Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Balance And Bloom: Encouraging Self-Regulation And Resilience Through Yoga And Mindfulness, Kayla Previti

OT Student Capstones

The experiences an individual has throughout their childhood sets the foundation for their overall life trajectory. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) leave a lifelong impact on a person's mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health. It is estimated that the impact of ACES on an individual leads to an economic burden of $830,928 in terms of such services as law enforcement, child welfare, medical treatment, hospitalization, and loss of productivity and wages (Fang, Brown, Florence, & Mercy, 2012; Peterson, Florence, & Klevens, 2018). Occupational therapists and other health professionals have the ability to develop programs that fill the gaps in preventing and …

Development Of Clinical Practice Guidelines For Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Rehabilitation, Rikki Silver

OT Student Capstones

In the past four decades, there have been significant improvements in early cancer detection and efficacy of cancer treatments, resulting in a growing number of cancer survivors. People diagnosed with cancer are now living longer than ever before; while lifespan after cancer is increasing, cancer survivors are experiencing health and functional challenges due to the persistent effects of curative therapy (Rowland et al., 2018). One of these effects includes chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Approximately 70% of patients receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy experience CIPN, an uncomfortable and sometimes painful sensation in the hands and feet (Seretny et al., 2014). The likelihood of …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In A Multidisciplinary Outpatient Concussion Setting: Persistent-Post Concussion Symptoms, Lina Rivera

OT Student Capstones

Background and Purpose: Nearly 15%-20% of individuals with a concussive or mTBI experience persistent residual cognitive, psychosocial or physical symptoms (Cogan et al., 2019). Majority of patients who sustain a concussion recover within 10 days, however, 15-20% of individuals experience prolonged recovery lasting longer than 10 days or suffer from post concussive symptoms affecting one’s participation in daily occupations (Patricios et al., 2015 & Harris et al., 2019.) With increased awareness of concussions, concussion management approaches have shifted from complete rest to a holistic, whole-body approach and graded return to activity to improve functional outcomes. The purpose of this study …

Applying An Ecological Perspective To Interprofessional Education: Attitude Changes In Students Of The Tri-Alliance, Angela M. Cecil

Health Sciences Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In spring 2020, three partnering academic programs of the "tri-alliance"—occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology—immediately transitioned from hybrid interprofessional education(IPE) to uniprofessional, online learning experiences due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This transition presented opportunity to compare attitude changes and understand student perceptions about interprofessionalcollaboration between two tri-alliance student groups: Case 2018, N = 119 and Case 2020, N = 95. By incorporating the Bioecological Theory of Human Development (BTHD) and the Ecology of Human Performance (EHP), a comparative mixed methods case study merged quantitative results from a natural experiment and qualitative findings from a case study to learn about …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy Within Primary Care: A Multidisciplinary Weight Management Program, Amanda Rivas

OT Student Capstones

Primary care is essential in the United States, especially as more Americans are diagnosed with a chronic condition and the aging population increases. For many Americans, primary care providers are their only access to the health care system due to financial burden, limited access, and several other barriers. For these reasons, primary care clinics need to develop multidisciplinary teams where patients can receive whole-person health care. Occupational therapists have the knowledge and skills to provide client-center care and work within primary care. However, multiple barriers prohibit occupational therapists from entering the primary care field. The most significant barrier is reimbursement. …

Distal Radius Fractures: Comparing Surgical Approaches To Identify Functional Outcomes, Sonia Morales

OT Student Capstones

Distal radius fractures (DRF) are the most commonly encountered fracture in clinical settings. Although the volar approach has gained recognition as the standard surgical treatment method to treat DRF there is still great debate as to what exactly the surgery should consist of. Individuals who suffer from a DRF have a high prevalence of developing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) (Cherubino, Bini, & Marcolli, 2010; Niver & Ilyas, 2012; Wang et al., 2018). Surgeons are unsure if individuals will benefit more from solely performing a volar open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery or to perform the volar ORIF along with …

