Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Integrating Sleep Promotion Education Into Acute Care Orthopedics Occupational Therapy Practice: A Case Series Study, Rebecca Ludwig, Aaron M. Eakman, Catherine Siengsukon

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The occupation of sleep is frequently under-addressed by occupational therapists with their clients. This may be in part because of a lack of general training on addressing this occupational domain or a lack of education about the basics of sleep. The domain of sleep has been in the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework since 2008. However, it remains unclear how to address the domain of sleep in occupational therapy practice. Therefore, the purpose of this case series is to describe the practical application of sleep promotion education.

Methods: A practicing occupational therapist with sleep training provided sleep promotion …

Use Of A Performance-Based Occupational Therapy Assessment Of Executive Function With The Homeless Population: A Case Report, Emily Raphael-Greenfield, Kimberlee Baltich, Tess Wilson, Rebecca Lowinger

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: An estimated 25% of the homeless population has a mental illness, which means that many experience cognitive problems that adversely impact basic and instrumental activities of daily living and goal attainment. This case report focused on the experience of an individual living in transitional housing who was evaluated with a performance-based occupational therapy assessment in the context of community-based interdisciplinary psychosocial care provided by a robust occupational therapy fieldwork program.

Method: This case report generally followed the CARE Case Report Guidelines and highlights the use of a standardized performance-based assessment and follow-up care suggested by test outcomes. …

Feasibility Of A Stress Reduction Program Among Foster Youth In College, Alexis Melinda Ferioli Morin, Jennifer E. Lape

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Foster youth endure traumatic adversities, which can lead to obstacles when transitioning to young adulthood and pursuing postsecondary education. This vulnerable population is required to navigate independent living while also managing stress that commonly arises from postsecondary education.

Method: A pre test, post test pilot design was employed to determine the potential impact and feasibility of an evidenced-based multi-factorial stress management program in reducing foster youth’s perceived stress during postsecondary education. Participants (n = 3) received one, 90-min individual occupational therapy session weekly over 6 weeks. Author-generated stress management surveys along with the Perceived Stress Scale …

Encounters With Ethical Problems During The First 5 Years Of Practice In Occupational Therapy: A Survey, Brenda S. Howard, Michele Govern, Alexandra M. Gambrel, Morgan Haney, Haylee Ottinger, Travis W. Rippe, Alyssa Earls

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Health care professionals face ethical problems in practice, but there is little research on types of ethical problems encountered or ethical problem resolution. This study explored ethical problems encountered by occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) within the first 5 years of practice.

Method: Investigators sent a survey in cooperation with NBCOT to a sample of 7,800 occupational therapists and OTAs in multiple practice settings who were NBCOT certified within the past five years. The survey covered questions regarding ethical problems encountered in practice, including productivity and related issues, clinical decision-making and professional reasoning, therapeutic relationships, and …

Predictors Of Occupational Competence In People Hospitalized With Chronic Conditions, Melanie Morriss Tkach, Patricia Bowyer, Marsha Neville, Timothy J. Wolf, Gerald Goodman

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Chronic diseases limit participation in meaningful daily activities, roles, and routines, which can negatively impact occupational competence, a sense of self, and life satisfaction, especially when hospitalization is required to manage disease symptoms. Standardized measures of occupational competence and related functional, cognitive, and environmental factors may enhance occupational therapists’ ability to identify potential barriers to and make targeted recommendations for self- and health management in the community.

Method: This cross-sectional study investigated occupational competence in patients hospitalized with chronic conditions. The participants completed measures of occupational competence, values, self-care function, environmental impact, and functional cognition while hospitalized. …

Social Participation And Navigation With Adolescent And Young Adult Brain Tumor Survivors: Usability And Potential Benefits, Gary Bedell, Nicole Porter, Miranda Cullen, Zachary Gould, Stephanie Freeman

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This study examined the usability and potential benefits of Social Participation and Navigation (SPAN), a virtual coaching goal planning intervention, which was modified for adolescent and young adult (AYA) brain tumor survivors who often experience social participation challenges.

