Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Exploring Occupational Therapy’S Role In Supporting Health And Wellness In The Transition To Motherhood, Katelynn A. Lillibridge, Karen Park, Susan Macdermott

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The transition to motherhood [matrescence] is a time of major life changes. All aspects of a new mother’s life are impacted during matrescence as she assumes her new role, identity, responsibilities, and learns the occupational skills of mothering. During this time, health, wellness, and occupational balance may all be impacted. This is a sensitive time for mothers with potential implications for both short and long-term health. Using an occupation-based approach can be a way to provide comprehensive support and care to mothers during this period to promote health and wellness, enhance occupational engagement, and support meaningful co-occupations. Currently …

An Online Educational Resource On Adaptive Sports For People With Spinal Cord Injuries, Rachel Morgan, Steven M. Gerardi

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

A spinal cord injury (SCI) has a serious impact on an individual’s participation in everyday life activities, leading to a high risk of a sedentary life-style. There is a paucity of research pertaining to adaptive sport participation post-injury and the role of occupational therapy (OT). Additionally, there are limited resources available that inform people with SCI on the benefits of adapted sports or where to go to engage in them. As such, this paper describes the development of a doctoral capstone project to address this need. The purpose of this capstone project was to create an educational web page that …

Transition Program To Postsecondary Education For Students With Traumatic Brain Injury, Eung Gyeong Park, Susan Macdermott, Becki Cohill, Karen Park

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a condition that occurs due to an external blow to the skull that damages the brain (Carulli et al., 2018). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2.5 million TBI have been reported each year. Many students with TBI face physical, cognitive, environmental, and social challenges in their transition to post-secondary education (Bedell et al., 2017). Individuals with TBI experience social and behavioral changes that interfere with their participation as they face difficulties initiating, regulating their social behaviors, and experiencing increased introversion (Bedell et al., 2017). Physical challenges include fatigue, headaches, sleep disturbances, …

Go Baby Go! Facilitating Play And Social Participation With Blind & Visually Impaired Children, Kennedy Wischmeyer, Angela Blackwell, Gina Benevente

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

ABSTRACT NEEDED

Effects Of Il-10 On Local Cell Populations And Functional Recovery Following Vml Injury, Zain Blackwell

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Volumetric muscle loss (VML) injuries are prevalent in both military personnel suffering from battlefield related incidents, and civilians following severe motor accidents. Despite its prevalence, VML has no pro-regenerative clinical treatments in place to recover some of the functional capabilities of the damaged muscle. Free flap grafting, debridement of damaged tissue, and physical therapy are the only clinical standards available that offer little functional recovery benefits, even after years of consistent treatment. In this study, anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 in conjunction with autologous minced muscle was assessed as a possible treatment for VML injuries and its influences on cellular behavior within …

Providing Occupational And Physical Therapy Services In A Free Community-Based Interprofessional Primary Care Clinic, David Chapman, Darla Coss, John Fleming

Physical Therapy Faculty Scholarship

Interprofessional care provided in a free community-based clinic that focuses on chronic health conditions and health promotion provides an innovative solution to improve societal health. Many existing clinics provide a range of professions but few include allied health services such as occupational and physical therapy. This paper provides a description of the development and implementation of an expanded faculty-guided student-led community based primary care clinic that includes occupational and physical therapists as part of an interprofessional collaborative practice model. A detailed description and explanation of the partners involved, the institutional missions that drive this work, the logistics completed that enabled …

Down Syndrome And Dementia:: A Patient And Care-Giver Centered Approach, Mary M. Stephens, E. Adel Herge, Charmaine Wright

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Supporting Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Routines And Environmental Factors Affecting Sleep Quality, Constance Lew, Susan Macdermott, Karen Park, Becki Cohill

Summer 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Sleep difficulties are more common among children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). There is limited research on sleep strategies used by parents of children with NDDs or resources written by occupational therapists. The study examines current sleep concerns and strategies used by parents of children with NDDs, including those affecting time it takes to fall asleep, duration of sleep, routines, and environmental factors that influence sleep.

Method: Parents and caregivers of children with NDDs (n=22) and with no diagnosis (n=6) participated in a survey and optional interview to assess current concerns and strategies used to address sleep. Data gathered included …

A Scoping Review On The Role Of Occupational Therapy With Breast Cancer Survivors, Ellen Langlinais, Steven M. Gerardi

Summer 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer survivors (BCS) suffer from treatment side effects that adversely impact occupation. Occupational therapy (OT) plays a role in the treatment of BCS, however, the literature has not clearly defined the role of OT with this population.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this capstone project was to conduct a scoping review of the literature to clearly define the role of OT in addressing the occupational needs of BCS.

METHODS: The scoping review methodology was based upon the 5-stage framework outlined by Arksey and O’Malley (2005). The EBSCOhost search engine was utilized for access to CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE, and OpenDissertation …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy With People Living With Epilepsy: A Scoping Review, Paige Peeples, Steven M. Gerardi

Summer 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Objective: The aim of this scoping review is to systematically examine and organize current literature describing the current roles of occupational therapists with people living with epilepsy, including assessments, interventions, and other behaviors. This will help identify current gaps in the literature to facilitate future research.

