Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History Of Jan Nelson, Otr/L, Ma, Jessica Anderson, Reghan Boldt

Oral History Posters

The life history of Jan Nelson was one of 31 life history interviews conducted apart of a larger project of Life Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential in Developing Occupational Therapy (OT) in North Dakota and Wyoming. The purpose of this Life History is to gather information about the history and evolution of OT practice from individuals like Jan Nelson who have been influential in developing OT in these two states. This study is intended to provide current and future generations of occupational therapists a view of the history and how OT practice has evolved in North Dakota and …

Life History Of Gwendalyn Soiseth, Mot, Otr/L, Jessica Drady, Marissa Rahlf

Oral History Posters

The life history of Gwendalyn Soiseth was one of 31 life history interviews conducted apart of a larger project of Life Histories of Individuals Who Have Been Influential in Develop Occupational Therapy (OT) in North Dakota and Wyoming. Purpose of this Life History is to gain historical information regarding the changes in OT practice from individuals such as Gwendalyn Soiseth who have been influential in the development of OT in these two states. This study is intended to provide current and future occupational therapists a glimpse into the history of how OT practice has evolved in North Dakota and Wyoming. …

Evolution Of Occupational Therapy Practice: Life History Of Diane Mccormack, Karen Jaspers, Alyssa Turner-Strong

Oral History Student Papers

The purpose of this study was to examine the life and legacy of occupational therapist Diane McCormack. The participant was selected through purposive sampling and was interviewed for an hour and a half via a semi-structured interview. Data was collected via a participant interview and document review. Data was analyzed via coding of the interview transcription. Interview questions were pre-formatted by the project directors. The student researchers had the freedom to edit or add interview questions as deemed necessary after gaining approval from the project directors. Through transcription coding, four categories emerged from initial codes: education, experiences, relationships, and career. …

Evolution Of Practice: Life History Of Jeff Mcmenamy, Jenna Marton, Brittanie Schafer, Myah Vanwormer

Oral History Student Papers

The purpose of this qualitative Life History project is to gather information about the history and evolution of occupational therapy practice in North Dakota and Wyoming through life histories of individuals who have been influential in developing occupational therapy in these two states. A onetime semi-structured interview was conducted with Jeff McMenamy, an occupational therapist in rural Wyoming. The questions were structured from an interview schedule that was provided by the project research directors, which was inspired by the Kawa model. In addition, the questions from the interview schedule were modified by the researchers to ask specific and applicable questions …

Moving Past Homelessness: A Program For Success, Benjamin Becher, Jaime Johnson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Homelessness is a pervasive problem in the United States, and lack of job searching and work skills contribute to the situation (Helfrich, Chan, & Sabol, 2011). Although there are programs available that provide services to the homeless population, these programs typically do not extensively address work-related needs (Herzberg & Finlayson, 2001; Roy et al., 2017). A literature review was conducted using numerous databases and an informal interview was conducted with a key stakeholder at Seton House, a transitional housing program for homeless single parents. With this information, a program was developed to address vocational needs for the homeless, titled Work …

The Experience Of Being A Male Occupational Therapy Practitioner At Varying Points In The Career: A Qualitative Study, Zachary Bohn, John Leclerc

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Problem Statement: The experience of being a male in a female-dominated profession has not been well researched or documented through either an inductive or deductive lens in regards to how this social context affects the male occupational therapist’s ability to function in his professional role. Subsequently, there are a dearth of guideposts and evidence that male occupational therapy students and practitioners have to understand the influence of their gender in the profession from a professional development standpoint.

Purpose: The purpose of this research study was to understand the experience of being a male occupational therapist amidst the female-dominated …

A Guide For Occupational Therapists: Utilizing Trauma-Informed Care To Guide Intervention For Children In Foster Care, Courtney Crabill, Katie Hanson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project was to create a guide for trauma-informed interventions for occupational therapists specifically to use with foster care children. Currently, there are approximately 600,000 children living in foster care in the United States (Child Welfare League of America, 2015). Children in the foster system who have experienced or witnessed violent actions often demonstrate post-traumatic stress like symptoms and diagnoses. Often times these experiences affect their development, coping skills, emotional regulation, and relationships and attachments (Lynch et al., 2017; Deutsch et al., 2015; Heim et al., 2010). It is estimated that between 40% and 60% of …

Occupational Justice Concerns For Muslim Refugees In The United States, Emily Adams, Megan Peterson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Individuals are being displaced at alarming rates and many are from countries with a Muslim majority. Countries are beginning to study the effects of trauma and displacement on quality of life for refugees. The United States however, is lacking in studies involving health care, quality of life, and occupational justice concerns with Muslim refugees.

