Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Occupational Therapy And Allied Health Interventions To Promote And Support Client Self-Advocacy: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Theresa Guzaldo, Abraham Kim, Kimberly Lieberman, Erin Thrasher, Laura H. Vanpuymbrouck

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Despite occupational therapy’s focus on optimizing participation in society for individuals with disability, self-advocacy has only recently (2008) become an official client factor in the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF).

Method: This study examined the current evidence in allied health professions addressing self-advocacy skills through exploring the quality, characteristics, and effectiveness of interventions designed to promote client self-advocacy. Multiple electronic databases were used for the literature search, including: PubMed, Ebscohost, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and Sagepub. Select professional journals were also searched. Key words used in literature review were: self-advocacy, self-determination, occupational therapy, advocacy, empowerment, interventions, allied health, …

Enriched Tai Chi (Etc) Program Enhances Quality Of Life For Older Adults In Assisted Living Facility: Feasibility Study, Pooja Ghai, Amanda J. Mohler, Mary Tracy Morrison

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Older adults living in assisted living facilities (ALFs) are at risk for physical and mental health decline that precipitates nursing home placement. There is a need for an exercise program that improves the quality of life (QOL) for older adults living in the ALFs. This study’s primary purpose was to investigate the feasibility of an Enriched tai chi (ETC) intervention program on improving the QOL of older adults living in an ALF.

Method: A convenience sample of six older adults living in the same ALF attended the ETC program for 16 consecutive sessions two times per …

Determining The Initial Content Validity Of The Clinical Competency Assessment Tool (Cat) For Occupational Therapists Treating Patients With Neurodegenerative Disease, Scott G. Rushanan, Dawn M. Nilsen, Lenin Grajo

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The provision of occupational therapy (OT) interventions for people with neurodegenerative disorder (NDD) requires advanced clinical competency; therefore, a means to evaluate that competency is needed. The Clinical Competency Assessment Tool for Occupational Therapists Treating Patients with Neurodegenerative Disease (CAT) was recently developed as a self-report assessment that aims to identify gaps in clinical competence and measure outcomes of professional development programs specific to occupational therapists treating patients with NDD. The purpose of this study is to explore preliminary content validity of the CAT. Classical test theory was used to test for content validity. A panel of 10 expert occupational …

Health Literacy In Occupational Therapy Research: A Scoping Review, Erin Attard, Andraya Musallam, Kirsten Vaas, Taylar Chaney, Jennifer K. Fortuna, Betsy Williams

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Low health literacy is a significant problem in the United States. Patient education is a key component of occupational therapy intervention. Occupational therapists have the skills to develop patient education materials (PEMs) all patients can understand. Few studies on health literacy exist in occupational therapy research. The purpose of this scoping review was to summarize the breadth of literature on health literacy in occupational therapy research and to identify knowledge gaps.

Method: A scoping review methodological framework (Arksey and O’Malley, 2005; Levac et al., 2010) was used to search five databases. A descriptive numerical summary and qualitative …

A Scoping Review Of Occupational Therapy Approaches To Enable Occupations For People Living With Behavioral Disturbance As A Result Of Acquired Brain Injury, Anahita Brown, Tamara Tse Dr, Tracy Fortune, Susan Petrie

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Behavioral disturbance impacts almost 50% of people living with acquired brain injury (ABI) and severely impedes occupational participation. Occupational therapists are appropriately qualified and well placed to address behavioral disturbance. This scoping review analyzes the literature to ascertain approaches used by occupational therapists to treat behavioral disturbance.

Method: A literature search of three databases revealed 379 papers for consideration, five of which met inclusion criteria. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklists were used for the analysis. This paper employs the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) framework.

Results: Sensory modulation interventions, community-based …

Older Adults In An Lgbt Residential Community: Impact Of A Safe Space On Occupation And Well-Being, Daniel P. Swiatek, Sheryl Ryan, Terry Peralta-Catipon

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: LGBT seniors have suffered a lifetime of societal and institutional discrimination and health care inequalities. The number of LGBT people 50 years of age and older will surpass five million in the coming decades. LGBT seniors are at greater risk of disability, isolation, physical and mental health issues, and substance abuse. Supportive social environments and networks are correlated with higher quality of life. The purpose of this study was to better understand how living in a safe and secure apartment community specifically for low-income LGBT older adults impacted the residents’ daily life and well-being.

