Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Pediatric Oncology: Parent Education Handbook, Lindsey Anderson, Lacey Harrington

Occupational Therapy Capstones

In America, approximately 12,400 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer each year (Harris, 2004). The number of newly diagnosed children is on a steady increase. With this steady increase it is important to ensure that parents of the child diagnosed with cancer have resources about cancer and the treatment process as well as support. A review of current literature, research, and resources was conducted in order to locate the gaps within pediatric oncology. The literature helped identify areas of concern related to pediatric oncology. The areas identified consist of the parents having minimal knowledge while under emotional stress when …

Alzheimer's Toolbox: A Caregiver's Guide, Kristen Eastwood, Gerry Smith

Occupational Therapy Capstones

“Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in North America and Europe” and “accounts for sixty percent of all irreversible dementia cases” (Moore, 2003, p. 50,126). Along with the 4.5 million Americans who suffer from Alzheimer’s, there are also the caregivers who are suffering alongside their loved one. The stress of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming. This affects the quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s and the health of the caregiver.

A comprehensive literature review was conducted to explore and identify effective techniques and interventions, pertinent to both the caregiver and patient's …

Giving Dentistry A Hand: Occupational Therapy Msd Prevention In Dentistry, Andrea Bilotti

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) pose a significant threat to the dental profession. There are many risk factors inherent in the tasks of dental professionals that could lead to MSDs. A literature review from professional literature, journal articles, and professional websites was used to determine the various risk factors and types of MSDs that occur in the dental profession; best practices in MSD prevention in the dental field; and the role of occupational therapy ergonomic intervention in the dental field. The information has a solid foundation in Malcolm Knowles' theory of Andragogy.

To gather real life information, visits to a dental office …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Secondary Prevention Of Transient Ischemic Attacks, Alan Hodenfield, Amy Shulstad

Occupational Therapy Capstones

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a condition in which an individual experiences an "episode of temporary and focal neurological dysfunction of rapid onset, caused by cerebral circulatory failure and lasting no more than 24 hours" (Shah, Cooper & Lyons, 1992, p. 358-359). Even though a TIA is temporary and leaves no permanent effects, it's far from an irrelevant event. About one in three people who have a TIA eventually have a stroke, with about half occurring during the year after the TIA (Mayo, 2006). A TIA can serve as both a warning and an opportunity: a warning of an …

Cardiac Rehabilitation Education Module For Entry-Level Occupational Therapists, Bonnie Hoff

Occupational Therapy Capstones

According to the American Heart Association (2007) statistics, it is estimated that 79,400.000 American adults have one or more types of cardiovascular disease, or one in every three people. It is estimated that 37,500.000 are over the age of 65 years. (AHA, 2007). Heart disease and stroke are the first and third leading cause of death for both men and women in America and accounts for 40% for all deaths, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2005). Approximately one individual will die from heart disease every thirty-three seconds (CDC, 2005).

According to the CDC (2005), a …

Caregiver Activity Guide To Promote Occupational Function In Individuals With Alzheimer's Disease, Lacey Konickson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines For Complementary And Alternative Medicine In Occupational Therapy, Kristin Murch, Angela Olson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) within the scope of occupational therapy has the potential to add to the holistic treatment of clients with a wide range of disability or dysfunction. It has been suggested that a variety of complementary and alternative methods may be appropriate to use as an adjunctive treatment by occupational therapists with proper training and consideration of various client needs (Giese, 2005). A comprehensive literature review was conducted regarding the use of CAM with populations commonly seen by occupational therapists. Myofascial release, guided imagery, meditation, and yoga were determined to be most prevalent in the literature concerning …

Birth To Three Early Intervention Parent Handbook, Sarah C. Nicholas

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this study was to investigate family-centered advocacy in early intervention, specifically the development of a parent handbook for families of young children who are eligible to receive early intervention services in Wyoming. Early intervention programs provide services for children with disabilities ages birth to three and their families under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (2004), Part C. The resource handbook was designed for parents and community partners so that they may better understand and utilize early intervention in the community where they reside. The parent handbook was designed to be as a written reference of …

A Community Re-Integration Manual For Individuals With Amputations: Preparing For The Paralympics, Carmen Schempp

