Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Content Analysis Of Qualitative Research 2011-2014 On Clients Affected By Autism Spectrum Disorder: Implications For Occupational Therapy Practice, Kathryn Gedrimas

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

Objectives Using a content analysis, this study explored relevant qualitative research conducted on individuals with autism and their families and determined its contribution to occupational therapy intervention and evidence based practice. In addition, this study will seek to update and enrich data collected by Tomlin, Swinth, and Luthman (2011).

Method Sixty-two articles, of 70 gathered, published between 2011 and 2014 in a variety of scientific disciplines were collected and reviewed using a content analysis methodology to extract and summarize themes relevant to occupational therapy practice. Articles included either the perspective of the individual with autism or of their family members. …

Ergonomic Modification To Pipetting To Reduce Discomfort And Muscle Strain, Megan Unyi, Kelsey Asato

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

Objective: This study examined the effects of two ergonomic arm supports on bilateral muscle activity of the upper trapezius during pipette work on laboratory workers and university faculty and students as well as participants’ perception of productivity and discomfort.

Method: A repeated measures design was conducted at each individual’s workplace. Participants (N = 7) did an 8 minute predetermined pipette task using a static ergonomic arm support, a zero gravity dynamic arm support, and no arm support, sequenced at random. Electromyography (EMG) readings of bilateral upper trapezius, as well as perceptions of discomfort and productivity were collected for each trial …

A Manual For Occupational Therapy Student-Run Wellness Program Targeting Persons With Chronic Stroke, Jennifer Hoeniges, Julie Fry

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

It is not uncommon for stroke survivors to encounter a number of mental and physical barriers that impede on their ability to engage in everyday occupations. In order for these individuals to successfully live a meaningful lifestyle, it is necessary that they be educated on how to use their resources and re-integrate themselves back into the community. Participation in group interventions aimed at increasing self-management skills has been effective for persons with other chronic diseases and show potential to increase overall wellness and participation for those living with chronic stroke. A manual was created to educate occupational therapy students on …

Non-Verbal Resource Kit For Center Asays In Morocco, Heidi Vladyka, Christina Reyer

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

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a common neurological disorder caused by injury during brain development. The impairments commonly associated with CP include motor and sensory deficits that can significantly impact all areas of occupation, especially ADL. In countries such as Morocco where the number of healthcare facilities is limited and languages vary, the burden on families to access appropriate care and education can be challenging. Center Asays in Morocco serves children with CP and requested a DVD for caregivers to provide education on proper positioning for both the child and caregiver during ADL. This project created a DVD that includes instruction …

The Use Of Everyday Technology In Occupational Therapy Practice For Clients With Acquired Brain Injury, Julia Ladner, Allison Davis

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

The purpose of this descriptive study was to investigate how occupational therapists use everyday technology (ET) in their evaluation and treatment of adults with acquired brain injury (ABI). Questions included (1) the type of client therapists believed most likely to benefit from using technology, (2) current patterns of technology use with clients, including type of technology and frequency of use (3) the extent to which therapists think ET was effective, and (4) the supports for and barriers against using ET in practice. A survey was completed by 40 occupational therapists who were members of the Physical Disabilities, Technology, or Home …

Creating A Dvd And Resource Kit: Effective Adl Techniques For Children With Cerebral Palsy And Their Caregivers For A Clinic In Morocco, Africa, Blair Burmark, Carly Valentine

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

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a common neurological disorder caused by injury during brain development. The impairments commonly associated with CP include motor and sensory deficits that can significantly impact all areas of occupation, especially activities of daily living (ADL). In countries such as Morocco where the number of healthcare facilities is limited and languages vary, the burden on families to access appropriate care and education can be challenging. Center Asays in Morocco serves children with CP and requested a non-language based DVD for caregivers to provide education on proper positioning for both the child and caregiver during ADL. This project …

Tbi-Apps.Com: Teaching Caregivers How To Use Mobile Applications As Compensatory Cognitive Aids For Traumatic Brain Injury, Ana Wright, Megan Caine, Raymond Reed

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

Long-term cognitive deficits resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI) can profoundly impact a person’s role competence and ability to perform daily activities (AOTA, 2014a). Mobile technologies, including smartphones and tablets, have shown potential as effective compensatory aids for memory and executive functioning in individuals with TBI (Waite, 2012). A website was created to provide caregivers tools to independently select, program, and use Apple iOS devices with TBI survivors. The website featured five tutorials for iOS applications, one tutorial for an iOS accessibility feature, and tips for teaching application use to individuals with TBI. It also included general information on the …

Reliability Of A United States Version Of The Nottingham Sensory Assessment, Amy Kaestner, Rebecca Miller

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

Many stroke survivors experience somatosensory deficits and there is currently no “gold standard” reliable standardized assessment commonly used by clinicians in the United States. In the present study, the authors modified the Nottingham Sensory Assessment (NSA) into a U.S. version to provide therapists with a standardized multimodal sensory assessment for use with clients post-stroke. Six licensed rehabilitation practitioners and one occupational therapy student administered the United States-NSA (US-NSA) on 17 older adults with chronic stroke (i.e., at least six months post-stroke) to evaluate its inter-rater reliability. The authors used an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to analyze the inter-rater reliability of …

Alternative Seating For Improved Learning In The Classroom, Christie Mosley, Alexia Kritsonis

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

Sensory approaches that are accessible and appropriate for incorporation into the classroom may be a valuable means of providing a learning environment better suited to meet the needs of today’s diverse student body. Up to an estimated 20% of general education students have sensory challenges, leading to over- or under-stimulation, which can result in difficulties with learning and behavior. Evidence-based guidance on implementing alternative seating in the classroom would benefit teachers, who are increasingly held accountable for students’ success. Sensory approaches such as alternative seating have been shown to increase attention and promote self-regulation, leading to improved classroom behavior and …

