Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Executive Functions And Student Success During Physical Therapist Education: An Exploratory Study, Jane Roitsch, Martha L. Walker, Anastasia M. Raymer

Communication Disorders & Special Education Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Clinical reasoning relies on executive functions (EFs) that manage attention, inhibition, organization, and decision-making. Assessment of EFs may help identify students who excel at clinical reasoning, yet data showing this relationship in physical therapy (PT) education programs are lacking. The primary purpose of this exploratory study was to examine EFs in relationship to success in PT educational programs. METHODS: Thirteen third-year PT graduate students completed two EF tests which were compared to culminating scores in the program and admissions scores. RESULTS: A relationship existed between National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and comprehensive exam results and one EF test score; …

Evaluating The Effects Of Physical Activity On The Cognitive Functions And Motor Skills Of The Special Needs Population And Testing A Different Teaching Style To Maximize The Efficiency Of Special Needs Programs, Oren Nedjar

BIO4960: Practicum in Biology I

This study aimed to analyze the effects of physical activities on the motor and cognitive functions of participants with special needs and compare these results with a similar program but organized online because of the health precautions that have been applied due to the COVID-19 pandemic. An intervention consisting of sending an educational brochure aiming to increase high school volunteers' health literacy was then tested and results showed that it improved participants' health outcomes and also could increase the program's effectiveness in the long term.

Long-Term Outcomes In Children With Acute Flaccid Myelitis, Megan D. Henley, Lindie Hill, Sydney Inman, Molly Grace King, Sam Lopez, Carley Mahaffey

Master of Occupational Therapy Student Critically Appraised Topics

The purpose of our critically appraised topic is to combine the best evidence regarding the long-term outcomes in children with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) regarding posture and movement, gross and fine motor control, and activities of daily living (ADL) performance. The final portfolio contains eight articles. The study designs of these articles include a retrospective cohort study, two retrospective non-randomized studies without a control group, a retrospective review, a nationwide follow-up questionnaire analysis study, a case report, a case series, and a multiple quantitative case study. All studies related directly to our evidence-based PICO question and were used to determine …

Exercise Interventions For Adults With Burn Injuries, Liz Burton, Carolyn Knight, Brittney Malone, Lexie Rivers, Rachel Walker, James Wright

Master of Occupational Therapy Student Critically Appraised Topics

The purpose of this critically appraised topic (CAT) is to provide the highest quality of evidence available on the implementation of exercise interventions in the early burn rehabilitation phase in adult burn victims. This portfolio contains four peer-reviewed research articles from national and international journals. The study designs include one systematic review and meta analyses, one retrospective cohort study and two randomized control trials. These articles covered three types of exercise interventions including resistance training, mobility training, and physiotherapy. Overall, the clinical bottom line of this CAT is that exercise interventions in early burn rehabilitation may be effective in improving …

Reducing Stress, Anxiety, And Depression For Nicu Parents, Amy Patton, Kylie Dunavan, Kyla Key, Steffani Takahashi, Kathryn Tenner, Megan Wilson

Master of Occupational Therapy Student Critically Appraised Topics

This project aims to appraise evidence of the effectiveness of various practices on reducing stress, anxiety, and depression among parents of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The project contains six research articles from both national and international journals. Study designs include one meta-analysis, one randomized controlled trial, one small scale randomized controlled trial, one prospective phase lag cohort study, on pretest-posttest study, and one mixed-methods pretest-posttest study. Recommendations for effective interventions were based on best evidence discovered through quality appraisal and study outcomes. All interventions, except for educational programs and Kangaroo Care, resulted in a statistically significant …

Reducing Delirium In Patients With Covid-19, Allison E. Brewer Mot/S, Amy Carver Mot/S, Allison Nance Mph, Mot/S, Mallori Rodrigue Mot/S, Olivia Smith Mot/S

Master of Occupational Therapy Student Critically Appraised Topics

The purpose of our critically appraised topic is to synthesize the best current evidence regarding interventions that would be effective in reducing delirium in patients with COVID-19 in the acute care setting. The final portfolio contains a total of five research articles. Study designs include three randomized controlled trials, one non randomized controlled trial, and one quasi-experimental quantitative design. All studies relate directly to interventions within the OT scope of practice and were implemented in the acute care setting. Due to limited research on the novel coronavirus, these findings apply to critically ill patients but are not specific to patients …

