Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Supporting Participation In Daily Tasks, Quality Of Life, And Well-Being For Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease Dementia, Miranda Kay Evanson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by a decline in cognitive functioning severe enough to impact participation in daily life which can occur for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) at least one year or more following their PD diagnosis (Alzheimer’s Association, 2022b). There are currently almost one million people living with PD in the United States with about two thousand of those individuals living in North Dakota (Alzheimer’s Association, 2022b; Parkinson’s Foundation, 2022b). Studies show that 50-80% of those individuals will develop PDD throughout the course of the illness (Alzheimer’s Association, 2022b). The treatment …

Strategies For Campers With Sensory Challenges, Rachel Jessica Lindemann

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The OTS partnered with a summer camp agency to understand their needs for camp programming. The executive director informed the OTS that this camp would benefit from programming recommendations as they would like to be more inclusive toward campers of all abilities. Pfeiffer, Clark, and Arbesman (2018) explain that sensory challenges can exist in children/adolescents with or without an existing diagnosis. Children and adolescents who have difficulty regulating and responding to sensory input impedes their ability to participate in meaningful occupations. The OTS decided to provide the agency with programming recommendations to serve campers with sensory challenges in order to …

How To Support Adolescents Affected By Aces: An Advocacy Guide, Hallie Longtin

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project was to create a trauma-informed guide for educators within a school setting to be used to support adolescents effected by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). 1 in 6 adults reported experiencing four or more types of ACEs, and 5 of 10 leading causes of death are associated with ACEs (CDC, 2022). ACEs can negatively impact adolescents in various ways, including cognitively, physically, and socially. These negative impacts affect adolescent’s overall well-being and leads to difficulty with engagement in several occupations. Due to their traumatic experiences and the various impacts, adolescents within a school setting are …

Bridging The Gap Between Ancillary Health Professions And Rural Community Health Needs, Mckenzie Rae Peterson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction Rural communities are home to nearly one-fifth of the American population, and they face unique challenges when working to access healthcare (Health Resources & Services Administration, 2021; Slagle et al., 2012). Ancillary health professionals (AHPs) are healthcare professionals, excluding physicians, nurses, and dentists (Ancillary Care Services, 2015). The scholarly project aimed to find what evidence existed in regard to bridging the gap between the healthcare needs of rural communities, and the availability of AHPs.

Methods The scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines (Tricco et al., 2018). Based …

Enhancing The Leisure, Social Participation, And Quality Of Life Of Older Adults Isolated During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Mariah Leroux

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Enhancing the Leisure, Social Participation and Quality of Life of Older Adults Isolated during the COVID-19 Pandemic

APA Citation Mariah LeRoux, OTDS. Enhancing the Leisure, Social Participation and Quality of Life of Older Adults Isolated during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Department of Occupational Therapy, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 1301 N Columbia Rd, Grand Forks, ND 58203.

Purpose The purpose of this scholarly project was to enhance the performance range of older adults in assisted living by equipping them with the skills to engage in meaningful occupations throughout a pandemic. The meaningful occupations outlined in …

Accessibility In Rural America, Ashley Osbjornson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Individuals with disabilities are often faced with barriers when trying to access public spaces out in the community, which results in lack of inclusion (Chibaya et al., 2021; Sandwood, 2019). This is an ongoing barrier that if addressed, may expand inclusion for those with disabilities (CDC, 2020a). The purpose of this scholarly project was to increase accessibility and usability for rural shoppers. Thus, a manual was created for Minnesota stores to use as a guide when assessing accessibility and usability. In addition, this manual was created to help store owners understand disability and its impact and identify strategies store …

Bridging The Gap: A Comprehensive Discharge Guide, Ashley Marie Mutziger

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Much attention is paid to clients while they receive services, but after they have met their goals and are ready for their next steps, they can perceive a lack of support and feelings of uncertainty. Returning home from any healthcare setting can be a time of uncertainty for clients. There are many questions to be answered and potential unknowns surrounding the discharge processes. Literature shows there is a need for improving discharge practices to promote client understanding and follow-through to end the treatment experience with the confidence that the client has the tools and resources necessary to be successful in …

