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News From The Graduate School - Allied Health, Otterbein Office Of Graduate Programs

Graduate School

Newsletter that provides updates from the Graduate School and the Allied Health Graduate Program.

Therapeutic Riding And Psychological Health In Older Adults, Alyssa Pattison, Craig Ashford

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

This project explores the available quantitative and qualitative research to see if there is a link between therapeutic horseback riding and the reduction in symptoms of depression in older adults. Currently, there is a gap in evidence based research surrounding older populations with depression and therapeutic riding. However, research gathered on adolescents and adults suggest that therapeutic riding may alleviate depressive symptoms in persons over 65 years of age. Studies included in this project reveal groups of themes. The first is assessments, tools and evaluations. The second is animal assisted therapy, equine assisted therapy, therapeutic riding, and the barn environment. …

Discharge To The Community From An Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital: Factors To Consider, David Byerly, Jennifer Caswell, Erin Brooks

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Nationally, inpatient psychiatric settings average a 5% readmission rate for their patients, within one month of discharge. A search for articles published within the past 20 years, uncovered critical themes and led to recommendations for practice from 15 articles. Impacting an individual’s readmission are 1) length of stay at the facility, 2) employment opportunities and support after discharge, 3) social and family support, impacting feelings of exclusion/inclusion (stigma), 4) the extent to which the individual embraces the AA recovery philosophy, 5) the specific characteristics of the immediate geographical location of housing, 6) adherence to medical plans, and 7) the availability …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Empowering The Oldest Old Population, Lauren Conigliaro, Nicole Wingfield

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Question: Does occupational therapy promote occupational engagement and increase confidence in mobility in the oldest old population residing in assisted living facilities?

Treatment Interventions For Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome, Nathan Cook, Alexa Srolovitz

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) or more commonly referred to as “shin splints” is characterized as an overuse or repetitive stress injury that causes vague pain over and around the tibia. Researchers are yet to determine a definitive cause though numerous risk factors have been noted. They are as follows; over training,type of surface, poor footwear, muscular imbalances at the ankle, over tight or weak triceps surae muscles, imbalances at the thoracolumbar complex, other muscular imbalances and BMI above 30. Rehabilitation and treatment interventions often call for a pause in training entirely or at the very least an immediate scaling …

Occupational Therapy's Role In Transition To Higher Education And Employment For Individuals Living With Austism Spectrum Disorders, Kelsey Covert, Samantha Mathieu

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

The focus of this evidence-based project was on the transition process for individuals living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to higher education and employment; specifically, how the University of Southern Maine can support individuals with autism spectrum disorder as they transition to higher education and employment. Those with ASD have several risk factors such as decreased communication and executive functioning skills. These skills and further related skills are linked to negative post school outcomes. An increasing number of the population with ASD are enrolling in post-secondary education, but many do not finish due to a lack of support at this …

Pes Planus (Flat Feet) In Relation To Knee Pain, Timothy Conley, Joseph Davenport Ii

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Pes Planus (Flat Foot) disorder has been found to be associated with frequent knee pain and medial tibiofemoral (TF) cartilage damage. The flattening of the foot causes this pain and damage within the knee by forcing the tibia to rotate internally increasing the rotational pressure on the TF joint. We will be discussing a few factors that may contribute to pes planus such as equines foot deformity, tibial torsion, tarsal coalition, ligamentous laxity and congenital vertical talus. Amongst some of these contributions, a reduction in physical activity at a young age can also be a root cause to flat feet …

Breaking Down Barriers: Technology And Dementia, Jamie Sullivan, Kristin Desrochers

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Clinical Question Does the use of person-centered, interactive, computerized technology in a facility setting improve health outcomes within the scope of occupational therapy for persons with dementia? This clinical question was informed in partnership with our community partner it’s Never 2 Late (iN2L), a company focused on providing person-centered accessible technology to persons with dementia. After an extensive review of the literature it was found that person-centered interactive computerized technology can be used to improve cognition, social participation, mental health, well-being and engagement. The authors concluded that technology like iN2L should be implemented in residential facilities to improve health outcomes …

