Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Strength Assessment Protocol In Pre-Professional Ballet Dancers, Simona Di Nardo, Ivan Mascio

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Purpose: This research project aimed to investigate the effects, particularly regarding the ability to generate force, that could emerge following a ballet class. The purpose of the study was to support the thesis that low levels of fitness and performance in professional and amateur dancers, should be considered a significant gap that needs to be addressed. Larger will be the gap and bigger will be the demand of a dancer to be prepared athletically. While the shorter the gap and more efficient the artistic side of the dance performance will be. As a result, a stronger and healthier body will …

Characteristics Of Athletic Trainers That Are Satisfied And Dissatisfied With Their Compensation, K Ef Mair, J P. Young, L E. Eberman

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Job satisfaction among athletic trainers (ATs), particularly in relation to compensation, is a critical factor influencing retention and career fulfillment. Examining the factors linked to earnings satisfaction may offer insight into how workplace conditions can be improved to better support ATs. The purpose of our study was to investigate the attributes that distinguish ATs content with their compensation from those who are dissatisfied. Methods: We used a cross-sectional, web-based survey to gather AT compensation data, of which 1,887 participants responded to a question regarding their satisfaction with compensation. Respondents were divided into two groups based on their satisfaction with …

The Effects Of A Joint Reduction Trainer On Confidence Levels In Professional Athletic Training Students, T Franklin, S Hacherl

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Dislocations are common injuries managed by athletic trainers, yet athletic training students are unlikely to practice reduction techniques during clinical experiences. Current standards set by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education require accredited programs to prepare students to manage patients with dislocations, including joint reductions. Research indicates the use of simulation techniques, such as joint reduction simulators, in education can fill clinical experience gaps and improve student confidence and skills. Shoulder dislocations make up nearly 50% of dislocations with several reduction techniques identified in the current literature. The use of a joint reduction simulator may provide athletic …

Speech-Language Pathology And Occupational Therapy Students’ Perceptions Of An Interprofessional Stroke Workshop: A Mixed Methods Analysis, Casey Keck, Ashley Lankford, Danika Pfeiffer, Alexandra Durfee, Rachel Guilfoyle

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Stroke rehabilitation often necessitates coordinated intervention services; however, few studies have examined stroke-based interprofessional education (IPE) interventions for graduate speech-language pathology (SLP) and occupational therapy (OT) students. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine graduate SLP and OT students' interprofessional collaboration competence before, immediately, and several months after participating in an IPE stroke workshop. Participants were 38 SLP and 14 OT students who took part in a 2-hour case study workshop, completed an online survey, and participated in a 1-hour virtual focus group. Four months later, students were asked to complete the survey again to assess the …

Occupational Therapy Assistant Preparatory Course To Improve Mock Certification Exam Scores: An Evidenced-Based Intervention, Anderston St. Germain

Journal of Innovation in Health Sciences Education

Abstract

Introduction: The overall goal of educators of occupational therapy is to produce graduates capable of meeting entry-level employment status, which becomes evident when they pass the national certification exam. This evidence-based pilot project investigated an occupational therapy assistant certification exam preparatory course designed to improve mock certification test scores of graduates from an occupational therapy assistant program.

Methods: The project was implemented as a pilot study in the fall of 2017 with six participants. The course was delivered using a face-to-face teaching model and designed based on the most recent evidence from the literature. The course content included …

Increasing Awareness Of Burnout And Developing An Action Plan To Reduce Stress For Graduate Health Profession Students Through An Interactive Workshop, Oaklee Rogers, Zachary Baker

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Healthcare students can experience stress and burnout before becoming practicing clinicians. Increasing education about your level of stress and understanding what burnout is are important factors in preventing burnout. Method: A 90 minute interactive workshop was developed and implemented for graduate health profession students to meet three objectives: 1) increase foundational knowledge about burnout and its impact on different health professionals, 2) assess student’s level of burnout and apply strategies to mitigate their stress, and 3) create and share a plan on how they would incorporate stress reduction strategies and/or reduce their level of burnout. Results: In total, 349 …

Art, Nature, And Occupational Therapy In The Arctic Circle, Erin Barrus

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Even Edvardsen, a Norwegian occupational therapist and artist, provided the cover art for the Winter 2025 issue of the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). “Loppa 1” is a 60 x 80 oil on canvas that shares a glimpse into living in the Arctic Circle. It is the first in a series of 10 variations of the island of Loppa, a small island off the coast of Norway, further north of Tromsø. Even’s paintings are what he calls meditations on nature and everyday moments; he invites viewers to slow down and reconnect with the world around them. In today’s fast-paced …

Addressing The Needs Of Jewish Clients And Students Through A Trauma-Informed Approach, Amiya Waldman-Levi, Robin Akselrud, Zahava L. Friedman, Lola Halperin, Shifra K. Leiser, Rivka Molinsky

