Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Oral Wellness: Using Occupational Therapy To Enhance Oral Hygiene Delivery In Long-Term Care, Lauryn J. Banovitz, Liberty Bellah, Rosemarie Lion

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

Based on current literature, oral health in long-term care (LTC) facilities is frequently of low priority and does not follow evidence-based best practices. Poor oral health reduces the quality of life of older adult patients and can lead to systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, and pneumonia which is the leading cause of death in LTC. Occupational therapists can play an instrumental role as oral care consultants, and educators to raise the standards of oral care in LTC facilities.

This capstone project explored ways in which occupational therapy can improve oral care in LTC facilities. The proposed solution was …

Re-Injury Anxiety & Return-To-Sport Outcomes In College Students, Megan C. Callen

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

When athletes are injured, they are faced with the initial injury stage, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and then the return-to-sport. When athletes have a negative outlook, they are less likely to recover from the injury at the proposed date of return-to-sport, take a longer span of time to recover, and have higher levels of stress and anxiety. Wadey, Podlog, Hall, Hamson-Utley, Hicks-Little, & Hammer, (2014) examined the dimensions of reinjury anxiety and found athletes with greater reinjury anxiety were in denial of the severity of their injury by wishing things would get better and had a greater focus on their distress. …

The Elements Of Healing And Wellness Post Diagnosis Of Cancer: A Review Of The Literature And A Personal Account, Tiffany Bystra

Honors Theses

Being diagnosed with cancer is an earth-shaking experience that can break even the most strong and stable of individuals. Thoughts of uncertainty and anxiety are commonly experienced for those having been diagnosed, and when one’s health is compromised, nothing else seems to matter except becoming healthy and well again. This honors thesis deeply investigates my personal experiences being a recent cancer survivor in conjunction with reviewing the research and literature to investigate how one can promote their healing and wellness through holistic means despite going through medical treatments that are physically, emotionally, and spiritually taxing on every level. A thorough …

Cross-Cultural And Inter-Professional Knowledge Translation Of Developmentally Supportive Care In An Indian Nicu, Amy Carroll, Otd, Otr/L, Susan Toth-Cohen, Phd, Otr/L

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Synopsis:

A cross-cultural, and inter-professional NICU Team, including an American OT, used knowledge translation (KT) frameworks to apply current global evidence in developmentally supportive care in ways that were useful, cost effective, and meaningful to the families and staff in their tertiary care NICU setting in Gurgaon, India. The team used Pre & Post videotaping of routine care and procedures to measure the change in practice.

Objectives

1. Increase NICU nurses’ use of DSC during routine care and procedures

2. Decrease the use of non-supportive behaviors

Embedding Mindfulness Practice In Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Education Program: Experiences And Outcomes, Mary Muhlenhaupt, Otd, Otr/L, Faota, Shelly Wallock, Dr.P.H., Otr/L

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Objective:

To embed mindfulness practice into an entry-level occupational therapy curriculum and assess outcomes to reduce student stress and promote well-being.

Evidence Based Design In Healthcare: An Applied Study On The Impacts Of Interior Design For Cerebral Palsy, Katie D. Phillips

Honors College Theses

Evidence Based Design (EBD) is an informed approach to design where designers base their decisions on quantitative and qualitative research. The design of the Universal Access Center for United Cerebral Palsy, discussed in this paper, encapsulates this approach to design. The five stages of EBD and how they were achieved within this project is defined. In the first phase, programming, current trends in healthcare as well as issues surrounding design for adults with Cerebral Palsy (CP) are discussed. In schematic design, initial issues of the project are resolved, and creative ideas are explored leading to the design development stage. In …

I'Ve Been Diagnosed: A Champion! Crohn's & Colitis Family Day, Samantha M. Goldberg

Honors College Theses

This Honors thesis outlines the creation of “I’ve Been Diagnosed: A Champion! Crohn’s & Colitis Family Day”—an experience designed to provide Southeast Georgia children and families affected by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) an opportunity to enhance community involvement and build a support network through therapeutic recreation, team-based activities, education, and a positive family-centered environment. Following the nursing process focusing on the community as the patient, this paper is organized by assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, and evaluation. A literature review was conducted and interviews with a medical professional and a patient were completed. Specific interventions were planned using the nursing process …

The Gentleman's Game In The Land Of The Free: The Marketing, Development, And Future Of American Rugby, Nathan Blaikie

