Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Workplace Factors Affecting The Delivery Of Occupational Therapy Services: Perspectives Of Occupational Therapy Practitioners, Robert J. Mullaney

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

This research is a study on the occupation of being an occupational therapy practitioner. The work-related factors of focus are change, absenteeism, productivity/performance expectations, and work-stress and have the potential to influence the delivery of occupational therapy services in healthcare settings. Collective case-study inquiry and analysis was used to determine the overall meaning of the perspectives of 21 hospital, skilled nursing, outpatient, and community-based participants who were occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants. Interviews and transcription took place, with a validation review. NVIVO-10 Qualitative Software was used to aid in the analysis and coding of the a-priori factors using deductive …

The Effectiveness Of Occupational Therapist Guided Remediation Through Handwriting Home Programs, Cindy W. Poole

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

There is extensive research on the evolution of handwriting instruction, programs, the neuromotor components, the complexity of performance, and the long term effects of both adequate and inferior performance to occupational performance. The research supports occupational therapy intervention as effective for remediation of poor handwriting. With occupational therapy services limited to only those who receive special education services in schools, supplemental handwriting instruction and remediation responsibilities fall to the teachers and parents. This also creates a large unserved segment of children who struggle under traditional instructional approaches. Parents and teachers have instructional support needs related to current evidence based practice …

Are We Armed With The Right Data? Pooled Individual Data Review Of Biomarkers In People With Severe Upper Limb Impairment After Stroke, Kathryn S. Hayward, Julia Schmidt, Keith R. Lohse, Sue Peters, Julia Bernhardt, Natasha A. Lannin, Lara A. Boyd

Physical Therapy Publications

To build an understanding of the neurobiology underpinning arm recovery in people with severe arm impairment due to stroke, we conducted a pooled individual data systematic review to: 1) characterize brain biomarkers; 2) determine relationship(s) between biomarkers and motor outcome; and 3) establish relationship(s) between biomarkers and motor recovery. Three electronic databases were searched up to October 2, 2015. Eligible studies included adults with severe arm impairment after stroke. Descriptive statistics were calculated to characterize brain biomarkers, and pooling of individual patient data was performed using mixed-effects linear regression to examine relationships between brain biomarkers and motor outcome and recovery. …

Interhemispheric Pathways Are Important For Motor Outcome In Individuals With Chronic And Severe Upper Limb Impairment Post Stroke, Kathryn S. Hayward, Jason L. Neva, Cameron S. Mang, Sue Peters, Katie P. Wadden, Jennifer K. Ferris, Lara A. Boyd

Physical Therapy Publications

Background: Severity of arm impairment alone does not explain motor outcomes in people with severe impairment post stroke.

Objective: Define the contribution of brain biomarkers to upper limb motor outcomes in people with severe arm impairment post stroke.

Methods: Paretic arm impairment (Fugl-Meyer upper limb, FM-UL) and function (Wolf Motor Function Test rate, WMFT-rate) were measured in 15 individuals with severe (FM-UL ≤ 30/66) and 14 with mild-moderate (FM-UL > 40/66) impairment. Transcranial magnetic stimulation and diffusion weight imaging indexed structure and function of the corticospinal tract and corpus callosum. Separate models of the relationship between possible biomarkers and motor outcomes …

Resource Seeking As Occupation: A Critical And Empirical Exploration., Rebecca M Aldrich, Debbie Rudman, Virginia A Dickie

Occupational Therapy Publications

Occupational therapists and occupational scientists are committed to generating and using knowledge about occupation, but Western middle-class social norms regarding particular ways of doing have limited explorations of survival occupations. This article provides empirical evidence of the ways in which resource seeking constitutes an occupational response to situations of uncertain survival. Resource seeking includes a range of activities outside formal employment that aim to meet basic needs. On the basis of findings from 2 ethnographic studies, we critique the presumption of survival in guiding occupational therapy documents and the accompanying failure to recognize occupations that seem at odds with self-sufficiency. …

Precarity In The Nonprofit Employment Services Sector, Carlo Fanelli, Debbie Rudman, Rebecca Aldrich

Occupational Therapy Publications

Drawing on interview and focus group data, this article explores research undertaken as part of a larger research project exploring precarity in the nonprofit employment services sector in a mid-sized Canadian city. We critically survey major legislative changes to Canadian employment and income security policies and programs, including the restructuring of work and labor relations, growth of performance-based contracting-out, erosion of intergovernmental transfers, worker stress, and emotional tolls. Our study’s results demonstrate how employment precarity in the nonprofit employment services sector is amplified by top-down and centralized relationships with funding partners and policymaking divorced from the employment experiences of frontline …

“You Got To Make The Numbers Work”: Negotiating Managerial Reforms In The Provision Of Employment Support Service., Debbie Rudman, Rebecca Aldrich, John Grundy, Melanie Stone, Suzanne Huot, Awish Aslam

Occupational Therapy Publications

No abstract provided.

