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Depression As A Prognostic Factor For Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Outcomes, Ariel M. Morales

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a degenerative disease common in older adults and is associated with significantly reduced health-related quality of life and increased disability. Depression has been found to be associated with poorer health-related outcomes in patients with spinal conditions. A systematic review was conducted to examine the literature regarding the prognostic value of depression for LSS outcomes. Findings suggest small to moderate prognostic value of depressive symptoms for postoperative outcomes in patients with LSS, with strong evidence for disability. Next, a secondary analysis of a cohort study was conducted to investigate two objectives. The first objective was to …

Disability And Return To Work Following Musculoskeletal Injury, Qiyun Shi

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are injuries, damage or disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system including muscles, ligaments, nerves, tendons, bones or cartilage etc. MSDs are highly prevalent and associated with sickness absence, reduced work efficiency, job changes and earlier retirement.. They also affect daily activity and social functioning. Although many MSDs are accompanied by minor symptoms and settled spontaneously, approximately 10% of the workforce with MSDs have difficulty resuming their original work or exit the workforce permanently. Return to work after MSDs is complex, and is influenced by many factors including physical, psychological, economic and social factors.

Although there are extensive studies …

Enacting Occupation And Identity: Perspectives Of Children And Their Parents, Shanon K. Phelan

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Children with disabilities are at risk for limited opportunities to engage in childhood occupations. Occupation is defined broadly as everything people need, want, or are obliged to do, and as understanding how social dimensions shape occupations and opportunities for participation. Emergent literature suggests that identities are shaped by what we do. This research examines how occupation is implicated in the shaping of identities for school-aged children with physical disabilities in light of the socio-cultural dimensions that shape opportunities for children to participate in childhood occupations.

This work is comprised of five integrated manuscripts, in addition to introduction, methodology, and …

Exploring Exercise And Youth With A Disability, Kimberly B. Simpson

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the exercise participation of youth with a disability. The studies are grounded in self-determination theory (SDT) (Deci & Ryan, 1985) and follow the General Model of Program planning (GMPP). The first study in this dissertation involved assessment interviews to explore exercise and youth with a disability. In the assessment interviews (Study 1), youth highlighted their desire for physical activity opportunities that promoted their independence, socializing with peers, and success in reaching fitness goals in a community based setting. The interviews with youth matched the central tenants of SDT that being: autonomy, relatedness …