Using Sensory-Based Approaches To Manage The Effects Of Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Children In An Acute Behavioral Health Center, Linda Materu

OT Student Capstones

The purpose of this capstone project was to develop a sensory-based program for occupational therapists to assist in mitigating the effects of ACEs in children. This sensory- based program was implemented at St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Center, an acute inpatient psychiatric facility. Interventions were provided and information collected over a period of 10 weeks on children ages 5–12 years (N=54), Additionally, feedback from four therapy and staff members was also collected over the same period. Several tools were used as outcome measures, including pre-and post-intervention questionnaires for participants, observation questionnaire and staff/nurses/therapist feedback questionnaire. The results demonstrated that there was …

An Exploratory Study Of Rehabilitation Services Available For Soft Tissue Sarcoma Patients In The Outpatient Setting, Amber Wojcik

OT Student Capstones

Little is known about the experiences of rehabilitation therapists treating soft tissue sarcoma (STS) patients in the outpatient setting. As the number of survivors of STS increases, so does the need for therapists who have the knowledge and skillsets vital for providing the highest quality of holistic care for this unique cancer population. Holistic cancer rehabilitation includes considerations for the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial needs of the soft tissue sarcoma patient. This paper explores the subspeciality of cancer rehabilitation and the experiences of physical therapists (PT) treating STS patients in the outpatient setting. A secondary aim of this study is …

Parent Education And Creative Art Interventions For Foster Families, Alyssa Haselsteiner

OT Student Capstones

The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to develop a program to provide parent education on topics that address trauma-informed care in order to facilitate healthy development in children and adolescents. This education was provided to foster parents and topics included attachment and healthy bonding, mental health in children and adolescents, management of challenging behaviors, and use of creative art and mindfulness interventions. Creative art interventions were practiced with parents so they could use the interventions with their kids at home. Each topic addressed provided education to guide foster parents through difficult situations with the goal of setting their …

Pediatric Feeding Interventions Across A Variety Of Diagnoses, Jenna Penning

OT Student Capstones

Pediatric feeding disorders can compromise a child’s health status leading to serious long-term consequences including failure to thrive due to inadequate nutrition (Carter et al., 2014). Therefore, specialized feeding intervention approaches are needed to address pediatric feeding difficulties (Carter et al., 2014). Although various treatment approaches are provided for addressing pediatric feeding difficulties, differences occur in the preferred delivery form for effectively implementing feeding interventions (Howe & Wang, 2013). Occupational therapists have the skill set to address pediatric feeding difficulties through implementing behavioral interventions, sensory and oral motor-based interventions, and family-based interventions (Henton, 2018; Nadler et al., 2019; Snider et …

Exploring Voice Hearers' Occupational Experience Of Romantic And Sexual Relationships, Karen Mccarthy, Kristen Gottheil, Emilio Villavicencio, Huilim Jeong

Occupational Therapy | Faculty Scholarship

Background: Limited research has been conducted that explores the occupational experience of hearing voices, including the impact it has on romantic and/or sexual relationships. This study aims to address this gap by capturing the experience of romantic and sexual relationships for those who hear voices.

Method: A phenomenological approach was used to gather data from a survey, electronic diaries, and interviews of three voice hearers who were interested or actively in a casual or serious relationship.

Results: All of the participants reported that the voices in some way impacted their past or current romantic and sexual relationships. …

The Impact Of Volunteer Transportation On Older Adult’S Engagement In Meaningful Activities, Belinda Alexander

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Without accessible transportation alternatives, many older adults experience declined activity levels, social isolation, and decreased occupational engagement resulting from their lack of community mobility and access. Volunteer transportation programs have been successfully used as an additional community mobility option for many older adults, especially those unable to access the traditional public transportation options, such as buses or taxis, found in many communities.

Purpose: While numerous transportation options, or alternatives, may exist in a community, no studies to date have examined or compared engagement levels related to a specific form of alternative transportation. Therefore, the purpose of this …

A Comparison Of The Effectiveness Of Two Handwriting Programs On Legibility In First Grade Students, Whitney Cook

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Handwriting is one of the most utilized forms of written communication and there is a lack of research comparing the effectiveness of two different handwriting programs in elementary aged students.