Preventing Pneumonia Through Early Mobilization Of Critically Ill Adults, Elizabeth G. Barton, Tedrin N. Elion, Caleb J. Harbor, Alexandria M. Keathley, Madison R. Payne, Hailey N. Warrington

Master of Occupational Therapy Student Critically Appraised Topics

The purpose of this critically appraised topic (CAT) is to investigate early mobilization and its effect on preventing pneumonia in adults in the intensive care unit (ICU). The final portfolio contains four research articles from both national and international journals. Study designs included two meta-analyses, one case series, and one retrospective study. All four of the articles specifically described the effects of early mobilization on individuals in the hospital and ICU and showed positive results in reducing the likelihood of developing pneumonia. This CAT will be used to draft new practice guidelines for mentoring new managers in both occupational therapy …

Increasing Confidence And Mental Health In Caregivers, Lucy D. Diangelo, Libby Lowry, Kayla Mcdaniel, Clare Sauser, Shelby Terry, Erin Williams

Master of Occupational Therapy Student Critically Appraised Topics

The purpose of our critically appraised topic is to synthesize the highest-level evidence available regarding interventions for increasing confidence and mental health outcomes in caregivers taking loved ones home from inpatient rehabilitation. The final portfolio contains six research articles from peer-reviewed journals. Study designs include randomized control trials, a systematic review, and a pretest-posttest without a control group. All studies relate directly to the components of the PICO question. Four of the articles discussed both caregiver confidence and mental health while two articles discussed only mental health. There is strong evidence to support that in-person hands on training, in person …

Space Retrieval Training For Memory Enhancement In Adults With Dementia, Lauren Camenzind, Molly Kafader, Rachel Schwam, Mikayla Taylor, Zoie Wilkes, Madison Williams

Master of Occupational Therapy Student Critically Appraised Topics

The final portfolio contains 8 research articles from national and international journals. Study designs include one systematic review, one randomized control trial with pretest-posttest design, three small-scale randomized control trials, one quasi-experimental study with no control, one time-series study, and one case study. All studies relate directly to components of the evidence-based practice question and will be used to draft new recommendations for implementation regarding spaced retrieval training for memory enhancement in adults with dementia. Seven out of the eight articles looked at the effects of SR techniques on functional tasks. Articles looked at eating difficulty (1), independent use of …

Chiari Malformations, Rosanna Jaramillo

Graduate Research Showcase

A UNIQUE CASE OF CHIARI MALFORMATIONS IN A DIVISION II SOFTBALL PITCHER, ROSANNA JARAMILLO. MILLEDGEVILLE, GA

Background: This case presents a 20-year-old female who pitches collegiately for a Division II college. The patient suffered from headaches, more severe than migraines since she was 12 years old. The athlete was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation, Type 1, at the age of 12. During her high school 2016 softball season, things began to take a turn for the worse. Her memory of playing a softball game that day was gone. Once admitted into the hospital, doctors concluded she had fluid backing up in …

Which Motivational Behaviors Impact Success In A Clinical Anatomy Course For Entry Level Doctor Of Physical Therapy Students?, Philip Fabrizio, Anne M.R. Agur, Shannon L. Groff

PCOM Scholarly Papers

Objectives: The motivational behavior of self-efficacy for learning and performance was correlated with academic success in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students taking clinical anatomy, the first foundational course in the program. Students’ motivation strategies have been reported to be important factors in academic success, however, these strategies have not been investigated in DPT students. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if course grade in clinical anatomy was correlated with the motivation subscales of the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ).Materials and Methods: The MSLQ was administered to 33first-year DPT students who consented to participate in the …

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 Assistant 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 …

The Role Mentoring Plays In The Transition To Practice Of Newly Credentialed Athletic Trainers, Stacy E. Walker, Stephanie Mazerolle Singe, Julie M. Cavallario

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: Mentoring has been identified as an important method of supporting newly credentialed athletic trainers (ATs) during their transition to practice. Gaining a better understanding of this relationship could provide valuable insights that may assist employers and professional programs in developing a plan to better facilitate the transition.

Objective: To examine which aspects of the mentoring relationship provided the most benefit during the transition to practice of newly certified ATs.

Design: Qualitative study.

Setting: Individual phone interviews.

Patients or Other Participants: A total of 13 ATs who graduated from a professional master's program, were certified from February through July 2016, …