Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Inservice For Individuals Working Or Caring For People With Low Vision, Tara Lee, Haylee Volesky

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Throughout the United States, low vision affects more than 3 million Americans 40 years of age and older (Rosenberg & Sperazza, 2008). As the population continues to age, more individuals will be moving to some form of either assisted living care or long-term care, which will increase the number of individuals with visual impairment living in such situations and requiring appropriate services. An individual with low vision typically has a decreased ability to function in daily life with a considerable impact upon functional decline in performance (Haymes, Johnston, & Heyes, 2002; Horowitz, 1994). Difficulties occur in everyday activities such as …

Occupation-Based Program To Reduce Revidicism [I.E. Recidivism] In Women Offenders, Kacie Moll, Ashley Tyre

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Within the United States, women are known to be the fast growing population of inmates. The purpose of this project is to develop a gender specific occupation based life skills program to implement within a prison setting and continue once in the community. An extensive literature review was conducted on current programming available and what the current needs of women inmates are. Literature revealed that there is a high rate of recidivism among female inmates once released but the recidivism percentage decreased when programming was provided within the prison. The needs of women inmates are different then male inmates. As …

Incorporating American Sign Language (Asl) Into Ot: A Clinician's Manual And Workshop, Kristin Pfeifer-Fylling

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project is to educate occupational therapists on American Sign Language (ASL) to enhance communication when working with Deaf individuals. Currently, in the United States, 12% of the population has trouble with their hearing, ranging from small auditory deficiencies to complete deafness. Many of these individuals communicate by using ASL which is now the 3rd most commonly used primary language in the United States (Barnett, 2002). In addition, Deaf individuals are found to have more difficulty with activities of daily living (ADLs) which may indicate more involvement with ~T. Because most healthcare workers OTs are not …

Falls Prevention Program For Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Brittanie Field, Krista Radi

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a multidisciplinary falls prevention program manual intended to be implemented in Senior Citizen Centers (SCC) for the community-dwelling older adult population. Falls have a major impact on the independence of the older adult population aged 65 years and older (Stevens & Sogolow, 2008). Therefore, the goal of this project is to promote healthy aging in place through the use of meaningful occupations in order to potentially reduce the number of falls among the older adults.

A literature review was conducted to obtain scientific reading and research to find what has and …

Managing Dual Relationships In Rural Healthcare Settings: An Education Module For Occupational Therapists, Jennifer Maus, Caroline Olson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Dual relationships are a common challenge for health care providers serving a rural community. A dual relationship is when a therapist has a professional and a personal relationship with a client. Occupational therapists may be at greater risk for dual relationships because of the personal nature of their interventions. These relationships create ethical dilemmas between the patient and the therapist and impact the effectiveness ofthe delivery of therapy services. A literature review includes information on the following topics: issues of rural healthcare, occupational therapy in rural healthcare, dual/multiple relationships, and continuing education.

The project is a continuing educational course on …

Fall Prevention Algorithm And Programs For Wyoming Medical Center, Janna Rone

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for people over the age of 65 (Center of Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). Literature indicates that 30-40% of falls are preventable (Sjosten, Vaapia, & Kivela, 2008). The population for this scholarly project is people over the age of 65 who are admitted into Wyoming Medical Center (WMC). WMC is a 180 bed acute care hospital that services the medical needs of the residents of Casper, Wyoming and the surrounding area. Like many acute care hospitals around the country, WMC has a problem with the number of fall occurrences. This …

An Interactive Manual For Informal Caregivers Of Cerebral Vascular Accident (Cva) Survivors, Lindsay Draayer, Kaila Gunderson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Based on data from the literature review and clinical experience, an interactive manual was developed for occupational therapists to utilize when working with caregivers of cerebral vascular accident (CVA) survivors. CVA survivors display difficulty in basic personal cares such as eating, dressing, and general mobility within, but not limited to, the first year following the onset of the CVA. An interactive caregiving manual was created that addresses the needs of a caregiver of a CVA survivor during their transition from hospital to home. This focused education program enhances communication between the family caregiver of the CVA survivor and the occupational …

A Clinical Guide To The Psychosocial Issues Related To Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injuries, Mandy Christen, Becky Hansmeier

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Children and adolescents who sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) demonstrate changes in personality, such as mood swings, irritability, impulsivity, argumentative behaviors, decreased frustration tolerance, and difficulty cooperating (Prigatano & Gray, 2007; Prigatano & Gray, 2008; Souza, Braga, Filho, & Dellatolas, 2007). These clients also have an increased susceptibility to psychiatric disorders, including mood and anxiety disorders, later in the lifespan as physical and cognitive demands increase (Koponen et al., 2002; Luis & Mittenberg, 2002; Viguier, Dellatolas, Gasquet, Martin, & Choquet, 2001). Despite these substantial risk factors, a significant number of children and adolescents continue to have unrecognized or unmet …

