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Empowering Grand-Families Through Occupation: An Occupational Therapy Intervention Program For Grandchildren And Custodial Grandparents, Macie Romsdal, Gabrielle Wavra

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project was to create a program for occupational therapists to use with custodial grandparents and their grandchildren. The number of grandparents becoming primary caregivers to grandchildren continues to increase, and more than 5.7 million grandchildren in the United States were living with and being provided for by grandparents in 2014 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2014). Although there are benefits to being placed in grandparent care, there are also challenges. Some of the challenges custodial grandparents face are health concerns, financial resources, and changes in social supports and occupational roles (Marken & Howard, 2014). Grandchildren may have …

Youth Mental Health Community Based Ot Intervention Guide: Putting The Pieces Back Together, Bailey Schumacher, Meaghan Wolfgram

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Each year, approximately half a million youth are brought to juvenile detention centers. Based on these statistics, 26,000 children are detained each day (Holman & Ziedenber, 2006). Many children and youth who encounter the juvenile justice system have past experiences of exposure to trauma and mental health illnesses. When these are overlooked or neglected, this may lead to worsening mental health and longstanding involvement within the criminal justice system. For young people, action of prevention to keep them in school and in the community is key: kids should not be in jail in the first place, especially not as …

Coffee With Farmers, Ivy Steiger, Kelsey Sherry

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The farming community is an underserved population in health care and historically there has been a lack of recognition of the psychosocial stress farmers endure. There is a lack of programming for addressing farmers’ psychosocial stress and mental health, specifically within the field of occupational therapy. The overall purpose of this independent study was to explore the role occupational therapy has within the farming community and develop a program that can be implemented to address psychosocial health with this population.

Addressing Culture Throughout The Occupational Therapy Process: Beyond The Basics, Samantha Plutko, Jacey Savage

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Our product, a continuing education course for occupational therapy practitioners, was created with the purpose of giving attendees an opportunity to engage in hands-on learning exercises that will assist them with addressing culture throughout the occupational therapy process.

Improving School Readiness In Home-Based Care Settings, Malea Peters, Shelby Wittenberg

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: The purpose of this project was to create a resource guide for home-based daycare providers to promote school readiness skills in preschool-age children. Several national and local policies promote children’s school readiness in early childhood years (NEGP, 1995). Children in home-based daycares may be at-risk for lower school readiness skills upon school entry compared to similar-age children in other childcare arrangements (Bassok, Greenberg, Fitzpatrick, & Loeb, 2016). Occupational therapists can play a role in supporting home-based daycare providers to implement school readiness activities for preschool-age children into their daily routines.

Treatment Of Mosh And The Effects On Fertility, Julie Harmon

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Male obesity-related secondary hypogonadism (MOSH) is often underdiagnosed in the young male population.

The current standard of care for hypogonadism in the older male population typically includes testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).

• The purpose of this study is to highlight available treatment options for MOSH in the younger population and the various effects on fertility.

• The method utilized was a systematic review of the current literature that targeted studies of obese males below the age of 65 treated for secondary hypogonadism.

• This review highlights some of the current recommendations, including lifestyle changes, and compares the use of TRT …

Test-Retest Reliabilities Of Four Tactic-First Sexual Violence History Questionnaires, Raeann E. Anderson, Monica A. Garcia, Douglas L. Delahanty

Psychology Faculty Publications

Objective: The present study documented, compared, and contrasted the test-retest reliabilities of the victimization and perpetration forms of a Tactic-first Sexual Experiences Survey (T-SESs) and the PostRefusal Sexual Persistence Scale (PRSPSs).

Methods: 243 Mechanical Turk workers (116 women, 124 men) completed four questionnaires in a randomized order via an anonymous web survey at Time 1 and approximately one week later at Time 2.

Results: There were consistent gender differences in test-retest estimates. When assessing a history of victimization in women, both the T-SES and the PRSPS demonstrated evidence of minimal to good reliability (κ > .61, ICC = …

Occupation-Based Intervention With Evaluation Of The Home Environment For Older Adults In A Long-Term Care Facility, Teo Faulkner, Autumn Hopkin, Anna Logan

Critically Appraised Topics

The purpose of this critically appraised topic (CAT) is to recommend education of longterm care staff on the residents and the residents’ previous experiences and preferred occupations and how home evaluation within the long-term care facility with recommendations for the environment could indicate where there is occupational deprivation, and lack of occupational based/client-centered interventions for adults 65 and older in long-term care facilities.

