Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Certified Hand Therapists’ Perceptions Of The Impact And Implications Of Psychosocial Factors On Patients With Complex Traumatic Hand Injuries, Noha A. Elfar, Otr/L, Cht

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

Background: Hand therapists utilize special skills in assessing, planning, and treating patients to prevent dysfunction, restore function, and/or reverse the progress of pathology of the upper limb to enhance an individual’s ability to execute tasks and participate fully in life. However, little is known about how hand therapists address psychosocial factors in patients with complex traumatic hand injuries (CTHIs) and their perspectives on how physical and psychological adaptation is required following hand trauma to optimize care.¹

Purpose: To identify Certified Hand Therapists’ (CHTs) perceptions of the impact and implications of psychosocial factors in patients with CTHIs by analyzing qualitative …

Cultural Adaptation Of The Ayres Sensory Integration® (Asi) Caregiver Education Module 1: "The Importance Of Play In Asi" For Parents Of Children In Hong Kong With Sensory Integration Challenges, Stephen Chan

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

Introduction: Occupational therapy using Ayres Sensory Integration® is an evidence-based intervention that includes parent education and participation to support outcomes. However, culturally-adapted guidelines for this parent component in Hong Kong have not been published.

Objective: To culturally and linguistically adapt Module 1 of the Ayres Sensory Integration® Caregiver Education Guidebook: “The Importance of Play” for Hong Kong parents of children with sensory integration challenges and obtain user input to determine if it is useful, easy to understand, and culturally relevant.

Method: Survey methodology from a convenient sample of 10 occupational therapists using Ayres Sensory Integration for at least 5 years. …

Interprofessional Perspectives On School-Wide Mental Health Interventions For Enhancing Resilience In Adolescents, Danielle Costanzo, Ms, Otr/L

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

Introduction: There is a significant crisis in adolescent mental health (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2021; Radhakrishnan et al., 2022) that have been compounded by traumatic experiences experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2022) and widespread fear of violence in schools (Silver et al., 2021). The crisis and resulting vulnerability has led to a dire need to focus on overcoming mental health challenges and moving forward in the face of adversity, which calls for a focus on resilience to promote overall life outcomes (Fenwick-Smith et al., 2019; Ijadi-Maghsoodi et al., 2022; Steiner et al., 2019). …

New Jersey’S Web-Based Parent-Engaged Developmental Monitoring Information: Mapping And Critical Appraisal, Danielle Catalano, Ms, Otr/L

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

Caregivers use web-based information to make decisions about their children’s health and development. Due to the state’s high prevalence of developmental delays, New Jersey has developed numerous web-based early childhood initiatives to promote parent engagement. However, the quality of those resources is unknown. This critical appraisal evaluated the quality, readability, and accessibility of New Jersey’s commonly used web-based information on parent-engaged developmental monitoring in children aged 0-3. A systematic web search yielded 112 results. Thirty-six webpages were reviewed by three independent reviewers using four standardized assessment tools. Reviewers found that most information was written at a twelfth-grade reading level, two …

Evaluating Hope: A Trauma-Informed Sensory Training For Early Childhood Educators, Andrea Houtras, Otd, Otr/L

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

Introduction: Adverse childhood experiences create challenges in sensory integration (Perry, 2006) impacting preschoolers’ participation and occupational performance (May-Benson, 2016). Professional development in trauma-informed sensory training is essential to support early childhood educators working with this population (Loomis, 2018; Perry, 2006).

Objectives: To develop a trauma-informed sensory training and evaluate its validity and usefulness for early childhood educators.

Methods: We used a modified Delphi method to evaluate the training’s adherence to Ayres Sensory Integration® and trauma-informed care principles of practice and usefulness for early childhood educators. A convenience sample of three expert groups reviewed the training and completed surveys to …

Cracking The Code: The Systematic Development Of A Matrix To Increase Credible And Dependable Coding Of Qualitative Data, Greta Gray, Ms, Otr/L

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

A systematic, credible, and dependable coding matrix was developed to deductively code the qualitative data from the Clinician’s Perceptions of Infusing Coaching into their Occupational Therapy Practice study (CPIC). A coding matrix is used to organize qualitative data into meaningful units of text to be interpreted by the researchers. Codes for this project were deductively organized under categories from Roger’s Diffusion of Innovation Theory (RDIT), a framework that identifies how a new idea is adopted in practice. Five preliminary coders, with one leading the process, participated in the development of the coding matrix to reduce the risk of bias influencing …

