Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Using A Social Support Group To Educate And Empower Immigrant Latina Women, Diana N. Rendon

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The purpose of this capstone project was to promote mental health education and access to vulnerable South Florida Latina Women. The original intent was to establish a program providing families with mental health education, including information about common mental illnesses, signs and symptoms, community resources, and the impacts on occupations. This capstone experience was conducted with the Magnolias Women's Support Group at Caridad Center, located in Palm Beach County, Florida. The focus areas of this capstone were advocacy, policy and program development, and administration. Furthermore, this capstone project was intended to promote health literacy for underserved populations, especially immigrant women.

Implementation Of Strategic Supports Into Coursework To Improve Notetaking Abilities And Overall Ota Student Success, Cheyenne M. Murphy

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

Notetaking is a widespread practice utilized by students to capture valuable information mentioned throughout lectures, readings, and other supplementary instruction. Practices of notetaking can vary based on educational level and the student’s ability to take notes throughout their educational career. More specifically, the ability to take strategic notes is recognized as an important skill needed in a higher educational setting in relation to a students’ overall success (Salame & Thompson, 2020). When examining the effect of notetaking, earlier studies focused solely on the practice and utilization of notetaking (Rahmani & Sadeghi, 2011). The objective of this culminating project is research …

Effects On Adherence And Comprehension With Video Demonstration Support Versus Traditional Home Exercise Programs: Culminating Project, Emily E. Morales

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

This culminating project examines the need for video-supported home exercise programs (HEP) in outpatient hand therapy clinics in South Jersey by developing a YouTube channel. This YouTube channel will consist of HEPs for common upper extremity diagnoses including proper demonstration of each exercise and clear concise written instructions within a playlist correlating to diagnosis. Advance clinical skill in hand therapy is the main goal for this capstone project. An analysis was completed evaluating adherence and comprehension when clients are prescribed traditional HEP to HEP supported by a video demonstration. The ultimate goal of this project was to establish an easily …

Interventions To Improve Medication Management In The Aging Population: An Evidence-Based Practice Project, Carrie Ashland, Grace Grommesh, Josephine Marchant, Katherine Mrozek, Reilee Schepper, Brandi Steinbach, Alexandra Stellmach, Sara Teske

Graduate Occupational Therapy Research and Projects

The overall focus of each of case scenarios are related to assessment or interventions that are related to Choosing Wisely Campaign® items 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10. Case scenarios were developed related to each initiative with clientele and conditions across the lifespan in various practice settings. Practice settings included school district, outpatient pediatric, primary care, skilled nursing facility, work rehabilitation, and acute care.

Sensory Based Interventions For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Evidence-Based Practice Project, Jenna Bartunek, Kaitlyn Dittloff,, Laura Gerdts, Angela Huepfel,, William Sievert, Victoria Walczynski, Athena Yang

Graduate Occupational Therapy Research and Projects

The overall focus of each of case scenarios are related to assessment or interventions that are related to Choosing Wisely Campaign items 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10. Case scenarios were developed related to each initiative with clientele and conditions across the lifespan in various practice settings. Practice settings included school district, outpatient pediatric, primary care, skilled nursing facility, work rehabilitation, and acute care.

Early Mobilization For Critically Ill Adults In The Intensive Care Unit: An Evidence-Based Practice Project, Tori Brown, Jessica Jenny, Kalley Kadlec, Karis Knoff, Chloe Lantz, Bryana Leverentz, Madeline Prosser, Sophie Willems

Graduate Occupational Therapy Research and Projects

The overall focus of each of case scenarios are related to assessment or interventions that are related to Choosing Wisely Campaign items 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10. Case scenarios were developed related to each initiative with clientele and conditions across the lifespan in various practice settings. Practice settings included school district, outpatient pediatric, primary care, skilled nursing facility, work rehabilitation, and acute care.

