Digital Commons Network^™

Psychometric Properties Of Ecological Momentary Assessment Of Psychosocial Functioning In Adults With Complications Related To Type 1 Diabetes, Hayley Centola, Melissa Plegue, Dana Albright, Kara Mizokami-Stout, Lynn Ang, Jennifer Iyengar, Emily Hirschfield, Anna Kratz, Evan L. Reynolds, Brian C. Callaghan, Rodica Pop-Busui, Joyce M. Lee

Health Services and Informatics Research

Objectives: Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) is a promising methodology for examining the contextual impact of psychosocial functioning on chronic disease management in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Little is known regarding psychometric properties of EMA of psychosocial functioning in adults with complications related to T1D. The aim of this study is to explore the feasibility, reliability, and validity of EMA psychosocial measures examining depression, anxiety, diabetes-related distress, and fear of hypoglycemia in a sample of adult individuals with complications related to T1D.

Methods: Fifty-one participants with T1D completed a 14-day EMA of symptoms of depression, anxiety, diabetes-related distress, and …

From Stories To Speech: Cultivating Cultural Competence And Linguistic Awareness In Future Slps, Alexis Lawton

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

This manuscript reports on a pilot study examining how storytelling and linguistic diversity may cultivate cultural competence in graduate students in speech-language pathology (SLP). Through engagement with traditional folk tales, students explored the cultural significance of narratives and the linguistic features that shape them. The assignment emphasized adapting stories for diverse audiences while highlighting culturally relevant vocabulary, dialectal variations, and the complexities of language use. Facilitated discussions following student presentations prompted reflections on how these elements influence communication and understanding. Preliminary findings suggest that narrative exploration can foster both cultural and linguistic awareness, equipping students with emerging skills to provide …

Creativity And Generosity: From Therapy To Canvas, Kelly Allen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Teresa Grzeslo, a retired occupational therapist and artist from Chicago, IL, created the artwork for the Spring 2026 issue of the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). The acrylic painting, Wetland Heron (2023), features a great blue heron with its characteristic piercing gaze and elegant form, standing still in a marshland environment among tall grasses and shallow water. Painted using only her right side while seated in her wheelchair at home in her art studio, the painting’s rich textures and detail reflect careful observation and a reverence for birds and wildlife. Grzeslo’s artistic practice began after developing multiple sclerosis (MS), …

The Occupation Of Dance And Its Potential Effects On Trauma, Magan Higgins Gramling

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Trauma is a complex phenomenon. Because of its subjective nature, it can be defined in a variety of ways depending on the health care provider being asked. Though there are various forms of trauma, most definitions are comprised of components that establish its broad understanding of an emotional response to a disturbing incident. Trauma is a subjective experience and can occur in any setting, to any person. How trauma is stored in the body is less subjective though, with most experts understanding it not only lives in the brain, but also in the very cells affecting health and wellness on …

Perspectives On An Unconventional Partnership Between Occupational Therapists And Pediatric Dental Professionals, Marissa Holsonback, Reeti Douglas, Leslie Gazdeck

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Pediatric clients with disabilities are at increased risk for dental problems, including periodontal disease. Developmental delay and sensory processing dysfunction hinder acceptance of the stimulating dental environment and engagement in oral care routines at home. This health disparity is magnified by many dental professionals’ lack of training and confidence with children who have special needs. The holistic occupational therapy scope of practice is inclusive of oral care, pediatric diagnoses, sensory integration, and behavior management, allowing occupational therapists to collaborate with pediatric dental professionals to address the oral health disparity. This perspective manuscript provides occupational therapists with an evidence-supported understanding of …

Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Educators’ Perceptions Of Ot Student Rapport-Building Abilities During Level Ii Fieldwork, Carson Elwell, Tylar Fallaw, Ryan Harley, Abby Key, Kathleen Maley, Ryan M. Carrick

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The aim of this study was to inform Occupational Therapy (OT) practice and future OT educational content through identification of rapport- building components. Fieldwork educators are uniquely positioned to assess OT students’ abilities and readiness for client rapport building during fieldwork.

Methods: A descriptive survey of 55 fieldwork educators (FWEs) investigated skills that FWEs consider necessary for OT students to build client rapport at a Level II fieldwork experience. A Qualtrics survey assessed FWEs’ perceptions of OT student rapport- building readiness components at the beginning of Level II fieldwork.

