Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Supporting Clients And Caregivers Of Full-Time Wheelchair Users At Risk For Pressure Injuries, Jessica Lynn Wetzel

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Supporting Clients and Caregivers of Full-Time Wheelchair Users at Risk for Pressure Injuries

Purpose: Wheelchair users are classified as a population at a great risk for developing pressure injuries due to their decreased sensation and extensive time seated on bony prominences (Mervis & Phillips, 2023). Affecting around three million adults each year in the United States alone, the number of pressure injuries is a cause for concern (Mervis & Phillips, 2023). More severe pressure injuries can cause sedentary lifestyles, further leading to occupational deprivation of the individual experiencing them. Although there are many strategies to prevent pressure injury formation, …

An Occupational Therapy Approach To Chronic Condition Self-Management, Makayla Marie Tucker

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background Chronic health conditions often lead to decreased engagement in valued occupations, habits, roles, and routines secondary to the effects of the diagnosis (Lorig et al., 2020). This community project aims to explore occupation-based intervention approaches to assist adults in self-managing their chronic conditions. Additionally, the project aims to fill the gap in healthcare to improve healthcare professionals’ collaboration to improve clients’ health outcomes. Occupational therapy’s role in health management may include developing habits and management strategies for nutrition, physical activity, medications, stress and coping, and improving social skills for problem solving and communication. A literature review and informal interviews …

Enhancing The Service Delivery For Adolescents Using The Mental Health Continuum Through Occupational Therapy, Jadalyn Lane Wagner

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to understand how occupational therapy services can enhance the quality of mental health services for adolescents and across the life span. The materials developed provide occupational therapy practitioners resources to demonstrate their unique value and role within the interdisciplinary teams and settings within the mental health continuum of care.

Methodology: The Model of Human Occupation was utilized to organize the literature review that led to the creation of the materials (O’Brien, 2017). Reviewing the literature with the model allowed for a thorough understanding of the needs of adolescents with mental illness, the …

An Occupation-Based Approach To Stroke Recovery In Rural America, Julia Warmack

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose In the United States, strokes are one of the leading causes of death as well as a leading cause of long-term disability (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022). Due to the disease's demanding and intense nature, occupational therapists must provide evidence-based care to help support those in need. Occupation-based treatment has been proven to provide better long-term results and improve the transferability of skills (Rostami et al., 2017). However, many practitioners still rely on rote exercise due to lacking resources, access, or training (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2017).

Methodology A model-guided literature review was …

Real Individuals Striving For Excellence (Rise): An Occupational Therapy Based Re-Entry Program For A Rural Jail Facility, Kennedy Tooke

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Real Individuals Striving for Excellence (RISE): An occupational therapy based re-entry program for a rural jail facility.

Introduction: The United States criminal justice system continues to be known for currently holding over 2 million people within state, federal, local, and juvenile correctional facilities (prisonpolicy.org, 2021). Jail incarceration rates have increased 15% from 2020 to 2021 following a 26% decline from midyear 2019 (Zeng, 2022). Many individuals involved in the criminal justice system will be arrested again within the same year due to unsuccessful transitions back into the community. The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a program …

Improving Occupational Performance For Survivors Of Sex Trafficking: An Executive Functioning Program, Riley P. Thomas

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: In 2021, the U.S. reported 10,360 human trafficking cases, of which 7,499 or 72% were explicitly identified as instances of sex trafficking (National Human Trafficking Hotline, 2021). Sex trafficking is “a form of modern-day slavery in which individuals perform commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion” (National Human Trafficking Hotline, n.d., para. 1). Due to survivors of sex trafficking being exposed to dehumanizing and traumatic events, this may impact the ability to participate and engage in daily activities related to an individual's executive functioning and life skills. The purpose of this scholarly project was to analyze …

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 …

The Object Play Of Young Children On The Autism Spectrum: A Narrative Review Of Strengths-Based Literature, Sharon Eva

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The play in young children with autism has been historically seen as deficits-based, with a focus on the limitations of autistic object play. More recently, there has been a shift towards a strengths-based view of autistic object play, where their play preferences and skills are viewed as vehicles for meaningful engagement and as having potential for learning. The aims of this narrative review are two-fold: to identify themes in the existing literature regarding the object play of young children with autism; and, to summarize the existing literature specifically examining object play in young autistic children from a strengths-based point …

