Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Health And Wellness Using Occupations To Explore Internal Motivators For Change, Shayal Ram, Susan Macdermott, Becki Cohill, Karen Park

Fall 2020 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this capstone project was to create an occupation-based program that could be integrated into the lifestyle patterns of adults to potentially assist reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The number of Americans living with AD is expected to grow up to 16 million by 2050 (Smallfield & Heckenlaible, 2017). The risk for developing the disease could be reduced through lifestyle modifications (Hussenoeder & Riedel-Heller, 2018). Using occupation as a means for health promotion and disease prevention is an emerging area for occupational therapy practice (AOTA, 2014). This capstone sought to increase awareness of internal motivators that …

The Sydney Playground Project: Popping The Bubblewrap - Unleashing The Power Of Play: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Of A Primary School Playground-Based Intervention Aiming To Increase Children's Physical Activity And Social Skills, Anita C. Bundy, Geraldine Naughton, Paul Tranter, Shirley Wyver, Louise Baur, Wendy Schiller, Adrian Bauman, Lina Engelen, Jo Ragen, Tim Luckett, Anita Niehues, Gabrielle Stewart, Glenda Jessup, Jennie Brentnall

Anita Nelson Niehues

Rasch Analysis Of Repeated Measures, Trudy Mallinson

Health, Human Function, and Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Repeated measures are common in rehabilitation studies where patients are scored on assessments at both admission and discharge. Yet repeated measures produce dependencies among responses. This paper presents an alternative approach that avoid dependencies in the data.

A Controlled Trial Of An Educational Program To Prevent Low Back Injuries, Lawren H. Daltroy, Maura D. Iversen, Martin G. Larson, Robert Lew, Elizabeth Wright, James Ryan, Craig Zwerling, Anne H. Fossel, Matthew H. Liang

Maura Daly Iversen

Background: Low back injuries are common and costly, accounting for 15 to 25 percent of injuries covered by workers’ compensation and 30 to 40 percent of the payments made under that program. The high costs of injury, the lack of effective treatment, and the evidence that there are behavioral risk factors have led to widespread use of employee education programs that teach safe lifting and handling. The effectiveness of those programs, however, has received little rigorous evaluation. Methods: We evaluated an educational program designed to prevent low back injury in a randomized, controlled trial involving about 4000 postal workers. The …

Resources For Assisting Elderly Individuals With Insomnia: An Occupational Therapy Perspective, Michelle Linn Anderson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project is to provide a resource manual for elderly individuals, and those providing care to elderly people, to assist the individual in relieving symptoms of insomnia. Insomnia affects elderly individuals worldwide. Studies document that approximately 50% of individuals in the United States over the age of 65 are noted to have either clinically diagnosed or self-diagnosed insomnia (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2007). As the population worldwide continues to age, it is important that occupational therapists, elderly individuals, family members and care providers be aware of the impact that symptoms of insomnia may …

Development And Testing Of A Low Vision Product Selection Instrument (Lv-Psi): A Mixed-Methods Approach, Daniel Fok

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

In Canada, it is conservatively estimated that $46 million is lost per annum from low vision (LV) assistive technology device (ATD) abandonment alone. The proper matching of the person and the technology during the selection process has been theorized as necessary to mitigate inappropriate abandonment. In the current dissertation, a mixed-methods approach with qualitative and quantitative study components was used to develop and test a LV product selection instrument (LV-PSI) that may help with the matching process.

The key qualitative aspect of the study included two qualitative research sessions with LV participants (N=10). Each session was made up of two …

Lifestyle Redesign®: Current Applications In An Outpatient Clinic, Camille Dieterle, Karen Mccarthy, Susan Mcnulty, Chantelle Rice

Collected Faculty and Staff Scholarship

The purpose of this presentation is to provide examples of OT practice in order to broaden the scope of practice to include prevention and wellness treatment and to empower OT’s to incorporate these types of services into their practice settings.

Promoting Occupational Therapy In Virtual Environments: Project-Based Learning In Second Life®, Susan Toth-Cohen, Phd, Otr/L, Veronica Souter, Ots, Elizabeth Vanderlaan, Ots, Kaitlin Rodriguez, Ots

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Description of project

Occupational therapy students from Jefferson School of Health Professions in Philadelphia planned and implemented interactive exhibits within the virtual world of Second Life®. The educational exhibits were provided through an ongoing project designed to promote occupational therapy, provide immersive experiences on health and wellness for persons in Second Life® and promote collaboration between project personnel and others with an interest in health and wellness. Exhibits focused on home and playground adaptations, mental health and productive aging and were based on current research evidence and best practices. Students also participated in events in which they promoted occupational therapy …

Effect Of Music Intervention On Independence In Activities Of Daily Living For Children With An Autism Spectrum Disorder, Alison Fillmore

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

This study examined the effects of music intervention on performance of three activities of daily living (ADL) tasks by a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the child’s preschool classroom at school. Researchers explored the impact of this intervention on the child’s ability to complete three self-care activities of daily living: putting on a jacket, handwashing, and eating with a spork.

