Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Beyond Rehabilitation: Exploring The Field Of Occupational Therapy And The Transformative Impact Of Care, Sierra C. Fox

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

As a profession that implements unique approaches to empower people of all ages and abilities to actively participate in activities that are meaningful to them, occupational therapy is an essential service for providing holistic healthcare (Darawsheh, 2018). As an undergraduate approaching graduation, the process for applying to graduate school programs has finally begun, and it has become obvious the lack of public knowledge there is regarding the profession. Even among other healthcare professionals, there is often an inadequate understanding of the field, which can be problematic and result in patients not being referred to receive the services that may benefit …

”To Be Or Not To Be – It’S Good”: Actor And Student Experiences In A Drama Club For People With Aphasia, Jade K. Hannan

Senior Theses

Individuals with aphasia, a disorder caused by damage to the brain’s language network, confront a variety of social and emotional struggles. While leaving their cognition largely intact, aphasia tremendously impacts a person’s ability to communicate confidently, fracturing their social network and contributing to feelings of loneliness and frustration. To address this persistent need in the chronic aphasia population, the Play on Words drama club at the University of South Carolina provides a forum for people with aphasia (PWA) to engage in dramatic exercises focused on non-verbal communication of emotions, ideas, and stories, culminating the production of an original devised play. …

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 …

Interventions That Address Quality Of Life For Those Transitioning To Long Term Care, Sharan Bhander, Michaela Mikulis, Kiana Serrao, Laice Valera

Occupational Therapy Evidence Projects

This research was proposed by community collaborator Lauren Gilliland, OTR/L, the director of occupational therapy at the Villages, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, in central Florida. Gilliland was interested in adding new interventions to her current practice, especially with older adults affected by transitioning to a long term care facility, who experience a shift of daily roles, routines, and identity that may impact their quality of life. The focus of this evidence-based project was to explore current literature of occupational therapy interventions aiming to improve quality of life for older adults, specifically transitioning into long term care facilities. The …

Quality Of Life Among Caregivers Of Individuals With 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome And Intellectual Disability, Sandra Garza Ochoa

Theses and Dissertations

Caregiving for a person with 22q11.2 chromosome deletion syndrome (22q) often entails dealing with medically life-threatening complications and is significantly compounded when the care recipient has comorbid 22q and intellectual disability (ID). The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of support, spirituality, and resiliency on the quality of life (QOL) of caregivers of individuals with comorbid 22q/ID to ascertain if these protective factors would reduce their caregiving burden. Study participants consisted of 469 caregivers of persons with 22q/ID who were recruited through 22q social advocacy groups. Correlational analyses, analyses of variance, and multiple regression analysis were used …

Occupational Therapy In End-Of-Life Care, Shannon Sudrla

Student Capstone Papers

Patients at the end-of-life (EoL) experience functional decline in response to terminal illness and the active dying process, inhibiting participation and engagement in meaningful daily activities. Occupational therapy practitioners (OTP) are equipped to address patients’ occupational needs and desires despite their declining capacities; however, the absence of occupational therapy (OT) services in EoL care leaves patients’ occupational needs unmet, directly affecting their quality of life. The literature demonstrates the need for enhanced education and training among occupational therapy students (OTS) and practitioners to better prepare them to work with terminally ill patients who face progressive functional decline and imminent death. …

The Perception Of Stroke On Iadl, Paula O. Buari

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Residents in a skilled nursing home receiving rehabilitative services following a stroke may value instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) tasks more than ADL tasks. This research investigates the impact of IADL tasks on quality of life (QoL). Purpose: The research questions were: How do individuals post-stroke and receiving occupational therapy services in a skilled nursing facility perceive their participation, or lack of participation, in IADL, and how does this impact their perceived QoL? Theoretical Framework. The theoretical framework that guided this project was the Model of Human Occupation. Methods. A phenomenological research-based qualitative approach designed to understand …

Long Covid: An Evidence-Based Practice Project, Sydney Beard, Haley Bender, Aubrey Lemon, Valerie Josephson, Lauren Mccaughtry, Grace Palubicki, Jordyn Tuchtenhagen, Taylor Wolff, Julie D. Bass

Graduate Occupational Therapy Research and Projects

No abstract provided.