Results: Data from 55 responses revealed that …

The Use Of Gamification In Occupational Therapy Education, Chris Mulligan, Leslie Bennett, Donald F. Graves

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Gamification is an approach to game-based learning, also called educational games. These fun supplemental tools are infused into K-12 and higher education curriculums. This study aimed to discover faculty and student perspectives and explore gamification or game-based learning in accredited occupational therapy graduate programs through the lens of faculty (n = 47) and students (n =54). The primary researcher distributed two anonymous surveys: Survey 1 to current faculty and Survey 2 to students in occupational therapy programs, examining their use of game-based learning tools. The findings revealed that most faculty (n = 38, 85%) and students (n = 48, 92%) …

Exploring Stress Contagion: The Effect Of Faculty Stress Levels On Occupational Therapy Graduate Students, Dana Kolbfleisch

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Research has indicated a relationship between faculty and students as it pertains to stress levels and subsequent well-being in occupational therapy (OT) programs (Grab et al., 2021), a potential indication of a stress contagion effect. This research aimed to determine if faculty stress levels affect student stress levels in OT graduate programs. The researcher used an ecological correlational study design with a nonprobability convenience sampling procedure. Faculty and students (n = 19 and n = 165, respectively) from 367 accredited OT graduate programs across the United States completed a survey consisting of demographic questions and the PSS-10. In addition, OT …

A Study Of Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Use Among Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Students, Gustavo Reinoso, Rachel Allen-Mchugh, Thomas Decker, Yolanda Griffiths, Stacey Huffman-Main, Leslie Jackson, Ashley Murray, Jamie Rognes, Christine Urish

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into higher education, yet little research explores its use among entry-level occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) students. This study developed a scale to assess AI usage and perceptions, examining differences across academic years. Eighty OTD students from a mid-sized urban university completed a 44-item survey refined using a Delphi method with nine faculty experts. Exploratory factor analysis identified three subscales—Efficiency and Adaptability, Academic Integrity Concerns, and the Student-Professor Divide—accounting for 46.04% of the variance (Cronbach’s α = .72–.93). Multivariate analysis of variance revealed significant effects of academic year on subscale scores (Wilks’ Λ = .822, …

Addressing Feeding And Eating Issues With The Pediatric Population Using A Telehealth Service Delivery Model: A Case Report, Lyndsay Fait, Raegan Furman, Devani Emery, Bryan M. Gee

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This case report reviews the implementation of telehealth-based occupational therapy interventions for pediatric feeding issues in a client with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). It highlights the use of a synchronous telehealth service delivery model to address sensory-based feeding issues.

Method: A single-patient case report was conducted, outlining the occupational therapy process with an 11-year-old male with ASD and ARFID who receives most nutrition through G-tube feedings and presents food selectivity. Telehealth sessions were conducted via Zoom, with occupational therapy assistant students providing interventions under faculty supervision.

Results: Telehealth interventions were successfully implemented to …

Face And Content Validity Of The Corbett-Targeted Coin Test: A Survey Of Users And Experts, Carla Floyd-Slabaugh, Jeanine Beasley, Kaitlyn Anstey, Kasey Bowman, Kaitlyn Hesse, Lauren Mannes, Samantha Vansumeren, Kirk Anderson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The Corbett-Targeted Coin Test (CTCT) is unique in that it measures dexterity with in-hand manipulation and proprioceptive target placement, but it lacks established face and content validity (CV).

Methods: Two mixed methods surveys were created and piloted, one for face validity (for users of the tool) and another for CV (for content experts), each using a 5-point Likert scale and open-ended comments. Quantitative data analysis included frequencies, means, and ranges. The content validity index (CVI) was calculated for CV. Qualitative data analysis used thematic analysis.

Results: The CTCT demonstrated 97.1% endorsement among users of the tool. Each item was …

The Development Of The Retire Well Program For First Responders, Boguslawa T. Syrotiak, Noralyn Davel Pickens, Cynthia Evetts

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: First responders experience challenges during retirement transition because of exposure to stress and trauma on the job and a high level of identification with their work. Our objective was to develop a client-centered retirement transition program for first responders and their families.

Method: Using a participatory research approach, data were collected from two focus groups of health care providers and retired first responders and analyzed using a content analysis approach.