Whittier Scholars Program

The United States has a unique opportunity to become one of the top rugby countries in the world. Rugby is the fastest growing sport in the United States with youth, high school, college, and club players growing every year. Now is the time for USA Rugby to take the next step in exposing the game to mainstream audiences across every country. With sports being a billion dollar industry in the United States, there is always room for a sport to gain exposure. The next decade will be important in seeing where the future lies for American rugby. One of the …

A Qualitative Examination Of Optimal Professional Traits Of Physical Therapists. – An Exploratory Investigation, Nicholas G. Wood

Honors College Theses

Physical therapists are constantly searching for aspects of their professional practice to improve, in order to enhance interactions with patients, eventually leading to a more successful practice (Resnek & Jensen, 2003). Although this is the case, limited research has been found which has examined optimal qualities of physical therapists from neither a qualitative perspective, nor based upon their location. Thus, the purpose of this study is to use a qualitative approach to describe optimal qualities necessary for a successful physical therapy practice. In addition, this study aims to determine if therapists practicing in a rural community describe different qualities than …

An Interprofessional, Tailored Behavioral Intervention For Sleep Problems In Autism: Use Of Sensory Data To Inform Intervention, Rebecca Sinko, Ms, Otr/L, Sarah E. Kauper, Bs, Ots, Phoi Truong, Bs, Ots, Rachel L. Dumont, Bs, Ots, Amy L. Miller, Bs, Ots, Roseann C. Schaaf, Phd, Otr/L, Faota, Margaret Souders, Phd, Crnp, Eric D. Bull, Ots, Denise G. Doria, Ots, Jamie A. Frank, Ots, Jenna R. Grady, Ots

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Purpose:

The purpose of this poster is to demonstrate how Sensory Profile data informed occupational therapy sleep interventions for two participants as part of an Interprofessional Tailored Behavioral Intervention study.

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Prevention Of Infant Torticollis & Plagiocephaly, Anne H. Zachry

Faculty Presentations

AOTA includes health promotion as an Intervention approach in the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process. As health care professionals, occupational therapy practitioners are responsible for promoting public health and wellness. Occupational therapists need to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of varying infant positions, providing tummy time, and limiting infant time spent in baby gear.

Occupational Therapy And Family Caregiver Training: The Key To Successful Dementia Care, Catherine V. Piersol, Phd, Otr/L, Ann O'Sullivan, Otr/L, Lsw, Faota

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Most people with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders live in the community and are cared for by family caregivers who have not received formal training. Evidence has shown that caregiving can have profound negative effects on a caregiver’s own physical and psychological health, including increasing social isolation and decreasing quality of life and wellbeing. If the demands of care exceed the caregiver’s capacity, the person with dementia can also be negatively affected. Research supports the effectiveness of teaching caregivers approaches that match the skills and interests of the person with dementia, use appropriate cues, identify and modify behavioral triggers, and …

Parents' Goals: An Analysis Of Therapist Reasoning, Amy L. Miller, Ots, Rachel L. Dumont, Ots, Janice P. Burke, Phd, Otr/L, Faota, Ellen S. Cohn, Scd, Otr/L, Faota, Sarah E. Kauper, Ots, Roseann C. Schaaf, Phd, Otr/L, Faota, Eric D. Bull, Ots, Denise G. Doria, Ots, Jamie A. Frank, Ots, Jenna R. Grady, Ots, Phoi Truong, Ots

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Purpose:

Illustrate the use of DDDM to develop parent-identified goals for occupational therapy and to identify underlying sensory integration factors hypothesized to be impacting participation.

The Ot's Role In An Interprofessional Research Team, Sara Benham, Otd, Otr/L, Atp, Susan Toth-Cohen, Phd, Otr/L

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Why Interprofessional Research?

The research field receives contributions from multiple disciplines and is inclusive by nature. •Feels natural in our day to day work practices to collaborate with other professions. •A plan to build research capacity includes establishing a research culture, environment, and infrastructure as well as partnership with other disciplines (Frontera et al., 2006).

