The Impact Of Sitting And Crawling On The Acquisition Of Object Permanence In Infants With Motor Delays And Infants With Typical Development, Karl Jancart

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Object permanence (OP) is the ability to understand that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be perceived. During play, infants with an understanding of OP will continue searching for toys when the toys have been obscured by other items. Searching requires movement. The theory of embodied cognition maintains that the form and function of an organism’s body influence how the organism learns; Therefore, if a child has difficulties with movement, as demonstrated by children with motor delays, they will likely have difficulty engaging in play, the modality by which children learn about their world. The current research is …

Sleep, Sleepiness, And Driving Performance In Healthcare Shiftworkers, Melissa Knott

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Almost half of Canadian healthcare workers are employed in rotating day/night shifts to provide essential 24-hour services. However, poor sleep quantity and quality are pervasive in shiftwork and may negatively impact cognitive functions required for driving. Furthermore, healthcare shiftworkers (HCSW) are under-represented in research examining shiftworkers’ sleep and driving performance. Thus, this dissertation examined sleep, sleepiness and driving performance in HCSW via three aims. First, chapter 2 aimed to quantify and describe HCSWs’ sleep-related driving experiences and advance the understanding of occupational adaptations used by HCSWs to meet driving demands. Second, chapter 3 aimed to quantify differences in sleep, sleepiness, …

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 …

Hippotherapy Within Physical Therapy Treatment: Helping Patients With Cerebral Palsy Achieve Functional Goals, Grace Kucienski

Honors Capstones

Hippotherapy is a treatment tool that can be utilized by trained occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and physical therapists. It involves the utilization of a horse’s movement to facilitate certain sensory, adaptive, neuromotor, cognitive, and physical responses from a patient. The purpose of this project is to examine how hippotherapy as a treatment tool in physical therapy benefits children with cerebral palsy. The examination of this subject matter was conducted in a case study format. For twelve weeks, one patient with cerebral palsy’s physical therapy sessions utilizing hippotherapy were observed. During these sessions, her progress towards reaching a specific functional …

Anatomy Of The Ankle And Ankle Injuries In Athletes, Isabelle G. West

Honors Capstones

The purpose of this project was to learn about the anatomy of the ankle joint, explore common ankle injuries in athletes, and research how they are treated overall and in a physical therapy setting. To do so, a dissection of the ankle joint was completed with Mrs. Kara Coffman-Rea in the cadaver lab as well as an exploration of plastinated models. Additionally, a literature review of current research on the ankle was completed. Though many structures of the ankle joint were identified through dissection, the focus of the literature review is on the structures of the lateral ankle and the …

Using Noninvasive Calibrated Cuff Plethysmography To Observe The Effects Of Cold-Water Immersion On Arterial Compliance, Rita M. Grigorian

Biomedical Engineering: Graduate Reports and Projects

As the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases continues to exponentially grow in populations across the globe, the necessity of determining underlying factors, effective methods of diagnoses, and universally available preventive measures also grows. Early detection of endothelial dysfunction, a proven precursor of cardiovascular diseases, can be extremely impactful in encouraging preventative measures and early intervention before medical conditions become chronic. In recent years, ice plunging, a form of cryotherapy involving full body immersion in cold water, has gained popularity within circles of fitness and health practitioners, gaining the interest of people of all backgrounds. Certain parallels observed between the human physiological …

Accessiblehomepro As An Educational Intervention: Preparing Occupational Therapy Students To Perform Home Safety Assessments, Laryn O'Donnell

Theses and Dissertations

The growing aging population of the United States urges occupational therapy practitioners to address the population's home safety needs. However, current occupational therapists need more resources and education to conduct comprehensive home safety evaluations. This study employed a pretest-posttest mixed methods design using occupational therapy students (n=17) to investigate the potential of AccessibleHomePRO as an educational intervention to enhance OT student knowledge of home safety assessments, perceived knowledge, which is known as the belief in your level of knowledge, and self-efficacy, which refers to the confidence in completing a task. AccessibleHomePRO (AHP) is a novel multifaceted assessment that leverages artificial …

