Digital Commons Network^™

Supporting Clients And Caregivers Of Full-Time Wheelchair Users At Risk For Pressure Injuries, Jessica Lynn Wetzel

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Supporting Clients and Caregivers of Full-Time Wheelchair Users at Risk for Pressure Injuries

Purpose: Wheelchair users are classified as a population at a great risk for developing pressure injuries due to their decreased sensation and extensive time seated on bony prominences (Mervis & Phillips, 2023). Affecting around three million adults each year in the United States alone, the number of pressure injuries is a cause for concern (Mervis & Phillips, 2023). More severe pressure injuries can cause sedentary lifestyles, further leading to occupational deprivation of the individual experiencing them. Although there are many strategies to prevent pressure injury formation, …

An Occupational Therapy Approach To Chronic Condition Self-Management, Makayla Marie Tucker

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background Chronic health conditions often lead to decreased engagement in valued occupations, habits, roles, and routines secondary to the effects of the diagnosis (Lorig et al., 2020). This community project aims to explore occupation-based intervention approaches to assist adults in self-managing their chronic conditions. Additionally, the project aims to fill the gap in healthcare to improve healthcare professionals’ collaboration to improve clients’ health outcomes. Occupational therapy’s role in health management may include developing habits and management strategies for nutrition, physical activity, medications, stress and coping, and improving social skills for problem solving and communication. A literature review and informal interviews …

Enhancing The Service Delivery For Adolescents Using The Mental Health Continuum Through Occupational Therapy, Jadalyn Lane Wagner

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to understand how occupational therapy services can enhance the quality of mental health services for adolescents and across the life span. The materials developed provide occupational therapy practitioners resources to demonstrate their unique value and role within the interdisciplinary teams and settings within the mental health continuum of care.

Methodology: The Model of Human Occupation was utilized to organize the literature review that led to the creation of the materials (O’Brien, 2017). Reviewing the literature with the model allowed for a thorough understanding of the needs of adolescents with mental illness, the …

An Occupation-Based Approach To Stroke Recovery In Rural America, Julia Warmack

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose In the United States, strokes are one of the leading causes of death as well as a leading cause of long-term disability (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022). Due to the disease's demanding and intense nature, occupational therapists must provide evidence-based care to help support those in need. Occupation-based treatment has been proven to provide better long-term results and improve the transferability of skills (Rostami et al., 2017). However, many practitioners still rely on rote exercise due to lacking resources, access, or training (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2017).

Methodology A model-guided literature review was …

Real Individuals Striving For Excellence (Rise): An Occupational Therapy Based Re-Entry Program For A Rural Jail Facility, Kennedy Tooke

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Real Individuals Striving for Excellence (RISE): An occupational therapy based re-entry program for a rural jail facility.

Introduction: The United States criminal justice system continues to be known for currently holding over 2 million people within state, federal, local, and juvenile correctional facilities (prisonpolicy.org, 2021). Jail incarceration rates have increased 15% from 2020 to 2021 following a 26% decline from midyear 2019 (Zeng, 2022). Many individuals involved in the criminal justice system will be arrested again within the same year due to unsuccessful transitions back into the community. The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a program …

Improving Occupational Performance For Survivors Of Sex Trafficking: An Executive Functioning Program, Riley P. Thomas

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: In 2021, the U.S. reported 10,360 human trafficking cases, of which 7,499 or 72% were explicitly identified as instances of sex trafficking (National Human Trafficking Hotline, 2021). Sex trafficking is “a form of modern-day slavery in which individuals perform commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion” (National Human Trafficking Hotline, n.d., para. 1). Due to survivors of sex trafficking being exposed to dehumanizing and traumatic events, this may impact the ability to participate and engage in daily activities related to an individual's executive functioning and life skills. The purpose of this scholarly project was to analyze …

Association Of Race, Ethnicity, And Gender To Disparities In Functional Recovery And Social Health After Major Lower Limb Amputation: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study, Sheila M. Clemens, Kiarri N. Kershaw, Zoran Bursac, Szu Ping Lee

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Objective: To assess if evidence of disparities exists in functional recovery and social health post-lower limb amputation.

Design: Race-ethnicity, gender, and income-based group comparisons of functioning and social health in a convenience sample of lower limb prosthetic users.

Setting: Prosthetic clinics in 4 states.

Participants: A geographically diverse cohort of 56 English and Spanish speaking community-dwelling individuals with dysvascular lower limb amputation, between 18-80 years old.

Interventions: None.