Gross Motor Interventions Support Play Engagement In Children With Developmental Delays: An Evidence-Based Practice Project, Olivia Beaulieu, Olivia Dains, Carlena Ebersole, Brooke Heaney, Chase Lees, Taylor Lennartson, Greta Silvernagel, Sara Stuckey, Amanda Way, Hinako Yokokura

Graduate Occupational Therapy Research and Projects

The overall focus of each of case scenarios are related to assessment or interventions that are related to Choosing Wisely Campaign items 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10. Case scenarios were developed related to each initiative with clientele and conditions across the lifespan in various practice settings. Practice settings included school district, outpatient pediatric, primary care, skilled nursing facility, work rehabilitation, and acute care.

Purposeful Interventions For Older Adults Post-Joint Replacement Surgery: An Evidence-Based Project, Julia Christianson, Mallorie Corey, Erin Crouch, Juliann Felter, Ellen Gross, Mariah Hedner Beckius, Aimee Lutz, Monique Touchet

Graduate Occupational Therapy Research and Projects

The overall focus of each of case scenarios are related to assessment or interventions that are related to Choosing Wisely Campaign items 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10. Case scenarios were developed related to each initiative with clientele and conditions across the lifespan in various practice settings. Practice settings included school district, outpatient pediatric, primary care, skilled nursing facility, work rehabilitation, and acute care.

Effects Of Seat And Axle Position On Pain, Pathology, And Independence In Pediatric Manual Wheelchair Users With Spinal Cord Injury, Hannah Frank

Theses and Dissertations

Manual wheelchair (MWC) users with spinal cord injury (SCI) rely heavily on their upperextremities to complete daily occupations. Due to repetitive shoulder use during wheelchair mobility and propulsion, MWC users are at greater risk of shoulder pain and shoulder pathology, and thus decreased independence, and lower quality of life. The relative fit of the wheelchair and its parameters are critical and can further impact the user’s propulsion biomechanics. Parameters such as seat angle and axle position may put the user in detrimental shoulder positions for longer periods of time, impacting health outcomes even more. Although the effects of wheelchair setup …

Addressing Ocular Motor Dysfunction In Children With Autism Within Occupational Therapy Practice, Emily Kingrey Francisco, Mot, Otr/L

Occupational Therapy Research Projects

Autism affects 1 in every 54 children and has been present in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups (Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020b). Every individual diagnosed with autism can have varying skills and abilities, when dysfunction occurs impacting engagement in everyday occupation, occupational therapy services may be recommended. One important area to consider during occupational therapy evaluation, in order to explain dysfunction, is the visual system (Zoltan, 2007). Efficiently comprehending information retrieved through the visual system is crucial for successful engagement in daily occupations. Ocular motor function is a fundamental skill as explained in Warren’s hierarchy of …

Sexual Health And Wellness For Women In Recovery From Substance Use Disorder, Paige Cassidy, Otr/L

Occupational Therapy Research Projects

The aim of this Capstone project was to produce a sexual health and wellness program for women in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). Creation of the program includes an in-depth literature review and thorough needs assessment using key stake holders in the community of Southern Ohio. Through clinical practice, literature review, and needs assessment, two modules and six sections were developed. The two modules are physical and mental health aspects of sexual health. Module one is physical health and is composed of three sections that include practicing safe sex, postpartum care, and pelvic floor strengthening. Module two is mental …

Performers' Experiences Of Participation In Sensory Friendly Performances, Molly M. Vilaithong, Brooke E. Grupe, Lucy Chen, Andrea N. Wurster, Carleigh J. Robinson

Occupational Therapy | Graduate Capstone Projects

Background: Individuals with disabilities have decreased levels of community social participation and encounter environmental barriers that limit access to community participation in cultural arts, which negatively impacts quality of life. Existing literature on sensory friendly theatre focuses on parent and organizational stakeholders and supports the promise of sensory friendly programming designed with occupational therapy consultation to increase access for individuals with sensory processing challenges.