Results: Data yielded themes and subthemes leading to the development of an outline of a retirement transition program: The Retire Well program, an occupation-based program that …

The Relationship Between Burnout, Resilience, And Locus Of Control In Occupational Therapy, Tabitha Gibbs, Miguel Garcia, Karen Menard, William O'Bannon

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Burnout in occupational therapists is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished accomplishment.

Method: This non-experimental correlational study, guided by Rotter’s Locus of Control Theory and the attribution theory of motivation, analyzed the relationship between resilience, locus of control, and burnout among occupational therapists using the Brief Resilience Scale, the Internal-External Locus of Control Short Scale -4, and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory. The sample of 83 participants was obtained via questionnaires sent to a convenience sample of occupational therapists with at least 6 months of work experience in any practice setting.

Results: The results of this study …

Exploring Quality Of Life After Traumatic Brain Injury: Insights From The Peo Model, Natalie S. King, Bryan M. Gee, Mary Shotwell, Mark A. Campbell

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major global health concern, affecting millions of people each year. TBI often results in long-term physical, cognitive, and emotional impairments that can drastically reduce survivors' quality of life (QOL). These impairments influence daily activities, emotional well-being, social participation, and overall life satisfaction, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation. This study seeks to provide deeper insights into the factors that influence the QOL for TBI survivors.

Methods: This research employed a phenomenological qualitative approach to understand how survivors navigate their post injury lives. Fourteen TBI survivors, aged 18 to …

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy And Career Duration In Former Professional American Football Players: A Literature Review, Malik I. Watson, Chase Forbes, Bhavik Singh, Etop Udoh, Kévin Borgella, Jonathan Mosley, Erik Zarandy

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Background:

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with repetitive head trauma and has been increasingly identified in former contact sport athletes, particularly American football players. Although the relationship between repetitive head impacts and CTE has been well documented, the role of career duration as a measurable exposure variable remains an important area of investigation. Understanding this relationship may provide clinically useful insight for primary care physicians responsible for longitudinal monitoring of individuals with extensive athletic exposure.

Methods:

This literature review examined published studies evaluating the relationship between football career duration, cumulative head impact exposure, and neuropathologic …

Integrating Oral Thc:Cbd Into Chronic Neuropathic Pain Management In Primary Care: A Two-Patient Observational Case Series, Camryn Butera, Tytianna Robinson, Samantha Temucin, Jade Mcnulty, Ryan Pinto, Maya Rakoczy, Jessica Peskin, Frederick J. Goldstein, Micky Bacchus, Sarah Kizun, Alivia Kurelowech, Alexandra Loverdi, Kruti Patel, Neha Bhardwaj, Tyler Kung, Hiren Walia, Rebecca Han, Alexa Romanella, Christie Okoye

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Introduction: Cannabis use among U.S. adults has increased substantially in recent years, and primary care physicians increasingly encounter patients using cannabis for chronic pain management. This case series describes two patients with chronic neuropathic pain participating in an observational study evaluating a dose-controlled oral tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): cannabidiol (CBD) formulation. Methods: Two participants completed a four-week program involving incremental oral administration of a 1:1 THC:CBD formulation. Pain intensity scores, medication use, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: Both participants reported reductions in pain intensity and decreased reliance on pre-study analgesic …

Implementing An Integrated Primary Care Model In Outpatient Specialty Medicine: Lessons Learned And Future Directions, Kristen Perry, Rachel Allen, Katherine Dollar, Christina B. Shook, Alexandra Alvarez, April Eaker, Molly Goodrich, Jennifer Patterson

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has a successful history of integrating behavioral health into primary care through its Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) program, utilizing the Colocated Collaborative Care (CCC) model to improve access, early intervention, and team-based care. Recognizing this model’s utility, coupled with the high prevalence of psychological concerns among patients with chronic medical conditions—such as cancer and pain—and their associated elevated suicide risk, VHA launched the Mental and Behavioral Health Integration (MBHI) into Specialty Medicine Demonstration Projects in 2022. These projects expand CCC services into outpatient Oncology and Pain Management clinics, supported by implementation facilitation strategies …

Innovations In Developing Behavioral Health Care Managers Within Collaborative Care Programs, Jesse K. Allen-Dicker, Virginia Kelly Arlt Mutch, Derek M. Tate

