Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Phonological Complexity: The Interaction Of Three-Element Clusters And Word Lexacility On Speech Sound Disorders, Heidi Joann Simon

Theses and Dissertations

Phonological complexity and word lexicality have been shown to induce phonological change in children with speech-sound disorders (SSDs); however, no prior research has used three-element cluster treatment target to directly compare real words (RW) to non-words (NW). Thus, the current research project sets out to answer the question of treatment efficacy in terms of real words and non-words using the complex three-element target, /str-/. Using a repeated measures single-subject research design, five children (5;7 to 7;7) were split into two SSD treatment groups (RW and NW) and directly compared in terms of learning during treatment, generalization from treatment, sound segments …

Rain Rhythms: Spring 2012 - Fall 2012, College Of Nursing & Professional Disciplines

RAIN Rhythms

No abstract provided.

Illness Management And Recovery: The Role Of Occupational Therapy, Crystal Brecht, Jenna Mcgregor

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) model is a collaborative program that focuses on living with a chronic mental illness by educating the client on management techniques that will facilitate goal setting toward recovery (Mueser et al., 2006).The purpose of this scholarly project was to review the occupational therapy (OT) literature and determine the role of OT in IMR programs.

Method: A comprehensive review was conducted on occupational therapy interventions appropriate for inclusion in the IMR modules. Sources utilized for the review included: United States and international OT journals, OT textbooks, and other publications authored by OTs from the …

Bringing Occupation To Long-Term-Care Setting, Danielle Shepers, Stephanie Blonigen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

As a person enters a long-term-care (LTC) facility, they lose their home, independence, possessions and routine (O'Sullivanm, 2004). Adopting a meaningful occupational or social role may improve psychological well-being in elders (Keung Yuen, Huang, Burik, & Smith, 2008). There is a need for resources to support the use of occupations as treatment modalities in LTC setting. The purpose of this scholarly project is to address this need.

A literature review was conducted using AOTA, AJOT, OT Practice, CINAHL, SCOPUS, and PubMed on topics relating to the populations served in LTC, and types of OT intervention used in LTC. Issues concerning …

An Occupational Therapy-Based Education Program For Caregivers Of Individuals With Cerebral Palsy: A Culturally Conscious Perspective, Allison L. Kalb, Diana L. Huettl

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) are able to lead functional, productive, and fulfilling lives when provided the opportunity. In the country of Ghana, the prevalence of CP is estimated to be one out of every 300 births (Purple Field Productions [PFP], 2011), however, a lack of education about CP and other disabilities, limited access to healthcare services, and scarce resources hamper the Ghanaian people’s opportunities for habilitation (Reynolds, 2010; Tinney, Chiodo, Haig, & Wiredu, 2007). In addition, cultural beliefs and societal attitudes toward people with disabilities in Ghana pose a barrier for those individuals to fully participate in occupation. …

Growing Occupational Identity: The Use Of Agricultural Entrepreneurship For Young Adults With Disabilities To Successfully Enter, Adapt, Or Inhabit The Role Of Worker, Nicole Likewise, Theresa Podio

Occupational Therapy Capstones

“We know what we are, but not what we may be.” – William Shakespeare

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to develop a grant proposal in order to obtain funding for the development of an entrepreneurial program for young adults with disabilities transitioning into adulthood in rural Wyoming. Through participation in the program young adults would have the opportunity to pursue entrepreneurship in sustainable agriculture while concurrently developing an occupational identity.

Methods: A selected literature review was conducted to identify the scope of the problem and identify what, if any, programs are currently being offered to assist youth transition …

Embracing Life With Als: The Role Of Occupational Therapy From Diagnosis To End Of Life Care, Chelsey Edwards, Amy Ferguson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a comprehensive document that describes the role of the occupational therapist in working with clients and families affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis CALS) from diagnosis to end-of-life care.

Method: A literature review was conducted using the AJOT, PubMed, CINAHL, and OT SEARCH databases. Information was gathered regarding current literature of ALS, the disease process, occupational therapy's role in ALS treatment, caregiver's role in end-of-life care, assistive technology, palliative care options, and additional support strategies. Additional ALS material was gathered from the ALS Association's informational manuals.

Results: Designed from the perspective …

Sexuality: The Missing Activity Of Daily Living: A Pilot Study, Lindsay Farkas, Elizabeth Reynolds

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the comfort level of occupational therapists addressing sexuality with clients in physical disability clinical settings in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. A secondary intention of this study was to explore why or why not OTs are addressing sexual issues with their clients, and if therapists are addressing sexual issues, what resources are utilized.

