Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Effects Of Occupation Based Interventions Related To Play And Leisure For Minimization Of Post-Concussion Or Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms In Adolescents: A Critically Appraised Topic, Anneka Harris, Melody Mackenzie, Emmy Miller

Critically Appraised Topics

Occupational therapy has a vital impact on healthcare providing a holistic approach to care with the goal of improving quality of life, increasing participation in meaningful occupations, and speeding up the recovery process for a variety of health conditions. In concussion management, occupational therapy professionals play a critical role on the multidisciplinary team, understanding the important interaction between the athlete, occupation, and the environment (Andreas et al., 2021). Even though the target population for this critically appraised topic (CAT) is adolescents, athletes (those who experienced a sports-related concussion) comprise most of the studies due to the prevalence of sports-related concussions. …

Exploring Occupation-Based Sleep Interventions For School-Aged Children Experiencing Homelessness: A Critically Appraised Topic, Aspen Delano, Joslynn Sauer, Emily Vieth

Critically Appraised Topics

Sleep is a crucial component of healthy neurological development throughout childhood. According to Suni (2023a), elementary school-aged children between the ages of 6 and 12 experience sleep deprivation when they obtain less than 9 hours of sleep per night. Contie (2022) found that children experiencing insufficient sleep had more mental health and behavioral challenges than those who had sufficient sleep. Additionally, Contie (2022) found that children experiencing sleep deprivation had less gray matter and volume in their brains. This impacts cognitive functioning, specifically decision-making, conflict-solving, working memory, and learning. The brain undergoes critical development of the basal ganglia, ganglia-thalamus-cortex circuit, …

Effectiveness Of Occupational Therapy’S Role In Promotion Of Role Fulfillment With Aviation Students In Higher Education Who Are Experiencing Mental Health Conditions, Payton O. Schilke, Olivia G. Schoffstall, Lexi K. Smith, Gracie J. Stimac

Critically Appraised Topics

This critically appraised topic paper focuses on occupational therapy’s role and the interventions for improving the mental health of aviation students in higher education. Aviation students are higher education student pilots learning to become pilots within various roles. Stress and fatigue among students in higher education are prominent problems (Beiter, 2015; Kalmakis et al., 2021). The focus on aviation students for this critically appraised topic paper reveals the unique stressors relating to flight training that is added on top of the normal academic stress load that university students face (Robertson & Ruiz, 2010). Due to these stress factors, the mental …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Natural Disasters, Olivia A. Dobrinz, Elise N. Gapp, Jocelyn R. Kirk

Critically Appraised Topics

This critically appraised topic paper (CAT) focuses on interventions for improving individuals’ quality of life and occupational participation following a natural disaster. Described within this CAT are the impacts on individual’s occupations following a natural disaster, the quality of life for individuals, and occupational therapy’s role in improving an individual’s quality of life and occupational participation.

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Addressing The Intersectionality Of Veterans Who Are Chronically Homeless, Mental Health, And Sleep Deprivation, Maci Bakken, Abby Eken, Morgan Halliday

Critically Appraised Topics

Currently, there are interventions available for rest and sleep for the general population. However, those interventions do not usually address the unique needs of the population of veterans who are homeless with mental health disorders. While there is information on the person, environmental, and occupational factors surrounding this topic separately, there is limited literature regarding how to address all of these factors when they transact with each other. The purpose of this critically appraised topic paper is to examine the impacts that being a veteran, having a mental health disorder, and being homeless have on sleep deprivation as well as …

Increasing Parent Confidence And Involvement In The Nicu: An Occupational Therapy Educational Guide, Megan D. Berginski

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Research shows that 40% of mothers with preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) reported feelings of depression, and 23% reported experiencing post-traumatic stress symptoms, with that number increasing to 40% after discharge (Harris et al., 2018). Factors that contributed to this included a lack of social support, a lack of empowerment, perceived less capability in their new roles, and the stressful experiences that can happen in this setting (Matricardi et al., 2013; Sabnis et al., 2019). A similar study found that at discharge, 69.8% of parents reported that they were not confident in providing the necessary care …

Let’S Groove: A Dance Program Designed For Children With Disabilities, Michayla Burckhard

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Children with disabilities face limited opportunities to participate in the occupation of dance when compared to opportunities available for their non-disabled peers. Barriers to their participation include lack of class opportunities, cost, and knowledge about programs (Carrion et al., 2018). Many dance studios offer integrated or non-specialized classes, but participation by a child with a disability in this type of class is sometimes limited by parental or child fears, or other barriers such as lack of accommodations (Lucas, 2017).