Student Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of Collegiate Recovery Programs And Collegiate Recovery Communities, Michael Anthony Herold

Theses and Dissertations

Research on the objective effectiveness of Collegiate Recovery Programs and Collegiate Recovery Communities (CRPs / CRCs) has shown success in maintaining recovery and improving academic outcomes for college students in recovery, but research on the experiences of this population is starting to emerge. This study used a mixed-method design to investigate the perceptions of members of CRPs / CRCs regarding the impact of participation on their recovery from substance abuse and their overall quality of life. Thirty-one participants completed the Drug Avoidance Self-Efficacy Scale (DASES) and the Quality of Life Index – Generic Version iii (QLI). Paired samples t-tests were …

The Impacts Of Caregiving And Social Support On Stress For Multiple Sclerosis: A Study On Informal Caregivers, Jacqueline Mercado

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the present quantitative study was to gain an increased understanding of the impacts of caregiving and social support on stress for unpaid informal caregivers of persons with Multiple Sclerosis. Caregiving for MS can be rewarding yet stressful. Informal caregivers are the primary source of ongoing home care for family members or friends with MS. Due to the complexity of care, caregivers are especially vulnerable to higher strain as they often feel unprepared for this role. This study examined perceived social support and demographic variables on caregivers' stress to gain insight into mediating caregiver psychosocial challenges. …

The Effects Of Mindfulness And Exercise On Symptoms Of Parkinson’S Disease: A Systematic Review, Collin Tyler Garner

Dissertations

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease affecting which affects motor control, emotional regulation, cognition, and sleep through degradation of dopaminergic neurons. As of 2019, PD affects approximately 8.5 million individuals worldwide, with prevalence estimated to increase to between 8.7 and 9.3 million by 2030. The primary therapeutic approach to PD management is pharmaceutical, relying on dopamine replacement therapy. However, recent research has identified promising complementary therapies such as exercise and mindfulness training.

This review was conducted to compile and present evidence related to the efficacy of exercise, mindfulness, and combined exercise and mindfulness protocols as complementary …

Design Guidelines For Homeless Shelter And Resource Center Site Plans, Samuel Johnson

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Homelessness is one of the most pressing humanitarian issues facing the country today. Lack of affordable housing, among many other complicating factors, have led to many cities scrambling to find both short-, middle-, and long-term solutions to the issue. The Covid-19 pandemic added a disruption in services, critical record-keeping, and data-gathering, which has further confounded experts looking for an effective path forward. As it stands, there is a significant gap in academic research addressing best practices for shelter site design, particularly as it relates to landscape. The role of landscape and greenspace within and around a shelter is not well …

Art Of Aging – A Portraiture Study, Alaina Mann

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

The process of aging can be viewed through different lenses within our society. In the past, scientists and medical professionals performed various studies to better understand and analyze different facets of aging, medicine, and health in general. Historically the arts have reflected multiple aspects of medicine and treatments while more recently, the arts have been used in a research capacity to provide different ways to represent illness, suffering, and care. This study used art-based research methods and portraiture to gather qualitative observations on the older populations within our community. Data collected included drawings, a field journal, and interviews. This study …

Sex And Gender Differences In Arthritis Health Information, Tania Al-Jilawi

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Arthritis is a common disorder that may result in pain and inflammation, making it challenging to move or continue being active. Arthritis comes in a variety of forms. The two studies of this thesis aimed to identify the influence of intersectionality, especially sex and gender, in arthritis. The first study, a structured review, evaluated the inclusion of sex/gender and intersectional identities in patient resources of three arthritis societies: the Canadian Arthritis Society, the American Arthritis Foundation, and the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society. The appraisal tool, the Sex/Gender and Intersectional Considerations in Patient/Consumer Health Information Appraisal Tool was used to evaluate …