Developing An Occupational Therapy Role In Pediatric Private Practice, Sydnie R. Merriman-Ferri

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background An estimated 17.4% of children may be classified as children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) (NSCH 2019 20: Children with Special Health Care Needs, Minnesota, n.d.). In MN there are an estimated 180,000 CYSHCN (Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (Cyshn) - Minnesota Department of Health, n.d.). These children are those with or at increased risk for a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition (Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (Cyshn) - Minnesota Department of Health, n.d.). Occupational therapists’ scope of practice includes working with such children. Similarly, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) also provide …

Sex, Drugs, & Rockin’ Referrals: An Interprofessional Guide For Young Adults With Cancer, Nicole Cathryn Merchlewicz

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Sex, Drugs, & Rockin’ Referrals: An Interprofessional Guide for Young Adults with Cancer

Introduction According to the National Cancer Institute (2020), about 89,000 adolescents and young adults (AYAs) ages 15-39 are diagnosed with cancer each year, accounting for about five percent of all cancer diagnoses in the United States. It is common for AYAs to be diagnosed with pediatric cancers yet receive treatment in a setting that is dedicated either children or older adults. Due to unique developmental milestones that occur during adolescence and young adulthood, the models of care for pediatric or older adult patients do not meet …

A Research Study To Identify Gaps And Barriers To Mental Health Treatment In Natrona County, Jedekiah Zean May

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Problem: Individuals with a mental health diagnosis in Natrona County may face many barriers to treatment, including a lack of access and a lack of providers. Furthermore, the unique cultural aspects may render available treatment undesirable to these people. Wyoming has various population level mental health challenges including a suicide rate of 24.8 per 100,000 in comparison to the national average of 14.2 per 100,000 (Kaiser Family Foundation [KFF], 2020). Mental Health America (MHA) shows Wyoming ranking 48th in the nation as a state on their access/prevalence ranking as of 2020, indicating high prevalence of mental illness with low access …

Realizing, Recognizing, Responding, & Resisting Re-Traumatization: An Evidence-Based Toolkit For Occupational Therapists To Advocate For Their Role On Interprofessional Teams To Address The Impacts Of Childhood Trauma, Abby Werkmeister

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Many children in the United States experience childhood trauma and/or adverse childhood events which can have short-term and long-term impacts on a child. Childhood trauma is complex; therefore, the appropriate care needed is also complex, making an interprofessional collaborative approach necessary to address the impacts of childhood trauma, promote positive outcomes for those who have been impacted, and work towards a common goal. (Fraser, MacKenzie, & Versnel, 2019). Occupational therapists (OTs) are well suited to collaborate with other professionals such as mental health practitioners, however, OT’s role related to a trauma care team is still relatively unrecognized. There is a …

Oral Hygiene Education For Patients And Staff In An Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting, Cassandra L. Madsen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Individuals recovering from a stroke or hip fracture may have comorbidities, medication side effects, and symptoms that can decrease independence with self-care tasks and lead to a decline in oral health (DeBiase & Austin, 2003). Poor oral health has been associated with systemic infections, diabetes, aspiration pneumonia, and other comorbidities that negatively impact overall health and recovery from illness or injury (Danckert, Ryan, Plummer, & Williams, 2016). Few patients are aware of the importance of oral care and its impact on overall health. Even fewer patients are aware of the importance of oral care after stroke or hip fracture and …

A Product To Aid Adolescents In Re-Integration To In-Person Education And Social Activities During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Kristin Nicole Thompson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted individuals in several ways. “Home confinement can have negative effects on mental health and lifestyle behaviors including social participation and life satisfaction” (Ammar et al., 2020). Unfortunately, adolescents are more vulnerable than adults in regard to mental health problems during a lockdown because of the transitional life phase they are going through (Waters et al., 2021). Additionally, transitioning back to in-person education and social activities can become difficult for the adolescent population due to the mental health challenges and other various effects brought about by mandated isolation. A needs assessment and comprehensive literature review were …

