Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

An Open-Access Review To Determine Best Evidence-Based Practice For Copd, Beth Ann Walker, Heidi Breckner, Morgan Carrier, Wendy Pullen, Erin Reagan, Lisa Telfer, Taryn Zimmerman

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The manifestation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) can have an enormous impact on individuals’ areas of occupation, specifically activities of daily living. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners have the ability to efficiently treat these clients using evidence-based interventions to achieve optimal functioning and quality of life. The purpose of this research study was to identify specific interventions supported by evidence for consumers with COPD using an open-access database for OT.

Method: A thematic synthesis of 102 articles available on COPD via the open-access database OTseeker was used in this study. A constant comparison approach revealed seven descriptive themes for …

Use Of Occupational Performance Coaching For Stroke Survivors (Opc-Stroke) In Late Rehabilitation: A Descriptive Case Study, Danika Belliveau, Isabelle Belliveau, Aniane Camire-Raymond, Dorothy Kessler, Mary Egan

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of disability in adults. Following stroke, 60% of people report needing help with everyday activities, and 80% report having very few meaningful activities. These restrictions often continue for years. This study explored the efficacy of Occupational Performance Coaching for stroke survivors (OPC-Stroke) on the participation level of adults in the later stage of stroke rehabilitation.

Method: A descriptive case study design was used. One participant in the later stages of rehabilitation was recruited. Outcome measures for participation, goal performance and satisfaction, and emotional well-being were administered pre and postintervention to observe for direction of …

Feasibility Of A Research Protocol To Investigate The Effect Of The Therapressuretm Program Using Salivary Cortisol, Scott Weeks, Kobie Boshoff, Hugh Stewart, Shona Kelly, Chris B. Della Vedova

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: There is an absence of high quality research to support the use of the Therapressure Program^TM. This pilot study aimed at developing appropriate research protocols to investigate the effectiveness of the Therapressure Program^TM on the stress response in children with sensory overresponsivity.

Method: A one-group pre-test/post-test repeated measures design was conducted using a convenience sample. Six children (6-8 years of age) with sensory overresponsivity received 14 consecutive days of the Therapressure Program^TM by their parents at home. Parents concurrently collected salivary cortisol samples from their children.

Results: Children with sensory overresponsivity displayed …

What Do Adolescents With Developmental Disabilities Learn About Sexuality And Dating? A Potential Role For Occupational Therapy, Grace Krantz, Veronica Tolan, Kimmi Pontarelli, Susan M. Cahill

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The objective of the qualitative study was to describe the perspectives of high school educators regarding how adolescents with developmental disabilities are taught about sexuality and dating. In addition, the investigators sought to examine how occupational therapy practitioners could be better integrated into the educational team to address this need.

Method: Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the constant comparative method.

Results: Three major themes emerged: (a) sexuality is unique to each student, (b) teachers and parents do not know what to do, and (c) a potential role for OT.

Conclusions: Occupational therapy …

The Significance Of Comforting Touch To Children With Autism: Sensory Processing Implications For Occupational Therapy, Guy L. Mccormack, Lisa Holsinger

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Children with autism have unusual sensory processing issues. The aim of this study was to examine how mothers comforted their children. Clinical observation has shown that mothers of children with autism often have difficulty calming their children. This study describes the differences in the response to comforting touch among children diagnosed with autism and normally developing children.

Method: The study was a self-report survey using a questionnaire to compare the responses of mothers of children with autism (N = 25) to mothers of typically developing children (N = 26).

Results: The results showed that the methods …

A Comparison Of Print And Cursive Handwriting In Fifth And Sixth Grade Students: A Pilot Study, Anne H. Zachry, Allison P. Doan, Stephanie B. Lancaster, Brittany Simmons, Cary Smith, Jaclyn N. Wicker

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Handwriting is an important skill to master because handwriting demands take up a significant portion of the school day. Pediatric occupational therapists evaluate and treat children who are experiencing challenges with handwriting; therefore, it is important for practitioners to understand the performance of children using both of these writing styles.

Method: A convenience sample of 36 fifth and sixth grade students participated in the study. Print and cursive handwriting samples were collected on two separate occasions, and a Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test was used to examine speed and legibility differences in these writing styles.

