Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Occupational Therapy Job Satisfaction In The Geriatric Setting, Dawn Doctor

Masters Theses

This study examined the level of job satisfaction among occupational therapists working in the geriatric setting in the state of Michigan. The purpose of this study was to determine if burnout exists among occupational therapists working in a geriatric setting. Questionnaires from 29 therapists who work in a·geriatric setting were analyzed. The majority of the respondents reveled they are not burned out, but do report at least one sign of stress within their job. The most common forms of stress were treating difficult diagnoses, excessive paperwork, excessive caseload, increased productivity expectations, the lack of respect for occupational therapy, and the …

Understanding Occupational Therapy: Medical Doctors And Doctors Of Osteopath’S Knowledge About Occupational Therapy In An Acute Care Hospital, Shereen A. Metwalli

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to discover whether medical doctors (MD) and doctors of osteopath (DO) at two large hospitals in the Midwest have adequate knowledge about the roles and functions of occupational therapy, its services and benefits to patients and its implications on interdisciplinary team success. Increasing the knowledge in these three areas could influence occupational therapy referral rates and, as a result, impact the quality of patient care. This study used a descriptive survey to collect data from 55 physicians. Respondents acquired their knowledge of occupational therapy through secondary sources within informal sources of information. A statistically …

Response To Craniosacral Therapy In An Infant With Plagiocephaly, Amy Taylor Johnson

Masters Theses

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of utilizing craniosacral therapy (CST) techniques to influence head symmetry and motor skill development of an infant with plagiocephaly. The study is an ex post facto single case study, analyzing the results of data from previously conducted intervention utilizing a craniosacral therapy approach.

Method

The infant in this case study received gentle hands on treatment using the cranium and sacrum to influence the membrane system that encloses the cerebrospinal fluid. Developmental positioning, myofascial release, and sensorimotor techniques were incorporated. The student investigator treated the infant 8 times over a …

Bridging Oceans: An Occupational Therapist's Journey Toward Client-Centeredness, Anna Liedberg Miron

Masters Theses

This study blends an autobiographical approach with a person's own narrative about her recovery experience to create an analytic framework for exploring how narratives of clients and practitioners can be used to inform occupational therapy practice. Beth and I shared 12 hours of audio-taped conversations about her recovery/rehabilitation experience one year after she had experienced a stroke. Beth was intimately involved in the process of editing her story during the research process. Narrative analysis that takes into account the flow of time was used in addition to identification of key stories that Beth felt were important in her recovery-process. Congruence …

Investigation Of Parental/Caregiver Concerns Of Children With Spasticity, Lynda Johnson-Cross

Masters Theses

Although there is capacious documentation on the concerns associated with parenting/care giving the disabled child, the concerns of parents/caregiver of children with the specific condition of spasticity is lacking. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to begin to determine the concerns of parents/caregivers of children with spasticity as they specifically relate to care giving. An extensive qualitative based survey interview was utilized to gather information from three informants. Analysis revealed clusters of concerns in the Nature of Caregiving, Spasticity Encounters, and Parental/Caregiver Comments.

Effect Of Proprioceptive Input Combined With “Handwriting Without Tears” On The Handwriting Of Children With Learning Disabilities, Jodie M. Guy

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of"Handwriting Without Tears" on students' handwriting, and to explore if providing proprioceptive input before implementing "Handwriting Without Tears" has an effect on the legibility and accuracy of handwriting. Three first-grade and three second-grade students who received direct occupational therapy services were divided into two treatment groups. Those students in treatment group A received a combination of proprioceptive input and the "Handwriting Without Tears" program during their treatment session. Those students in treatment group B received only the "Handwriting Without Tears" program. Each student completed the Minnesota Handwriting Test (MHT) before …

