Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

A Manual For Ot Educators And Ot Students In A Level Ii Fieldwork Experience In Hand Therapy, Adam J. Dewenter, Erik G. Peterson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

According to Leatherwood (1997), approximately 30% of all emergency room injuries are injuries of the upper extremity, amounting to 16 million hand injuries per year seen in the United States. According to the Arthritis Foundation (2008), an estimated 46 million adults in the United States (21 %) report having doctor diagnosed arthritis. Traumatic injuries and cumulative trauma such as arthritis are two of the diagnostic categories most commonly treated by hand therapists in the United States and Canada (Muenzen et aI., 2002). Often, occupational therapists who specialize in the treatment of clients with upper extremity disorders are responsible for treating …

Infant Positioning And Its Effect On Development And Head Symmetry, Marjorie Dvorak

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Parents that do not provide their babies with a variety of proper body positions throughout everyday activities may increase their infant's risk for motor development problems and abnormal head shaping. The purpose of this scholarly project was to create parental educational materials in order to increase parent awareness and prevention of common problems due to lack of proper infant positioning in everyday activities.

The methodology used was an extensive research literature review, review of current professional resources on this topic, and this therapist's clinical expertise. The clinical products developed from this evidence included: A parental Developmental Care Guide which is …

Proposed Process: Practice Analysis, Design & Implementation Of Occupational Therapy In Community Behavioral Health Hospitals (Cbhh), Jill Gill

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The Minnesota Department of Human Services has adopted the Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) Program, developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The IMR Program is an evidence-based and recovery focused model of intervention. The primary aim of the IMR Program is to empower consumers with severe mental illness (SMI) to manage their illness, find their own goals for recovery, and make informed decisions about their treatment by teaching them the necessary knowledge and skills to do so. The first Community Behavioral Health Hospital (CBHH), operated by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, was opened in 2006. …

The Use Of Aquatic Therapy For Children With Neuromuscular Disorders, Chris Hydukovich, Troy Schmitz

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this literature was to determine the effects aquatic intervention has on children suffering from neuromuscular disorders compared to that of traditional land-based physical and occupational therapy services.

Method: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, OT search, AJOT online, CINAHL, the Mayo Clinic Triage, and various occupational therapy textbooks regarding the use of aquatic therapy in a neuromuscular population. Information was extracted from this literature to generate educational material for parents of child receiving aquatic occupational therapy.

Results: A review of literature presented cerebral palsy as the main neuromuscular disorder of study associated with aquatic therapy. …

Treating The Whole Child: Recognizing And Addressing Depression In Children With Physical Disabilities, Kathleen A. Koehn

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a tool that would assist occupational therapy practitioners working with children with physical disabilities in recognizing and addressing symptoms of depression in that population. Ailey (2003) reported that symptoms of depression in children with developmental disabilities are frequently attributed incorrectly to a child's primary diagnosis, rather than depression. Because occupational therapists typically see these children more frequently than primary care physicians, they are in a prime position to assist in the screening and referral processes related to depression.

This project involved a comprehensive review of the literature, including data on the …

Managing Post-Stroke Fatigue: A Guide For Daily Living For Clients And Caregivers, Carolyn Krum, Heather Satrom

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Several research studies have determined that fatigue is a common symptom, that should be viewed as an independent consequence following a stroke: it interferes with an individual's engagement in activities of daily living. Fatigue can be misinterpreted as depression, therefore, may be treated inappropriately or remain untreated. Fatigue is not often addressed by health care professionals, therefore, clients and their families are not receiving the proper education and resources to manage fatigue challenges (Glader, Stegmayr, & Aspuland, 2002; Schepers, Visser-Meily, Ketelaar, & Lindeman, 2006). The purpose of this project was to develop a guide for daily living for clients and …

An Occupational Therapy Guide For Improving Social Performance In Adolescents Within The Juvenile Justice System, Missy Law, Ashle Hicks

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Occupational therapists believe social participation is an important aspect of adolescent development. Social participation problems can be linked to mental health diagnoses and delinquency. Adolescents who are court ordered into the juvenile justice system often do not receive the necessary treatment due to lack of resources within the community.