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The worldwide Jewish community is notoriously nomadic because of persecution and displacement through several millennia. The diasporic experience of global Jewish communities led to traumatic events such as historical expulsion and genocide. These experiences embody all five components of occupational injustice. The recent rise in antisemitism has triggered intergenerational trauma among individuals, families, and communities. This paper, grounded in trauma-based research, aims to guide occupational therapists treating Jewish clients and/or teaching Jewish students. The paper outlines trauma-informed implications for therapist-client collaboration in the context of supporting occupational justice for diverse populations. The distinct role of occupational therapists in effectively serving …

Openness To Critique Is Essential, Brenda L. Beagan, Niki Kiepek, Heidi Lauckner, Paula W. Rushton

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Establishing Reliability And Validity For A Professional Development Tool For Graduate Health Care Programs, Lisa Handler, Amiya Waldman-Levi

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Professional development ensures practitioners develop the necessary skills to succeed in multifaceted clinical roles. To provide evidence-based best practices, health practitioners need to possess critical thinking, executive functioning, and emotional intelligence skills. Study aimed to establish psychometric properties to the Inventory of Professional and Academic Reasoning (IPAR). Two cross-sectional studies of reliability and validity were used. The participants included 139 health profession students, of which 93 students participated in the first study and 46 occupational therapy students participated in the second study. Data were collected online and at fieldwork sites using a background questionnaire, IPAR, Executive Function Index, and the …

From Theory To Practice: Integrating Safe Patient Handling And Mobility Into Occupational Therapy Curriculum (Part 2/2), Kimberly Santorufo, Asha Roy

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy academic institutions continue to teach manual patient handling as the standard of practice despite recent evidence, legislation, and guidelines from the American Occupational Therapy Association on hazards of manual approaches. A paradigm shift is necessary in occupational therapy academic curriculums to include didactic education and hands-on training of safe patient handling and mobility informed approaches. There is currently no standard of practice available in occupational therapy education on how to incorporate safe patient handling and mobility into preexisting curriculum, which emphasizes manual patient handling as the standard of care. The guidelines presented offer academic institutions recommendations on how …

From Theory To Practice: Integrating Safe Patient Handling And Mobility Into Occupational Therapy Curriculum (Part 1/2), Kimberly Santorufo, Asha Roy

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists are at high-risk of musculoskeletal injury because of the manual and physical demands of job-related tasks. Many occupational therapists are sustaining injuries or changing careers because of an injury. Safe patient handling and mobility approaches should be used in occupational therapy practice to ensure the safety of both patient and therapist while assisting patients in meeting occupation-based and patient-centered goals. However, despite legislation, guidelines from the American Occupational Therapy Association, and recent evidence, most occupational therapy academic programs and educators continue to teach manual patient handling as the standard of practice. To ensure safety, longevity, and career-retention, academic …

Professional Behaviors As Forced Assimilation: A Critical Reflection On The U.S. History Of Education And Beyond, Quinn P. Tyminski, Karla Reese, Linn Wakeford

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Historically, education has been used as a mechanism of assimilation for marginalized identities in the United States, demanding conformity to the dominant culture and society. The occupational therapy (OT) profession is not immune and must examine and understand how our educational systems have erected and maintained barriers designed to exclude people from historically minoritized communities through the lens of professional behaviors. Professionalism and professional behaviors are not well-defined constructs in OT, and there is significant variability among educational institutions in how professional behavior standards are written, communicated, and applied. There is significant inconsistency across OT educational programs in the US …

An Academic Self-Regulation Program For First-Generation Students In Occupational Therapy: A Preexperimental Study, Pola Ham

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

First-generation students at U.S. universities have lower academic performance than their continuing-generation counterparts. They also have a lower level of academic self-regulation and academic self-efficacy. Bandura’s social cognition theory and Zimmerman’s self-regulation theory were used as theoretical frameworks to guide an intervention program relating to self-efficacy and self-regulation. A pretest and posttest survey measured changes in the participants’ use of the academic self-regulatory strategies and level of confidence in using those strategies. An open-ended questionnaire provided a detailed account of the participants’ lived experiences of the program. The researcher-facilitator designed an academic self-regulation program using Zimmerman’s (1998) self-regulated learning framework …

Comprehensive Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Management Programs Addressing Both Psychosocial And Physical Needs: A Scoping Review, Amanda Wheeler, Claudine Campbell, Chenchen Cui

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Breast cancer is the leading cause of female cancer worldwide, which can lead to many negative sequelae, with up to a third of women developing breast cancer-related lymphedema. Breast cancer-related lymphedema requires chronic maintenance and is associated with worse physical and mental health outcomes compared to women without lymphedema. Occupational therapists are well-positioned to address the complex needs of women with breast cancer-related lymphedema. This review aimed to identify existing research that reports outcomes of lymphedema management programs addressing both physical and mental health needs of women with breast cancer-related lymphedema.