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Being an athlete with an injury is difficult, but an amputation poses even more challenges to one's life dreams for sports competition. This scholarly project focused on advancing an athlete's community re-integration, specifically back into the sporting community. Presently, there is a gap in existing occupational therapy services for persons with amputations between the completion of inpatient rehabilitation and the return to full community re-integration, particularly for the sports competitor. This scholarly project product is a manual of sequential therapeutic activities for athletes who have the goal of returning to the occupation of sports participation. This product is intended to …

Quality Of Life Occupational Therapy Measurement Tool For Patients With Lymphedema/Chronic Venous Edema, Marsha Waind

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The objective of this project was the development of a tool in the form of a patient questionnaire to be used by Occupational Therapists (OT) treating patients with lymphedema/chronic venous edema. This questionnaire was designed to identify life factors beyond limb volume reduction and activity independence that correlate with the patients' perceptions of an improved quality of life, therefore promoting Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL).

Literature reviewed supported the premise that attainment of the typical OT goals of activity completion will not accomplish the desired result of lymphedema treatment, nor will lymphedema goal attainment of reduced limb measures achieve …

Parkinson's Disease And Occupational Therapy: Evidence Based Practice, Gordon Stubbings, Tiffany Vliem

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The therapeutic benefit of occupational therapy with Parkinson's disease has not been studied in great detail. The purpose of this Scholarly Project was to provide extensive and comprehensive evidence-based information about Parkinson's disease as it applies to occupational therapists. This information was utilized to generate clinical guidelines in the form of a user-friendly manual meant for practicing OTs in treating Parkinson's disease.

An extensive literature review was performed using PubMed to determine current evidence-based practice that occupational therapists and other rehabilitation therapists were currently using. Following the review of literature, a needs assessment was completed per survey directed towards practicing …

Occupation-Based Interventions For Clients With Chemical Addiction Issues, Amanda Sylling, Alyson Wilhelmi

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Based on data from an extensive literature review and survey methodology, a product was developed to assist occupational therapists (O.T. 's) in providing individualized occupation-based interventions for clients dealing with substance abuse/dependence. Although the value of occupation-based interventions focusing on occupational performance and function has been established (Law, 2002), the literature suggests that O.T.'s working in substance abuse treatment environments generally provide group-based intervention consisting primarily of preparatory activities (Rychtarik et al., 2000). Because substance abuse often becomes a primary occupation for individuals with substance abuse issues (Stoffel & Moyers, 2004), it is imperative that O.T.'s address and support healthy …

Occupational Therapy Feeding And Eating Manual For Parents Of Children With Oral Motor Deficits, Jessica Kovacevich, Genevieve Ziegler

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Having a child with feeding and eating difficulties can be a very stressful event for parents, and the process of occupational therapy assessment and treatment may also be stressful and confusing for the parents. Most parents are not familiar with feeding and eating difficulties in children, and many parents do not know where to find the information that they need to learn about their child’s diagnosis. After an initial review of literature, it was found that parents of children with special needs have few resources for eating and feeding strategies and approaches for oral motor deficits. It was also found …

Handwriting From A-Z, Connie Lillejord

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Prevalence for the number of students with poor handwriting skills has been estimated to range from 12% to 21 % depending on grade, selection criteria, and instruments used (Graham & Weintraub, 1996; Hamstra-BIetz & Blote, 1993; Smits-Engelsman & Van Galen, 1997). During late elementary and middle school years there is an increasing demand for efficient work output, particularly in written requirements. Greater numbers of required reports, math assignments, and writing assignments tap into a child's capacity to develop ideas quickly and put them down on paper (Levine, Oberklaid, & Meltzer, 1981). Children who have not developed automatic, fluent handwriting will …

Get Involved: A Program For Kindergarten Students, Parents, & Teachers To Promote The Development Of Motor Skills For Daily School Occupations, Sarah Neall

Occupational Therapy Capstones

In the educational setting today, children are asked to acquire advanced academic skills at a faster pace and earlier age. Children entering the first years of school exhibit variances in their physical maturity levels, which affects both fine and gross motor skills and their performance in daily school occupations. Frequently, young children are unable to keep up with their kindergarten curriculum. Currently, the programs available to work on motor development in kindergarten age students focus solely on pre-writing skills and handwriting instruction. These programs lack information on motor skill development, home program activities, and specific occupations that kindergarten students are …

An Occupational Therapy Intervention Program Addressing The Needs Of Older Adults As They Transition To New Living Situations, Judith M. Sokol

Occupational Therapy Capstones

As individuals age and approach retirement, face life changes (loss of spouse or significant others), or health changes, they often make the decision to relocate. Responses may vary; but frequently stress, depression, and anxiety are experienced to the level that they impede a healthy adjustment. This can lead to diminished self-care, difficulty engaging in meaningful occupation, and isolation. Older adults may experience a poor sense of personal mastery within their new environment, contributing to feelings of low self esteem, sadness, grief secondary to loss, anger, and loneliness.

