Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Effectiveness Of Occupation-Based Virtual Reality Intervention On Upper Extremity Functional Improvement In Post-Stroke Individuals: A Systematic Review, Darcy Bowman, Tiffani Suhm, Ann Marie Brown, Aubrey Barrett, Hannah Reilley

Student Journal of Occupational Therapy

Purpose: Virtual reality (VR)-based therapy is an emerging practice in the clinical setting and still requires research documenting its efficacy. This review analyzed the effectiveness of VR-based therapy on upper extremity (UE) motor recovery in individuals with chronic stroke by analyzing multiple randomized controlled trials.

Methods: Search limits for this review consisted of articles published between January 2010 and January 2020 and available in English. Search keywords were based on language in individual databases (e.g. stroke or cerebrovascular accident, upper extremity, occupational therapy). Articles were limited to include only randomized control trials consisting of adult patients (18+) with …

Regional Topological Aberrances Of White Matter- And Gray Matter-Based Functional Networks For Attention Processing May Foster Traumatic Brain Injury-Related Attention Deficits In Adults, Ziyan Wu, Meng Cao, Xin Di, Kai Wu, Yu Gao, Xiaobo Li

Publications and Research

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is highly prevalent in adults. TBI-related functional brain alterations have been linked with common post-TBI neurobehavioral sequelae, with unknown neural substrates. This study examined the systems-level functional brain alterations in white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) for visual sustained-attention processing, and their interactions and contributions to post-TBI attention deficits. Task-based functional MRI data were collected from 42 adults with TBI and 43 group-matched normal controls (NCs), and analyzed using the graph theoretic technique. Global and nodal topological properties were calculated and compared between the two groups. Correlation analyses were conducted between the neuroimaging measures that …

Regaining Motion Among Patients With Shoulder Pathology - Are All Exercises Equal?, Alon Rabin, Eran Maman, Oleg Dolkart, Efi Kazum, Zvi Kozol, Timothy L. Uhl, Ofir Chechik

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Background: Little information exists to guide the choice of exercise for regaining shoulder range of motion (ROM). The purpose of this study was to compare the maximal ROM reached, pain and difficulty associated with 4 commonly prescribed exercises.

Methods: Forty (9 females) patients with various shoulder disorders and a limited flexion ROM performed 4 exercises for regaining shoulder flexion ROM in a randomized order. Exercises included the self-assisted flexion, forward bow, table slide and rope-and-pulley. Participants were videotaped while performing all exercises and the maximal flexion angle reached during each exercise was recorded using Kinovea motion analysis freeware (Kinovea 0.8.15). …

Is A Forensic Cohabitation Program Recovery-Oriented? A Logic Model Analysis, Shu-Ping Chen, Wen-Pin Chang, Bryan Fleet, Santoch Rai, Steve Panteluk, Alberto Choy, Deann Hunter

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

Background. Recovery orientation is a movement in mental health practice. Although general mental health services have taken the lead in promoting recovery, forensic psychiatric systems have lagged behind because of the need to reconcile recovery principles with the complexities of legal mandates. Advocating recovery and making systemic changes can be challenging because they require seeking a balance between the competing duties to the patient and the public. This paper used a logic model framework to demonstrate a cohabitation program that placed a woman and her newborn infant in a secure forensic rehabilitation unit, and analyzed the key assumptions of recovery …

Perceived Exercise Habits Of Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease Living In The Community, Jordana Lockwich, Kate Schwartzkopf-Phifer, Camille L. Skubik-Peplaski, Richard D. Andreatta, Patrick H. Kitzman

Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Publications

Context

Exercise has been shown to improve gait in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Stepping practice at higher intensity levels has been suggested as a beneficial treatment option to improve gait in the neurological population. Unfortunately, this mode is poorly understood and underutilized within the PD population. Information on what individuals with PD are doing for exercise would be beneficial to help tailor exercise programs to improve gait and provide exercise options in the community for intensity-based exercise.

