Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Improving Hospital Discharge Readiness Among Caregivers Of Children With Complex Medical Needs, Megan M. Bruce

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Advancements in medicine and technologies have led to an increase in the population of children living with complex and chronic health conditions. Children with medical complexities (CMCs) and their caregivers frequently have challenges navigating home life after transitioning from hospital to home-based care. A 14-week doctoral capstone project was conducted at Dayton Children’s Hospital to improve caregiver readiness for hospital discharge. Project participants included caregivers of CMCs (n = 6) admitted to the hospital and pediatric acute care occupational therapists (n = 4). The Pediatric Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale – Long Form (Peds-RHDS) was used as a pre-and post-intervention …

The Influence Of Ultra-Widefield Fluorescein Angiography On The Diagnosis And Management Of Diabetic Retinopathy, Nicole K Scripsema, Tala Al-Khaled, Amy Song, Joelle A Hallak, Rawan Allozi, Aziz A Khanifar, Thanos D Papakostas, Christina Y Weng, Ronald C Gentile, J Peter Campbell, Jessica G Lee, Gennady Landa, Felix Y Chau, William F Mieler, Meenakashi Gupta, Amani A Fawzi, Judy E Kim, Jennifer I Lim, Robison Vernon Paul Chan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Purpose: To study the influence of ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (FA) on the diagnosis and management of diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods: Ten experts in DR completed an online survey in which they were asked to diagnose and manage DR cases using different imaging modalities. Experts independently reviewed 20 cases of DR and provided a diagnosis and management plan for each case, first based on ultra-widefield color-free and red-free images alone and again with the corresponding ultra-widefield FA images. Experts were polled on their diagnostic confidence, use of FA in clinical practice, and opinions on the value of ultra-widefield FA. Based on …

In Response To Comment On "Older And Better: A Narrative Review Of Successful Aging And Adaptation To Pain In Late Life", Emanuel Narcis Husu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Effectiveness Of Fu's Subcutaneous Needling In Pain Management And Rehabilitation: A Narrative Review, Po-En Chiu, Chun-Chang Wu, De-Jian Lu, Zhonghua Fu, Li-Wei Chou

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Fu’s Subcutaneous Needling (FSN) is a modern needling technique distinct from traditional acupuncture, primarily used for musculoskeletal pain, neuropathic conditions, and emerging applications in rehabilitation. FSN is also designated as a kind of dry needling focusing on deactivating myofascial trigger points. This review categorizes FSN-related studies into case reports, clinical trials, and animal studies, evaluating its therapeutic efficacy, safety, and mechanisms. Case reports suggest that FSN provides rapid pain relief and functional improvement, while clinical trials, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), support its role in reducing pain and enhancing neuromuscular function despite limitations in sample size and protocol consistency. Animal …

Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Needle Barbotage And Ultrasonic Tenotomy For Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendinopathy, Toru Omodani

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy (RCCT) is a common source of shoulder pain caused by calcium deposits within the rotator cuff tendons. Ultrasound-guided interventions have emerged as effective, minimally invasive alternatives to surgery for symptomatic cases unresponsive to conservative treatments. This review summarizes two primary techniques: percutaneous needle barbotage and percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy. In needle barbotage, one or two needles are inserted under ultrasound guidance to inject and aspirate saline, thereby fragmenting and removing the calcific deposit. This method yields rapid pain relief and improved shoulder function, with follow-up imaging often demonstrating near-complete deposit resolution. For particularly hard or recalcitrant deposits, …

Occupational Therapy Using Cbt To Improve Work Productivity In Schizophrenia: A Case Study, Artha Nisa Thohiroh Triyantari, Reza Nur Arsyi, Muhammad Luthfi, Ayleen Alicia K, Hermito Gideon, Zulfa Khoirunisah, Putri Dirgantara, Purnama Betty R. Sitorus