The Experience Of Participating In A Mentor Training Course And Its Effects On Mentoring People With Traumatic Brain Injuries, Katherine Montgomery

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

Community-based mentoring programs for people with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) have been found to have several benefits, including decreasing social isolation, improving behavioral control, and increasing quality of life. There is limited literature, however, regarding the experiences of the mentors who participate in these programs. This qualitative study was completed to examine the lived experience of three mentors of people with TBIs following a training program to enhance mentoring skills. Four key themes emerged that included: Readiness to Learn, Density and Complexity of Content, You Got Something Out of It, and Time of Day. This information may help occupational therapists …

Dynamic Seating: Effects On Primary School Student Classroom Behavior, Jordan Kain, Alana Russell, Shauna Irish

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

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed data obtained from two studies on the effects of dynamic seating on classroom behaviors (Ivory, 2011; Kuhn & Lewis, 2013).

METHOD: Through the Sensory Processing Measure (SPM) and student self-report, the effects of traditional desks, Zuma ® chairs, Disc ‘O’ Sit © cushions, standing desks, FootFidget ® with typical desks, and FootFidget ® with standing desks on 2nd and 4th grade student classroom behavior were analyzed.

RESULTS: A repeated measures analysis of variance test revealed significant differences on student work neatness when using traditional desks, Disc ‘O’ Sit © cushions, Zuma ® chairs, and standing desks. …

Parenting After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Web-Based Support For Caregivers, Arien N. Mcomber, Kristin W. Moore

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

Aggression is common in traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors (Rao et al., 2009) and can increase caregiver burden (Gan et al., 2006). For TBI survivors who are parents, aggression may also negatively impact parenting skills (Charles, et al., 2007). Resources that support survivors as parents are few (Kieffer-Kristensen, Teasdale, & Bilenberg, 2011), as are supports for their caregivers (Turner et al., 2010). We created a website to educate caregivers about TBI, stressmanagement techniques that help TBI survivors manage aggression, and family activities that facilitate positive interactions with children. When piloted to four people, feedback demonstrated that all goals were met …

Predictive Factors Of Successful Outcomes For Occupational Therapy Students, Juliet Macarthur, Julie Randall

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

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which pre-admission factors and program grades predict FWII performance and first time pass status on the NBCOT exam for occupational therapy students at the University of Puget Sound. Method: The sample included 242 students from cohorts 2002 to 2011. Multiple regression was used to predict FWII performance. Logistical regression predicted first time (P1) or second time pass (P2) on the NBCOT. One-sample t-test mean comparisons were calculated between students who passed or failed FWII, and between P1 and P2 students. Results: Prediction of FWII scores was not statistically …

A Manual To Support The Development Of Romantic Relationships And Sexuality For Adolescents And Young Adults With Traumatic Brain Injury, Libby Herriot, Lauren Rollins

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

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) affect an estimated 1.4 million individuals in the United States annually (Braden et al., 2010), most often affecting those between the ages of 15-19 years (Kerr, Harmon, Marshall, Proescholdbell, & Waller, 2014). Individuals with TBI experience impaired judgment, impulsivity, and a decrease in emotional regulation, which may result in verbal and nonverbal behaviors that negatively impact the development of sexuality and the formation of romantic relationships (Kay & Lezak, 1990). Additionally, people who sustain TBIs as children or adolescents are also faced with challenges of typically developing teens (e.g., impulsivity and undeveloped executive functioning skills), further …

An Activities-Based Home Program Manual For Student Occupational Therapists In A Campus-Based Teaching Clinic, Casey Brumbach, Kathryn Louthain

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

Home programs are one component of occupational therapy service delivery that improves outcomes for clients and furthers the gains made in therapy. Home programs are individually designed activities and exercises that are intended to be incorporated into the client’s daily routine. Adherence to home programs, however, can be challenging and adherence rates range from 40-70%. Occupational therapy focuses on the use of meaningful, functional activities that have inherent therapeutic power. Home programs utilizing functional activity have been shown to increase effectiveness and follow-through for clients. Despite this evidence, very few activitybased home program resources exist for occupational therapists. Thus, a …

Listening To The Client: Experiences Of Occupational Therapy Services Shared By An Anishinaabe Tribal Member, Lauren Brown, Tessa Currie

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

The indigenous American consumer perspective is lacking within occupational therapy research. By better understanding the experiences of individuals who identify as indigenous and who have received occupational therapy, practitioners can work to create a more effective therapeutic relationship, more relevant goals, and more effective treatment. A phenomenological approach to qualitative analysis was used to explore the perspective of one indigenous woman and her experience with occupational therapy. Themes that emerged include: 1) know the individual’s background and the tribal and regional history, 2) treat the whole including family and community, and 3) use a functional, practical and individualized approach relevant …

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 …

Educational In-Service And Training Lab: Proper Body Positioning And Safety For Mothers Of Children With Disabilities, Tara Curtis

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

Women who give birth to a child with a mental or physical impairment in Mexico are typically believed to be “at fault” for the disability by their family (Skinner, Bailey, Correa, & Rodríguez, 1999). As a result, men often abandon their family, leaving the mother and children in poverty (Skinner et al., 1999). Bree Lair, MOTR/L, co-founder and director of International Service Learning for Push International, a non-profit organization that works closely with Padres y Compadres Pediatric Therapy Center in Mazatlan, Mexico stated that more than half of the mothers caring for a child with disabilities at their clinic are …