Pt/Ot Students Experience Working At Overnight Camp For Children With Disabilities, Audrey L. Zapletal, Ms, Otr/L, David A. Lehman, Phd, Pt

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Objectives:

• Describe the innovative interprofessional field experience
• Discuss how the camp program enhances the OT/PT students’ skills towards interprofessional practice and discipline specific clinical reasoning
• Examine how this opportunity has influenced OT/PT students’ educational and professional development

The Effects Of Horseback Riding On The Gait Of Adolescents, Sarah L. Hayes

Undergraduate Distinction Papers

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to investigate the changes that occur in the gait of a set of subjects after they ride a horse. Eleven riders with a developmental disability were selected and included in an experimental group and nineteen “typical” subjects or those without a developmental disability were included as a second comparison group. The length of time the subjects were able to remain standing in a tandem stance and in a one-legged stance without becoming unbalanced was measured and recorded. The stride length of the subject’s second and third step from heel to heel was also …

Qualitative Study Of The United States Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment, Webster F. Nicholson Jr.

Dissertations

Serious health care issues were discovered first at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in 2007 and later at U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs health care organizations in 2014 (Brady, 2012; Cohen, Griffin, & Bronstein, 2014; Wright, 2013). The continued success of the Wounded Warrior Program requires a system that will constantly assess and analyze health care quality from the patient’s experience. From a systems perspective, health care quality encompasses six dimensions, and the study involved examining the dimension and four core concepts of patient-centered care (Institute of Medicine, 2001; Lees, 2011; Wexler, 2002; World Health Organization, 2006). A qualitative, phenomenological …

The Feasibility Of Delivering A Home-Based Motivational Exercise Program To African-American Breast Cancer Survivors, Denise Spector, Claudio Battaglini

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Most African-American breast cancer survivors do not meet current exercise recommendations for cancer survivors, which include both aerobic and strength-training exercises. This pilot study tested the feasibility of delivering a home-based exercise intervention to African-American breast cancer survivors. Sedentary African-American breast cancer survivors were recruited for a 16-week motivational home-based progressive aerobic and strength-training exercise pilot study. Participants completed weekly exercise logs and received weekly phone calls. To assess feasibility, we evaluated recruitment, retention, and adherence rates, as well as participant acceptance and safety. 17 women enrolled; 13 completed the intervention (76%). Participants had moderately-high adherence (70%) to walking goals, …

Self Regulation Through Art And Chocolate, Lydia Royeen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Josh Banks provided the cover art for the spring 2015 issue of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy. The cover art is titled “Birthday Party” because the piece resembles images involved in a birthday party: multi-colored balloons, napkins, cakes, and icing. Josh created the piece using oil crayons on watercolor paper. Josh is sensory seeking and has difficulty using various types of materials, which include crayons, street chalk, and markers. After much experimentation, Josh is able to use nibs, a type of marker that does not have a cap. Josh is able to sit for 5-10 minute periods and …

Social Justice As A Moral Imperative, Barbara Hemphill

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Lifesteps: An Evidence-Based Health Promotion Program For Underserved Populations – A Community Service Learning Approach, Melanie Austin-Mccain

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Chronic diseases are the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems in the United States. Chronic diseases represent the leading causes of death and are experienced at higher rates by minority populations (CDC, 2012). Innovative community-based health promotion programs are recommended that meet the diverse needs of underserved populations (Yeary, et al., 2011). LifeSteps is being developed as an evidence-based health promotion program focusing on health and wellness, a domain area defined within the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF, 2008). LifeSteps will utilize a client-centered approach to coach individuals in making health behavior changes. Fieldwork and service-learning components …

Evidence Considerations For Mobile Devices In The Occupational Therapy Process, Kelly Erickson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Mobile app-based device utilization, including smartphones and handheld tablets, suggests a need to evaluate evidence to guide selection and implementation of these devices in the occupational therapy process. The purpose of the research was to explore the current body of evidence in relation to mobile app-based devices and to identify factors in the use of these devices throughout the occupational therapy process. Following review of available occupational therapy profession guidelines, assistive technology literature, and available mobile device research, practitioners using mobile app-based devices in occupational therapy should consider three areas: client needs, practitioner competence, and device factors. The purpose of …

A Study Of Engagement In Active And Passive Roles In Casual Leisure Occupations, Anne M. Fenech

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This article explores whether engagement with listening occupations varies depending on the occupational role or the level of sensory stimulation presented to participants with neuropalliative conditions.