A comprehensive literature review was conducted to gather information regarding social participation aspects in relation to adolescent delinquency and placement within the juvenile justice system. The findings suggest there is more emphasis placed on punishment for adolescents rather than rehabilitation. Interventions used to support rehabilitation are primarily limited to counseling. A …

Constraint Induced Movement Therapy: An Educational Module For Occupational Therapy Students, Tamira Ott, Grant Basko

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The literature indicates that approximately 730,000 Americans experience a new or recurrent stroke each year. There are approximately 4 million Americans living with some type of disability as a result of having suffered a stroke. Due to the high incidence of stroke related disability and associated economic costs; stroke rehabilitation is a health care priority. Even with early intervention only 10% of stroke survivors will recover completely, 25% recover with minor impairments, 40% experience moderate to severe impairments, 10% require care in a nursing home, and 15% die shortly after the stroke. Since the highest categories range from minimal to …

A Manual Of Expected Milestones In Childhood And Occupation-Based Interventions, Laura J. Rabenberg, Chere L. Vosberg

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a manual for parents of children ages birth to five years. The manual includes significant milestones and provides age-appropriate activities which can be used to facilitate development.

A literature review was conducted to identify how play is used to achieve developmental milestones. Resources included journal articles and textbooks from the disciplines of occupational therapy, psychology, education, and medicine.

A manual for parents was created and consists of a discussion on the importance of play in development, expected milestones, occupation-based interventions, and resources regarding child development. This manual is intended for distribution …

Giving Dentistry A Hand: Occupational Therapy Msd Prevention In Dentistry, Andrea Bilotti

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) pose a significant threat to the dental profession. There are many risk factors inherent in the tasks of dental professionals that could lead to MSDs. A literature review from professional literature, journal articles, and professional websites was used to determine the various risk factors and types of MSDs that occur in the dental profession; best practices in MSD prevention in the dental field; and the role of occupational therapy ergonomic intervention in the dental field. The information has a solid foundation in Malcolm Knowles' theory of Andragogy.

To gather real life information, visits to a dental office …

Addressing The Iadl Of Driving, R Brandon. Yancey

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Driving is an integral part of daily life. Discontinuing driving due to decreasing function can have serious effects on a person's life. Occupational therapists work to enhance or maintain a persons independence when they are faced with illness, disease or natural declines associated with aging. Driving is listed as an Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) by the American Occupational Therapy Association (2002). Occupational therapists have special training and skills which assist them to understand the person from a holistic perspective. The decision to discontinue driving should be made after careful consideration of the many aspects of cognitive, visual-perceptual, and …

Birth To Three Early Intervention Parent Handbook, Sarah C. Nicholas

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this study was to investigate family-centered advocacy in early intervention, specifically the development of a parent handbook for families of young children who are eligible to receive early intervention services in Wyoming. Early intervention programs provide services for children with disabilities ages birth to three and their families under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (2004), Part C. The resource handbook was designed for parents and community partners so that they may better understand and utilize early intervention in the community where they reside. The parent handbook was designed to be as a written reference of …

Early Childhood Fine Motor Assessment, Naomi Kapaun

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The development of hand function is ongoing from infancy through adulthood. Hand function is especially important in the early years as a child prepares for school. As with all skills, the level of hand function can range from "excellent" to "average" to "clumsy" or "immature." Stability, strength, and endurance are key components of adequate hand skill development. These components are often areas of weakness in today's society of technology and passive activities. Creating an assessment designed specifically for the identification of skill acquisition, as it pertains to hand function and fine motor development, in the early childhood years will assist …

Achieving Success In College: An Occupational Therapy Approach To A Study/Support Group, Mattie Heckaman, Angela Sepe

Occupational Therapy Capstones

This project was designed to target the needs of students with psychiatric disabilities pursuing higher education. Kessler, Foster, Saunders and Stang (1995), noted that early-onset psychiatric disorders often disrupt attainment of higher education. According to Mowbray et al. (2006) epidemiological studies indicated that youth ages 15-21 years old had the highest prevalence rate of mental illness in 2005. These ages correlate with the conventional years that an individual may attend college. Consequently, the initial psychiatric occurrence of many young adults is experienced during college years. As noted in recent literature, increased supports are needed to retain students with psychiatric disabilities …

A Community Re-Integration Manual For Individuals With Amputations: Preparing For The Paralympics, Carmen Schempp

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Being an athlete with an injury is difficult, but an amputation poses even more challenges to one's life dreams for sports competition. This scholarly project focused on advancing an athlete's community re-integration, specifically back into the sporting community. Presently, there is a gap in existing occupational therapy services for persons with amputations between the completion of inpatient rehabilitation and the return to full community re-integration, particularly for the sports competitor. This scholarly project product is a manual of sequential therapeutic activities for athletes who have the goal of returning to the occupation of sports participation. This product is intended to …

An Occupational Therapy Intervention Program Addressing The Needs Of Older Adults As They Transition To New Living Situations, Judith M. Sokol

Occupational Therapy Capstones

As individuals age and approach retirement, face life changes (loss of spouse or significant others), or health changes, they often make the decision to relocate. Responses may vary; but frequently stress, depression, and anxiety are experienced to the level that they impede a healthy adjustment. This can lead to diminished self-care, difficulty engaging in meaningful occupation, and isolation. Older adults may experience a poor sense of personal mastery within their new environment, contributing to feelings of low self esteem, sadness, grief secondary to loss, anger, and loneliness.

