Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Measuring Outcomes Of Occupational Therapy Facilitated In Natural Settings With Young Children, Amie Smith, Zoe Peters, Brinda Saini, Deepak Dale, Amanda Laccone

Occupational Therapy | Graduate Student Research Posters

To date, there is limited evidence to support the effectiveness of Occupational Therapy (OT) services delivered outside in nature. This study explored the benefits of OT intervention in Natural Settings (NS) for children by examining development in the areas of self-regulation, social skills, sensory processing, confidence, and motor skills. A quantitative, quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test design was used in this study. Researchers partnered with a local outpatient OT clinic that offers an 8-week outdoor program. Seven children and their parents were recruited and participated in the study. A modified version of the COPM and two BOT-2 subtests, along with a novel log …

Asynchronous Online Telehealth Training: Occupational Therapist’S Perceptions Of Knowledge And Confidence, Breanna L. Campbell

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Telehealth was not a typical practice in occupational therapy prior to the pandemic (Allen-McHugh & Schleg, 2022; Douglass et al., 2023; Wittmeier et al., 2022). Understanding OT clinician knowledge and confidence in the delivery mode has progressed as a result (Allen-McHugh & Schleg, 2022; Douglass et al., 2023; Soba et al., 2022; Wittmeier et al., 2022). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of an asynchronous online training module in increasing self-reported knowledge and confidence in occupational therapy clinicians utilizing telehealth with the pediatric population. A pre-experimental pre-posttest quantitative design was used to measure therapist’s perceived knowledge …

Ultrasonography Can Be Early Diagnostic Modality For Pediatric Calcaneus Fractures: A Case Report, Ying-Chu Chen, Szu-En Chen

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Although calcaneus fractures may be the most common pediatric tarsal bone fracture, most occult calcaneus fractures are not visible on plain radiography, resulting in delayed diagnosis. However, ultrasonography can aid early diagnosis of this fracture with an unspecified mechanism of injury and unremarkable radiographic findings. In a pediatric patient with progressive ankle swelling and pain, initial plain radiography was unremarkable, and antibiotics were administered for suspected infective arthritis. After limping developed, ultrasonography showed symmetric growth plates of bilateral distal tibia, fibula, and tarsal bone; a step-off calcaneus cortex with periosteal reaction; increased power Doppler flow; and probe tenderness, indicating a …

Age-Related Sonoanatomical Change Of The Knee In Children, Shu-Mei Yang, Chia-Wei Lin, Wen-Shiang Chen

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Ultrasound has been thoroughly studied and become a well-established tool for assessment of adult patients' musculoskeletal system both in research and clinical practice. However, the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound in pediatric populations is still limited. The age-dependent variability of normal sonoanatomy dueto bone maturation and ossification in children is the main limitation to establishing its validity as an imaging tool. Also, standardized definitions of gray-scale and power Doppler ultrasonography findings in different age groups of children is still lacking. Nonetheless, ultrasound is a readily accessible imaging modality that is well tolerated by children. It also allows physicians to perform a …

The Experiences Of Children With Neurological Conditions And Families, Charmaine Alexis Pasion, Jazminne Orozco Arteaga

Fall 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Children with chronic neurological conditions and their families experience various challenges that impact their quality of life and occupational participation as they reintegrate back into their communities (Dumas & Grajo, 2021; Taib et al., 2021). However, rehabilitation for children with chronic neurological conditions focuses on addressing functional impairments and self-care activities rather than transitioning home (Diener et al., 2021). Therefore, children and their families are in need of resources and interventions to address their occupational impact as they return to their occupations (Diener et al., 2021). This capstone research study explored the lived experiences of children with chronic neurological conditions …

The Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (Mnri®): A Scoping Review, Lucretia A. Berg, Daniela Brown, Kaylee Kroll, Chandler Pfaff, Lesli Cleveland

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background. The Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI^®) method emerged from Russia in the 1990s as an intervention to improve maturation, development, and functional abilities for a variety of clients. MNRI^® has since become an emerging intervention in occupational therapy in the US, particularly with pediatric clients. The evidence supporting use of MNRI^® remains limited.

Method. Using updates by Levac and colleagues (2010) to the Arksey and O’Malley (2005) process for scoping review, databases and the MNRI^®website were searched. Fourteen unique articles were identified and reviewed. Articles were categorized by common characteristics and …

Doctoral Capstone Culminating Project: Addressing Language Barriers To Parent Education In Pediatric Outpatient Settings, Agnes M. Valentin

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Addressing Occupational Performance Deficits In A Religious Setting: A Pediatric Case Report, Bryan M. Gee, Daniel Leatham

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The purpose of this pediatric case report is to document how occupational therapy assisted a family with a child who has a diagnosis of ASD and the religious clergy increase the child’s participation in activities in the religious context.