Occupational Therapists Use Of The School Playground To Address The Social Participation Of Preschool And Elementary School Children With Disabilities, Ashley E. Fletcher

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

The purposes of this study were to: (a) learn if and how school based occupational therapists address the social participation needs of children with disabilities, (b) to learn if school based occupational therapists utilize the school playground to address the social participation of children with disabilities, (c) if so, to understand how occupational therapists utilize the school playground to address the social participation of children with disabilities; and (d) to learn what influences occupational therapists’ use of the school playground to address social participation of children with disabilities.

Exploring Occupational Therapists‟ Use Of The Internet As An Intervention Activity, Ann Guthrie

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

The internet has emerged as a valuable tool for communication and completion of everyday tasks, such as banking and shopping, for many people, including people with disabilities (Dorey, Reid, & Chiu, 2007; Goodman, et al., 2008; Malcolm, et al., 2001; Valentine & Skelton, 2009). The purpose of this study was to survey U.S. occupational therapists to explore their use of the internet as an intervention activity to address areas of occupation as defined by the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, 2nd edition (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2008). Eighty-eight U.S. occupational therapists were included in the study for a response rate …

Development Of A Fidelity Measure For Research On The Effectiveness Of The Ayres Sensory Integration Intervention., L Diane Parham, Susanne Smith Roley, Teresa A. May-Benson, Jane Koomar, Barbara Brett-Green, Janice P Burke, Ellen S. Cohn, Zoe Mailloux, Lucy J. Miller, Roseann C. Schaaf

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: We developed a reliable and valid fidelity measure for use in research on Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI) intervention.

METHOD: We designed a fidelity instrument to measure structural and process aspects of ASI intervention. Because scoring of process involves subjectivity, we conducted a series of reliability and validity studies on the process section. Raters were trained to score therapist strategies observed in video recordings of adult-child dyads. We examined content validity through expert ratings.

RESULTS: Reliability of the process section was strong for total fidelity score (ICC = .99, Cronbach's alpha = .99) and acceptable for most items. Total score …

Applying The Icf Framework To Study Changes In Quality-Of-Life For Youth With Chronic Conditions, Janette Mcdougall, Virginia Wright, Jonathan Schmidt, Linda Miller, Karen Lowry

Occupational Therapy Publications

Objective: The objective of this paper is to describe how the ICF framework was applied as the foundation for a longitudinal study of changes in quality-of-life (QoL) for youth with chronic conditions.

Method: This article will describe the study’s aims, methods, measures and data analysis techniques. It will point out how the ICF framework was used—and expanded upon—to provide a model for studying the impact of factors on changes in QoL for youth with chronic conditions. Further, it will describe the instruments that were chosen to measure the components of the ICF framework and the data analysis techniques that will …

The Effects Of Body Mechanics Training On Fear Of Falling In Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Justin Hee

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

The purpose of this study was to determine whether participation in body mechanics training (BMT) as part of an Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) re-training program reduced fear of falling in community-dwelling older adults (65 years and older). This study examined the effect of BMT on fear of falling in 10 independent community-dwelling older adults. Fear of falling was measured at the start and conclusion of BMT using the Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly (SAFFE). A brief questionnaire on BMT effectiveness was also administered. Participants were placed into one group and were instructed on …

Primary Lymphedema With Intestinal Lymphangectasia: An Occupational Therapy Case Study, Jamie L. Palmer

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

Primary lymphedema and intestinal lymphangiectasia are both rare conditions that result from abnormalities in the lymphatic system. The combination of these two conditions in a single individual is extremely unusual. This case study aimed to describe the course of occupational therapy treatment and outcomes for one individual with primary lymphedema with intestinal lymphangiectasia, including ongoing intervention with occupational therapy treatment using complete decongestive therapy and outcomes related to functional, meaningful quality of life. Information was collected through in-depth interviews with the individual, her mother, and her occupational therapist, occupational therapy records, Quality of Life Scale, and observations of the individual …

