Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Preparatory Program For Women During Pregnancy/Postpartum And Transitioning Back To Work Or School, Bria Runnels, Rebecca King

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Despite the importance of maternal health during the prenatal, postnatal, and parenting stages, there is a lack of research on the role of occupational therapists (OTs) in addressing the occupational challenges faced by women during this transitional phase. This dissertation aims to develop a program that raises awareness of the role of occupational therapy in maternal health and promotes occupational therapists as part of an interdisciplinary team within the scope of maternal health care. By adapting co-occupation for mothers, occupational therapists can play an important role in individualizing occupations for enhanced transitioning and overall quality of life. The study highlights …

Home And Community Reintegration In Chronic Phase Guillain Barre Recovery, Avani Johnson, Cassandra Nelson

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

To improve the transition of individuals with Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) to their homes and communities following the onset of their condition, Avani Johnson, OTS, CPT, in partnership with Able Faith, Inc. and key stakeholders will present a poster presentation on the development of a home and community reintegration program. The overarching goal of this project was to identify the efficacy of community reintegration programs in yielding effective transitions to home and community roles for individuals with (GBS). This was completed through the development and implementation of a home and community reintegration program at a community center located within the …

Ot's Role With Survivors Of Sexual Assault, Myracle N. Carter, Cassandra M. Nelson

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Sexual assault can lead to a multitude of symptoms that can negatively impact an individual’s occupational participation and quality of life. However, the literature and programming surrounding the use of occupational therapy (OT) with survivors of sexual assault is limited or outdated. Therefore, this program was created to be a resource and guide to increase the use of OT with survivors. This program included a total of five modules, which provided education and occupation-based activities to the participants to increase their occupational participation, specifically in work and education, and their overall quality of life. Following the conclusion of the implementation …

Wellness Research & Programming For Bodybuilders, Victoria Castillo, Karen Park, Kersten Laughlin

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This project explores the occupational impact on bodybuilders and wellness & program development for competitive bodybuilders. Phase one focuses on research to understand the occupational impact on bodybuilders during competition. Phase two, which focuses on program development, highlights the alignment to the objectives as they allow for the development of an educational program intended for bodybuilder coaches to help with health prevention and wellness with their bodybuilder clients.

An Ot Needs Assessment For Children And Families Residing In Shelters, Jessie Siono, Susan Macdermott

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This study created a needs assessment is to determine the unique occupational deficits of children and their families in California experiencing homelessness within a shelter setting via recording their lived experiences. A local family shelter was analyzed via observation and interviews with staff and residents of the shelter. The results were compiled into a facility assessment to identify supports and barriers to occupation. Results were also utilized to complete an occupational needs assessment for families and children living in homeless shelters. The study determined the occupational needs and occurrences of occupational deficits that were experienced by residents of the family …

Every Moment Counts (Emc): Understanding School Stakeholder Perceptions Of Positive Mental Health Promotion In The Elementary School Setting. A Preliminary Report., Madeline Malooly, Angela Blackwell, Lauren Thomas

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

For children and adolescents, the prevalence of psychological disorders associated with mental illness continues to rise in North America and is now considered to be the leading cause of disability for this population (Bitsko et al., 2022). It was estimated that between 25 and 50% of adult mental illnesses could be prevented through early intervention and preventative measures in childhood (Kim-Cohen et al., 2003). In an effort to address mental health promotion in schools, Dr. Susan Bazyk founded and created EMC, which is a “multi-pronged mental health promotion initiative to help all children to be mentally healthy in order to …

Evaluating A Training Program For Rural Doctors And Nursing Home Staff On Safe Medicine Use For Patients With Dementia And Nursing Home Residents, Research Dissemination Committee, Maine, Usa

REACH: Research Evidence-to-Action for Community Health

Program goal: Reduce unnecessary use of certain medications without worsening symptoms

Occupational Therapy For People With Dementia Who Have Occupational Performance Challenges Due To Depression, Ally Frazier, Steven M. Gerardi

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Individuals with dementia experience a multitude of barriers and challenges that impact their daily engagement throughout the environment. In addition, although the pandemic has concluded, noxious effects are still influencing people's lives. Residential care facilities have noticed continual acts of isolation that are presenting as barriers in mental health. Depression has known to be a common comorbidity in the ailment of dementia. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners have the unique and valuable role in working with this population to target beyond the biomechanical aspects of a resident. Identifying barriers for mastery in leisure pursuits throughout someone’s day is crucial. When residents …

Comparing Universal Versus Targeted School Screenings For Depression Among Teens, Research Research Dissemination Committee, Maine, Usa

REACH: Research Evidence-to-Action for Community Health

The US Preventive Services Task Force endorses universal adolescent major depressive disorder (MDD) screening in primary care; however, most adolescents lack preventive health care, resulting in worsening disparities in MDD screening and treatment.

