Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Adaptive Gaming As An Occupation: Motor Phenomena And Lived Experiences, Christina Floyd, Melanie Blaisdell, Madeleine Pope, Audrey Metzger, Donna Chen Tubig, Lauren Andaya, Christine Vincent

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Purpose: This qualitative study examined the lived experience and motor phenomena that occur in people with disabilities during the occupation of video gaming. Historically, the occupation of video gaming, also referred to as gaming, has not been inclusive of individuals with disabilities due to the design of traditional video gaming controllers. Typical gaming controllers require fine motor control, finger dexterity, and in-hand manipulation to grasp and use the controls on the device. Although, many people with disabilities do not have the fine motor skills required to access these devices, creating a barrier for this population to engage in …

Culminating Project In Clinical Practice Skills And Program Development: Nova Southeastern University, Grace Chang

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

Simulation learning is an online resource that is currently being used in healthcare graduate school programs. It does not replace real-life experience but can provide a controlled environment for students to learn from their mistakes and be better prepared for their rotations. There is a greater need for pediatric simulation learning opportunities, especially during a pandemic. This capstone final culminating project describes how an outpatient pediatric clinic and Simucase, an online simulation video resource, collaborated to create more simulation and video library recordings. Online evidence-based resources can help create better opportunities for students to observe, assess, and analyze during therapy …

Doctoral Capstone Experience In Program And Policy Development- Selah Freedom, Ashley N. Jones

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

Child trafficking has been reported in all 50 states and affects more than 2 million children each year (Guardian Group, 2021). Involvement in human trafficking at a young age induces trauma that has a lasting effect on the victim’s personality and coping skills. A review of literature confirmed a need for more support of the use of occupational therapy with sex trafficking survivors. Despite support for the implementation of occupational therapy in similar trauma populations like domestic violence, homelessness, post-traumatic stress disorder, and disaster survivors, there is limited literature supporting the use of OT with human trafficking survivors (Gorman & …

Doctoral Capstone Experience In Academia And Policy Development: Nova Southeastern University, Melanie Mariani

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

An exceptional amount of literature points to the benefits of hands-on learning experiences for students enrolled in healthcare programs (Coker, 2009; Doucet, 2012; Thomas et al., 2017 & Velde, 2009). Goals of my doctoral capstone experience (DCE) included: 1) Develop the foundational requirements for Nova Southeastern University (NSU) to increase hands-on experiential student learning and potentially develop an on-site clinic in the future, and 2) Create and deploy educational materials for the students in the class of 2022 to increase their hands-on learning while taking the course virtually. The results include the creation of three sets of clinical reasoning guides …

The Ot Well-Being Summit 2021, Deanna Waggy Otr

Journal of Transformative Touch

The OT Well-Being Summit empowers occupational therapists and other holistic practitioners around the globe to have confidence with holistic health and wellness skills for their therapy practice. The OT Well-Being Summit brings together 11 occupational therapists who share holistic health and wellness strategies and tools that you can use in your integrative medicine practice today with the confidence (and evidence) to use them. The OT Well-Being Summit is an online self-paced course with 12 hours of information and insights to give you the confidence to move forward in areas related to holistic health, wellness, and prevention. https://tinyurl.com/t9cc6afp

Life Repurposed: Finding A New Calling Through Meaningful Occupation, Jennifer K. Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Kelly Allen, an occupational therapist and artist based in Grand Rapids, MI, provided the cover art for the Spring 2021 edition of the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). “Follow” is a 16” x 20” painting made from oil on panel. The painting, which features a coati from Central America, is from Kelly’s Animal Totem series. After more than 2 decades as a fine artist and educator, she began searching for a career change. Kelly’s background in fine art and her desire to help others prepared her for a career in occupational therapy. Certain events in Kelly’s life aligned not …

Regenerative Rehabilitation And Genomics: Implications For Occupational Therapy, John V. Rider