Driving Predictability For Individuals With Neurological Disorders: Occupational Therapy Services, Julie Roy, Caroline Dunn

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Driving is an essential occupation of most individuals; from work to school to medical needs and everyday activities, people need to drive, safety and predictably. This evidence-based project utilized published, scholarly and peer-reviewed studies, both quantitative and qualitative, to attempt to answer the question, ‘Do Occupational Therapy services for people with dementia or progressive neurological conditions predict the ability for the individual to remain safely engaged in the occupation of driving?’ Exclusion material was any articles found that were driving programs. This evidence-based projects ended up with a total of 11 articles; four level I articles, three level II articles, …

Family-Centered Care Outcomes In A Preschool Setting, Victoria Schalk, Cathy Lane

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Family-centered care (FCC) is recognized as an inclusive service delivery model based on the theory that more parental involvement will result in more relevant outcomes for the child and family. It has become the preferred method of service delivery for pediatric providers, including occupational therapists. Although FCC has become the standard, it is unclear how effective it is as a model. We conducted a review of available and best evidence concerning the impact of FCC on children’s outcomes in preschool, in order to provide recommendations for occupational therapists practicing in preschools using FCC. We found that the majority of research …

Assessing Dementia And Mild Cognitive Impairment Within The Home, Kate Sobanik, Melinda Blais

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

What are useful assessments which can be administered by occupational therapists for homebound adults with dementia or mild cognitive impairment that will influence practice patterns?

Does The Application Of Kinesiology Tape Aid In Increasing Venous Flow, K. Fitzgerald, Victoria Saunders

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Kinesiology tape has become extremely popular among athletes of all ages. It’s bright colors and the unique patterns created by the tape have gained an astonishing amount of attention. KT tape is a highly elastic tape that is advertised to increase muscle proprioception, reduce pain, and increase the space between fascial layers for higher venous flow. There has been a large amount of controversy surrounding KT tape and the placebo effects its usage may have. The purpose of this study is to determine if kinesiology tape actually increases venous flow which will result in a reduction of edema and ecchymosis …

Occupational Therapy Led Handwriting Programs In General Education, Angela Hamel, Collin Skilling

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

PIO: Does integrating occupational therapy led handwriting programs into a classroom’s curriculum improve overall handwriting in all children?

“Older Adults And Their Experiences With Home Care And Assisted Living”, Faith Robinson

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

As the state of Maine and the U.S. population at large continues to age, discussion about future care and living arrangements for older adults has become an increasingly relevant issue. Older adults are often faced with a range of options for housing, including staying in their home in their community while receiving home care services, or moving to an assisted living facility.

Currently a gap in the research exists as to the attitudes, perceptions, and lived experiences of the older adults themselves around these decisions, experiences, and the meaning of “home” in our older years. This study aims to provide …

Expanding The Concept Of Play, Allison Vachon, Kylie Lyon

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

The focus of this presentation is on medically fragile children. Through our searching process, we found that play is essential for typical development in children. When a child has a complex condition, play is often compromised. Through our evidence, we found that medically fragile children experience barriers engaging in play and social encounters while at school. Medically fragile children spend most of their day interacting with teaching staff or nurses due to the demanding needs of their disabilities. With the help of assistive technologies such as a powered mobility chair, a single switch output communication aid and movement to music …

A Qualitative Study Of Asylum Seekers Experience As Mentees With The Welcoming The Stranger Program, Deborah H. W. Hamilton

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Asylum seekers are foreign nationals who enter the United States legally fleeing danger in their home country. Over 26,000 individuals were granted asylum in 2015, with 3.4% of the State of Maine’s population identifying as immigrants. Portland Maine’s General Assistance (GA) office reports nearly 40% of GA recipients were visa holders seeking asylum during fiscal year 2016. Asylum seekers arrive with psychological and physical burdens and then face hurdles trying to gain legal status while attempting to get their basic needs met in the social service systems. Organizations have been created on a grassroots level to provide support and bypass …