Objective

To investigate the current exercise habits of individuals living with PD in the community aimed at improving walking and to understand …

Hip Muscle Function In Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability, Lindsay Carroll

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Hip muscle function has been reported to be altered in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI). The purpose of this study was (1) to determine whether the single leg squat test (SLST) could be used to detect differences in proximal muscle activation between individuals with and without CAI and (2) to determine if there was a difference in maximum isometric body weight normalized torque output of the hip lateral rotators, extensors, and abductors between individuals with and without CAI.

Subjects: Forty-eight subjects (14 males, 34 females; median age = 22.00 years, interquartile range (IQR) = 1.00; median height = …

Stimming Expresses Empathy, Not To Be Masked Or Persecuted: A Scoping Review And Case Study Of The “Double-Empathy Problem” Solved By Recognizing The Autism Language, Kathryn Haas

Student Capstone Papers

This article critically examines autism and autistic stimming through the lenses of neurotypicals and autistics, evaluates confines currently imposed upon autistics by neurotypical society, and synthesizes what autistic leaders have expressed about their experiences striving for inclusion (Gernsbacher, 2017; Milton, 2012). Autistic-led studies are now at the forefront of the neurodiversity movement and are growing in fervor. The following themes were identified: (a) prevalence of autism, (b) the interpretation and measurement of empathy, (c) discovery of genetic factors transformed autistics’ identity, (d) publication of non-genetic factors such as vaccines undermined the legitimacy of the autism language, (e) the problem with …

Deletion Of Sa Β-Gal+ Cells Using Senolytics Improves Muscle Regeneration In Old Mice, Cory M. Dungan, Kevin A. Murach, Christopher J. Zdunek, Zuo Jian Tang, Georgia L. Vonlehmden, Camille R. Brightwell, Zachary Hettinger, Davis A. Englund, Zheng Liu, Christopher S. Fry, Antonio Filareto, Michael Franti, Charlotte A. Peterson

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Systemic deletion of senescent cells leads to robust improvements in cognitive, cardiovascular, and whole-body metabolism, but their role in tissue reparative processes is incompletely understood. We hypothesized that senolytic drugs would enhance regeneration in aged skeletal muscle. Young (3 months) and old (20 months) male C57Bl/6J mice were administered the senolytics dasatinib (5 mg/kg) and quercetin (50 mg/kg) or vehicle bi-weekly for 4 months. Tibialis anterior (TA) was then injected with 1.2% BaCl₂ or PBS 7- or 28 days prior to euthanization. Senescence-associated β-Galactosidase positive (SA β-Gal+) cell abundance was low in muscle from both young and old mice …

Role Of School-Based Occupational Therapy Practitioners: Perspectives From Teachers And Ots, Kristen A. Ollison, Pam Kasyan-Howe, Kristin Domville, Lisa Schubert

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Schools are the third largest employer of occupational therapists (OTs) in the United States (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021). Occupational Therapists have the distinctive ability to observe the child in their natural context of the school, a place where children participate in a variety of activities (Benson et al., 2015). The problem is that there continues to be discrepancies in the understanding and utilization of OT services in the school setting that affect the perceptions of both OTs and teachers regarding the OT role in school, and general service provision (Bolton & Plattner, 2020; Seruya & Garfinkel, 2020; Truong …

Culture Change For Occupational Therapists On Safe Patient Handling And Mobility (Sphm): Advocacy For Sphm Policies For A National Organization., Guldana Alizakhova, Pam Kasyan-Howe, Kristin Domville, Lisa Schubert

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Safe patient handling and mobility is an ergonomic approach consisting of policies, programs, and equipment to reduce WMSD and facilitate a culture of safety among patients and healthcare practitioners. Due to occupational therapy’s established role in ergonomics, practitioners are skilled to utilize SPHM to provide evaluative, consultative, preventative, and therapeutic services to patients while preventing WMSDs to healthcare practitioners. Despite OT’s contributions to SPHM, occupational therapy practitioners are not recognized as leaders in SPHM. To address this problem, in the Spring 2021 meeting, the AOTA Representative Assembly was presented a request for action by a taskforce that also recognized this …

Coaching In Context: Implications For Practice & Parent Perspectives, Rachel Y. Kim, Otd, Otr/L, N. Gerhardt, Ms, Otr/L, Cbis, Bernadette Alpajora, Otd, Otr/L, Mj Mulcahey, Phd, Otr/L, Fasia, Clcp

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Introduction

• Informal care partners experience high levels of guilt, stress, anxiety, depression, and overall decreased health and wellness1-3.
• There is a gap in accessibility of services for informal care partners of individuals with chronic conditions4.
• Care partners of individuals with chronic conditions need long-term support and skill-building for the health & well-being of their care recipient and themselves5.