Comparing Long-Term Outcomes Of Two Collaborative Care Approaches For People With Depression, Research Dissemination Committee, Maine, Usa

REACH: Research Evidence-to-Action for Community Health

People with depression usually get treatment in healthcare settings, such as clinics. In communities with few resources, people may also get help in community settings such as social services agencies or churches. Collaborative care brings together healthcare and community programs to help people with depression.

Comparing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Cbt) Versus Yoga For Helping Older Adults Address High Levels Of Worry, Research Dissemination Committee, Maine, Usa

REACH: Research Evidence-to-Action for Community Health

Some older adults have high levels of worry that cause them to feel restless, tired, or tense. Two ways to treat worry are Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and yoga.

Testing A Clinic-Based Program To Reduce Risky Behaviors Among Teens, Research Dissemination Committee, Maine, Usa

REACH: Research Evidence-to-Action for Community Health

Risky behaviors, including eating poorly, not getting enough sleep or exercise, using drugs, and not wearing a helmet or seatbelt often emerge during the teen years.

Evaluating A Program To Lower Prescription Opioid Doses For Patients With Chronic Pain, Research Dissemination Committee, Maine, Usa

REACH: Research Evidence-to-Action for Community Health

Patients who use opioids for a long time are at increased risk for addiction, care crashes, overdose, & injuries.

Treating Chronic Pain Using Approaches Adapted For Patients With Limited Reading Skills, Research Dissemination Committee, Maine, Usa

REACH: Research Evidence-to-Action for Community Health

Patients with chronic pain may find some psychosocial interventions to be effective but for those with limited reading skills, it can be hard to understand and use these options.

Does A Parent Peer Support Program Help Parents Of Children Who Need Mental Health Services Support Their Child’S Care?, Research Dissemination Committee, Maine, Usa

REACH: Research Evidence-to-Action for Community Health

The study aimed to assess the impact of a Family Navigator (FN) program developed to increase child behavioral therapy service utilization on parent and child outcomes.

Behavioral Health Integration And Outcomes That Matter To Patients: A Longitudinal Mixed-Methods Observational Study, Research Dissemination Committee, Maine, Usa

REACH: Research Evidence-to-Action for Community Health

The study team hypothesized that patients would have a better experience over time in clinics that had greater degrees of behavioral health integration.

Does A Video Chat Referral Process Help Families With Children Who Have Medicaid To Initiate Mental Health Care?, Research Dissemination Committee, Maine, Usa

REACH: Research Evidence-to-Action for Community Health

Many children with Medicaid and mental health concerns don’t get the care they need.

Using A Transitional Care Program To Prepare Patients To Take Care Of Themselves After Leaving The Hospital, Research Dissemination Committee, Maine, Usa

REACH: Research Evidence-to-Action for Community Health

Some patients have difficulty caring for themselves after they return home from a hospital stay.

Peer-Navigator Support For Latinx Patients With Serious Mental Illness, Research Dissemination Committee, Maine, Usa

REACH: Research Evidence-to-Action for Community Health

People who have a serious mental illness (SMI), are at higher risk for other health problems.

Comparing Two Ways To Treat Serious Worry Among Older Adults From Underserved, Racial Or Ethnic Minority Communities, Research Dissemination Committee, Maine, Usa

REACH: Research Evidence-to-Action for Community Health

Compared with other older adults, those with serious worry are more likely to have poor physical health, and often have depression, sleep problems, and trouble thinking clearly..

Is A Patient Navigation Program More Helpful Than A Referral Program For Reducing Depression And Improving Quality Of Life Among Women Living In Neighborhoods With Few Resources?, Research Dissemination Committee, Maine, Usa

REACH: Research Evidence-to-Action for Community Health

The research team compared two programs designed to help women with feelings of depression who live in neighborhoods with few resources. Both programs lasted four months.

Examining Health Outcomes For People Who Are Transgender, Research Dissemination Committee, Maine, Usa

REACH: Research Evidence-to-Action for Community Health

The Study of Transition, Outcomes, and Gender was initiated to assess morbidity among transgender people in general and after gender-affirming treatments.