A Home-Based Program To Support Parents/Caregivers Of Children With Complex Developmental Needs In Their Home Environment, Audrey Lind Soulek

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Early intervention (EI) services play a significant role to support children with developmental disabilities and delays reach important milestones as they grow and develop. A child that qualifies for early intervention services is often seen by a provider once a week, which makes it necessary to provide parents/caregivers with home activities and educational material that will both enhance their knowledge and confidence, as well as promote continual learning opportunities for their child in the home environment. Occupational therapists (OTs) working in the EI setting evaluate a child’s performance completing occupations and provide interventions that promote development and skill building in …

Yoga As Occupational Therapy Intervention For Individuals With Upper Extremity Injuries, Dina Mu Nickoson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the leading cause of disability in the U. S. representing more than half of the chronic conditions of people over 50 years old (United States Bone and Joint Initiative, 2020), costly financially (Yelin, Weinstein, & King, 2016) and detrimental to the physical and psychosocial well-being of people (Andrawis, 2018). Most occupational therapy practitioners follow pre-set intervention protocols using repetitive rote exercise to treat individuals with upper extremity MSDs (Strohman, 2007). The treatment is not an optimal method because disability caused by upper extremity injuries is greatly associated with depression, catastrophic thinking, and decreased quality of …

Creating A Sensory Friendly Classroom, Kaitlynn Stearns

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Children’s primary occupations are centered around engagement in their education through interaction with their learning environment and academic pursuits. In the school season months, children in Minnesota are spending roughly 935 hours at school annually (MARSS, 2020). The student’s environment in school provides a number of sensory experiences that can either support or inhibit a student’s ability to succeed in school. Many research studies have shown that children who have sensory needs that go unmet can display disruptive behaviors and will typically withdraw from engagement in their education (Dean et al., 2017). The purpose of creating the Sensory Friendly …

Occupational Therapy Program Development For Group Threatment For Outpatient Pediatric Clinics: Technology Management, Amy Lynn Fust Shaver

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Problem Statement: Children and adolescents are experiencing difficulty managing the technology in their lives as evidenced by excessive technology use leading to negative effects on their occupational performance. The overuse of technology is associated with a variety of problems, especially for growing children and adolescents, including shorter sleep duration, reduced scholastic achievement, musculoskeletal concerns, obesity, and exacerbated symptoms of depression and anxiety (Gerwin, 2017; Glover, 2021; Gwynette, 2017).

Description of Product: To address these issues, a group treatment program was developed for outpatient pediatric clinics focused on helping children and their families benefit from the use of technology without experiencing …

Building Life Skills And Reducing Recidivism, Kassandra Severson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: In the United States, about two-thirds of incarcerated women who have been released back into the community after they have served time, are re-arrested (Gordon, 2018). This scholarly project was created to help decrease the recidivism rates amongst the female population. Even though there are still more males incarcerated than females, female prisons population have increased 700% both on the state side and locally (Cowan, 2019). The purpose of developing Putting Together the Puzzle of Life is to illustrate the role of occupational therapy in the treatment of incarcerated individuals to reduce recidivism rates amongst the female population.

Methods: …

Parent & Caregiver Education And Support: A Product To Support Families Of Childrn With Senosry Processing Difficulties, Jaslyn Robb Seeley

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose Parent and caregiver collaboration, participation, education, and training has shown to improve therapeutic outcomes for the child receiving therapy services for sensory processing and integration challenges (Lin, Lin, & Yu, 2018; Miller-Kuhaneck & Watling, 2018; Schoen, Miller, & Flanagan, 2018; STAR Institute, 2021). However, parent education and training are often minimally conducted or lacking altogether in the therapeutic process (Gee & Peterson, 2016; Miller-Kuhaneck & Watling, 2018). This product was created with the purpose of enhancing parent and caregiver knowledge about sensory processing difficulties and to increase follow-through of sensory strategies across contexts, such as at home and school, …

Upper Extremity Evaluation & Intervention Through The Utilization Of Occupation-Based Activities Within The Model Of Human Occupation Perspective, Richard J. Seaman

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Upper Extremity Evaluation & Intervention Through the Utilization of Occupation-based Activities within the Model of Human Occupation Perspective.