Objectives: To identify the experiences of Muslim refugees resettling in the United States and the resulting occupational justice issues, using Occupational Perspective of Health (Wilcock & Hocking, 2015) as an overarching theory.

Methods: Participants were obtained through convenience and snowball sampling. Participants …

Promotion Of The Village Model In Rural Areas: An Educational Guide, Caitlin Herdrick, Samantha Kraus

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that the adult population will double the population of Americans aged 65 years or older during the next 25 years to 72 million (2013). The increasing age of baby boomers will have a significant impact on healthcare resources and available housing options. This will have a drastic effect on rural dwelling elderly individuals and their access to the healthcare and other resources. Many aging individuals want to remain in their homes, communities, and social circles. Remaining in one's home is more cost effective, compared to skilled nursing and assisted living facilities …

Occupational Deprivation In Adolescents From Low-Income And Food Insecure Homes: A Screening Tool And After School Program, Claire Eidenschink

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Adolescents who experience food insecurity are exposed to an increased risk of health disparities related to cognitive, psychosocial, and physical functioning (Cook & Frank, 2007). Each of these domains of functioning impacts occupational performance in all roles that an adolescent assumes. Of note, the role of a student is drastically impacted. Therefore, a program to address strategies for meeting basic needs within a familiar setting, such as a school, is relevant and necessary for this population. Such a program would offer an opportunity to close the gap in disparities and increase health outcomes of adolescents who experience food insecurity as …

A Group Protocol For Individuals With High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder: Transitioning Into College, Annika Eckholm, Karol Santistevan

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The numbers for young adults with a disability transitioning to college are increasing yearly (U.S. Department of Education, National Center of Education Statistics, 2016). Changes and transitioning to the college context is particularly challenging for individuals with high functioning autism (HFA) (Elias & White, 2017; Wehman et al., 2014). The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a group protocol as a resource for young adult students with HFA to transition successfully in a college setting.

Methodology: A literature review was conducted on topics relating to individuals with HFA, success and barriers to college, effective interventions …

A Vocational Training Program For High School Students With Disabilities On An Alternative Track To Graduation, Natalie Jennings, Michael Lehnerz

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Problem: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2017), in 2016 the employment rate for persons with a disability was 17.9 percent compared to 65.3 percent for persons without a disability. The discrepancy between the employment rates can partially be contributed to a lack of high school readiness preparation as evidenced by Evert Cimera, Gonda, and Vaschak (2015) who found that the referral rates of transition-aged youth decreased from 62.3 percent in 2004 to 50.0 percent to 2013.

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project is to minimize the gap during the transition from high school to vocational …

Aquatic Therapy For Occupational Therapy Education And Practice, Emily L. Lablanc, Megan L. Lauck

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: With injuries, diseases and various conditions occurring daily among millions of Americans, the need for therapeutic intervention is steadily growing, as indicated by The American Occupational Therapy Association (2017a). Aquatic therapy is a unique practice that may be utilized across multiple healthcare professionals to benefit clients with a variety of conditions. Occupational therapists are qualified to perform aquatic techniques with clients in the pool; however, aquatic therapy is rarely utilized in occupational therapy practice (Franken, Mische Lawson & Santalucia, 2013). The problem may be derived from the lack of knowledge from occupational therapy students and entry-level practitioners regarding …

Educational Materials For Implementation Of Cognitive Interventions Across Practice Settings, Ashlyn Grindberg, Nicholas Wahlstrand

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to develop educational materials for the UND occupational therapy (OT) program to address cognitive strategies for intervention across populations.

Methods: A literature review was conducted to determine the need for our product. The review of literature included the role of OT in functional cognition, use of cognitive intervention strategies with populations, and specific frames of references used in OT practice settings. It was found that new OT practitioners did not feel prepared to address cognitive deficits across populations when moving from one setting to another.

Results: The Adult Learning Theory …

The 12-Steps Of Alcoholics Anonymous: A Guide For Occupational Therapists, Jena Roeber, Jillian Schaeffer

Occupational Therapy Capstones

A 2016 survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found that 15.1 million people ages 12 and older had alcohol use disorder. An estimated 2.2 million people 12 years old or older in 2016 received specialized treatment in the past year, which represents about 10.6 percent of the people in need of treatment (SAMHSA, 2016). Occupational therapy offers a unique role that can be utilized in the treatment of individuals with alcohol use disorder. Wasmuth, Crabtree, and Scott (2014) suggest that occupational therapy can be unique in substance use rehabilitation as real-life activities in natural …

The Effect Of Barefoot Running On Navicular Drop: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Corrie Fredericks, Alison Cygan, Robert Plemel

