Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Protecting The Hand: .Quantifying Pressures Involved In Daily Living Activities With Tools, Kelly Cotter, Trisha Thompson, Amanda Ward

Hand and Upper Extremity

This study utilized individuals with no known hand joint pathologies and analyzed the pressure exerted on varying spoon handle diameters during a simulated self-feeding exercise. This was done in an effort to determine which spoon handle diameter required the least amount of pressme. Individuals with no known hand joint pathologies were selected in order to prevent any inaccuracy of results due to underlying co-morbidities. Methods: The Novel Pliance-X hand sensor was wrapped around 15 mm, 25 IDDl, and 40 mm spoon handles. The participants were asked to complete a self-feeding exercise. The self-feeding exercise was simulated by scooping quarters from …

The Educational Transition Resource Guide For Parents Of Middle School Students With Disabilities, Yoshiko Lindemeier

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

The purpose of K -12 education for students with disabilities is to prepare them for the transition to a meaningful adult life. As students transition from school to adult life, they need to develop social interaction and communication skills that support community participation. Adolescents with disabilities may require extra time to prepare for changes in life when compared to students with typical development. One study indicated that, for students with disabilities, starting transition planning in middle school can be beneficial and lead to better outcomes (Lee et al., 2011 ). There is a plethora of resources available on the internet …

On-Campus Student Occupational Therapy Clinic’S Impact On Client’S Participation And Quality Of Life, Margaret Mcgarry

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of occupational therapy at an on-campus student clinic on clients’ activity participation and quality of life, as measured by the Activity Card Sort (ACS) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF measure (WHOQOL-BREF). Data were collected on 6 participants for the ACS, and 8 participants for the WHOQOL-BREF, at the beginning and end of a 10-week, 20-session treatment program. Pretest and posttest scores for the ACS current activity participation and WHOQOL-BREF Social Relationship Domain and Satisfaction with Life were statistically significant (p < .05). Physical Health, Psychological Health, and …

Client Adherence To Discharge Recommendations From A Campus Occupational Therapy Student Clinic, Nancy Fuller

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

Eighteen adults with chronic medical conditions who participated in a university occupational therapy clinic were surveyed about adherence to home program discharge recommendations. Adherence rates for discharge recommendations that were occupation-based or purposeful activities were compared to preparatory activities, including rote exercise. Reported adherence rates were not statistically different. The study also examined barriers and supports that impacted adherence. Statistically significant negative correlations were found between age and adherence to preparatory activity recommendations and between the number of discharge recommendations and adherence to preparatory activities. In order to achieve better adherence, and therefore improve outcomes, occupational therapists should carefully consider …

Spiritual History Assessment And Occupational Therapy: Students Using The Fica©, Patricia Kelso-Wright

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

The purpose of this study was to examine students’ perceptions of spiritual history assessment and/or the experience of administering the FICA© with an adult client in an on-campus clinic. A retrospective survey was completed by 13 second year occupational therapy students enrolled in a clinic class. Of the 13 respondents, ten were able to implement the FICA©. Data collection included: demographic information; Likert scaled questions; and open and close-ended questions. Quantitative data were analyzed and the results indicated an increase in respondents’ confidence in administering a spiritual history assessment and discussing a client’s spiritual history. Seven of ten respondents noted …

Occupational Therapy Practice Opportunities When Working With Mothers With Breast Cancer: A Pilot Study, Katie Tam

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

The purpose of this study was to identify current and ideal occupational therapy practice for mothers with breast cancer, from the perspective of the occupational therapist, in order to describe strategies for effective occupational therapy practice with this population. A grounded theory approach was used to analyze two interviews from occupational therapists working with mothers with breast cancer. Three themes emerged from the interviews, identifying effective treatment strategies: giving a voice, preventing loss of motherhood, and collaborating with multiple disciplines. These themes identified opportunities for occupational therapists to maintain the occupational performance and feelings of success in mothers with breast …

Occupational Therapist Practices Regarding Cognitive Deficits In Mild Acquired Brain Injury, Kristina Babbitt

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

This study examined occupational therapists’ current knowledge and practices in cognitive rehabilitation for adults with mild acquired brain injury (mABI). A survey was sent to 250 occupational therapists with questions that addressed assessment, treatment, and discharge planning for this population. Fifty-seven therapists (22.8%) returned the survey and met inclusion criteria. The Mini-Mental State Examination was the most well-known and used assessment overall and the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills and Executive Function Performance Test were the most well-known and used occupationally based assessments. Therapists cited availability of an assessment as the main reason for use and lack of knowledge …

Competent And Confident: An Occupational Therapist Perspective On Sexual Health, Bridget Tanner

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate, from the perspective of an occupational therapist, what experiences or education created competent health professionals with regard to addressing sexual health concerns and to gather suggestions on how to increase the confidence of therapists about sexual health in the profession as a whole. A qualitative design with a semi-structured interview was used to gather data from two therapists with extensive experience addressing sexual health for people with physical disabilities. Data from the interviews revealed four major categories with subthemes. (1) ‘Why Address Sexual Health?’: Just Part of OT’s Job!, Enhancing Quality of …

Family Perspectives On Traumatic Brain Injury: Caregiver Training, Aimee Fay

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of three caregivers, each of whom received hospital based inpatient caregiver training within the past five years and were caring for a family member with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Data gathered from interviews with caregivers revealed four major themes, one with subthemes. The themes were: 1) “Changes in Family Roles after TBI,” (2) “Need for More than Physical Training” with subthemes, “Psychosocial Support for Caregivers,” and “Social Isolation;” (3) “Expectations for Behaviors and Recovery,” and (4) “Identity Blurring.” These themes suggest that the individuals in this study likely could …

Current Trends In Occupational Therapy Low Vision Rehabilitation, Amber Chonsky

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

In the U.S. the number of adults age 40 and older who are blind or have low vision is 3.3 million (National Eye Institute, 2004) and it is expected to reach 5.5 million by the year 2020 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011). The background and training occupational therapists receive on disability and aging puts them in a position to serve this population of individuals with low vision concerns. This study described the level of knowledge, confidence and practices of occupational therapists in the U.S. who work in physical disability settings with regard to the assessment and treatment …

The Impact Of Powered Mobility Devices On Occupational Performance : A Systematic Review ; And, The Experience Of Being A Motorised Mobility Scooter User, Ryan Fomiatti

Theses : Honours

The impact of powered mobility devices on occupational performance: A systematic review

Purpose: To systematically review the impact powered mobility devices have on engagement in independent occupations for adults with acquired mobility limitations. Method: The following databases were searched electronically: CINAHL Plus, Medline, PsychInfo, OT Seeker, Joanna Briggs Institute and Physiotherapy Evidence Database. The search terms used a combination of words to encompass all terms which are used for powered mobility. Studies were included if they evaluated adults’ use of a motorised mobility device, and if individuals used a powered mobility device due to acquired mobility limitation. Results: Eleven studies …