Background: The importance of upper extremity rehabilitation is vital for clients to be able to reengage in their valued occupations that were affected due to a recent injury, illness, or surgery. Upper extremity fractures make up approximately 590,000 fractures annually in the USA (Napora et al., 2020). Clients with these types of conditions seek therapy to help improve their ability to gain back function within their body and daily lives. Through this process, clients are asked to perform various exercises that …

Inclusivity In Usa Swimming: A Sport For Every Ability, Ellie Anne Roche

Occupational Therapy Capstones

There is a significant need for youth with disabilities to increase their participation in meaningful activities such as sport. However, several barriers exist which limit participation for youth with disabilities within sport including a lack of education for coaches on disability inclusion, non-accessible facilities, and lack of awareness regarding sport-related accommodations. The purpose of this project was to identify methods in which the USA Swimming (USA-S) organization could better support the inclusion of athletes of all abilities outside of disability-only sports programs. Through a literature review guided by the EHP framework, the author identified benefits of disability-inclusive sports teams as …

Bringing Peace To The River: Establishing Support Groups For Survivors Of Loss By Suicide, Allison Emily Mcgauvran

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project is to expand program services within a collaborating agency to establish a virtual support option for survivors of suicide loss in North Dakota and Minnesota, with an aim of reaching survivors in rural areas. Furthermore, a hopeful outcome of this project is bringing attention to the occupational impacts those who have lost a loved one face.

Methods: The Kawa Model was selected as the guiding theoretical framework for this project. A two-tiered literature review was conducted to examine the influence of loss by suicide on occupational engagement in daily life. The review revealed …

Initial Steps For Integrating Academic Electronic Health Records Into Clinical Curricula Of Physical And Occupational Therapy In The United States: A Survey-Based Observational Study, Stephen C. Burrows, Lola Halperin, Eric C. Nemec, Wendy Romney

Healthcare Informatics Faculty Publications

Training programs must be designed to prepare physical and occupational therapy students for using Electronic Health Records (EHR) and interprofessional collaboration. This report aims to describe physical and occupational therapy students' perceptions of integrating Academic EHR in their Problem-Based Learning (PBL) curricula in the College of Health Professions, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut, the United States. A paper-based case approach to PBL was adapted by creating patient cases in an Academic EHR (AEHR). Students were asked to complete chart reviews and review provider notes to enhance their learning. An online survey was conducted to determine their perceptions of using AEHR …

Barring Methadone Behind Bars: How Prisons Err When Denying Methadone Treatment To Inmates With Opioid Use Disorder, Julia Durst

Mitchell Hamline Law Review

No abstract provided.

Etiology Of Firefighter Injuries: A Health Care Practitioner Perspective, Alyssa Quinn Eastman

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

BACKGROUND: Structural firefighting involves the performance of rigorous occupational tasks in unpredictable, dynamic, and hot environments which increases firefighters’ risk of injury. Specifically, the National Fire Protection Association reported that musculoskeletal injuries account for 56% of non-fireground and 41% of fireground injuries. Furthermore, physical training is the most common cause of injury, accounting for one-third of all injuries and resulting in 41% of post-injury absences from work. There is limited research identifying occupational and exercise injury risk factors among firefighters. However, experienced health care practitioners working with fire departments may provide critical insight into potential mechanisms of these common injuries. …

Evaluating The Microbiome To Boost Recovery From Stroke: The Embrs Study, Tyler Hammond

Theses and Dissertations--Neuroscience

Accumulating evidence suggests that gut microbes modulate brain plasticity via the bidirectional gut-brain axis and may play a role in stroke rehabilitation. A severely imbalanced microbial community has been shown to occur following stroke, causing a systemic flood of neuro- and immunomodulatory substances due to increased gut permeability and decreased gut motility. Here we measure post-stroke increased gut dysbiosis and how it correlates with gut permeability and subsequent cognitive impairment.