The purpose of this scholarly project was to address the pre-relocation needs and …

Utilizing Leisure Activities During Upper Extremity Rehabilitation: An Occupational Therapy Treatment Protocol, Sherri D. Strohman

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Sensory Integration Educational Material For Parents And Caregivers, Sarah Urvand, Samantha Wilmot

Occupational Therapy Capstones

During a review of the literature, we identified a lack of information that was geared towards parental education specifically regarding sensory integrative diagnoses and treatment interventions.

Research articles were obtained after we conducted a literature search using the PubMed, ERIC, and CINAHL databases found on the University of North Dakota Harley E. French Library website (http://undmedlibrary.org/). Several texts and other books that we owned were also utilized in the literature review process due to their direct correlation to this scholarly project and the relevance of the material found in the texts. We also contacted Ellen Cohn, who was a lead …

Tendon Injury Rehabilitation: A Manual Of Algorithm Protocols For Therapists, Joni Armstrong

Occupational Therapy Capstones

In the field of hand therapy there are a variety of protocols for treatment of patients with tendon injury. Review other literature indicates that most of these protocols have a good anatomical and physiological basis, which then requires the application of clinical experience to decide which protocols to use when treating patients with hand injury. Experienced hand therapists tend to make observations and adapt protocols accordingly to provide patients with good therapy treatment and therefore achieve excellent treatment outcomes. However, therapists that do not see hand patients on a regular basis and do not have a consult base will tend …

The Wings Of Change: Occupational Therapy Activities For Women Of Domestic Violence, Lainie Donahue, Dianna Steen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Literature indicates that the current services provided to women of domestic violence typically include emergency housing, crisis counseling, and short-term legal and financial assistance (Gorde, Helfrich, & Finlayson, 2004). While these resources provide necessary immediate support to the victim, she may often feel powerless to make long-term changes. If adequate long-term resources and support are not available to the victim, the victim is more likely to return to an abusive situation.

The review of literature focuses on obtaining a deeper understanding of the needs that exist for women subsequent to leaving an abusive relationship, and how to prevent the risk …

Achieving Success In College: An Occupational Therapy Approach To A Study/Support Group, Mattie Heckaman, Angela Sepe

Occupational Therapy Capstones

This project was designed to target the needs of students with psychiatric disabilities pursuing higher education. Kessler, Foster, Saunders and Stang (1995), noted that early-onset psychiatric disorders often disrupt attainment of higher education. According to Mowbray et al. (2006) epidemiological studies indicated that youth ages 15-21 years old had the highest prevalence rate of mental illness in 2005. These ages correlate with the conventional years that an individual may attend college. Consequently, the initial psychiatric occurrence of many young adults is experienced during college years. As noted in recent literature, increased supports are needed to retain students with psychiatric disabilities …

Train-The-Trainer Office Ergonomics Program, Aaron Schenck

Occupational Therapy Capstones

It may be a common perception in the general public that the daily tasks carried out in an office environment are not typically considered physical demanding. Office tasks, such as typing, filling out forms and filing paperwork typically do not require a significant amount of force. Work tasks associated within an office environment, especially computer use, can increase stress on the soft tissues of the body, such as muscles, tendons and nerves over time (Department of Labor, 2005). This can result in what is called musculoskeletal disorders (MSD),s.

The negative impact of MSDs affects employers through decreased work attendance, productivity …

Addressing The Iadl Of Driving, R Brandon. Yancey

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Driving is an integral part of daily life. Discontinuing driving due to decreasing function can have serious effects on a person's life. Occupational therapists work to enhance or maintain a persons independence when they are faced with illness, disease or natural declines associated with aging. Driving is listed as an Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) by the American Occupational Therapy Association (2002). Occupational therapists have special training and skills which assist them to understand the person from a holistic perspective. The decision to discontinue driving should be made after careful consideration of the many aspects of cognitive, visual-perceptual, and …

The Development Of A Sensory Integration Room For Individuals With Developmental Disabilities, Christine Foy, Samantha Schepers

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Current literature has identified that there is an increasing population of individuals experiencing sensory integration dysfunction. The current literature tends to focus on the use of sensory integration therapy for the use of treating sensory integration dysfunction with children. There has been a gap in the research on the effectiveness on the use of sensory integration therapy in adults experiencing sensory integration dysfunction.

