Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Utilizing A Community-Based Core Approach To Foster Occupational Engagement In Individuals With Mental Health Conditions Within Rural Communities, Anne Domanus, Melanie Martinez, Sheena Miller

Critically Appraised Topics

“Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental illness,” which was approximately 51.1 million people in 2019 (National Institute of Mental Health, 2021, para. 1). This is an important issue within the country; however, it is not widely talked about, especially in rural areas. Research has shown that the prevalence of mental health conditions is consistent across urban and rural areas, but the stigma that surrounds mental health conditions is worse within rural communities (Thorne & Ebener, 2020). This has been attributed to the lack of access to resources, lack of knowledge about resources and mental health conditions …

Critically Appraised Topic Paper: What Is Motor Learning Theory? How Can It Be Implemented Into Occupational Therapy Interventions For Individuals With Cerebrovascular Accidents?, Allyson Bourque, Alison O'Sadnick, Alexis Skogen, Callie Vold

Critically Appraised Topics

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this critically appraised topic (CAT) paper was to determine if motor learning theory guides interventions that are considered to be best practice for individuals with CVAs. We want to determine what is best practice for this population to provide practitioners with synthesized research allowing practitioners to implement the most effective, client-centered, evidence-based interventions possible.

The Effectiveness Of Intervention Facilitating Return To Work Through Improving Cognition For Those With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Madison Ertelt, Abbey Marinucci, Jaden Pikarski

Critically Appraised Topics

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2019), about 2.87 million traumatic brain injury (TBI)-related emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and deaths occurred in the United States in 2019. It is estimated that around 1.5 million Americans suffer a traumatic brain injury every year. Approximately 2.5 to 6.3 million people currently live with a TBI-related disability (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019; Faul & Coronado, 2015, as cited in Powell et al., 2016). Specific populations are at a higher risk for sustaining a TBI. High-risk age groups include children aged four years or younger, young adults …

Impact Of Social Skills Groups On School Aged Children With Emotional Disturbance, Stephanie Coauette, Kaitlyn Ekre, Benjamin Stagg

Critically Appraised Topics

According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (U.S. Department of Education, 2017, Sec. 300.8), emotional disturbance is defined as a condition in which there are one or more of the following symptoms that interferes with a child’s ability perform successfully in their education: “An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors, an inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers, inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances, a general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression, and a tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal …

Critically Appraised Topic: The Use Of Interprofessional Practice In Occupational Therapy, Rachel Cheatley, Jaecy Giegerich, Paige Mann

Critically Appraised Topics

The theoretical lens of the Ecological of Human Performance model (EHP) (Dunn et al., 1994) was used to understand why interprofessional collaborative practice is essential to occupational therapists and other health sciences across various settings. The EHP model is an occupational therapy theory model that emphasizes the importance of context on an individual’s occupational performance and their range to perform in (Dunn et al., 1994). EHP is used to describe the environmental effects on performance range, in this case, effective interprofessional practice used by occupational therapists and other healthcare stakeholders, to identify the factors that limit and support quality care. …

The Use Of Sensory Processing Interventions To Improve Academics And Social Participation For Adolescents With Trauma, Michayla Burckhard, Austin Ellis, Michael Helgeson

Critically Appraised Topics

Childhood and adolescent trauma are defined as psychological, physical, and sexual abuse, as well as household dysfunctions that include substance abuse, criminal history, mental illness, and witnessing violence or abuse against a parent (Felitti et al., 1998; Noel-London et al., 2021). Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a form of trauma for those under the age of 18 involving neglect and abuse (Elmore & Crouch, 2020). ACEs have been shown to have a lasting impact on an individual’s life, including violence, behavioral disorders, and mental health disorders (Noel-London et al., 2021; Sigurvinsdottir et al., 2021). ACEs and trauma can impact all …

Prevention Of Falls In Adults Older Than 60 Years Through Therapeutic Riding: A Critically Appraised Topic, Isabella Johannes, Dominique Menard, Alicia Young

Critically Appraised Topics

This critically appraised topic paper will address the focus question relating to the intervention of therapeutic riding. A critically appraised topic (CAT) is an overview of scientific literature about an intervention or practical issue and how it relates to practice (Barends et al., 2017). The use of the Ecological Human Performance (EHP) model is to guide this CAT research with a theoretical basis. EHP was chosen for its emphasis on the person, environment, and tasks. The person is described in EHP as including their experiences, sensorimotor, cognition, and psychosocial abilities (Dunn et al., 1994). The use of EHP provides a …