The Effects Of Gum Chewing On Classroom Performance In Children With Adhd: A Pilot Study, Tracy Pham

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

A four-week single subject (A-B) research design examined the effects of gum chewing on classroom performance in two 2nd grade boys with a diagnosis of ADHD. This study focused on three variables: on-task behaviors, task completion, and quality of work. Data, using visual analogue scales, on these three variables were collected during 12 writing periods. The researcher observed and documented the participants’ on-task behaviors, and the teacher scored the participants’ quality and amount of work completed on writing assignments. Visual analysis and 2-standard deviation band methods were used to compare the participants’ performance when gum was not chewed to the …

Pre-Surgery Education With Clients Undergoing Total Hip Replacements, Sarah Rae

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

The purpose of this study was to examine what occupational therapists currently include in pre-surgery education for patients undergoing total hip replacement and the educational methods used to teach the information. The study also examined what occupational therapists perceive as the ideal pre-surgery education program, including content, teaching methods, and the role of occupational therapy. A survey was completed by 57 occupational therapists who had treated clients following total hip replacement in the last year. Respondents indicated that a variety of teaching methods were used to teach the content areas in pre-surgery education. More teaching methods were identified when describing …

Current Trends In Occupational Therapy Treatment For People With Stroke, Kathy Welters

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Theses (2010-2015)

The purpose of this study was to describe typical practice in stroke rehabilitation based on self-reports of currently practicing occupational therapists and to determine if research evidence is a factor in treatment decisions. Two hundred and fifty surveys were sent to occupational therapists who were members of the Physical Disabilities Special Interest Section of the American Occupational Therapy Association and 76 completed surveys were returned. The findings indicated that most ADL were addressed commonly with clients post-stroke and that occupation-based methods were used more often than more traditional remediation approaches. Also, there were several treatment methods which therapists commonly used …

An Occupational Therapy Community-Based Self-Esteem Program For Adolescents Who Have Experienced Burn Injuries, Karla Beck, Kathryn Miller

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Self-esteem is a problem that adolescent burn survivors deal with on a daily basis. Yet, there is limited research regarding adolescent burns and the psychosocial aspect within their daily occupations. The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop and provide occupational therapists with interventions and outcome measures to utilize in a Self-Esteem Program for implementation in both inpatient and outpatient settings. This program focuses on helping adolescents to regain their self-esteem and confidence when returning back to their communities. Burns have an emotional and behavioral effect on children/adolescents, causing anxiety, pain, distorted self-image, and depression (Pardo, Garcia, Marrero, & …

A Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy Protocol For Children With Acquired Brain Injuries, Amber Bath, Kortni Heckart

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Acquired brain injury (ABI) includes any non-traumatic brain injuries such as stroke, cerebral palsy, and brain diseases such as cancer (Book, 2005). A child who sustains an acquired brain injury may experience profound impairments in motor performance, and significant deficits in sensory awareness and responsiveness, secondary to hemiplegia. (Taub et al., 2007, Taub, Ramey, DeLuca & Echols, 2004). Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is a intervention developed by Dr. Edward Taub for the secondary condition of hemiplegia affecting the adult stroke population. This intervention has also produced positive results in studies conducted with children (Taub et al., 2007). An extensive …

Antecedent Techniques Used To Regulate Aggressive Behavior In Patients With Brain Injuries: A Teaching Module, Elizabeth A. Freidel, Megan J. Larson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

An estimated 1.7 million individuals sustain a brain injury each year (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 2010). Some behaviors associated with brain injuries include: decreased academic performance, severe aggression, self-injurious behavior, and suicidal and homicidal ideation (Finfgeld-Connet, 2009; Pace, Dunn, Luiselli, Cochran, & Skowron, 2005). The aforementioned behaviors pose a risk to the well-being of patients, therapists, healthcare providers and caregivers. The purpose of this scholarly project was to explore current methods used to minimize dangerous behavioral clients and ultimately provide a teaching module of antecedent techniques - a form of intervention used in order to reduce a behavior …

Adolescents With Disabilities: The Development Of Life Skills Through Occupational Therapy, Diane Magnuson, Courtney Mohler

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to create a workshop for occupational therapists (OTs) who work with adolescents as they transition from high school to adulthood focusing on life skill development.

