Digital Commons Network^™

Assessments Used By Athletic Trainers To Decide Return-To-Activity Readiness In Patients With An Ankle Sprain, Ryan S. Mccann, Cailee E. Welch Bacon, Ashley M. B. Suttmiller, Phillip A. Gribble, Julie M. Cavallario

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: Athletic trainers (ATs) often care for patients with ankle sprains. Expert consensus has been established for rehabilitation-oriented assessments (ROASTs) that should be included in ankle-sprain evaluations. However, the methods ATs use to determine return-to-activity readiness after an ankle sprain are unknown.

Objectives: To identify ATs' methods for determining patients' return-to-activity readiness after an ankle sprain and demographic characteristics of the ATs and their methods.

Setting: Online survey.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Patients or Other Participants: We recruited 10 000 clinically practicing ATs. A total of 676 accessed the survey, 574 submitted responses (85% completion rate), and 541 respondents met the …

Effect Of Family-Centered Care Interventions On Well-Being Of Caregivers Of Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review, Deepalaxmi Paresh Poojari, Shashikiran Umakanth, G. Arun Maiya, Bhamini Krishna Rao, Sonia Khurana, Senthil Kumaran D., Radhika Attal, Marie Brien

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Caring for a child with long-term functional limitations can have a negative impact on the physical and psychological well-being of the caregiver. Family-centered care (FCC) interventions have the potential to empower caregivers and contribute to their well-being. This systematic review aimed to synthesize existing evidence on the effectiveness of FCC interventions in improving the well-being of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy (CP), and identify the key components of such interventions that are most commonly practiced and deemed effective.

Methods: This review systematically searched seven databases for randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effectiveness of any FCC intervention on …

Step Squad Bundle In Older Adults With Multiple Myeloma Hospitalized For An Autologous Stem Cell Transplant, Nadya Panjwani

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Background: Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy with demographic disparities. MM is a debilitating cancer mainly affecting older adults, with 66% over the age of 70. Additionally, 33% of older patients with MM are frail with weakness, fatigue, slow gait, weight loss, and malnutrition.

PICOTS: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing (DNP) scholarly project is to implement an evidence-based practice (EBP) change consisting of a Step Squad Bundle that will identify frailty in older patients with MM hospitalized for an Autologous Stem Cell Transplant (ASCT) to reduce morbidity and mortality and increase the chances of a quality of …

Outpatient Fall Prevention In Ambulatory Adults 65 Years Old And Over, Dorothy L. Osborne-White

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Background: In the United States (U.S.), falls are the leading cause of injury among adults 65 and over, resulting in 36 million falls yearly (Moreland et al., 2020). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2023), one in four older adults experiences a fall each year. Falls are the world's second most prominent cause of accidental deaths (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021). Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults (Moreland et al., 2020).

Methods: A quality improvement project that included a fall bundle was implemented in a primary clinic. A …

Occupational Therapy's Role In Childcare Centers And Perceptions Of Developmental Programming, Nicholas Passarelli, Madalyn Comer, Whitney Coffield

Graduate Student Scholarship

This research study aimed to determine the perceptions of parents and teachers regarding the state of developmental programming at daycares in Morgantown, West Virginia. A case study with ethnographic methods was utilized, including face-to-face semi-structured interviews, to gain an understanding of how parents and teachers perceive the current developmental programming offered at Morgantown daycares. Data was collected and coded into eight themes, and then analyzed by student researchers. Results from the semi-structured interviews indicated that parents and teachers have positive perceptions regarding the current developmental programming at daycares, however, improvements still need to be made. Additionally, results indicated that both …

Psychological And Psychosocial Effects Of Contemplative Practices In The Athletic Population: A Systematic Review, Victoria Baker

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Mental health concerns in athletes are becoming a primary focus for institutions, companies, coaches, and more. An athlete carries an abundant load of stressors due to their lifestyle. The stressors can negatively impact an athlete by producing anxiety, depression, insomnia, and other mental health issues. Previous studies have found a connection between the use of contemplative practices on psychological and psychosocial effects in athletes, creating an opportunity to evaluate the research of contemplative practices in the athletic population. A systematic review was conducted using nine electronic databases. Seven studies were included in this review, each assessing how contemplative practices affect …