Methods: A non-experimental design pilot study was conducted to explore the comfort level of occupational therapists addressing sexual issues with clients in physical disability settings. A mixed-methods, triangulation survey design was used to gather data …

A Physical Wellness Program For The Transition Into A Wheelchair, Christa Haas, Meghan Lyle

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Based on the information from the literature reviewed in Chapter II, individuals may experience secondary medical complications and disruption to engagement in meaningful occupations once confined to a wheelchair for mobility. According to Matuska, Giles-Heinz, Flinn, Neighbor, & Bass-Haugen (2003) education through wellness programming has lasting benefits on participation in meaningful occupations and prevention of occupational limitations. The product of this scholarly project, A Physical Wellness Program for the Transition into a Wheelchair, was designed with a holistic approach to promote health and wellness in clients' transitioning to wheelchairs; the wellness program was designed to facilitate a healthy lifestyle and …

An Occupation-Based Protocol Designed For Women With Cardiac Conditions, Erika Swirzcki, Andrea Young

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in women worldwide as well as the number one cause of death in the United States (American Heart Association [AHA], 2010). Women are not adequately represented when entering phase II of cardiac rehabilitation due to the numerous barriers that they may experience. The purpose of this scholarly project is to help meet women’s unique needs and facilitate their return to meaningful life roles and occupations after experiencing a cardiac event. This protocol provides guidelines for occupational therapists to use during phase II of cardiac rehabilitation and addresses the implementation of occupation-based …

Effect Of Frontal Plane Foot Position On Lower Extremity Muscle Activation And Limb Positioning In A Single Leg Squat, Elizabeth J. Kornkven

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose/Background: Foot positioning during a single leg landing may affect the muscles above the ankle joint and promote positions of increased vulnerability to ACL injury. The purpose of the study was to analyze muscle activity of six muscles in the lower extremity during completion of a single leg squat on the subject’s dominant leg with the subtalar joint in 5 different positions.

Methods: Seventeen healthy males and females (ages 18‐30) performed five single leg squats in five foot positions: neutral, five degrees and ten degrees of declination, and five degrees and ten degrees of inclination. Electromyography data was collected from …

Influence Of Foot Position On Lower Extremity Muscle Activity, Hayley J. Letvin

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Being that the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most commonly torn ligament, much research has been performed regarding this matter. Females have been found to be more likely to tear their ACL. This may be due to strength, structural (anatomical), hormonal, and neuromuscular differences compared to men. Several studies have also been conducted to help improve preventative measures with using strengthening and neuromuscular training programs. Many speculations have been made about the precipitating factors of an ACL injury. The general consensus in regard to foot placement is that the foot is usually placed in pronation during an ACL tear. …

Fiber Type And Cross-Sectional Area Characteristics In Hindlimb Muscles Of The Long-Lived Ames Dwarf Mouse, Kristine Dahlheimer

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background: Ageing is associated with sarcopenia and a change of composition in muscle fibers. Ames dwarf mice have been found to have a decreased susceptibility to the deleterious effects of the ageing process, when compared to a normal mouse counterpart. This study looks at the muscle composition of the Ames dwarf mouse compared to the normal mouse by analyzing two muscles, ELD and Sol.

Methods: Researchers harvested hind limb muscles from Ames dwarf mice and normal mice. The fours muscles were EDL, Sol, Gastrocnemius/Plantaris, and TA. EDL and Sol were sliced and stained with fast and slow twitch and H&E …

A Lifetime Of Work: A Guide To Health Promotion And Wellness On The Farm, Andrea Hensrud, Gregory Holubok

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this project is to develop a guide to health promotion, wellness and adapting to life changes on the farm from an occupational therapy perspective to enhance quality of life for aging farmers and rural community dwellers. The authors completed a focused literature review on topics related to health promotion, wellness, adapting to life changes, making changes and aging in place. Data was collected through an extensive study of relevant information through professional journals, clinical text books, class discussion and related state and national associations. Upon completion of the review of literature, it was determined that older adults …

A Community-Based Occupational Therapy Wellness Program For Adult Clients With Traumatic Brain Injury, Cody Link, Amanda Myklebust

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Each year in the United States, over 1.5 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). TBI can cause a variety of long-term problems with thinking, sensation, language, sensorimotor, and emotions (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). These lead to long-term problems in areas of social participation, emotional wellness, work and volunteer participation, community integration, leisure participation, and healthy life balance. This indicates the need for continuing occupational therapy to address these problem areas. Communitybased interventions provide a service to promote health in an individual’s natural environment and can focus on a …

A Guide For Teachers And Paraprofessionals Working With Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Lesley Fettig

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project was to create a resource for occupational therapists in the public school system to provide a guide to educators and paraprofessionals working with children with autism spectrum disorder. The resulting guide for the occupational therapist provides the necessary materials to develop child specific guides for the educator and paraprofessional. The product provides education and guidance to optimize the educator and paraprofessional's ability to provide for the needs of a child with autism spectrum disorder in the school environment.