How Traits Of Emotional Intelligence Affect Perceived Stress In Entry-Level Doctor Of Occupational Therapy Students, Heidi A. Carpenter, Chelsey Edwards, Scott Richardson

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Students in an entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) programs are subject to high levels of stress and emotional burnout. Effective management of stress impacts life satisfaction and academic performance. Emotional intelligence (EI) has been shown to relate to lower stress levels in allied health students. Despite this, little has been done to investigate the emotional demands of an occupational therapy education. Methods: Participants were a convenience sample of 51 entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Students recruited from the Southwest and Midwest cohorts of an OTD program. The participants were surveyed approximately 30 days after beginning their semester curriculum. …

A Mixed Methods Study Of Physical Activity In The Intensive Care Unit And Post-Intensive Care Unit Hospital Stay: Patient Characteristics, Symptom Burden, And Experiences Of Postoperative Adults, Christina Bach

Theses & Dissertations

Background: Physical activity (PA) beginning early in the intensive care unit (ICU) can reduce adverse outcomes commonly experienced by individuals after ICU discharge. Patient-centered approaches to PA in the ICU and reliable activity evaluations are essential for understanding PA's impact on patient outcomes.

Objective: This dissertation sought to evaluate patient-related factors associated with PA in the ICU and post-ICU hospital stay.

Methods: The purpose of the dissertation was to conduct: 1) a concept analysis to define ICU survivorship and identify critical care aspects important for patient recovery; 2) an integrative literature review to assess early mobility (EM) interventions with physical, …

Honoring Neurodiversity As An Occupational Therapist, Haley Munson

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to discover if and how current occupational therapists use neurodiversity affirming practices through their work with clients that identify as neurodivergent. Neurodiversity refers to variations in cognitive functioning that are considered normal since no two brains function the same. Occupational Therapists (OTs) frequently work with clients that identify as neurodiverse, including with individuals with diagnoses such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and sensory processing disorder. This study uses a qualitative approach with a semi-structured interviews to gain insight into OT’s integration of ND affirming principles into practice. Learning how OT’s implement ND affirming practices will …

Knowledge Of School-Based Occupational Therapists: Role In Concussion-Related Visual Impairments, Elise Cassidy, Kailyn Ebeling, Brenda O'Connell, Mackenzie Rutz, Alyson Snyder, Carla Floyd-Slabaugh

Masters Projects

Background: This study examined knowledge of school-based occupational therapists (SBOTs) regarding current concussion-related vision impairment practice patterns. There is a lack of literature on how SBOTs treat students who sustained a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), also known as a concussion.

Method: A mixed-methods survey was distributed online to SBOTs to understand what assessments and interventions are used for concussion-related visual impairments, the perceived role of SBOTs, and difficulties faced treating students with mTBIs.

Results: There were 124 potential participants that started the survey, and 35 (28.23%) completed the survey. Assessments and interventions used amongst therapists differed …

Accessing Outdoor Recreation For Persons With Physical Disabilities (Pwpd), Molly Lindquist, Mary Smith, Emily Brent

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

To contribute to a website that would be a one-stop location for PWPD who wish to engage in sports and outdoor recreational activities.

Applying Occupation-Centered Coaching For Caregivers Of Children With Disabilities, Ali S. Gregory, Mary A. Smith Phd, Otr/L, Mary E. Godman Otd, Ms

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Statement of the problem: Caregivers of children with disabilities (CWD) experience stress, mental health conditions, sleep disruption, and fatigue leading to decreased occupational engagement and family community participation.

Purpose Statement: This project applied Occupation-Centered Coaching with a family-centered approach to promote caregiver empowerment, advocacy for mental health services, and family community participation.