Using Social Media To Examine Disabled Veterans’ Adaptive Sports Lived Experience At The National Veterans’ Wheelchair Games, Heather Harding

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Considered the world’s largest annual rehabilitative wheelchair games event for Veterans in the United States, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games (NVWG or the Games), co-hosted annually by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America, is a long-standing event that offers a view into how adaptive sports and recreational activities can impact Veterans with disabilities. This hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative study sought to discover if the Veteran athletes, who participated in the NVWG between 2017 and 2021, described their lived experiences through the lens of their public social media posts on Instagram, and if so, what can be gleaned …

Wellness And Longevity Program For Adults And Older Adults, Oliver D. Fay

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

There are many areas of practice to choose from in the field of Occupational therapy (OT). OT has an incredibly diverse career path, with new opportunities being created every day. I completed my doctoral capstone experience at Iridium Enterprises with Dr. Aaron Green, who has a wealth of experience in business and entrepreneurship. My ACOTE focus areas were administration and program development. I wanted to learn how a business was properly developed and managed from the ground up.

Through this experience, I learned how to methodically approach market research and how to narrow in on a business idea. Our goal …

Improving Self-Report In Quality Of Life Reporting For Individuals With Dementia, Elizabeth Grace Grade Redford

Theses and Dissertations

People with dementia (PWD) are one of the fastest growing clinical populations for speech-language pathologists. Self-reported quality of life (QoL) assessments are critical patient-reported outcome measures that align with person-centered care principles. However, proxy- report is most often used due to assumptions that PWD cannot provide reliable self-report. Visual analogue scales (VAS) have been successfully used with people with expressive and cognitive deficits to measure subjective constructs, such as QoL, mood, and pain. The purpose of this project is to evaluate the feasibility and reliability of a VAS QoL assessment tool.

Twenty healthy older adults were assessed using the QoL-AD …

Enhancing Physician Perspectives Of Skilled Occupational Therapy Services For Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis, Valerie S. Trinidad

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

This Capstone Project, with a focus in research, sought to identify a relationship between self-reported functional performance and participation restriction as described by satisfaction with one’s execution or participation in a described occupation. A correlational study design was employed under the mentorship of Dr. Thomas Decker, EdD, OTD, OTR/L who oversaw all IRB processes, documentation, study development and deployment, as well as co-authored and provided mentorship for creation of a publishable manuscript of this project. The established Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and the newer Keele Assessment of Participation (KAP) were the two outcome measures of focus for surveying …

Rehabilitation Through Reintegration: Supporting Survivors Of Stroke, Alexander T. Wiemann

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

After returning home from inpatient care, survivors of stroke have several ongoing needs related to this transition that are not always fully addressed, leading to poor community reintegration and psychosocial well-being. The purpose of this capstone project was to modify a community-based occupational therapy program to improve community reintegration and psychosocial well-being among survivors of stroke. One significant modification was the implementation of a survivor support group focused on psychosocial topics. Interviews and formal assessments conducted with participants indicated several perceived benefits from the support groups as well as a decrease in depression and anxiety and an increase in community …

Effects Of Exercise On Parkinson's Symptom Relief, Brooke Burnett

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

In this review of twenty research articles, the effects of moderate exercise therapy on the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease will be explored. Appropriate literature was located using the research question, “In older adults with a Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis, how does moderate exercise influence the symptoms of this disease?” Twenty peer-reviewed research articles were examined for the impact of different forms of exercise on various symptoms associated with Parkinson’s. Nineteen of the articles reviewed provide substantial evidence in support of exercise therapy as a treatment option for people with Parkinson’s, and one of the articles found inconclusive evidence neither in support …

Ability360 Program Evaluation And Modification, Tim Filion

OT Student Capstones

Health care in the United States has shifted over the past several decades, from an emphasis on addressing morbidity and mortality to health promotion and overall quality of life (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2018a). As a result, clinicians in various fields have begun to incorporate considerations for wellness initiatives in addition to preventive strategies. The phrase health-related quality of life (HRQOL) refers to “an individual’s or group's perceived physical and mental health over time” (CDC, 2018a, p. 7). As specified in that definition, HRQOL can be viewed at an individual or community level. For individuals, this includes …

Establishing Test-Retest Reliability And Internal Consistency Of The Occupational Resilience Measure, Kara Gore

OT Student Capstones

Without a clear understanding of the dynamic relationship between resilience and occupation, occupational therapy has lacked the tools necessary to optimize resilience in research and clinical practice.

Occupational resilience is defined as “the capacity for persistence in the performance of an occupation, whereby capacity is reflected in both duration and intensity of engagement in a specified occupation” (Muriithi et al., 2022).

