Digital Commons Network^™

Biomarkers Of Inflammation In Heart Failure Patients With Reduced And Preserved Ejection Fractions: Multi-Ethnic Study Of Atherosclerosis, Michelle Lynne Stone

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Purpose Examine the relationships between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptor-1 (sTNF-R1) and the cumulative risk of heart failure with reduced (HFrEF) and preserved (HFpEF) ejection fractions in a diverse, population-based sample. Methods Study sample included 6,814 adult (45-84 years of age) men and women who participated in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and were free of cardiovascular disease at baseline. Cox regression was used to calculate the hazard ratios (HR) associated with elevated baseline hs-CRP (> 3-10 mg/L), IL-6 (> 75^th percentile) and sTNF-R1 (> 75^th percentile) and risk of overall …

Designing Interprofessional Education Curriculum To Maximize Collaborative Competency, Whitney Lucas Molitor, Allison Naber

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Interprofessional collaboration improves health outcomes through enhanced efficiency and communication among team members. Professional educational standards call for interprofessional education (IPE) to develop the collaborative competencies necessary for transition from didactic learning to clinical practice. Variability exists regarding methods of IPE implementation, so efficacy of curricula needs to be described in a manner which allows for replication and utilization of these methods with occupational therapy students. A pre/post design with convenience sampling of students from occupational therapy, physical therapy, and physician assistant programs was completed to determine the effectiveness of an IPE module and to discover if differences in IPE …

Learning Strategies And Academic Difficulty In Occupational And Physical Therapy Online Education, Evan M. Pucillo, Erica Kiernan, Mary P. Shotwell, Jackie Crossen-Sills

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

As occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) programs expand across the United States to address a shortage in the health workforce there is a limited understanding of the relationship between learning strategies and academic success in these professions. The purpose of this study was to explore the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) in relation to hybrid-online clinical neuroscience course outcomes in OT and PT students. Thirty-four students (n=14 OT; n=20 PT) self-administered the LASSI during the spring of 2019. The scales of Information Processing (r = -0.43; p<0.01), Self-Testing (r = -0.36; p<0.05), and Test Strategies (r = 0.32; p<0.05) displayed modest statistically significant relationships to final neuroscience grade and cumulative professional grade point average (r = -0.43; p<0.01), (r = -0.30; p<0.05), (r = 0.29; p<0.05), respectively. Some scales of the LASSI appeared to be modestly related to academic difficulty in this sample, however scales were not significantly related to academic achievement. Students who scored highly on the LASSI scale of Test Strategies tended to have higher course performance compared to their peers. Students who rely on certain learning strategies may be at risk for academic difficulty in hybrid-online coursework. Those who scored highly on the LASSI scales of Information Processing and Self-testing tended to have lower course performance compared to their peers. The LASSI may provide OT and PT students a better understanding of learning and study strategies that are related to academic difficulty in online learning.

Correlation Between Simulation And Fieldwork Performance In Adult Physical Rehabilitation, Whitney Lucas Molitor, Ranelle Nissen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between performance in simulation used as a learning method in an adult physical rehabilitation and Level II fieldwork. A retrospective cohort research design was utilized to analyze data gathered from occupational therapy student cohorts between 2011-2017 enrolled in an entry-level Masters (MS) and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program located in the Midwest United States. Course performance on skills checks, which utilized simulation methods, as well as final exam and course grades were analyzed and compared to performance scores on the FWPE. The overall course exam performance is the strongest …

An International Fieldwork Placement: A Mixed Methods Study, Dianna Lunsford, Kristin A. Valdes

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of an international fieldwork placement on occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) students’ cultural competence, community engagement, and ethical leadership. This study used a mixed methods approach. The Public Affairs Scale (PAS) was used to gather pre and post placement data on cultural competence, community engagement, and ethical leadership. Qualitative data was themed from a reflection paper along with researcher field notes from a fieldwork placement to Ibarra, Ecuador. Eleven OTD students participated in the study. The study demonstrated a convergence of the data in the area of cultural competence and responsiveness. …

Comparison Of The Accuracy To Predict Falls Of The Figure Of 8 Walk Test With And Without Dual-Task In Older Adults, Tidarat Nualyong

