Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Suppressing A Blocked Balance Recovery Step: A Novel Method To Assess An Inhibitory Postural Response, David A. E. Bolton, Charlie C. Baggett Iv, Chase A. Mitton, Sara A. Harper, James K. Richardson

Kinesiology and Health Science Faculty Publications

Stepping to recover balance is an important way we avoid falling. However, when faced with obstacles in the step path, we must adapt such reactions. Physical obstructions are typically detected through vision, which then cues step modification. The present study describes a novel method to assess visually prompted step inhibition in a reactive balance context. In our task, participants recovered balance by quickly stepping after being released from a supported forward lean. On rare trials, however, an obstacle blocked the stepping path. The timing of vision relative to postural perturbation was controlled using occlusion goggles to regulate task difficulty. Furthermore, …

Embracing The Struggle - Strategies To Improve Physical Activity For Exhausted Nurses, Andrew Richards

Achieve

According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 adults do not meet the globally recommended physical activity levels (WHO, 2022). There is a 20-30% increased risk of death among persons who are not physically active (WHO, 2022). Multiple organizations have goals to increase physical activity to improve health: Healthy People 2030 (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, n.d.), American College of Lifestyle Medicine (Lianov et al., 2022), World Health Organization (2022), Center for Disease Control & Prevention – Healthy People, Healthy Nation initiative (CDC, 2022). Healthcare workers, including nurses, experience challenges engaging in adequate physical activity (Jun et …

Cardiac Rehabilitation In Abu Dhabi: A Retrospective Investigation Of Program Delivery, Participants, And Factors Associated With Program Completion Utilizing A Hospital Registry, Aaron Heisey Thrush

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Objectives: Investigations into the provision of cardiac rehabilitation from the Arabian Gulf countries are rare, despite suffering from an unusually high prevalence of cardiovascular disease. This study reports patient and program characteristics from an exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation program in Abu Dhabi, and factors associated with program completion. Methods: Data was drawn from the institution’s cardiac rehabilitation registry, populated from the electronic medical record of patients enrolled in the hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation program, from 2015 to 2022. The program was administered by physical therapist and nurse specialists and guided by individualized exercise parameters. Completion of the program was defined as attendance …

Flexibility For Intensity Dosing In Lingual Resistance Exercises: A Large Randomized Clinical Trial In Typically Aging Adults As Proof Of Principle, Sarah Szynkiewicz, Teresa Drulia, Lindsay Griffin, Rachel Mulheren, Kelsey Murray, Theresa Lee, Erin Kamarunas

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders - Faculty Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of intensity dosing during tongue exercise on tongue pressure generation, adherence, and perceived effort.

Design: This was a five-site, prospective, randomized clinical trial. Outcome measures were obtained across multiple baselines, biweekly during exercise, and 4-weeks post-intervention.

Setting: The general community at each study site. Participants: Typically aging adults between 55–82 years of age with no history of neurological or swallowing disorders. Eighty-four volunteers completed the study.

Interventions: Participants were randomly assigned to one of four exercise groups: (a) maximum intensity/no biofeedback, (b) progressive intensity/no bio- feedback, (c) maximum intensity/biofeedback, …

Destigmatizing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Through Art And Research, Jennifer K. Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Bill Dambrova, an artist based in Phoenix, AZ, provided the cover art for the Fall 2023 issue of the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). Bill’s paintings explore the intrinsic and extrinsic relationships between living things. Through the Artists + Researchers (ARx) program, Bill was teamed with Dr. Gretchen Bachman, OTD, OTR/L, MBA, CEAS, CHT, and Dr. Cindy Ivy, OTD, OTR/L, MEd, CHT, occupational therapy professors and researchers from Northern Arizona University. Their goal was to create a work of art that could disseminate research on complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). The partnership led to the creation of “Invisible War,” …

Gender As Occupation: The "Doing" Of Authentic Expression And Reciprocally Affirming Care For Transgender Individuals, Annie Derolf, Johnna Belkiewitz, Sally Wasmuth

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The current predominant view of gender as binary, alongside limited training of affirmative care practices, is severely and negatively impacting transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people. This paper urges the re-conceptualization of gender as an occupation, suggesting that gender is a doing that allows for positive identity development, roles, habits, and routines. Doing gender facilitates meaning-making and the ability to engage in other occupations. However, occupational injustices rooted in discrimination, stigma, and/or implicit biases impede TGD people’s ability to engage in the doing of gender and other occupations. Articulation of conceptual guidelines and interventions to support TGD people’s ability to …