From Heel To Toe: Investigating Plantar Fasciitis Causes, Diagnosis, And Treatment Strategies, Breanna Littlejohn

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This presentation informs plantar fasciitis patients. The cause of plantar fasciitis is multifactorial but most cases result from overuse stress. The cause of plantar fasciitis is multifactorial but most cases result from overuse stress. The classic presentation is of sharp localized pain at the heel. In some cases, a heel spur may be found. This presentation explains how exercise can improve plantar fasciitis. Reviewing risk factors will help you identify and manage plantar fasciitis when undergoing treatment. Understanding plantar fasciitis is crucial as it is a common and painful condition affecting the bottom of the foot. This inflammation of the …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Facilitation And Compliance With Clean Intermittent Self-Catheterization (Cisc), Abigail P. Hernandez

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF) (4th ed.) states that toileting and toilet hygiene includes management of continence needs, including catheters and the necessary equipment to maintain bladder control (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2020b). However, the overall perspectives of occupational therapy’s role are poorly understood.

Purpose: The study's purpose was to collect data about occupational therapy (OT) practitioners' practice trends in client management of clean intermittent self-catheterization (CISC), including perceived competency, education and training, and frequency and extent of involvement in supporting clients with CISC needs.

Theoretical Framework: The study is also supported by the American Occupational Therapy Association …

The Effectiveness And Feasibility Of Telehealth Occupational Performance Coaching With Young Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A Case Study, Mara Sampson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: College students with intellectual disabilities (ID) experience occupational performance barriers, impeding participation. Limited evidence-based techniques are available to therapists working with this population. Telehealth Occupational Performance Coaching (OPC) has been found to be an effective treatment technique for improving occupational performance and self-determination for populations outside of college students with ID.

Purpose: The purpose of this experimental case study was to test whether participation in a telehealth OPC program for college students with ID increases occupational performance, occupational satisfaction, and self-determination.

Theoretical Framework: Self-Determination Theory and the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement (CMOP-E) provide for the theoretical …

Impact Of Iadl Interventions On Discharge Readiness: Musculoskeletal Conditions In Inpatient Rehabilitation, Kasi B. Gannon

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Musculoskeletal conditions are the highest contributing cause of the need for rehabilitation globally, and are common conditions treated by occupational therapy in inpatient rehabilitation. Basic activities of daily living (BADLs) are the main focus of rehabilitation in these settings, which may leave clients unprepared to complete important higher level instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) at home.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact that instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) intervention and training has on individuals’ perceived discharge readiness and quality indicator scoring for those admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation facility with a musculoskeletal …

Prosthetic Attention In Upper Limb Loss: User Experiences, Clinical Perceptions, And Developing Candidate Items, Tanu Bhargava

Theses and Dissertations

The human hand is a powerful tool essential for performing a range of tasks from simple to complex, and it plays a crucial role in social interactions and environmental engagement. Upper limb (UL) loss disrupts these functions and significantly impacts daily life. Prosthetic devices can partially restore these abilities and improve quality of life, but they lack the intuitive control and sensory feedback of natural hands. Consequently, operating a UL prosthesis requires substantial attentional demands, a factor that potentially contributes to high rates of device dissatisfaction and disuse. For UL prosthesis users, managing attentional resources is critical to efficiently controlling …

Use Of An Education And Coaching Intervention To Promote Occupational Balance In Graduate Occupational Therapy Students, Linda M. Rini, Ingrid Provident

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This small-scale pilot study was developed to examine the perceived occupational balance of graduate occupational therapy students and implement an education and coaching intervention to promote occupational balance for those who have difficulty achieving and maintaining it. Although literature provides many examples of interventions to facilitate stress relief in graduate students, this is the first to address the promotion of occupational balance in this effort, which has been identified as a student-reported need. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach was used to obtain quantitative and qualitative data on occupational therapy students’ satisfaction with their balance of activity in all areas of …

Learning Outcomes Of Hybrid In-Person And At-Home Orthosis Fabrication Instruction For Occupational Therapy Students, Evelyn Lee, Amanda Leung, Sylvia Langlois, Susan Hannah