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Background: The figure of eight walk test (F8W) is a measurement tool that examines the ability to walk on a curved path. Adding secondary tasks to the F8W test may increase its ability to predict falls in older adults. This research aimed 1.) to examine the accuracy of the F8W test and the F8W test with dual-tasking for predicting future falls in older adults; 2.) to investigate the reliability and the concurrent validity of the F8W test with and without dual-task in older adults. Methods: Eighty older adults between the ages of 60 and 80 were recruited. At the beginning …

Effectiveness Of Post-Acute Rehabilitation On Functional Outcome After Hip Fracture, Yen-Ju Wang, Pei-Hsin Lin, Li-Ning Peng, Mu-Jung Kao, Serena Y.C Lin, Kuan-Hua Huang, Yen-Fang Chen, Miao-Ru Liang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Objective: We investigated the effectiveness of functional recovery after 2-week post-acute rehabilitation in elderly people with hip fractures. Design: We divided the patients (N = 129) into 2 groups: the post-acute care (PAC) group (N = 90) that received 2-week in-hospital rehabilitation and the control group (N =39) that were discharged immediately. Outcomes were measured according to the Barthel Index (BI) score. Results: The BI scores at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months were higher in the PAC group than those in the control group, especially for transfer and mobility. Males, aged less than 80 years old, or who …

Factors Influencing The Use Of Inpatient Rehabilitation Services Among Amputees In Acute Hospitals: An Observational Study, Ya-Ling Huang, Ming-Chung Yang, Chun-Chieh Wu, Tung-Chou Li

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Objective: To examine rates of inpatient rehabilitation (IR) use in a nationwide amputee and determine factors associated with receiving rehabilitation services during acute admission. Methods: This research is a retrospective observational study. We sampled data from a nationally representative sample of 1,000,000 enrollees of the single-payer government-based National Health Insurance (NHI) program in Taiwan from 1996 to 2013. Claims data for rehabilitation during index admission after amputation were analyzed, and factors associated with IR use were identified. Multivariable logistic regression was performed with adjustment for clustering to identify which factors were independently associated with acute IR referral. Results: Among the …

Lifestyle Management For Vestibular Disorders, Michelle Pock

Student Capstone Papers

Individuals with vestibular disorders have concerns that impact lifestyle including limiting activities of daily living, limiting participation in social events, difficulty driving, and difficulty working (Cohen, 2014). Occupational therapists are able to help individuals with vestibular disorders by task analyzing symptom provoking activities, assessing the impact of symptoms on occupations, providing adaptations, and providing ways to modify environments (Gronski, Neville, Kannenberg, & Cohen, 2017). While occupational therapists are qualified to provide services to sustain and improve the occupational performance of individuals with vestibular disorders, occupational therapy is not well represented in this area particularly in addressing lifestyle components for vestibular …

What Can Be Achieved With An Interprofessional Class?, Kitsum Li, Olivia Catolico

Occupational Therapy | Faculty Scholarship

Introduction Recently, educators advocated for interprofessional education to better prepare entry-level healthcare workers for efficient, effective, and respectful teamwork to lower the cost of healthcare and improve the delivery of collaborative quality patient care. This article describes the results of an educational program evaluation of an interprofessional class (IPC) taught over a five-year period between nursing and occupational therapy (OT) departments at a small private university.

Methods During the IPC sessions, a small group of nursing and OT students observed a simulated patient care scenario in which a nursing and an OT student provided care related to their respective discipline. …

Using Emphasis-Purposeful Sampling-Phenomenon Of Interest–Context (Eppic) Framework To Reflect On Two Qualitative Research Designs And Questions: A Reflective Process, Michael E. Kalu

The Qualitative Report

A satisfactory research question often signifies the beginning point for many researchers. While this can be true for quantitative studies because of pre-defined research questions, qualitative research questions undergo series of revisions through a reflective process. This reflective process provides the framework for the subjectivity associated with qualitative inquiry. The continuous iterative reflective process is an essential component for developing qualitative research questions that correspond with the various qualitative study designs. Although qualitative inquiry is term exclusively subjective, there is a need to use a framework in developing qualitative research questions. The Emphasis- Purposeful sampling- Phenomenon of interest – Context …

An Interprofessional Collaborative Approach To The Development Of A Content Valid Interview Questionnaire For Persons With Hearing Loss And Their Communication Partners, Nancy A. Delich, Stephen D. Roberts

JADARA

An assessment instrument needs to be valid in order for data to be accurately interpreted and applied. Currently, few rigorous content evaluations have been conducted on hearing-related questionnaires. This study describes a multiphase approach for obtaining content validity evidence in the development of a questionnaire that explores quality of life for persons with hearing loss and their communication partners. A panel of 15 interprofessional experts evaluated 41 questionnaire items for content relevance and content clarity. Findings revealed an overall scale of .99 for content relevance and .85 for content clarity, indicating high content validity for the revised 40-item questionnaire.