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

The collaborative care model is an effective method to treat adults with depression and other psychiatric symptom presentations within primary care settings. Research suggests that patients treated by more experienced behavioral health care managers receiving consistent supervision experience greater symptom relief. Supervision is an essential and widely accepted component of the collaborative care model, though minimal guidance has been offered on how to best implement supervision and foster behavioral health care manager development within these programs. The present paper highlights the approach developed by a collaborative care program with an emphasis placed on consistent and frequent consultation and supervision and …

Building Connections For Care: A Practical Guide For Novice Nursing Professional Development Practitioners, Debra Hunt

Student Dissertations

Building Connections for Care is a practical textbook designed to support novice Nursing Professional Development Practitioners (NPDPs) as they transition from expert bedside clinicians to educational leaders within complex healthcare systems. Grounded in the Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD) practice model, the book integrates ethical foundations, communication strategies, leadership frameworks, and inquiry methods to build confidence and competence in the NPDP role. Chapters trace a developmental pathway from role transition and Benner’s novice-to-expert model through ethics and just culture, incivility and workplace culture, and communication skills including feedback, SMART goals, SBAR, and professional digital conduct. Subsequent chapters expand NPDP …

Growing Healthy Habits: Impacts Of A Youth Community Garden For Children In Rural Mississippi, Olivia G. Degravelle

Honors Theses

This study examines the implementation and outcomes of a Youth Garden Program conducted in Pontotoc, Mississippi. Funded by the Allstate Community Service Project Grant, the Youth Garden was constructed within the previously established Pontotoc Community Garden. The initiative comprised four weekly workshops designed for participants ranging from preschool to adolescence. Each session incorporated hands-on fruit and vegetable (FV) planting or harvesting, an educational lesson, and a complementary craft activity. Children’s FV consumption patterns, nutritional knowledge, and attitudes toward FV were assessed through pre- and post-program surveys. In addition, the photo-elicitation interview method invited participants to take digital photographs of garden …

A Digital Diabetes Prevention Program For Hispanic Adolescents (Fit24+): Protocol For A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial, Erica G Soltero, Marbelly Partida, Sandra Mihail, Lizette Villanueva, Callie Lopez, Salma M Musaad, Teresia M O'Connor, Maria J Redondo, Matthew Buman, Debbe Thompson

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Hispanic youth are disproportionately impacted by obesity and subsequent type 2 diabetes (T2D) yet remain underrepresented in diabetes prevention research. Digital health interventions hold promise for increasing the accessibility to and engagement in disease prevention programming, particularly among high-risk populations. However, there is a significant gap in the literature regarding digital T2D prevention programs for adolescents or Hispanic youth.

Objective: The objective of this article is to describe the protocol for examining the feasibility of a 12-week digital diabetes prevention program among Hispanic adolescents with obesity.

Methods: Participants (N=40; aged 12-16 years) will be randomized (1:1) to a 12-week …

A Multilevel Analysis Of Prescriber-Reported Buprenorphine Induction Challenges In Fentanyl-Endemic Settings, Alyssa Vawn Long

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The emergence of illicitly manufactured fentanyl has increased clinical uncertainty during buprenorphine induction in medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. The purpose of this quantitative, retrospective cohort study, guided by the Transtheoretical Model (TTM), was to examine whether prescriber-level buprenorphine induction practices and experiences with precipitated withdrawal were associated with reported buprenorphine induction challenges, and whether county-level fentanyl prevalence contributed to these challenges after accounting for geographic clustering. Secondary, de-identified archival data were obtained from the National Institute on Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network study CTN-0134 and included 64 prescribers practicing in fentanyl-endemic settings. Buprenorphine induction challenges were operationalized as …

Promoting Mental Wellness And A Calm Learning Environment In A 2nd Grade Classroom, Grace Tone

Capstone Projects

Promoting mental wellness and implementing cognitive behavioral strategies brings awareness to staff and students and helps to promote a calm learning environment. School-based occupational therapists support students to participate in school occupations that they may be struggling with and provide them with cognitive behavioral strategies to regulate their emotions. The ACOTE concentration area for this capstone included education to staff members on the impact of mental wellness on student participation in school occupations and education on the Calm Moment Cards program from Every Moment Counts. The second ACOTE concentration area for this capstone was program development for sustainability of the …

Gastric Outlet Obstruction And Bowel Perforation Secondary To Ingestion Of Multiple Foreign Bodies: A Case Review, Kassidy Fix, Mark Jay Cheek

Central & West Texas and San Antonio GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Comparative Efficacy Of Repetitive Peripheral Magnetic Stimulation And Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation In Upper Trapezius Myofascial Pain Syndrome ​, Shahri̇yar Kalbi̇yev, Şehi̇m Kutlay, Ati̇lla Hali̇l Elhan, Yeşi̇m Kurtai̇ş Aytür, Aysun Genç

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: In this prospective, randomized, single-blind study, the effects of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on pain intensity, functional status, and tissue elasticity were evaluated in patients with upper trapezius myofascial pain syndrome (MPS).