Helping Patients With Mental Illness Engage In Their Transitional Care, Research Dissemination Committee, Maine, Usa

REACH: Research Evidence-to-Action for Community Health

Effective transitional care can keep patients from going back to the hospital.

Examining Effects Of State Policies To Monitor Mental Health Medicines For Children In Foster Care, Research Dissemination Committee, Maine, Usa

REACH: Research Evidence-to-Action for Community Health

Antipsychotics can have long-term risks but help treat conditions like schizophrenia.

Does A Peer-Led Program With Wellness Coaching Improve Wellness Among People With Serious Mental Illness?, Research Dissemination Committee, Maine, Usa

REACH: Research Evidence-to-Action for Community Health

People with serious mental illness, or SMI, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia often also have long-term physical health problems.

A Manualized Occupational Therapy Communication Skills Module For Clients With Ptsd, Lacey Kinard, Steven M. Gerardi

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience a variety of barriers and challenges that impact their daily occupational performance, engagement, well-being, and quality of life. There is a lack of research in the area of manualized occupational therapy (OT) treatment options for people with PTSD. Literature has expressed a need for the development of a manual-based OT treatment program for people with PTSD with communication skills training as an intervention component. The purpose of this project is to create a manualized OT communication skills intervention module for occupational therapists to implement with clients with PTSD for improved occupational performance and …

The Single Dimensional Deviant: The Socialization We Receive Concerning Disabled Bodies, Coral Sky

Sociology Student Work Collection

The socialization process cultivates an environment where individuals can assimilate to the upheld societal beliefs and norms. When we look at this socialization process through the lens of disability, we will find a multifaceted set of beliefs that predict the treatment those with disabilities receive and the perpetuated perceptions concerning the disabled community. The media plays a sizeable role in shaping the beliefs, norms, and attitudes that wider society adheres to. Through critically analyzing the media consumed, it becomes intelligible that there is an inextricable link between disability and disadvantageous stereotypes. For instance, the films "Me Before You," directed by …

Increasing Patient Awareness And Education Surrounding Prescription Weight Loss Medications, Anirudh A. Hirve

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Obesity is a growing problem in the United States. While it remains important for clinicians to emphasize health supportive behaviors including dietary modification and exercise when counseling patients, the advent of new weight loss medications has created a need for patient education materials regarding these interventions for a growing number of patients who request them at primary care visits. This project created a smart phrase in the electronic medical record summarizing weight loss medications currently available on the market to transform patient counseling and enable better shared decision making between patients and providers.

Aging Expectations Predict Subjective Cognitive Decline Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Justin Do, Bs, Casey Fishman, Ba, Sakshi Bhargava, Phd, Emily Bratlee-Whitaker, Phd, Rn, Jennifer R. Turner, Phd, Jacqueline Mogle, Phd, Ms, Nikki L. Hill, Phd, Rn

Alpha Omega Alpha Research Symposium Posters

Purpose: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), or perceived decline in cognition, is a precursor to mild cognitive impairment, a prodrome of Alzheimer’s disease. SCD’s predictive utility is limited as it is impacted by multiple psychosocial factors. Expectations regarding aging among older adults have been linked to self-efficacy and health-related outcomes; however, their relationship with SCD is unknown. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationships between older adults’ aging expectations regarding physical, mental, and cognitive health, and SCD.

Methods: An online survey of community-dwelling adults aged 65 years or older (n=582, M(SD)=71.36(4.80)) with no history of dementia …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy And The Use Of Physical Agent Modalities And Occupational Therapy Interventions To Decrease Pain Associated With Endometriosis To Provide Increased Occupational Performance In Leisure Activities, Ciara Autumn Pearce, Keisa Boykin

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Endometriosis is a condition that can affect women of reproductive age (Kalaitzopoulos et al., 2021). This condition causes endometrial-type tissue to grow outside of the uterus (Kalaitzopoulos et al., 2021). Women diagnosed with endometriosis often have difficulty participating in their daily responsibilities and leisure activities. In a study completed by Lozano-Lozano et al., 2021, 22.6% of women reported limitations in at least one activity of daily living and instrumental activity of daily living. Other limitations include incontinence, meal preparation, leisure activities, and household chores (Mundo-López et al., 2020). Symptoms of endometriosis often include chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, sexual dissatisfaction, and …