The Impact Of Hormone Therapy On Cardiovascular And Bone Health In Women With Premature Or Early Menopause, Traci L. Leitheiser

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Objective: • The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) studies were a catalyst for the dramatic decline in the number of postmenopausal women being prescribed hormone therapy (HT). • The WHI published the largest randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled trial regarding the use of HT in postmenopausal women with a mean age of 63 years. • One group of women thought to benefit from HT but have often been denied HT based on the WHI studies’ results is premature and early menopausal women. • The purpose of this literature review was to compare the WHI studies’ results to studies that reviewed coronary heart disease …

Decreasing Suicidal Risks Among Military Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Or Major Depression, Manpreet K. Sheabat

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Suicide is a major cause of death in US. Military personnel are at a higher risk of committing suicide compared to the general population. The risk is exacerbated by Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and major depression.

• Few reviews have explored the effects of the recommended psychotherapeutic interventions on suicidal ideations and suicide rates for these two disorders, focusing on the veteran population. To address this, a literature search was performed through electronic databases to identify appropriate journal articles.

• Treatment with CPT and PE for PTSD has been found effective in decreasing suicidal thoughts, intents, and attempts. On the …

Active Therapies In The Management Of Concussion And Post-Concussion Syndrome, Breanna R. Krueger

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

The purpose of this research and literature review is to evaluate the recently completed literature to provide guidance to medical providers in the safest and most efficacious treatment options for adolescent patients with concussion and post-concussion syndrome. The literature was searched for studies directly related to adolescents and active therapies such as physical therapy, vestibular rehabilitation, exertional therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. The search time frame implemented was studies completed within the last ten years. Ten studies met the final criteria. The research shows a substantial benefit for immediate cognitive and physical rest following a mTBI. The research suggests that …

A Guide For Occupational Therapist Working With Women With Postpartum Depression And Eating Disorders, Nathina Crabtree, Sara Gregoire

Occupational Therapy Capstones

An eating disorder (ED) is characterized by regular and constant disturbances in eating or an eating-related behavior that are associated with distress and impairments (Marcus, 2018). Schmidt et al., (2016), noted that the average duration of an ED illness is six years and young women make up the majority of people with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). According to Knoph et al., (2013) the majority of women with AN and BN that were pregnant appeared to turn to adaptive changes in eating behaviors. The researchers in the article by Knoph et al., (2013) found that pregnancy is a …

Structured Ambassador Program For Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities In The Preschool Setting, Aspen Pitcher, Abby Wendel

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) and developmental disabilities (DD) have multiple opportunities to participate in the community through a variety of programs. Most programs show significant benefits in immersing individuals with ID/DD in social and physical contexts. Ashley, Fossey, and Bigby (2019) explain that participation for individuals with ID/DD is influenced by motivation, abilities, and environmental conditions. The environment plays a key role in supporting or hindering occupational engagement for individuals with ID/DD (Ashley et al., 2019). The research supports the use of vocational programs, intergenerational programs, and peer mentorship to improve the quality of life for individuals with ID/DD …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Addressing Mental Health Needs In Middle Schoolers, Taylor Anderson, Emily Annen, Seira Dick

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Adolescence is a period of time filled with many transitions. The transition from elementary to middle school comes with new academic, social, and environmental demands. Currently, adolescents often lack the skills and the support necessary to cope with these demands, leading to an increase in mental health challenges (Moksnes, Lohre, Lillefiell, Byrne, & Haugen, 2016). While there are many school-based interventions designed to support students throughout this difficult transition, many environmental barriers exist which prevent the effective implementation of these interventions. One category of barriers is the lack of school resources. Although there is significant positive research on social emotional …

Creating An Adaptive In-School Sports Program To Increase Occupational Engagement And Performance In Children With Physical Disabilities: A Resource Manual For Occupational Therapists, Bethany Kasberger, Kaylee Loken

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Participating in physical activity, including sports programs, has been found to have many positive health benefits both physically and mentally (Moss, Lim, K, Prunty, & Norris, 2020). The purpose of creating adaptive sports programs within schools is to promote engagement in physical activity and achieve the many benefits that sports programs have to offer. Children with and without physical disabilities should have equal access to these benefits for appropriate development. Enabling individuals with physical disabilities to participate in sports can assist in improving their overall quality of life and begin building skills that will benefit them in adulthood.