Method: This study …

Compassion: Importance And Implications For The Profession Of Occupational Therapy, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Physical Therapy And Occupational Therapy Well-Being, Jenna Pilkington, Dara Musher-Eizenman, Cindi Baum, Elizabeth Emley

Honors Projects

There is a lack of research in the professions of physical therapy and occupational therapy. To be more specific, the areas of stress and burnout have been topics of research within the healthcare field for medical physicians and nurses, but currently there is little research looking at stress and burnout for physical therapists and occupational therapists. (Anderson 2015; Berry 2019). The current study aims to look at the emotional connections between patients and professions, along with the related emotional stress experienced by these professionals. A survey was administered to 59 physical therapists and occupational therapists for the purpose to give …

Virtual Reality In Healthcare: An Occupational Therapy Perspective, Wyatt Mead, Alexandra Harnica, Marion Marxer, Trent Paveglio

Masters Projects

Abstract

Object: There is limited research about how virtual reality is used in therapeutic settings and how specifically occupational therapy finds it valuable, when in the OT process to use VR, and across what setting and diagnosis it is utilized in. This descriptive study design is intended to determine when practitioners utilize VR during the OT process, what their aims are for using it, the types of VR systems being utilized, as well as anecdotal comparison of outcomes using VR versus other therapy modalities. To further explore this, qualitative one on one interviews will be conducted with practicing Occupational Therapists …

Using A Health Promotion Approach To Frame Parent Experiences Of Family Routines And Their Significance For Health And Well-Being, Jennifer S. Pitonyak, Kelly Souza, Caroline Umeda, Tracy Jirikowic

Occupational Therapy | Faculty Scholarship

Occupational therapy providers working with young children and their families in early intervention settings frequently provide interventions to support family routines related to social participation, health management, and related occupations at home and in the community. Family routines are inextricably tied to individual and family health and well-being, yet contextual influences can impact satisfaction with and performance of routines resulting in disparities in health and occupational outcomes. A health promotion approach to intervention is intended to address contextual aspects of occupational performance in natural settings, and therefore, may be a useful approach for providing family-centered, routines-based intervention in early intervention …

Coaching In Context, M.-C. Potvin, M. J. Mulcahey, N. Gerhardt

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

Coaching in Context (CinC) is a conversation-based approach intended to foster clients’ goal attainment through coach-facilitated self-discovery of insights and solutions. Anchored in positive psychology, Coaching in Context situates clients as resourceful experts, and builds upon clients’ strengths to promote awareness and insights about factors that potentially impact their goals, and to strengthen problem-solving skills that are solution-focused. CinC conversations are contextualized by lived environments and requirements for competent and satisfying life roles.

Looking For Consistency In An Uncertain World: Test-Retest Reliability Of Neurophysiological And Behavioral Readouts In Autism., Shlomit Beker, John J Foxe, John Venticinque, Juliana Bates, Elizabeth M Ridgeway, Roseann C Schaaf, Sophie Molholm

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are associated with altered sensory processing and perception. Scalp recordings of electrical brain activity time-locked to sensory events (event-related potentials; ERPs) provide precise information on the time-course of related altered neural activity, and can be used to model the cortical loci of the underlying neural networks. Establishing the test-retest reliability of these sensory brain responses in ASD is critical to their use as biomarkers of neural dysfunction in this population.

METHODS: EEG and behavioral data were acquired from 33 children diagnosed with ASD aged 6-9.4 years old, while they performed a child-friendly task at two …

Down Syndrome And Dementia:: A Patient And Care-Giver Centered Approach, Mary M. Stephens, E. Adel Herge, Charmaine Wright

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Considerations For Recommending Service Dogs Versus Emotional Support Animals For Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Macy Porter, Melissa Y. Winkle, Ellen Herlache-Pretzer

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Background: Health care providers must understand factors that may guide the decision-making process for determining whether a veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is appropriate for a service dog (SD) versus an emotional support animal (ESA), and assist SD training organizations in determining trained tasks that are suitable for the veteran’s needs.

Purpose: This study explored the perspectives of SD training organizations and factors for human health care providers to consider before recommending a veteran with PTSD for a SD versus an ESA. The researchers identified information that providers should give organizations to guide the SD training and placement process. …

The Impact Of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (Pots) On Function & Quality Of Life: A Descriptive Case Study, Emily Mike

Journal of Interprofessional Practice and Collaboration

This study aimed to identify and describe how an individual with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is impacted by the symptoms of the disorder. A descriptive case study was used to gain understanding of the lived experience of an individual with POTS. A semi-structured interview was conducted, and data analyzed to develop a theme. Following data analysis, one overarching theme emerged, the participant did not realize the impact that POTS has on her daily function and quality of life. The descriptions and summary provide evidence for the unique role that occupational therapists play in providing care for individuals with POTS.