We recruited 12 participants with acute stroke, 12 healthy control participants, and 18 participants who had risk factors for stroke, but had not had a stroke. We measured the gut …

International Physical Therapists Consensus On Clinical Descriptors For Diagnosing Rotator Cuff Related Shoulder Pain: A Delphi Study., Néstor Requejo-Salinas, Jeremy Lewis, Lori A Michener, Roy La Touche, Rubén Fernández-Matías, Juan Tercero-Lucas, Paula Rezende Camargo, Marcus Bateman, Filip Struyf, Jean-Sébastien Roy, Anju Jaggi, Timothy Uhl, Leanne Bisset, Craig A Wassinger, Robert Donatelli, Melina Nevoeiro Haik, Enrique Lluch-Girbés

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of standardized criteria for diagnosing rotator cuff related shoulder pain (RCRSP).

OBJECTIVE: To identify the most relevant clinical descriptors for diagnosing RCRSP.

METHODS: A Delphi study was conducted through use of an international physical therapists expert panel. A 3-round Delphi survey involving an international panel of physical therapists experts with extensive clinical, teaching, and research experience was conducted. A search query was performed in Web of Science, along with a manual search, to find the experts. The first round was composed of items obtained from a previous pilot Delphi study along with new items proposed …

Efficacy Of Power Training To Improve Physical Function In Individuals Diagnosed With Frailty And Chronic Disease: A Meta-Analysis, Alexander B. Sklivas, Lauren E. Robinson, Timothy L. Uhl, Esther E. Dupont-Versteegden, Kirby P. Mayer

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Muscle power training with emphasis on high-velocity of concentric movement improves physical functionality in healthy older adults, and, maybe superior to traditional exercise programs. Power training may also be advantageous for patients with acute and chronic illnesses, as well as frail individuals. To determine the efficacy of power training compared with traditional resistance training on physical function outcomes in individuals diagnosed with frailty, acute illness or chronic disease. PubMed (MEDLINE), CINAHL, PEDro, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. (1) at least one study group receives muscle power training of randomized controlled trial (RCT) (2) study participants diagnosed as prefrail, frail …

Bending The Elbow During Shoulder Flexion Facilitates Greater Scapular Upward Rotation And A More Favorable Scapular Muscle Activation Pattern, Alon Rabin, Brakha R. Tabi, Timothy L. Uhl, Zvi Kozol

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Context: Decreased scapular upward rotation (UR) and diminished activation of the serratus anterior (SA) and lower trapezius (LT) are often observed among patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. Maintaining the elbow fully flexed during shoulder flexion may limit glenohumeral motion due to passive insufficiency of the triceps brachii and therefore facilitate greater scapular UR and increased scapular muscle activation. Objectives: To compare scapular UR, SA, upper trapezius (UT), middle trapezius, and LT activation levels between shoulder flexion with the elbow extended (Flexion-EE) to shoulder flexion with the elbow fully flexed (Flexion-EF). This study hypothesized that Flexion-EF would result in …

Psychosocial Factors Affecting Intention To Play Esports, Soojung Park

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In recent years, the negative perspective about esports that used to dominate the opinion of many people as well as sports researchers has gradually been changing in the academic world. Previous studies have shown that psychosocial values of esports such as having fun, escaping from daily life, and social interaction. However, previous studies on motivations for esports gameplay were conducted from qualitative research perspectives, focusing on esports viewership, and there has comparatively been little esports gameplay research from a quantitative perspective. Against the qualitative research heavy background, the purpose of this research is to examine the psychosocial factors that influence …