Methods: Four AYA brain tumor survivors participated in a brief trial of the modified SPAN consisting of four weekly coaching sessions with trained supervised occupational therapy graduate students and use of a website and web application to assist with goal planning and achievement. The participants rated their social participation and SPAN-specific skills pre/post program. The participants and parents completed 1-week …

Reflections From The Other Side Of Acute Care, Debbie Amini

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

An occupational therapist of 40 years experiences a traumatic event during her time in an acute care hospital. She journeys through a host of life-altering experiences, including cognitive decline, delusion, paranoia, and an inability to engage in her desired occupations. While on this journey and during reflections following her return home, she is able to see more clearly how an occupational therapist may have assisted with several of the major concerns she was experiencing, thus improving her well-being and quality of life. She is an Assistant Editor for the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT) and this is her story.

Regaining Quality Of Life Painting Pet Portraits, Jennifer K. Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Tina Primer, an artist based in Illinois, provided the cover art for the Spring 2023 issue of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). “Wriggly” is an 11” x 14” painting made from acrylic on stretched canvas. After a debilitating stroke, Tina began using art as therapy. When the strength in her dominant hand did not return, painting pet portraits provided the motivation to do things differently. Tina’s playful use of color and attention to detail capture each pet’s unique personality. Discovering a new way to paint improved Tina’s quality of life.

Empowering Children And Families With Food Allergies: An Innovative Role For Occupational Therapy, Salma H. Bachelani, Meredith P. Gronski, Kelly A. Carlson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Food allergies (FAs) have far-reaching implications regarding occupational participation. Children with food allergies and their families experience impacts on their daily life activities. The current standard of care for FAs fails to adequately address the wide-ranging barriers to participation in home, school, and community environments. This study used a mixed-method design to examine the impacts of FA on the needs of children and families affected by FA. Eighteen parents of children with FAs and six health care providers of children with FAs were interviewed; the parents also completed two questionnaires to identify the level of impact of FA on areas …

Understanding The Doctoral Capstone Coordinator Position: A Unique Faculty Role In Occupational Therapy Education, Hannah L.W. Harris, Anne F. Kiraly-Alvarez, Paula J. Costello, Bernadette Schmeltz

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The doctoral capstone coordinator (DCC) position is a required faculty position in U.S. entry-level OTD programs, but there is limited information about this role. This descriptive study aimed to explore the demographics of DCCs; their required workload, tasks, and responsibilities; and the supports available to DCCs. The researchers administered an online survey and analyzed the data using descriptive statistics and content analysis. The results revealed much variability in DCCs’ experiences, workloads, and responsibilities across OTD programs. Of the DCCs survey, 74.0% previously held leadership positions in academia or clinical practice before taking the role, and 60.5% of the DCCs worked …

Perceptions Of The Delivery Of Group And Individual Writing Telehealth Interventions For Students 7 To 12 Years Of Age Using Two Virtual Platforms: A Pilot Study, Denise K. Donica, Lauren Turbeville, Taylor Whaley, Sarah Woodlief

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Existing evidence supports occupational therapy’s (OT) role in improving handwriting skills; however, evidence is limited regarding the delivery of virtual intervention.

Method: This pilot study reviewed the use of a virtual interprofessional writing program for five children 7 to 12 years of age that addressed both handwriting (OT) and spelling (speech-language pathology) skills. The program included eight weekly sessions using Microsoft Teams (first four sessions) and Cisco WebEx (last four sessions). A parent survey consisting of 14 questions was conducted to gauge overall satisfaction with the program as well as learn about platform preferences. In addition, the …

The Effect Of Alternative Seating On School Function And Task Behavior In A Second-Grade Classroom, Julie H. Hunley, Stephanie Beisbier, Cynthia Clough

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of alternative seating (KidsErgo chairs) on second-grade students’ attention and task behavior/completion skills during academic instruction and work time.

Method: The quasi-experimental two-group pretest/posttest study included 24 students in one urban parochial school classroom. A subset of students was identified for close momentary time sampling of classroom behaviors while all students were assessed with the behavior/task completion subtest of the School Function Assessment (SFA).