A comprehensive literature review was conducted to examine current best practice and treatment guidelines for autism …

Students' Experience Of Learning To Use Occupation As Intervention On Fieldwork In Medical Settings, Kelli Atkinson, Nicole Knutson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

There are few studies that focus on students’ experiences of fieldwork; specifically, investigating how students learn to use occupation. In addition, there is limited research regarding the students’ learning to use occupation-based interventions in medical settings. The purpose of this independent study was to explore students’ experience of learning to use occupation as intervention on fieldwork in medical settings and specific strategies used by students and fieldwork educators for learning to use occupation as intervention. A phenomenological, qualitative research design was used with this study. Participants were recruited through the use of the University of North Dakota occupational therapy department …

Developing Fine Motor Skills In Preschool Age Children, Linnea Starkey

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Based on the findings of the literature review, fine motor skills are an important skill to develop during the preschool years. Marr, Cermak, Cohan and Henderson (2003) described the importance of fine motor skills to engage in valued occupations in addition to educational activities. A child's occupations that demand fine motor skills may be dressing, tying shoes, play, among other daily tasks. If a child has difficulty with fine motor skills it could have a negative outcome on their daily lives and how they perform in school. Children who have difficulty coordinating the small muscle groups in their hands have …

Low Back Pain With Psoas Tightness, Trevor Northagen

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose

Low back pain is a prevalent healthcare issue which has a number of causes. There are many types of treatment with varying levels of success. The psoas is a back muscle which may undergo changes in a patient with back pain. Treatment may have to be modified if changes are seen in the psoas.

Case Description

A 66 year-old woman reported low back and right hip pain, as well as right-sided abdominal pain around a surgical incision. The physical therapy examination revealed adhered scar tissue around the incision, psoas muscle tightness, as well as low back and …

Charcot Foot Ulceration, Katelin Sievert

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

This case report follows the treatment of a 64 year old male with a Charcot foot ulceration of the right foot. The study was conducted to assess the outcome of wound care to the stage three pressure ulcer and the use of a Total Contact Cast (TCC) in the treatment of the Charcot foot ulceration, as well as to present more awareness to the medical field on Charcot foot pathology and diagnosis. The study was conducted over a 16 week time period. After 15 sessions with the patient, the results showed that wound care, the use of a TCC, and …

Influence Of Foot Position On Lower Extremity Muscle Activation, Casey Darling

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee is often sprained or torn in injuries resulting from jumping, cutting, or hyperextension of the knee. When the knee is put under a valgus, varus, or rotatory stress it can put strain on the ACL. Lower extremity motor control can help control the amount of varus and valgus stress on the knee. Lower extremity muscle control is involved with preventing this stress and resulting injuries. This study was performed to determine whether the position of the foot (neutral, supination, and pronation) has an effect on lower extremity muscle activity during single-leg squats. …

Fiber Type And Cross-Sectional Area Characteristics In Hindlimb Muscles Of The Long-Lived Ames Dwarf Mouse, David Farder

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background: Aging is associated with sarcopenia and a change of composition in muscle fibers. Ames dwarf mice have been found to have a decreased susceptibility to the deleterious effects of the aging process, when compared to a normal mouse counterpart. This study looks at the muscle composition of the Ames dwarf mouse compared to the normal mouse by analyzing two muscles, extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus (Sol).

Methods: Researchers harvested hind limb muscles from Ames dwarf mice and normal mice. The fours muscles were EDL, Sol, Gastrocnemius/Plantaris, and tibialis anterior (TA). EDL and Sol were sliced and stained with …

Effect Of Frontal Plane Foot Position On Lower Extremity Muscle Activation And Limb Positioning In A Single Leg Squat, Marissa N. Laddusaw

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose/Background: This goal of this study was to reach a bottom up understanding of ACL injury occurrence. Subtalar position during single leg stance may affect the muscles associated with the knee joint and promote ACL injury. The muscle activity of six muscles of the leg, thigh, and hip were analyzed during a single leg squat with the foot on surfaces of 10 degrees decline, five degrees decline, neutral, and 5 degrees incline, and 10 degrees incline.

Methods: Seventeen healthy participants between the ages of 18 and 30 performed five rhythmically timed repetitions of single leg squats on surfaces of 10 …

The Use Of Occupation-Based Interventions In Long-Term Care: A Qualitative Study, Amy Jo. Jensen, Mallory Carlson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: To explore occupational therapists' use of occupation- based interventions in long-term care facilities.