Addressing Adherence To Home Exercise Programs In A Hand Therapy Setting, Austin B. Ellis

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Roughly 1,100 per 100,000 persons experience an upper-extremity injury per year including burns, fractures, or amputations (Ootes et al., 2012). These upper-extremity injuries can impact a person’s physical function, activities of daily living (ADL), social, psychological, and financial aspects in life (Che Daud et al., 2016b). These statistics warrant the need for occupational therapy practitioners specializing in hand therapy, and other hand therapists to address these areas of client’s lives that have been affected by their upper extremity injury.

Supporting Caregivers Of Children With Complex Health Needs, Anne Louise Domanus

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project is to develop and implement programming that provides support and meets the needs of caregivers of children with complex health needs. This was done by providing a resource guide of local community resources to caregivers to increase engagement in leisure occupations.

Exploring Nature-Based And Animal-Assisted Therapies As A Therapeutic Modality, Rachel Cheatley

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is characterized by integrating animals into the therapy process as a therapeutic partner and modality (Laskowski et. al., 2019). AAT shows positive outcomes for those who take part in the practice (Ein et. al., 2018; Feng et. al., 2021; Mapes & Rosén, 2016; Nieforth et. al., 2021). Common goals that are targeted via AAT include anxiety and related symptoms, depression and related symptoms, coordination, fine motor skills, reaching, hand-eye coordination, body balance, body awareness, communication, and relationship building (Ein et. al., 2018; Feng et. al., 2021; Mapes & Rosén, 2016; Nieforth et. al., 2021). Even with the …

Caring For All In The Nicu, Zachary Daniel Gascho

Occupational Therapy Capstones

In the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the infants who are being examined, evaluated, and treated are not the only people that need to be thought of when providing care. The parents/guardians in the NICU are just as important to consider in providing support. Research has shown that parents who have a child in the NICU experience a great deal of stress and guidelines recommend emotional support intervention in the NICU (Bigsby, 2021; Dudek-Shriber, 2004, Hynan & Hall, 2015). Emotional support is needed for these parents as they are experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders that are often left untreated …

The Mind Matters: Interprofessional Mental And Emotional Health Guide For Cancer Survivors, Jaecy Giegerich

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Cancer is the second-highest leading cause of death in the United States with approximately 1.9 million new cancer cases and over 600,000 deaths in 2022 alone (Department of Health and Human Services et al., 2022). Cancer-related mental health is a primary barrier for engagement in treatment-related care; negatively impacting survivors’ perceived quality of life (Islam et al., 2022). Comprised mental health is one of the contributing factors to suicide. Patients undergoing a cancer diagnosis are at an ever-high suicide risk with incidences higher than other diagnoses (Saad et al., 2019).

Educating The Educator: Articulating Ot’S Role In School-Based Collaboration, Bryce Shaun Graves

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Many teachers in the educational field are unaware of the role of occupational therapists (OTs) and how OTs can support teachers and students (Kennedy et al., 2018; Truong & Hodgetts, 2017). Educators who are aware of the OT role often desire further collaboration including realistic recommendations for their classroom (Truong & Hodgetts, 2017). This presents a need for increased education about the role of occupational therapy (OT) in school-based practice and additional instruction for increased effectiveness of OT-teacher collaboration.

Fostering A Loving Connection: A Foster Parent’S Toolkit For Understanding And Addressing Behaviors For Children Placed In Out-Of-Home Care, Emily A. Knust

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Children placed in out-of-home care have an 80% chance of having a mental health diagnosis or experiencing negative behaviors related to trauma experiences (Armstrong-Hiemsoth et al., 2020). Children in foster care have been exposed to trauma by being removed from their biological parents and the abuse, neglect, or unsafe conditions that occurred leading up to the removal and placement in out-of-home care (Bartlett, 2021). From this trauma, a child is more likely to experience difficulty with basic self-care skills, executive functioning, emotional regulation, attachment disorders, or positive interactions and relationships within the foster home and their environment (Pervis et al., …

Primitive Reflex Screening And Caregiver Education And Support. A Product To Support Children With Retained Primitive Reflexes Transitioning Into The Formal Education System., Anna Justine Logan

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Infants are born with movement patterns called primitive reflexes. Primitive reflexes are active for approximate times during the first few years of life (Smet et al, 2020; Myott et al., 2016). Retained primitive reflexes are primitive reflexes that have not integrated in the expected time. Retained primitive reflexes have been linked to a variety of developmental delays in older children including fine and gross motor (Gieysztor et al., 2018a), visual (Andrich et al., 2018), and academic performance (Feldhacker et al., 2021; Calvin & Ramli, 2020).

