Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Intensive Outpatient Program For Substance Abuse: Occupational Therapy Guideline To Recovery, Jessica Dietz, Elynn Schriber

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop an evidence-based 12-session group protocol for occupational therapists (OTs) to use in an intensive outpatient program (IOP) for substance abuse. The target population for this scholarly project was young adults aged 18-25 who have illicit drug use issues. Guided by concepts of the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), the protocol targeted common occupational performance and deficit issues encountered by individuals with substance use. The authors first observed one, 3-hour IOP session at Central Wyoming Counseling Center (CWCC) and participated in one, two-hour meeting with the director of substance abuse programing at …

Sexuality And Spinal Cord Injury: A Manual For Occupational Therapists In The Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting, Courtney Jacobson, Esada Mujcic

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The topic of sexuality has not been addressed in its entirety within the profession of occupational therapy and has been identified by patients as a need in order to receive comprehensive and holistic care (New, Seddon, Redpath, Currie, and Warren, 2016). More specifically, with 12,500 new cases of spinal cord injury (SCI) that occur each year, in addition to the significant impact on body functions that result from SCI, the topic of sexuality needs particular attention with this population (National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, 2015). The purpose of this scholarly project was to create a manual supported by literature …

Educating Caregivers In Assisted Living Facilities (Alfs) Who Care For People With Dementia, Rodney Palmer, Ashley Palmer

Occupational Therapy Capstones

It is estimated that approximately 40-71% of residents living within assisted living facilities (ALFs) have a form of dementia or other cognitive impairment (Harris- Kojetin et al., 2016; Zimmerman, Sloana, & Reed, 2014). There is also evidence that suggests that caregivers working within ALFs have inadequate knowledge on how to care for a resident diagnosed with dementia (Hughes, Bagley, Reilly, Burns, & Challis, 2008; McKenzie, Teri, Pike, LaFazia, & Van Leynseele, 2012; Sharpp, Kayser-Jones, & Young, 2012; Zimmerman et al., 2014). The authors of this scholarly project created an instructional manual that can be used to train caregivers within ALFs …

Using Evidence To Address Psychosocial Impairments Post-Stroke: A Guide For Occupational Therapy, Michael Thurn, Emilee Rath

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Following a stroke, individuals experience a wide variety of physical and psychosocial impairments. While physical impairments are commonly given attention by medical practitioners, psychosocial impairments are often overlooked or undiagnosed. (Hildebrand, 2015). Unfortunately, the same is true in occupational therapy, where physical and psychosocial issues have not been receiving the same amount of attention, physical issues being addressed far more than psychosocial issues (Gillen, 2014). The purpose of this scholarly project is to provide occupational therapists a guide to use of current evidence-based assessments and interventions to address psychosocial impairments following stroke. The guide focuses on evidence-based assessments, and …

A Home Away From Home: An Occupational Manual For Working With Refugee Populations, Katherine Erickson, Kari Kjergaard

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Problem: As of October 2016, over 65.3 million people have been displaced from their home due to civil wars and civil unrest; 21.3 million of this population are refugees and this number continues to grow (UNHCR, 2016). Due to the nature in which people become refugees and experience trauma, both physically and mentally, there is a rising need for health professionals to be culturally competent and well equipped to work with this population. The vast majority of refugee populations face barriers some of which include being forced to adapt to a new home environment, social isolation, language barriers, and ultimately …

Occupational Therapy Resource Guide For The Utilization Of Three-Dimensional Printing, Andrew Ostrander, Jacy Whaley

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Many practitioners in the field of occupational therapy are unaware of the benefits and importance of implementing a three-dimensional (3D) printer in practice indicating that there is a need for occupational therapy involving the fitting, environmental modifications, and training on how to properly use a 3D printed prosthetic within the upper extremity. 3D printing is when a digital design is converted into a designed material that has a functional purpose and different materials can be used including metal, plastics, and composite materials (Thomas & Claypole, 2016). 3D printing has many unique and effective uses like creating adaptive devices, feeding devices, …

