Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Occupational Therapists As Consultants In Florida Schools : A Survey, Leigh Ann Agee

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Little research has been done on how well prepared occupational therapists feel to perform the role of consultant. This study investigated the perceptions of occupational therapists acting as consultants in Florida schools, how much education/training they have received and how they perceive their consultation skills. Participants in the study were sent a questionnaire and measures of central tendency were calculated on each item. Crosstabulations using Fisher's exact test were completed to investigate any relationship between type of consultation model used and relationships with educators. A one way ANOVA was conducted to investigate any relationship between self-perceived consultant skills and age, …

Job Satisfaction Of School-Based Physical Therapists, Leonard Elbaum

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recruitmuent and retention of Physical Therapists (PTs) by public school systems has been identified in the literature as a significant problem, and the resultant shortage of school-based PTs hinders the capability of school systems to deliver physical therapy services to exceptional students as mandated by federal statute. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of job satisfaction among physical therapists who currently work in public school settings. Job satisfaction can be an important factor affecting recruitment and retention.

A systematic sample of 462 school-based PTs was chosen to receive via mail a survey instrument which requested information …

A Comparison Study Of Hip Range Of Motion And Electromyography During Backward Walking Between Children With Spastic Diplegia And Children Without Known Disabilities, Martin L. Carrillo

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the kinematics of the pelvis and the right hip and the electromyographic activity of the gluteus maximus and biceps femoris during backward walking in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy and children without known disabilities. Subjects included 6 children, three with a diagnosis of spastic diplegia and three without known disabilities.

The results of the study showed important differences between the experimental group and the control group. Subjects with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (SDCP) walked backwards with less hip extension, more body rotation, shorter and slower steps, and used a higher percentage …

The Use Of Aerobic Exercise As An Occupational Therapy Intervention For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Patients, Phyllis A. Davis

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric diagnosis receiving increased attention. Occupational therapists are becoming more involved with this diagnosis, particularly with Vietnam Veterans in Veteran Affairs Hospitals. Aerobic exercise is a treatment which has not been explored with this population. Depression and anxiety are symptoms commonly associated with PTSD. This study sought to determine whether aerobic exercise would reduce overall PTSD symptomatology, including depression and anxiety. Three psychological inventories: The Penn Inventory for PTSD, The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and one physiological inventory: The Queens Step Test for VO₂ Max were …

A Descriptive Study Of University Students' Beliefs Regarding Autonomy And Paternalism In Caregiving Of The Elderly, Linda Ann Cain

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An elderly person with declining physical and mental abilities associated with aging or disease, often needs assistance from others for functional activities. The beliefs in autonomy and paternalism of those who render assistance to the elderly may influence their behavior toward the elderly. The purpose of this study was to identify university students' beliefs regarding autonomy and paternalism in caregiving of the elderly and to determine if there were any differences in beliefs between educational levels. Seventy-two undergraduate and graduate occupational therapy students (mean age 28.3) volunteered to participate in this study. The measurement instruments included: the Respect for Autonomy …

Comparison Of Parental Perception And Therapist Interpretation Of Child's Performance Of The Peabody Fine Motor Scale, Martha Gene Belote

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Public Law 102-119 (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1991), mandates that family members, if they wish, participate in developing a plan of treatment for their child. Traditionally, therapist have not relied on parental assessments based upon the assumption that parents overestimate their child's abilities. The present study compared parental perceptions about the developmental status of their child's fine motor abilities to the therapist's interpretation of a standardized assessment using the Peabody Developmental Motor Scale (Fine Motor). Thirty seven children, enrolled in an early intervention program, and their parents were recruited for the study. The results indicated that the parents …