Coaching in Context

• Coaching in Context (CinC) (Figure 1) is a client-driven approach that leverages client’s strengths and addresses challenges through problem-solving skills.
• Coaches connect with clients to build a trusting relationship. The coach uses skillful questioning to enable the client to …

Spinal Cord Injury-Movement Index (Sci-Mi) Fine Motor Item Pool: Development And Preliminary Validation, Rachel Y. Kim, Otd, Nicole Gerhardt, Ms, Otr/L, Mj Mulcahey, Phd, Otr/L, Fasia

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Purpose: Describe the conceptual framework and preliminary results from pretesting for content validation of the Fine Motor Item Pool of the SCI-MI.

Exploring A Piloted Occupational Therapy Toolkit For Military Children And Youth In Addressing Occupational Performance, Mirely Murcio, Pam Kasyan-Howe, Kristin Domville, Lisa Schubert

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

In the United States (U.S.) there are more family members than military personal in the Department of Defense force with 62.8% of the 2,619,788 family members are children. Research indicates that children of active-duty service members experience unique challenges compared to same age peers due to military life and culture that create occupational disruptions. Research has shown that evidenced based interventions and assessments are needed to support the resilience of military connected children and youth to support their overall health and mental health resulting from the effects of parental deployment and military stressors.

The problem is that despite growing literature …

Occupation Based Program For African American Crossover Youth Aging Out Of Foster Care, Sadé Barnswell, Pam Kasyan-Howe, Kristin Domville, Lisa Schubert

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Unique challenges and differences surround the population of African American crossover youth and how they successfully transition into adulthood once aged out of foster care as compared to same-aged peers (Kim et al., 2019). The problem is that African American crossover youth aging out of the foster care system, are not receiving occupation-based transitional services focusing on IADLs required for adulthood independence resulting in increased prevalence of homelessness (Armstrong-Heimsoth et al., 2020; Flores et al., 2018; Kelly, 2020; Paul-Ward & Lambdin-Pattavina, 2016; Pérez et al., 2019). The purpose of this program development type project is to develop and implement an …

Exploration Of Occupational Therapy’S Role Within The Lgbtq+ Population, Crystal Garcia, Pam Kasyan-Howe, Kristin Domville, Lisa Schubert

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

There are an estimated 11 million individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ in the United States (Rosendale et al., 2019). With this number steadily increasing, it is important that occupational therapists continue to become culturally competent and educated on different strategies to transform the way individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ are given and receive treatment. The problem is that there is a gap in the literature supporting occupational therapist cultural competence to integrate occupational roles of the LGBTQ+ population into their evaluation and intervention. Without culturally competent educational opportunities, the health care system is inadequately prepared to provide responsive health care …

Descriptive Study Of A Healthy Weight Management Program For Overweight Or Obese Children And Youth, Chad Roberts, Pam Kasyan-Howe, Kristin Domville, Lisa Schubert

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The rise in obesity among children and youth in the last 20 years is a public health concern. The prevalence of childhood obesity has multiplied worldwide in the last four decades (“The Heavy Burden of Obesity and the Economics of Prevention,” 2019). Obesity is a complex chronic disease in which abnormal or excessive accumulation of body fat impairs health (Wharton et al., 2020). Childhood obesity can profoundly affect children's physical health, social and emotional well-being, and self-esteem (Rankin et al., 2016 & Purnell et al., 2018). The problem is a lack of an occupation-based evaluation tool utilized to link occupational …