Life Balance, Stress, And Occupational Burnout In Occupational Therapy Assistant Students: An Exploratory Study, Olivia W. Hammond, Mba, Otr/L, Cht

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

The United States healthcare worker burnout crisis demands immediate attention. College is critical for preparing occupational therapy assistant students (OTA) to address life balance, stress, and burnout as they transition into the workforce. However, little is known about these factors in this population. In this doctoral presentation, the primary author presents her doctoral project, which explored OTA students' life balance and its association with their perceived stress and occupational burnout across employment status, residential status, years of study, and age. A cross-sectional Qualtrics e-survey was distributed to OTA students ages 18 and older, including a demographic survey, Life Balance Inventory …

Exploration Of Ayres Sensory Integration® In School-Based Practice: A Clinician’S Perspective, Maria Cerase, Otd, Otr/L

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

Introduction: While Ayres Sensory Integration^® is an evidenced-based intervention for autism with potential application in school settings (Whiting et al., 2023; Steinbrenner et al., 2020; May-Benson et al., 2014), school-based occupational therapists perceive challenges in its implementation.

Objectives: To explore the current factors, including facilitators and barriers, identified by school-based occupational therapists impacting the use of ASI intervention in school-based practice.

Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study using survey methodology from a national sample of school-based occupational therapists.

Results: Descriptive statistics calculated for frequency and percentages of reported responses. Top perceived barriers to ASI implementation in the …

A Home Safety Program For Low-Income Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Using Meals On Wheels Volunteers, Erin Jeffords, Ms, Otr/L

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

Low-income older adults who reside in the community have fewer opportunities to access services and limited resources to obtain equipment that would enhance safety in their living environment. Through their “army” of volunteers, Meals on Wheels agencies have long been the eyes of the community to identify older adults who are socially isolated and disabled (Thomas et al., 2018). The purpose of this project was to evaluate the (1) delivery of the Midlands Modifiers Home Safety Program and (2) training program for the Meals on Wheels volunteers who will administer the home safety screen. The Midlands Modifiers Home Safety Program …

Examining Rehabilitation Referral Patterns For Breast Cancer Patients With Mastectomy: A Retrospective Descriptive Chart Review, Jessie Perchaluk, Ms, Otr/L, Cht

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

Introduction: Advances in health care for those with breast cancer (BC), have led to people living longer lives, however many continue to have difficulty completing daily activities (Hwang et al., 2015; Keesing et al., 2018; Lovelace et al., 2019; Stout et al., 2015; Stubblefield, ). Research explains that physical rehabilitation is beneficial for people with BC, however is not always being recommended (Cheville et al., 2008; Hwang et al., 2015; Pergoletti, 2014; Rafn et al., 2020; Stout et al., 2016; Stout et al., 2015).

Objectives: This study looked at rehabilitation referral patterns and trends for women diagnosed with BC who …

School Participation Of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder And Food Selectivity, Courtney Desol, Ms, Otr/L

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

Introduction: Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are five times more likely to have feeding challenges than neurotypical peers (Sharp et al., 2013). Of these feeding challenges, food selectivity is among the most prevalent (Leader et al., 2020) and is defined as food refusal or limited food repertoire (Bandini et al., 2017). Food selectivity has been correlated with nutrition inadequacies (Bandini et al., 2010; Sharp et al., 2013) and poor diet quality (Johnson et al., 2014) in children with ASD. Additionally, correlations exist with sensory processing difficulties (Leader et al., 2020; Suarez et al., 2014), internalizing and externalizing behaviors (Johnson …

Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain Prevention: A Collaborative Approach With Nursing And Occupational Therapy In Acute Care, Ebonee V. Cole, Ms, Otr/L, Cbis

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

Introduction: Hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) is one of the most common and disabling complications of arm hemiplegia after stroke (Anwer & Alghadir, 2020), with a prevalence as high as 75% of strokes (Xie et al., 2021). HSP can develop as early as the second week (Praveen Raj et al., 2021), may continue several months after stroke in 65% of patients (Kumar, 2019), and is associated with reduced functional arm use (Kumar, 2019). Prevention is the ideal management strategy of HSP (K. Walsh, 2001). Implementing hemiplegic arm management techniques, such as positioning and handling, is key to preventing HSP. In the …