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Gaining knowledge of the change in navicular drop/over-pronation of the foot in response to barefoot running training may allow sports medicine professionals, coaches, athletes, and others in the healthcare field to decrease the amount of injuries that may be caused by these motions. Effects of a running retraining program with conversion from a rearfoot strike pattern (RFSP) to forefoot strike pattern (FFSP) to determine impact on navicular drop is lacking in literature. Due to the increased correlation of over-pronation and lower extremity injuries, the purpose of this study was to determine if barefoot running training, with …

A Case Report: Physical Therapy Management Of A 25-Year-Old Female Experiencing A Whiplash Injury And Low Back Pain, Carmen Stanhope

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. There is a prevalence of whiplash mechanism injuries affecting the cervical spine following motor vehicle accidents. The approximate incidence in Western societies for whiplash associated disorder is 1 case for every 1,000 people in the population. The purpose of this case study is to describe the physical therapy examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, and interventions used in the treatment of a patient with whiplash associated disorder.

Case Description. This case study describes the clinical presentation, physical therapy intervention, and outcomes of a young adult female following a rear end motor vehicle accident (MVA). The patient presented …

Barefoot Training: Effect On Lateral Pelvic Drop And Emg Activity Of Gluteus Medius And Tfl, Hailey Brinkman, Anna Yanchek, Esley Thorton

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose/Hypothesis: Exercise has been widely accepted for its key role in disease prevention and promotion of healthy lifestyle. Due to its relative ease and low cost, running continues to be one of the most popular forms of exercise today. Although running can have a significant impact on disease prevention, injury prevalence in running is high. Barefoot running is a relatively new form of exercise that has gained popularity amongst the running community. However, enhancing muscular activity at the hip is a rehabilitation strategy, which may reduce lower extremity injury. Research investigating the hip muscle activity and movement with barefoot …

Physical Therapy Intervention In A Patient With West Nile Meningitis: A Case Approach, Kelsie Gunnufson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. West Nile Virus (WNV) is a neurotropic virus capable of causing damage of varying severity. WNV is commonly transmitted to humans from mosquitoes and is most prevalent in the months of August and September due to the method of transmission. The WNV can produce mild systemic symptoms classified as West Nile Fever (WNF). However, it can progress and infiltrate the nervous system, at which point the virus is categorized as neuroinvasive. One classification is West Nile Meningitis (WNM) that involves infection and inflammation of the meninges or coverings surrounding the brain and spinal cord. There is …

Treatment Of Subacromial Impingement Syndrome In A 53-Year-Old Female: A Case Study, Jarad Syrstad

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. Subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) is a common shoulder pathology. The purpose of this case report is to discuss the outcomes of subsequent physical therapy after operative treatment for SAIS and the clinical decision making involved in seeking surgical intervention.

Case Description. This case report describes a 54 y/o female who participated in eight weeks of physical therapy after undergoing shoulder decompression surgery while failing conservative physical therapy prior to surgical intervention.

Intervention. Physical therapy interventions were designed to strengthen the rotator cuff and shoulder, increase range of motion, decrease pain, and improve functional activity. …

Impact Of A Community-Based Rock Steady Boxing Program For People With Parkinson's Disease: A Pilot Study, Katerina Hoime, Rachel Klein, Jamie Maciejewski, Molly Nienhuis

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose/Hypothesis: High-intensity physical exercise has been shown to be beneficial in managing motor and nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson's Disease (PD). Exercise may also have global effects on factors that influence brain health and cognition. Programs that incorporate goal-based motor skill learning have shown promise in being more effective than aerobic exercise alone. People with PD have a need for ongoing, continuous, community-based exercise programs that are engaging and accessible. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a community-based exercise program, Rock Steady Boxing, on improving quality of life and physical mobility skills in people with …

Collaboration Of Music Therapy And Physical Therapy: A Case Study For Treatment Of A Patient With Chronic Stroke, Matthew Aymond, Michelle Sanders

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and can cause severe, debilitating, and lasting effects. Although a fair amount of research has been performed on treatment of individuals following a stroke, few studies exist looking at the collaborative efforts of physical therapy and music therapy.

Case Description: This case follows the 13-week interdisciplinary care of an 83-year old female patient with chronic impairments following a cerebrovascular accident suffered approximately 2 years prior.

Interventions: Following an initial evaluation, the patient performed 11 one-hour treatment sessions over an 11-week period. …

Effects Of Physical Therapy On An Elderly Patient With L5-S1 Radiculopathy: A Case Study, Mackenzie Mears

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. Low back pain is a major disabling diagnosis for adults over 60 with 36-70% suffering from this condition. There is little research demonstrating the effectiveness of physical therapy on the outcome of older patients with a lumbar disc herniation resulting in lumbosacral radiculopathy. The purpose of this scholarly project is to use a case report to explore the effectiveness of physical therapy in elderly patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy as the result of a L5-S1 disc herniation.