Addressing Sleep Deficiencies In Older Adult Residents Of Long-Term Care Facilities: Presenting A Flowchart For An Interdisciplinary Approach, Peter Owens, Tavin Deru

Occupational Therapy Capstones

There is a growing population of older adults, or those people over 65 years old in long term care (LTC) facilities who report sleep deficiencies at a heightened rate, leading to decrease function, cognition, and social participation while increasing mortality, morbidity and the risk of falling (Booth & McMilliam, 2009; Cipolli, Mazzetti, & Plazzi, 2013; Crowley, 2011; Dzierewski et al., 2014; Helbig et al., 2013; Kuck, Pantke, & Flick, 2015). Occupational therapists (OTs) offer non-pharmacological sleep interventions in the long-term care facilities but are not present at many relevant sleeping times. This scholarly project is a flow chart aid to …

Female Veterans And Homelessness: A Resource Guide For Occupational Therapists, Jamie Schacht, Alison Tonsager

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Female veterans are the fastest growing subpopulation among the homeless population in the United States (U.S.) (Boothe, 2017). Female veterans report lack of access to gender-specific programs and therapy groups within the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to meet specific needs post-deployment (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2015b). Difficulty with reintegration post-deployment has been linked with homelessness among female veterans. There is evidence to support female veterans' over-representation in the homeless population is due to a higher prevalence of risk factors for homelessness as compared to male veterans and females within the general population (Byrne, Montgomery, & Dichter, …

Assisting Clients With Psychosocial Adjustment After Sustainment Of A Traumatic Hand Injury: A Therapist's Guide, Rachel Kos, Jessica Nordmeyer

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Adaptation to psychosocial aspects of hand injury is often undervalued, yet a critical issue to address in traumatic hand injuries (Schier & Chan, 2007). The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a guide to address such factors in a hand therapy setting.

Methodology: A review of the literature was conducted to demonstrate the importance of hands, psychosocial implications related to hand trauma, and current strategies used by practitioners to address these problem. Findings of the literature review concluded that the most prevalent psychological factors related to hand injuries include mood and trauma disorder symptomatology, problems related to …

Leisure Occupations For Adults With Physical Disabilities: A Guide For Occupational Therapy Practice, Kelsey Glatt, Tracy Perish

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Problem: Limited research is available addressing active leisure participation and how leisure participation affects quality of life (QOL) of individuals following physical disability. Research shows a correlation between adaptive leisure participation and higher rated life satisfaction, community integration, perceived competence, and reduced negative mood states (Chun et. al., 2008; Lundberg et al., 2011a). There are currently no occupational therapy assessments for clients with physical disabilities having a goal of participation in active leisure occupations.

Purpose: To provide information and resources to occupational therapists and clients with paraplegia or lower tetraplegia spinal cord injury (SCI) in order to enhance participation in …

Promoting Interdisciplinary Collaboration Across School Contexts: A Toolkit For Occupational Therapists, Sidney Luers, Shayna Shaffer

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this project was to create a toolkit for occupational therapists who work within the elementary school settings to promote collaboration with teachers and other school personnel. In recent years there has been an increase in children who qualify for occupational therapy services within the school, which creates a need for collaboration with occupational therapists and teachers. Kennedy and Stewart (2011) found that while occupational therapists and teachers desire a collaborative relationship, there is little evidence supporting a way to achieve effective collaboration between the professions.

An extensive literature review was conducted in order to acquire information to …

Successful Transition To Home Following A Spinal Cord Injury: A Resource Guide For Home Modifications, Alison Ikeogu, Kelsey Kanwischer

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose

Home modification is a unique area of practice that aims to increase independence of desired tasks by decreasing the physical limitations in and around the home (Aplin, Jonge, & Gustafsson, 2014). The process of modifying the home can be difficult, decreasing emotional well-being and satisfaction (Aplin, Jonge, & Gustafsson, 2014). Studies have identified the need for home modification services for individuals post Spinal Cord Injury. Silver, Ljungberg, Libin, & Groah (2012) found that injured persons were reintegrated into the community with limited knowledge regarding housing and accessibility options. The purpose of the product was to provide a tool for …