Discerning The Social In Individual Stories Of Occupation Through Critical Narrative Inquiry., Debbie Rudman, Rebecca Aldrich

Occupational Therapy Publications

Calls to ‘transcend the individual’ in occupational science have emerged in recognition of the boundaries of individualistic perspectives and the drive to develop a socially responsive science. In this article, we contend that transcending the individual does not equate to neglecting how individuals make sense of and experience occupation; rather, it requires looking at individual constructions of experiences and occupations in critically informed ways that highlight the socio-political influences on those constructions. This discussion article considers how critical narrative inquiry can be taken up as a methodological approach to interpretively link individual ‘stories’ with social ‘stories’ or discourses, enabling further …

The Comprehensive Professional Behaviours Development Log, Deb Lucy, Doreen J. Bartlett, Tianna D. B. Deluzio

Physical Therapy Publications

No abstract provided.

Development, Implementation, And Outcomes Of An Acute Care Clinician Scientist Clinical Placement: Case Report., Sarah Wojkowski, Janelle Unger, Magda Mccaughan, Beverley Cole, Michelle E Kho

Physical Therapy Publications

Purpose: This article presents the development, implementation, and outcomes of an innovative clinician scientist (CS) placement for a 2nd-year, entry-level MSc(PT) student at McMaster University. Client Description: All physiotherapy students participating in the third 6-week clinical placement at McMaster University were eligible to apply for one CS placement. A placement description and expectations were developed collaboratively by the clinical site and the MSc(PT) programme before placement matching. Intervention: A shared supervisory model between one acute care physiotherapist and a critical care CS was developed to provide supervision in both clinical and research-related activities during the placement. Measures and Outcomes: The …

Clinician's Commentary On Patterson Et Al., Sue Peters

Physical Therapy Publications

No abstract provided.

Career Paths, Barriers, And Professional Experiences: A Comparison Study Of Physical Therapy Program Directors In The United States, Tamara Nancy Gravano

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The entry-level degree for physical therapists today is a professional doctoral degree. It is similar to a medical degree program where the expected outcome of its graduates is clinical practice, and there is no formal training in academic teaching or administration. The purpose of this study was to determine the leadership characteristics, styles, and behaviors of accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program directors (PD) and to gain a better understanding of their preparation and path to program leadership. The survey instrument was sent electronically to all program directors of accredited DPT programs in the United States (N=233) and the …

Open Access Continuing Education Occupational Therapy Resources For Rural Communities, Amber L. Daly, Emily E. Germolus

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Occupational therapists working in rural areas face a number of barriers when trying to access continuing education courses, which are required to maintain licensure. Some of the largest barriers these practitioners face include: time, cost of the courses, and ease of access. Continuing education often requires travelling, time out of one’s day, and a fee ranging from $25-$300 (North Dakota Occupational Therapy Association [NDOTA], 2016; Continuing education, 2013). The purpose of this scholarly project is to address continuing education requirement-related needs and education access for occupational therapists working in rural areas. Following the completion of a comprehensive literature review and …

Stress: Effects And Management, Breanna Buscher

Nebraska College Preparatory Academy: Senior Capstone Projects

Stress is how the body reacts to any change in a person's life, as well as how it reacts in life or death situations. It is important everyone knows how to manage stress and what will happen if they do not. While there are an abundance of terrifying things that can happen when stress goes unmanaged, there are also plenty of easy ways everyone can keep their stress in check.

Stress can feel overwhelming and often cause health problems if gone unmanaged but luckily there are a plethora of ways to manage it.

Future Research: I would like to research …

An Ableist Society: What Does Disability Look Like?, Maricela Paramo

Nebraska College Preparatory Academy: Senior Capstone Projects

One out of every five adults in the United States has a disability. That is about 63.976 million people, yet, ableism is a common type of discrimination. This paper is an attempt to create awareness of ableism and its negative effects by providing testimonies and methods that will help people with disabilities live a life without prejudice.

