Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Taking Steps To Prevent Falls, Kimberly Okechukwu

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Capstone Projects

Fall prevention is imperative in skilled nursing and long-term care facilities. According to the CDC, “about 1,800 older adults living in nursing homes die each year from fall-related injuries and those who survive frequently sustain injuries that result in permanent disability and reduced quality of life”. “Falls can also result in severe pain, high medical costs, fear of falling, less participation in activities, and reduced quality of life “(CDC 2015). Appropriate and effective fall prevention programs need to be established and implemented to reduce falls in nursing homes, which will in turn improve the quality of care.

Status Of The Entry-Level Clinical Doctorate In Occupational Therapy Education, Tara N. Ruppert

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Capstone Projects

Occupational therapy education has accepted two degree paths for entry-level practice since 2007 – the Masters in Occupational Therapy (MOT) and the Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD). A national debate exists about this approach, with strong voices on each side but there is a gap in the research supporting either side. A cohort study was used to gather data from program directors of entry-level occupational therapy programs in the U.S. to determine if there are trends, common perceptions, or predictive factors regarding which degree is supported by a program. Trends were identified, as were some common perceptions regarding the …

Hippotherapy Capstone, Autumn O'Hara

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Capstone Projects

Therapists work with many children with many different diagnoses. One of the most prevalent diagnosis is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). According to recent statistics, available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with ASD; which is a developmental disability that can cause social and behavioral challenges (CDC, 2016). ASD can also be defined as a complex group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in social interaction and verbal and nonverbal communication, as well as restricted, repetitive interests (APA, 2016). Therapist also work with individuals who have other diagnoses and deficits, including but …

Return To University After A Stroke: An Autoethnography, Rachel Sieber

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Capstone Projects

Background and Aims: Return to university presents a unique transition for the person with stroke who may demonstrate with impairments and may have difficulties while engaging in this change. This study will explore elements that comprise the needs and factors of the stroke survivor and supports or accommodations that may improve success of the student returning to university.

Methods: An autoethnography was used with narrative journals and poems dated June 2003 to October 2005, interviews with friends, family and professors and a literature review. Data analysis included an open-coding procedure to find themes from the journal entries, interviews and narrative …

Decreasing Social Isolation Through An Intergenerational Social Engagement Program, Jacqueline Kendona

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Capstone Projects

Social isolation is the absence of meaningful contact with others. Older adults who perceived themselves as socially isolated are at risk of negative health outcomes. A person’s psychological wellbeing can be improved through engaging in meaningful leisure activities.

The Intergenerational Social Engagement Program, or the ISEP, was developed to connect older adults and high school students to help decrease social isolation in older adults. The ISEP incorporates concepts from the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and is intended for implementation in senior living communities. The program is to be led by an occupational therapist. Occupational therapy practitioners have an understanding …

Improved Outcomes Associated With An Early Mobilization Protocol Among Hip And Knee Replacement Patients, Emily Emma, Dnp, Rn-Bc, Onc

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: According to the National Association of Orthopedic Nurses (NAON), research indicates that evidence-based practice for post-operative hip and knee replacement patients includes early mobilization several hours following surgery. Findings indicate that early mobilization on the day of surgery directly correlates to decreased pain, increased distance ambulated and decrease in length of stay (LOS) in the hospital. Objectives: The aim of this research was to validate findings in the literature indicating that improved patient outcomes (pain, distance ambulated and LOS) are associated with implementation of an Early Mobilization Protocol among post-operative total hip and knee replacement patients. Methods: The study …

Eccentric Exercise Program Design: A Periodization Model For Rehabilitation Applications, Michael O. Harris-Love, Bryant Seamon, Tomas I. Gonzales, Haniel J. Hernandez, Donte Pennington, Brian Hoover

Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Publications

The applied use of eccentric muscle actions for physical rehabilitation may utilize the framework of periodization. This approach may facilitate the safe introduction of eccentric exercise and appropriate management of the workload progression. The purpose of this data-driven Hypothesis and Theory paper is to present a periodization model for isokinetic eccentric strengthening of older adults in an outpatient rehabilitation setting. Exemplar and group data are used to describe the initial eccentric exercise prescription, structured familiarization procedures, workload progression algorithm, and feasibility of the exercise regimen. Twenty-four men (61.8 ±6.3 years of age) completed a 12-week isokinetic eccentric strengthening regimen involving …

Teft Fasi Alpha Test Report, Barbara Gage, Trudy Mallinson, Laurie Lyons, Joyce Maring, Ken Harwood, Anju Paude, Alex Gorsky, Beth Jackson, Pat Rivard, Lisa Gold, Allison Weaver, Kerry Lida

Physical Therapy and Health Care Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Neurobehavioral Function In Adults Recovering Consciousness After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Scoping Review, Jennifer Weaver, Ann Guernon, Trudy Mallinson, Theresa Louise-Bender Pape, Thomas Harrod

Clinical Research and Leadership Faculty Posters and Presentations

This scoping review aims to report the findings of current literature examining the assessment of neurobehavioral function and recovery along the continuum of disorders of consciousness (DOC) from coma to full consciousness.

•This study is designed to capture the range of constructs researchers have used to measure NBF during recovery of consciousness.

•The research question for this review was: “What constructs are most frequently used to assess neurobehavioral function in adults recovering consciousness after severe TBI?”

Using Xbox Kinect Motion Capture Technology To Improve Clinical Rehabilitation Outcomes For Balance And Cardiovascular Health In An Individual With Chronic Tbi, Shane Chanpimol, Bryant A. Seamon, Haniel J. Hernandez, Michael O. Harris-Love, Marc R. Blackman

Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Motion capture virtual reality-based rehabilitation has become more common. However, therapists face challenges to the implementation of virtual reality (VR) in clinical settings. Use of motion capture technology such as the Xbox Kinect may provide a useful rehabilitation tool for the treatment of postural instability and cardiovascular deconditioning in individuals with chronic severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a Kinect-based VR intervention using commercially available motion capture games on balance outcomes for an individual with chronic TBI. The secondary purpose was to assess the feasibility of this intervention …