Integrating Assistive Technology Into Outpatient Rehabilitation Programs To Increase Independent Living In Older Adults: A Critically Appraised Topic (Cat), Josie Anhorn, Kenadee Eyre, Tiana Griffith

Critically Appraised Topics

In the United States, older adults account for about “16% of the population” (Administration on Aging, 2020, p.5). Older adults are defined as anyone aged 60 and older. There has been a steady increase in the number of older adults living in the United States, and that number is expected to continue growing at a rapid rate as it is predicted that by 2040, older adults will make up approximately “21.6% of the population” (Administration on Aging, 2020, p. 5-6). The majority of this population does not reside in assisted living facilities or nursing homes but instead lives in the …

Broadening The Role Of Occupational Therapists Within The Icu Setting: An Occupation-Based Toolkit, Roxana Chirinos, Carly Derouin

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to create a quick intervention toolkit for occupational therapists treating clients in the intensive care unit (ICU) in order to increase occupation-based services, quality of care, and improve client outcomes. Additionally, this project hopes to enlighten occupational therapists who may experience burnout while providing services within such an intensive setting.

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Addressing Mental Health Needs In Middle Schoolers, Taylor Anderson, Emily Annen, Seira Dick

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Adolescence is a period of time filled with many transitions. The transition from elementary to middle school comes with new academic, social, and environmental demands. Currently, adolescents often lack the skills and the support necessary to cope with these demands, leading to an increase in mental health challenges (Moksnes, Lohre, Lillefiell, Byrne, & Haugen, 2016). While there are many school-based interventions designed to support students throughout this difficult transition, many environmental barriers exist which prevent the effective implementation of these interventions. One category of barriers is the lack of school resources. Although there is significant positive research on social emotional …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Developing Social Skills For Adolescents With Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Rachel Grubb, Amira Ragab

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project was to create a group protocol for occupational therapy practitioners to provide skilled mental health services to adolescents experiencing complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) due to domestic violence.

Ot Is The Missing Link In Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction, Hope Schuster, Michaela Mayhood

Occupational Therapy Capstones

PURPOSE: The purpose of this scholarly project was to examine research regarding postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). As there is no current literature regarding POCD and occupational therapy, this project serves to be the first of its kind to address the role. Within this scholarly project, the literature reviewed served to generate an article for OT Practice, highlighting the role of occupational therapy and education about POCD.

Addressing Culture Throughout The Occupational Therapy Process: Beyond The Basics, Samantha Plutko, Jacey Savage

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Our product, a continuing education course for occupational therapy practitioners, was created with the purpose of giving attendees an opportunity to engage in hands-on learning exercises that will assist them with addressing culture throughout the occupational therapy process.

Empowering Grand-Families Through Occupation: An Occupational Therapy Intervention Program For Grandchildren And Custodial Grandparents, Macie Romsdal, Gabrielle Wavra

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project was to create a program for occupational therapists to use with custodial grandparents and their grandchildren. The number of grandparents becoming primary caregivers to grandchildren continues to increase, and more than 5.7 million grandchildren in the United States were living with and being provided for by grandparents in 2014 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2014). Although there are benefits to being placed in grandparent care, there are also challenges. Some of the challenges custodial grandparents face are health concerns, financial resources, and changes in social supports and occupational roles (Marken & Howard, 2014). Grandchildren may have …

Occupational Therapy Joining Bariatric Care Teams: A Web-Based Resource, Annabelle Tarnowski, Rylee Skyberg

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose

Despite the overall positive physical and mental health results patients obtain following bariatric surgery, some individuals still experience significant negative health challenges postoperatively. Researchers have asserted that the psychosocial concerns of patients that undergo bariatric surgery are not being properly addressed prior to surgery; therefore, patients are not appropriately equipped with strategies or follow-up care to promote continued weight loss and increase quality of life post-operatively (Kalarchian & Marcus, 2019). Patients who undergo bariatric surgery have experienced maladaptive eating, substance abuse, suicide and self-harm at an increased rate (Kalarchian & Marcus, 2019; Sarwer & Heinberg, 2020). Additionally, occupational therapy …

Increasing Participation In Meaningful Occupations For Disabled Veterans Through The Promotion Of Spirituality: An Intervention Resource Manual For Occupational Therapists., Tristen Smith, Audrya Tarango

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Veterans with psychological disorders may experience a combination of deficits that decrease their ability to engage in meaningful activities (Speicher, Walter, & Chard, 2014). Increasing the well-being and quality of life for veterans is an optimal opportunity for the OT profession to assert its distinct value in addressing the mental health needs of veterans through the enhancement of spirituality. The inclusion of spirituality in interventions are beneficial when alleviating symptoms of a physical and mental capacity, reestablishing beliefs, values, moral code, and relationships with self and the transcendent (Brémault-Phillips et al., 2019).