Materials and methods: A total of 75 female patients were randomly allocated to three groups: rPMS, TENS, and sham rPMS. All participants were provided with an exercise program consisting of cervical range-of-motion (ROM), stretching, and strengthening exercises. Outcome measures included pain intensity assessed using the visual analog scale, pressure pain threshold (PPT), the Neck Disability Index, cervical ROM, SF-36 subscale …

Association Between Superstition Levels On Sports-Specific Success Motivation In Active Athletes: A Study In Ankara Province ​, Canan Sayin Temur

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: When athletes perceive themselves as strong, they may seek to maintain their motivation through the control of random external factors. The present study examines the effect of superstitions on sports-specific success motivation among active athletes.

Materials and methods: The research population consisted of licensed athletes in the athletics branch, while the sample comprised licensed and active athletes based in Ankara. A total of 408 athletes participated in the research, including 201 women, and 207 men. The participants completed a three-part questionnaire consisting of a Personal Information Form, the Motivation in Sports Scale, and the Superstitious Beliefs and Behaviors in …

An Education Project To Address Pain Management Solutions For Adult Clients With Ue Involvement To Reduce Dependence On Pharmacological Options To Increase Comfort And Performance With Life Activities, Alexander J. Birdsall

Student Capstone Papers

Upper extremity (UE) pain affects approximately 30.7% of adults in the United States and is associated with decreased function and participation. Despite evidence supporting non-pharmacological approaches, pharmacological interventions remain commonly used. This capstone project implemented and evaluated an occupation-based educational program to promote non-pharmacological pain management among adults receiving outpatient occupational therapy for UE conditions. This 14-week project included 10 participants and utilized a mixed-methods design with pre-, mid-, and post-surveys. The program consisted of an introduction and three modules addressing therapeutic movement, physical agent modalities, and sensory regulation. Outcome measures included pain, activity engagement, medication use, confidence, and program …

Advancing Hand Therapy Practice Through Specialized Clinical Reasoning And Patient Education, Candace Heinlein

Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone experience (DCE) was completed at Corewell Health Grand Rapids Hospitals Hand Therapy Clinic and focused on two ACOTE concentration areas including advanced clinical practice skills and education. The experience combined hands-on clinical practice in a specialized outpatient hand therapy setting with the development of high-quality client education materials and home exercise programs (HEPs). Objectives were created to address identified needs through the creation of client education handouts, development of diagnosis-specific Medbridge HEP templates, and creation of training resources to improve therapist efficiency with Medbridge use. Outcomes of the project included improved access to evidence-based educational materials, reduced …

From Beauty To Burden: Mapping The Health And Psychosocial Impacts Of Fragrances And Cosmetic Products Use In The Uae, Sharifa Alblooshi, Mariam Al Ali, Dana N. Abdelrahim, Suheir Awadalla

All Works

Background The dynamic beauty care sector in the Middle East is on an upward trend in the UAE; however, concerns persist about the side effects of this industry, attributed to chemical exposure, which is believed to contribute to skin problems and other health issues. In the UAE, there is a lack of data on consumer usage, awareness, and the health effects associated with it.Methods This study presents the results of an online survey administered to 461 female subjects in the United Arab Emirates as part of a cross-sectional study. The survey consisted of 55 questions on product use, knowledge, attitudes, …

Pages Of Despair: Economic Policy Uncertainty And Mental Health, Kori Massner

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Policy uncertainty threatens access to affordable medical care, yet few studies have examined how it shapes what people search for online. This study examines whether economic policy uncertainty predicts mental health information-seeking behavior by analyzing daily Wikipedia pageviews from July 2015 to April 2026 using a time series model. Results show that as economic policy uncertainty increases, there is an increase in pageviews on Wikipedia for suicide related information. When there is an increase in those searching for information on pages about depression and pages about anxiety, there is also an increase in pageviews on Wikipedia for suicide related information. …