The United States is nowhere close to being an ableist free society and it will remain this way until people stop using ableist language as an insult or to mock someone, until mocking the disabled is not a media entertainment, until public figures …

Kathleen “Kit” Sinclair, Phd, Otr/L, Fwot, Faota

OJOT Sponsor Profiles

No abstract provided.

Understanding The Impact Of Substance Abuse On Occupation Using The Lifestyle History Questionnaire, Mikel Stone

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Substance abuse and addiction have become serious societal problems resulting in a myriad of health, personal and relational issues (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2014). Gutman (2006) reported that an individual involved in substance abuse and addiction may experience difficulty with purposeful time management and may neglect major life roles. The focus of this Capstone Project was to identify the occupational dysfunction experienced by individuals prior to participating in residential recovery programming.

Purpose: The purpose of this Capstone Project was to identify occupational dysfunction associated with substance abuse and addiction using the Lifestyle History Questionnaire (Martin et …

The Effectiveness Of Occupational Therapist Guided Remediation Through Handwriting Home Programs, Cindy W. Poole Mrs.

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Objective: The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of an occupational therapist guided, parent-taught home handwriting instruction program for alphabet letter mastery and as a potential school system service delivery model.

Methods: Sixteen teacher referred students participated in this two-group pre-test posttest design using the Test of Handwriting Skills-R and parent survey data to determine summer remediation program effectiveness.

Results: Parent survey support correlated to statistically significant intervention group THS-R mean change standard scores in alphabet letter formation from pre-test (M = 89.57, SD = 12.12) to posttest (M =101.4, SD = 10.39), t …

Critically Appraised Paper For “Bobath Concept Versus Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy To Improve Arm Functional Recovery In Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Clinical Rehabilitation, Emily Garnica, Savannah Hancock, Tiffany Huang, Jessica Phung, Kitsum Li

Occupational Therapy | Critically Appraised Papers Series

The researchers used a Level I, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial design to compare the functional arm recovery of 22 high-functioning poststroke participants. Participants were evenly assigned to receive therapy using the Bobath concept or constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT).

The first intervention group received therapy using the Bobath concept, a neurodevelopmental treatment focused on specific handling techniques that guide the patient’s affected arm through initiation and completion of tasks. The intervention consisted of 1 hr of training per day in an outpatient clinic and a 24-hr home program for 10 consecutive weekdays. The second intervention group received CIMT, a rehabilitation treatment …

Neurobehavioral Function In Adults Recovering Consciousness After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Scoping Review, Jennifer Weaver, Ann Guernon, Trudy Mallinson, Theresa Louise-Bender Pape, Thomas Harrod

Clinical Research and Leadership Faculty Posters and Presentations

This scoping review aims to report the findings of current literature examining the assessment of neurobehavioral function and recovery along the continuum of disorders of consciousness (DOC) from coma to full consciousness.

•This study is designed to capture the range of constructs researchers have used to measure NBF during recovery of consciousness.

•The research question for this review was: “What constructs are most frequently used to assess neurobehavioral function in adults recovering consciousness after severe TBI?”

Development Of Occupational Therapy-Based Pain Management Group Program To Prevent Substance Abuse, Michelle Stotesberry

MOT Student Capstones

Substance abuse, particularly opioid abuse, has become a severe problem in America. Users typically become exposed to opioids initially for pain management, which can lead to addiction if not tapered off over time. By addressing pain management using nonopioid measures, the likelihood that individuals will get addicted and abuse this substance decreases. Occupational therapy has demonstrated effectiveness in addressing pain management for clients, and occupational therapy interventions have also been effective in substance abuse treatment. This project reviewed evidence-based practice to evaluate different approaches to pain management to help individuals become independent in self-managing their pain, thereby decreasing the chances …

Perceptions Of The Impact Of Non-Contact Boxing On Social And Community Engagement For Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease, Casey E. Humphrey

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that is characterized by a variety of physical and cognitive symptoms. Research supports the use of non-contact boxing for symptom management of Parkinson’s disease, but no research is available that examines the social and community impact of non-contact boxing on individuals with Parkinson’s disease.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of individuals with Parkinson’s disease on their experiences within a community based, non-contact boxing program. Specifically, this study considered how these individuals perceived non-contact boxing to influence their social and community engagement and factors influencing ongoing participation …

The Residency Program Experience: Impact On Resident And Mentor, Lisa Hiestand

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The Occupational Therapy Residency Program developed by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) aims to prepare occupational therapists after completion of their degree program through structured didactic and clinical experiences, mentoring and professional activities. This research study attempts to measure changes in the skills of the resident and mentor during the residency period in an acute care hospital setting. Using self-assessment questionnaires from the University of Wisconsin, this study will determine the perceived trajectory of skill development for the resident and the perceived changes in mentors of an OT resident in regard to mentoring and communication skill development. Qualitative data …