Advocating For Occupational Therapy’S Role In Secondary Stroke Prevention, Madison Coker Cox, Becki Cohill, Karen Park

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA), or stroke, is a leading cause of death and a major source of disability in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2017). Stroke is classically characterized as a neurological deficit attributed to an acute focal injury of the central nervous system (CNS) by a vascular cause de (Sacco, et al., 2013). Vascular causes include cerebral infarction, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). and is a major cause of disability and death worldwide (Sacco, et al., 2013). Stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients are at a high risk for a subsequent …

The Path A Pilot Program Bringing The Hero S Journey To Occupational Therapy, Cole Milkovich, Susan Macdermott

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The "Hero’s Journey" is a powerful narrative therapy tool that uses the hero metaphor to help clients reframe their life circumstances (Robertson & Lawrence, 2015; Williams, 2017). However, this concept has only been utilized in the department of psychology. Occupational therapists utilize narrative reasoning to guide client-heroes through a rehabilitative rite of passage through the collaboration (Kelly, 2007). As mentors, clinicians assist client-heroes to create their stories that will be acted out to reflect their identity. Therefore, the therapeutic process aims to empower the client and enact a real positive storyline through meaningful occupation (Clark, 1993; Mattingly, 1998).

The challenge …

Supporting Foster Care Transition Into Adulthood And Independent Living, Victoria Bui, Karen Park, Susan Macdermott, Becki Cohill

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The focus of this project was to enhance currently existing foster youth programming to promote engagement and participation in independent living skills (ILS) development. Research shows that although such programming exists to support foster youth transitioning into independent living, services are underutilized and may greatly benefit from a more personalized and holistic approach to engage participants. The process of this project included conduction of a needs assessment to understand site-specific areas of concern impacting occupational performance. Findings from the needs assessment informed development of a manual containing occupational therapy strategies for program staff to address concerns and promote engagement and …

Exploring The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Development Of Behavior Management Programs For Elementary School Teachers And Staff, Lauran Minark, Becki Cohill, Karen Park

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Behavior, how one acts, influences occupation, the things one needs and wants to do. When a student struggles with the ability to regulate their behavior and actions, they are more likely to exhibit behaviors in the classroom that negatively impact their overall ability to participate in academic learning in the classroom (Walls & Rauner, 2015). Examples of these student behaviors include: Eloping from the classroom, yelling, tantrums, task refusal, physical and verbal aggression, standing on furniture, throwing materials, etc. Dealing with difficult student behaviors is difficult. This can impact a teacher’s ability to perform their responsibilities required of their …

Adaptive Fashion: Access, Advocacy, And Occupational Therapy, Tiffany Truong, Susan Macdermott, Karen Park

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Adaptive apparel is specially designed to make the dressing experience easier for individuals with disabilities (Azher et al., 2012). Some barriers to accessing adaptive apparel include limited retailers, limitations in design, and affordability. Though dressing is an occupation within occupational therapy’s scope of practice, there are limited research, programs, and projects defining occupational therapy’s role and presence in adaptive clothing.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine and understand individuals with disabilities' perceptions and experiences of fashion and apparel, and to better define occupational therapy’s role in this field.

Methods: The qualitative study used …

Understanding Ot’S Role In Fall Prevention And Analyzing The Perceived Barriers From Nurses And Occupational Therapists In An Inpatient Setting, Kyle B. Esguerra, Becki Cohill, Susan Macdermott

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The aim of this project was to analyze current fall prevention strategies, work and environmental-related barriers, and OT’s role in fall prevention in a hospital setting. Two online surveys consisting of quantitative questions (multiple-choice, select-all-that-apply, and Likert scale) with the option for open-ended answers were given to OT practitioners and nurses with inpatient experience. A total of 341 OT practitioners and 21 nurses completed the survey. The results were transferred to a password-protected Microsoft Excel document in preparation for analysis. Data analysis derived several themes including lack of resources, lack of training, inter-professional collaboration, workload, work culture, cognitive and physical …

Ot’S Role In A Social Enterprise Jobs Training Program For Homeless Youth, Luke Drohan, Susan Macdermott