The Impact Of Boxing Exercise On The Quality Of Life In People Living With Parkinson's Disease, Jen Baker

Master of Science in Nursing Final Projects

This integrative review aimed to explore the effects of boxing exercises on the quality of life (QOL) of people with Parkinson’s Disease (PwP). Boxing exercise programs are popular in the Parkinson’s Disease (PD) community. Decreasing motor symptoms tends to be a primary focus in exercise and PwP. However, non-motor symptoms are a side effect of PD that varies amongst individuals and can impact QOL. Understanding the effects of boxing, especially on non-motor QOL, can support practitioners when prescribing specific exercise modalities for PwP. An integrative review with the search of PUBMED, CINAHL, and MEDLINE was performed, and the methodology of …

The Role Of Patient And Rehabilitation Factors In The Recovery Of Home And Family Work Roles Following Distal Radius Fracture, Sheena Saju Philip Ms.

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background: Distal radius fracture (DRF) is a common upper extremity fracture that causes significant impairment and leads to difficulties in fulfilling important life roles such as indoor and outdoor cleaning, meal preparation, grocery shopping, caring for others, and earning and managing family income. However, clinicians do not routinely address home and family life roles after a DRF. Patient and rehabilitation factors are crucial in addressing home and family work roles (HFWRs). The HFWR questionnaire consists of tasks that are typically performed at home.

Objective: The overarching objective of this thesis is to explore the role of patient and rehabilitation …

The Lived Experience Of Persons With Parkinson's Disease In Non-Contact Boxing Programs, Laura Mulder

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

We conducted a scoping review to identify articles examining non-contact boxing programs for persons with Parkinson’s disease (PwP). Results suggested that gait, mobility, balance, and quality-of-life were the most-studied outcomes. Many qualitative articles explored the experience within in-person boxing programs, but no articles explored experiences within virtual boxing programs. We followed this review with an interpretative phenomenological analysis aimed at addressing this research gap and interviewed six PwP who had engaged with both virtual and in-person Rock Steady Boxing programming. Results suggested that although the virtual setting improved elements of the individual experience, the physical and social aspects were better …

Predicting Physical Therapy Student Clinical Reasoning In Practice Using Aligned Assessments In A Curricular Domain, Joy L. Moulton

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Clinical reasoning (CR) is a difficult concept to assess and is a leading cause of failure for outpatient clinical experiences for physical therapy (PT) students (Silberman et al., 2018). The purpose of this study was to determine to what degree didactic assessments of CR could predict CR in clinical practice utilizing Miller’s (1990) pyramid as a conceptual framework. Using a retrospective quantitative exploratory observational design, archived data were collected for graduates in the classes of 2022 and 2023 (N = 84) from a hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Each assessment pertained to the musculoskeletal domain of PT practice and …

Occupational Therapy Students’ And Graduates’ Perspectives Of Traditional And Nontraditional Level I Fieldwork Experiences, Carrie Gorman, Mariah Cadzow, Paige Inch, Alyson Onder, Colin Reed

Occupational Therapy Student Scholarship

Among occupational therapy students and recently graduated practitioners, what are the perceptions of Level I fieldwork in understanding the role of an occupational therapist, application to didactic coursework, and impact on overall skills?

Quantitative findings suggest that students and graduates perceived traditional Level I FW settings to be the most effective for understanding the role of an OT, application to didactic coursework, and impact on overall skills in comparison to respondents who experienced non-traditional Level I fieldwork settings. Qualitative data supports this finding as the most common theme reported was participants' desire to work alongside an OT during fieldwork, as …

Occupational Therapist Perspectives On Oral Hygiene Interventions Among Children And Youth With Autism, Kimberly Duetsch, Megan Chamberlin, Jordyn Hamilton, Anna Mostoller, Giannalise Pepoli, Emma Sanchez

Occupational Therapy Student Scholarship

What are the perceptions and experiences of OT professionals regarding the implementation and efficacy of interventions addressing oral hygiene among children with ASD?

