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Occupational Therapy Feeding And Eating Manual For Parents Of Children With Oral Motor Deficits, Jessica Kovacevich, Genevieve Ziegler

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Having a child with feeding and eating difficulties can be a very stressful event for parents, and the process of occupational therapy assessment and treatment may also be stressful and confusing for the parents. Most parents are not familiar with feeding and eating difficulties in children, and many parents do not know where to find the information that they need to learn about their child’s diagnosis. After an initial review of literature, it was found that parents of children with special needs have few resources for eating and feeding strategies and approaches for oral motor deficits. It was also found …

Tendon Injury Rehabilitation: A Manual Of Algorithm Protocols For Therapists, Joni Armstrong

Occupational Therapy Capstones

In the field of hand therapy there are a variety of protocols for treatment of patients with tendon injury. Review other literature indicates that most of these protocols have a good anatomical and physiological basis, which then requires the application of clinical experience to decide which protocols to use when treating patients with hand injury. Experienced hand therapists tend to make observations and adapt protocols accordingly to provide patients with good therapy treatment and therefore achieve excellent treatment outcomes. However, therapists that do not see hand patients on a regular basis and do not have a consult base will tend …

The Wings Of Change: Occupational Therapy Activities For Women Of Domestic Violence, Lainie Donahue, Dianna Steen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Literature indicates that the current services provided to women of domestic violence typically include emergency housing, crisis counseling, and short-term legal and financial assistance (Gorde, Helfrich, & Finlayson, 2004). While these resources provide necessary immediate support to the victim, she may often feel powerless to make long-term changes. If adequate long-term resources and support are not available to the victim, the victim is more likely to return to an abusive situation.

The review of literature focuses on obtaining a deeper understanding of the needs that exist for women subsequent to leaving an abusive relationship, and how to prevent the risk …

An Occupational Therapy Parent Education Handbook: Parenting In The Nicu, Olivia Donald, Angie Laakso

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Parents often feel overwhelmed by their premature infant's fragile medical state and intimidated by the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) environment. The birth of a premature infant is a stressful event for parents because they are coping with their newborn facing life threatening immaturity and its possible consequences, such as handicap or even death. Due to the premature infant's fragile medical state parents often feel their infant does not belong to them but rather to the healthcare staff.

A parent's lack of involvement in their infant's care is a major source of stress, feelings of dis empowerment and a lack …

The Use Of A Sensory Integration Program For Children With Behavioral And Attention Deficits, Janel Evanson, Brenna Pitsch

Occupational Therapy Capstones

One of the challenges facing occupational therapy practitioners today is incorporating treatment approaches into psychosocial and school environments that address the needs of children who have difficulties maintaining an optimal level of arousal, who have a decreased attention span, who are non-engaged and have maladaptive behaviors and impulsivity, and who may have anger management difficulties. These characteristics may coexist with the diagnosis of a sensory integrative dysfunction. As a result, the authors anticipate an increasing demand for the implementation of sensory integration programming in a psychosocial or school setting. An extensive literature review was completed to gain a full understanding …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Secondary Prevention Of Transient Ischemic Attacks, Alan Hodenfield, Amy Shulstad

Occupational Therapy Capstones

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a condition in which an individual experiences an "episode of temporary and focal neurological dysfunction of rapid onset, caused by cerebral circulatory failure and lasting no more than 24 hours" (Shah, Cooper & Lyons, 1992, p. 358-359). Even though a TIA is temporary and leaves no permanent effects, it's far from an irrelevant event. About one in three people who have a TIA eventually have a stroke, with about half occurring during the year after the TIA (Mayo, 2006). A TIA can serve as both a warning and an opportunity: a warning of an …

Occupational Therapy Assistant Mental Health Case-Based Learning Activities, Cassie Hilts