Occupational Resilience Measure 1.0 (ORM) and the Occupational Resilience Individual Perception Scale (ORIPS) to be used as the primary assessment tools for measuring resilience in individual occupations.

Aim: Establish the test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the ORM; establish …

The Effects Of A Teletherapy Follow-Up Education Program On The Quality Of Life And Self-Care Management Of Lymphedema Among Breast Cancer Patients: A Doctoral Capstone Experience, Victoria Tanyag

OT Student Capstones

Background and Purpose. The primary purpose of this doctoral capstone research project was to evaluate the effect of a teletherapy follow-up education program on the participants’ quality of life in lymphedema management. A secondary objective was to determine whether an increase occurred in compliance and independence in the following recommended lymphedema management protocols within the home setting. Methods. A 14-week prospective study design was conducted at Banner Gateway Medical Center (BGMC). Eight female subjects (mean age of 61.88 years) were recruited and randomized into two treatment groups. The control group resumed care as usual. The intervention group participated in a …

Occupation And Time-Use: The Narratives Of One Individual With Tetraplegia, Amanda Balser

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Successful health-management habits of individuals with tetraplegia have correlated with better quality of life and occupational engagement. Objectives: Little is known about the experience of time-use during these practices and the influence these routines have on participation in other meaningful occupations. This study aimed to explore the stories an individual with tetraplegia has about time-use in health management practices, influences on time-use, and feelings about quality of life and life satisfaction. Methodology: Narrative inquiry was used to explore the stories of time-use of one individual living with tetraplegia. Findings: Eleven interpretive stories were thematically represented illustrating the complexity of …

Positive Well-Being And Satisfaction With Life: Variables Affecting The Quality Of Life Of People With Bipolar Disorder, Maria Del Trevino-Zuniga

Theses and Dissertations

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a highly prevalent and severe mental illness of significant public health importance. Characteristics of BD include dramatic shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels affecting a person's ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. These shifts in mood and energy levels are more severe than everyone's regular ups and downs (Rihmer & Kiss, 2002). Managing BD is complex; and social and occupational life disruptions are well-documented, including higher divorce rates, unemployment, and suicide (Marrag et al., 2015). Research has consistently shown individuals with BD have a higher mortality rate compared with the general population (Walker et al., …

Evaluating A Concern For Falling Among People With A Lower Extremity Amputation, Kristin Elizabeth Nugent

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of these studies was to evaluate a concern for falling (CFF) among people with a lower extremity amputation (PLEA). Study 1 evaluated relative and absolute test-retest reliability of five standardized scales which have not been previously evaluated among PLEA. Twenty-two participants completed Study 1, an online survey that was administered twice. Study 2 assessed the inter-relationship of the multiple dimensions in a CFF using nine standardized scales of measurement and open-ended questions, and the association on quality of life (QOL). Forty-eight participants completed Study 2, a onetime online survey. Study 1 provided support for the reliable use of …

Equine-Assisted Activities: Increasing Participation And Quality Of Life For Individuals With Disabilities, Melissa Mabry

OTD Capstone Projects

The author partnered with a nonprofit organization, Saddle Up!, to incorporate an occupational therapy perspective in its work with children with disabilities and equine-assisted activities as part of the OTD capstone project.

Scoping Review Of Female Sex Workers Risk Factors And Interventions, Colleen White

OT Student Capstones

A considerable amount of the stigma surrounding sex work can be contributed to the misconception of why women enter or do not exit sex work. The purpose of this research was to summarize the current knowledge of sex work using the scope of occupational therapy to enhance sex workers health and well-being. To achieve this, a scope of the literature for interventions that address this issue and their effectiveness, as well as literature that addressed risk factors for entering and remaining in sex work was conducted. The original search was conducted in June of 2021 and yielded a total of …

Exploring The Effects Of The Cycling Without Age Program On Older Adults Living In Long-Term Care, Victoria Cotnam

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The Cycling Without Age program, offered in long-term care homes around the world, allows residents to experience the feeling of a bike ride in the trishaw as a volunteer pedals the electrical bike. The purpose of this pragmatic observational study was to measure the effects of an existing program in a Canadian long-term care home on residents’ happiness, quality of life, pain and functional status (using Resident-Assessment Instrument Minimum Data Set 2.0). A convenience sample of 39 residents participated in two groups, a biking group (n=23) and a strolls group (n=16) over the period of 12 weeks. Findings show that …