Results: Speed in print writing did not …

Sensory Processing As A Predictor Of Feeding/Eating Behaviors In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jerilyn A. Smith

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) frequently have feeding and eating difficulties as well as unusual responses to sensory stimuli. This can lead to significantly compromised occupational performance.

Method: A secondary data analysis study design was used to investigate sensory processing characteristics as predictors of feeding and eating disturbances. Study subjects were children aged 2 to 14 years (N = 171) with ASD. The Short Sensory Profile (SSP) was used to determine the child’s sensory processing abilities. Correlational and multiple regression methods were employed to analyze the relationship between sensory processing and feeding and eating behaviors.

Results …

Personalized Medicine And Evidence-Based Practice: Merging The Art And Science Of Ot, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Portrait Of An Ot Artist: Using Mindfulness To Find Life Balance, Lydia Royeen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Lynn Davies, a Canadian-based occupational therapist, understands the skill set and practice required to employ a balanced work/play/leisure routine, even for an occupational therapist. Occupational therapists can easily foster this balanced routine for clients; however, they may fall short of adopting this balanced routine in their own lives. Lynn uses art and mindfulness strategies to strive for a meaningful routine. Balancing her work as a therapist and her engagement in art is an ever-evolving orchestra, as she has a passion for both.

Assistive Technology Accessibility And Abandonment: Challenges For Occupational Therapists, Daniel Mc Cruz, Maria Luisa G. Emmel, Mariana G. Manzini, Paulo V. Braga Mendes

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Outcomes Associated With A Leisure-Time Activity Program For Disadvantaged Youth, Juanita Bester, Maatje Kloppers

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The SLEAK (Skills, Learning and Educational Activities for Kids) program was established in 2008 as a joint partnership between a community leader and the Division of Occupational Therapy Stellenbosch University. The vision of the SLEAK program is to create a sustainable, non-profit, leisure-time activity program for the youth (10-13 years of age) of the community in order to curb drug and gangster-related activities and to foster healthy work-related skills in the youth to make them responsible and productive members of their community.

The SLEAK program was evaluated in its entirety and this article will focus on the results for the …

An Elective Course Exploring Occupational Justice Through Occupational Storytelling And Story Making, Julie A. Bednarski

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The purpose of this study was to examine whether second-year Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) students who enroll in the elective course “Occupation in Long-Term Care (LTC)” would be able to apply concepts of occupational justice in the nursing home environment through engaging residents in occupational storytelling and story making in order to facilitate resident self-advocacy for participation in a valued occupation. The occupational therapy elective course was developed and implemented with students alternating between the classroom and the nursing home environments. Outcome evaluation measurements included analysis of student reflective journaling to obtain qualitative data. The researcher found that students …

Role Performance And Role Valuation Among Occupational Therapy Students In Norway, Tore Bonsaksen, Hildegunn Kvarsnes

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The Model of Human Occupation describes roles as providing the person with a framework around which to organize daily occupations. Role performance and role valuation in young adults may be related to gender, but there are few research studies to date to support this view.

Methods: This study is a cross-sectional design using a sample of 87 occupational therapy students in Norway. We used the Role Checklist to assess the students’ performance and valuation of roles, and a variety of statistical procedures were employed in the analysis.

Results: Compared to the female participants, males performed roles in the community, …

Using Technology To Increase Physical Activity In Health Profession Students, Mary Ann Stark, Kelly Elrod, Sara Haller, Andrea Mahon

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Health profession students may need help establishing and maintaining positive health behaviors when they are in college. This study explored the effectiveness of text messaging as an innovative method for promoting an increase in daily physical activity. A convenience sample (N = 134) was recruited from students at a college of Health and Human Services in Michigan. The participants were randomized into an intervention or control group (n = 67 each). The intervention group received daily affective text messages encouraging more physical activity by taking more steps. The control group received only messages reminding them to report their number of …

Attitudes Of Occupational Therapists And Occupational Therapy Assistants Toward The Entry-Level Bachelor’S Degree For Otas, Randy P. Mccombie