Project H.0.P.E Helping Out People Everywhere Through Occupational Therapy, Shayla' Prioleau

MOT Student Capstones

In the community of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, there is a special needs orphanage in desperate need of assistance for children who have physical and/or intellectual difficulties; they lack the appropriate resources. These children and adolescents also lack various life skills due to either neurological or developmental disease. The diseases most commonly seen in the orphanage are severe cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. Areas affected by these neurological or developmental diseases allow for limitations in a plethora of occupations and performance skills areas. In addition to the children housed in this orphanage, there is also a staff of 33. This …

Occupation-Based Training To Reduce Challenging Behaviors Of Alzheimer's Patients During Morning Routine, Sam Traffas

MOT Student Capstones

The purpose of the Capstone project was to provide an occupation-based training program for care team members who provide care for residents with Alzheimer's disease (AD), specifically during the morning routine in the long-term care setting. This is an occupation-based training program because it provides caregivers with skills and knowledge to improve interactions during activities of daily living (AD Ls) and reduce challenging behaviors often associated with AD: depression, agitation, increased confusion, and resistance to care. Individuals with mid to late-stage AD frequently exhibit an increase in challenging behaviors during the morning care routine. This increased challenge is often met …

Perspectives And Issues Related To The Cota Role In New Mexico, Steven T. Sorensen

MOT Student Capstones

Objectives: This study investigated perceptions and issues related to the COTA role within the state of New Mexico from both the OTA and OTR perspective to identify whether differences in perception exist. Another objective of this study was to determine whether differences exist in perceptions of COTAs between facilities that utilize assistance and those that do not. The author of this study also sought to identify whether local educational institutions were meeting the needs of students with only one OTR program and a recent closure of a local bridge program. Methods: Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants (N=54) working in …

Late Adulthood And Meaningful Occupation: The Relationship Between Quality Of Life, Meaningful Activity, And Health, Dwight P. Mangum

MOT Student Capstones

Engagement in meaningful activity is critical to quality of life throughout the lifespan. Participation in such activity can become more challenging at retirement age due to a variety of health concerns and other issues. When an individual's ability to engage in meaningful activity (life roles, leisure activities, activities of daily living, etc.) is diminished due to age related health concerns, injury, or other factors, the resulting barriers to participation in meaningful activity can cause greater damage to quality of life. An understanding of the role that meaningful activity plays in sustaining quality of life is crucial for motivating recovery of …

Affordable Aging In Place, Megan P. Cuthrell

MOT Student Capstones

Aging in place refers to remaining in one's home and community throughout the aging process (Siebert, 2007). Occupational therapy can play a role in aging in place through home modifications. The purpose of the project is to research how affordable home modifications can support lower socioeconomic status, older adults age in place. The three objectives of this project include: (1) the educational presentation and booklet were effective in increasing the participant's knowledge of low-cost options and funding sources for implementing home modifications; (2) the educational presentation/booklet provide effective resources for the individuals to implement home modifications in facilitating successful aging …

Promoting Shade On A Public Playground: An Occupational Therapy Approach To Promoting Community Health, Andrew P. Baglia

MOT Student Capstones

Background Recent studies have raised concern regarding inadequate shade on public playgrounds, leading to an increased risk of sun and heat injury and decreased opportunities for play participation for children. Adequate shade has been shown to be an effective measure to mitigate heat and sun exposure. This Capstone project aimed to positively impact the community of the city of Saluda, North Carolina (NC), by using occupational therapy intervention approaches of promotion, modification, prevention, and education to promote the procurement of adequate shade at the Saluda Elementary School (SES) public playground. Methods This project employed a parent survey to measure attitudes …

Safe Pet Care: Keeping Owners And Pets Safe After Illness And/Or Injury, Sara A. Lowe

MOT Student Capstones

Pet care, for the older adult population, may become problematic after returning home from a recent hospital or rehabilitation stay, due to illness and/or injury. A safe pet care guide was developed, to assist the older adult population, with caring for their pets after they returned home from the hospital or a rehabilitation facility. The safe pet care guide includes information related to safe body movements during pet care activities, products available to assist with pet care, changes to the home, and local pet care resources. Additional safety tips were included to correspond to each area addressed. The manual was …