Case Description. The case study reviews an 81-year-old male who presented to physical therapy with insidious onset of left …

Treatment Post Total Knee Arthroplasty With Common Peroneal Nerve Palsy, Megan Berndt

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Introduction. With more than 600,000 knee replacements performed each year in the United States, functional exercise is necessary post-surgery. Patients who undergo knee replacements often attend physical therapy after surgery, which has been found to have significant effects on functional outcomes. In rare cases, patients experience a post-surgical complication of common peroneal nerve palsy (CPNP), and interventions must be adjusted based on the patient's specific needs.

Purpose. This is a case report describing the interventions for a patient with a right total knee arthroplasty ([R] TKA), multiple co-morbidities, and a post-surgical complication of CPNP.

Methods. A 78-year-old …

The Combined Effects Of Physical Therapy And Music Therapy For An Older Adult With Chronic Left-Sided Hemiparesis: A Case Report, Nicholas Holkup, Scott Syverson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Stroke and other disorders that involve the neurological system can have adverse effects such as hemiparesis, spasticity, hypertonicity, and gait and balance deficits. Due to neurological disorders being so prevalent, proper rehabilitative treatments are necessary to return to a functional lifestyle. Multiple approaches across the therapy spectrum have been utilized, but rarely are these therapeutic approaches completed concurrently among different disciplines. The purpose of this case report is to address the interdisciplinary co-treatment by students of music therapy and physical therapy for a patient exhibiting chronic left-sided hemiparesis.

Case Description: This case report describes a …

Secondary Stroke Prevention And Support: An Occupational Therapy Program, Kaitlyn Bosch, Jamie St. Germain

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Many individuals in the United States experience a recurrent stroke and evidence suggests that strokes, primary and secondary, could be prevented through lifestyle modifications. The objective of the scholarly project was to develop an occupational therapy (OT) led secondary stroke prevention program to address modifiable risk factors for stroke. A literature review was conducted to identify research to support development of this program. Based on the review of literature and through the use of the Model of Human Occupation, The Secondary Stroke Prevention and Support: An Occupational Therapy Program was designed to address competence in the occupational role of managing …

A Review Of Community Aging In Place Programs To Minimize Social Isolation In Older Adults, Heather J. Goodwater, Joanna M. Yutrzenka

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The aging baby boomer population calls for new solutions to enable older Americans to age in place in their communities of choice. Nine out of ten adults age 50 and older prefer to remain in their homes indefinitely as they age, or as long as they possibly can (Gonyea, & Burnes, 2013). However, program funding that supports aging in place does not come close to keeping pace with the rapid growth of the 65 and older population (American Institutes for Research, 2016). There are a limited number of programs in place to address socialization in community-dwelling older adults. The prevalence …

The S.P.I.R.I.T. Program: Spirituality Promotion Interdependence Resiliency Inclusive Therapy, Alycia Heisler, Brianna Safranski

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Native American children and adolescents are some of the most underserved people in the United States (Warzak, Dogan, & Godfrey, 2011). Common mental health problems this population typically experiences are depression, suicidal thoughts or ideation, traumatic experiences, substance use, and results of historical trauma (Brockie, Dana-Sarco, Wallen, Wilcox, & Campbell, 2015). They have the highest rates of these mental health problems, more than any other ethnic group (Evans-Campbell, Walters, Pearson, & Campbell, 2012). There is a need for preventative programs to be implemented with elementary school-aged Native American children and adolescents (Ohl, Mitchell, Cassidy, & Fox, 2008; Stigler, …

Occupational Therapy Practice Trends For Occupations Impacted By Puberty In Children With Asd, Sydney Larson, Kelsey Hemberger

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Adolescents face physical, social, cognitive, and emotional changes during the developmental stage of puberty. Pubertal changes can be difficult for neurotypical adolescents to cope with, but especially for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Specifically, adolescents with ASD experience challenges with adapting to physical and emotional changes, managing new hygiene routines, abiding to social norms, and inappropriate sexual behaviors (Beddows & Brooks, 2016; Cridland, Caputi, Jones, & Magee, 2015; Cridland, Jones, Caputi, & Magee, 2014). While occupational therapy plays a role in helping adolescents with ASD, a lack of occupational therapy literature on this topic leads to unknown …

Vacationing Older Adults, Breanna Taralson, Brittany Winter

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: This scholarly project was conducted to explore the aspects of vacationing in older adults and how age-related changes seen within this population can impact decisions while traveling. The purpose of this project was to create a resource guide for older adults to help navigate the vacationing process.

Methodology: A literature review was conducted using various sources including: online databases, books on travel and vacationing, personal communication via informal interview, and through major travel corporation websites. Information from these sources was then compiled to create a resource guide for older adults.

Results: Information found within the literature …