Health Club: The Pursuit For A Diverse Healthcare Team, Michelle Ariana Morales, Angela Labrie Blackwell, Erik Perez

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Currently, the ethnic and racial demographics of occupational therapy students do not reflect the US’ diverse populations due to a general lack of awareness about occupational therapy (OT) amongst diverse high school students (HSS). Many factors serve as common barriers amongst diverse, minority communities, limiting students’ exposure to and knowledge about health professions, such as OT. To address these barriers, Health Club is a six-week, high school afterschool program designed to raise awareness about healthcare professions where ethnically and racially diverse populations are commonly underrepresented. Health Club uses lessons consisting of fundamental healthcare knowledge to provide HSS with opportunities to …

Effects Of Interactive Video Games (Nintendo Wii™) On Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment, Krista Antonio, Sarah Kelly, Kayla Livingston, Bailey Stewart

Occupational Therapy Student Research

The population being served includes the clients at Triple R adult day program in Sacramento, CA. These clients are older adults and all present with a form of memory loss. Currently, health management, specifically physical activity, and social participation are affected in the program as there are limitations to exercise routines that are appropriate for the clients as well as lack of engagement from all clients. We believe that all of the residents are affected by this issue at the facility and would benefit from the use of technology to enhance these areas of needs in the specific occupations. Within …

Tactus Therapy: Mobile At For Aphasia, Francis Gonzales, Robert Swayze, David Vong

Occupational Therapy Student Research

Pacific Speech, Hearing and Language Center

• Adults with communicative impairments and disorders (language, hearing, speech).
• Aphasia apps focus on communication by improving vocabulary, memory, reasoning, attention, differentiation, and organization of concepts, presented as pictures, text, or audio (Galletta & Barrett, 2014).
• Aphasia can affect populations such as those who have autism, TMI, stroke, and encephalitis (Galletta & Barrett, 2014).

Closing Gap In Digital Divide Of The Vulnerable Women In The Community Via Assistive Technology: The Chromebook, Deanne Nguyen, Brian Rogers, Hazel Yang

Occupational Therapy Student Research

• Aims to address the gap in digital division by providing low-income individuals with essential computer skills.
• These individuals are currently facing health challenges due to economic constraints, limited access to healthcare services, and overall lack of familiarity in digital literacy.
• At Wellspring Women’s Center, nearly 200 individuals are affected by this issue.
• The Chromebook could be delivered in a flexible model such as in-person workshops, online tutorials, and 1:1 mentoring.
• This approach ensures accessibility and empowerment of the participants to develop essential digital literacy skills to promote independence in their own health management.
• The Chromebook can open gates to enhancing …

Meristem (Monday): Checklists, Maribel Gutierrez, Josephine Hernandez, Benjamin Magallon, Margerie Vinoya

Occupational Therapy Student Research

Occupational therapy (OT) students from the University of the Pacific assessed needs in various classrooms at Meristem, a college program for individuals in the neurodivergent population to expand life skills of independence. OT students identified the use of checklists, a low-cost assistive device in creating structure of expected tasks in the classroom. The goal of the checklist is to reduce dependency on instructors for reminders and prompts, and promote resilience, autonomy, and enhanced participation in the classroom. The checklist can be personalized for each instructor to fit the needs of their classroom expectations.

Supporting Mental Health Of Wellspring Women’S Center, Lio Inumerable, Sophia Kohgadai, Christie Ledezma, Taylor Sanders

Occupational Therapy Student Research

Wellspring Women’s Center located in Sacramento, CA

• Serves vulnerable women and their children.
• Safe space for community gathering and various basic needs including:
  • Nutritious meals
  • Safety net items
  • Children’s area for learning
  • Women’s Wellness Program
    • Counseling
    • Case management
    • Advocacy
    • Art therapy

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Assistive Technology: Video Modeling, Abigail Waisner, Molly Mcdavid, Haley Morris, Luis Perez

Occupational Therapy Student Research

Population and Site:

• Meristem is an educational program serving young adults who have autism or other neurodiversity (Who we are, 2023).The program promotes vocational and independent living skills through classes, community experiences, and dorm life that address physical, social, and cognitive skills. Students living in dorms are given additional opportunities to develop independent living skills such as cooking, cleaning, organization, community mobility, and social participation.