Results: SFA scores improved in the students with low baseline SFA scores (LSFA), but not in the students with high baseline SFA …

Novice And Expert Observer Accuracy Of The Threshold Wheelchair Skill: A Pilot Eye-Tracking Study, Diane E. Mackenzie, R. Lee Kirby, Cher Smith, Zainab Al Lawati, Eric Lee, Sorayya Askari

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Moving a wheelchair over a low threshold is an entry-level mobility skill. Observation is critical to the assessment and training of this skill. The primary objective of this exploratory pilot study was to determine if a difference between novice and expert visual attention allocation pattern was linked to the accuracy of rating skill performance and decision confidence.

Methods: Twelve expert occupational therapists and nine non-expert occupational therapy students observed 30 first-attempt recordings of able-bodied persons learning the low threshold skill. Randomized recordings included 10 recordings from each rating group of “pass,” “pass with difficulty" (pwd), and “fail.” …

Identifying Grasp And Pinch Patterns In Ceramic Interventions: Video Analysis Of Adults Completing Ceramic Activities, Jeanine Beasley, Amber Chapman, Brianne Halliwill, Allison M. Mann, Kaitlyn S. Spalding, Jennifer K. Fortuna, Dianna Lunsford, Madeline Kaczmarczyk

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Occupation-based interventions are effective in hand rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to identify the grasp and pinch patterns used during specific ceramic activities for rehabilitative interventions.

Method: A convenience sample of 59 videos with 38 subjects were taken of adults without hand dysfunction completing various ceramic activities. Elementary Grasp Actions (EGA’s) were analyzed to identify the different grasps and pinch patterns.

Results: The EGA’s occurred 279 times across 12 ceramics activities. The EGA’s with the highest frequencies include nonprehensile, pinch, and lateral pinch. Nonprehensile was the most frequently used grasp used by the left …

Satisfaction With Customizable 3d-Printed Finger Orthoses Compared To Commercial Silverring™ Splints, Natasha Irani, Rebecca Ozelie

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Emerging research primarily supports 3D-printing as a customizable, replicable orthosis option. However, more research emphasizing orthotic users’ viewpoints is necessary to address challenges with orthotic wear adherence and satisfaction.

Method: Forty persons were recruited at an academic medical center. After wearing each orthosis for 8 hr (or as long as tolerated), the participants completed post-satisfaction surveys to measure satisfaction with different aspects of both orthoses worn.

Results: Forty participants (21 females, 19 males, mean age = 24.98 years) were enrolled in the study. Satisfaction scores (N = 40) were not statistically significant for 3D-printed orthoses compared …

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation For Infants With Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy: A Pilot Study, Denise Justice, Kate Wan-Chu Chang, Lynnette T. Rasmussen, Lynda J-S Yang

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Biceps recovery is a critical determinant for treatment decision-making in patients with neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP). One treatment intervention used by therapists is neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), but its use remains controversial. This study’s aim was to determine the effect and safety of NMES on biceps function in infants with NBPP compared to standard therapy.

Methods: In this pilot, randomized controlled study, patients were randomized to the NMES treatment or control/sham group. Inclusion criteria were infants 3 to 9 months of age with a confirmed diagnosis of NBPP and biceps weakness, without other comorbidities. The parents …

A Program To Improve The Quality Of Life Of Caregivers Of Older Adults With Chronic Conditions: A Pilot Study, Lori Reynolds, Brandi Buchanan, Shannon Crabtree, Elton Bordanave

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Among the nearly 41.8 million family caregivers of older adults 50 years of age and older in the United States, only 30% of caregivers report receiving the education, resources, and support they need to feel competent in their role. Many existing programs focus on dementia-related caregiving, and programs are needed to address the caregiving needs of individuals with chronic conditions.

Method: A pilot study using a mixed methods design was conducted with eight participants. The pre and post. measure, Adult Carer Quality of Life (AC-QoL), and post program individual interviews were conducted.

Results: Six of the …

Education And Perceptions Of Post-Therapy Maintenance Programs In Long-Term Care: A Mixed Methods Exploratory Study, Laura S. Novak, Vanessa D. Jewell, Michael Gerg, Andrea Thinnes

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Occupational therapists develop maintenance programs (MPs) for long-term care (LTC) residents to optimize participation in everyday activities. The purpose of this study was to examine nursing professional attitudes and knowledge of MPs and to evaluate the effectiveness of an occupational therapist-led in-service.