Investigating Whether Consuming Meals In A Dining Room Impacts Patients’ Mood, Level Of Interaction, And Subsequent Nutrient Intake In A Stroke Rehabilitation Ward., Sali Abouhajar, Grace Bennett, Linda Dooley Ms., Tracy Waldron Ms., Katie Walsh Ms., Sile Murphy Ms., Aoibheann Mcmorrow Dr., Joseph Harbison Prof., Suzanne L Doyle

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

Background/objectives
Malnutrition is evident in hospitals and stroke patients are at increased risk. Protected mealtimes may help increase nutrient intake especially when patients interact and enjoy the dining room atmosphere. The aim of this research is to investigate if eating in a communal dining room increases nutritional intake compared to eating at the bedside and to investigate whether patient interaction and mood affects patient nutrient intake.

Population/methods:
A randomised cross-sectional study of 20 patients, assessing a comparison of patient’s mealtime consumption at lunchtime in the dining room and at the beside. Patients’ meals were weighed before and after consumption as …

Energy Cost Of Land And Shallow Water Walking In Females Who Are Overweight And Obese, Jacquelyn N. Zera, Elizabeth F. Nagle, Bethany B. Gibbs, John P. Abt, John M. Jakicic

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Nineteen overweight or obese females completed three 10-minute experimental trials including a self-selected pace shallow water walking trial, a matched heart rate response land walking trial, and a self-selected pace land walking trial. Energy expenditure (kcal·min^-1)was computed from expired gases assessed via indirect calorimetry. Results showed energy expenditure was lower (p= 0.046) during shallow water walking (6.46 ± 1.38 kcal·min^-1) compared to matched heart rate response land walking trial (7.26 ± 1.29 kcal·min^-1), with no significant difference in between shallow water and self-selected pace land walking (6.92 ± 1.61 kcal·min^-1). …

Emg Analysis Of The Neuromuscular Activity During Sit-To-Stand From Different Height Chairs In Water, Antonio Cuesta-Vargas

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

The purpose of this study was to use surface electromyography to measure the muscular activity during the sit-to-stand task in water and compare it at three different chair heights. Ten healthy young adults [5 males and 5 females (mean ± SD): age, 22.0 ± 3.1 yr; height, 172.8 ± 9.0 cm; body mass, 63.9 ± 17.2 kg] were recruited for study. We used a telemetry EMG system on the following muscles on the right side of the body: quadriceps (vastus medialis and rectus femoris), long head of the biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius medialis, soleus, rectus abdominis, and erector spinae). …

Recent Trends, Current Research In Cyberpsychology: A Literature Review, Amarjit Kumar Singh, Pawan Kumar Singh

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Cyberpsychology refers to the study of the mind and behavior in the context of interactions with technology. It is an emerging branch, which has focused on the psychological aspects connected to the increasing presence and usages of technology in modern lives. This paper traces recent advancement and trends of Cyberpsychology is an emerging domain of knowledge and goes on the give a literature review of the same. An analysis of the recent research and literature covering 300 most relevant research papers from the period of 2012 to 15, August 2019 was conducted to determine and shape the research pattern based …

First-Time Experience In Owning A Dog Guide By Older Adults With Vision Loss, Kitsum Li, Jeffrey Kou, Yvonne Lam, Patricia Lyons, Susan Nguyen

Occupational Therapy | Faculty Scholarship

Introduction: Dog guides were found to be effective in helping adults with vision loss navigate in the community and improve overall well-being. In spite of the vast amount of literature on pet therapy and dog companionship, limited study exists on older adult with vision loss experience of owning a dog guide. The purpose of this study is to explore the facilitators and barriers of first time owning and using a dog guide as experienced by older adults with vision loss.