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA) need to be skilled in clinical reasoning and able to apply principles, theories and approaches to functional problems (Neistadt, 1998; Royeen,1995; VanLeit, Crowe and Waterman, 2001). Occupational therapy assistant educational standards require that students be able to apply models of occupational performance and theories of occupation (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, 2008). Research has shown that learners actively engaged in the learning process have increased satisfaction with their education (Robinson, 1994) and perform better on exams (Lord, 1997; Wilden, Crowther, Gubanich and Cannon, 2002). Scaffa and Wooster (2004) found self directed learning can significantly facilitate …

Cardiac Rehabilitation Education Module For Entry-Level Occupational Therapists, Bonnie Hoff

Occupational Therapy Capstones

According to the American Heart Association (2007) statistics, it is estimated that 79,400.000 American adults have one or more types of cardiovascular disease, or one in every three people. It is estimated that 37,500.000 are over the age of 65 years. (AHA, 2007). Heart disease and stroke are the first and third leading cause of death for both men and women in America and accounts for 40% for all deaths, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2005). Approximately one individual will die from heart disease every thirty-three seconds (CDC, 2005).

According to the CDC (2005), a …

Caregiver Activity Guide To Promote Occupational Function In Individuals With Alzheimer's Disease, Lacey Konickson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Life After War: An Occupational Therapy Resource Guide For Returning Soldiers With Prosthetics, Monica Lemoine, Andrea Longtin

Occupational Therapy Capstones

There are a growing number of U.S. military soldiers medically discharged due to injuries sustained while on active duty. A number of these injuries result in limb amputation. The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop an evidence-based resource guide for a population of soldiers returning from war having an amputation and utilizing a prosthetic.

An extensive literature review was conducted in order to develop the occupational therapy role for this population. Three main areas of concern were identified: 1) a lack of information related to prosthetic use during instrumental activities of daily living, 2) limited information regarding reintegration …

Handwriting From A-Z, Connie Lillejord

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Prevalence for the number of students with poor handwriting skills has been estimated to range from 12% to 21 % depending on grade, selection criteria, and instruments used (Graham & Weintraub, 1996; Hamstra-BIetz & Blote, 1993; Smits-Engelsman & Van Galen, 1997). During late elementary and middle school years there is an increasing demand for efficient work output, particularly in written requirements. Greater numbers of required reports, math assignments, and writing assignments tap into a child's capacity to develop ideas quickly and put them down on paper (Levine, Oberklaid, & Meltzer, 1981). Children who have not developed automatic, fluent handwriting will …

Get Involved: A Program For Kindergarten Students, Parents, & Teachers To Promote The Development Of Motor Skills For Daily School Occupations, Sarah Neall

Occupational Therapy Capstones

In the educational setting today, children are asked to acquire advanced academic skills at a faster pace and earlier age. Children entering the first years of school exhibit variances in their physical maturity levels, which affects both fine and gross motor skills and their performance in daily school occupations. Frequently, young children are unable to keep up with their kindergarten curriculum. Currently, the programs available to work on motor development in kindergarten age students focus solely on pre-writing skills and handwriting instruction. These programs lack information on motor skill development, home program activities, and specific occupations that kindergarten students are …

Occupational Therapy: Meeting The Needs Of Individuals Diagnosed With Cancer, Kim Jones, Lonnie Music

Occupational Therapy Capstones

When an individual is diagnosed with cancer, he or she can experience their physical and emotional well-being threatened by fear, isolation, anxiety, depression, fatigue, disfigurement, and pain often resulting in a diminished quality of life (Rosenbaum, Gautier, Fobair, Neri, Festi, Hawn, et al. 2004). Dealing with cancer can result in the loss of independence in basic daily routines and occupations such as: dressing, cooking, taking care of the home, eating/feeding oneself, etc. While all of these challenges can diminish quality of life, they can also be minimized by ancillary intervention services such as occupational therapy (OT).