What Is The Relationship Between Sensory Processing Deficits And Schizophrenia?, Jenna Carlson, Nandikesha Jungwirth

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

This evidence-based study investigated the relationship between sensory processing deficits and schizophrenia. A literature search of 7 databases using 9 search terms resulted in 10 high quality articles which best shape and illustrate the current information regarding the link between sensory processing and schizophrenia. Themes therein included atypical sensory processing, sensory gating deficits, auditory processing deficits, visual processing deficits, and smoking. It was found that people with schizophrenia process sensory information differently than neurotypical people, demonstrating deficits in the ability to filter out sensory stimuli. These deficits were correlated with a range of functional impacts, including decreased social participation. Surprisingly, …

Animal Assisted Therapy For Adult Domestic Violence Survivors, Kaden Flynn

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

The focus for my research project for my Women and Gender Studies, Capstone course has revolved around Domestic Violence and Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). AAT has been around since the 18th century but the benefits of it, aren’t talked about enough; when looking at what it does for adult DV survivors. I will determine if AAT, in conjunction with other therapies, is beneficial for DV victims. To determine how beneficial AAT is, I will be reviewing current literature on AAT, the results of different types of therapy and how it effects the victim’s PTSD, trauma, stress, and anxiety levels. If …

Ot Department News- Issue #3

Department of Occupational Therapy Newsletter

In this Issue:

• Alumni Spotlight
• Alumni Highlights
• Faculty Spotlight
• International Experiences
• Advanced Practice Certificate
• New Faculty Spotlight
• Research Highlights
• Student Volunteers
• CREATE Day
• Department Chair Update
• Faculty News

Military Sexual Trauma: A Thematic Analysis Of Impact And Interventions, Rebecca Cornell Du Houx

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Media driven awareness of military sexual trauma (MST), meaning sexual harassment or assault that occurred while serving in the US Military, may have increased since the term was first coined in 2004, yet the services available for survivors of MST could still be lacking. Percentages of MST prevalence range, with one research study finding 80% of women serving in the military have experienced some type of sexual harassment or assault (Meade, Glenn, & Wirth, 2013). Previous research has also shown that MST is connected to depression, suicidal ideation, and PTSD, along with other mental health conditions.* During the present study, …

Acl Conservative Rehab Vs. Surgical Reconstruction, Logan Gailtis, Joshua Stetson

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

If you have ever been around sports you’ve probably heard of the ACL or anterior cruciate ligament. The ACL, responsible for preventing anterior displacement on the tibia, usually tears from non-contact pivoting motions. There are two options for an athlete with a full ACL tear, either to undergo reconstructive surgery of the ligament which will put the athlete out for months or look to conservative rehab by strengthening the muscles surrounding the knee in order to compensate for the integrity lost with the torn ACL. Deciding which route to go is the tricky part. Physicians may start with conservative treatment …

Transitioning To The Role Of A Professional Physical Therapist Through Community Engagement, Brittany L. Wentzel

VA Engage Journal

This article recounts the author's experiences observing and interning with physical therapists in a variety of settings.The hands-on experiences the author describes allowed the author to learn the specific procedures and requirements in a typical day as a Physical Therapist, and to gain knowledge on the protocol for different injuries, the muscles that each exercise strengthens, and how to properly perform exercises to prevent further injuries. The author also explores how these experiences fostered observational and interpersonal skills and solidified the decision to pursue Physical Therapy as a career.

Improving Life Skills For People With Brain Injury, Rita Goodwin, Samantha Brownwell

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Acquired Brain injury (ABI) Clubhouses, are modeled after the clubhouses designed for the mental health population. The Clubhouse Model has shown great potential for the mental health population and has been hypothesized that a similar model would be beneficial for the brain injury population. Clubhouses are designed to improve meaning and purpose in individuals lives. Recently there has been an increase in ABI Clubhouse across the world and it has become an emerging treatment approach for these individuals.