Americans Support For Renewable Energy Is Disconnected From Their Understanding Of Powerline Infrastructure As A Mechanism To Mitigate Climate Change, Rebecca J. Romsdahl, Christopher J. Felege, Joshua E. Hunter, Cheryl Hunter, Susan N. Ellis-Felege

Earth System Science and Policy Faculty Publications

As nations are transitioning to renewable energy sources, they will need to expand and upgrade their energy infrastructure, including high-voltage power lines (HVPL). We have conducted the first nation-wide survey in the last thirty years to assess public attitudes toward HVPL in the USA. The study evaluates perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes toward building new transmission lines, as these relate to renewable energy, place attachment, and environmental impacts. Our results show that Americans do not recognize how new HVPL could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions; instead, respondents favor moving from centralized energy (large power stations and HVPL) to decentralized energy (local …

Impact Of Social Skills Groups On School Aged Children With Emotional Disturbance, Stephanie Coauette, Kaitlyn Ekre, Benjamin Stagg

Critically Appraised Topics

According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (U.S. Department of Education, 2017, Sec. 300.8), emotional disturbance is defined as a condition in which there are one or more of the following symptoms that interferes with a child’s ability perform successfully in their education: “An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors, an inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers, inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances, a general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression, and a tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal …

Effectiveness Of Diet/Exercise In Prevention Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus And Associated Cesarean Section Delivery, Jonathyn Marx

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is becoming a more common diagnosis during pregnancy. GDM is defined as glucose intolerance diagnosed during pregnancy. Women diagnosed with GDM during pregnancy are at an increased risk for emergent or planned cesarean section delivery and the development of overt diabetes mellitus post pregnancy. Complications related to GDM include eclampsia, macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, stillbirth, and cesarean section delivery. Initial treatment consists of diet and exercise and if glucose can not be controlled then pharmacotherapy is introduced. A literature review was performed utilizing scientific databases, mesh terms, and keywords to gather statistically relevant research to analyze the …

Identifying Occupational Therapy’S Role In The Interprofessional Team For Combating Barriers To Correct Medication Adherence For Older Adults, Megan Berginski, Bryce Graves, Christopher Hernandez

Critically Appraised Topics

Occupational therapy is crucial to the interprofessional team, with a focus on client-centered interventions, a holistic approach to health promotion and prevention and a comprehensive overlook on quality of life. The focus of occupational therapy is to collaborate with clients to find meaningful engagement in occupations to promote participation. The occupational therapist’s perspective on the person holistically marks their contribution to the interprofessional team in order to meet the needs to provide for the client, their families, and their community (Doll & Earland, 2020). Other than occupational therapists, the interdisciplinary team may consist of nurses, pharmacists and caregivers. Nurses are …

Evidence For The Use Of Health Promotion Programs In Schools, Anna Burggraf, Kathryn College, Taylor White

Critically Appraised Topics

Health promotion is defined as “a process of enabling people to increase control over and to improve their health” (Scaffa, 2019, p. 442). Promotion of health is a common goal that is shared by numerous disciplines (Reitz & Graham, 2019). Health promotion directed towards occupational therapy is the “client-centered use of occupations, adaptations to context, or alteration of context to maximize individuals’, families’, communities’, and groups’ pursuit of health and quality of life” (Reitz & Graham, 2019). Health promotion is essential for all age groups, especially for young children who are completing their beginning years of school. Children’s thoughts, behaviors, …

Critically Appraised Topic: The Use Of Interprofessional Practice In Occupational Therapy, Rachel Cheatley, Jaecy Giegerich, Paige Mann

Critically Appraised Topics

The theoretical lens of the Ecological of Human Performance model (EHP) (Dunn et al., 1994) was used to understand why interprofessional collaborative practice is essential to occupational therapists and other health sciences across various settings. The EHP model is an occupational therapy theory model that emphasizes the importance of context on an individual’s occupational performance and their range to perform in (Dunn et al., 1994). EHP is used to describe the environmental effects on performance range, in this case, effective interprofessional practice used by occupational therapists and other healthcare stakeholders, to identify the factors that limit and support quality care. …

Critically Appraised Topic Paper: What Is Motor Learning Theory? How Can It Be Implemented Into Occupational Therapy Interventions For Individuals With Cerebrovascular Accidents?, Allyson Bourque, Alison O'Sadnick, Alexis Skogen, Callie Vold

Critically Appraised Topics

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this critically appraised topic (CAT) paper was to determine if motor learning theory guides interventions that are considered to be best practice for individuals with CVAs. We want to determine what is best practice for this population to provide practitioners with synthesized research allowing practitioners to implement the most effective, client-centered, evidence-based interventions possible.