Facilitating Aging In Place And Community By Empowering Participation In Society: A Mixed Methods Study On The Co-Development Of A Theory Of Change With Suburban-Dwelling Older Adults, Emily Balog

Doctor of Philosophy in Translational Health Sciences Dissertations

Background: Baby boomers are steadily aging in America and represent an increased population in nearly every sector. In suburban communities today, older adults make up 51% of the population. Ninety-five percent of all older adults live in community settings and have expressed a desire to avoid costly institutionalization and to remain in their homes and communities, also called aging in place. Older adults in moderate income suburban communities are increasingly at a higher risk for institutionalization should their health or finances decline as the access to their wealth is within the home in which they dwell. This process …

Cephalocaudal-Remote Approach, David Ledesma

Student Capstone Papers

This opinion paper introduces a global, top-down, bottom-up, and lateral perspective on occupation, known as the Ledesma Cephalocaudal-Remote Approach, which can be used to build an integrated, holistic occupational therapy practice. This approach combines the Ayres (1960, 1966, 1972, 1979) cephalocaudal and vestibular sensory-motor development (confirmed by Lane et al., 2019); the Wilke et al. (2017) remote interoceptive, proprioceptive, and nociceptive stretching, based on Myers (2017) myofascial chain approach; the Serino (2019) peripersonal and multisensory-motor approach; the Leisman et al. (2016) bidirectional dynamic influence of motor activity and cognition approaches, and the Sadil (2019) evidence for rapidly learned low-level associations …

Addressing Occupational Therapy Practitioners’ Knowledge And Attitudes About Older Adult Sexual Health And Sexual Activity Through Continuing Education, Robin Lynn Chilton

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Capstone Projects

Background: There is very little research examining how specific education about older adult sexual health and sexual activity may improve occupational therapy practitioners’ knowledge and attitudes towards geriatric sexuality. Research is also limited as to how knowledge about older adult sexual health and sexual activity is applied in clinical practice. Therefore, it is important to investigate to what extent education in older adult sexual matters impacts occupational therapy practitioners’ knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practice.

Objective: To examine and explore occupational therapy practitioners’ knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practice in the areas of older adult sexual health and sexual activity. Study Design: …

Integrating Occupation-Based/Focused Assessments During The Evaluation Process. Opportunity To Revisit The Topic In A Post Covid-19 Practice Setting?, John S. Luna

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

Occupational therapists treat clients across the lifespan, and every successful intervention begins with a successful evaluation. Incorporating a variety of norm-referenced standardized assessments into the assessment process has become increasingly important to justify services to third party payors identification of goals, and intervention strategies. However, occupational therapists tend to select assessments that are focused and measuring performance skills and client factors versus occupations and performance of occupations. The purpose of this article is to examine the topic of occupation based and occupation focused assessments. While using occupation-based/ occupation-focused assessments is not a new topic, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed how …

Supporting Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Routines And Environmental Factors Affecting Sleep Quality, Constance Lew, Susan Macdermott, Karen Park, Becki Cohill

Summer 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Sleep difficulties are more common among children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). There is limited research on sleep strategies used by parents of children with NDDs or resources written by occupational therapists. The study examines current sleep concerns and strategies used by parents of children with NDDs, including those affecting time it takes to fall asleep, duration of sleep, routines, and environmental factors that influence sleep.

Method: Parents and caregivers of children with NDDs (n=22) and with no diagnosis (n=6) participated in a survey and optional interview to assess current concerns and strategies used to address sleep. Data gathered included …

Exploring The Form, Function, And Meaning Of Esports, Kyle Fitzstevens, Susan Macdermott, Becki Cohill, Karen Park

Summer 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Esports has become an internationally recognized occupation that is continuing to grow in popularity. The discipline of occupational science with a qualitative, phenomenological approach was used to study the occupation of esports. Larson, Wood, and Clark’s (2003) framework of form, function, and meaning was applied to study to explore the occupational experience of esports with five participants. Form, function, and meaning guided the methods utilized through semi-structured interviews and observation. Eight sub-themes were extracted from the data and embodied the personal occupational experiences of esports. The findings support the importance of understanding the complexities of occupations such as personal experience …

Promoting Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury Awareness Within The Domestic Violence Community, Christina Debowski, Heather Javaherian, Karen Park

Summer 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Brain injury has been shown in research to decrease individuals’ ability to participate in their meaningful activities by negatively impacting their cognitive, emotional, and physical systems. Recent research has begun to indicate that survivors of domestic violence (DV) are at extreme risk for experiencing partner inflicted brain injury (PIBI)--brain injury that results from the physical violence of a survivor's intimate partner. However, despite the prevalence of PIBI within the DV community, research shows that survivors and DV service providers alike are not aware of how PIBI can impact survivors' daily life and wellbeing.