Immersive Virtual Reality (Vr) And Telehealth To Promote Engagement In Occupations For Rural Populations: Manual For Occupational Therapists, Brock Wahlert, Emily Utech

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Abstract

Telehealth has been used to alleviate the impact of occupational deprivation in rural communities (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2018). There is continuing research on the development of telehealth in the occupational therapy profession. An emerging type of technology utilized in occupational therapy consists of using immersive VR interventions to increase client's performance skills (Karamians, Proffitt, Kline & Gauthier, 2019; Kwan, Park, Yoon & Park, 2012; Halton, 2008; Weiss Rand, Katz & Kizony, 2004). The combination of immersive VR and telehealth allows occupational therapy practitioners to interact, evaluate, and intervene with clients living in rural communities. The immersive VR …

Recovering From The Loss Of A Loved One: A Group Protocol For Remaining Active In Valued Occupations While Coping With The Loss Of A Loved One, Hailey Axtell, Ty Berg

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project is to develop a manualized intervention program utilizing the CMOP-E to better understand grief and coping while promoting occupational engagement for older adults who have recently lost a partner. A group protocol was created to address spirituality, the survivor, participation in desired occupations, and the environment to help with the process of grieving and promote occupational performance.

Occupational Therapy For Pregnant Women: An Ergonomics Program For First-Time Mothers, Kaitlyn Berglund, Brianna Peterman

Occupational Therapy Capstones

This scholarly project, Occupational Therapy for Pregnant Women: An Ergonomics Program for First-Time Mothers, provides occupational therapy practitioners with a 3-session group protocol to address ergonomic concerns of pregnancy and new motherhood with pregnant women who are becoming mothers for the first time. These ergonomic concerns are addressed as they specifically relate to the occupations of the clients. Through an extensive literature review, it was found that there is limited research and programming specific to occupational therapy’s role in providing services to pregnant women and new mothers. Ergonomic programming for pregnant women that was previously available did not address occupations …

Improving School Readiness In Home-Based Care Settings, Malea Peters, Shelby Wittenberg

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: The purpose of this project was to create a resource guide for home-based daycare providers to promote school readiness skills in preschool-age children. Several national and local policies promote children’s school readiness in early childhood years (NEGP, 1995). Children in home-based daycares may be at-risk for lower school readiness skills upon school entry compared to similar-age children in other childcare arrangements (Bassok, Greenberg, Fitzpatrick, & Loeb, 2016). Occupational therapists can play a role in supporting home-based daycare providers to implement school readiness activities for preschool-age children into their daily routines.

A Practitioner's Guide: Using The Cognitive Performance Test To Increase Independent Living Skills For Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities, Alycia Peacock, Grace Spanos

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Problem: Individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) have the desire to live as independently as possible (Gragoudas, 2014). There are a number of barriers that impact living independently including the ability to complete self-care tasks, money management, home management, and health management (Bond & Hurst, 2010). Other barriers reported for individuals with ID include relationships with caregivers, living alone, and vulnerability (Bond & Hurst, 2010). Research identifies that it is difficult to determine the amount of support needed to promote independence in individuals with ID (Francis & Reed, 2019). Occupational therapists (OTs) possess a unique skillset to assist clients with ID …

Identifying Occupational Therapy’S Role In The Interprofessional Team For Combating Barriers To Correct Medication Adherence For Older Adults, Megan Berginski, Bryce Graves, Christopher Hernandez

Critically Appraised Topics

Occupational therapy is crucial to the interprofessional team, with a focus on client-centered interventions, a holistic approach to health promotion and prevention and a comprehensive overlook on quality of life. The focus of occupational therapy is to collaborate with clients to find meaningful engagement in occupations to promote participation. The occupational therapist’s perspective on the person holistically marks their contribution to the interprofessional team in order to meet the needs to provide for the client, their families, and their community (Doll & Earland, 2020). Other than occupational therapists, the interdisciplinary team may consist of nurses, pharmacists and caregivers. Nurses are …

A Group-Protocol: Returning To Life Post Breast Cancer Treatment, Janice Finley, Ashley Timm

