Occupational Therapy Commons^™

The Experiences And Treatment Of Veterans Living With Ptsd, Wendy Schonwetter

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

The purpose of this project was to create better access to an existing online community resource guide, and produce supplemental materials highlighting coping strategies, to enable counselors at the Tacoma Vet Center (TVC) to educate their clients, (veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD]) about resources and strategies that would empower them to participate fully in all areas of occupation and to increase their quality of life. This project included a document with hyperlinks to online saved searches, an instruction manual for navigating and customizing the saved searches, and a workbook of information, activities and strategies for clients to utilize. The …

The Educational Transition Resource Guide For Parents Of Middle School Students With Disabilities, Yoshiko Lindemeier

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

The purpose of K -12 education for students with disabilities is to prepare them for the transition to a meaningful adult life. As students transition from school to adult life, they need to develop social interaction and communication skills that support community participation. Adolescents with disabilities may require extra time to prepare for changes in life when compared to students with typical development. One study indicated that, for students with disabilities, starting transition planning in middle school can be beneficial and lead to better outcomes (Lee et al., 2011 ). There is a plethora of resources available on the internet …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of A Goal-Directed Intervention On The Social Interaction Of Children With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, Natalie Gatlin

Honors Theses and Capstones

This study sought to address social interaction needs of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities through an eight week intervention focusing on social skills at Spaulding Youth Center (SYC), a residential facility in Northeast United States. The study implemented a randomized control design, with a control and intervention group, totaling n=19 students. Results have implications for future practice.

An Investigation Of Occupation-Based Practice In Upper Extremity Intervention - A Pilot Study, Amy Ma

Honors Theses and Capstones

The primary purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which therapists focused on functional occupation-based performance in both assessments and goals, and whether this was related to client satisfaction and perceived self-efficacy. Researchers found that while most therapists demonstrated inconsistent occupation-based practices, therapists were most occupation-focused during goal writing and in their clinical reasoning. Results also suggest that clients responded well to client-centered practices.

Occupational Nature Of Social Participation For Adolescent Males With Learning Disorders, Megan Murnane

Honors Theses and Capstones

OBJECTIVE. This study explored the effects of community team sports on social participation and life habit development for males ages 12-17 with a documented learning disorder. METHOD. A causal/comparative design compared two groups. A convenient sample of 24 participants completed Life Habits Questionnaire and Community Integration Questionnaire. Chi-square and T-test analysis were used. RESULTS. Results indicated social integration (t=4.56, p=.00) for boys who played a community sport was significantly higher than boys who did not play a community sport. The number and performance level of life habits was also significantly higher for boys who played a community team sport (t=3.23, …

Occupational Therapy In Criminal Justice, Jane Dressler

Jane Dressler

Computer-Assisted Cognitive Remediation, Mitch Riker, Gina Stires, Ruth Ramsey

Ruth Ramsey

Are We Ready To Address The New Expectations Of Work And Workers In The Transforming World Of Work?, Lynn Shaw Dr.

Lynn Shaw

This sounding board article focuses on the transformative world of work and the need to prevent occupational injustice for future workers and work places.

Work Transition Tips For Workers, Lynn Shaw Dr.

Lynn Shaw

No abstract provided.

Getting The Message Across: Principles For Developing Brief-Knowledge Transfer (B-Kt) Communiqués, Lynn Shaw Dr.

Lynn Shaw

Objective: This feature article on knowledge transfer presents principles and strategies to support the development of short communiqués to end-users. Participants: Formal and informal knowledge brokers are the targeted users of the strategies. Methods: Research studies and conceptual literature in knowledge transfer informed the development of brief-Knowledge Transfer (b-KT) principles. Principles are explained and a sample of how they informed the development of KIT-Tip Sheets is offered to promote ways to use principles in knowledge dissemination. Results: b-KT principles can be used as a framework to guide the development of short communiqués by knowledge brokers in work practice but also …

The Nature Of Social Support: Self-Efficacy In Overweight And Obese Adolescents, Jenna Bastianello, Matt Epkey, Katy Mcmullin

Mental Health

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to describe the relationship between self-efficacy and social support among overweight and obese adolescents at a weight-management camp. Twenty-three participants completed a pre- and post-camp questionnaire based on modified versions of the GSE Scale and the SSQSR. Additionally, seven females and six males engaged in focus group discussion at the beginning and at the end of camp. Statistical analysis of the modified GSE Scale and SSQSR surveys was completed. Dialogue and field notes from focus group discussions were transcribed and analyzed by the researchers to develop themes. Throughout discussion, participants identified the …

Access To Home Modification Resources For Healthy Aging In Place, Jennifer Golder, Amanda Kolodge, Timothy Muldoon

Older Adult

This qualitative study investigated how community-dwelling older adults learn about home modification resources to facilitate successful aging in place. Two focus groups were conducted to collect data on older adults’ experiences with aging in place resources. A total of 11 participants attended the focus groups. The focus group data were transcribed and analyzed using framework analysis. Twelve initial codes were developed. Upon further data analysis, the codes were broken down to three main themes: Resources, personal perceptions, and residence choices. The researchers concluded that participants had a basic understanding of home modification through their membership at the senior activities center. …