Purpose: The purpose of this project …

Enhancing Eating Routines To Support Occupational Functioning, Annamarie Sughair, Karen Park, Susan Macdermott, Becki Cohill

Summer 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

As the prevalence of serious mental illness becomes more widespread annually, eating habits have become more recognized as a modifiable risk factor on worsening mental health symptoms (Godos et al., 2020). Eating routines are food-based activities that occur daily, weekly, monthly, and across the lifespan (Green et al., 2021). Food-based activities include obtaining food, preparing food, eating food, and more. Challenges with eating routines are prevalent in individuals in the earlier stages of mental illness (Teasdale et al., 2020). Evidence shows gaps in graduating occupational therapy students and comfortability with addressing eating routines (Wingo et al., 2018).

The purpose of …

Exploration Of Aerial Arts As An Occupation, Kristine De Guzman, Susan Macdermott, Becki Cohill, Karen Park

Summer 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Introduction: Aerial arts is a performance art with acrobatic and dance principles that includes a variety of apparatuses, such as silks, hammock, and lyra. Aerial arts has been transforming over the years; it was once a form of entertainment and is now utilized in occupational therapy interventions. Occupational science, the academic discipline of studying occupations, has emerged to inform occupational therapy practice. Understanding the occupation of aerial arts through an occupational science framework, Doing, Being, Becoming, and Belonging, and Model of Human Occupation offered an in-depth description of the occupation that can provide more knowledge on how to use occupations …

The Development And Implementation Of An Inclusive Community Sports League For Children With Disabilities, Delnai Filip, Angela Blackwell

Summer 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Many developed sports leagues are tailored toward non-disabled children and adults, even though, in the United States, about 26 percent of the population live with a disability and one out of every three people within this population want to participate in sports (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020a; Activity Alliance, 2018). This ultimately leads to decreased sporting opportunities for individuals with disabilities. This higher rate of development of sports leagues for children without disabilities is due to the competitive environment of sports. This competitive environment leads to the marginalization of children with disabilities who want to participate in …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy: Military Dependents Transitioning Into Motherhood, Ria Allen, Becki Cohill, Susan Macdermott, Karen Park

Summer 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Motherhood is a time of adjustments and changes. Mothers are learning how to balance taking care of a newborn, household responsibilities, and self-care. Adjustments of routine in everyday occupations can change quickly as the baby's needs evolve over time and established routines are disrupted and new routines are created. For military spouses, military culture and lifestyle can affect adjustments to motherhood as well including deployments, frequent moves, and reestablishing support systems. An in-depth literature review revealed that there is limited occupational therapy research, programming, and resources available to military dependent mothers

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to …

An Exploratory Study Of Individuals’ Transition To Adoptive Parenthood, Emily Brandt, Karen Park, Susan Macdermott, Becki Cohill

Summer 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this study was to explore individuals’ transition to adoptive parenthood through an occupational therapy lens. More specifically, this study aimed to investigate how individuals’ performance patterns and daily occupations change through this transition. Ultimately, the purpose of this study was to gain insight into this population’s lived experience to inform occupational therapy services in order to meet the specific needs of the adoptive parent population.

A mix-method study was created using both surveys and semi-structured interviews. The survey contained both open and closed ended questions, as well as Likert Scale questions. There were forty survey participants and …

An Educational Resource For Young Adults With Disabilities, Their Caregivers, And Clinicians In The Driver Learning Environment, Destinee Logan, Missy Bell, Angela Labrie Blackwell

Summer 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Driving and community mobility are essential occupations for growing independence and identity. Young adults who are transitioning into adulthood have a desire to engage in their community, and it is at this time that an interest in driving begins. Driving is a complex occupation that requires in-depth education and experience to safely participate in.

Learning to drive can be challenging, especially for a person with a disability. Young adults with disabilities confront several community concerns that limit their ability to participate in the meaningful activity of driving. Those with disabilities often rely on their support systems to help guide their …

Returning To Our Roots: Re-Introducing Art Back Into Occupational Therapy, Vivi Trinh

Summer 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The usage of arts and crafts played a significant role in the fruition of the profession, but as it adopted more medically- and evidence-based treatment methods, most practitioners steered away from arts and crafts. The overall purpose of this project was to promote the use of art in OT as well as learn about the current use of art in OT through discussions held with practicing and retired occupational therapists and OT students with fieldwork experience. A portion of the project includes conducting a needs assessment at Urban Street Angels (USA), a community-based facility in downtown San Diego, CA that …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Addressing Community Mobility In Children To Young Adults With Disabilities: A Scoping Review, Shelby Reid, Steven M. Gerardi

Summer 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Objective: This study aims to systematically examine and organize current literature describing the assessments, interventions, and other behaviors of occupational therapists used to treat children to young adults with community mobility needs. Gaps in the knowledge will be highlighted to impact future research.

Methods: An electronic database search, searching within found literature, contact with driving and community mobility networks and organization were used to identify the relevant literature. Data was extracted and analyzed independently by the investigator by way of finding themes and codes and producing charted data.

Results: The total number of studies included in this work was 28. …