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The completion of the human genome project has paved the way for health care practitioners to use genetic and environmental information to tailor medical treatment. This innovative approach to health care is rapidly evolving, and occupational therapists need to be aware of the impact it will have on future practice. Regenerative rehabilitation is a product of knowledge and techniques from the fields of rehabilitation and regenerative medicine with the common goal to restore function. Occupational therapists have the potential to play a significant role in regenerative rehabilitation research and implementation. The purpose of this article is to (a) increase understanding …

Functional Cognition In Critically Ill Children: Asserting The Role Of Occupational Therapy, Christina M. Dumas, Lenin Grajo

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

In this Opinions in the Profession article, we aim to highlight the distinct importance of functional cognition as an assessment and intervention priority in children. In this paper, we use the population of critically-ill children as a specific case example. Functional cognition is the ability of individuals to use and integrate their thinking and processing skills to accomplish desired tasks in their everyday lives in meaningful contexts. We propose three themes through which occupational therapists can assume a more active role in understanding and addressing functional cognition and its impact on occupational performance in critically ill children. Supported by literature, …

Postsecondary Education Students With Disabilities’ Perceptions Of Occupational Therapy-Led Coaching, Erin E. Harrington, Gabriella O. Santos, Marie-Christine Potvin

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Students with disabilities attending postsecondary education (PSE) institutions have poor degree progression, retention, and graduation rates. PSE institutions are addressing these challenges in various ways, including the delivery of occupational therapy (OT)-led coaching. There is emerging evidence that coaching increases academic success and self-determination in PSE. The students’ perspectives about the benefits of OT-led coaching intervention has yet to be explored.

Method: A phenomenological study was conducted using transcribed semi-structured interviews with 18 college students with disabilities. Qualitative data analysis was conducted through an immersive inter-coder process that included independent coding, comparison of codes, discrepancy resolution to …

The Feasibility Of Taekwondo For Addressing Social Interaction And Social Participation In Children, Mariel Calinog, Julie D. Kugel, Dragana Krpalek, Arezou Salamat

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience physical, social, and emotional barriers that impact participation in extracurricular activities, such as taekwondo. Engaging in taekwondo may provide opportunities for advancing social abilities as well as developing health-promoting behaviors and routines. Therefore, the purpose of this feasibility study was to explore the effectiveness of using a form of martial arts, taekwondo, as an intervention to promote social participation in everyday life.

Method: A mixed-methods design was used. Three children between 7 and 8 years of age who met the ASD criteria participated in a 7-week taekwondo program. The …

Clinical Utility Of The Adapted Biopsychosocial Model: An Initial Validation Through Peer Review, Keith K. Gentry Jr., Karen Snyder, Jennifer Jordan Utley

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The World Health Organization has called on health care providers to adopt a biopsychosocial approach to improve health and well-being and reduce disability. While a variety of holistic models exist in occupational therapy, none are explicitly biopsychosocial and use language consistent with both the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework. Following the recent introduction of the Adapted Biopsychosocial Model (A-BPSM), this study served as an initial step toward validation of this model for use in occupational therapy.

Method: A qualitative descriptive design was implemented with a maximum variation …

A Qualitative Study Investigating Stroke Survivors’ Perceptions Of Their Psychosocial Needs Being Met During Rehabilitation, Robin A. Wenzel, Emily A. Zgoda, Mia C. St. Clair, Lisa J. Knecht-Sabres

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Depression and anxiety can negatively impact one’s recovery, outcomes, and quality of life. Even though therapists consider the mental health needs of their clients to be a priority, they are dissatisfied with their ability to completely address these needs. The purpose of this study was to examine the client’s perspective regarding the extent to which health care professionals addressed their psychosocial needs after a stroke.