The Role Of Health Promotion In Physical Therapy, Brenda L. Rea

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate physical therapy practice patterns in four focus areas of Healthy People 2010 (focus area #6, disability and secondary conditions by looking at psychological well-being; focus area #19, nutrition and overweight; focus area #22, physical fitness and activity; focus area #27, tobacco use) and identify self-efficacy and outcome expectations related to those practice patterns across California, New York and Tennessee using Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory as a framework. It was hypothesized that physical therapists’ self-efficacy and outcome expectations in the four focus areas of Healthy People 2010 would be significantly associated with …

Predicting Sacroiliac Syndrome: The Association Between Noninvasive Sacroiliac Joint Tests And Sacroiliac Joint Injections, Lorraine D. Webb

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Study Design. A prospective single sample observational design was performed. Sacroiliac tests that predicted ≥ 75% pain relief after sacroiliac joint (SIJ) injection were considered valid diagnostic tests for SIJ syndrome.

Objectives. To identify valid noninvasive sacroiliac tests that can be used to diagnose SIJ syndrome.

Summary of Background Data. The criterion standard for diagnosing SIJ syndrome is with SIJ intraarticular injections under fluoroscopy. This procedure is costly, invasive, and impractical for routine use. Clinicians need practical ways to diagnose SIJ syndrome; however, few studies have been performed to validate existing sacroiliac tests against SIJ Injections.

Methods. Nineteen subjects …

Effects Of Diabetes And Aging On Posture And Acceleration Thresholds During Lateral Translations, Samantha Jean Richerson

Doctoral Dissertations

Research objectives. One source of falls in the elderly may be an inability to sufficiently adjust to transient postural perturbations or slips. Identifying useful predictors of fall potential, as well as factors that affect the ability of an individual to detect a movement of the standing support surface may provide insight into postural stability and methods to increase stability in elders. To do this, acceleration thresholds to short, precise, lateral platform translations and the resultant psychophysical responses of adults with early Type 2 diabetes to age-matched controls and young adults were measured.

Methods. Using an innovative SLIP-FALLS platform, …

Evaluation Of The Systems Theory Based Interdisciplinary Patient Safety Practice Guideline On Restraint Reduction And Fall Prevention, Steven D. Eberth

Masters Theses

Patient safety remains one of the most profoundly complex and important issues in healthcare systems especially regarding the use of restraint and the prevention of falls. Current topic guidelines suggest a "systems approach." These guidelines, however, oriented toward solution application using analytical problem-based approach. The development of this practice guideline was in response to a desire for theory-based practice that could guide outcomes. This practice guideline transforms systems theory into a guide for use by a leader/manager and a tool for the practitioner to rethink patient safety in a more holistic manner. This study was conducted in critical care, older …

Emg And Motion Analysis Of Swiss Ball Abdominal Exercises And Pilates Multi-Chair Exercises, Kelly L. Almquist, Ember M. Bopp, Chet R. Yoder

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

As the second most common reason for visits to primary care doctors, and a symptom that affects 80% of the general United States population, low back pain and its' treatment is a burdening cost on the American economy every year. Various spinal stabilization exercises have emerged as a means to treat low back pain. One of the most recent fonns of these stabilization exercises used in the physical therapy arena is Pilates, a fonn of dynamic spinal stabilization. Although numerous electromyographic (EMG) studies have been completed on abdominal exercises for spinal stabilization, minimal scientific research can be found on the …

Prevocational Programming For A Dual Diagnosis Population, Brandi L. Breitbach, Apryl J. Molstad

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Spinal Cord Injury: A Comprehensive Treatment Approach To Occupational Therapy Treatment, Trishia Boehm, Erin Lee

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Pediatric Mobility Education Unit, Michelle Dobmeier, Brett Johnson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Preventative Measures For Burnout With Occupational Therapists Who Work In A Long-Term Care Setting, Gabe Evenson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Ergonomics Through Occupational Therapy Services, Danielle N. Kary, Ashley Williams

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Occupational Therapy's Intervention For Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Family Centered Therapy, Marie Keller

