Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

The Evolution Of Blood Flow Restricted Exercise, Eduardo D. S. Freitas, Murat Karabulut, Michael G. Bemben

Health & Human Performance Faculty Publications and Presentations

The use of blood flow restricted (BFR) exercise has become an accepted alternative approach to improve skeletal muscle mass and function and improve cardiovascular function in individuals that are not able to or do not wish to use traditional exercise protocols that rely on heavy loads and high training volumes. BFR exercise involves the reduction of blood flow to working skeletal muscle by applying a flexible cuff to the most proximal portions of a person's arms or legs that results in decreased arterial flow to the exercising muscle and occluded venous return back to the central circulation. Safety concerns, especially …

Exploring Self-Perceived Employability In People With Disabilities And Other Intersecting Identities, Kerra Lajoy Daniel

Theses and Dissertations

People with disabilities are the largest minority group in the world representing 26% of the world’s population. More specifically, in the U.S. 61 million Americans have a diagnosed disability. However, intersectionality studies have not been inclusive of this particular population and disability studies have yet to extensively examine intersectionality in PWDs. Centering individuals with disabilities who also identify with multiple marginalized social identities , such as being a woman, a person of color or a member of the LGBT community is important since these individuals’ experiences are not uniform in nature. PWDs experience higher rates of discrimination, unemployment, and …

A Grounded Theory Study: Barriers And Expectations Of Elementary Educators Who Teach Students With Autism, Abbie M. Munoz

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research study’s purpose is to garner a better understanding of the barriers and expectations of general and special education elementary teachers when teaching students with autism. Pervious research indicates that school aged children being identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder has significantly increased (Evans, 2016). According to federal law (Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, 2004; No Child Left Behind, 2001) teachers are required to educate all students in their classroom including students with special needs. While several studies have been conducted on how to education and support students with autism in the classroom, few qualitative studies have been …

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., …

Testimonios Of Two Latinas In The Academe, Maria G. Bridges

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Integrating Occupation-Based/Focused Assessments During The Evaluation Process. Opportunity To Revisit The Topic In A Post Covid-19 Practice Setting?, John S. Luna

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Occupational therapists treat clients across the lifespan, and every successful intervention begins with a successful evaluation. Incorporating a variety of norm-referenced standardized assessments into the assessment process has become increasingly important to justify services to third party payors identification of goals, and intervention strategies. However, occupational therapists tend to select assessments that are focused and measuring performance skills and client factors versus occupations and performance of occupations. The purpose of this article is to examine the topic of occupation based and occupation focused assessments. While using occupation-based/ occupation-focused assessments is not a new topic, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed how …

The Association Between Motor Capacity And Motor Performance In School-Aged Children With Cerebral Palsy: An Observational Study, Min-Hwa Suk, In-Kyeong Park, Soojin Yoo, Jeong-Yi Kwon

Health & Human Performance Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background

This study aimed to investigate the association between motor capacity and motor performance in children with cerebral palsy (CP) aged 6–12 years with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I to III.

Methods

Forty-six children with CP (24 boys and 22 girls) classified as GMFCS levels Ⅰ, Ⅱ, or Ⅲ were included. Motor capacity was measured by the Gross motor function measure (GMFM), Pediatric balance scale (PBS), Timed up and go (TUG), and 6-min walk test (6MWT). Motor performance was measured by triaxial accelerometers. Estimations of physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) (kcal/kg/day), percentage of time spent on …

Relationships Between Perceived Quality Of Life And Spiritual Beliefs, Education Level, Socioeconomic Status, Gender, And Ethnicity In Cancer Patients And Cancer Survivors, Eva Arjona

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify a relationship between perceived Quality of Life and religious/spiritual beliefs. Additionally, it aimed to explore relationships between perceived QOL and age, gender, ethnicity, education level, and Socioeconomic Status (SES). The research question examined in this study was: What is the relationship between perceived quality of life and spiritual beliefs, education level, socioeconomic status, age gender, and ethnicity in cancer patients and cancer survivors? A total of 100 cancer patients or cancer survivors were surveyed for this study. A regression analysis was conducted to explore relationships among the variables; the alpha level was …

Transitioning To Housing First: Perceptions Of The Role Of The Rehabilitation Counselor In Serving Homeless Individuals With Disabilities In Puerto Rico, Ana Vanessa Serrano Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

Since the 1980s, the federal government has developed strategies to eradicate homelessness in the US and its territories. The introduction of evidence-based practices like the Housing First Model helped decrease the number of people living homeless. Still, it continues to be a public health problem, especially among chronically homeless individuals, defined broadly as people with disabilities and substance abuse problems experiencing homelessness. Rehabilitation counselors are professionals specialized in serving individuals with disabilities. However, their role in programs identified as Housing First was unclear.

Thus, the study aimed to identify service providers' views, opinions, knowledge, and experiences about the role of …

Strategies And Barriers To Work Behavior Changes: Perceptions Of Prevocational Rehabilitation Professionals, Yuleinys A. Castillo, Kathryn Rinehart, Jerome Fischer, William Weber

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications and Presentations

Adequate work behavior can increase job retention and job satisfaction for employees with disabilities. Employment modification strategies are practicable tools to address challenging work behavior negatively affecting employment of individuals with disabilities in rural areas. The purpose of this study was to conduct a phenomenological qualitative study of prevocational rehabilitation professionals in a focus group concerning rehabilitation services and training needs for rural vocational services for people with disabilities. Three themes emerged: (a) strategies to improve employment retention; (b) strategies to develop employment skills; and (c) barriers to the implementation of strategies provided. Results also suggested that training rehabilitation programs …

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors’ Self-Employment Perceptions And Related Client Characteristics, Deborah Ashley, Noreen M. Graf

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications and Presentations

Self-employment is a viable option to increase the quality of life and well-being of people with disabilities. People with disabilities are also twice as likely to be self-employed than those in the general population. While self-employment interest and activity among people with disabilities has remained constant over the past three decades, vocational rehabilitation counselors rarely use self-employment as a closure option. The purpose of the present study was to examine counselors’ perceptions regarding self-employment and identify client characteristics deemed necessary for self-employment success. The national sample consisted of 205 Certified Rehabilitation Counselors. Significant statistical differences were found among counselors in …

Transcending Chronic Illness And Disability: Virtue-Based Adaptation Model Perspective, Jeong Han Kim, Rene Gonzalez, Taryn V. Richardson, Dong Hun Lee

School of Rehabilitation Services & Counseling Faculty Publications and Presentations

The present study examined the replicability of Virtue-Based Adaptation Model (V-PAM). Traditional adaptation studies in the field of rehabilitation often focus on examining innate psychological disposition such as personality. In V-PAM; however, the emphasis is given to virtue, one’s pursuit of excellence and commitment after the onset of illness and disability. From this perspective, adaptation to illness and disability is viewed as a positive by-product of having endured adversities while transforming them into insightful opportunities for renewal. Thus, adaptation is not only affected by innate dispositions, but also it can be nurtured via the collaborative counseling process. Two hundred eight …