Main Outcomes Measures: Primary outcomes included 2 physical performance measures, the Timed Up and Go test and 2-minute walk test, and thirdly, the Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility. The PROMIS Ability …

Traumatic Heterotopic Ossification: Pathophysiological Mechanisms, Epidemiological Characteristics, And Risk Factors, Nicola Kate Foster

Theses

Traumatic heterotopic ossification (tHO) refers to the complication of pathological formation of ectopic bone in soft tissues, which follows tissue insult secondary to burn, neurological and orthopaedic injury [2]. Common to these diagnoses is the involvement of central and or peripheral nervous system trauma. Although known risk factors are associated with developing tHO, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Research to date, primarily in single injury cohorts, has provided minimal translatable results [2]. Thus, clinical guidelines for early screening and prophylactic drug therapy are lacking, and treatment options are limited. To move the body of knowledge …

Utilizing Occupation-Based Activities To Support Participation In Educational Tasks Within The General Education Classroom, Molly Van Drehle

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Utilizing Occupation-Based Activities to Support Participation in Educational Tasks within the General Education Classroom

Background: The rise of technology usage has decreased the number of hands-on activities children participate in, impacting significant life skills (Caramia et al., 2020; Dadson et al., 2020; Gaul & Issartel, 2016; Genevieve et al., 2018; Lin et al., 2017). This trend has impeded children's ability to develop and strengthen the necessary skills to complete school-related tasks (Caramia et al., 2020; Dadson et al., 2020; Gaul & Issartel, 2016; Genevieve et al., 2018; Lin et al., 2017). Performing hands-on tasks builds fine motor skills, which …

Assistive Technology Accessibility And Usability: A Toolkit For Occupational Therapy Practitioners, Erin Siebenaler

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Assistive technology (AT) plays a vital role in the health, well-being, independence, and quality of life of individuals with a broad range of occupational challenges (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2016; Grajo & Boisselle, 2018; World Health Organization, 2023). Occupational therapists (OTs) and other AT providers can influence the accessibility and usability of AT; however, providers face barriers with limited access to training and evidence-based practice, impacting their confidence in providing AT services (Demain et al., 2013; Dishman et al., 2021; Long et al., 2007; Manship et al., 2023). These barriers can cause feelings of incompetence and reluctance to recommend …

Childhood Feeding And Eating Evaluation And Home Programming, Alexis Paige Lehmann

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Up to 20% of typically developing and about 80% of atypically developing infants and children suffer from feeding difficulties (Chatoor & Macaoay, 2008; Nichols et al., 2018). These feeding difficulties may lead to delays in growth and development, refusal to eat, behavioral issues, and medical complications (Chatoor & Macaoay, 2008). Occupational therapists address these feeding difficulties through the therapeutic process, which includes initial evaluation, intervention, re-evaluation, and discharge planning (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2020). When completing a feeding evaluation, practitioners often rely on skilled observation and their clinical judgment to determine what is developmentally appropriate. Practitioners also may …

Addressing Classroom Behaviors Through Sensory-Informed Design And Instruction To Support Performance And Participation, Monicah Nyakoe

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: In the United States, students spend a significant portion of their day within the school setting. The school environment, rich with sensory experiences, can either bolster or hinder a student's success and behavior. Research has indicated that unaddressed sensory needs may lead to disruptive behaviors and reduced educational engagement and participation. The purpose of this project was to empower educators with the understanding and tools to identify sensory needs and to shape sensory-supportive environments, ensuring students can thrive to their fullest potential in their educational occupations.

Method: The Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model was the theoretical framework that guided this project. …

It’S “Goni” Be Okay: A Guide To Developing Your Occupational Therapy Career Within The Athletic Population, Grace Kleinvachter

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: With around 30 million people participating in athletics each year, injury prevention, management, and treatment are a necessity with the inevitability of injuries (Host & Mankie, 2018). Occupational therapy (OT) is a versatile profession that has the scope of practice to provide many different types of treatment as well as education to athletes and their supporters (Host & Mankie, 2018). In general, OT as a whole has previously overlooked how the profession can be of use to a population such as athletes who are more commonly seen in the sports medicine setting by physical therapists and athletic trainers (Host …

Enriching Social Connections: A Handbook For Occupational Therapy Practitioners, Lauryne Griego

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Enriching Social Connections: A Handbook for Occupational Therapy Practitioners

Introduction: For many children and adolescents with a neurological or neurodevelopmental disorder, navigating social relationships can be challenging. The multifaceted nature of these challenges significantly impacts their ability to engage in meaningful social participation (Hilton & Kramer, 2020). Children and adolescents encountering inherent barriers, including deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication, may lack the foundational skills needed for successful participation in social events, thereby interfering with their overall success (Hilton & Kramer, 2020). Social participation, an area of occupation frequently addressed in occupational therapy, is instrumental in child and adolescent …

