Occupational Therapy Commons^™

The Effectiveness Of Occupation-Based Virtual Reality Intervention On Upper Extremity Functional Improvement In Post-Stroke Individuals: A Systematic Review, Darcy Bowman, Tiffani Suhm, Ann Marie Brown, Aubrey Barrett, Hannah Reilley

Student Journal of Occupational Therapy

Purpose: Virtual reality (VR)-based therapy is an emerging practice in the clinical setting and still requires research documenting its efficacy. This review analyzed the effectiveness of VR-based therapy on upper extremity (UE) motor recovery in individuals with chronic stroke by analyzing multiple randomized controlled trials.

Methods: Search limits for this review consisted of articles published between January 2010 and January 2020 and available in English. Search keywords were based on language in individual databases (e.g. stroke or cerebrovascular accident, upper extremity, occupational therapy). Articles were limited to include only randomized control trials consisting of adult patients (18+) with …

Application Of The Kinesio® Taping Method For A Child With Hypotonia: A Pilot Case Study, Margaret M. Griffin, Christina Ann A. Mcguff, Nicole C. Willse, Mackenzie D. Twaddell, Julia Shin

Student Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This study explored the application of the Kinesio® Taping (KT®) method in conjunction with traditional occupational therapy (OT) intervention for a child with hypotonia. Specifically, differences in functional hand outcomes (manual dexterity and grasp pattern) were examined between the sessions with and without the application of the KT® method.

Methods: A 9-year and 5-month-old male subject, at the time of enrollment, diagnosed with hypotonia, global developmental delay, and autism spectrum disorder participated in the study. A single-subject alternating treatment design was employed. A total of 14 OT sessions were conducted across baseline (n=3), alternating treatment (n=8), and replication (n=3) …

Life Skill Development And Its Impact On Perceived Stress, Employment And Education Pursuits: A Study Of Young Adults With A History Of Homelessness And Trauma, Josephine Beker, Tina M. Deangelis

Student Journal of Occupational Therapy

An occupational therapy educational training group for young adults in permanent supported housing was developed, implemented and evaluated with pre-post outcome measures including Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) and the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10). The study explored stress levels and employment-related goals of individuals who have aged out of the foster care system and may also have had a history of chronic homelessness and trauma. Results demonstrated a trend towards significance in perceived stress 9Z=1.689, p=0.91) with 7 of 8 participants surpassing the expected outcome according to GAS. Limitations included a small convenience sample (n=8), inconsistent attendance and use of self-report …

Effects Of Social Technology On Older Adults In A Residential Living Facility, Katherine Bennett, Mia L. Gonzalez, Sydney L. Harper, Madison N. Logan, Kaeli M. Jeffers, Alexandrea C. Springer, Jeanne Sowers

Student Journal of Occupational Therapy

Personal connection and social interaction are vital components of health throughout the lifespan. Loneliness and social isolation among the older adult population impacts both physical and mental health negatively. Analysis of published research demonstrates the importance of considering the use of different social technology platforms to foster opportunities for social support among family and friends. Researchers noted an increased relevance of the need for social technology in residential living facilities with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing. The study aims to investigate the impact of social technology, via Sherish℠ Connect on older adults’ reported levels of loneliness …

The Relationship Between Alternative Fieldwork Approaches And Student Competence And Confidence For Occupational Therapy In Behavioral Health, Kathryn Beckstein, Elizabeth Britton, Codee Colby, Kathleen Melei, Emily Rehmel, Sara Best

Student Journal of Occupational Therapy

Purpose: The purpose of this case-series study was to assess the relationship between three instructional methods that fall within the parameters of the revised Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education fieldwork objective C.1.9 and perceived student competence and confidence in providing therapy services in a behavioral health setting.

Methods: The study included a convenience sample of (n=49) graduate students enrolled in an entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program and a Doctor of Physical Therapy program in the Midwest. The participants attended a presentation on bipolar disorder and were randomly assigned to engage in one of three instructional methods: …

A Farewell To Ears: Hearing The Call And Answering, Ann Marie Brown

Student Journal of Occupational Therapy

A semi-humorous autobiographical account of one first-year MSOT student trying to do their part to support the local healthcare community and its clients during the time of COVID-19 and self-quarantine.

The Risk Factors And Preventive Measures Regarding Fall-Related Injuries At Home Among Older Adults: A Literature Review, Alexarae A. Deer, Carlyn Ellison, Linda R. Struckmeyer

Student Journal of Occupational Therapy

The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors, among older adults, that play a role in causing fall-related injuries in the home as well as to investigate the various preventive measures via a literature review. 14 articles were identified to have met the inclusion/exclusion criteria for this review. The results showed that there were potentially modifiable risk factors (for example, musculoskeletal factors like balance and gait impairment), several available preventive measures (for example, home modifications and medication review), and effective multifactorial programs in preventing falls among older adults. This study also sought to locate gaps in the …