Methodology: An Internet search was completed to determine the current role of OT in the transition process and the needs of adolescents as they transition to adulthood. Information was obtained from the following databases: PubMed, PsychInfo, SCOPUS, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). Resources included professional journals, scholarly text books, and government websites. The literature review also included information on the Ecology of …

Improving Community Participation Of The Inactive Elderly: Preferred Learning Style-Based Interventions, Catherine Bailey

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Occupational therapists believe social engagement is vital to the health and well-being of the older adult. Social isolation has been linked to loss of physical, cognitive and emotional health. Elders at risk of social isolation are not specifically addressed by community health programs due to lack of knowledge and resources. Social isolation and loss of meaningful activity are significant precursors to rapid decline in the health and well-being of elderly people living in their communities.

Literature indicates that use of personal learning style preferences to problem solve improves success in occupation. Older adults often lack awareness of their personal learning …

The Upside To Down Syndrome: An Educational Manual For Parents, Brittany Larson, Seth Luoma

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Parents of children with Down syndrome want their child to be as successful as other children in areas of development, specifically play. Play is crucial to a child's development as it assists with the progression through childhood developmental stages. This can help lay a foundation for learning daily life skills such as dressing, feeding, and social interaction. For children with Down syndrome, performing daily living tasks may be more difficult as fine and gross motor skills are affected by low-tone, cognition level, and coordination. Providing children with a variety of play activities to build both fine and gross motor skills …

Communication Barriers: Are You One Of Them?, Tara Luedtke, Keleah Goldammer

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Problem: "Many hospital administrators and clinicians are not aware there are laws and regulations that support the provision of language access service, both for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and those with limited English proficiency" (Wilson-Stronks, 2010, p. 14). "It is estimated that about 20 million people (one in 15) in the United States speak and understand little or no English" (U.S. News & World Report, 2007, ~4).The language inconsistency within the healthcare system is hindering the care given to these clients. According to Jay Feldstein, corporate chief medical officer for the Ameri1Health Mercy Family of Companies, …

Enabling Personal Occupation Through Sensory Interventions, Caroline Mattson, Gretchen Prohofsky

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Individuals with developmental disabilities and/or mental illness are predisposed to having a co-occurring sensory processing disorder. Many adults and children with sensory processing disorder have never been assessed or treated. Consequences of untreated sensory processing disorder include decreased ability to engage in meaningful occupations or healthy relationships, leading to lowered self-esteem and perception regarding quality of life. A literature review defines sensory processing, sensory processing disorders, consequences of sensory processing disorder dysfunction, sensory processing disorder co-morbidity, sensory processing disorders in individuals with mental illness and/or developmental disabilities, interventions for sensory processing disorders, the role of occupational therapy, deficiencies in knowledge, …

Promoting Fine Motor And Visual-Motor Skill Development In Preschool Age Children, Patty Soldner

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Fine motor skills are important in childhood development (Beilei, Lui, Qu & vonHofsten, 2002; Rosenblum, Weiss & Parush, 2003 as cited in Jackman & Stagnitti, 2007). These skills become critical when a child reaches school age when the child is expected to perform fine motor tasks such as cutting, coloring, and writing as part of his or her daily routine. Research has shown that there is a high rate of fine motor difficulties in school-age children in the United States (Hammerschmidt & Sudsawad, 2004 as cited in Jackman & Stagnitti, 2007). Caregivers of preschool age children often seek the assistance …

Bariatric Surgery And The Impacts On Occupations: A Qualitative Study, Emily Schlosser, Annie Van Erem

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of individuals who had undergone bariatric surgery and the impact weight loss has on occupations.

Methodology: A comprehensive literature review was conducted on the affects of obesity, bariatric surgery and the impacts on occupational performance. Based on the findings of the literature review, a qualitative research study using a phenomenological approach was completed. The Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) served as a guide in developing the interview questions and data analysis process. Four female participants who have undergone bariatric surgery were recruited using a purposive sampling method. The …

Evaluating Driving As A Valued Instrumental Activity Of Daily Living, Anne E. Dickerson, Timothy Reistetter, Elin Schold Davis, Miriam Monahan

Collected Faculty and Staff Scholarship

The purpose of this translational research article is to illustrate how general practice occupational therapists have the skills and knowledge to address driving as a valued occupation using an algorithm based on the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process (2nd ed.; American Occupational Therapy Association, 2008b). Evidence to support the model is offered by a research study. Participants were compared on their performance of complex instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and a behind-thewheel driving assessment. A significant relationship was found between the process skills from the performance assessment and whether the driver passed, failed, or needed restrictions as …

Fact Sheet: Role Of Occupational Therapy, Shelia Longpre

Occupational Therapy Faculty Books and Book Chapters

No abstract provided.