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that often impairs an individual's social and occupational functioning, including productivity-related activities. Patients with schizophrenia frequently face challenges in maintaining employment or running an independent business due to cognitive and emotional disturbances affecting their adaptive skills. This single-case study integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into occupational therapy to enhance productivity in a schizophrenia patient through an entrepreneurial activity—independently opening a coffee shop. The study subject is a 50-year-old male diagnosed with schizophrenia undergoing psychosocial rehabilitation at RSJ Dr. Soeharto Heerdjan. The CBT-based intervention was designed to develop adaptive thinking patterns and occupational skills through …

Enhancement Of Functional Ability In Supraspinatus Tendinitis Using Ultrasound And Isotonic Exercise: Case Study, Tu Lidya Ike Putri, Christabelle Aurelia

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Supraspinatus tendinitis is an inflammation of the supraspinatus tendon caused by the supraspinatus muscle tendon overlapping with the caput longus bicep tendon so that friction and repetitive pressure occur over a long period of time and result in damage to the supraspinatus muscle tendon and supraspinatus tendinitis occurs. Characterized by complaints of pain around the shoulder followed by limitation of motion in the shoulder joint. The clinical question arises "can the application of ultrasound and isotonic exercise reduce pain and functional ability improvement?". To be able to answer this question, an evidence search was conducted on 3 data bases, namely …

Perbandingan Konservatif Fisioterapi Dengan Core Stability Exercise Pada Kasus Nyeri Punggung Bawah, Angria Pradita, Nurul Halimah

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

ABSTRACT: Low back pain is a major complaint caused by multifactorial conditions. The most common factors of low back pain complaints are due to age, occupation and gender. This study aims to compare the differences in therapeutic effects of conservative physiotherapy with the provision of electrotherapy, namely; microwave diathermy combined with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), core stability exercise techniques and a combination of electrotherapy with core stability exercise (CSE). This type of research is quasi experimental with a pre-post test design in a population of 90 low back pain patients who seek treatment at the Physiotherapy clinic. By using …

Benefits Of Neurodevelopment Treatment And Trunk Mobilization In Spastic Diplegi Cerebral Palsy: Case Study, Enggal -. Andayani, Nitaya Putri Nur Hidayati, Sugiono -. -

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

ABSTRACT: Background: Spastic diplegia cerebral palsy is a movement disorder with the lower limbs being heavier than the upper limbs which occurs due to brain damage. This disorder makes it difficult for children to carry out functional activities. Neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) and trunk mobilization are approaches to treating cerebral palsy cases. Objective: To find out the management of neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) physiotherapy and trunk mobilization in cases of diplegic spastic cerebral palsy. Results: Shortly after the therapy, the results showed a decrease in spasticity, but during subsequent therapy the muscle spasticity returned to normal. For the results of therapy carried …

Effectiveness Of Using Soft Exosuit In Stroke Case To Improve Walking Speed And Endurance, Aditya Denny Pratama, Rakha Shidqi Widyadhana

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Stroke is a clinically defined syndrome of acute, focal nerve discharge caused by vascular injury (infarction, hemorrhage) of the central nervous system. Punches can cause damage to the brain and affect a person's ability to walk, balance and coordinate movements. Impaired gait is common in stroke cases, often resulting in poor recovery of mobility and inability to carry out daily activities without assistance. One of the interventions that can be used is a soft exosuit. This method can help overcome walking problems in stroke patients where soft exosuits are used to increase walking speed and walking endurance. The purpose of …

Comparing Functional Outcomes Between 3d Printed Acetabular Cups And Traditional Prosthetic Implants In Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review And Meta Analysis, Ryan St. John, Seth Spicer, Mo Hadaya, Hanna Brancaccio, Seungkyu Park, Sean Mcmillan

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

OBJECTIVE: The primary research aim was to determine if the use of traditional or 3D printed prosthesis resulted in better functional outcome scores in hip arthroplasty.

METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted utilizing the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Six databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, WebOfScience, and Cochrane Library, Google Scholar) were searched yielding 1117 article titles and abstracts. Rayyan.ai was used to detect duplicates (n = 246) and for manual screening for inclusion and exclusion criteria. Included were controlled studies of any publication time that assessed Harris Hip Score (HHS) at baseline and twelve months. Six papers were sought for …

Increasing Awareness Of The Effectiveness Of Occupational Therapy In Cancer Rehabilitation, Aaliyah Parson, Zeida Gutierrez

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Many cancer survivors are faced with functional limitations when engaging in meaningful occupations due to side effects such as anxiety, pain, fatigue, weakness, nausea, etc. from receiving cancer treatments which can impact their quality of life. Occupational therapy has a significant role in supportive care for cancer survivors by providing occupation-based interventions that focus on maximizing function and mitigating functional decline. However, occupational therapy is underutilized in cancer care due to patients' lack of awareness of the role of OT and how it can improve quality of life after receiving cancer treatment. Therefore, this capstone project took place in Tallahassee, …

Return To Driving For Clients With Tbi: A Guide For Caregivers To Navigate Emotional Barriers Experienced By Clients, Brianna Dorsey, Mary Greer

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

The project describes the building of an online resource for caregivers to have easily accessible resources regarding information about brain injuries, emotional barriers, and return to driving programs. Each section provides further resources for caregivers and is intended to help improve their care and medical literacy.

Educating Parents To Reduce Negative Screen Time To Promote Children’S Play, Anna Groden, Cassandra Nelson

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This program will consist of educating caregivers and educators on the ever growing topic of screen time and how to handle it in the current digital world. As screen time and device use continues to grow, parents need the help of an occupational therapist to help promote a healthy use of screen time and to incorporate it into play. Providing caregivers and educators with evidence-based information and interventions is imperative to helping parents navigate proper technology use. An occupational therapist will have the unique ability to help promote balanced screen time use and allowing for healthy play.

Breast Cancer Survivorship, Jayde Mosley, Rebecca King

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Activities of daily living become difficult for clients during breast cancer survivorship due to the physical and emotional alterations that take place in the body. A program will provide clients with a guide on what to expect during breast cancer survivorship. This guide will also be distributed to clients who undergo mastectomy procedures and other forms of treatment. It will provide them with information regarding dos and don’ts, symptoms, long-term effects, outreach and support groups, adaptive equipment, and more information on ways to improve their quality of life.

Exploring The Relationship Between Hand Grip Strength And Handwriting Proficiency, Chloe Fields, Rebecca King

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Handwriting remains essential for a child's academic performance despite the rise of technology in classrooms, but overuse of digital tools can hinder the development of essential hand muscles and fine motor skills. This capstone project explores the relationship between handwriting proficiency, hand grip strength, and the impact of excessive technology use on young students.

Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries In Justice-Involved Individuals And Executive Function Consequences On Transition And Reentry Into The Community ​, Alaina L. Randerson, Michael Sutcliffe, Cassandra Nelson, Ariana Gonzalez

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

The United States has the highest documented incarceration rate in the world (Carson, 2022), with an increasing number of justice-involved individuals (JII) potentially affected by mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Despite the high prevalence of mTBIs in the general population, limited research exists on the prevalence and impact of mTBIs in JII. Preliminary evidence suggests that the prevalence of mTBIs in incarcerated individuals is 50 times higher than in the general public (Siegler et al., 2017). This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of JII with mTBI, focusing on the origin of mTBIs, executive dysfunction, and the occupational barriers …

Navigating Life After The Nicu: A Developmental Guide For Preterm And High-Risk Infants And Toddlers, Reagan Lachaussee, Mary Jan Greer Phd, Otr, Theresa Mensi

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Premature and medically fragile infants are at high risk for developmental delays and benefit from ongoing support. Parents often feel overwhelmed and uncertain about how to support their child’s development at home. This project addressed gaps in caregiver education and support by developing the PEARLS Program (Promoting Early Achievements, Resilience, and Life Skills), a practical resource tailored to the needs of families and healthcare providers.