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, occupational therapy students at one university received all orthosis fabrication education through an in-person laboratory-based environment supported by clinicians and instructional videos. Due to the pandemic restrictions, orthosis fabrication labs for occupational therapy students were transitioned to a hybrid in-person and at-home supported lab. Presently, there is no research investigating how a hybrid in-person orthosis lab and at-home orthosis fabrication experience impacts the professional practice skill development of occupational therapy students entering the workforce. This research examined the learning outcomes of participation in a hybrid orthosis fabrication experience consisting of one in-person laboratory-based experience and …

The Use Of Virtual Reality For Student Training On Bias And Microaggressions, Razan Hamed, Elizabeth Gdanski, Jooeun Kim, Julianne Le, Amy Lopez, Azmina Panjwani, Allyson Tong, Gloriana Wilson

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive innovative technology that can be used with occupational therapy students for bias training in preparation for fieldwork and clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to explore the use of VR as a complementary educational tool in bias and microaggressions (MA) training for entry-level occupational therapy students. We conducted a secondary analysis of data collected in an 8-week course on diversity, equity, inclusion, and professional skills with a total of 48 first-year entry-level occupational therapy students. We used eight simulated VR cases for all students. Data was collected using a mixed-method survey to …

Defining Reasoning, Reflective Practice, And Evidence-Based Practice In Occupational Therapy Education: A Delphi Study, Hannah K. Burke, Pat L. Sample, Anita C. Bundy, Shelly J. Lane

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Reasoning, reflective practice, and evidence-based practice are essential skills for occupational therapy practitioners, but it is unclear how these skills are defined in occupational therapy education. We used Delphi methodology to explore educator conceptualizations of clinical reasoning, professional reasoning, reflective practice, and evidence-based practice. Eligible participants on the Delphi expert panel were required to have been an educator in an occupational therapy program for at least three years at the master’s level or higher, to be a current occupational therapy educator, based in the United States, and available across multiple survey rounds. Nine participants completed all three survey rounds. Among …

Mentored Practice In Aota Fellowship Programs: An Exploratory Phenomenological Study, Jennifer L. Bergstrom

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

American Occupational Therapy Association fellowship programs are an emerging post-professional educational opportunity aimed at developing practitioners in specialized areas of occupational therapy practice. Mentored practice is a critical and substantial component of fellowship programs; however, the experiences of mentors and fellows have not been well described in the literature. The purpose of this study was to describe the mentored practice experience from the perspectives of the fellow and mentor. This study sought to understand the perceived influence mentored practice may have on the advancement of skills and knowledge in specialty practice areas of occupational therapy. A qualitative exploratory phenomenological design …

Feasibility Of Mindfulness At Work: A Continuing Education Program For Occupational Therapy Practitioners Experiencing Burnout, Susan M. Persia, Amy P. Carroll

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Healthcare professionals, including occupational therapy practitioners, are experiencing epidemic levels of burnout. Professional organizations have prioritized research and programming to address burnout. This study evaluated the feasibility of an evidence-based virtual mindfulness continuing education program, Mindfulness at Work, and the mindfulness strategies participants learned and embedded into their workday. This program was developed and facilitated by an occupational therapist who is also a registered advanced yoga teacher. A total of 11 occupational therapy practitioners experiencing burnout met with the facilitator for once-weekly synchronous sessions over three weeks. OT practitioners were taught mindfulness strategies to use throughout their workday. Participants practiced …

Enhancing Simulation Fidelity In Occupational Therapy Education: Considerations For Standardized Patient Training And Implementation, John V. Rider, Linda Frasier, Jessica Parkin

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The use of high-fidelity simulation and standardized patients (SPs) in occupational therapy (OT) education is expanding. However, the implementation of simulation varies across programs, leading to inconsistent outcomes and research limitations. Furthermore, details on SP use and training are lacking in OT literature. This article aims to provide OT educators with considerations for improving simulation fidelity by effectively using highly trained SPs. For example, recruiting SPs from diverse backgrounds is necessary to improve sociological fidelity, and proper training of SPs is required to ensure psychological fidelity. This article also emphasizes the need for standardized training for SPs and recommends following …