Prevention Of Falls In Adults Older Than 60 Years Through Therapeutic Riding: A Critically Appraised Topic, Isabella Johannes, Dominique Menard, Alicia Young

Critically Appraised Topics

This critically appraised topic paper will address the focus question relating to the intervention of therapeutic riding. A critically appraised topic (CAT) is an overview of scientific literature about an intervention or practical issue and how it relates to practice (Barends et al., 2017). The use of the Ecological Human Performance (EHP) model is to guide this CAT research with a theoretical basis. EHP was chosen for its emphasis on the person, environment, and tasks. The person is described in EHP as including their experiences, sensorimotor, cognition, and psychosocial abilities (Dunn et al., 1994). The use of EHP provides a …

Integrating Assistive Technology Into Outpatient Rehabilitation Programs To Increase Independent Living In Older Adults: A Critically Appraised Topic (Cat), Josie Anhorn, Kenadee Eyre, Tiana Griffith

Critically Appraised Topics

In the United States, older adults account for about “16% of the population” (Administration on Aging, 2020, p.5). Older adults are defined as anyone aged 60 and older. There has been a steady increase in the number of older adults living in the United States, and that number is expected to continue growing at a rapid rate as it is predicted that by 2040, older adults will make up approximately “21.6% of the population” (Administration on Aging, 2020, p. 5-6). The majority of this population does not reside in assisted living facilities or nursing homes but instead lives in the …

The Effectiveness Of Intervention Facilitating Return To Work Through Improving Cognition For Those With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Madison Ertelt, Abbey Marinucci, Jaden Pikarski

Critically Appraised Topics

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2019), about 2.87 million traumatic brain injury (TBI)-related emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and deaths occurred in the United States in 2019. It is estimated that around 1.5 million Americans suffer a traumatic brain injury every year. Approximately 2.5 to 6.3 million people currently live with a TBI-related disability (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019; Faul & Coronado, 2015, as cited in Powell et al., 2016). Specific populations are at a higher risk for sustaining a TBI. High-risk age groups include children aged four years or younger, young adults …

Volume Iv, Spring 2021, International Anchoritic Society

International Anchoritic Society Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Backstories: The Kitchen Table Talk Cookbook, Cynthia Prescott, Maureen Sherrard Thompson

Digital Press Books

Sharing recipes is a form of intimate conversation that nourishes body and soul, family and community. Backstories: The Kitchen Table Talk Cookbook integrates formal scholarship with informal reflections, analyses of recipe books with heirloom recipes, and text with images to emphasize the ways that economics, politics, and personal meaning come together to shape our changing relationships with food. By embracing elements of history, rural studies, and women’s studies, this volume offers a unique perspective by relating food history with social dynamics. It is sure to inspire eclectic dining and conversations.

Cynthia C. Prescott is Professor of History at the University …

Impact Of Stress Management Strategies And Intervention On The Mental Health Of Farmers: A Critically Appraised Topic, Logan Anderson, Zach Gascho, Nicole Gentry, Ashley Vannelli

Critically Appraised Topics

The dynamic transactions between the environment, person, and occupation play a role in the success of the farmer, their access to healthcare, and their willingness to seek support with their stressors or difficulties. Depression, stress, and other mental health conditions are highly prevalent within the farming community. This population is less likely to seek out and utilize available mental health resources and services, and in many cases, mental health resources are not available in rural areas (Gunn et al., 2021; Kennedy et al., 2020).

Best Interventions For Working Adults Experiencing Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain, Hailey Koep, Samantha Larson, Michelle Mcnamee

Critically Appraised Topics

Chronic musculoskeletal pain is defined as ongoing pain felt in the bones, joints, and tissue of the body that persists for longer than three months (Booth et al., 2017; Joelsson et al., 2017). Worldwide, 30% of the population has experienced some form of chronic pain in their lifetime (Guy et al., 2020). When living with chronic pain, it can become difficult for working adults to engage in their everyday occupations such as activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), health management, social participation, and leisure (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2020). These troubles can affect an …

Interventions That Reduce Anxiety And Depression To Support Mediation Of Lifestyle Balance In Middle School Students, Briana M. Kent, Aleksander R. Kohn, Cammy C. Robertson

Critically Appraised Topics

Mental health disorders are internationally known as a leading cause of disability throughout almost 20% of the adolescent population experiencing devastating mental health problems. Current statistics note that the prevalence of impaired mental health within this population has increased by 21% from 2001 to 2011, indicating a continuation of severe effects from poor mental health on this vulnerable population (Danielson et al., 2020). Allison et al. (2014) estimated that at the time the article was written, 14 million children in the United States had a mental health disorder that interfered with their daily life. Research from the Centers for Disease …