Methods: Using scoping review methodology, an electronic database search was conducted using the search terms “occupational therapy and epilepsy”. Data was extracted and charted independently by the investigator by way of finding themes and codes through analysis.

Results: The total number of studies included was 12. The primary methodology noted were case studies. …

An Occupational Therapy Practice Guide For Sport-Related Concussion In Student Athletes, Jenny Park, Steven M. Gerardi, Mary Ann Smith

Summer 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Sport-related concussion (SRC) is a prevalent injury that affects millions of youth and young adults every year (McKeithan et al., 2019). The sequelae associated with an SRC can interfere with a student athletes’ ability to participate in school, return to play, and perform daily tasks (DeMatteo et al., 2018). Common practice in concussion management highlights the significance of getting individuals back to engaging in all areas of their lives; and this is consistent with the emphasis on participation by occupational therapy (OT) practitioners (DeMatteo et al., 2018). Despite the beneficial role that OT may offer, not only is there limited …

Transitional Vocational Program For Persons With Low Vision And Other Visual Impairments, Andria Lubben, Karen Park, Susan Macdermott, Becki Cohill

Summer 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Low Vision is a life-altering visual disability (CDC, 2015). OTs work with individuals with low vision and work in the workplace and education, however, there is no research on OTs working with individuals with low vision in work or post educational settings (Butler, 2016). Vocational and educational needs are often not being met for individuals with low vision (Barbieri et al., 2019).

Problem: OTs have a limited role in adolescent transition to the workplace and higher education in individuals with low vision and other visual impairments.

Purpose: To understand transitional programs that support vocational and educational development of individuals …

Promoting Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury Awareness Within The Domestic Violence Community, Christina Debowski, Heather Javaherian, Karen Park

Summer 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Brain injury has been shown in research to decrease individuals’ ability to participate in their meaningful activities by negatively impacting their cognitive, emotional, and physical systems. Recent research has begun to indicate that survivors of domestic violence (DV) are at extreme risk for experiencing partner inflicted brain injury (PIBI)--brain injury that results from the physical violence of a survivor's intimate partner. However, despite the prevalence of PIBI within the DV community, research shows that survivors and DV service providers alike are not aware of how PIBI can impact survivors' daily life and wellbeing.

Purpose: The purpose of this project …

Understanding Factors Relevant To Poor Sleep And Coping Methods In People With Schizophrenia, Yen-Ching Chang, Megan C. Chang, Yun-Jou Chang, Ming-De Chen

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background

Sleep disruption is pervasive in people with schizophrenia, but few studies have explored their sleep experiences. This study aims to identify factors relevant to sleep problems and explore coping methods used by community-dwelling people with schizophrenia.

Methods

Eighteen participants with schizophrenia were recruited from three mental health centers in Taiwan. They completed a semi-structured interview and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) assessment. The Person-Environment-Occupation model offered a framework to assess factors related to sleep. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data analysis.

Results

Factors related to sleep were classified under person, environment, and occupation domains. The person …

Qualitative Exploration Of Mealtime Routines And Parental Stress Of Children With Pediatric Feeding Disorders: Analysis Of Occupational Performance, Andrea Patino

Student Capstone Papers

Pediatric feeding disorders (PFD) affect approximately 25-35% of children with typical development, 40-80% of children with developmental disabilities, and 90% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Feeding disorders affect families by disrupting mealtime routines, changing family dynamics, and increasing parental stress. Occupational therapy (OT) focuses on client-centered care that facilitates independence in meaningful occupations, including feeding and eating. OTs also play an essential role in assisting, training, and educating parents on effective mealtime strategies that can be implemented and carried over into the home environment. Few research studies show how parents manage behaviors and stress during mealtime routines, and …

Zero Balancing And Occupational Therapy: Removing Restrictions To Life Flow, Deanna Waggy Otr, Loren Waggy Otr

Journal of Transformative Touch

Zero Balancing is an effective complementary and integrative health treatment tool for Occupational Therapy practitioners. It helps remove restrictions and restore balance to a patient’s life flow, improving overall occupational performance.