A needs assessment and provider feedback guided the program’s development, identifying challenges such as information overload, confusion around corrected age, and feeding difficulties. The PEARLS Program empowers families with digestible, actionable resources, including …

Making An Easy Return To School After An Extended Illness Diagnosis, Ashlyn Eads, Mary Jan Greer, Julie Boykin

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This poster provides information on the capstone program created at a pediatric site. This program addresses how play-based therapy can help children with an extended illness transition back into the school setting. Both the children and their caregivers need support before, during, and after the return to school. The goals of this program were to educate caregivers on how to advocate for their child for positive outcomes, provide caregivers with resources to promote successful transition to school, provide play-based strategies for children addressing handwriting, social Skills, upper body strength, education, fine Motor Skills, and provide the site and caregivers with …

Improving Adls, Iadls, And Qol In Breast Cancer Survivors, Tincy Samuel, Rebecca King

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Breast cancer and its treatment can significantly impact breast cancer survivor’s ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), and Quality of Life (QoL). Physical activity programs have been found to positively impact various aspects of quality of life in breast cancer patients, including physical condition, state of mind, and selfesteem. However, there is a gap in the OT practice and the literature regarding how to improve independence in ADLs, IADLs, and overall quality of life in breast cancer survivors. A program was created to improve Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Instrumental Activities of …

The Doing, Being, Becoming, And Belonging Of Intergenerational Collective Occupations, Gladys Garcia, Jazminne Orozco-Arteaga

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Older adults have been globally recognized as a vulnerable population. Literature has indicated that intergenerational engagement can decrease social isolation for older adults, but there is a gap in understanding intergenerational co-occupational engagement and how these engagements can improve quality of life and fulfillment of self-identity. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to generate knowledge of how relationships and occupations performed with individuals from a younger generation impacted sense of well-being. Through the lens of Doing, Being, Becoming and Belonging (Wilcock, 2006), the study sought to increase understanding of this lived experience to promote intergenerational practice within …

Enhancing Dignity Amongst Persons With Dementia Through Occupational Engagement, Habeeba Ahmed, Amy Lyons-Brown Ms, Otd, Otr/L

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Dementia is a cognitive impairment that impacts an individual's memory, judgement, safety awareness, and emotions which can interfere with their activities of daily living. As the condition progresses, the person living with dementia (PLWD) may require a care partner to help them complete their daily tasks. Having a care partner and being a care partner can be challenging for both, the PLWD and their care partner, as there begins to be a shift in their independence. The PLWD must rely on their care partner to help them throughout their day, leading to a decrease in independence and occupational engagement. When …

Utilizing Pupper, A Social Robot Dog, To Increase Happiness And Improve Mood In Pediatric Patients Of A Cardiac Step-Down Unit, Angela Feng Wu

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective The usage of social robots in pediatrics is an emerging field of study. Preliminary research shows that they are effective at improving the psychosocial well-being of pediatric patients. This quality improvement project focuses on Pupper, a newly developed quadruped social robot dog, and its ability in improving mood and happiness in pediatric patients of a cardiac step-down unit. Aim The aim of this project is to increase average mood scores of pediatric cardiac patients aged 3-25 years by 50% from their baseline of 3.75 to 5.63 on a six-point scale within a one-month time frame. Methods Before intervention and …

An Educational Video Guide To Aging In Place, Cecilia Ramos, Steven Gerardi Phd, Otd, Mss, Otr, Elizabeth Deluca-Berg Otd, Otr, Caps

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

The growing population of older adults in the U.S. faces numerous challenges in maintaining independence while aging in place. Key findings from the needs assessment and literature review underscore the importance of accessible resources, health promotion, and health literacy in fostering autonomy and well-being among older adults. Occupational therapy addresses individual needs, educates on resource availability, and promotes interventions to enhance older adults' independence and safety. The purpose of this project was to create an educational video guide aimed at empowering older adults and their families with the knowledge and tools to overcome barriers to aging in place. This project …