Method: A scoping review was conducted …

Linking The International Classification Of Functioning, Disability And Health (Icf) To Occupational Therapy Skilled Nursing Home Interventions, Janel Anne Belarmino, Laura Novak, Vanessa D. Jewell

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Rehabilitation practitioners use the ICF as a framework to guide clinical decision-making, demonstrate the focus of interventions, and bridge interprofessional communication. The aim of this study was to examine occupational therapy interventions implemented with older adults for short term rehabilitation in skilled nursing facilities and link the interventions to the ICF.

Method: Through secondary analysis of previously collected field notes of skilled nursing facility occupational therapy interventions, the researchers linked 60 interventions to 133 third level ICF categories.

Results: Of the 133 categories, 62% (n = 82) were linked to Activities and Participation, 23% (n = 31) were …

The Lived Experience Of Therapists During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study Using Photovoice Methodology, Alison De La Montaigne, Catana Brown, Sarah A. Anderson, Tamara Turner

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method: A qualitative phenomenological design using photovoice methodology for collecting data was used (Wang & Burris, 1997). The study participants included twelve therapists. Using photovoice methodology, the participants used a picture to represent their experience and wrote an accompanying narrative to address the question, “How has COVID-19 impacted your life?” Thematic analysis was used to code and develop themes for the participant photovoices and the virtual focus group transcripts (Braun & Clark, 2006). Zoom was used as the virtual platform for the virtual …

An Occupational Therapy Work-Self-Efficacy Intervention For Lgbtq+ Young People In Transitional Housing, Emily K. Simpson, Monika I. Robinson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) young people who are unhoused experience barriers transitioning into adult roles and responsibilities which negatively impacts workforce participation.

Methods: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the impact of a work self-efficacy intervention on self-efficacy and goal attainment in LGBTQ+ young people at a transitional living facility (TLF). Nine residents and three staff participated in this convergent mixed methods design investigating a work intervention.

Results: The total median score on the General Self-Efficacy Scale (p = 0.042) and the Work Self-Efficacy Scale (p = 0.043) …

How Acute Care And Inpatient Occupational Therapists Describe Their Experiences With Secondary Traumatic Stress, Julie Suto, Ashley E. Lane, Rocio Torres, Emily K. Simpson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The primary purpose of this research was to explore how occupational therapists in acute care and inpatient rehabilitation settings describe their experiences of secondary traumatic stress (STS).

Methods: Researchers used a convergent parallel mixed methods design. Electronic surveys (n = 181) and qualitative data collection through interviews (n = 6) and a focus group (n = 3) were used. Qualitative data were analyzed with content analysis, and quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Both data sets were compared to identify patterns.

Results: Five main categories were identified: (a) supports to worker role, (b) barriers to worker role, (c) …

A Multisensory, Interdisciplinary Approach To Visual Neglect For Enhancement Of Visual Attention Following Basal Ganglia Hemorrhage: A Case Report, Leah G. Allan

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This case report provides a review of the medical background and inpatient rehabilitation course of a 41-year-old female presenting with right basal ganglia hematoma in the setting of hypertension and polysubstance use. Emphasis is placed on analysis and discussion of the interdisciplinary, multisensory therapy approaches used to address her visual neglect and homonymous hemianopia.

Method: Single-patient case report

Results: On the Disability Rating Scale, the patient’s score improved from a Day 16 score of 10 to a Day 58 score of 7. On the Modified Barthel Index, her performance improved from a Day 16 score of …

Psychosocial Occupational Therapy Interventions For Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury: A Scoping Review, Sabina Khan, Christianah Edema

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: We aimed to examine the psychosocial interventions used by occupational therapists in managing pediatric TBI, and to identify unique psychosocial needs in this population.

Methods: The scoping review was guided by Arksey and O'Malley's framework. Four databases were searched for relevant studies namely: Embase (Elsevier), Medline (PubMed), Cochrane Library, and PsycNet. Included studies were studies written in English reporting on psychosocial interventions for pediatric TBI by occupational therapists and/or the psychosocial needs of children with TBI.

Results: The search identified 13 relevant studies published from 2006 to 2020. Multiple psychosocial interventions were pinpointed in these studies, …

Exploring The Relationship Between Handwriting Legibility And Praxis In Third And Fourth Grade Students, Denise K. Donica, Larymi Beck, Kathryn Mumford

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background. Research suggests praxis and sensory integration contributes to handwriting legibility in primary students. However, little research has demonstrated performance-based measures of praxis and its relationship to handwriting legibility. This study examined performance-based praxis skills of third and fourth grade students with and without handwriting difficulties (HD).