Crawling Out From Under: A Physical Therapist’S Celebration Of The Power Of Occupational Therapy, Natalie N. Michaels

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Isaacs’ syndrome, also known as Acquired Neuromyotonia, is a rare condition caused by continuous firing of the motor units, leading to twitching muscles and cramping that will persist even during sleep. The medical treatment of Isaacs’ syndrome is nondescript and arbitrary. Because of the rare incidence of the disorder, very few studies have been conducted to help determine the appropriate intervention for individuals with this affliction. This paper is a narrative case-study that offers a first-person account of a physical therapist with Isaacs’ syndrome and her journey through rehabilitation with her occupational therapist. The progress of this individual over time …

Aging In Place: Key Occupational Therapy Collaborators, Shivani B. Vij

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

A New Opportunity For Occupational Therapists To Open Cases In Home Health, Amy Oselio, Bryan M. Gee, Kimberly Lloyd

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

As of January 1, 2022, licensed occupational therapists have the permanent ability to open home health cases for the first time since 1999. This ability creates opportunities for occupational therapists to case-manage in the home health setting and showcase the benefits of occupation-based interventions for their clients. Further, occupation-based interventions create opportunities to establish aging-in-place and other cost-saving strategies. Occupational therapists will need to inform their home health agencies about this new ability, emphasizing the benefits of a more substantial presence in home health episodes of care. They will also need to develop new skills in the admission process or …

Use Of Formal And Informal Strategies To Manage Stress During Level Ii Occupational Therapy Fieldwork, Ryan Thomure

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Stress may play a role in the performance of occupational therapy students during Level II fieldwork, but little research exists regarding the causes of stress or the stress management strategies students use. The objective of this study was to determine factors that contribute to fieldwork-related stress and strategies students use to manage that stress on Level II fieldwork.

Students or recent graduates of occupational therapy or occupational therapy assistant programs who completed at least one Level II fieldwork experience in the previous 36 months were eligible to participate. An online survey was distributed to participants through snowball sampling. The participants …

Application Of A Model Of Family-Centered Harm Reduction In Community-Based Programming, Johnna Belkiewitz, Victoria G. Wilburn, Sydney Larson, Kate Schrader

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Coupling high substance use disorder rates with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, our nation faces a growing mental health crisis and a shortage of adequately trained mental and behavioral health providers. As occupational therapists work toward recognition as qualified providers in this practice area, we must ensure that future therapists can meet client needs. Traditional mental and behavioral health educational practices in occupational therapy use a model of harm reduction that minimizes negative outcomes for a select subset of the population engaging in specific “high-risk” behaviors, such as individuals engaging in substance use and sexual activity. Expanding our understanding …

Intraprofessional Conversations Begin In The Classroom: An Exploratory Study Of An Occupational Therapist And Occupational Therapy Assistant Joint Class, Patricia Gentile, Michele Mills, Tsu-Hsin Howe

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Effective occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant partnerships are essential for the provision of quality patient care and satisfactory intraprofessional working relationships. Providing OT and OTA students with collaborative educational experiences can enhance students’ understanding and appreciation of each other’s roles, as well as set the groundwork for successful future work experiences.

This project describes the experience of a graduate OT master’s degree program and an associate degree OTA program in a northeastern metropolitan city. Faculty from both programs worked together to design and implement a collaborative learning experience during the Covid-19 pandemic, conducted via Zoom.

The purpose of this …

Addressing The Long-Term Influence Of Neurotrauma On Self-Concept And Self-Identity Development: A Pilot Study, Alyse C. Giallorenzo, Brittany C. Adams, Jessica M. Winter

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Numerous neurotrauma survivors face lifelong disability post injury as a result of an event, yet there are limited specialized continued care services to support future outcomes, specifically self-concept, self-identity, and quality of life. To reduce health care barriers and support health promotion post injury, student researchers explored the influence of a community-based occupational therapy (OT) program for the neurotrauma population.