Factors Associated With Quality Of Life And Dialysis Compliance, Viviana Garcia Guerra

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation study explored the relationship between quality of life (QoL) and dialysis compliance with family support, spirituality, age, gender, and socioeconomic status (SES) among people with end stage renal disease (ESRD). Utilizing the Biopsychosocial Spiritual Framework, this study pursued to inform mental health professionals working with people undergoing dialysis about the factors that influence QoL and dialysis compliance. This descriptive quantitative dissertation study included 79 participants who self-identified as persons receiving either hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Participants were members from closed social online forums and the National Kidney Foundation.

The current study found that family support and SES predicted …

Nutrition, Body Composition And Physical Activity In Malignant Pleural Disease: Associations With Patient Outcomes And Response To An Exercise Intervention, Emily Jeffery

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Background: Patients with malignant pleural disease (MPD) have advanced cancer and high symptom burden. Goals of patient care are to optimise health-related quality-of-life (HR-QoL) and participation in daily physical activities. Supportive care interventions such as nutrition and exercise could offer benefit to patients. However, there is a lack of information on the prevalence of low muscle mass (i.e., pre-sarcopenia), malnutrition, inactivity and poor physical functioning in patients with MPD. Additionally, little is known about the factors associated with development of pre-sarcopenia and malnutrition or their associations with patient outcomes.

Purpose: The objectives were to: 1) characterise physical activity levels and …

Measuring Quality Of Life In Patients With Rotator Cuff Disorders, Rochelle Furtado

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Rotator cuff disorders (RCDs) are a common musculoskeletal problem with a higher prevalence in women and after the age of 60. Due to the increasing need for patient-centered care, researchers have been directed towards the use of patient reported outcomes (PROs) to evaluate the progress of patient recovery, as the experience varies across individuals.

Recently, the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index was reduced in items to create the shortened version of the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (Short-WORC). However, the Short-WORC’s psychometrics have yet to be evaluated. Therefore, this mixed-methods thesis aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Short-WORC …

Understanding The Impact Of Hobby Participation On Quality Of Life During Cancer Treatment, Bethany Lynn Keuter

Online Theses and Dissertations

Objective: Over the past two decades there has been significant research on the benefits of leisure participation in increasing quality of life (QoL). Additionally, there is a substantial foundation of research exploring the role of leisure engagement in life-threatening illness and cancer. The aim of this study is to explore the role of regular hobby participation on QoL with regards to finding purpose and meaning making, increased coping skills, and social support through hobby participation during breast cancer treatment.

Method: Qualitative descriptive study using snowball sampling for participant recruitment. Data collected through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis completed through process of …

The Effects Of Argentine Tango On Balance And Quality Of Life In Subjects With Traumatic Brain Injury, Pamela Marie Peterson

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This study investigated the effect of a six-week tango-based intervention on the balance and quality of life on subjects with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Twenty-two men and women were assigned into three groups TBI group (TBI: n=2; 44.5±2.1 years), Treatment control (TC: n=8; 30.9±12.3 years), Control (CG: n=12; 32.8±9.6 years). The TC group showed an improvement in stress levels compared to the CG p

Impact Of Feeding Tube Status On Health Outcomes For Individuals With Oropharyngeal Cancer, Nedeljko Jovanovic

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Abstract

This study investigated differences in outcomes related to health, swallowing, and quality of life (QoL) for individuals with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) receiving either radiotherapy (RT) alone, or concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Differences were assessed based on whether patients received a feeding tube (FT group) or not (NFT group). Measures including the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer (PSS-HN), M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI), and weight were collected for 126 individuals at baseline, and at 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment. Data were analyzed to identify potential prognostic differences between the groups, …

Melodies, Memories, And Meaning: The Use Of Music Therapy For Persons With Dementia, Emily A. Carl

Selected Honors Theses

Dementia is a growing public health issue, as there are 24.3 million people currently diagnosed worldwide. Being that there is no cure, non-pharmacological interventions are important to optimize quality of life for this population. Music therapy is a nonpharmacological intervention with fine usability for dementia patients. This thesis will examine the positive effects of music therapy on the behavioral symptoms, mood management, self-esteem, language skills, cognition, and reminiscence for the individual with dementia based on existing literature and will provide practice recommendations for the clinical use of music therapy and research. A short literature review will focus on the field …