The purpose of this scholarly project was to address the pre-relocation needs and …

Utilizing Leisure Activities During Upper Extremity Rehabilitation: An Occupational Therapy Treatment Protocol, Sherri D. Strohman

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Parkinson's Disease And Occupational Therapy: Evidence Based Practice, Gordon Stubbings, Tiffany Vliem

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The therapeutic benefit of occupational therapy with Parkinson's disease has not been studied in great detail. The purpose of this Scholarly Project was to provide extensive and comprehensive evidence-based information about Parkinson's disease as it applies to occupational therapists. This information was utilized to generate clinical guidelines in the form of a user-friendly manual meant for practicing OTs in treating Parkinson's disease.

An extensive literature review was performed using PubMed to determine current evidence-based practice that occupational therapists and other rehabilitation therapists were currently using. Following the review of literature, a needs assessment was completed per survey directed towards practicing …

Occupation-Based Interventions For Clients With Chemical Addiction Issues, Amanda Sylling, Alyson Wilhelmi

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Based on data from an extensive literature review and survey methodology, a product was developed to assist occupational therapists (O.T. 's) in providing individualized occupation-based interventions for clients dealing with substance abuse/dependence. Although the value of occupation-based interventions focusing on occupational performance and function has been established (Law, 2002), the literature suggests that O.T.'s working in substance abuse treatment environments generally provide group-based intervention consisting primarily of preparatory activities (Rychtarik et al., 2000). Because substance abuse often becomes a primary occupation for individuals with substance abuse issues (Stoffel & Moyers, 2004), it is imperative that O.T.'s address and support healthy …

Sensory Integration Educational Material For Parents And Caregivers, Sarah Urvand, Samantha Wilmot

Occupational Therapy Capstones

During a review of the literature, we identified a lack of information that was geared towards parental education specifically regarding sensory integrative diagnoses and treatment interventions.

Research articles were obtained after we conducted a literature search using the PubMed, ERIC, and CINAHL databases found on the University of North Dakota Harley E. French Library website (http://undmedlibrary.org/). Several texts and other books that we owned were also utilized in the literature review process due to their direct correlation to this scholarly project and the relevance of the material found in the texts. We also contacted Ellen Cohn, who was a lead …

Quality Of Life Occupational Therapy Measurement Tool For Patients With Lymphedema/Chronic Venous Edema, Marsha Waind

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The objective of this project was the development of a tool in the form of a patient questionnaire to be used by Occupational Therapists (OT) treating patients with lymphedema/chronic venous edema. This questionnaire was designed to identify life factors beyond limb volume reduction and activity independence that correlate with the patients' perceptions of an improved quality of life, therefore promoting Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL).

Literature reviewed supported the premise that attainment of the typical OT goals of activity completion will not accomplish the desired result of lymphedema treatment, nor will lymphedema goal attainment of reduced limb measures achieve …

Pediatric Oncology: Parent Education Handbook, Lindsey Anderson, Lacey Harrington

Occupational Therapy Capstones

In America, approximately 12,400 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer each year (Harris, 2004). The number of newly diagnosed children is on a steady increase. With this steady increase it is important to ensure that parents of the child diagnosed with cancer have resources about cancer and the treatment process as well as support. A review of current literature, research, and resources was conducted in order to locate the gaps within pediatric oncology. The literature helped identify areas of concern related to pediatric oncology. The areas identified consist of the parents having minimal knowledge while under emotional stress when …

Occupational Therapy Feeding And Eating Manual For Parents Of Children With Oral Motor Deficits, Jessica Kovacevich, Genevieve Ziegler

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Having a child with feeding and eating difficulties can be a very stressful event for parents, and the process of occupational therapy assessment and treatment may also be stressful and confusing for the parents. Most parents are not familiar with feeding and eating difficulties in children, and many parents do not know where to find the information that they need to learn about their child’s diagnosis. After an initial review of literature, it was found that parents of children with special needs have few resources for eating and feeding strategies and approaches for oral motor deficits. It was also found …