Method: A phenomenological research design was used to collect data from six participants. Interviews and focus group were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed. Member checks, peer-review, multiple coders, triangulation, and expert …

Gigi's Playhouse Program Development, Tatianna Balis

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project was completed through a partnership with GiGi’s Playhouse in Nashville, Tennessee. GiGi’s Playhouse is a Down syndrome achievement center that offers free programming for individuals of all ages with Down syndrome. The focus of this project was the development of programming for adults and children with Down syndrome. One of the programs developed was GiGi Prep, a program for adults focused on communication skills, money management, fitness, and healthy cooking skills. The other program developed was GiGi Fit Kids, a fitness program for children ages 7-12. Both programs were modified to fit the local population and additional …

Withdrawing Without Withholding: A Quantitative Report Of Factors Indicative Of The Need For Early Rehabilitation Services After Intrauterine Drug Exposure, Brooke G. Bohanan

OTD Capstone Projects

Maternal opioid use is a proliferative epidemic leading to a widespread increase in cases of Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and intrauterine drug exposure (IUDE). Much information has yet to be discovered regarding best practice in treatment and the long-term effects of these diagnoses. This retrospective chart review was conducted to increase awareness and achieve a greater understanding of early developmental deficits and intervention in this population. The researchers hypothesized that there are predictive factors of a later need for therapy services. Potentially influential factors and the prevalence of rehabilitation services provided after discharge from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) …

Integrating Occupational Therapy And Animal Assisted Therapy, Erin Trella

OTD Capstone Projects

Pet Partners is a non-profit organization that works to educate and register handlers of multiple species as volunteer therapy teams. While therapy animal programming offered by volunteer handlers provides an invaluable service to communities, there is also a growing body of practitioners who aim to incorporate the healing power of animals into their professionalized settings. The purpose of this project was to delve into the world of AAI in the professional setting and understand the current needs of practitioners in the field. Through interviewing a variety of professionals who utilize AAI in their practice, clear gaps in services were identified, …

Supporting Working Family Caregivers And Older Adults Through An Educational Employer-Based Eldercare Program, Chanté Bowens

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with AgeWell Middle TN, a non-profit agency that focuses on informed, positive aging, and being a champion, advocate, and trusted community resource for older adults. Working family caregivers of older adults are struggling to balance work and caregiving duties, while employers are experiencing loss in productivity and financial return. In response, AgeWell is developing a program called “Eldercare Coach” to provide guidance to employers and working caregivers. Thus, the primary focus of this project was to develop educational materials for AgeWell’s Eldercare Coach program. These educational materials include a list of interview …

Act To Decrease Burnout: Acceptance And Commitment Therapy As An Option To Address Burnout In Occupational Therapy Practitioners, Carissa Parrish

MOT Student Capstones

Introduction: Burnout is a mental health crisis that can occur when a person is overwhelmed and under-appreciated. The research reports that occupational therapy practitioners (OTs) may self-address burnout through yoga or self-reflection (Costa, 2018). However, the research does not support or deny the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to address burnout among OTs. ACT has been established in the research as a frame of reference and intervention to utilize with people experiencing burnout (Reeve et al, 20 I 8). This project aims to provide a basis for future research on the topic of ACT to address burnout among …

Mindfulness For The Occupational Therapy Practitioner: Enhancing Client-Centered Practice And Stress Management, Samuel Shepherd

MOT Student Capstones

Background: Occupational therapy can be an emotionally demanding profession that is not immune to the effects of stress and burnout. Studies on mindfulness have found this practice can be a useful tool to relieve the symptoms of burnout. This capstone project aimed to help therapy practitioners working in a high productivity setting of skilled nursing understand the stress and burnout related to healthcare and how mindfulness practice positively influences stress management and client-centered practice. Methods: This project involved an in-service presentation with a pre- and post-survey for therapy practitioner participants educating on research related to stress and burnout experiences for …

Does Computer-Based Classroom Instruction Impact Student Participation?, Paige Hyer