An Occupational Therapist's Guide For Rehabilitative Driving With Traumatic Brain Injured Clients, Josiah Hadsall

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Traumatic brain injuries are devastating occurrence accounting for nearly 10 million injuries occurring each year, with 2 million of those occurring in the United States. As these individuals progress through rehabilitation and begin to acquire independence once again, they look for opportunities to reintegrate within the communities which they live. Driving has been identified as a monumental stage of rehabilitation and is a key way to experience the community for individuals after a traumatic brain injury. This scholarly project was conducted to help occupational therapists addressing driving rehabilitation with traumatic brain injured clients and help ease some of the problems …

An Educational Resource Forum For Family Caregivers Of Individuals With Alzheimer's Disease, Tina Langlie, Karli Morman

Occupational Therapy Capstones

There are currently 10 million Americans who care for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia (Alzheimer's Association, 2008). Monitoring and maintaining the health of the caregiver is important because it allows the individual with Alzheimer's disease to remain in their familiar home environment for as long as possible. It has been proven that both physical and emotional health of a caregiver decline with the demands associated with caregiving (O'Rourke, Cappeliez, & Neufeld, 2007). Healthcare professionals are responsible for assisting caregivers with maintaining their own health while caring for their loved one. Therefore, it is important …

An Occupational Therapy Guide For Teaching Handwriting Skills To Adults, Kyla Miller, Nichole Schroeder

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Handwriting is a skill utilized widely by adults; however, there is a lack of guidelines, information, or literature on the subject as it relates to adults. The purpose of this project was to develop guidelines for occupational therapists to use when providing handwriting interventions with adults. A literature review was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, SCOPUS, DynaMed, and professional journals to further understand the topic of handwriting with adults and its relation to occupational therapy. Currently, there is limited research and information regarding handwriting with adults and no programs or guidelines were found to assist occupational therapists in developing treatment interventions …

Reintegrating Military Personnel To Community Life: An Occupational Therapy Perspective, Carlotta Booth, Heather Hanson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The numbers of returning service men and women from Iraq and Afghanistan are experiencing combat-related complications is an area of growing concern for military health providers. This scholarly project investigated the risk factors and problems associated with post traumatic stress disorder among service men and women returning from military duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to examine occupational performance issues faced by the returning soldier. The most significant complications include: inadequate coping skills, loss of interest/participation in leisure, vocational disruptions, problems with reintegrating into the family structure, and ineffective communication/interpersonal skills.

The Lifestyle Redesign Program …

Achieving Positive Benefits For Chronic Pain: Complementary And Alternative Medicine And Occupational Therapy, Cheryl A. Keffeler

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Complementary and alternative medicine can fit into the occupational therapy practice framework to prepare chronic pain patients for participation in occupational performance. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies can be used preparatory to the therapy process or as treatment modalities in their own right.

A comprehensive literature review explores the use and efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine associated with chronic pain diagnoses seen by occupational therapists. Massage, yoga, biofeedback and cognitive-behavioral therapy, Feldenkrais, and Pilates are all techniques that can be utilized by occupational therapists. However, Pilates and Feldenkrais methods are used less frequently by occupational therapists, possibly due …

A Quick Guide To The Management Of Traumatic Upper Extremity Injuries: For Entry Level Occupational Therapists, Marty Melland

Occupational Therapy Capstones

According to Kasch, Greenberg, and Muenzen (2003), occupational therapists who are initiating their entry into hand therapy or upper extremity or1hopaedic specialization do not have the knowledge and skills of an experienced therapist. This is especially true for occupational and physical therapists who enter the workforce with a general overview of many treatments but have not trained or worked in a specialized upper extremity or1hopaedic practice. Upper extremity orthopaedics is a specialty area of the occupational therapy (OT) profession which requires not only a wide range of generalized knowledge and experience, but also an extended knowledge of specific diagnostic categories …

Occupational Therapy Interventions For Pre And Post Liver Transplant Patients, Tina M. Sauber

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Liver transplantation is the only treatment of choice for chronic liver disease. The illness distress associated with liver disease and transplantation involves every aspect of the individual's life (physical, psychological, social and spiritual) and impacts the individual's quality of life, an important outcome measure of life satisfaction and well-being (Belle, Hoofnagle, Lake, Porayko & Zatlerman, 1997). Patients on the liver transplant waiting list experience a decline in functional performance or may expire while waiting.