Method: The pediatric case report uses an exploratory approach to explore the process of evaluating challenging psychosocial behaviors and implementing contextual and personal strategies to increase participation in meaningful occupations.

Results: As a result of the occupational therapy recommendations and follow-up consultations, the client demonstrated a reduction in behaviors that were a barrier to her participation in …

Promoting Inclusive Play And Social Skills Development In Sioux Falls And Harrisburg, South Dakota, Madison C. Snelling

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

A lack of inclusive play opportunities hinders children's development and participation in a meaningful occupation. The purpose of this 14-week capstone experience was to advocate for inclusive playgrounds and play spaces in daycares, community recreation centers, and community playgrounds in addition to gaining further clinical skills in pediatrics providing home-based occupational therapy services and social skills interventions. Methods included caseload management, developing and facilitating social skills groups for children 4-5 years, and completing evaluations of current play spaces in Sioux Falls and Harrisburg, S.D.

Mending The Mind: Exploring The Role Of Occupational Therapy For Executive Dysfunction Post-Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury, Shannon E. Hegland

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Executive dysfunction is a common concern for children after experiencing a traumatic brain injury. This can greatly affect occupational performance. Occupational therapists can provide therapeutic services to improve executive function skills, utilize compensatory strategies to restore function over time, and educate parents and caregivers on the expected symptoms and impairments. During this capstone project, I focused on learning how to address executive dysfunction in the pediatric post TBI population and created deliverables to assist future therapists with the same task. Seven children who experienced executive dysfunction post- traumatic brain injury between the ages of two and eighteen were selected as …

Aquatic Developmental Play Program For Children In Early Intervention: A Case Series, Brynn N. Butzman, Cynthia Lau, Cheryl Vanier

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Despite limited evidence, aquatic programming has the potential to be an ideal intervention for young children with disabilities because of its unique and dynamic properties. This study explored the impact of an aquatic developmental play program in addressing sensory integration and motor development needs of children with disabilities as well as its impact on parental isolation.

Methods: A case series design was used. Children with disabilities under 3 years of age and their parents participated in a 9-week aquatic developmental play program held in the community. Goals were individualized for each participant and monitored using the Goal …

Advocating For Occupational Therapy In The Pediatric Primary Care Setting, Margaret Bauer

Spring 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This project explored the experiences of caregivers interacting within the pediatric primary care setting in order to determine a need for occupational therapy to help support acquisition of child developmental milestones, screening for developmental delays, and implementation of health behaviors into family routines. An IRB research study was conducted to survey primary caregivers of children across the country to ascertain their experiences and knowledge of OT, ease of health behavior implementation, and comfortably discussing child development with their pediatrician's. A needs assessment survey was distributed at a San Diego pediatric primary care clinic, and a program was developed to support …

Improvement Of Spasticity-Related Pain With Incobotulinumtoxina Treatment In Children/Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy: Pooled Analysis Of 3 Phase 3 Studies, Florian Heinen, Petr Kanovsky, A Sebastian Schroeder, Henry G. Chambers, Edward Dabrowski, Thorin L. Geister, Hanna Dersch, Irena Pulte, Michael Althaus, Marta Banach, Deborah Gaebler-Spirag

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction: Spasticity-related pain (SRP) in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) is common, often neglected, and impacts daily quality of life. We assessed the effect of incobotulinumtoxinA on SRP using pooled data from 3 large Phase 3 pediatric studies.

Methods: Ambulant and non-ambulant patients (2–17 years of age; uni- or bilateral CP; Ashworth Scale score ≥2 in clinical patterns for treatment) were enrolled. Patients received total body incobotulinumtoxinA doses of ≤16 U/kg (≤400 U) for lower-limb (LL) treatment in 2 injection cycles (ICs) in TIM (NCT01893411). In TIMO (NCT01905683), TIM completers and new recruits received 4 ICs with 16–20 …

Telehealth Vs Face To Face Pediatric Screenings: A Pilot Study, Katherine S. Ryan-Bloomer, Joan Ziegler Delahunt

