipulation.  $5,000; Awarded: 2006. Role: Primary Investigator.
  • Orthopaedic Section, APTA: Development of a Clinical Prediction Rule to Identify Patients Status Post Inversion Ankle Sprain Likely to Benefit from Manual Physical Therapy Interventions and Exercise. $7,500; Awarded: 2006. Role: Co-Investigator.

Clinical Practice

  • Outpatient Orthopaedics at the University of Colorado at Boulder
  • Faculty Clinical Practice at the University of Colorado Denver.

Recent Publications

  • Puentedura E, Louw A, Mintken P. Neurodynamic Interventions for the Management of Patients with Headache. In: Conservative Management of Tension Type and Cervicogenic Headache: Physical Examination, Muscle and Joint Management. Fernández de las Peñas C, Arendt-Nielsen L, Gerwin R, editors. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett; In Press.
  • Louw A, Mintken P, Puentedura L. Neuro-physiological Effects of Neural Mobilization Maneuvers. In: Conservative Management of Tension Type and Cervicogenic Headache: Physical Examination, Muscle and Joint Management. Fernández de las Peñas C, Arendt-Nielsen L, Gerwin R, editors. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett; In Press.
  • Mintken P, DeRosa C, Little T, Smith B.  A Model for Standardizing Manipulation Terminology in Physical Therapy Practice. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy.  Accepted for Publication.
  • Mintken P, Metrick L, Flynn T.  Upper Cervical Ligament Testing in a Patient with Os Odontoideum Presenting with Headaches.  Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy.  In review.
  • Mintken P, Boyles R.  Examination and Management of a Patient with an Undiagnosed Lisfranc Injury in a Primary Care Physical Therapy Practice.  Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy.  2008 38(1): A38.
  • Mintken P, Carpenter K, Whitman J.  Management of a Patient with Acute Low Back Pain using the Lumbopelvic Region Manipulation Clinical Prediction Rule and the Treatment Based Classification System.  Abstract published in The Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy 2007 15(3), 177.
  • Mintken P, Metrick L, Flynn T.  Clinical Examination of a Congenital Upper Cervical Instability in a Patient with Cervicogenic Headaches.    Abstract published in The Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy 2007 15(3), 177-178.
  • Mintken PE, Carpenter KJ, Kohrt WM, Eckhoff D, Stevens JE.  Early Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation to Optimize Quadriceps Muscle Function Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Case Report.  Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy.  2007 37(7):364-71.
  • Mintken P.  Implementation of a direct access musculoskeletal injury clinic in a university setting. Abstract published in Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 2007 37(1):A-30-31.
  • Whitman JM, Cleland JA, Bieniek ML, Magel JM, Mintken PE, Keirns MA, Childs JD. Outcomes Achieved by Patients Status Post Ankle Sprain Treated With Manual Physical Therapy and Exercise Interventions: A Preliminary Report.  Abstract published in The Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy 2006 17 (3): 184-185.
  • Mintken P.  Use of Taping to Maintain Centralization of Low Back Pain.  Abstract published in Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 2006 36(1):A-51.

Teaching Responsibilities

  • Musculoskeletal Conditions I, II, III (upper & lower extremity & spine)
  • Radiology
  • Advanced Clinical Skills: Foot Orthotics
  • Advanced Orthopaedic Manipulation
  • Patient Care Seminar

Service Activities

  • Awards Committee Chair, Colorado Chapter of the APTA
  • Clinical Instructor
  • Volunteer at the 9 Health Fair since 1994.

Awards

  • Outstanding Clinical Instructor, University of Colorado Denver, 2000
  • Herbert Levy Humanitarian Award in Physical Therapy, 1994
  • Dean's List 1987-1991, University of Northern Colorado