Method: Handwriting legibility and praxis were examined in 33 third and fourth grade students at a local primary school using the Handwriting Legibility Scale and five praxis tests from the Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration. Participants were categorized into two groups based on their handwriting legibility scores: students with HD (n = 6) …

State Of The Journal: The Importance Of Human Occupation, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Optimizing Long Covid Outcomes: Insights From A Survey Of U.S. Occupational Therapists, Malachy J. Clancy, Phd, Otr/L, Bcpr, Robert Dekerlegand, Pt, Mpt, Phd, Ccs

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Background & Purpose

• Upwards of 15% of individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 may develop “Long COVID” with persistent physical, cognitive, and/or mental symptoms potentially amendable to occupational therapy.
• Variability exists in the rehabilitation approach for individuals receiving occupational therapy for this novel condition.
• Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and other evidence-based resources exist to help standardized rehabilitation; however, it is unknown if occupational therapists (OTs) are aware of these resources and applying them in the management of individuals with Long COVID.
• We surveyed OTs in the contiguous United States (U.S.) to explore their awareness and application of Long COVID CPGs along with …

Effects Of Push-In Occupational Therapy Services In Kindergarten On Writing Foundations, Heather A. Hyndman

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: According to the Compensation & Workforce Survey, 24.89% of occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) work in schools (AOTA, 2023). This researcher has worked in a public-school setting for over 20 years, and her caseload continues to grow each year, doubling in the past 10 years. Handwriting difficulties account for most referrals for this researcher.

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to determine if an occupational therapy (OT) led fine motor intervention small group along with push-in occupational therapy services during literacy instruction would improve kindergarten students’ handwriting.

Theoretical Framework: Motor learning theory is applicable to teaching handwriting. This …

Occupational Therapist's Role In Sensory Inclusive Space Design, Colleen Mcgill

SURF Posters 2025

The rise in individuals experiencing sensory processing difficulties has revealed the challenges they face in regard to engagement in different environments and social participation. Sensory processing difficulties can impact the individual's social connectedness to entertainment venues that confine larger crowds and overwhelming stimuli, causing a form of occupational deprivation. This form of occupational deprivation can not only affect the individual, but can also impact family interactions at social events. Occupational therapists have proven highly skilled when assessing and treating clients with sensory processing difficulties, as well as evaluating and adapting environments to promote successful participation. With that, there is a …

The Impact Of Moral Injury On Veterans' Occupations, Sydney Santora

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2025

Occupational therapy has been working with veterans since its origin. Once labeled as shell shock, occupational therapists addressed and continue to address veteran’s mental health, specifically Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). While PTSD still affects veterans, there is another emerging phenomenon that is affecting veterans called moral injury. Moral injury (MI) is a condition resulting from “perpetrating, failing to prevent, bearing witness to, or learning about acts that transgress deeply held moral beliefs and expectations” (Litz et al., 2009, p. 697). There is currently limited literature regarding occupational therapy’s treatment of moral injury. This study aimed to fill the gaps …

The Phenomenon Of Sports As An Occupation, Christopher G. Cercone

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2025

The “Phenomenon of Sports as an Occupation” is a mixed-methods, survey and interview-based research study that examines the impact of sports participation on occupational performance, identity, and routines. Findings highlight the value of recognizing sports in occupational therapy and may guide future practice and professional development. The study involved three groups of participants, including college athletes, occupational therapy practitioners, and adults involved in sports activities. Each group completed different surveys based on what sports mean to them and how sports have influenced their lives. Occupational therapy practitioners were asked about their feelings regarding increased involvement in sports rehabilitation. An interview …

Promoting Caregiver-Child Attunement: Social Emotional Wellness Through Yoga, Gianna R. Delfino

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2025

This doctoral capstone program, Social-Emotional Wellness Through Yoga: Promoting Caregiver-Child Attunement, aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate a family-centered occupational therapy (OT) program designed to enhance emotional connection, co-regulation, and wellness in caregiver-child dyads at a pediatric outpatient clinic. This project was guided by a systematic review of literature on the effects of yoga on the mental health of children 3-10 years old, which suggests that yoga has positive outcomes on the mental health and wellbeing of children (Khunti et al., 2022). Grounded in neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, and strengths-based care, the 10-week group was designed for children ages 3–11 and their …

Open Doors Rehab: Student-Led Courtesy Occupation-Focused Stroke Rehabilitation Clinic, Caitlin Scully

Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2025

Experiencing a stroke is a life altering event. Effects range from minimal to severe, but nonetheless survivors are put in a position where they need to understand their health and how to move forward (Wolf et. al., 2009). Nagaraja et. al. (2022) draws attention to the issue that survivors who are not eligible for inpatient services are often discharged home with a home exercise program and no clinical or therapy follow- up. This creates a gap in the stroke recovery continuum of care, putting survivors at even more risk for additional health risks and complications. The need for stroke rehabilitative …