Purpose: The purpose of this Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Capstone project was to compare the efficacy of two handwriting programs implemented in first grade classes at one elementary school in Kentucky. The research question that guided this Capstone Project was: Which of the following handwriting programs were more effective in achieving handwriting legibility in first grade students: Handwriting Without Tears or Write Start?

Theoretical Framework: …

How Does Intraprofessional And Interprofessional Collaboration Impact The Use Of Occupation-Based Practice In Skilled Nursing Facilities, Stedmon D. Hopkins

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Research shows that there are many barriers to the implementation of occupation-based practice amongst occupational therapy practitioners. One barrier that requires a more in-depth review is the process of interprofessional and intraprofessional collaboration amongst staff in skilled nursing facilities.

Purpose: The purpose of this research project was to examine how interprofessional and intraprofessional collaboration influence occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistant’s ability to provide occupation-based practice in skilled nursing facilities.

Theoretical Framework: The frameworks utilized throughout this study included the National Interprofessional Competency Framework and the Occupational Therapy Intervention Process Model (OTIPM).

Methods: This study utilized a …

Assistive Technology In Transition Programming For Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities, Jennifer L. Veenendall

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Individuals with intellectual disabilities are employed at lower rates than those without disabilities and evidence supports the use of assistive technology (AT) to improve vocational outcomes for this population. This preliminary study investigated the impact of AT training among special educators in secondary transition programming. The results provide useful information that can be used to guide decisions regarding additional training and interventions to build capacity in quality AT service delivery for young adults transitioning into work roles within this program. Successful implementation of person-centered AT problem-solving and decision-making could positively impact the integrated employment options and opportunities for young adults …

Feeding Into Complicit Bias Or Promoting Agents For Change: A Reflection On Pedagogy-Where’S The Justice?, Michele Mills, May Tom

Publications and Research

In the authors' careers, as an invisible method for survival and climbing the ladder, they learned of the importance of adopting and understanding White American culture to work successfully in the United States healthcare system. In this reflection, they discuss the necessity of teaching cultural diversity and cultural competence in occupational therapy assistant and physical therapist assistant programs.

The L.E.G.A.C.Y.® Appreciative Life Review Model: A Framework And Process To Develop Psychosocial Resources In Emerging And Young Adulthood, Nicole Onori Hansen

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This project introduces the L.E.G.A.C.Y. appreciative life review model (L.E.G.A.C.Y.) and provides preliminary evidence for its feasibility with emerging adults in a higher education context. L.E.G.A.C.Y. is the first model to integrate appreciative inquiry as well as a retrospective-prospective framework and experiential elements into the life review process. Increased rates of mental health disorders, underdeveloped psychosocial resources, and limited independent living skills have resulted in significant role impairments and poor adjustment to college. Conceptual development of the L.E.G.A.C.Y. model and the results of a quasi-experimental pilot study that investigated its effectiveness with agroup of college students (N = 17) are …

Accessing The Potential Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Primary Care Setting, Trudy Bazzy

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background. This capstone method focuses on the limitations and barriers of type diabetic education provided in the primary care setting and calls to attention the potential role that occupational can play in the primary care setting. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes continues to rise in the United States which can be managed by providing diabetic education to patients. Primary care physicians are at the forefront to provide education or avenues to which patients obtain diabetic education to manage the disorder. Although, primary care physicians are providing diabetic education patients the current amount of education has not led to increased …

What Is The Lived Experience Of Mothers Of Premature Infants In A Level-Iv Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Jennifer Lorraine Nelson

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain knowledge of the lived experience of mothers of premature infants in a Level-IVneonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Additionally, the purpose of the dissertation study was to have a more in-depth understanding ofmothers’ experience of mothering in a Level-IV NICU. The eight participants were mothers of premature infants in a Level-IV NICU who had been admitted for a least one month. Data sources for the dissertation study were a demographic form, the primary investigator’s journal, two individual semi-structured interviews, and fieldnotes. The person-environment-occupation model and an occupational theory of human nature were …