Tendon Injury Rehabilitation: A Manual Of Algorithm Protocols For Therapists, Joni Armstrong

Occupational Therapy Capstones

In the field of hand therapy there are a variety of protocols for treatment of patients with tendon injury. Review other literature indicates that most of these protocols have a good anatomical and physiological basis, which then requires the application of clinical experience to decide which protocols to use when treating patients with hand injury. Experienced hand therapists tend to make observations and adapt protocols accordingly to provide patients with good therapy treatment and therefore achieve excellent treatment outcomes. However, therapists that do not see hand patients on a regular basis and do not have a consult base will tend …

The Wings Of Change: Occupational Therapy Activities For Women Of Domestic Violence, Lainie Donahue, Dianna Steen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Literature indicates that the current services provided to women of domestic violence typically include emergency housing, crisis counseling, and short-term legal and financial assistance (Gorde, Helfrich, & Finlayson, 2004). While these resources provide necessary immediate support to the victim, she may often feel powerless to make long-term changes. If adequate long-term resources and support are not available to the victim, the victim is more likely to return to an abusive situation.

The review of literature focuses on obtaining a deeper understanding of the needs that exist for women subsequent to leaving an abusive relationship, and how to prevent the risk …

An Occupational Therapy Parent Education Handbook: Parenting In The Nicu, Olivia Donald, Angie Laakso

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Parents often feel overwhelmed by their premature infant's fragile medical state and intimidated by the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) environment. The birth of a premature infant is a stressful event for parents because they are coping with their newborn facing life threatening immaturity and its possible consequences, such as handicap or even death. Due to the premature infant's fragile medical state parents often feel their infant does not belong to them but rather to the healthcare staff.

A parent's lack of involvement in their infant's care is a major source of stress, feelings of dis empowerment and a lack …

The Use Of A Sensory Integration Program For Children With Behavioral And Attention Deficits, Janel Evanson, Brenna Pitsch

Occupational Therapy Capstones

One of the challenges facing occupational therapy practitioners today is incorporating treatment approaches into psychosocial and school environments that address the needs of children who have difficulties maintaining an optimal level of arousal, who have a decreased attention span, who are non-engaged and have maladaptive behaviors and impulsivity, and who may have anger management difficulties. These characteristics may coexist with the diagnosis of a sensory integrative dysfunction. As a result, the authors anticipate an increasing demand for the implementation of sensory integration programming in a psychosocial or school setting. An extensive literature review was completed to gain a full understanding …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Secondary Prevention Of Transient Ischemic Attacks, Alan Hodenfield, Amy Shulstad

Occupational Therapy Capstones

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a condition in which an individual experiences an "episode of temporary and focal neurological dysfunction of rapid onset, caused by cerebral circulatory failure and lasting no more than 24 hours" (Shah, Cooper & Lyons, 1992, p. 358-359). Even though a TIA is temporary and leaves no permanent effects, it's far from an irrelevant event. About one in three people who have a TIA eventually have a stroke, with about half occurring during the year after the TIA (Mayo, 2006). A TIA can serve as both a warning and an opportunity: a warning of an …

Occupational Therapy Assistant Mental Health Case-Based Learning Activities, Cassie Hilts

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA) need to be skilled in clinical reasoning and able to apply principles, theories and approaches to functional problems (Neistadt, 1998; Royeen,1995; VanLeit, Crowe and Waterman, 2001). Occupational therapy assistant educational standards require that students be able to apply models of occupational performance and theories of occupation (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, 2008). Research has shown that learners actively engaged in the learning process have increased satisfaction with their education (Robinson, 1994) and perform better on exams (Lord, 1997; Wilden, Crowther, Gubanich and Cannon, 2002). Scaffa and Wooster (2004) found self directed learning can significantly facilitate …

Cardiac Rehabilitation Education Module For Entry-Level Occupational Therapists, Bonnie Hoff

Occupational Therapy Capstones

According to the American Heart Association (2007) statistics, it is estimated that 79,400.000 American adults have one or more types of cardiovascular disease, or one in every three people. It is estimated that 37,500.000 are over the age of 65 years. (AHA, 2007). Heart disease and stroke are the first and third leading cause of death for both men and women in America and accounts for 40% for all deaths, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2005). Approximately one individual will die from heart disease every thirty-three seconds (CDC, 2005).

According to the CDC (2005), a …