Method: The study used a multiple case quasi-experimental study involving marginal-participant time-sampled observations of engagement of individuals with neuropalliative conditions, with casual leisure occupations using the Individual Child Engagement Record. Data was collected using the Individual Child Engagement Record with 14 participants (who had Barthel scores averaging 7/100). The participants represented a particular sub-group of individuals with profound levels of neurological disability.

Results: The time-sampled observations of engagement showed a significant difference between …

The Challenge Of Cultural Competency In The Multicultural 21st Century: A Conceptual Model To Guide Occupational Therapy Practice, Wesam Darawsheh, Gill Chard, Mona Eklund

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Occupational therapists increasingly encounter clients from diverse cultural backgrounds and need to meet their professional obligation of delivering culturally competent practice. Yet the process of cultural competency is poorly understood in occupational therapy practice. There is a need for a clear understanding of the meaning and process of cultural competency as it is enacted in practice with a wide range of individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Aim: To investigate the process, stages, characteristics, and requirements of cultural competency as practiced by experienced occupational therapists.

Method: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 13 community occupational therapists experienced …

Field-Testing Reusable Learning Objects Related To Sensory Over-Responsiveness, Bryan M. Gee, Kiersten Moholy, Kimberly Lloyd, Anthony Seikel

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background. There is an increased need for dynamic, mobile, and relevant parent and caregiver education related to autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and Sensory Processing (SP). This need may be due to the increased incidence of the conditions’ co-morbidity and the revision of the diagnostic criteria of ASD. Reusable learning objects (RLOs) have been implemented as instructional tools as a part of, or adjunct to, formal health care education programs. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the appropriateness of RLOs as a part of routine patient and caregiver instruction of children with ASD.

Method. A semi-structured interview/rating scale was …

A Novel Cognitive Cueing Approach To Gait Retraining In Parkinson’S Disease: A Pilot Study, Stephanie Morrison, Sandi Spaulding, Jeff Holmes, Mary Jenkins

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) impairs gait performance, which can lead to falls and decreased quality of life. This study examined the feasibility of implementing a novel home-based intervention designed to elicit gait improvement in individuals with PD.

Methods: Five participants with PD completed a two-week home-based gait retraining intervention designed around guided video feedback. Semi-structured interviews were conducted postintervention and two months postintervention to acquire feedback from the participants about their experience with the intervention. Spatiotemporal parameters of gait and functional mobility were assessed pre and postintervention and at two months postintervention.

Results: Participants reported high levels of usability …

Time And Space Use Of Adults With Intellectual Disabilities, Terry K. Crowe, Jessica Salazar Sedillo, Emily F. Kertcher, Joy H. Lasalle

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Purpose: This study analyzed the time and space use of adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) in order to better understand the occupational patterns of this population.

Methods: Time and space use data were collected through observation of 15 adults with ID during 4-hour periods on typical weekdays and weekend days. Data were coded into 12 time and 10 space use descriptive categories.

Results: The participants used a greater variety of locations during weekdays that contributed to greater amounts of weekday time spent in a wider variety of activity categories. In contrast, the participants spent a majority of …

How To Make An Editor Happy, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Investigation Of Relationships Between Physical Characteristics Of Recreational Runners And Lower Extremity Injuries, Steven Marc Jackson

Department of Physical Therapy Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between anthropometric measurements, proximal and distal lower extremity muscle performance, core muscle endurance, lower extremity flexibility, and neuromuscular control with the incidence of injury in recreational runners over one season. Also, when a relationship was established, we sought to evaluate the predictive validity for any of the variables being investigated for risk of injury in this population. Study Design: Prospective cohort Methods: Anthropometric measurements, proximal and distal isometric lower extremity muscle performance, isometric core muscle endurance, lower extremity flexibility and neuromuscular control were measured in 75 recreational runners prior …

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Treatment- A Systematic Review, Samah Hassan Hajjar, James K. Cooper

GW Research Days 2015

Introduction

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is an uncommon neurodegenerative disease associated with postural instability, falling, and memory loss. Because of clinical similarities, it is often classified as atypical Parkinson's disease. PSP may present abruptly with a relatively rapid decline, leading to death in a few years. Different therapeutic approaches have been suggested for PSP, but their efficacy is unclear. To our knowledge, there has been no systematic review of PSP treatment.

Objective

To determine the effectiveness PSP treatments.

Methods

A systematic review of published literature was completed. We searched using PubMed and SCOPUS for related articles. The search terms are …