Purpose: This study explored the lived experiences of youth performers in a sensory friendly performance The research examined youth performers' sensory friendly participation experiences, including their perceptions of sensory friendly program components and their preparation and …

Evidence On Use Of Pams With Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy: An Evidence-Based Practice Project, Natalie Cerchio, Kat Hillstrom, Anna Restemayer, Karla Scherber, Emenet Sime, Grace Smith, Olivia St. Martin, And Kyia Wu

Graduate Occupational Therapy Research and Projects

The overall focus of each of case scenarios are related to assessment or interventions that are related to Choosing Wisely Campaign items 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10. Case scenarios were developed related to each initiative with clientele and conditions across the lifespan in various practice settings. Practice settings included school district, outpatient pediatric, primary care, skilled nursing facility, work rehabilitation, and acute care.

Effects Of Il-10 On Local Cell Populations And Functional Recovery Following Vml Injury, Zain Blackwell

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Volumetric muscle loss (VML) injuries are prevalent in both military personnel suffering from battlefield related incidents, and civilians following severe motor accidents. Despite its prevalence, VML has no pro-regenerative clinical treatments in place to recover some of the functional capabilities of the damaged muscle. Free flap grafting, debridement of damaged tissue, and physical therapy are the only clinical standards available that offer little functional recovery benefits, even after years of consistent treatment. In this study, anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 in conjunction with autologous minced muscle was assessed as a possible treatment for VML injuries and its influences on cellular behavior within …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived-Experiences Of Families Transitioning To Permanent Housing, Ellie Olsen, Samantha Ruhe, Ellen Brown, Courtney Zanni

Masters Theses

There is limited support and resources available for homeless individuals, resulting in limited opportunities to engage in meaningful occupations, therefore decreasing these individual's overall sense of well-being, social interactions, and health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact family-centered interventions have on the lived experiences of families as they transition to permanent housing. The Occupational Self-Assessment (OSA) was used to determine important areas of occupation and was used to develop three intervention sessions. Case study methods were used and data was collected during the final interview session. Two main themes were identified: “Empowerment” and “Resolution.” This …

Brain Fitness Program For Aging Individuals: Prevention Focused Program For Alzheimer’S Disease And Related Dementias, Mary M. Eisele

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The culminating project for my capstone experience was the introduction of a Brain Fitness course. This literature review assessed the public’s knowledge regarding the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) as well as the need for a program focused on prevention and intervention for cognitive related diseases, such as ADRD. Studies have shown an association between modifiable lifestyle factors and the development of ADRD, however, there is a lack of knowledge regarding available interventions and preventions. The number of individuals in the community with a diagnosis of ADRD has risen exponentially and so has the need for family …

Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy And Applied Behavior Analysis Forming An Interdisciplinary Bridge For Positive Patient Outcomes, Rachel Ann Vaughn

Honors College Theses

Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, and Applied Behavior Analysis work within the pediatric population and are used to help children reach milestones throughout their development. This survey is meant to assess the amount of interdisciplinary collaboration that is occurring within these disciplines. The research team believes that this interdisciplinary collaboration could be beneficial to the pediatric population, but understands that this survey is a baseline and needs further research. Through a survey, there were 29 total participants, 22 PT/OT and 7 ABA therapists. The survey showed evidence of ABA techniques being used within PT and OT sessions for betterment of the …

Troubling Service User Involvement In Health Professional Education: Toward Epistemic Justice, Stephanie Leblanc-Omstead

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

It has become increasingly popular in health professional education to solicit the contributions and involvement of people who have firsthand or ‘lived’ experiences of using mental health services – a practice hereafter referred to as service user involvement (SUI). SUI is founded on the premise that service users ought to be involved in the development and evaluation of services and systems they experience, which includes the education of future health professionals. Despite the momentum this practice has gained in a range of international contexts, SUI is often conceptualized, organized, and implemented uncritically, and with tremendous inconsistency across health professional education …

Physical Therapy And Occupational Therapy Well-Being, Jenna Pilkington, Dara Musher-Eizenman, Cindi Baum, Elizabeth Emley