Advancing Entry-Level Otd Students From Novice To Competent With Foundational Skills Using Cognitive Apprenticeship Constructs, Anna B. Galloway, Truly M. Hardemon

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This manuscript describes how one entry-level occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) program used an innovative approach to scaffolding assignments through a cognitive apprenticeship (CA) framework. Cognitive apprenticeship strategies include learning in the context or culture of the profession. This is achieved through observation, coaching, engagement, and discovery of strategies by the instructor. This framework was implemented to facilitate the learning of occupational, activity, and task (OAT) analyses through a four-week module within a first-semester foundations course. Cognitive apprenticeship constructs were used as instructional teaching strategies including active learning, group facilitated assignments, hands on observation, and immediate feedback and modeling of professional …

Exploration Of Student Reflections Using The Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System (Rtss) As An Intervention Planning Framework, Tracey E. Recigno, Alison Bell, M. Ferraro

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Teaching intervention planning is enhanced with an intentional course design that incorporates critical thinking in order to prepare the next generation of occupational therapy practitioners. The context for this study was a physical disabilities intervention course for an entry-level occupational therapy program that used Fink’s Taxonomy of Significant Learning as a basis for learning outcomes. A novel formative intervention planning assignment required students to use the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System (RTSS) as a framework to guide their thinking. A qualitative retrospective content analysis of student reflections at the end of the course revealed that the RTSS added value to their …

Supporting The Well-Being And Engagement Of Occupational Therapy Students Through Sensory Modulation: A Pilot Study, Rebecca Matson, Jo Linforth, Julie Hanna, Vikki Barnes-Brown

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Student well-being is an increasing area of concern within higher education and one of the biggest causes of attrition. This study sought to investigate the potential for sensory modulation strategies as an approach to support student well-being and engagement in studies through an action research project. Sixteen second-year occupational therapy students took part in a two-week trial of items designed to support sensory modulation, following which they were asked to complete an online survey evaluating the effectiveness of the item in relation to affect, regulation, attention, and activity. Eight students completed the survey containing a mix of Likert scale and …

Recommendations For Academic Programs To Best Support Occupational Therapy Students: Student Perspectives, Elena Wong Espiritu, Hanna Mcclain, R. David Phillippi

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Declining occupational therapy student mental health and well-being is well described in the literature. However, there is a lack of literature describing recommendations from the student perspective that could help academic programs as they develop and implement support programming. Involving students in the process can be beneficial as they are experts in their experiences. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to describe recommendations current occupational therapy students had for their academic programs to best support them during their educational experience. The study sample consisted of 628 entry-level masters and doctoral occupational therapy students from 31 states. Participant responses …

Examining Minimal Important Change Of The Self-Assessment Scale Of Clinical Reasoning In Occupational Therapy, Sho Maruyama, Reiko Miyamoto, Satoru Amano, Takuto Nakamura, Peter Bontje

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The purpose of the study was to establish and quantify the minimal important change (MIC) value necessary to determine gains or losses in clinical reasoning during student fieldwork assignments as measured by the Self-Assessment of Clinical Reasoning in Occupational Therapy (SA-CROT). This multicenter prospective longitudinal study was conducted with students on their occupational therapy fieldwork in Japan. Two anchor-based methods were used to estimate the MIC values: a receiver operating characteristic-based method and a predictive modeling-based method. The MIC was adjusted based on the percentage of participants who exhibited improvement. Administered were the SA-CROT and the Global Rating of Change …

Book Review: The Path To Private Practice, Mary K. Thelander

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The Path to Private Practice: A Roadmap for Speech-Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists Considering Private Practice (Castro-Casbon, 2023) invites clinicians to consider the benefits of entrepreneurship. The book discusses concerns in the medical and educational systems that may cause occupational therapists (OTs) and speech and language pathologists (SLPs) to experience burnout. The text encourages the reader to consider entering into part-time private practice. Though the book is authored by a SLP, the concerns and strategies discussed in the book are easily compatible with the OT profession. This review details the content of the individual chapters and offers a critical analysis …

Perceived Effectiveness Of Student Assessment Methods In Occupational Therapy Education, Breanna Adkins, Josh Bernstein