Wearable Surface Electromyography System To Predict Freeze Of Gait In Parkinson's Disease Patients., Anna Moore, Jinxing Li, Christopher H Contag, Luke J Currano, Connor O Pyles, David A Hinkle, Vivek Shinde Patil

Neuroscience Articles

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a disabling yet poorly understood paroxysmal gait disorder affecting the vast majority of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) as they reach advanced stages of the disorder. Falling is one of the most disabling consequences of a FOG episode; it often results in injury and a future fear of falling, leading to diminished social engagement, a reduction in general fitness, loss of independence, and degradation of overall quality of life. Currently, there is no robust or reliable treatment against FOG in PD. In the absence of reliable and effective treatment for Parkinson's disease, alleviating the consequences …

A Multifactorial Fall Prevention Program, Virale Patel, Zeida Gutierrez

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Falls among older adults are a pressing public health concern, leading to significant physical, psychological, and economic consequences. This capstone project aimed to design and implement a multifactorial fall prevention program to address unmet occupational needs and enhance safety and occupational participation among long-term care residents at a skilled nursing facility. The six-week program included targeted weekly sessions focusing on behavior modification, footwear safety, adaptive equipment training, strength and balance exercises, toileting strategies, and environmental modifications. Pre- and post-program assessments utilized the Fall Efficacy Scale International (FES-I) and participant surveys to evaluate changes in confidence, fear of falling, and satisfaction …

Training Staff Members And Caregivers On Utilizing Allen Cognitive Levels To Aid Individuals Living With Alzheimer's And Dementia To Maintain Activities Of Daily Living, Kristy Boyd, Cassandra Nelson, Jennifer Summers

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project is about training staff members and caregivers on utilizing the Allen's cognitive levels to aid individuals living with Alzheimer's and dementia to maintain their activities of daily living by creating a program that consists of modules, physical demonstration, and a deliverable for staff members and caregivers as well as therapeutic activities and sensory regulation activities for the participants.

Do New Mothers In Their First-Year Postpartum Feel Prepared To Return To Daily Occupations?, Kim Rose, Jane L. Donat, Cedrica Durham, Bianca Haddock, Danyl Litumbe, Julia Otoski, Katsia Renaud

Occupational Therapy Annual Research Colloquium

Purpose: Our research aimed to explore if new mothers felt prepared to return to their daily lives and the role occupational therapy could have in helping prepare women to transition into their new role as mothers. Previous literature has found that limits to occupational engagement and occupational balance have adversely affected the well-being of new mothers.

Methods: This sequential, exploratory mixed methods study employed the RedCap survey platform to collect demographic information, information regarding women’s birth experience and to obtain consent. Twenty-two women who filled out the survey met the inclusion criteria, and ten were selected to proceed with the …

Benefits Of Multisensory Rooms In Schools To Control Behaviors In Children With Disabilities, Kye Smith, Cassandra Nelson

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project explores the benefits of implementing multisensory rooms in schools to manage challenging behaviors in children with disabilities. Conducted at the Barack and Michelle Obama Ninth Grade Center in Lancaster, TX, the program involved participants aged 13-15 diagnosed with disabilities. A comprehensive needs assessment identified gaps in behavior management and overstimulation challenges. The program was designed using evidence-based strategies, including the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model, and incorporated techniques such as the Take Five Breathing Strategy, deep pressure input, chair yoga, and meditation.

Through pre- and post-surveys with students, parents, and teachers, the study evaluated the program's impact on functional independence …

Pre-Sleep Routines Affecting Sleep In Adults, Diana Navarro, Rebecca King, Cassandra Nelson

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project examines the impact of pre-sleep routines on adult sleep quality, emphasizing the role of consistent habits, reduced technology use, and stress management. A six-week intervention incorporating evidence-based strategies such as sleep hygiene education, environmental adjustments, and relaxation techniques was conducted. Results revealed significant improvements in sleep quality, as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and enhanced physical and emotional well-being among participants. These findings highlight the importance of tailored pre-sleep routines in addressing sleep disorders and provide a foundation for broader implementation and future research.