The problem is that …

Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines For Complementary And Alternative Medicine In Occupational Therapy, Kristin Murch, Angela Olson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) within the scope of occupational therapy has the potential to add to the holistic treatment of clients with a wide range of disability or dysfunction. It has been suggested that a variety of complementary and alternative methods may be appropriate to use as an adjunctive treatment by occupational therapists with proper training and consideration of various client needs (Giese, 2005). A comprehensive literature review was conducted regarding the use of CAM with populations commonly seen by occupational therapists. Myofascial release, guided imagery, meditation, and yoga were determined to be most prevalent in the literature concerning …

Train-The-Trainer Office Ergonomics Program, Aaron Schenck

Occupational Therapy Capstones

It may be a common perception in the general public that the daily tasks carried out in an office environment are not typically considered physical demanding. Office tasks, such as typing, filling out forms and filing paperwork typically do not require a significant amount of force. Work tasks associated within an office environment, especially computer use, can increase stress on the soft tissues of the body, such as muscles, tendons and nerves over time (Department of Labor, 2005). This can result in what is called musculoskeletal disorders (MSD),s.

The negative impact of MSDs affects employers through decreased work attendance, productivity …

Alzheimer's Toolbox: A Caregiver's Guide, Kristen Eastwood, Gerry Smith

Occupational Therapy Capstones

“Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in North America and Europe” and “accounts for sixty percent of all irreversible dementia cases” (Moore, 2003, p. 50,126). Along with the 4.5 million Americans who suffer from Alzheimer’s, there are also the caregivers who are suffering alongside their loved one. The stress of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming. This affects the quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s and the health of the caregiver.

A comprehensive literature review was conducted to explore and identify effective techniques and interventions, pertinent to both the caregiver and patient's …

The Development Of A Sensory Integration Room For Individuals With Developmental Disabilities, Christine Foy, Samantha Schepers

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Current literature has identified that there is an increasing population of individuals experiencing sensory integration dysfunction. The current literature tends to focus on the use of sensory integration therapy for the use of treating sensory integration dysfunction with children. There has been a gap in the research on the effectiveness on the use of sensory integration therapy in adults experiencing sensory integration dysfunction.

An extensive review of current literature regarding sensory integration dysfunction and the use of sensory integration therapy was conducted and through this information a sensory room protocol was developed. This sensory room protocol includes: guidelines for use, …

Post-Surgical Rehabilitation Of A 12-Year-Old Female Athlete After Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction, Jonathan E. Arntson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. The treatment of adolescents with lateral patellar instability has changed greatly in recent years. For surgical treatment of recurrent dislocation, the intervention of choice has become medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) repair or reconstruction. The purpose of this case study is to discuss recent trends in management of patients suffering from chronic patellar instability, and particularly to describe the post-operative management of this adolescent female who underwent medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction.

Case Description. Having failed a trial of conservative rehabilitation, a 12-year-old female athlete with a history of recurrent patellar dislocation underwent MPFL reconstruction. Her postsurgical rehabilitation program …

Competencies And Physical Agent Modalities: An Investigation Of Clinical And Ethical Implications, Casey A. Lambert

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Occupational therapy has evolved from its early inception in diversional therapy to incorporate technologically advanced modalities into the professional domain. Over the last thirty years the profession has increasingly incorporated physical agent modalities (PAMs) into the treatment process. Throughout this process there has been both opposition and support for the inclusion of PAMs in occupational therapy. There are concerns from both sides regarding the proper training of therapists in the use of PAMs, how competency should be assessed, who is responsible for ensuring competency, and the ethical concerns with the use of these modalities.