MOT Student Capstones

COVID-19 has caused a disruption of typical teaching methods forcing students to receive instruction virtually. Computer-based classroom instruction was implemented to allow for quick transition between virtual and face-to-face instruction as determined by COVID-19 cases. This research explores how computer-based classroom instruction has impacted student participation within the classroom and the role of occupational therapy to support students who utilize this method of learning. Eighteen elementary school teachers who currently utilize this method of learning were surveyed and data was collected to determine feedback on the impact of computer-based classroom instruction. Data determined that student participation is impacted by computer-based …

Capstone Project: Early Active Motion Versus Early Passive Motion Following A Flexor Tendon Repair, Matthew Angle

MOT Student Capstones

Flexor tendon injuries are relative)y rare, occurring in 7.0/100,000 people. An early active motion or early passive motion protocol have been the two primary methods used by occupational therapists for rehabilitation of a flex or tendon repair. Each of these methods have their own strengths and weaknesses, but the intervention that leads to a better outcome while maintaining integrity of the flexor tendon repair was researched. Common complications that occur during the rehabilitation of a flex or tendon that can affect the integrity of the repair included tendon lag, scar adhesions, tendon rupture, and joint contracture. Research focused on the …

Expressive Arts In Occupational Therapy: Children Traumatized From Opioid-Addicted Caregivers, Laura Maclean

MOT Student Capstones

Occupational therapy has been associated with expressive arts and the act of healing the body and mind since the inception of the profession. Children use expressive arts to self-express, explore, and enhance the development of the brain and body. Children that have experienced trauma may have trouble recognizing and expressing emotions, thus react with negative behaviors, poor social skills, and learning challenges. Trauma may occur in children from caregivers' behaviors due to opioid addiction. The use of expressive arts through occupational therapy's holistic perspective provides traumatized children with a guide to recognize and express emotions, increase attention, and improve social …

Promotion Of Fine Motor Skills Through Video Supports, Kaitlin Hasher

MOT Student Capstones

Pediatric occupational therapists working with students in a school-based setting are consistently facing challenges with time management due to their high caseload numbers and limited documentation time in school-based settings. Along with time constraint issues, schoolbased occupational therapists find it difficult to communicate with caregivers on the skills being practiced in the school setting due to limited face-to-face time with caregivers. Children continue to require therapeutic services in school-based settings, however as occupational therapists continue to take on more responsibilities in this setting it becomes more challenging to find time to provide effective and efficient means to educate and reinforce …

Addressing Adherence And Barriers To Long-Tenn Elimination Diet Therapy Through Occupational Therapy In Order To Improve Quality Of Life In Adults With Eosinophilic Esophagitis, Alexis White

MOT Student Capstones

The six-food elimination diet {SFED) is an effective treatment approach for eosinophilic esophagitis {EoE), but it can be challenging and affect patients' quality of life. The aim of this study assesses patients' potential factors influencing adherence to long-term elimination diets. This project employed participant questionnaires to measure attitudes and practice regarding living with EoE; and an education presentation ppt with a pre- and post-survey for key stakeholders synthesizing research findings while aligning patient-provider interaction to promote improved diet adherence. Using data electronic surveys, analysis was conducted using electronic statistical software to determine patient barriers; and to determine accuracy and impact …

Understanding Benefits Of A Community Garden On Those Impacted By Food Insecurity, Taylor Boone

MOT Student Capstones

Occupational therapy professionals can support individual and community interventions for improved health and wellness. Occupational therapists have the unique ability to assess the multi-faceted contexts that impact an individual's and/or community's ability to participate in daily occupations and their level of occupational performance. Addressing nutrition can improve the individual's overall health and wellness and subsequently improve occupational performance, and ability to participate in daily occupations. Many community-based programs act as resources, or access, to improved nutritional intake for community members working towards food security. Occupational therapy has a role in these community-based programs to facilitate improved nutritional intake through functional …

Environmental Interventions And Modifications For Individuals With Down Syndrome: Creating An Assessment Tool And Social Story For Increased Participation, Erica Williams

OTD Capstone Projects

This poster is part of the doctoral capstone project completed with Tucker's House, an agency whose mission is to create safer and more accessible homes and environments for children and young adults with disabilities. This project focused on creating an assessment tool for individuals with Down Syndrome to be used during the home assessment process. A social story was also created to explain the home assessment process in an age appropriate manner to children.