Specialized Knowledge Of Feeding And Eating Best Practices, Katie Anne Deboer

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The process of gradually developing from complete dependence to independent self-feeding for a child is critical in social, emotional, physical, and cultural maturation (Korth & Maune, 2020). Of all developing children in America, 25-50% have feeding, eating and/or swallowing difficulties, with the percentage even higher for children that are autistic, premature, and/or have other developmental delays (Gronski & Doherty, 2020). The purpose of this Doctoral Experiential Capstone is to complete a thorough needs assessment to find the current gaps in the literature, frequently used and effective evaluation methods, and research-based interventions in the area of feeding, eating, and swallowing …

Editorial Welcome, Stacy Smallfield, Nancy Krusen, Nicole Martino

Translational Science in Occupation

No abstract provided.

Translational Science Is Occupation, Stacy Smallfield, Wanda J. Mahoney

Translational Science in Occupation

No abstract provided.

Intersections Of Occupational Therapy And Translational Science, M Nicole Martino

Translational Science in Occupation

No abstract provided.

Knowledge Translation Through A Camera Lens, Nancy E. Krusen

Translational Science in Occupation

The journal Translational Science in Occupation (TSO) embraces art and science through the inclusion of a humanities section within the journal. Health humanities gives insight into the human condition (Health Humanities Consortium, 2021). Health humanities enables us to explore daily life occupation, reveal our similarities and differences, and to translate human experience through a variety of media. The following photographs represent concepts of knowledge translation through my camera lens.

Pilot Study Evaluating A Brief Chronic Pain Education Program In Occupational Therapy Practitioners, Occupational Therapy Students, And Lay People, Rose Mcandrew, Jacob Sturtevant, Vicki K. Kaskutas

Translational Science in Occupation

Background: Chronic pain and resultant disability can persist long after tissue healing. Past research suggests educating individuals about chronic pain is efficacious in changing knowledge, health beliefs, and healthcare utilization. This study piloted an educational intervention to teach participants about the nature of chronic, nociplastic pain.

Design: Pre-post study using three groups: occupational therapy (OT) practitioners, OT students, and lay people.

Methods: Participants rated their agreement with four statements pre-intervention regarding the relationship between chronic pain, tissue damage, and activity performance to ascertain accurate knowledge. Participants were presented with studies comparing acute and chronic pain and acknowledging that some people …

Evaluation Of A Student Experiential Learning Clinic For Hand Therapy Using A Logic Model, Rose Mcandrew, Nathaniel Baniqued, Vicki Kaskutas

Translational Science in Occupation

Student clinics (SC) provide experiential learning opportunities in occupational therapy (OT) education that develop clinical reasoning, while providing much needed rehabilitation to under and un-insured patients in the community. The Student Experiential Learning Clinic for Hand Therapy (SELC-HT) is a SC that used a logic model for planning, implementing, and evaluating the SELC-HT. The purpose of this study is to report on outcome data on students and patients, as outlined in the evaluation phase of the logic model.

The 13 OT master/doctorate students, who delivered care in the SELC-HT, demonstrated growth in self-reported hand therapy knowledge (p=0.002) measured with …

Examining Occupation-Based Outcome Measure Use In A Neurologic Outpatient Occupational Therapy Setting: A Knowledge Translation Initiative, Elizabeth Yost, Suzanne Trojanowski, Taylor Jarnigin, Kevin De Bear, Amy Yorke

Translational Science in Occupation

Abstract

Importance: Occupation-based outcome measures (OBOMs) are an evidence-based recommendation for occupational therapy evaluations. Knowledge translation (KT) is a process used to help integrate evidence into clinical practice. The authors identified a KT opportunity to examine occupational therapy practitioners’ (OTPs) use of outcome measures in an outpatient practice setting and assess a Know-Do Gap as the first step in the Action phase of a KT initiative.

Objective: Describe the frequency and types of outcome measures documented in occupational therapy (OT) evaluations, with a focus on OBOMs.

Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study.

Setting: Three outpatient clinic sites (under one parent company) in …

Mapping Occupational Therapy Interventions In Adult Patients With Post-Covid Diagnosis: A Scoping Review, Jennifer Ng, Hannah Franks, Marissa Halvorson, Sarah Malone, Claudia L. Hilton Phd, Karthik Mani

Translational Science in Occupation

Importance: Post-COVID patients experience difficulties in their everyday lives due to the persistent nature of their symptoms. This scoping review explores the role of occupational therapists in treating post-COVID patients and examines occupational therapy intervention options for this population.

Objective: This scoping review seeks to answer the following questions: What does the literature say about the role of occupational therapy with post-COVID patients? Which rehabilitation interventions are currently being utilized for treatment? How often are occupational therapists involved in the treatment of and research of post-COVID patient care?