Profile Of Pediatric Assessments Selected In Occupational Therapy Practice And The Influence Of Occupation-Based Assessments On Clinical Practice, Alysha Skuthan

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Occupational therapy practice is intended to reflect the core construct of occupation throughout all aspects of service delivery. In pediatricoccupational therapy, there is insufficient evidence examining regularly selected assessment tools and the occupational constructs ofselected assessment tools. A mixed methods research study was conducted to examine the most regularly selected assessment tools by pediatric occupational therapists and the resultant effects on service delivery specific to goal writing, intervention planning, length oftreatment, materials used in practice, and the context of service delivery among other practice outcomes generated by therapist participants. The primary assessment tools utilized by pediatric occupational therapists reflected a …

Outcomes Of International Service Learning (Isl): Alumni Perspectives, Karen Schnedl, Lauren E. Milton

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Service learning is an active method that combines academic knowledge and hands-on experience while serving a community. Service learning is well established within occupational therapy (OT) and allied health education, as many institutions have organized both domestic and international service learning experiences. Literature supports student benefits of participation in international service learning (ISL), but limited literature exists on the long-term impact of participation in ISL throughout allied health education. Many OT students participate in ISL during their education, but there is limited literature on the impact of an ISL experience on participants’ careers in OT. In this qualitative study, an …

Addressing Suicide In Entry-To-Practice Occupational Therapy Programs: A Canadian Picture, Nadine Larivière, Marc Rouleau, Kim Hewitt-Mcvicker, Lorie Shimmell, Catherine White

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Worldwide, over 800,000 people die each year by suicide, leaving many behind to grieve the loss. Preventing suicide involves reaching people before they are in crisis (prevention), helping them to navigate a crisis that could result in suicide (intervention), and addressing the aftermath of a suicide loss or attempt (postvention). Healthcare professionals, including occupational therapists, unitedly acknowledge the lack of skills, knowledge, and competence in all facets of suicide awareness and prevention in their professional training and in practice. To improve this situation, suicide prevention skills must be taught in entry to practice programs, so they will filter into the …

Designing An Educational Program To Promote Diversity And Student Engagement In Professional Advocacy (Sepa), Jessica Alden, Lynda Hill, Felecia Moore Banks, Ronan Connolly, Julius Ngwa

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Little is understood about best educational strategies to engage diverse occupational therapy students in professional advocacy. The purpose of this research was to use design-based research (DBR) methods to design a novel educational intervention to promote professional engagement of diverse students over three subsequent years. This study used a pre/post design to design, implement, evaluate, and revise an educational program entitled “Student Engagement in Professional Advocacy” (SEPA). This manuscript reports on the first year of that study. The participants (N=27) were entry-level Master of Science occupational therapy students. The outcome measure was a survey measuring student knowledge, attitude, and participation …

The Admissions Process In Occupational Therapy Education: Investigating Academic And Non-Academic Metrics In The Applicant Selection Process, Zana A. Mcneil, Mallory Babin, Erin Pyles, Breanna Trueblood, Bailee Cloutier, Sharon M. Cosper

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The overall goal for any admissions process is to analyze criteria and identify the prospective students that have the highest potential for success in the program’s curriculum and in the field as a practicing clinician. The purpose of this study was to examine common academic and non-academic criteria utilized in occupational therapy (OT) admission processes and determine what criteria are used by programs with 100% student pass ratings on their National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam following completion of an OT program. Admissions criteria components and NBCOT pass rates were collected from the top 107 OT programs, …