The occupational therapist has the challenge of motivating the patient to independently mange his or her life and will complete a comprehensive evaluation with emphasis on …

Promoting Children's Health In The Home Environment: A Parent/Guardian Handbook, Shannon Troje, Stacie Voth

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The World Health Organization (2003) stated that "obesity is a global epidemic". The United States (U.S.) in particular has a statistically significant higher rate of obesity in children. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (2003), 15.3% of children between the ages of 6 and 11 years old are obese as a result of unhealthy habits and routines. Because these habits and routines often begin in the home environment, health promotion activities should involve parents/guardians (Manios, Kafatos, & Mamalakis, 1998).

At this time there are few resources available for parents/guardians and their children to promote wellness in the home environment. …

An Occupational Therapy Approach To A Wellness Program For Adolescents With Mental Illness, Holly Silewski, Christina Thompson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this project was to identify wellness needs of adolescents with mental illness (MI) and to provide a structured program that incorporates occupational activities into wellness programming within a mental health setting.

A literature review was conducted using PubMed, EBSCOhost, PsychInfo, SCOPUS, OT search, and CINAHL to determine the need for wellness programs for this population. Resources included journals, books, websites, government agencies, and government reports.

After an extensive literature review it was found that there are a limited number of wellness programs, as well as a need among adolescents with MI, as evidenced by increasing rates of …

A Guide To Training Therapists In Dealing With Difficult Patient Care Situations, Tegan Aymond, Andrea Kuhn

Occupational Therapy Capstones

A literature review was conducted on the difficult issues faced in occupational therapy to gain general information on how these issues and situations were being addressed. After reviewing the literature, it was noted that there is a high rate of over-involvement when working in occupational therapy that can lead to stress and burnout. It was found that defining the role of occupational therapy is difficult and trying to establish boundaries within that role is a constant challenge. The lack of knowledge on issues such as ethics, therapeutic relationship, and core values can be difficult when establishing a personal and professional …

Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Course For Occupational Therapy Students, Alison Cherney, Shauna Gregoire-Norrie

Occupational Therapy Capstones

There is limited information regarding the occupational therapists role in the cardiac rehabilitation setting. This lack of information may contribute to a limited amount of therapists working in this setting. Through the identification of this problem, the need for a course on cardiac rehabilitation for occupational therapy students was identified. The course was intended to expand the students’ knowledge of cardiac rehabilitation and the position of an occupational therapist within this setting.

A literature review was conducted utilizing several research databases which include PubMed, ERIC, and SCOPUS in order to determine the depth of information available regarding educational theories, educational …

An Occupational Therapy Guide For Entry-Level Therapists Not Specializing In The Treatment Of Upper Extremity Dysfunction: Three Common Cumulative Trauma Injuries, Ryan Edwards

Occupational Therapy Capstones

According to Kasch, Greenberg, and Muenzen (2003), occupational therapists (OTs) who are initiating entry into upper extremity orthopaedic therapy specialization do not have the knowledge and skills of experienced therapists; a concerning viewpoint considering the fairly high rate of cumulative trauma injuries each year in the United States. Carpal metacarpal osteoarthritis occurs in “approximately 8% of all adults” (Hunter, Schneider, Mackin & Callahan, 1990, p. 886), whereas ulnar neuropathy at the elbow occurs in “10 to 15 percent of adults” (Trumble, 2000, p. 327). “Tennis elbow occurs in approximately one third of the tennis population because of the requirements of …

Educational Class For Parents Of A Child Recently Diagnosed With Autism, Sarah Haugen, Marcie Sandeen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop an education class for parents of children with autism. When discussing the term autism with parents it can lead to confusion, the term autism has changed greatly in the past few decades and today agreement on what the term means is still lacking. With a diagnosis of autism the parents are also going to face many challenges and added stress throughout their daily lives. These known problems helped to determine the need to create the product of this scholarly project. A review of literature and research was conducted to collect accurate …

The Impact Of Domestic Violence On Children: Implications For Professionals, Kelly Hughes, Brooke Kohler

Occupational Therapy Capstones

There are 3 million child abuse and neglect accounts reported to child welfare agencies across the United States every year, but researchers predict as many as 10 million children are exposed to domestic violence in the home (Christian, 2002). Children do not always show the physical signs of living in homes with domestic violence. Frequently the most prevalent impact can lie within the child’s mind, resulting in possible cognitive, emotional, and behavioral effects (Tri-State Rural Collaboration Project, n.d.). In order to provide the best possible care, it is imperative for professionals to understand the effects that domestic violence has on …

Home Modifications For The Elderly, Jennifer Samuelson, Kristyn Kurpius

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to identify and present methods to increase a person’s ability to participate in occupations within their home. “Almost 50 million Americans - about one in five - live with a mental or physical disability, many of their homes are inconvenient, restrictive, or dangerous for them,” (McCullagh, 2006, p.54). As a result they are unable to participate in safe and functional occupations.