This phenomenological study analyzed six therapists’ …

Electromyographic Data Do Not Support A Progressive Recruitment Of Muscle Fibers During Exercise Exhibiting A Vo2 Slow Component, Daniel T. Cannon, Fred W. Kolkhorst, Daniel Cipriani

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

The origin of the slow component (SC) of oxygen uptake kinetics, presenting during exercise above the ventilatory threshold (VT), remains unclear. Possible physiologic mechanisms include a progressive recruitment of type II muscle fibers. The purpose of this study was to examine alterations in muscle activity through electromyography (EMG) and mean power frequency (MPF) analysis during heavy cycling exercise. Eight trained cyclists (mean±S.E.; age=30±3 years, height=177±4 cm, weight=73.8±6.5 kg, VO2max=4.33±0.28lmin−1) completed transitions from 20 W to a workload equaling 50% of the difference between VT and VO2max. VO2 was monitored using a breath-by-breath measurement system, and EMG data were gathered from …

Stress And Anxiety In Adhd: Links To Sensory Over-Responsivity, Stacey E. Reynolds

Theses and Dissertations

Sensory Modulation Dysfunction (SMD) is characterized by an inability to consistently and accurately grade responses to sensory information. SMD, and specifically sensory over-responsivity (SOR), has been correlated with stress and anxiety in some developmentally delayed populations and has been associated with structures and functions of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. Recent attention has been given to HPA functioning in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), with a majority of studies identifying blunted or diminished cortisol patterns. In contrast, elevated cortisol has been associated with anxiety and anxious behaviors in both animal and human studies. The purpose of this study …

Long-Arm Splinting For Lateral Epicondylitis: A Case Study, Crystal Wolters

Masters Theses

Lateral epicondylitis is a debilitating condition that has a significantly negative effect on the occupational lives of many people. There appears to be no recognized ideal treatment method for the condition. Long-arm splinting for lateral epicondylitis has not been addressed in the literature. A case study was used to thoroughly describe one participant’s experience with long-arm splinting to treat her lateral epicondylitis. She was interviewed, observed, and measurements were taken of her affected arm’s range of motion and strength. The seven themes which were identified through these methods include a description of how her lateral epicondylitis developed, her description of …

Visual Contributions To The Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex During Balance Recovery Tasks, Mark D. Diehl

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: The Vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) is quantified by computing the ratio of head angular velocity and eye angular velocity (VOR Gain). This measure only includes head angular movements; linear translations are not accounted for. These investigations postulate an alternative method of VOR quantification, one that assesses retinal image stability during head angular and linear movements (Foveal fixation (FF)). This method was used to assess the role of vision in balance reactions. Methods: Experiment 1 : Ten Young subjects were fitted with an eye tracker linked to an EM kinematic recording system. This allowed for the recording of head, trunk and …

Influence Of A Functional Knee Brace And Exercise On Lower Extremity Kinematics During Jogging, Brian M. Campbell, Daniel Cipriani, James A. Yaggie

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

ABSTRACT Context: Functional knee braces (FKB) are used prophylactically and in rehabilitation to aide in the functional stability of the knee joint. Objective: To determine if alterations in sagittal plane lower extremity kinematics remain evident throughout a one hour period in healthy individuals. Design: 2X5 repeated measures design. Setting: Biomechanics Laboratory. Subjects: Twenty subjects (14 male and 6 female, mean age 26.5±7 yrs; height 172.4±13 cm; weight 78.6±9 kg), separated into braced (B) and no brace (NB) groups. Intervention: A one-hour exercise program divided into three 20 minute increments. Main Outcome Measures: Synchronized three-dimensional …

Rehabilitation Of Patients With Melas Syndrome: A Casereport, Chia-Sho Yang, Tsung-Ying Li, Shuu-Hai Jiang, Chang-Hung Hsu, Yaw-Don Hsu, Shin-Tsu Chang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

MELAS (mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and recurrent stroke-like episodes) syndrome is a mitochondrial disorder. Patients with mitochondrial myopathies typically have exercise-induced symptoms. Thus, patients are often advised to avoid exercise, which leads to deconditioning. Currently, the concept of aerobic exercise training as therapy for mitochondrial disease is not well established. We report the case of a patient with adult-onset MELAS, who responded positively to a low intensity rehabilitation program. Low intensity training was safe and significantly improved our patient's physical fitness. During the 20-month follow-up period, there was no significant reduction in muscle strength and function. Therefore, short-term endurance training …