Methods: Four participants, 37 to 58 years of age, with a history of neurotrauma, participated in a mixed methods study composed of a 6-week community-based educational OT program. Outcome measures included Activity Card Sort, Lawton Brody Scale, …

Physicians' Knowledge And Perceptions Of Occupational Therapy Practice, Shivani B. Vij

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Occupational therapy (OT) is a client-centered profession vital to an interdisciplinary team. Despite its importance, medical providers have limited knowledge and understanding of OT's scope of practice. This can lead to limited referrals, ineffective teamwork, inefficient therapeutic outcomes, limited OT practice scope, and consumer access to OT services. This study explored physicians' knowledge and understanding of OT to find opportunities and strategies for education and knowledge sharing to improve awareness of OT practice and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Method: A descriptive online survey was conducted for physicians in a Virginia suburban hospital to obtain knowledge and perception about OT …

Exploration Of Occupational Therapy Practice For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders In The Dominican Republic, Katherine Lally, Michelle Messer, Vanessa D. Jewell

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: To better understand the current practice trends of ASD treatment globally and promote practitioner collaboration, it is important to complete studies in countries where little is known about the diagnosis and treatment of ASD through an occupational lens. The aim of this study was to gain an insight into how occupational therapists in the Dominican Republic evaluate and treat children diagnosed with ASD.

Method: This qualitative descriptive study explored the perception of occupational therapists (n = 6) and caregivers of children with ASD (n = 28) through a questionnaire and focus group. Interview transcripts and questionnaire text …

Connected Rhythm: A Scoping Review Of Therapeutic Drumming As An Intervention For Autistic Individuals, Zahava L. Friedman, Jorge Ochoa, Dina Prisco, Francine M. Seruya

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurologically-based developmental disorder representing a subdomain of neurodivergence. Occupational therapy intervention for ASD typically incorporates sensory modalities, addressing a multitude of challenges, including mental health outcomes. This scoping review analyzes available evidence of the sensory-based intervention of therapeutic drumming (TD) to improve mental health in autistic clients.

Method: Following the Johanna Briggs methodological framework, Proquest, Ebsco, Scopus and OTseeker databases were searched with the key and related words of “autism,” “therapeutic drumming,” and “mental health,” yielding 448 articles. After removal of duplicates and application of inclusion criteria, seventeen articles were included …

Exploring The Use Of Ecological Momentary Assessment Within A Telehealth Intervention For Families Of Children With Autism, Anna Wallisch, Lauren Little, Allison Wainer, Winnie Dunn

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background. The purpose of this study was to explore the use of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to measure parent self-efficacy and stress throughout a 9-week occupation-based coaching telehealth intervention for families of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Methods. The participants included seven families of children with ASD 2 to 6 years of age. The parents were sent emails to gather EMA measures weekly during the intervention. We used percentages to examine response rates to EMA surveys and a mixed-model regression to examine changes in parent-self efficacy and stress during the intervention.

Results. The parents responded to …

Establishing Initial Content Validity, Interrater Reliability, And Intra-Rater Reliability Of The Revised Visual Activity Sort For At-Risk Adolescents And Young Adults, Sharon Gutman, Katie O'Day, Ashley Choi, Alexis Kearney, Sandra Rogers

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The purpose of this study was to establish the content validity and inter- and intra-rater reliability of the revised Visual Activity Sort, which is a card sorting assessment designed specifically for at-risk adolescents and young adults.

Method: Six content experts were selected and asked to rate the relevancy of each of the 121 Visual Activity Sort cards. Two trained raters participated in the establishment of inter- and intra-rater reliability with 30 high school students attending a charter school for at-risk adolescents and young adults in a socioeconomically disadvantaged urban area.

Results: Based on the content experts’ …

Providing Personalized Interest-Based Activities To Prevent Delirium: A Multicomponent Quality Improvement Initiative In An Acute Care Setting, Qianwen Liu, Elena V. Donoso Brown, Shauni Johnson, Autumn Moss-Corcoran

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Hospital-induced delirium is a prevalent condition across inpatient settings, frequently impacting older adults’ recovery. A 10-week multi-component quality improvement (QI) project was designed for an existing delirium prevention program in four acute care units, aiming to support patient and caregiver engagement in delirium prevention activities.