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

The New View: Clinical Recommendations For Occupational Therapy Treatment For Clients With Lateral Epicondylitis, Kendra Larsen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Occupational Therapy: Creating A Way To Determine College Students' Assistive Technology Needs, Jeremiah Otteson, Stephanie Suedel, Kjersten Swanson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of Occupational Therapy Services To Facilitate Independent Living For Adults With Developmental Disabilities, Jackie Richard

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Exercise Protocol For Trainers In Fitness Centers, Rachel E. Albertson-Yocum

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Wyoming Agrability Project, Sarah M. Freeburn

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Occupational Therapy Program For The Homeless Population In Grand Forks, Jaime Plamann, Jelissa Holt

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Protocol To Enhance Psychosocial Treatment Intervention For Clients With Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, Breezy L. Sykes

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

An Advanced Inquiry Of Occupational Therapy Treatment In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Focusing On The Sensory Systems Of The Infant, Summer J. Van Rooyen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Emg Analysis Of Lower Extremity Muscle Activity During Wall Slides With Varying Foot Positions, Jon Beach, Neil Feist, Mike Hiscock, Ryan Stromme

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Knee injuries are among the most common injuries seen in a physical therapy clinic. Nearly all rehabilitation programs following a knee injury involve quadriceps muscle strengthening. One popular and safe method of quadriceps strengthening often used is the wall slide. There is, however, debate and little research indicating whether or not changing the foot position used during wall slides alters the muscle activity during this exercise.

The purpose of this study was to provide a better understanding of the muscle activity during wall slides with feet in various positions so that more accurate rehabilitation protocols may be developed in the …

The Effects A Total Knee Arthroplasty Has On Static And Dynamic Balance, Connie Christensen, Nicole Riddle, Nicole Sukut, Cara Uyema

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

In the United States today, the total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has become one of the most commonly performed surgeries of the lower extremity. A generous amount of information exists regarding joint proprioception after a joint replacement, however no studies have been done testing postural control after a TKA. With the increasing popularity of the TKA procedure, a need appears for research evaluating static stability and functional mobility of TKAs.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects a TKA, 6 months postoperative or beyond, has on static and dynamic balance. The balance of 8 female volunteers and 4 …

An Electromyographic And Motion Analysis Of Forward And Backward Walking, Sarah Dekrey, Lori Guderian, Kerry Hendricksen, Glenda Scott

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Backward walking is a common intervention in the rehabilitation of lower extremity injuries. Despite its popularity, there is limited research available on the EMG activity during backward walking at an incline when compared to forward walking. In this study, we recorded EMG activity in four muscles of the lower extremity and utilized motion analysis to evaluate the knee range of motion when walking forward and backward on a treadmill at 0 and 15 percent grade inclines.

Overall, our results indicated a greater increase in muscle activity during backward walking than forward walking. Walking backward at a 15 percent grade incline …

Utilization Of Emergency Policies And Procedures By Division I-A And Division I-Aa Intercollegiate Athletic Programs, Brandy A. Petty

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The need for an established emergency policy and procedures plan in the college and university setting has been confirmed by various organizations such as: National Safety Council (NSC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). The duty of these emergency policies and procedures is twofold. The first is to provide immediate care to student-athletes in an emergency situation. The second purpose is to avoid liability issues that may arise following an emergency situation. The premise behind the establishment and …

The Influence Of Occupational Therapists' Worldview On Clinical Reasoning And Action: A Qualitative Study, Matthew P. Mekkes

Masters Theses

This qualitative study examines the influence of occupational therapists’ worldview on clinical reasoning and action. Recent clinical reasoning research has determined that this complex and multi-faceted process is more than applied theory. Some scholars in occupational therapy have identified intrapersonal factors as influencing clinical reasoning. However, the nature and role of the intrapersonal factors in clinical reasoning remains unclear. To increase understanding of this phenomenon, semi-structured interviews were conducted with expert therapists. Results suggest that a therapist’s worldview, specifically related to beliefs about human nature does affect the way they envision and enact the occupational therapy process. This influence is …