The Impact Of Nhi Co-Payment Policy On The Utilization Pattern Of Hospital Outpatient Rehabilitation Services, Huang-Chung Chen, Fei-Lin Chang, Jui-Fen Rachel Lu, Ngok-Kiu Chu, Wen-Chung Tsai, Lin-Na Shih, Yiu-Chung Lau, Fuk-Tan Tang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

In response to pressing financial distress as a result of escalating health care expenditures, Bureau of National Health Insurance (NHI) has adopted various deliberate policy interventions to increase the sources of incomes and meanwhile enhance cost containment. Co-payment policy is one measure often taken when focusing on demand-side mechanism, which aims to reduce the potential misuse of medical resources by the insured through cost sharing. The co-payment policy for outpatient rehabilitation services implemented since August, 1999 is one good example.The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of the co-payment policy on the utilization pattern of hospital outpatient …

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy For A Child With Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Casereport, Wen-Chi Wu, Yee-Hwa Wu, Hsueh-Feng Chang, Chih-Wei Huang, Jen-Wen Hung

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Non-use of the affected hand is a common symptom of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). This report describes the effects of constraint-induced movement therapy in a child with hemiplegic CP, focusing on function and use frequency of the affected hand. Additionally, possible harmful affect on the non-affected hand is also assessed. This study concerns a five-year-old male, with right hemiplegic CP, who received constraint-induced movement therapy for 8 weeks. Throughout the therapy period, the boy wore a splint for at least 8 hours per day to limit movement to the non-affected hand. Functional changes of the affected hand were …

Follow-Up And Treatment Of Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction With Compromised Upper Urinary Tract: A Casereport, Su-Ju Tsai, Yu-Hui Huang, Yu-Pei Chien, Fan-Fei Tseng

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

In spinal cod injury (SCI) patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction (NBD), detrusor hyperreflexia and poor bladder compliance may lead to increased intravesical pressure and other adversities, including urinary tract infection, hydronephrosis, vesicoureteral reflux, and impairment of renal function. The primary objectives of urologic care after SCI are to provide an acceptable method for managing the lower urinary tract, to prevent urinary complications, and to preserve renal function. Because urologic status can change or deteriorate many years after the initial injury, sometimes without symptoms, lifelong urologic follow-up is fundamental for all SCI patients with NBD. Strategy of bladder management in individuals …

Temporal And Kinetic Characteristics Of Different Sit-To-Stand Movement Strategies In Females With Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures, Katie Pei-Hsuan Wu, Yu-Cheng Pei, Mei-Yun Liaw, Wei-Hsien Hong, Jyh-Yuh Ke, Alice M.K. Wong

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

The purpose of this investigation was to objectively identify the temporal and kinetic features of the three different sit-to-stand (STS) strategies in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures for possible future reference. Fourteen female patients, aged 68.2±7.8 years, with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures were included. Subjects sat on a height adjustable, armless, backless chair with their feet on force plates to perform STS using simple, flexion, and extension strategies. Temporal and kinetic features, including STS duration, horizontal and vertical momentums, and maximal left-right vertical force differences (Max-LR-VF-Diff) were measured. The flexion strategy allowed for the longest overall STS duration. The …

Rehabilitation Of Middle-Aged And Elderly Patients With Rotator Cuff Tear, Chen-Liang Chou, Yuan-Yang Cheng, Ching-Chun Chen, Chia-Ling Chang, Tung-Fu Huang, Shun-Ping Cheng, Tcho-Jen Liu

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Rotator cuff tear is one of the most common causes of shoulder disability in middle-aged and elderly people. Although many patients with rotator cuff tear have pain and dysfunction, there is a great variability in the clinical manifestations. The management of rotator cuff tear includes non-operative and operative methods. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of rehabilitation and to compare the rehabilitation effects between patients receiving operation or not.Twenty-two patients were enrolled in this study (13 operative and 9 non-operative). Each subject received rehabilitation therapy (including heat packing, TENS, massage, and therapeutic exercise) twice a …