Honors Projects

There is a lack of research in the professions of physical therapy and occupational therapy. To be more specific, the areas of stress and burnout have been topics of research within the healthcare field for medical physicians and nurses, but currently there is little research looking at stress and burnout for physical therapists and occupational therapists. (Anderson 2015; Berry 2019). The current study aims to look at the emotional connections between patients and professions, along with the related emotional stress experienced by these professionals. A survey was administered to 59 physical therapists and occupational therapists for the purpose to give …

Virtual Reality In Healthcare: An Occupational Therapy Perspective, Wyatt Mead, Alexandra Harnica, Marion Marxer, Trent Paveglio

Culminating Experience Projects

Abstract

Object: There is limited research about how virtual reality is used in therapeutic settings and how specifically occupational therapy finds it valuable, when in the OT process to use VR, and across what setting and diagnosis it is utilized in. This descriptive study design is intended to determine when practitioners utilize VR during the OT process, what their aims are for using it, the types of VR systems being utilized, as well as anecdotal comparison of outcomes using VR versus other therapy modalities. To further explore this, qualitative one on one interviews will be conducted with practicing Occupational Therapists …

Cephalocaudal-Remote Approach, David Ledesma

Student Capstone Papers

This opinion paper introduces a global, top-down, bottom-up, and lateral perspective on occupation, known as the Ledesma Cephalocaudal-Remote Approach, which can be used to build an integrated, holistic occupational therapy practice. This approach combines the Ayres (1960, 1966, 1972, 1979) cephalocaudal and vestibular sensory-motor development (confirmed by Lane et al., 2019); the Wilke et al. (2017) remote interoceptive, proprioceptive, and nociceptive stretching, based on Myers (2017) myofascial chain approach; the Serino (2019) peripersonal and multisensory-motor approach; the Leisman et al. (2016) bidirectional dynamic influence of motor activity and cognition approaches, and the Sadil (2019) evidence for rapidly learned low-level associations …

Addressing Occupational Therapy Practitioners’ Knowledge And Attitudes About Older Adult Sexual Health And Sexual Activity Through Continuing Education, Robin Lynn Chilton

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Capstone Projects

Background: There is very little research examining how specific education about older adult sexual health and sexual activity may improve occupational therapy practitioners’ knowledge and attitudes towards geriatric sexuality. Research is also limited as to how knowledge about older adult sexual health and sexual activity is applied in clinical practice. Therefore, it is important to investigate to what extent education in older adult sexual matters impacts occupational therapy practitioners’ knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practice.

Objective: To examine and explore occupational therapy practitioners’ knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practice in the areas of older adult sexual health and sexual activity. Study Design: …

The Problem Of Operational Stress Injuries In An Ontario Fire & Rescue Organization, Megan Edgelow

The Dissertation-in-Practice at Western University

The purpose of this Organizational Improvement Plan (OIP) is to assist public safety leaders in understanding the human and financial costs of operational stress injuries (OSIs) and possible solutions to this issue. OSIs, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are a growing problem for public safety organizations, requiring new and innovative solutions. This OIP is applied to a fire and rescue organization in a small urban centre in Ontario that faces similar OSI challenges to many other public safety organizations. The Problem of Practice (PoP) is a lack of implementation of effective practices to mitigate the impact of OSIs. The foundation …

Exploring Occupational Dysfunction And Occupational Performance For Youth In Homeless Shelters, Akio Ross

Student Capstone Papers

The capstone project aims to explore and identify the role of occupational therapist in homeless youth shelters, to improve life skills necessary for independent living, and transition into the community of youths that occupy youth shelters. The proposed research project will fill the gap between occupational therapist, and youth shelters, by revealing barriers, while simultaneously developing and identifying a role for occupational therapist in homeless youth shelters.

An Investigation Of Occupational Therapy Utilizing Sensory Modulation To Manage Co-Morbid Chronic Pain And Substance Use In Order To Promote Occupational Performance And Recovery, Claire Ruth

Student Capstone Papers

Background: Those with chronic pain have worse drug and alcohol treatment outcomes and higher rates of relapse compared to those without pain or with reduced pain (Ilgen et al., 2020).