Methodology: A literature review was completed on the use and effect occupation-based intervention has within a long-term care practice setting. Based upon the findings of this literature review, a qualitative research study was conducted using a grounded theory approach adopted from Strauss and Corbin (1998). Six occupational therapists working in long-term care facilities in Minnesota were recruited through purposive sampling using convenience and snowballing techniques. Each participant was interviewed once using a semi-structured interview. Data from the interviews was then coded and grouped into categories. Themes …

Caring For Individuals With Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (Fop): A Treatment Manual For Occupational Therapists, Amanda Rositas, Kathryn Zavoral

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva is a rare and disabling genetic disorder that results in ossification of the soft tissues (Kaplan, Xu, et al., 2008; Kocyigit, Hizil, Hemis, Sabah, & Memis, 2001). There is a lack of research and literature on therapeutic intervention for those with a diagnosis of FOP. However, occupational therapists (OTs) can help those with FOP increase their quality of life through enhancement of activities of daily living (Kaplan, Le Merrer, et al., 2008). Overall, this product will serve as a guide for occupational therapists working with individuals diagnosed with FOP. The benefits of this product will be determined …

Resource Manual For Occupational Therapists: Providing Transportation Related Resources To The Elderly Living In Poverty In North Dakota, Amanda Ralston, Lukas Wavra

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Between the ages of 65 and 74, 9% of elderly individuals live in poverty in the United States (Forum, 2010). This poverty rate increases to 11% in elderly individuals who are 75 years of age or older (Forum, 2010). In rural areas, the effects of poverty may be even more pronounced than in urban areas secondary to the societal limitations that exist within some small rural communities; rural areas in North Dakota routinely face both the effects of poverty and the societal limitations. These limitations may include a lack of public transportation or services available to the general public. Due …

Educating And Communicating Through Sociolinguistic Registers: Adolescent Client, Chanaé Jones, Brittany Mayer

Occupational Therapy Capstones

PROBLEM: Currently tests such as the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) and ACT (American College Testing), as well as employment use what is identified as formal sociolinguistic register (Joos, 1967 & Payne, 2005). Payne (2005) built upon Joos’ (1967) definition and presented five registers: frozen, formal, consultative, casual, and intimates. Formal register is defined as; one-way participation, no interruption such as is seen with introductions between stangers. Technical vocabulary; “fuzzy semantics" or exact definitions are important. Montano-Harmon (1991) found that many minority and poor students do not have access to formal register at home but rather tend to rely primarily in …

Motivation: An Occupational Therapists Guide For Motivating Young Male Clients With Spinal Cord Injuries, Michael A. Nelson, Elizabeth M. Schleicher

Occupational Therapy Capstones

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2010), males account for approximately 80% of those who endure a spinal cord injury (SCI). Most newly diagnosed clients with spinal cord injuries are between the ages of 15-35 years (50%-70%) (CDC, 2010). Occupational therapists often work with clients who have sustained a SCI. It is in the best interest of the profession and our clients to address the psychosocial impact motivation can have on clients' recovery.

According to authors of research, a major problem to participation in treatment with clients who had a spinal cord injury was a lack of …

Ride The Wave: A Guide For Implementing Biofeedback In Occupation-Based Interventions In A Rehabilitation Setting, Sarah Averett, Johanna Meister

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Historical and current research studying EMG biofeedback has shown this method to be an effective adjunct to occupational therapy intervention. Utilizing EMG biofeedback has been shown through research as effective in improving functional gains. The use of biofeedback allows an individual to visualize unseen physiological processes which are unique to each individual and provide better understanding of otherwise unseen functions (Laurenção, Battistella, Moran de Britto, Tsukimoto, & Mayizaki, 2008). An extensive literature review and students’ observations of clinical occupational therapy practice led the investigators to conclude that EMG biofeedback was a viable treatment method which has not been utilized to …

Role Transitioning For Athletes Coping With Injury And Occupational Loss, Steven L. Huft, Izaak P. Schafer

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop an occupational therapy based intervention program for persons who are experiencing changes in their role as athletes. These transitions may include return to sport following an injury, unanticipated retirement from sport, or anticipated retirement from sport.

Methods: A thorough literature search and review was conducted using the following research databases: CINAHL, Google Scholar, PubMed, and PsycINFO. Evidence from the occupational therapy, physical therapy, athletic training and psychology professions was reviewed regarding the prevalence of injury in varying sports contexts, athletes’ ability to transition during role changes or interruption, injury rehabilitation, …