Zero Balancing In The Chiropractic Practice, Michele Doucette Dc

Journal of Transformative Touch

Discovering the profound gifts of the leading-edge structural and energetic manual therapy Zero Balancing (ZB), and adding it to my chiropractic and nutrition practice, has unified my personal growth with the sustainability of my professional practice. Much of humanity is starving for wholeness, authenticity, and meaningful connection with ourselves, others, and something greater. Chiropractors are well positioned to be leaders in a true evolution of healthcare, especially if, as we continue to explore the various branches of our therapeutic repertoires, we stay connected to our vitalistic roots that are now more supported than ever by new findings in the fields …

The Ot Well-Being Summit 2021, Deanna Waggy Otr

Journal of Transformative Touch

The OT Well-Being Summit empowers occupational therapists and other holistic practitioners around the globe to have confidence with holistic health and wellness skills for their therapy practice. The OT Well-Being Summit brings together 11 occupational therapists who share holistic health and wellness strategies and tools that you can use in your integrative medicine practice today with the confidence (and evidence) to use them. The OT Well-Being Summit is an online self-paced course with 12 hours of information and insights to give you the confidence to move forward in areas related to holistic health, wellness, and prevention. https://tinyurl.com/t9cc6afp

Occupational Therapy And Therapeutic Horticulture For Women With Cancer And Chronic Pain: A Pilot Study, Yuko Mori, Julie Kugel, Dragana Krpalek, Heather Javaherian-Dysinger, Lida Gharibvand

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Chronic pain among individuals with cancer can adversely affect quality of life (QOL) and physical, social, and emotional functioning. Therapeutic horticulture has been shown to be effective for treating various medical conditions; however, the focus on cancer survivors with chronic pain is marginal. This study evaluated the effectiveness of therapeutic horticulture for women with cancer living with chronic pain.

Method: A mixed methods experimental design was used to examine the impact of a 6-week therapeutic horticulture program with seven females with cancer who presented with chronic pain for longer than 3 months. Perception of pain, QOL, and …

Interdisciplinary Practice For Occupational Therapy And Low Vision Rehabilitation, Priscilla Gim, Karen Park, Becki Cohill, Susan Macdermott

Spring 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this capstone project was to advocate occupational therapy in low vision rehabilitation for improved access to low vision rehabilitation (LVR) for the adult population. However, due to COVID-19 pandemic, this capstone project shifted to a research study assessing limiting factors for occupational therapy collaboration with low vision services and exploring eye physician’s perception on low vision occupational therapy.

A mixed-methods survey was conducted to explore 54 eye physicians including Doctor of Medicine (MD) specialized in ophthalmology and Doctor of Optometry (OD)’s perception on the role of low vision occupational therapy, benefit of low vision occupational therapy, current …

Incorporating Reminiscence Therapy Into Traditional Ot Practice For Adults With Adrd Residing In A Snf/Ltc, Natasha Menard, Becki Cohill, Susan Macdermott, Karen Park

Spring 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

As the population diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) raises from 5.3 to 12.7 million over the next three decades, this calls for a demand for treatments to address this population (Alzheimer’s Association, 2021; Atchinson & Dirette, 2017). While traditional practice often focuses on symptom management, the inclusion of functional activities alone does not fully address the negative side effects of ADRD (Kok et al., 2013; Lepore et al., 2017; Mayo Clinic, 2019). Both occupational therapy (OT) and reminiscence therapy have been shown to be effective methods to treat the ADRD population separately, but there is limited evidence …

Understanding Successful Aging For Well-Elderly Adults Through Leisure And Social Participation, May Rose Lazarte, Karen Park, Becki Cohill, Susan Macdermott

Spring 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported by the year 2050, about 26% of the population would be 60 years of age or older (CDC, 2020). As Baby Boomers (individuals born between 1946-1964) enter the Third Age, defined by lifestyle choice, consumption, and preservation of youthfulness, more and more individuals are given the opportunity to age in place and participate in new/refined lifestyles (Hostetler, 2011). Although, research has proven older adults, who are now in their later years in life, are prone to experience social isolation, loneliness, depression, anxiety, and social stressors (Valtorta et al., 2018). Older adults …

Exploring The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Long-Term Telerehabilitation For Stroke Survivors, Alexandra N. Murguido, Pam Kasyan-Howe, Kristin Domville

Spring 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Strokes are the second leading cause of death and leading cause of long-term disability worldwide and incidence is on the rise (Katan & Luft, 2018). In the past 25 years, the burden of disability from neurological disorders, including strokes, have increased exponentially due to the increase in the aging population and decrease in mortality rates (Raghavan, 2019). Out of the 795,000 new victims of stroke annually, 26% remain disabled during activities of daily living (ADLs) and 50% experience a reduction in mobility due to hemiparesis (Katan & Luft, 2018). Although stroke survivors do receive rehabilitation services after the onset of …

Cooper Neurological Institute, Kayla Cupano

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Interdisciplinary Community-Based Support For Caregivers Of Individuals Living With Dementia, Gina Tucker-Roghi, Jamie Escoubas, Renee Tolliver, Sarah Tucker

Occupational Therapy | Faculty Scholarship

Evidence indicates family caregivers of individuals living with dementia (ILwD) are at risk for diminished physical and mental health; which may decrease their quality of life and directly impact their ability to provide care. An interdisciplinary approach to self-care and skill-building for caregivers is provided in a virtual support group offered by Council on Aging in Sonoma County, CA. As part of the nonprofit’s Adult Day Program, the group is offered to client caregivers and has two goals: First, creating a communitybased, long-term support system for ILwD who are agingin-place; second, fostering a safe and supportive community for family caregivers, …