Telehealth And Occupational Therapy Education, Angela Patterson, Diana R. Feldhacker, Bobbi S. Greiner, Marion Russell, Victoria Bergen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Accredited occupational therapy education programs are required to include telehealth technology in their curricula as outlined by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. An innovative Doctor of Occupational Therapy program piloted a telehealth module with first- and second-year students. Both dynamic lecture content and active learning lab exercises were created to advance student knowledge in the use of telehealth technology and to inform occupational therapy telehealth education. The teaching approaches in lecture and lab were assessed using a mixed methods approach. A quantitative pre and posttest assessment of student self-efficacy and knowledge was collected at three time points. At …

Interweaving Teaching Strategies In Interprofessional Education: A Pilot Study With Graduate Occupational Therapy And Physician Assistant Students, Eric C. Nemec, Lola Halperin, Jaimee Betts Hegge

Physician Associate Studies Faculty Publications

The importance of interprofessional education (IPE) has been emphasized by the World Health Organization and is currently required by both the occupational therapy (OT) and physician assistant (PA) education accreditation agencies in the United States. Moreover, a growing body of evidence suggests that IPE fosters learners’ understanding of the roles different disciplines play in healthcare delivery and prepares future health professionals for patient-centered care. Authors designed and implemented an IPE event aimed to foster the following core Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) competencies among graduate OT and PA students: Values/Ethics for Interprofessional Practice, Roles and Responsibilities, Interprofessional Communication, and Teams and …

Expanding Rehabilitation Beyond The Clinic—Strategies To Increase Total Restorative Therapy Time For Adults With Hemiplegia, Niamh M. Tunney, Ellen R. Perlow

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Positive neuroplastic changes involving cortical reorganization after stroke are experience dependent and are facilitated more effectively when rehabilitation occurs with high volume. Structured experiences to promote adaptive changes can be implemented during scheduled therapies in any rehabilitation setting. However, time spent in supervised restorative therapy is limited regardless of setting. Time spent in therapeutic activity can be extended by a variety of options that patients can engage in independently, that are low-cost, and that have evidence to support their use as a supplement to physical and occupational therapy. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present four …

Perceptions Of Stress, Mindfulness, And Occupational Engagement Among Graduate-Level Occupational Therapy Students, Patricia Henton, Caroline Targonski, Acacia Gambrel, Catherine Rink, Sarah Wirtz

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Previous literature explored the concepts of stress, mindfulness, and occupational engagement, yet there is a substantial gap linking these terms within the field of occupational therapy (OT). The researchers identified a need to investigate the perceptions of these concepts among graduate-level OT students and its impact on their quality of life and occupational balance. Current research identified mindfulness and occupational engagement as healthy coping strategies for reducing stress and both concepts emphasized the action of being fully present and engaged. The exploratory mixed-methods study consisted of 490 students from graduate-level OT programs throughout the United States. Results revealed that the …

Interprofessional Education And Collaborative Competency Development: A Realist Evaluation, Rabina Raveendrakumar, Salihah Faroze, David Rojas, Sylvia Langlois

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Collaboration among healthcare professionals has been widely cited as critical in ensuring optimal and efficient client care. To foster the development of this interprofessional competency in healthcare graduates, the University of Toronto created an Interprofessional Education (IPE) curriculum. However, the means by which the IPE curriculum developed interprofessional collaborative competencies in occupational therapy (OT) graduates had not been explored. The study identified the mechanisms and outcomes of University of Toronto’s IPE curriculum that contributed to OT graduates’ collaborative competency development. This study also identified the contexts in which this development occurred, and why such patterns were observed. This study employed …

Sexuality Within Occupational Therapy Education: Assessing Faculty And Student Perceived Competence, Reba R. Duran, Kristin A. Valdes

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Sexuality is a valuable activity of daily living that contributes to an individual’s quality of life. Although sexuality can be addressed in occupational therapy practice, it is often overlooked due to a lack of time, comfort, and knowledge. For sexuality content to be fully incorporated into practice, it has been suggested that education will facilitate the inclusion of sexuality topics into occupational therapy practice. The purpose of this survey study was to assess occupational therapy faculty and students’ perceived competence with addressing sexuality, to determine the methods of sexuality education, and the time spent on the topic in occupational therapy …