Development Of A School Based Program: Implementing Occupational Therapy Into General Education Classrooms, Samantha Jo Larson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project (SP) was to build a program containing activities for kindergarten and first grade general education classrooms that promote childrens’ skills that are necessary for development in handwriting, reading, writing, spelling, and clothing management.

The Newly Arrived Client: Applying Culturally Responsive Occupational Therapy Approaches To The Refugee Population To Promote Occupational Justice, Dominique Menard

Occupational Therapy Capstones

At the end of 2021, there were 836,300 Somali refugees and asylum seekers worldwide; in Minnesota alone, there are more than 70,000 Somali refugees, which is the largest concentration in the United States (Culture Care Connection, 2022; The UN Refugee Agency, n.d.). As with many refugee populations, Somali refugees experience many healthcare inequities including limited understanding of the resettled nation's healthcare system, poor functional health literacy, provider and/or interpreter gender preferences, discrimination, and limited cultural competence of providers (Eklöf et al., 2019; Fang et al., 2015; Gele et al., 2016; Houston et al., 2021; Njenga, 2022; Wångdahl et al., 2018). …

Treatment Of Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction: A Case Study, Baylee Ann Reiser

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a progressive and debilitating disease that can lead to bony involvement or deformity. Common symptoms of PTTD include medial ankle and foot pain and acquired flat foot deformity. The purpose of this case study is to examine physical therapy interventions in a patient with chronic PTTD.

Case Description. This case study describes the 15-week physical therapy management in an outpatient clinic for a 34-year-old female with unstaged PTTD presenting with pain, decreased range of motion, strength deficits and muscle imbalance, impaired balance, and impaired gait. The patient lived a …

Physical Therapy Management Of Lower Exteremity Weakness And Balance Dysfunction Due To Sarcopenia And Frailty: A Case Report, Carla J. Maurstad

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Introduction: The aging population is on the rise and is expected to increase from 8.5% to 16.5% for those aged sixty-five years and older by 2050. With the expected rise comes the increased prevalence of frailty that leads to a decline in physiological function placing individuals at risk for sarcopenia, disability, falls, hospitalization, and death. The purpose of this case study is on lower extremity muscle weakness (sarcopenia) and frailty and the effectiveness of physical therapy to improve muscle strength, balance, proprioception, and functional mobility to decrease the risk of falls, improve performance with daily activities, and improve …

The Effects Of Physical Therapy For Acute Knee Pain With Meniscuc Involvement: A Case Report, Courtney R. Hornung

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Introduction: Cartilage tears and osteoarthritis are upon the most common sources of knee pain. The peak incidence for degenerative meniscal tears in women are from ages 61-70. The meniscus acts as a cushion within the knee and if this becomes damaged or degenerates over time, osteoarthritis is likely to become a factor as well. The purpose of this study is to find whether or not physical therapy is an appropriate treatment option for a patient with knee pain with indications of osteoarthritis and a meniscal involvement.

Case Description: The patient is an 82 year old female who came …

Physical Therapy Clinical Instructor's Viewpoints On Entry-Level Performance Of Physical Therapy Students And New Graduates, Elhana Selimovie

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to gain perspective on how physical therapy clinical instructors (CI) define entry-level in relation to the field of physical therapy. The research question asked CIs was whether or not there was a difference in how CIs defined entry-level physical therapists. Entry level is defined as “a student who is capable of functioning without guidance or supervision while managing simple or complex conditions, with proficiency in skilled examinations, interventions, and clinical reasoning, and is able to maintain 100% of a full-time therapist’s caseload in a cost-effective manner.”

Methods: A survey was sent …

Conservative Outpatient Physical Therapy Management Of Patient With Atraumatic Anterior Sternoclavicular Joint Subluxation: A Case Report, Fallon N. Hill

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Introduction: Atraumatic Anterior Subluxations of the Sternoclavicular Joint (SCJ) are a rare upper extremity injury that may cause range of motion (ROM) and strength deficits to the shoulder joint due to pain and feelings of instability. There are a variety of approaches for management as with SCJ subluxations, but atraumatic anterior displacements respond mostly to conservative management or masterly neglect.

Case Description: The patient was a 63-year-old female with an atraumatic anterior subluxation of her right side. The patient did not qualify for surgical or physician intervention and was referred to physical therapy for conservative treatment and pain …

Case Report Of A 42-Year-Old Male Affected By Plantar Fasciitis, Jenna Baumgartner

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Plantar fasciitis is an irritation of the plantar fascia that causes increased pain and inflammation of the area. Plantar fasciitis affects nearly 1 in 10 people in their lifetime with a high likelihood of reoccurrence. There can be multiple causes but physical therapy (PT) can be crucial for the reduction of pain and return of function. Due to high likelihood of reoccurrence, it is the goal to give patients the tools that they need to self-treat when they experience another bout of plantar fasciitis.