Method: The participants were hospitalized adults who were 70 years of age and older and met specific inclusion criteria. The project provided personalized interest-based activities, orientation stimulation, and caregiver education. An abbreviated version of the Modified Interest Checklist was used to identify the participants’ activity choices. Activity daily logs, satisfaction survey, and …

Thermoplastic Material Selection And Barriers To Custom Orthotic Fabrication: A Survey Of Occupational And Physical Therapists, Priya Bakshi, Daisy Castillo, Heidi Mitchener, Zoee Lagerhausen, Lauren Paisley, Amanda Quinlivan, Brandi Andreae

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: There is limited literature regarding therapists’ selection of thermoplastic material since the 1990s and less is known about the challenges of custom orthotic fabrication.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was designed and distributed to members of the American Society of Hand Therapists in August 2021. The survey included closed-ended questions with option for free-text comments. Descriptive statistics and content analysis was used to analyze categorical data and free-text comments, respectively.

Results: The responses of 333 therapists were included in the study. Drapability, thickness, and rigidity were the main properties the therapists considered when selecting thermoplastic material (82.9%; …

Examining The Delivery Mode Of Mental Practice In Reducing Hemiparesis: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Teresa M. Green, Nicole M. Fromm, Farida Sita Gayle, Jinna Lee, Wanyi Wang, Asha K. Vas

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Mental Practice (MP) is an effective intervention to address upper extremity (UE) hemiparesis post-stroke. However, parameters for the delivery mode of MP have not been defined. Therefore, this study's purpose was to define delivery mode parameters by comparing the effectiveness of audio-guided and video-guided MP.

Method: Eighteen participants, < 1-month post-stroke, with UE hemiparesis were randomized to a MP, repetitive task practice (RTP) or control group. The MP groups performed audio-guided or video-guided MP, 5x/week. The RTP group physically performed the functional tasks. The control group received traditional stroke rehabilitation. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-UE) and Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) were used to assess change in UE hemiparesis.

Results: Wilcoxon signed-rank test demonstrated audio MP increased FMA-UE scores from pretest (Mdn = 34.0, Mean = 34.0, SD =9.56) to posttest (Mdn = 49.0, Mean = 49.6, SD =7.5), p = .042, r = .64. Similar improvement in FMA-UE scores was found with traditional therapy. Audio MP decreased WMFT …

Occupational Therapist And Occupational Therapy Assistant: We Are Proud Of These Titles, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Stroke Recovery Is A Journey: Prediction And Potentials Of Motor Recovery After A Stroke From A Practical Perspective, Sheng Li

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Stroke recovery is a journey. Stroke survivors can face many consequences that may last the rest of their lives. Assessment of initial impairments allows reasonable prediction of biological spontaneous recovery at 3 to 6 months for a majority of survivors. In real-world clinical practice, stroke survivors continue to improve their motor function beyond the spontaneous recovery period, but management plans for maximal recovery are not well understood. A model within the international classification of functioning (ICF) theoretical framework is proposed to systematically identify opportunities and potential barriers to maximize and realize the potentials of functional recovery from the acute to …

A Portable And Reliable Tool For On-Site Physical Reaction Time (Rt) Measurement, Brent Harper, Michael Shiraishi, Rahul Soangra

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

The drop-stick test system (DTS) invention has the capability to measure reaction accurately for sideline mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) assessment. The reaction time (RT) measurements showed moderate to good inter-instrument reliability with an overall ICC of 0.82 (95 % CI 0.78–0.85). RT is a useful biomarker of mTBI or concussion, but existing technologies in controlled laboratory environments are not feasible for assessments in the field. With wearable technologies and wireless connection with smartphones, it is now easier to conduct RT assessments on the field. The purpose was to develop a portable DTS involving wearable inertial sensors translatable from the …

Normal Values Of Nerve Conduction Studies In Children Aged 7 Days To 14 Years Referred To Electrodiagnosis Clinic Of Iranian Children’S Medical Center, Masood Ghahvechi Akbari, Fazel Mahmoodpoor, Mahmoodreza Ashrafi, Elahe Rezaee, Sahar Ghorbanpour, Seyede Zahra Emami Razavi, Mohaddeseh Azadvari, Reza Shervin Badv, Gholamreza Zamani, Ali Reza Tavasoli, Morteza Heidari, Zahra Rezaei, Setareh Rohani, Mahmoud Mohammadi

Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine Papers and Presentations

Background: The normal values of nerve conduction studies (NCS) are different in children compared to adults. Moreover, racial and geographical factors can affect these values.