There were limited studies regarding ABI Clubhouses, but there were a few articles supporting the implementation and effectiveness of the Clubhouse Model …

Supporting Positive Youth Development For At-Risk Youth, Alice Hwang, Etinosa Obadagbonyi, Kyle Scherer

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

At risk youth is a sensitive but important topic to discuss, and a vital population to support. Through an extensive search of the available literature, a few core themes centered around eliciting change for these young men and women have emerged. The goal was to intricately weave these approaches into a community centered, occupation-based program to serve at-risk youth population in the greater Lewiston community.

Systems change is defined as “change efforts that strive to shift the underlying infrastructure within a community or targeted context to support a desired outcome, including shifting existing policies and practices, resource allocations, relational structures, …

Concussion Rehabilitation: Vestibular And Physiotherapy, Amia Pelletier, Jordan Wing

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Recent research has come out to suggest that a prolonged resting period after a concussion may not be the most beneficial way to recover. Many doctors of physical therapy seem to have a consensus that athletes that acquire a sports-related concussion should seek treatment through body movement, not the typical resting and abstaining from exercise protocol. Recent research has shown that vestibular and physiotherapy will reduce the recovery time after a concussion. Seventy-one percent of a treatment group had returned within eight weeks, compared to seven percent in a control group. The participants in the treatment group were four times …

Patients Attitudes On Alternative Approaches To Chronic Pain Management, Morgan Beede

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

The topic of chronic pain and pain management continues to be heavily discussed by healthcare providers today. In the state of Maine, the recent limit on Opioid prescriptions raised questions regarding sustainable and alternative, long-term treatment options for patients. Many patients suffering from chronic pain are now tapering off their prescriptions and seeking alternative treatment options such as acupuncture, herbal remedies/supplements, massage, mind-body techniques, and yoga. This qualitative study was designed to explore patients attitudes on alternative treatment approaches. Seven individuals who suffer from chronic pain participated in interviews exploring their journey toward pain relief. The findings from this study …

An Exploration Of Life Skill Development In Adults With Intellectual Disabilities, Jack Holevatz, Elizabeth Yattaw

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Our research question was, What factors impact life skill development in adults with intellectual disability?

The direction of this project was selected by the suggestion of a local community partner, Momentum Maine. After a thorough investigation of the best available evidence retarding this topic, several conclusions were reached. The level of supervision provided to an adult with intellectual disabilities was found to significantly affect life skill development, as an unduly high level impeded growth. The themes that arose from the literature were appropriate levels of supervision, independent living environment, training in interpersonal skills, physical activity and later life and time …

Mindfulness-Based Interventions For Elementary School Students, Jocelyn Giammarino, Mary Macaluso

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

We collected evidence on the use of mindfulness-based interventions in elementary school classrooms. Our community partner was Jill Schacht OTR/L who is the occupational therapist in the three elementary schools in the Sanford School District. The children in these schools often have difficulty succeeding in academics due to anxiety, difficulty with self-regulation, attention, executive functioning, and "behavioral" problems. The evidence collected was a combination of level I and level II evidence. Findings indicate that mindfulness-based interventions in the classroom aid in decreases in anxiety, depressive symptoms, negative affect, and attentional difficulties. Findings also showed increases in executive functioning, behavioral regulation, …

Clinical Measurement Of Problem Solving In Children With Autism, Megan Nicole Martin

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The current study examined verbal and non-verbal problem skills in twenty-seven male children 10-16 years of age, twelve with autism and fifteen children who were neurotypical. The goal of this study was to assess problem solving abilities of children with autism when compared to gender and age matched peers. The twenty-seven participants completed two assessments of the Rapid Assessment of Problem Solving and one online assessment of Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices. Results of this study showed a .92 reliability of the RAPS for all twenty-seven participants. Correlation between the RAPS and RPM was .419 for all participants. The results of …

Meditation As A Tool For Blood Pressure Management, Maggie Ray

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

PURPOSE: Appraise existing evidence about meditation and blood pressure in persons with cardiac risk factors and offer evidence-based recommendations about the use of meditation in management of blood pressure