The current study suggests that a wide variety ofOH interventions are being implemented in practice and are perceived to be efficacious by OT/OTAs. Implementation of these interventions is not without barriers, the most reported being carryover in the home. Findings suggest the potential for positive outcomes of the collaboration between dental professionals and OTs/OTAs. Future research is needed to explore how to navigate this collaboration given the time and setting constraints within each discipline.

Provider And Caregiver Perspectives On The Family Guided Routines Based Approach To Interventions, Leanne Rutt, Hannah Brezinski, Jane Seitz, Arianna Ramsaran, Nathan Smith

Occupational Therapy Student Scholarship

1. What were the perceptions of EI providers that received their coaching endorsement, on the value of improving their competence and confidence in applying the FGRBI coaching model to improve client outcomes?

2. Among caregivers of children served in early intervention, what were their experiences with an FGRBI endorsed provider?

The inherent nature of early intervention (EI) service delivery involves developing a strong collaborative dynamic with caregivers in support of the child.Our study investigated how providers and caregivers felt about the new implementation of theFGRBI model within HMJ counties. Despite low response rates, overall both providers and caregivers reported they …

Compliance Is Not Inclusion: Exploring The Lived Experience Of Disabled Occupational Therapy Students And Practitioners, Joanna Behm, Grace Euler, Rachel Luscher, Hannah Mumau, Lauren Viscusi

Occupational Therapy Student Scholarship

What is the lived experience of disabled occupational therapists in terms of the supports and barriers encountered during their participation in OT school and OT practice?

This study explored the lived experiences of disabled OT students and practitioners. The findings demonstrate the ableism and barriers experienced by the participants in a field that is meant to fight ableism with disabled clients. Conversely, the success of the participants when barriers were removed demonstrated the key tenants of the social model of disability. As a profession, OT should continue to work towards inclusion of disabled students and colleagues.

The Impact Of Peer Support On Social Participation For Burn Survivors, Jim Foster, Hannah Davis, Eveny Miller, Arianna Moyer, Erin Terreson, Megan Miller

Occupational Therapy Student Scholarship

In our study, we looked at six main areas of life (LIBRE domains) to see how people who received support from peers after a burn injury, compared to those who did not get such support. The standard score was determined to be 50, with 40 being one standard deviation below the norm and 60 being one standard deviation above the norm. Those who did not receive peer support had higher social participation scores than those who received peer support across all six domains. Though, those who did receive peer support and those who did not receive peer support both had …

Sensory Rooms In Schools, Leanne Rutt, Makenna Bailey, Abigail Chez, Katelyn Correll, Emily Nunn, Ashley Schott

Occupational Therapy Student Scholarship

What are school staff's (teachers, related service providers, administrators, etc.) perceptions of the utilization and efficacy of sensory rooms to support student participation in education?

This study aimed to contribute to increasing the knowledge base of effective sensory room use in the school-based context. Majority of the respondents were special education teachers and school-based OTs, but according to literature, OTs should have the largest role. There was vast diversity with how the rooms were used and what equipment/supplies were within the room (most for unplanned purposes). Responses were largely positive for the impact on student behavior/emotional regulation. 15 out of …

Enhancing Workforce Diversity: Recruitment & Admissions Strategies Of Ot Programs, Joanna Behm, Abrielle Kautzmann, Holly Peterson, Kayla Shin, Tiffany Tseng

Occupational Therapy Student Scholarship

How do OT programs recruit and admit diverse students?

The findings of this study indicated that although universities valuethe recruitment and admissions of diverse students, work still needs to be done. Universities should consider recruitment strategies used by schools with more diversity like creating articulation agreements with universities with diverse student bodies, having diverse admissions staff, and ensuring marketing materials reflect diversity and inclusivity. They should also consider admissions strategies like inclusion of a diverse review committee and student group interviews. Future research should explore diverse students’ perspectives on their recruitment and admissions experiences.