Methods: Data were gathered among seven participants using open-ended semi-structured telephone interviews. Participants were asked to describe their experiences related …

The Use Of Music As A Therapeutic Tool To Increase Positive Outcomes In Individuals With Neurological Disorders, Kelly Swaringen

MOT Student Capstones

The overall concept of this study is to explore and gather evidence to support the positive impact that music can have on individuals with neurological impairments or disorders in areas including communication, cognition/memory, psychosocial skills, and motor skills. The goal is to examine how music can be a powerful tool in increasing patient outcomes and how occupational therapy (OT) practitioners can utilize music as a tool in their own practice setting. As OT practitioners, our overarching goal is to facilitate functional and effective participation in occupation while promoting emotional well-being and high quality of life. We have the unique privilege …

Global Occupational Therapists’ Health And Wellness Interventions With Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Catherine Keegin, Lyndsey Lehman, Hannah Meier, Megan Weinberg

Older Adult

Rationale: The profession of occupational therapy (OT) has an opportunity to positively impact health and wellness for community-dwelling older adults with the approaching global increase of the aging population (He, Goodkind, & Kowal, 2016). Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore occupational therapists’ use of health promotion and wellness approaches to facilitate healthy aging with community-dwelling older adults in a global context. Results: Four qualitative themes were uncovered: perceptions of older adults, safety, the role of OT, and preventive versus reactive care. Participants with 10 or more years of experience addressed spirituality in practice more often than those …

Relationship Between Balance And Physical Activity In Subjects With Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain, Muhsen B. Alsufiany

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Most research on sedentary lifestyle has focused on pain and disability outcomes, while neuromuscular outcomes (postural control and strength) have received less attention. The objective of the present study was to determine whether low level of physical activity is negatively associated with measures of lower body muscular strength and postural control in subjects with and without non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). Twenty-four subjects with NSCLBP (28.8±5.9 years) and 24 age, gender, and Body Mass Index (BMI) matched healthy controls participated in the study. Subjects were sub-classified into four subgroups based on their level of physical activity using the International …

Adapting The Lifestyle-Integrated Functional Exercise Program For Medically Underserved Older Adults, Yi-Ling Hu

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Falls are a growing public health problem among the aging population. Structured exercise programs are effective in preventing falls, and many have been implemented for community-dwelling older adults in the U.S. However, low adherence rates for structured exercise are reported consistently for this population. The need to translate alternative evidence-based exercise programs the diverse older adult population is important. One promising alternative program, the Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise Program (LiFE), can significantly reduce falls but has not yet been implemented for diverse older adults residing in the US. To initiate the translation of LiFE, we targeted older adults residing in medically …

A Sensory-Based Program To Enhance Occupational Performance For Dementia, Ivy Annahi Torres-Flores, Jacob Gantan, Heather Anne August, Naomi Grace Wong

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Dementia is a neurological disease, causing behavioral and cognitive symptoms, that progressively impairs an individual’s ability to engage in meaningful activities. Progressive deterioration associated with dementia impacts occupational performance and independence and quality of life. Sensory based interventions, such as drumming groups, have been hypothesized to be a non-pharmacological intervention for individuals with dementia. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of a sensory based intervention program, in this case participation in a drumming group, on functional engagement during self-feeding for individuals with dementia. Researchers gathered data over the course of two days using the Functional Behavior …

The Impact Of Fall Efficacy On Occupational Performance In Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Michelle Fong, Araya Moua, Erin Denola, Merit Franklin

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Falls are a major health concern in the older adult (OA) population. While there is research on falls and their prevention, research on how low fall efficacy (FE) impacts the occupational engagement of the OA population is limited. FE is defined as the confidence a person has in his/her ability to complete a task without falling (Tinetti & Powell, 1993). A qualitative study was conducted using a phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of OAs with low FE and the impact on occupational performance. Participants who scored ≤ 6 on the Modified Fall Efficacy Scale (MFES) engaged in a …

Occupational Responses Of Older Adults Following Partner Loss, Carol Huang, Jane Song, Peter Behr, Stephanie Sterner

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Spousal loss has been frequently identified as a life stressor that can greatly impede one’s ability to age at home. The purpose of this study is to identify the occupational changes that commonly result after this event and their impacts on one’s ability to age in place. This study utilized a qualitative phenomenological research design. Eight participants were recruited from an educational program for older adults and were interviewed using a semi-structured interview format. Researchers transcribed and coded all interviews to determine emergent themes. Two major categories of themes were found: occupational and intrinsic responses. The areas of occupation that …