An extensive review of current literature regarding sensory integration dysfunction and the use of sensory integration therapy was conducted and through this information a sensory room protocol was developed. This sensory room protocol includes: guidelines for use, …

Life After War: An Occupational Therapy Resource Guide For Returning Soldiers With Prosthetics, Monica Lemoine, Andrea Longtin

Occupational Therapy Capstones

There are a growing number of U.S. military soldiers medically discharged due to injuries sustained while on active duty. A number of these injuries result in limb amputation. The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop an evidence-based resource guide for a population of soldiers returning from war having an amputation and utilizing a prosthetic.

An extensive literature review was conducted in order to develop the occupational therapy role for this population. Three main areas of concern were identified: 1) a lack of information related to prosthetic use during instrumental activities of daily living, 2) limited information regarding reintegration …

The Use Of A Sensory Integration Program For Children With Behavioral And Attention Deficits, Janel Evanson, Brenna Pitsch

Occupational Therapy Capstones

One of the challenges facing occupational therapy practitioners today is incorporating treatment approaches into psychosocial and school environments that address the needs of children who have difficulties maintaining an optimal level of arousal, who have a decreased attention span, who are non-engaged and have maladaptive behaviors and impulsivity, and who may have anger management difficulties. These characteristics may coexist with the diagnosis of a sensory integrative dysfunction. As a result, the authors anticipate an increasing demand for the implementation of sensory integration programming in a psychosocial or school setting. An extensive literature review was completed to gain a full understanding …

An Occupational Therapy Parent Education Handbook: Parenting In The Nicu, Olivia Donald, Angie Laakso

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Parents often feel overwhelmed by their premature infant's fragile medical state and intimidated by the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) environment. The birth of a premature infant is a stressful event for parents because they are coping with their newborn facing life threatening immaturity and its possible consequences, such as handicap or even death. Due to the premature infant's fragile medical state parents often feel their infant does not belong to them but rather to the healthcare staff.

A parent's lack of involvement in their infant's care is a major source of stress, feelings of dis empowerment and a lack …

Early Childhood Fine Motor Assessment, Naomi Kapaun

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The development of hand function is ongoing from infancy through adulthood. Hand function is especially important in the early years as a child prepares for school. As with all skills, the level of hand function can range from "excellent" to "average" to "clumsy" or "immature." Stability, strength, and endurance are key components of adequate hand skill development. These components are often areas of weakness in today's society of technology and passive activities. Creating an assessment designed specifically for the identification of skill acquisition, as it pertains to hand function and fine motor development, in the early childhood years will assist …

Occupational Therapy Assistant Mental Health Case-Based Learning Activities, Cassie Hilts

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA) need to be skilled in clinical reasoning and able to apply principles, theories and approaches to functional problems (Neistadt, 1998; Royeen,1995; VanLeit, Crowe and Waterman, 2001). Occupational therapy assistant educational standards require that students be able to apply models of occupational performance and theories of occupation (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, 2008). Research has shown that learners actively engaged in the learning process have increased satisfaction with their education (Robinson, 1994) and perform better on exams (Lord, 1997; Wilden, Crowther, Gubanich and Cannon, 2002). Scaffa and Wooster (2004) found self directed learning can significantly facilitate …

Occupational Therapy: Meeting The Needs Of Individuals Diagnosed With Cancer, Kim Jones, Lonnie Music

Occupational Therapy Capstones

When an individual is diagnosed with cancer, he or she can experience their physical and emotional well-being threatened by fear, isolation, anxiety, depression, fatigue, disfigurement, and pain often resulting in a diminished quality of life (Rosenbaum, Gautier, Fobair, Neri, Festi, Hawn, et al. 2004). Dealing with cancer can result in the loss of independence in basic daily routines and occupations such as: dressing, cooking, taking care of the home, eating/feeding oneself, etc. While all of these challenges can diminish quality of life, they can also be minimized by ancillary intervention services such as occupational therapy (OT).

The problem is that …