Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Training Appalachian, Hospital-Based Occupational Therapists On The Use Of Standardized, Occupation-Based Outcome Measures And Treatment Concepts For Traumatic Upper Extremity Injuries: A Pilot Program, Donald G. Pitts

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Executive Summary

Background. Traumatic injuries to the upper extremity, such as crush injuries, tendon lacerations, burns, and amputations, are common and may result in missed work, decreased independence in activities of daily living, and decreased the quality of life. In urban areas, traumatic upper extremity injuries are often treated by a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), who is an occupational or physical therapist with specialized training who has passed a national certification examination. In the Appalachian region of Kentucky, people with traumatic hand injuries are most likely to be treated in a hospital-based outpatient orthopedic setting that is primarily staffed with …

Pre-Sleep Routines In Adult Normal Sleepers, Jean Koketsu

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Sleep is the most important restorative occupation, and pre-sleep routines, which precede sleep, have not been explored in normal adult sleepers. Routines are an important construct in occupational therapy, but it is not well-researched.

The purpose of this project is to add to the body of knowledge regarding pre-sleep routines through description by normal sleepers. This research can inform occupational therapists in regard to the usual patterns and dynamics of pre-sleep routines. Open systems theory, a grounded theory approach, and graphic and interview methods were used in this qualitative study.

Participants were 16 adults, between the ages of 23 and …

Cognitive And Metacognitive Factors In Reading Comprehension For Occupational Therapy Assistant Students, Cynthia L. Meyer

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Difficulties with reading comprehension among occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students can diminish their ability to understand didactic textual information limiting clinical performance and can impact OTA attrition rates and limit graduate success when completing the national certification examination.

Participants were one cohort of OTA students from a rural public community college.

This was a convergent mixed-method design (Creswell & Creswell, 2018). The students’ perceptions of cognitive and metacognitive factors affecting reading and the students’ preferences for cognitive and metacognitive strategies were assessed through a 59-item survey assessment combining the Text-Learning Strategies Inventory (TLSI) (Merchie, Van Keer, & Vandevelde, 2014), the …

Nursing Perceptions Of Occupational Therapy For Delirium Management In The Intensive Care Unit, Emma Mcclellan

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Occupational therapy (OT) has been identified in existing research as an appropriate profession for addressing cognitive impairments such as delirium common to intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization. Purpose: This study hypothesized that cultural change must occur within the ICU setting regarding the importance of rehabilitation services for mental functioning and cognitive stimulation in addition to early mobility in the prevention and management of ICU delirium. The intent of this capstone project was to determine the perceptions of ICU nurses regarding the inclusion of and collaboration with OT for the management of ICU delirium. Theoretical Framework: The purpose and objectives …

Occupational Therapy Intervention For Project Search Interns With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Potential For Improved Transition Outcomes, Jessie L. Bricker

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

As the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) continues to rise, it is increasingly important to address the needs of adults with ASD as they transition into the work world. Project SEARCH, an internationally recognized program, has been successful in assisting individuals with disabilities in attaining competitive employment. Yet even in this program model, individuals with ASD have lower employment outcomes than individuals in other disability categories. The purpose of this action research study was to explore the needs of individuals with high functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD) within the Project SEARCH program from their own perspectives, and to examine …

A Pilot Experimental Study Of Adding The Copm To The Occupational Therapy Evaluation Process In The Swing-Bed Division Of A Rural Hospital Setting, Sarah T. Durbin Ms.

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Extensive evidence is available on the efficacy of occupation-based practice for improving patient outcomes in hospital settings. There were no studies that took place specifically in the swing-bed division of rural hospital settings regarding occupation-based practice prior to the implementation of this study. Purpose: This study sought to determine whether the addition of the COPM would increase occupational performance and patient satisfaction for individuals treated in the swing-bed division of a rural hospital setting. Theoretical Framework: The Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement is the primary theory supporting this study, due to the emphasis placed on client-centeredness, spirituality, …

Perceptions Of Atp Certified Occupational Therapy Practitioners On Assistive Technology Education In Occupational Therapy Programs, Karen M. Dishman Otd, Otr, Atp

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

This capstone project focused on identifying which categories of assistive technology (AT) that practitioners perceived to be needed in entry-level master’s occupational therapy (OT) programs; and validating the need for post-professional AT training and post-professional AT certificate programs. For this capstone project, a survey approach was used as the data collection method. The purpose of the survey was to determine perceptions of OT practitioners on AT education received during their entry-level OT program. The survey was returned by 148 occupational therapy practitioners certified as assistive technology professionals (ATP) by the Rehabilitation and Engineering Society of North America (RESNA). Results indicated …

The Impact Of Interactive Education On Caregivers Caring For Individuals With Dementia, Lisa K. Hong

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are becoming more prevalent and individuals with the disease requiring much physically and emotionally from caregivers. As caregivers are often thrust unprepared into their roles, the need for quality education becomes increasingly important.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify changes in caregiver perception after participation in an interactive educational program. The following research questions were used: 1) What is the perception of both professional and family caregivers about their ability to provide care following an interactive education program for dementia care? 2) Does an education program change the caregiver’s general knowledge …

Return To Self: Impact Of Long Term Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation On Community Reintegration, Mary Rowe

Online Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the outcomes of a long term brain injury rehabilitation program and its impact on community re-integration. This unique facility is licensed as a Long-Term Care Facility, able to provide longer lengths of stay to treat medical and psychological needs. All residents of this facility have a diagnosis of Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) as well as a mental illness. The mental illness may have existed prior to the brain injury, or may have arisen or worsened as a result of the brain injury.

This program combines traditional rehabilitation therapy (Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, …

Experiences Of Balance Among Novice Occupational Therapists, Mary Nell Wagner

Online Theses and Dissertations

For new occupational therapists, finding balance between the demands of work and their personal lives is challenging. The transition from student to practitioner is filled with uncertainty as new therapists try to meet the demands of working in a continuously changing environment. Research describing how new therapists define and experience balance in their own daily lives is currently missing in the literature. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of novice occupational therapists in creating occupational balance while working in the healthcare system. Six novice therapists in their first year of practice were recruited for this …