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone outlines a jobs training program for transition-aged youth (TAY), ages 18 – 25, currently residing at Urban Street Angels, a transitional housing facility for youth experiencing homelessness located in San Diego, California. The purpose of this project was to incorporate occupational therapy services into the site’s dormant social enterprise program, 8West. 8West produces a line of artisanal hand soaps created in-house by the youth living at Urban Street Angels. Through experiential and didactic learning, youth developed integral skills in customer service, communication, sales, marketing, professionalism, and production. The project addressed an unmet need for job skills training and …

Promoting Belonging Among Occupational Therapy Students Transitioning To Doctoral Studies, Gina M. Delgado

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

An Exploration Of Tendon Transfers And Rehabilitative Strategies In Hand Therapy, Alyssa Kopp

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Adaptive Scuba Diving Industry, Erin Wallace, Karen Park

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Adaptive scuba diving is an activity that provides many therapeutic benefits to individuals living with physical, visual, and/or cognitive disabilities. Occupational therapists (OTs) specialize in using valued activities as therapeutic interventions, however, the literature supporting the profession’s value in the adaptive scuba diving industry is limited. There are no clearly defined job descriptions for OTs contributing to the adaptive scuba diving industry although evidence shows the therapeutic potential that OTs can contribute to it.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to demonstrate OT’s value in the adaptive scuba diving industry by creating an adaptive diving reference …

Assessing Occupational Access And Enhancing Occupational Engagement At Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities, Cristina Ruelas, Susan Macdermott, Ingrid Leu

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Many individuals at inpatient psychiatric facilities experience limited participation in activities of daily living, minimal opportunities for purposeful occupations, very few productive roles, and almost no occupational choice and autonomy (Murphy & Shiel, 2019). Many people report experiencing boredom throughout their stay (Marshall, et. al., 2020). This boredom can lead to poor patient satisfaction, frustration, aggression, or incidents of self-harm (Foye, et al., 2020). Individuals at psychiatric facilities are deprived of participation in daily occupations (Murphy & Shiel, 2019) and they experience an injustice of occupational deprivation.

Occupational Therapy And The Transition Into Fatherhood, Rheanne Sager, Karen Park, Aaron Bonsall

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: There are few resources that address the postpartum time period in fathers and the transition period of becoming a new parent specifically for males (Goldstein et al., 2020). Males experience postpartum symptoms almost as frequently as women (Madsen, 2009); however, men display different symptoms than women and are often not thought of because they did not physically carry the infant (O’Connell-Binns, 2009). The transition period for becoming a new parent is stressful on males as well as females, yet the male role is not always clear for the individuals (Asenhed et al., 2014).

Purpose: The purpose of …

Exploring Occupational Therapy’S Role In Supporting Health And Wellness In The Transition To Motherhood, Katelynn A. Lillibridge, Karen Park, Susan Macdermott

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The transition to motherhood [matrescence] is a time of major life changes. All aspects of a new mother’s life are impacted during matrescence as she assumes her new role, identity, responsibilities, and learns the occupational skills of mothering. During this time, health, wellness, and occupational balance may all be impacted. This is a sensitive time for mothers with potential implications for both short and long-term health. Using an occupation-based approach can be a way to provide comprehensive support and care to mothers during this period to promote health and wellness, enhance occupational engagement, and support meaningful co-occupations. Currently …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Emergency And Disaster Preparation For The Population Of Physically Disabled Individuals, Aldin Cerillo, Susan Macdermott, Karen Park

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Emergencies and disasters may occur anywhere in the world, with no population immune to their effects. Vulnerable populations, including individuals with physical disabilities, are more at risk and lose the ability to maintain crucial occupations in the event of an emergency or disaster (Rutkow et al., 2015). Currently occupational therapy services have a strong presence in post emergency situations, in a recovery capacity. Despite Safety and Emergency Maintenance being an Instrumental Activity of Daily Living, a gap exists in the literature regarding what occupational therapists may do when engaging in emergency and disaster preparation with individuals who have a physical …