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the normal NCS values in children of different ages.

Methods: The present cross-sectional study included children referred to the Electrodiagnosis Clinic of the Children’s Medical Center in Iran, who had normal NCS results based on the references and had no exclusion criteria. The patients were divided into 8 age groups (7 days to one month, 1 - 3 months, 3 - 6 months, 6 - 12 months, 1 …

Interprofessional Collaboration Between Occupational Therapy And Applied Behavior Analysis, Elizabeth Fairchild

Honors Theses

The fields of Occupational Therapy and Applied Behavior Analysis are currently two of the most common treatment approaches for children with autism spectrum disorder. Unfortunately, a lack of understanding and mutual respect between the fields has led to poor interprofessional collaboration among professionals in each practice area, negatively impacting client outcomes. While both fields differ greatly in treatment approaches, collaboration is crucial between practitioners as they address similar skills in a child with autism spectrum disorder. Interprofessional collaboration can allow practitioners to share their individualized background and lens with another field in order to mutually address client goals. This project …

Spinal Cord Injury: Tissue Bridge Influence On Neurophysiology And Functional Recovery, Alyssa I. Canales, Marylu Cabello

Research Colloquium

Introduction: Spinal cord injuries affect about 300,000 individuals in the United States and cause varying degrees of motor and sensory impairment. The standard of care for those with a spinal cord injury typically involves traditional rehabilitation. Unfortunately, over a year of rehabilitation is often required to achieve meaningful improvements in motor or sensory function. In order to improve rehabilitative efforts for those with spinal cord injury, it is critical to identify biomarkers that could serve as indicators for those who would respond to standard rehabilitation efforts.

Objective: Following spinal cord injury, edema forms around the area of injury in the …

Greater Number Of Weekly Stairs Climbed Is Associated With Lower Low Back Pain Prevalence Among Female But Not Male Physical Therapists, Amy H. Amabile, Sharon L. Larson, Lisa T. Hoglund, John P. Guarnieri, Maureen Mcdonald, Madeline R. Reich

Department of Physical Therapy Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Certain cardiovascular health benefits of stair climbing are now widely accepted, but no prior studies have as yet been found linking the quantity of stairs climbed to low back pain (LBP) morbidity. Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal impairment, and research has begun to show an association between LBP and gluteus maximus (GM) weakness. With stair climbing being the activity which most activates GM, the aim of the present research was to assess the relationship between stair ambulation and LBP prevalence. The hypothesis of this cross-sectional study was that individuals with LBP would report a significantly lower numbers …

Greater Number Of Weekly Stairs Climbed Is Associated With Lower Low Back Pain Prevalence Among Female But Not Male Physical Therapists, Amy H. Amabile, Sharon L. Larson, Lisa T. Hoglund, John P. Guarnieri, Maureen Mcdonald, Madeline R. Reich

Department of Physical Therapy Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Certain cardiovascular health benefits of stair climbing are now widely accepted, but no prior studies have as yet been found linking the quantity of stairs climbed to low back pain (LBP) morbidity. Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal impairment, and research has begun to show an association between LBP and gluteus maximus (GM) weakness. With stair climbing being the activity which most activates GM, the aim of the present research was to assess the relationship between stair ambulation and LBP prevalence. The hypothesis of this cross-sectional study was that individuals with LBP would report a significantly lower numbers …

Feasibility And Outcomes Of Supplemental Gait Training By Robotic And Conventional Means In Acute Stroke Rehabilitation, Mukul Talaty, Alberto Esquenazi

Moss-Magee Rehabilitation Papers

INTRODUCTION: Practicality of implementation and dosing of supplemental gait training in an acute stroke inpatient rehabilitation setting are not well studied but can have positive impact on outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility of early, intense supplemental gait training in inpatient stroke rehabilitation, compare functional outcomes and the specific mode of delivery.

DESIGN AND SETTING: Assessor blinded, randomized controlled trial in a tertiary Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility.

PARTICIPANTS: Thirty acute post-stroke patients with unilateral hemiparesis (≥ 18 years of age with a lower limb MAS ≤ 3).

INTERVENTION: Lokomat® or conventional gait training (CGT) in addition to standard mandated therapy time. …