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The supporting evidence for student-centered assessment practices is well-documented in the literature for higher education, but not in the field of occupational therapy (OT) education. There is no agreed-upon best practice for student assessment in OT education from any professional OT governing body, nor is there current OT education research evaluating the relationship between types of assessment methods and their effectiveness. The purpose of the study was to determine OT educators’ perceived effectiveness of student assessment methods they used to measure student competency. A correlational design determined the strength of the relationship between these variables. Differences between OT Doctorate (OTD) …

Enhancing Student Perceptions Of The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Intensive Care Unit: An Interprofessional Simulation, Elizabeth Yost, Julie Jacob, Denise Campbell, Nicholas Prush, Leslie M. Smith

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Early mobility in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) can improve a multitude of patient outcomes, and occupational therapists (OTs) play a valuable role as part of the interprofessional team, with the ability to address activities of daily living, functional cognition, psychological and communication needs, and more. In 2022, the first iteration of an ICU interprofessional education simulation (Sim-IPE) yielded poor outcomes for OT students. This study aimed to modify existing pre-learning activities in the Sim-IPE’s second iteration to improve OT students’ perceptions and professional role awareness in interprofessional ICU care. Students from Doctor of OT, Bachelor of Science Nursing, Doctor …

The Student Occupational Therapist Experience Of Bullying On Fieldwork Placement: An Exploratory Study, Jeffrey D. Boniface, Donna Drynan

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Bullying is a widespread issue in higher education, notably in healthcare disciplines like nursing, medicine, and physical therapy. However, there is a paucity of research addressing bullying within occupational therapy, which is a relational healthcare discipline emphasizing meaningful relationships, mutual trust, and respect. This study investigated the experiences of student occupational therapists in Canada regarding bullying during their fieldwork placements through exploratory phenomenology. Data from nine former occupational therapy students were collected via focus groups and interviews. Thematic analysis unveiled common experiences including passive aggression, demeaning comments, and a lack of support. Three key themes emerged: the impact of power …

Occupational Therapy Practitioners' Expectations Of Entry-Level Doctorate Versus Master's Graduates, Monique C. Chabot, Sara K. Frye, Nakia Lynn, Kristy Meyer, Laronda Lockhart-Keene, Lydia Navarro-Walker, Sue Persia, Wendy Watcher-Schutz, Kevin Wegner, Michelle Gorenberg, Catherine Goodman

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The dual-entry nature of occupational therapy has been a point of discussion for many years with explorations into the profession’s support for the different degree programs and definitions of entry-level practice being the primary foci in the literature. There has been no comparison of the expectations of occupational therapy educators and practitioners of entry-level doctorate and master’s students upon graduation despite differences in curricula and emphasis on advanced skills. This study utilized a descriptive quantitative survey to ask current educators and practitioners (n=124) to indicate their level of expectations of the two types of graduates for sixteen different clinical and …

Book Review: Documentation Manual For Occupational Therapy, Mary K. Thelander, Geneva L. Nolan

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The updated fifth edition of Documentation Manual for Occupational Therapy (Gateley, 2024) offers instructors of occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students familiar tools and updated content. Clear examples of every section of a SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan) note as well as steps to reach the composition of the note, such as skilled-problem statements and COAST (client, occupation, assist levels, specific condition and timeline) goals are tools that hold the client-centered and occupation focus clear. Worksheets within the chapters offer formative assessment of understanding of concepts. Specific updates to the fifth edition include expanded content on …

Life Balance, Stress, And Occupational Burnout In Occupational Therapy Assistant Students: An Exploratory Study, Olivia Hammond, Pamela Talero Cabrejo, Laura Cruz, Linda Lilly

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Research indicates that United States healthcare workers face significant burnout. College is a crucial period for preparing occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students to manage life balance, stress, and burnout as they transition into the workforce. However, there is limited understanding of these factors within this population. This study examined the relationship between OTA students' life balance and their perceived stress and occupational burnout, considering variables such as employment status, residential status, years of study, and age. A cross-sectional Qualtrics e-survey was administered to OTA students aged 18 and older, comprising a demographic survey, Life Balance Inventory (LBI), Perceived Stress Scale-Short …