Methods: A literature review was conducted with the use of Pub Med, AJOT, textbooks, home modification handbooks, and the internet. The literature review determined the need for home modifications with the elderly …

Knowing While Growing: Occupational Therapy Interventions For Women With High-Risk Pregnancies, Rebecca Anderson, Cammie Vodicka

Occupational Therapy Capstones

High-risk pregnancy is a growing concern in the United States (McCormick, 2001), resulting in complications in both the mother and the fetus. Each year, approximately 875,000 women experience at least one complication. Approximately 460,000 women are receiving inadequate prenatal care (American Pregnancy Association, 2007). The purpose of Knowing While Growing: Occupational Therapy Interventions for Women with High-Risk Pregnancies is to promote the health and well ness of expectant mothers and to prevent disability to themselves and their developing fetus through the use of research-based therapeutic interventions. The components of this manual include definitions of high-risk pregnancies and related terms, information …

Helping To Win The Battle Within: An Occupational Therapy Perspective On Returning War Veterans With Ptsd And Employment, Christine Avikainen, Amber L. Harvey

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Approximately 300,000 individuals of the 1.64million servive members and veterans, from Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom have been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Tanielian & Jaycox, 2008).

This scholarly project has addressed the needs of the increasing number of war veterans suffering from PTSD. The soldiers returning from the present war and their employers do not have adequate resources to understand symptoms related to PTSD and the effects on functioning.

A review of the literature revealed a lack of information for returning military personnel and the process of obtaining/reobtaining employment. The research provided evidence that employers and employees …

Bright Beginnings: Quick Tips For Occupational Therapists In The Level Ii Nursery, Lindsey Bartholomew, Lacey Gramstad

Occupational Therapy Capstones

In 2004 there were 790 infants born prematurely in Wyoming (Freudenthal, 2006). Currently, the highest level of infant care available in Wyoming is a Level II nursery. In Wyoming, infants born prematurely with special medical needs are typically transported to specialized NICU's in surrounding states. The limited contact that medical staff, including occupational therapists (OT's), in rural facilities have with critically or moderately ill infants creates a lack of competency with the unique medical care needs of the infants. According to Gordon (2003) "nearly half of America's babies start out their lives in a rural community" (p. 3). Furthermore, research …

Occupational Therapy Caregiver's Guide To Spinal Cord Injury, Kelsey Berg, Amanda Larson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

In 2006, it was estimated that there were 253,000 Americans living with spinal cord injuries (SCI) (Spinal Cord Injury Information Network, 2003, p. 1). Current literature suggests that individuals are transitioning into the community earlier with the majority of care being provided by informal caregivers (Boschen, Tonack, & Gargaro, 2005). These caregivers are often unprepared for the major role they will be assuming in the care of their loved one and often their health and well-being is compromised due to the overwhelming nature of caregiving.

A comprehensive literature review was conducted to explore and identify the needs of caregivers. Topics …

Occupational Therapy Perspective In The Management Of Lymphedema, Mellonna Beckermann

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Problem: Lymphedema is a collection of excess water, interstitial fluid, plasma proteins, bacteria, and cellular waste products in the interstitial tissues as a result of an impaired lymphatic system due to disease or trauma (Cheville, McGarvey, Petrek, Russo, Taylor, & Thiadens, 2003). This fluid typically collects in a person's upper and/or lower extremities. Lymphedema is a chronic condition and can be progressive if not managed properly. Lymphedema may result in significant impairments to the person, which results in functional limitations and a decrease in quality of life (Konecne & Perdoma, 2004). Treatment of lymphedema can be costly, timely, and overwhelming …

A Wellness Program For Adults With Developmental Disabilities, Kristina Bouley, Lynsey Schirado

Occupational Therapy Capstones

When researching wellness programs for adults with developmental disabilities, the authors found there to be several barriers to wellness for this population, with one of these barriers being physical activity. Many adults with developmental disabilities do not engage in adequate amounts of physical activity (Havercamp, Scandlin, and Roth, 2004). This may be impart to inadequate access to transportation to get to and from the fitness facility (Heller, Hsieh, & Rimmer, 2004; U.S. Public Health Service, 2001), the cost of joining a fitness facility program (Heller, Hsieh, & Rimmer, 2004; Temple & Walkley, 2007), or challenges in accessing fitness equipment (Heller, …

Ideas For Inclusion: A Resource For Occupational Therapists, Jason Browning, Roxanne Hartje

Occupational Therapy Capstones

School-based occupational therapy practice is continually changing to meet the needs of the students and stay in alignment with federal mandates and current research. Current legislative regulations of No Child Left Behind Act of2001 (NCLB 2001; Public Law 107-110) and The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEIA 2004, Public Law 108-446) together require that education programs be provided in the natural or least restrictive environment. After the review of literature and personal interviews it was found that many occupational therapists, teachers and school based staff were having difficulty fulfilling this requirement, often using the direct, pull-out service …