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Discussions at the local, state, and national level often focus on the value of and prospect for a change from the current entry-level master’s degree to the doctorate degree as the required entrance degree for occupational therapists (OTs). While this debate is not without merit, what appears to be lacking is comparable attention to and consideration of the entry-level bachelor’s degree for occupational therapy assistants (OTAs). The present study examined the attitudes and opinions of OTs and OTAs in regard to the entry-level bachelor’s degree for OTAs. Responses from 144 OTs and 77 OTAs to a postal mailed survey found …

The Use Of Personal Projects Analysis To Enhance Occupational Therapy Goal Identification, Mary Egan, Lori Scott-Lowery, Cynthia De Serres Larose, Liane Gallant, Chantal Canada Jaillet

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Client-centered occupational therapy begins with the identification of personally-relevant patient goals. This study aimed to determine whether the elicitation module of Personal Projects Analysis (PPA) could help patients in an acquired brain injury day hospital program identify more meaningful goals than those identified using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) alone.

Method: Ten patients completed the COPM. They rated the importance of each goal and their confidence that they could attain each goal. During the next session, using the elicitation module of PPA, they identified personal projects just prior to their brain injuries, current personal projects, and future desired …

A Phenomenological Study On The Perception Of Occupational Therapists Practicing In The Emergency Department, Gregory Chown, Theresa Soley, Susan Moczydlowski, Christine Chimento, Amy Smoyer

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The purpose of the study was to increase the scope of knowledge regarding the perception of occupational therapy (OT) practitioners working in the emergency department (ED). A literature review identified a gap in knowledge of OT practitioners working in the ED.

Methods: The 10 participants in this study were registered and licensed OT practitioners working at five acute-care settings with experience working in the ED in Pennsylvania hospitals. A qualitative phenomenological research study was conducted using semi-structured interviews of participants’ lived experiences.

Results: Using qualitative data analysis program Atlas.ti 7®, the central themes discovered were discharge recommendations that ensure …

State Of The Journal Year 3: Finding Our Balance, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

The Style Evolution Of Glasses: Acknowledging Well-Being For Wearable Medical Device, Lydia Royeen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The focus of Peta Bush’s work is to create wearable medical devices that address all qualities of the individual, including physical, mental, emotional, and psychosocial aspects. Peta is completing a practice-based research PhD titled “Therapeutic jewelry: The craft of people-centric devices for wellbeing.” Her passion for creating wearable medical devices that are multi-dimensional stems from her personal experiences, as she has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. In addition, she uses her knowledge of well-being and the biopsychosocial model when creating her wearable medical devices. Peta currently uses technology, such as 3D printing, as one method to fabricate her collection. Her aspirations are for …

More Tips For Making An Editor Happy, Jan Andersen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Concise Arm And Hand Rehabilitation Approach In Stroke (Caras): A Practical And Evidence-Based Framework For Clinical Rehabilitation Management, Johan A. Franck, Jos Halfens, Rob Smeets, Henk Seelen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The volume of information on new treatment techniques supporting the restoration of arm-hand function (AHF) and arm-hand skill performance (ASHP) in stroke survivors overwhelms therapists in everyday clinical practice when choosing the appropriate therapy. The Concise Arm and Hand Rehabilitation Approach in Stroke (CARAS) is designed for paramedical staff to structure and implement training of AHF and AHSP in stroke survivors. The CARAS is based on four constructs: (a) stratification according to the severity of arm–hand impairment (using the Utrecht Arm/Hand -Test [UAT]), (b) the individual’s rehabilitation goals and concomitant potential rehabilitation outcomes, (c) principles of self-efficacy, and (d) possibilities …

Occupational Therapy Students’ Perspectives Of Professionalism: An Exploratory Study, Theresa M. Sullivan, Andrea K. Thiessen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Professionalism is a dynamic, socially constructed idea, rendering it difficult to comprehend. Though characterized by the demonstration of values and behaviors, its meaning has not been fully explored and remains tacit. To explore how first- and second-year master’s of occupational therapy students conceptualize professionalism.