Data Sources: Articles were obtained through an exhaustive search in the following …

Computer-Based Simulation In Occupational Therapy Lecture Courses: A Program Evaluation Of Simulation Implementation, Lacy Wright, Lauren Foster, Lisa Mische Lawson

Translational Science in Occupation

The COVID-19 pandemic expedited the use of computer-based simulations in occupational therapy educational programs. Research supports computer-based simulations as an alternative to in-person clinical fieldwork experiences. However, a knowledge gap exists for the instructional design and implementation of computer-based simulations within occupational therapy lecture courses. In this program evaluation, faculty explored and implemented computer-based simulations in pediatric lecture courses, combining simulation best practices and varying instructional designs. Entry-level occupational therapy doctorate students shared their perspectives through a survey design quality improvement study. Student responses were gathered using the Simulation Evaluation Tool-Modified (SET-M) questionnaire and Student Feedback Survey to gather quantitative …

Community Resource Programs Impact On Marginalized Communities Access To Health Care Services: A Program Development Project, Alexis N. Foehrkolb

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Caring for children and meeting their needs comes with a variety of considerations regarding temperament, developmental progress, and socioeconomic impact. For children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN), those considerations become more complex. Community resource programs are designed to help families of CSHCN get access to the resources they need regarding general and healthcare services. A program was developed in collaboration with Parents Place of Maryland (PPMD) to create materials effective in educating parents of CSHCN on desired topics of interest, create a virtual environment where parents felt safe asking questions regarding specific topics of interest, and determine the most effective …

Contracture Management For Acute Burn Injury Patients, Brianna Paige Pestrosky

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: The Occupational Therapists working within the burn unit at West Penn Hospital assess and treat patients utilizing the biomechanical approach FOR, as well as the support from MOHO and PEOP. The patients seen within the burn unit encompass a variety of injuries and occupational deficits that require an individualized and holistic approach to care.

Purpose: The purpose of the contracture management project is to provide an interdisciplinary approach to improve carryover and patient care within and out of the hospital.

Theoretical framework: The contracture management project is guided using the biomechanical frame of reference as well as supporting constructs …

Examining The Efficacy Of Music-Applied Therapies On The Upper Extremity Of Post-Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Haley Galvis

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Stroke is the second most common cause of death worldwide, due to an interruption of blood flow to the brain, which ultimately results in necrotic cell death. This pathological cascade has ramifications in neurological motor, sensory, and behavior deficits. Recent research has used a therapeutic application of music as a vehicle to improve motor function of post-stroke patients. Music-supported therapy is a newer class of music therapy that works to improve motor function through a standardized program of keyboard and drum exercises, and it is continuing to be integrated into the field of rehabilitation.

This study aims to search areas …

Implementing Pt In Pediatric Primary Care, Juliann Fronius, Scout Cai, Courtney Hoffman, Carlee Martin, Joel Wiley, Chris Yuen, Ryan Jacobson

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

Patients are referred to PT everyday, but referrals can delay care. Early care is preferred, but getting to the right healthcare provider at the right time is ideal. Upstream PT improves patient care and clinician experience. Purpose: Implement PT within pediatric primary care.

In Vivo Behavior Of The Soleus Muscle During Various Activities In Persons Post-Stroke, Madison Swaney, Molly Carter, Mitchell Mckinley, Joshua Nelson, Robin Dorociak, Tyler Cuddeford

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

Current protocols for post stroke populations consists of inconsistent and outdated interventions that target less functional strength training through heavier and slower movements. Current research displays a 90/10 principle displaying the tendon as the primary power absorber and generator during ballistic and cyclic movements, supported by a primarily isometric muscle activation. Power generation is key for walking. High angular velocity needed during the gait cycle to be able to produce and absorb power rapidly. Ballistic training requires the perfect tradeoff between speed and force to generate and train populations targeting power absorption and output with greater tendon activity. Therefore, current …

Imu And Markerless Technology In Gait Analysis: Clinical Lessons, Jessa Barendse, Trevor Nannini, Joanna Zuckerman, Tess Swake, Robin Dorociak, Peter Jang, Andrew Meszaros

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

- Haptic feedback refers to the external vibratory cue that is activated by data picked up by the haptic device, Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) (Figure 1), which senses joint position.

- Position-driven haptic touch input can modify movement in real-time (Meszaros, 2019)

- Original goal: to reduce knee hyperextension during gait using a popliteal fossa tactor driven by an IMU-based angle sensor (Sagemotion)

-Concerns arose on the validity of IMU/tactor and markerless motion analysis ❏ Are these algorithm-based data technologies clinic-ready?

- Does Sagemotion IMU fire the tactor at the actual knee angle selected in its software?

- Can markerless …