Methods: A descriptive study was employed with the aim of determining what are the sensory processing pattens of those with co-morbid chronic pain and in recovery for substance use. All participants completed the Adolescent and Adult Sensory Profile, the Brief Pain Inventory, and the Personal Recovery Outcome Measure (PROM).

Results: From the preliminary findings, individuals with co-morbid chronic pain and substance use may have atypical sensory processing …

Qualitative Exploration Of Mealtime Routines And Parental Stress Of Children With Pediatric Feeding Disorders: Analysis Of Occupational Performance, Andrea Patino

Student Capstone Papers

Pediatric feeding disorders (PFD) affect approximately 25-35% of children with typical development, 40-80% of children with developmental disabilities, and 90% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Feeding disorders affect families by disrupting mealtime routines, changing family dynamics, and increasing parental stress. Occupational therapy (OT) focuses on client-centered care that facilitates independence in meaningful occupations, including feeding and eating. OTs also play an essential role in assisting, training, and educating parents on effective mealtime strategies that can be implemented and carried over into the home environment. Few research studies show how parents manage behaviors and stress during mealtime routines, and …

Analysis Of Occupational Therapy’S Role To Promote Healthy Sleep Participation To Support Caregivers Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sophia N. Roman

Student Capstone Papers

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face sleep disturbances. Healthy sleep habits are essential for children with ASD and their caregivers to properly engage in their everyday lives. Occupational therapists are trained to evaluate clients in areas that contribute to sleep dysfunction and to focus on promoting optimal sleep performance. There is limited research on caregivers’ perceptions of their child’s sleep disturbances, these disturbances’ influence on occupational engagement, and whether occupational therapists have collaborated with caregivers of children with ASD to treat this area of occupation. Collecting data from caregivers by using a questionnaire can provide occupational therapy (OT) practitioners …

Examining Complementary Health Approaches And Integrative Health (Chaih) Practices Among Occupational Therapists In The United States: A Mixed Methods Approach, Sarah M. Renner

Dissertations

The use of complementary health approaches and integrative health (CHAIH) is increasing among adults and children in the United States and continues to grow within various health care settings. With Health and Wellness identified as a key practice area for occupational therapists and the American Occupational Therapy Association supporting the use of CHAIH in occupational therapy (OT) practice, practitioners must offer safe, research-driven treatments supporting this movement. Research around CHAIH continues to grow; yet the gaps in the literature make it difficult to determine how CHAIH is being used in OT practice as well as the practitioner’s perspectives on the …

Occupational Engagement Of Older Adults With Age-Related Vision Loss (Arvl): Understanding The Influences Of Social Networks, Ji Won Kang

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The present study sought to understand how older adults’ social networks facilitate and constrain their engagement in meaningful occupations after being diagnosed with age-related vision loss (ARVL). A constructivist paradigm and narrative inquiry methodology were used to elicit and make sense of the participants’ unique stories. The participants consisted of five older adults 60 years and older, living with ARVL, including one of the following conditions; macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Participants were recruited from the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) and Society for Learning and Retirement (SLR). Data was collected through three sessions of semi-structured, audio-recorded …

Exploring Occupational Therapy With Athletes Using Principles Of Lifestyle Redesign® To Support Academic Success And Life Balance., Michaela M. Dendinger

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Occupational therapists have a range of skills that can benefit a variety of populations. Despite these skills, occupational therapy has limited exploration within the field of athletics. The capstone project gave insight to the services occupational therapy can provide to the student-athlete population. Through the lens of Lifestyle Redesign®, the Student-Athlete Wellness Program was created to support student-athlete academic success and life balance. Following a needs assessment an online program was developed. The program was provided to students and athletes a University in the Midwest U.S. The program attracted 21 student-athletes and five students. Limited participation in surveys provided difficulties …