Method: Nursing staff (n = 20) attended the in-service, completed a pre and posttest, and completed interviews (n = 5). We used an exploratory sequential mixed methods design with a one-group quasi-experimental design for the quantitative portion and a descriptive qualitative approach for the interviews.

Results: The results indicated significantly increased knowledge regarding MPs, …

Occupational Therapists' Perspectives On Nursing Home Culture And Addressing The Psychosocial Needs Of Residents: Mixed Methods Design, Nayeli Mendoza, Mikayla C. Wandersee, Divya Sood

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore occupational therapists’ perspectives on the culture change movement to address the psychosocial components of care among nursing home residents and identify supports and barriers to implementing the culture change movement.

Methods: We used a sequential explanatory mixed methods design. Electronic surveys were completed by 102 occupational therapists who work in nursing home facilities. Three focus groups were conducted via conference call with occupational therapists (n = 9). The survey was analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Focus groups were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: Seventy-four of survey …

Imposter Phenomenon: The Occupational Experiences Of First-Generation College Students, Karen Mccarthy, Kevin Chavez, Krysta Gastelum, Javier Gomez, Jacqueline Salas, Yashi Severson, Jamie Zabat

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: First-generation college students (FGCS) represent an underserved population navigating higher education. There is a current gap in the literature regarding the interaction of occupational experiences, imposter phenomenon (IP), and FGCS. The purpose of this study is to use grounded theory to explore the occupational experience of IP among FGCS enrolled in a four-year university in California.

Method: This research is a qualitative study using grounded theory. Data was collected through a screening survey and interview with 11 participants who identified as FGCS.

Results: Thematic analysis generated five themes: (a) emotional aspects of IP, (b) collectivism, (c) balance, (d) communities …

Shared Concepts Guiding The Practice Of A Community Occupational Therapy Program Serving Youth With Psychosocial Challenges, Chi-Kwan Shea, Nancy Jackson, Marianna Ayers Sordille

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Occupational therapy services to youth with trauma experiences and mental health challenges may follow unique practice concepts that deserve to be explored and illuminated. The study aimed to explore and identify shared concepts that have been guiding the occupational therapy practice of a community-based program serving the youth population.

Method: The qualitative study analyzed data from transcripts of one-on-one interviews with occupational therapists who serve youth clients in the community-based program. Using a grounded theory qualitative approach, the analysis aimed to highlight unique concepts that the occupational therapists employed in their day-to-day practice with youth who experience …

Initial Validity And User Experience Of A Dynamic Assessment Of Occupational Performance For Transitional Age Youth, Christine Haworth, Genevieve Cyrs, Chi-Kwan Shea

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The Double OT (DOT) assessment is occupation-based and dynamic, designed with a client-centered format requiring skill demonstration. It was developed to support youth transitioning into the workplace. This research intended to analyze initial validity and users’ experience.

Method: This study includes qualitative and quantitative analyses of data collected from surveys from 169 client participants (APs) and 30 recipient participants (ARRs) from eight sites in the USA and Europe. AP were 14­ to 25 years of age and engaged in residential, educational, and vocational settings. The ARRs comprised partners who had received DOT assessment summaries about APs with …

Promoting Equity For Women In Medical Journal Editing, Allison Chamberlain Miller, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

‘Can You See What I See?’: An Art Project Promoting Living Well With Dementia, Jennifer K. Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Caroline Hyland, an illustrator and former occupational therapist based in Dublin, Ireland, provided the cover art for the Winter 2023 edition of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). “Can You See What I See?” is an acrylic painting on black textured paper. The piece was inspired by Caroline’s grandmother Kathleen Duhig, her love of flowers, and the song “The Dutchman.” Kathleen and three of her sisters lived with dementia. This painting, and several others, are featured in a book Caroline wrote to support living well with dementia. By combining her artistic talents and training as an occupational therapist, Caroline …

If Reasoning, Reflection, And Evidence-Based Practice Are Essential To Practice, We Must Define Them, Hannah K. Burke, Anita C. Bundy, Shelly J. Lane