Method: This qualitative pilot study evolved from an interpretivist theoretical perspective. Convenience sampling yielded four first-year and seven second-year students from one entry-level master’s program to participate in two separate focus groups. Line-by-line constant comparison methods were used to analyze the data and identify categories. An audit trail, peer debriefing, and member checking were employed. …

High-Fidelity Simulation: A Tool For Occupational Therapy Education, Chi-Kwan Shea

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

High-fidelity simulation (HFS) is an educational tool commonly used by professional education programs of medicine and nursing for student training and assessment. Although its use in occupational therapy (OT) education is emerging, implementation of simulation in OT education varies broadly across programs, and, in general, the tool remains underused. This paper describes how the OT education program at Samuel Merritt University (SMU) has systematically expanded the use of HFS in various formats throughout the curriculum. The specific processes and procedures of using HFS in facilitating student critical thinking and clinical skills are explained to emphasize the potential educational value of …

Fieldwork Educators' Perspectives: Professional Behavior Attributes Of Level Ii Fieldwork Students, Marcie K. Campbell, Katelyn Corpus, Tracy M. Wussow, Teresa Plummer, Debra Gibbs, Shelley Hix

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

A review of the literature revealed a lack of consistent expectations for professional behaviors required of level II fieldwork students. This study sought to obtain a consensus of perspectives of level II fieldwork educators by asking, “What are the essential professional behavior attributes for level II fieldwork students?” Delphi methodology was used to collect data in two rounds of surveys. In the first, 49 fieldwork educators listed professional behavior attributes they believed to be important for fieldwork students. The data was synthesized into themes for distribution in the second survey, which were identified as essential, non-essential, or site-specific by 53 …

Evaluation Of A Sleep Knowledge Translation Strategy For Occupational Therapists Working With Persons Who Have Dementia, Laura Laberge, Blaire Sangster, Cary A. Brown

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Introduction: Sleep deficiency is a significant, largely overlooked issue for persons with dementia (PWD), and is associated with physical and mental health problems, increased caregiver burden, and increased likelihood of institutionalization. Despite the high prevalence of sleep deficiency in PWD, most health care professionals lack knowledge of the relationship between sleep problems and dementia. This project aimed to determine the feasibility of an archived online presentation, a knowledge translation (KT) strategy to increase therapists’ understanding of the impact of blue-spectrum light on sleep in PWD.

Method: Therapists who participated in a previous sleep and dementia survey were recruited via email. …

The Effect Of High And Low Antiepileptic Drug Dosage On Simulated Driving Performance In Person’S With Seizures: A Pilot Study, Alexander Crizzle, Sherrilene Classen, Christina Lafranca, William Silver, Stephan Eisenschenk

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Prior studies examining driving performance have not examined the effects of antiepileptic drugs (AED’s) or their dosages in persons with epilepsy. AED’s are the primary form of treatment to control seizures, but they are shown to affect cognition, attention, and vision, all which may impair driving. The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of high and low AED dosages on simulated driving performance in persons with seizures.

Method: Patients (N = 11; mean age 42.1 ± 6.3; 55% female; 100% Caucasian) were recruited from the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit and had their driving assessed on a simulator. …

Executive Functioning: Relationship With High School Student Role Performance, Donna P. Mann, Roberta Snover, James R. Boyd, Andrea J. List, Aaron J. Kuhn, Bridget N. Devereaux, Susan M. Chenoweth, Gina L. Middaugh

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

BACKGROUND. Student role performance for academic success in secondary education is under represented in the occupational therapy literature, despite the persistently high dropout rate in the United States (Stillwell & Sable, 2013). Executive dysfunction is one of many possible contributors to difficulties in the classroom (Dirette & Kolak, 2004) and is a better indicator of school performance than IQ (Diamond, 2012). This research examined executive functioning of both alternative and traditional high school students to determine if there is a relationship between executive function and academic success as measured by cumulative grade point average.

METHOD. 132 high school students from …

Personalized Medicine: Definitions, History, And Implications For The Ot Profession, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Providing Compassion Through Flow, Lydia Royeen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Meg Kral, MS, OTR/L, CLT, is the cover artist for the Summer 2015 issue of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy. Her untitled piece of art is an oil painting and is a re-creation of a photograph taken while on vacation. Meg is currently supervisor of outpatient services at Rush University Medical Center. She is lymphedema certified and has a specific interest in breast cancer lymphedema. Art and occupational therapy serve similar purposes for Meg: both provide a sense of flow. She values the outcomes, whether it is a piece of art or improved functional status.

Framing Ecological Validity In Occupational Therapy Practice, Patricia A. Crist

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.