Culminating Capstone Project: Development Of An Experiential Learning Framework For Graduate Occupational Therapy Students, Daniel S. Pereira

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The following capstone project was completed within an educational setting, consisting of education and program development focus areas. The objective was to construct a framework outlining standards and protocols required to implement an experiential learning program. The experiential learning framework would be adaptable to ensure efficacy among various intervention courses. Entry-level doctor of occupational therapy students at Nova Southeastern University were surveyed and identified a desire for experiential learning. Experiential learning for occupational therapy students improved evaluation skills, critical thinking, and inductive and deductive reasoning (Coker, 2009; Doucet & Seale, 2012). Furthermore, experiential learning for occupational therapy students improved student …

Creating Bridges Of Interprofessional Education: Opportunities For Collaborating Across Multiple Disciplines And Campuses, Norman Cadiz Belleza, Jim Mathews, Leiselle Pilgrim, Kaitlyn Cremer, Maureen Johnson, Elisabeth Mcgee, Evan Pucillo, Kathy Wheat, Vibhor Agrawal

Education Collection

Introduction and Purpose: The purpose of this special interest report is to discuss strategies used by to integrate simulation activities across multiple campuses and programs to foster inter- and intra-professional education. Inter-professional (IP) simulations were done between multiple campuses of a large scale, multi-state, health science university. These simulations utilized Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), and Master of Science Speech/Language Pathology (MS-SLP) students and faculty. IP simulations involved DPT students and faculty from the health sciences university in one state and physical therapist assistant (PTA) students and faculty from a different university in that same …

Exploring Animal Assisted Therapy As A Therapeutic Tool For Use In Occupational Therapy, Malia Proveaux

MOT Student Capstones

Occupational therapy (OT) is an evidence-based and effective therapeutic approach; however, patient compliance and participation are the most significant factors determining outcome measures. Animal Assisted Therapy (AA T) is a therapeutic approach used for various disorders and medical diagnoses and has been showing strong growth in recent years. Animal-assisted therapy is the interaction of a patient and a trained animal to aid the patients' progress toward their functional goals and is a valuable complement to OT. The purpose of this study is to examine the evidence-based research supporting the inclusion of AAT during skilled OT interventions to improve clinical impact. …

Developing Power Skills And Effective Partnerships With Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Madison Mclean

OTD Capstone Projects

This project partnered with Friends Life Community of Nashville, TN, in effort to advocate for, increase meaningful participation in, and promote independence in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the implementation of several training tools. Staff and families at Friends Life expressed a need for more classes in a virtual capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to tools to guide Friends Life staff from an occupational therapy perspective. An occupational therapy-based training module was introduced to promote inclusion and teach activity analysis, goal-setting, and how to adapt tasks and the environment to maximize engagement and independence in …

From Isolation To Connection A Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Older Adults’ Social Participation Using The Cov19-Qol Scale, Kathleen Melei Otd, Jill R. Linder Dhsc, Otr

Other Specialties

Abstract

The current study evaluated the relationship between social participation and quality of life (QoL) for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Community-dwelling adults (N = 230) age 65 or older completed an online survey providing demographic data to identify changes in lifestyle routine during the pandemic using the COVID-19 Quality of Life (COV19-QoL) scores. Analyses revealed significant differences in reported lifestyle routines in relation to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and significant differences in COV19-QoL scores across various demographic groups. Results demonstrated the close relationship between social participation and QOL, assisted with identifying individuals at increased risk, and …