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this project was to design a group protocol to assist breast cancer survivors living in the community to address unmet physical, cognitive, and psychosocial needs. There are more than 3.5 million breast cancer survivors within the United States today (American Cancer Society, n.d.). A cancer survivor's performance in meaningful occupations and roles need to be addressed as they learn to live with the long-term physical and psychosocial effects of treatments such as self-confidence and pain management (Burg et al., 2015; Kim, Kim, & Han, 2020). There is a lack of occupational therapy services for individuals diagnosed with …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Promoting Employment Outcomes With Individuals Diagnosed With A Serious Mental Illness, Lexie Coalwell, Allison Moran

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project is to enhance occupational therapy (OT) practitioners’ and other healthcare professionals’ knowledge on the essential role OT plays in promoting employment outcomes among individuals diagnosed with a serious mental illness (SMI).

Parental Caregiver Guide For An Adolescent With Down Syndrome: Transitioning Out Of High School, Kalindi Rachey, Hailey Johnson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The current literature revealed a need to address the establishment, organization, and application of primary health care as well as support programs for parental caregivers of adolescents with Down syndrome, especially during the transition period out of high school (Barros, Barros, Barros, & Santos, 2017). Providing information, resources, and support to parental caregivers of adolescents with Down syndrome and health care professionals, such as occupational therapists, can help alleviate caregiver burden and promote the parents’ quality of life. Occupational therapists can play an important role during the post-secondary transition period for adolescents with Down syndrome by assisting them in …

Increasing Quality Of Life And Occupational Performance: A Treatment Protocol For Military Burn Patients And Their Families, Emma Chafin, Jessica Lambert

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a treatment protocol to address the challenges that can affect quality of life and occupational performance of military burn patients and their families. Occupational therapy can offer skilled treatment to help facilitate a successful transition back into civilian life after sustaining a lifealtering combat wound.

Post-Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema Interventions And Their Relationship To Social Involvement And Quality Of Life For Middle-Aged Women, Abby Bauman, Jenna Holm, Sarah Zuelzke

Critically Appraised Topics

In the United States, statistics have shown that there is a one in eight percent chance that a woman will develop breast cancer sometime throughout their life, and it is estimated that there will be 281,550 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed in women in the year 2021 (American Cancer Society, 2021). One in five of the women who survive breast cancer will develop lymphedema within the initial three years following their breast cancer treatment (American College of Surgeons, 2013; DiSipio et al., 2013). Lymphedema is a chronic and progressive condition that is defined by the abnormal swelling caused …

Impact Of Stress Management Strategies And Intervention On The Mental Health Of Farmers: A Critically Appraised Topic, Logan Anderson, Zach Gascho, Nicole Gentry, Ashley Vannelli

Critically Appraised Topics

The dynamic transactions between the environment, person, and occupation play a role in the success of the farmer, their access to healthcare, and their willingness to seek support with their stressors or difficulties. Depression, stress, and other mental health conditions are highly prevalent within the farming community. This population is less likely to seek out and utilize available mental health resources and services, and in many cases, mental health resources are not available in rural areas (Gunn et al., 2021; Kennedy et al., 2020).

Evidence For The Use Of Health Promotion Programs In Schools, Anna Burggraf, Kathryn College, Taylor White

Critically Appraised Topics

Health promotion is defined as “a process of enabling people to increase control over and to improve their health” (Scaffa, 2019, p. 442). Promotion of health is a common goal that is shared by numerous disciplines (Reitz & Graham, 2019). Health promotion directed towards occupational therapy is the “client-centered use of occupations, adaptations to context, or alteration of context to maximize individuals’, families’, communities’, and groups’ pursuit of health and quality of life” (Reitz & Graham, 2019). Health promotion is essential for all age groups, especially for young children who are completing their beginning years of school. Children’s thoughts, behaviors, …

Evidence For Planning As An Intervention Approach For Adults Transitioning Into Retirement, Emily Knust, Olivia Myers, Bridget Reuss

Critically Appraised Topics

The retirement age in America is continuing to become older. Seven in ten working adults in the Baby Boomer generation said that they expect to work past age 65 or are already past that age and are still working. Of this generation, 42% would prefer to transition into their retirement by lessening their hours at their current career (Edlerson, 2019). Those who are choosing to retire later in their life are prolonging this transition to delay the loss of a meaningful occupation that they have held for several decades. For this critically appraised topic, the authors have operationally defined retirement …