Predictive Value Of Gg Score On Discharge Destination In Patient’S With Neurological Conditions, Krystal Robinson-Bert, Taylor Davis, Kayleigh Frisch, Mallory Maclellan, Travis Meckley

Occupational Therapy Student Scholarship

Research Questions

1. When using section GG of the Care Tool, what items successfully predict discharge destinations?

2. What are the cut off scores for each item that determine the location when using section GG?

3. Does an increase in GG scores between admission and discharge effect the appropriate discharge destination?

It would be beneficial for inpatient rehabilitation hospitals to identify patients at admission that may be at a higher risk to discharge to a location other than home. This high-risk group could include any patient that scores below the mean for GG total score (61.2) or below the mean …

A Reflection Of Experiences Of Adults With Type 1 Diabetes In Integrated Physical Education Classes, Kalleigh West

Human Movement Sciences & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the experiences of type 1 diabetics in integrated physical education classes. In this study, we interviewed young type 1 diabetic adults and asked them to reflect on their school-based physical education experiences. An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach was adopted to guide data collection, analysis, and interpretation for this retrospective study. Eight participants (ages 19 to 32) were enrolled in this study, and semi-structured interviews focused on their physical education experiences acted as the primary data. Transcribed interview data were analyzed using an IPA approach. Three interrelated themes emerged …

Association Of Fall-Related Injuries And Different Diagnoses In Older Adults Of Ontario: A Machine Learning Approach, Sorour Rostampour

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations among older adults in Canada. This study aimed to identify the most informative diagnostic categories associated with fall-related injuries (FRIs) using three machine learning algorithms: decision tree, random forest, and extreme gradient boosting tree (XGBoost). Secondary data from two Ontario health administrative databases (NACRS, DAD) covering the period 2006-2015 were analyzed. Older adults (aged ≥ 65 years) who sought treatment for FRIs in emergency departments (ED) or hospitals, as indicated by Canadian version of the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10-CA) codes for falls …

The Effect Of Long Covid Syndrome On Physical Activity, Patrisha Hanna Villarmea

Master of Science in Kinesiology

Long covid syndrome is a condition where individuals experience persistent symptoms and functional limitations that can last about three months to two years after the initial Covid-19 infection. While long-term health consequences of Covid-19 have garnered significant attention,the impact of long covid syndrome symptoms is poorly understood. The purpose of the study is to explore the effect of long covid syndrome symptoms to an individual’s physical activity. Furthermore, this research aims to provide an overview of the existing literature on the effect of long covid syndrome symptoms on physical activity. The research would invite participants to answer two surveys that …

Exploring The Experience Of Sexuality And Gender During The Healthcare Transition Of The Youth With Cerebral Palsy, Umma Salma

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background: Transition from the pediatric to adult health care system is an important phase of healthcare for youth with cerebral palsy (CP). Sexuality and gender are two very important components of health that are mostly ignored in the healthcare transition process. It is possible that health care providers only see a client’s disability, and therefore, key aspects of sexuality and gender diversity may be ignored, or deemed irrelevant as a result of their disability status. Therefore, the purpose of our study is to explore how gender and sexuality may influence the experience of health care transition for youth with cerebral …

Evaluation Of Conservative And Operative Treatments In Active Patients With Acromioclavicular (Ac) And Rotator Cuff (Rc) Injuries, Jesse Singh

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Abstract

Introduction: Shoulder pain and disability, particularly acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) and rotator cuff (RC) injuries, are common in a physically active population. Determining operative or rehabilitative treatment plans involve multiple treatment choices influenced by the injury grade and treatment goals, such as return to sport. This thesis investigates the management of treatment for AC and RC injuries

Method: The first study is a scoping review that uses the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) to synthesize 32 studies involving athletes who have undergone conservative or operative treatment for their Rockwood grade III …