Case Description: The patient was a 42-year-old male who had pain in …

Outpatient Physical Therapy Management Of A Patient Presenting With Double Crush Syndrome: A Case Study., Nicholas G. Hatfield

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. This case study evaluates the effectiveness of physical therapy interventions in the treatment of a patient presenting with a potential Double Crush Syndrome.

Case Description. This patient was a 59-year-old male with reports of right shoulder pain and right upper extremity paresthesia, numbness, and tingling affecting his ability to perform daily tasks at work and at home.

Interventions. The physical therapy interventions given were all based on findings from the initial evaluation and included a mixture of manual therapy techniques such as shoulder mobilizations, therapeutic exercises/activities such as stretching, resistance training, and carries, and …

Outpatient Physical Therapy Treatment Of Patient With Spondylosis: A Case Study, Paige B. Kropuenske

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: In the United States low back pain (LBP) is one of the leading causes for individuals to reach out to health care professionals. LBP is often associated with a diagnosis of spondylosis. Spondylosis is present in about 80% of peoples in the United States. The prevalence of spondylosis continues to increase without a definite cure or form of treatment. Overall, exercise and intervention have proven to decrease symptoms of pain of those with spondylosis. However, success of treatment may see large variables in success. Further research into specific treatment interventions may be warranted to decrease chronic …

The Effects Of Blood Flow Restriction On Electromyography Activity Of Proximal And Distal Upper Extremity Musculature, Nicole Mazour

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose/Hypothesis: Blood flow restriction therapy (BFR) has become a popular means of strength training and intervention used by physical therapists, athletic trainers and body builders. BFR allows for high intensity resistance training at a low intensity training level. It has been shown that BFR increases muscular hypertrophy and strength due to the vascular occlusion that occurs during BFR application. When performing BFR a pressurized tourniquet cuff is applied to the proximal portion of the selected limb. Individuals complete exercise between 20-40% of their 1 repetition maximum (RM) while utilizing the BFR cuff for improvements in muscular strength. Most BFR …

Reading The Warning Signs: Preventive Mental Health Youth Education Program, Cammy Cate Robertson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Wyoming is the third leading state in suicide related death (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2018; Wyoming Department of Health, n.d.). According to the National Institute of Mental Health (2022), suicide is the second leading cause of death in individuals aged 10-14. One in six youth experiences a mental health disorder yearly, while 50% of individuals aged 14 begin to have lifelong mental health concerns (Kessler et al., 2005; Whitney & Peterson, 2019). Students who experience depression are twice as likely to drop out of school, and students with mental, emotional, or behavioral concerns are three times more …

Occupational Therpay’S Role When Treating Pediatric Feeding Disorders, Callie Vold

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Feeding and eating are required occupations that all humans must engage in to meet one of their most basic needs (AOTA, 2020; Maslow, 1943). While feeding and eating allows humans to meet their most basic physiological needs it also allows them to meet other needs of Maslow's Hierarchy along with engaging in valued occupations (AOTA, 2020; Maslow, 1943. Children with Pediatric Feeding Disorders (PFD) have difficulty with one or more areas of feeding which are medical, nutritional, feeding skill and/or psychosocial dysfunction (Fleet et al., 2022; Goday et al., 2019; Howe & Wang, 2013; Marshall et al., 2015; Sharp et …

Disability Awareness To Promote Inclusivity For Children In The Educational Setting, Abby Bauman

Occupational Therapy Capstones

A large barrier to an effective and successful educational experience is the stigma and perceived judgment surrounding a child’s disability (Fontil et al., 2020). Implementing disability awareness materials into young classrooms is a way to prevent the development of stigma towards disability. Children who received disability awareness programming in the past have shown improved attitudes towards disabilities as opposed to those who have not (Chae et al., 2019). The purpose of this scholarly project is to assist teachers with implementing disability awareness materials to increase encouragement for young peers to accept, include, and support young individuals with disabilities.

Transitioning A Hand Therapy Clinic From Traditional Paper Home Programs To An Electronic Platform: A Quality Improvement Project, Megan Raissa Fuka

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Individuals with upper extremity conditions who receive occupational therapy within the hand therapy context are often provided with paper or electronic home programs (HPs) as part of their rehabilitation protocol. Electronic HPs may promote greater adherence and functional improvements than paper handouts, as they can accommodate various learning styles and address patient barriers (Chung et al., 2020; Harte & Law, 2019; Lambert et al., 2017; Nussbaum et al., 2019; Toci et al., 2021; Valdes et al., in press). Despite evidence showing positive patient satisfaction and outcomes as a result of using electronic HPs, some occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) may be …