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Reasoning, reflection, and evidence-based practice are considered essential to the delivery of high-quality occupational therapy services. These skills are highlighted in occupational therapy practice acts and educational standards. Unfortunately, although clearly integral to practice, reasoning, reflection, and evidence-based practice are rarely and inconsistently defined in the profession of occupational therapy. Because the terms reasoning, reflection, and evidence-based practice are used so frequently, and so often their definitions are assumed, occupational therapy students may be unclear on how they will be evaluated and, ultimately, what they will be expected to do in practice in relation to these skills. Through a review …

Job Demands Of Occupational Therapy Clinical Placements: A Descriptive Study Using The Practicum Demands Measure©, Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia, Donna Barker, Jill Stier, Joyce Lo

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The purpose of this study was to group and analyze the Practicum Demands Measure^© (PDM) data collected over 2 academic years and create a general profile of demands across practicum settings. The data will be used to guide faculty in the most suitable placement of students requiring accommodations for a disability. The study used a secondary analysis design to analyze the 538 participant PDM data collected over the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 academic years. Most of the sampled students were in fieldwork Level I and worked in mental health settings. The students reported physical demands, such as lifting more …

Implementation Of A Human Trafficking Educational Module For College Students: Pre/Post Design, Kristen Hill, Patti T. Calk, Erin Bradley, Ross E. Hunt, Maria C. Lauer, Danielle R. Lee, Casi E. Martin, Christy M. Stillwell

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

This research study aimed to implement an educational module and to determine the effectiveness of that module on increasing the awareness of human trafficking and risk factors for incoming freshman students at a medium-size, Southern university from September 2021 through November 2021. Two hundred students consented and participated in the study by completing the pretest and posttest to indicate their knowledge of human trafficking before and after being presented an online educational module. The pre and posttest included 10 questions with 24 possible responses. An average of 12.34 correct responses were provided on the pretest and 19.13 were correct responses …

A Narrative Review Of Student Evaluations Of Teaching In Decolonial Praxis: Implications For Occupational Therapy Higher Education, Fatima Hendricks, Michaele Singleton, Asia Clark, Marina Mishin, Marissa Epps

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Student evaluations of teaching (SETs) are the primary source for evaluating teaching effectiveness and are used for deciding tenure and promotion. However, as efforts to engage in a decolonial critique of higher education amplify, the use of SETs in teaching and learning requires scrutiny. A narrative review was used to address the research question of SET biases in decolonial praxis and what insights may be useful for OT decolonial praxis. We identify and describe two content areas: (a) SET biases and (b) recommendations for alternatives promoting OT decolonial praxis. A total of 92 articles were sourced from five databases. Of …

A Scoping Review Of Occupation-Based Interventions For Women With Breast Cancer, Whitney Lucas Molitor, Erika Clark, Brittney Moser

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Globally, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer. Women diagnosed with breast cancer often experience physical and psychosocial changes influencing occupational participation and quality of life. Limited evidence exists that reports outcomes of occupation-based occupational therapy interventions for women with breast cancer.

Method: In this scoping review, we map occupation-based occupational therapy interventions conducted by occupational therapy professionals for women undergoing rehabilitation for breast cancer. The Joanna Briggs Institute Guidelines provided a structure for the review.

Results: Six articles met the inclusion criteria. Interventions included health management, leisure, and social participation occupations.

Conclusion: Occupational …

Rest And Sleep Patterns And Activities Of Residents In Long-Term Care Facilities: A Descriptive Study, Pei-Fen Chang, Kai-Lai Tsai, Clarissa Richard, Harriett A. Davidson, Gayle Hersch

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background:To facilitate healthy occupational participation and highlight the significance of rest and sleep for older adults, this study aimed to provide a description of rest and sleep patterns and activities of residents in long-term care facilities (LTCFs).

Method: Secondary analysis of rest and sleep data collected from a funded R21 study was conducted. Twenty-nine residents were interviewed using the Yesterday Interview (YI) to describe their time and daily activities, including rest and sleep patterns and activities.

Results: Average time spent sleeping was 10.22 (±1.77) hr and resting was 4.77 (±3.3) hr. Data were also collected on …