The Effect Of Perceived Level Of Social Support On The Fear Of Falling, Kali A. Todd

Honors College Theses

Background: Perhaps the most prevalent cause of anxiety among the elderly is the fear of falling (FOF), considering that a fall can lead to serious complications and the decline of health. Kumar et al. found that subjects with a FOF usually have less social support. Therefore, increased social support could possibly decrease the FOF, thus decreasing the likelihood of a fall overall. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the amount of perceived social support one receives and the FOF among people ages 60 and up. Methods: In order to measure FOF and social support among …

Relationship Of Grip Strength And Quality Of Life Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Melissa Van Omen

Honors Theses

Loss of muscle strength is one of the key features of aging. Quality of life is a factor that affects productive aging and loss of muscle strength. A literature review was completed to assess the possible relationship between grip strength and quality of life among community-dwelling older adults, as measured through physical health in terms of independence with ADLs/IADLs, physical disability, and mobility. Articles were collected from various peer-reviewed, publish journals using the available databases of Western Michigan University libraries. Databases used include PubMed, Clinical Keys, the National Institute of Health (NIH), Springer Link, Scopus, BioMed Central, Wiley, and Oxford …

Measuring Emotional Response To A Planting Activity For Staff At An Urban Office Setting: A Pilot Study, Amy E. Wagenfeld, Sandra Schefkind, Nancy Hock

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Interaction with occupation-centered activities, such as gardening, is associated with improved mental health. With limited evidence supporting the effects of short-term nature-based interventions on employees’ emotional states, the purpose of this research was to understand the impact of a one-time, short-term nature-based intervention on the emotional state of employees at an urban office building.

Method: This pretest/posttest design study used a visual analogue emoticon assessment tool, the Interaction with Nature scale, to measure differences in the participants’ emotional states before and after participating in a planting activity. Twenty-two participants engaged in the study. Each participant potted a …

Oscillations In Neural Drive And Age-Related Reductions In Force Steadiness With A Cognitive Challenge, Hugo M. Pereira, Bonnie A. Schlinder-Delap Mrs., Kevin G. Keenan, Francesco Negro, Dario Farina, Allison S. Hyngstrom, Kristy A. Nielson, Sandra K. Hunter

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

A cognitive challenge when imposed during a low-force isometric contraction will exacerbate sex- and age-related decreases in force steadiness, but the mechanism is not known. We determined the role of oscillations in the common synaptic input to motor units on force steadiness during a muscle contraction with a concurrent cognitive challenge. Forty-nine young adults (19–30 yr; 25 women, 24 men) and 36 old adults (60–85 yr; 19 women, 17 men) performed a cognitive challenge (counting backward by 13) during an isometric elbow flexion task at 5% of maximal voluntary contraction. Single-motor units were decomposed from high-density surface EMG recordings. For …

Is Technology The Key To Prevention Of Falls Among The Elderly In Rapidly Aging Societies? A Case Study Of Kunming, China, Phoebe Kiburi

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

As the aging society rapidly becomes more dominant in the world, there is a pressing need for different stakeholders to tend to the needs of the aging sufficiently. This is crucial in ensuring the robustness of the healthcare system as a whole; given that it can only be as strong as its weakest link. This study focuses on one of the areas of need of the ageing society: fall prevention.

Numerous studies have been done on interventions by the government, private entities, elderly people and their caregivers to prevent occurrence and recurrence of falls. However, most of these have been …

The Effects Of A Driving Simulator On Driving-Related Skills Necessary For Adl And Iadl Function, Rebecca Pope, Haley Szpara

Occupational Therapy Graduate Student Evidenced-Based Research Reviews

Background

Returning to driving is often a goal for an individual following a neurological impairment. Critical skills for success in returning to driving include intact cognition, visual, and visual-perceptual skills which are skills that are commonly compromised in individuals who have had a neurological accident. In addition, these skills are necessary for other areas of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLS), as well as activities of daily living road driving performance (Crotty & George, 2009). Emerging evidence has shown the use of driving simulator training as an intervention to increase and the generalizability this may have on ADL function and …