Creating Collaborative Lifelong Solutions: Person, Family, Professionals, And Community, Laurie Raymond, Kathryn M. Loukas

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

Across the United States, two million families are struggling to create supports for their loved ones with an intellectual disability and mental illness (Easter Seals, 2008). This same trend is being seen in the State of Maine where there are an increasing number of youth diagnosed on the Autism spectrum with a co-morbid mental health disorder. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services reports that Maine Care recipients with Autism and related disorders in 2009, numbered 4156 (Richardson, 2011), with those entering adulthood in the fastest growing group. As we look to the future, there are over 2500 individuals …

Dementia And The Role Of Occupational Therapy: American Occupational Therapy Association Fact Sheet, Regula H. Robnett

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

Dementia results from impaired cognition, due to damage to the brain. The majority of dementia cases (60% to 80%) are classified as Alzheimer’s disease (Alzheimer’s Association, n.d.). The signs of dementia generally include, but are not limited to, decreased short term memory, decreased problem solving skills, decreased perceptual skills, and personality changes. The onset of dementia is gradual, and the course of the disease spans several years or more. In Alzheimer’s disease, the person progresses through several stages that roughly coincide with reverse developmental levels, with those in the final stages being completely dependent on others. Occupational therapy practitioners, through …

Turf, Team, And Town: A Geriatric Interprofessional Education Program, Nancy Macrae

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

Describes the Interprofessional Geriatric Education Program (IGEP) at the University of New England (U.S.). This course involves collaboration among health care students and faculty, including dental, occupational therapy, physician assistant, and physical therapy programs, and is focused on treatment for and feedback from elderly patients, who serve as “teachers” for students in the program.

The Lived Experience Of Non-Traditional Students In The Occupational Science Program At Eastern Kentucky University, Deana Marie Ward

Online Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to discover the lived experience of non-traditional students in the OS program at EKU. The findings of this research will allow faculty, staff, and other students to gain an understanding of this population of students and their perspective and experience.

To reach the research objectives, this study used a qualitative phenomenological approach. Data collection consisted of semi-structured interviews and email follow up with each of the participants. The study included three non-traditional students that were currently enrolled in or had recently graduated from the OS program. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and grouped into common …

Examining The Occupational Engagement Of College Students With Asperger's Syndrome: A Mixed Methodology, Laura Leigh Henley

Online Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this convergent parallel mixed methods design was to determine how young adults enrolled in school with Asperger's Syndrome engage in occupations and how this population perceives their quality of life. Quantitatively, assessment data was gathered using Flanagan's Quality of life Scale and the Occupational Behaviors Satisfaction Checklist. Qualitatively, a phenomenological approach was taken utilizing the Lifestyle Performance Model as a guide to administer semi-structured interviews in order to determine occupational engagement experiences of the young adult population with Asperger's Syndrome enrolled in college. Results will be discussed with implications for occupational therapy and future research.

The Experiences Of An Occupational Therapist Delivering Occupation-Based Practice At A Skilled Nursing Facility, Shannon M. Mattingly

Online Theses and Dissertations

This paper is a qualitative research study which seeks to explore the experiences of an occupational therapist in delivering occupation-based practice at a skilled nursing facility in Kentucky. Over a three month period, the subject participated in one email and two face-to-face semi-structured interviews. During these interviews, the researcher and therapist discussed topics such as the therapist's thoughts on reimbursement and documentation and her strategies for intervention planning and implementation.

During data analysis of interview transcriptions, three themes emerged and were titled with direct quotes from the participant: "The long-term goal is to increase my patient's level of functional ADL …

Occupational Therapists' Perception Of Their Role In Working With Clients Experiencing Visual Deficits: A Phenomenological Study, Rebekah Katherine Wurzback

Online Theses and Dissertations

Because there is a discrepancy between the described role for OT in the professional literature and the Kentucky Practice Act, it is necessary to consider occupational therapy's role and to evaluate what type of practice is occurring related to visual deficits in the local environment. The purpose of this study was to explore occupational therapist's perceptions of their role and experiences in working with visual deficits in an inpatient rehabilitation setting in Kentucky. In this phenomenological study, four occupational therapists participated in a one-on-one interview with the principal investigator, lasting from 30-60 minutes. Occupational therapists answered questions about their lived …

Occupational Therapists' Intervention Approaches In Secondary Transition Services For Students With Disabilities, Elizabeth Kelly Miller

Online Theses and Dissertations

Students with disabilities have poor adult outcomes following high school compared to students without disabilities. Issues including poor self-determination, limited work and community experiences, and poor life skills contribute to poor adult outcomes. Occupational therapists possess unique skills that guide intervention in these areas. Despite explicit skills, occupational therapists are currently not predominate service providers in secondary transition services for students with disabilities. This study focused on transition-related intervention approaches used by occupational therapists in the Arizona Peoria Unified School District. Data was collected through qualitative research of a larger study designed to establish the role for occupational therapy in …