• Our goal as a group was toidentify ways to support students in the acquisition of independent living skills. The ideal assistive technology for this population would be a technology that is easily accessible,portable, …

Promoting Participation And Engagement In Meaningful Activities Amongst Residents At A Long-Term Care Facility, Tanner Steineke

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

The use of long-term care facilities continues to grow as the population ages. According to the Kaiser Foundation (2022), 1.1 million individuals were residing in a long-term care facility in the United States in 2022. Individuals reside in long-term care facilities for a variety of reasons including limitations in function and the need for supervision (Sengupta et al., 2022). Residing in long-term care facilities often nurtures a feeling of loneliness, social isolation, and lack of meaningful occupation (Choi, Ransom, & Wylie, 2008; Mitchell et al., 2022; Slettebø et al., 2017). Occupational therapy is a profession that is primed to address …

Delirium Education For Family Caregivers Of Patients In The Intensive Care Unit: A Pilot Study, Amanda Wheeler, Elise Bloch, Sarah Blaylock, James Root, Kateriza Ibanez, Newman Newman, Jose Diarte, Louis P. Voigt

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

Objectives

Delirium, an acute change in mental state, seen in hospitalized older adults is a growing public health concern with implications for both patients and caregivers; however, there is minimal research on educating caregivers about delirium. Utilizing family caregivers to assist with delirium management in acute care settings demonstrates improved health outcomes supporting the need for patient and family centered care. The primary aims of the study were to determine feasibility of implementing a delirium education video for caregivers of patients in an adult oncology intensive care unit and compare delirium knowledge to caregivers in a control group.

Methods

A …

Analysis Of Non-Kinship Foster Parent Training Needs And Their Support Of Foster Youth: An Occupational Therapy Perspective, Mackenzie King, Pam Kasyan-Howe, Kristin Domville, Amy Paul-Ward

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This poster discusses the training needs of non-kinship foster parents and how they support the youth in their care. A quantitative survey was used to find relationships between experience fostering and foster parent preparedness or desire for additional training. The survey also included a section for participants to write down their training needs; themes from this question are found on the poster. The poster further discusses future recommendations and implications for OT practice in working with this population.

Nursing Education On Pediatric Feeding Therapy, April Ng

Nursing | Student Research Posters

No abstract provided.

Interventions For Care Partners Of Adults With Dementia: A Systematic Review, Makenzie Kay Homan, Azia Marie Ourada, Reannon Taylor Rieber, Grace Delaney Tynan

Student Systematized Reviews: Occupational Therapy

Interventions for Care Partners of Adults with Dementia: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE: It is estimated that 8.5 million people are informal care partners for people with dementia (Friedman et al., 2015), which is a challenging role associated with emotional strain, anxiety and depression, increased care partner burden, poorer quality of life (QoL), financial strain, and lack of support (Hellis & Mukaetova-Ladinska, 2023). It is important for occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) to use the most effective interventions that can be implemented to preserve informal care partners’ health, wellbeing, and quality of life (QoL) (Hellis & Mukaetova-Ladinska, 2023). The purpose of this …

The Clinical Experience Of Occupational Therapy And A Young Adult With Cerebral Palsy: A Case Report, Paige Flickinger, Allyssa Grant, Renee Olsen, Madielyn Knaggs, Jonathan Newby

Masters Theses

The purpose of this case report is to explore the clinical experience of an occupational therapist working with a young adult with Cerebral Palsy with non-cognitive disabilities in order to determine appropriate interventions for improved occupational performance and participation. Goals for this study, and for future research, include establishing resources for occupational therapists and occupational therapy interventions that improve the occupational performance, social participation and the occupational experience of young adults with Cerebral Palsy, without intellectual disabilities.

The Effectiveness Of An Educational Video Intervention For People With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Prior To Power Wheelchair Evaluations, Mark Blanchard, Kelly Connelley, Emily Copeland, Quinn Malbrough, Sara Pendleton, Ingrid Franc

Journal of Interprofessional Practice and Collaboration

PURPOSE: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that ultimately requires a power wheelchair (PWC) as the main source of mobility. The purpose of this project was to determine the effectiveness of an educational video to prepare a client for a PWC assessment by addressing four themes: PWC features, home environment, transportation, and client self-efficacy.

METHODS: An educational video was created and used in an ALS Multidisciplinary Clinic to better prepare clients for the PWC evaluation process. The effectiveness of this video was measured using a seven-question Likert scale survey focusing on the themes of the video. Individuals living …