Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Touch, Smell, Hear, And See: Programming For Late-Stage Dementia, Kjirsten Winters, Karinn Pearson, Lindsey Frattare

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

The growing rate of

Reduce Exhaustion: Change Habits And Regain Energy (Re: Charge): A Fatigue Management And Energy Conservation Group At The University Of Puget Sound, Constance Bradley, Beverley Knigge

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

Chronic fatigue is a

Simple Sensory Strategies For Future Educators, Heather Budd, Brittany Rehling

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

The purpose of this

Using Play To Facilitate Motor Skill Development Of Children With Cerebral Palsy In Mexico, Leslie Coonc, Sonia Nurkse

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

Play is at the

Tablet Use By Occupational Therapists For Preliteracy Learning With Preschool Children, Burnley K. C. Dluhosh, Amanda Y. Burns

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

Purpose: Tablet technologies are being used in pediatric occupational therapy (OT) despite a dearth of literature supporting their use. The purpose of this study was to investigate key strategies and decision-making considerations occupational therapists are using with tablet technologies to develop preliteracy skills with preschool aged children. Method: An ethnographic study of three pediatric occupational therapists (one school-based; one private clinic; and one school-based/private clinic) was conducted through semi-structured interviews and observations of the participants using the tablet. Results: One central theme, that tablets are “just a tool,” and three subthemes, that tablets are versatile, motivating, and fun, were identified. …

Fun Anatomy: A Supplemental Website For The Upper Extremity, Kristen Norberg, Helen Groffman, Kristi Ng

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) standards, the occupational therapy program at the University of Puget Sound requires the completion of an anatomy course as part of the master’s degree curriculum. Currently, the program’s functional anatomy course does not provide any online resources to support students’ mastery of course content. Due to advances in technology, an increasing number of professional degree programs are either web-based or are adding online elements (Donovan, 2008; Friedman, Watts, Croston, & Durkin, 2002; Fallon, 2011). Course-specific online resources have been shown to enhance student learning and performance (Thompson, Ford, & …

Addressing Impaired Awareness In Clients With Cognitive And Perceptual Deficits Resulting From Cva, Patricia Pickard, Alaina Osborn

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

It is common for stroke survivors to have cognitive and/or perceptual deficits that negatively impact their participation in meaningful occupations (Bowen, Knapp, Gillespie, Nicolson, & Vail, 2011). In addition, many people are unable to recognize these deficits, which decreases the likelihood that they will use strategies needed to overcome deficits and improve occupational performance. In order to successfully teach compensatory and remedial strategies to improve functional performance, occupational therapists must help their clients gain a more realistic understanding of their deficits, also known as awareness (Ekstam, Uppgard, Kottorp, & Tham, 2007). A manual was created to educate occupational therapy students …

Technology Based Community Navigation Solutions For Individuals With Acquired Brain Injury And Executive Functioning Deficits, Marcy Phillips, Jessica Murray

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

One Area of function that has been identified as particularly difficult for individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) is that of community mobility and transportation. The aim of this project was to create an instructional manual describing a two-day training program to assist caregivers of individuals with ABI and resulting executive dysfunction. Caregivers can implement the training program to aid their care recipients in identifying and using technology devices to aid in community mobility. The first day focuses on assisting individuals with ABI in identifying cognitive strategies and appropriate technology for navigating public transportation. Caregivers and their care recipients also …

Waiting Room Connections: The Role Of Informal Support Groups In Addressing Caregiver Burden, Beth Kern, Anna Riggs

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

Participation in a formal support group can be an effective way to reduce caregiver burden, providing caregivers with a way to share information and ideas, as well as connect with others who share similar experiences. Occasionally, informal support groups will develop spontaneously when caregivers are gathered together, such as waiting for their family members’ therapy appointments. Very little is known about the formation and benefits of informal supports groups, which may be valuable to caregivers in unique ways. This study used a qualitative phenomenological approach to investigate the lived experience of three client family members during their time in the …

Occupational Therapists’ Evaluation And Treatment Of Everyday Technology With Adult Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury, Rebecca Covington, Gina Kim

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

Everyday technology (ET), which includes devices such as smartphones and tablets, is dynamic, complex, and interactive and may be difficult for an adult with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) to use due to cognitive deficits, including executive dysfunction. Executive dysfunction leads to difficulty with higher level thinking, including planning, organizing, and problem solving, skills which are used in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), work, leisure, and social participation. The purpose of this study was to examine how occupational therapists use ET in assessment and treatment of adults with TBI to regain or increase independence in IADL, work, leisure, and …

Animal-Assisted Therapy: A Dog’S Influence On Occupational Therapy Outcomes Of A Child With Cerebral Palsy, Emily Howell-Forbes, Kathryn Marxen

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

Objectives: The purpose of this pilot study was to compare differences between traditional occupational therapy (OT) and OT delivered with a dog and handler, or animal-assisted therapy (AAT), on selected treatment goals for a 3-year-old child with cerebral palsy.

Methods: This mixed-methods research study included an A-B single subject design to collect data related to the child participant’s OT goals and qualitative interviews to understand the subjective experiences of the occupational therapist and the child’s parent.

Results: Visual and statistical analysis of the graphed data revealed that the child produced significantly more vocalizations when the dog was present. Visual analysis …

Beyond The Physical Outcomes: An Investigation Into The Experience Of A Pediatric Mcimt Camp, Elizabeth Andrews, Maria Miller, Ashley Satter

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

Objective: Modified constraint induced movement therapy (mCIMT) is a technique for treating children with unilateral neurological motor impairments by constraining a child’s unaffected upper extremity to force the use of the affected upper extremity. Outcomes from mCIMT camp participation reported in the literature tend to be heavily overrepresented by quantitative measures. When included, qualitative information was anecdotal and lacked the depth and rigor necessary to recognize psychosocial changes as a meaningful camp outcome. The purpose of this study was to investigate the experience of a mCIMT camp, as reported by parents and children who participated in a mCIMT camp.

Method: …

The Functional Composite Movement Scale: A Comparison Of The Pre- And Post- Functional Movements Of Participants In A Mcimt Pediatric Day Camp, Amy Bingen, Tamara Burt, Michelle Gangi

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the pre- and post- functional movements of 13 children with cerebral palsy, 4 to 12 years of age, who participated in a three-week mCIMT outpatient summer camp. The means of achieving the purpose was to develop a reliable tool to analyze pre- and post- photos of participants in the camp.

Method: The Functional Composite Movement Scale (FCMS) was composed and its reliability investigated. Photos were taken in nine functional end range positions and scored by the researchers, resulting in a quantitative measure of the movement required to achieve the position. Photos …

Hippotherapy As A Tool For Improving Motor Skills, Postural Stability, And Self Confidence In Cerebral Palsy And Multiple Sclerosis, Sarah A. Long

Sound Neuroscience: An Undergraduate Neuroscience Journal

Hippotherapy utilizes the three dimensional movement of the horse to improve balance, strength, coordination, and postural symmetry in those with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, or related neuromuscular disorders. The forward, side-to-side, and rotational movement of the horse provides the rider with different sensory cues to help improve gait. While this therapy is a passive exercise for the patient, the individual must engage the core muscles to sit upright along with making small corrections due to the constant movement of the horse to help with postural stability and strengthening. Ultimately, understanding how affected brain areas lead to symptoms in those with …