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The global pandemic heightened the importance of occupational therapy (OT) education programs to prepare students for telehealth practice. The objective was to examine the following research questions: 1. Does self-assessment of pediatric competency skills improve following participation in pediatric screenings? 2. Is there a difference in self-assessment of pediatric competency skills between those students who perform pediatric screenings via telehealth versus face-to-face? 3. What is the lived experience for students who perform telehealth and face-to-face pediatric screenings? A mixed method- quasi-experimental design and phenomenological tradition were employed. The study utilized online surveys, focus groups, telehealth screenings with an urban preschool, …

A Comparison Of Activity Participation Between Children With And Without Asthma, Jacqueline R. Jezioro, Sharon A. Gutman, Stephanie Lovinsky-Desir, Virginia Rauh, Frederica P. Perera, Rachel L. Miller

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Asthma affects approximately 6 million children in the United States and can greatly impact quality of life and occupational engagement. Although occupational therapists are well-equipped to address participation limitations, insufficient evidence exists to support the role of occupational therapists in asthma treatment.

Method: The purpose of this study was to further understand the occupational limitations experienced by children with asthma. We also explored a dual diagnosis of asthma and obesity. The participants included children with (n = 84) and without (n = 63) asthma living in New York City. The Child Behavior Checklist, Youth Self Report, Brief …

Caregiver Perceptions Of Environmental Modifications For Sensory Processing, Jaimie Lynn Smith

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

This capstone project explored in-depth clinical practice skills in sensory based therapy along with caregiver perceptions of sensory environmental modifications. In person and telehealth treatment sessions focused on the achievement of sensory based goals. A three-part continuing education course was also completed to expand knowledge and understanding of sensory environmental modifications and strategies that were family friendly. The main project was to gain an understanding of caregiver perceptions of sensory environmental modifications. This was accomplished through interviews with families that focused on sensory aspects of the environmental, completion of Participation and Sensory Environmental Questionnaire, and feel-good menus. After environmental recommendations …

Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Nicu And Post-Nicu Settings, Katlyn M. Schochenmaier

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

The purpose of this capstone experience was to gain advanced clinical experience and explore occupational therapy’s role in the NICU and post-NICU settings. Further focus of this capstone was on the feeding concerns and sensory development of infants following a NICU stay. This capstone project was completed at a Level IV NICU and an outpatient speech and occupational therapy clinic in a midwestern city. Theoretical models of Ayres’ Sensory Integration, Neonatal Integrative Developmental Care Model, and Biopsychosocial Model of Pediatric Feeding were used to develop and implement this capstone experience. A two-day continuing education course was completed prior to the …

Advocating For The Field Of Occupational Therapy In A Childcare Setting, Nicole K. Leinhart

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Significant physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development occurs during the first five years of life; many children spend time in the childcare setting during this crucial time of development. Appropriately meeting the needs of children is important for healthy growth and development throughout an individual’s life. Working in collaboration with the childcare staff, occupational therapists are beneficial when working with the pediatric population. With their extensive knowledge, expertise, and training in human development, as well as the physiological, psychological, social, and emotional needs of individuals throughout the lifespan, occupational therapists improve the children’s engagement and success within a childcare setting. …

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 …

Examining Criteria For Defining Persistent Post-Concussion Symptoms In Children And Adolescents, Grant L. Iverson, Justin E. Karr, Bruce Maxwell, Ross Zafonte, Paul D. Berkner, Nathan E. Cook

Psychology Faculty Publications

Researchers operationalize persistent post-concussion symptoms in children and adolescents using varied definitions. Many pre-existing conditions, personal characteristics, and current health issues can affect symptom endorsement rates in the absence of, or in combination with, a recent concussion, and the use of varied definitions can lead to differences in conclusions about persistent symptoms and recovery across studies. This study examined how endorsement rates varied by 14 different operational definitions of persistent post-concussion symptoms for uninjured boys and girls with and without pre-existing or current health problems. This cross-sectional study included a large sample (age range: 11–18) of girls (n = …

Home And Parent Training Strategies For Pediatric Feeding Disorders: The Caregivers’ Perspective, K. Megan Carpenter, Mindy Garfinkel

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Twenty to 45% of the general pediatric population experience feeding problems. When children with disabilities exhibit feeding problems, they are more likely to develop maladaptive mealtime behaviors that may lead to poor nutrition. Home training to help treat a child’s feeding delay or disorder is a vital component of feeding treatment and supports holistic, family-centered treatment models. It is important for occupational therapists working with this population to understand the impact of these behaviors on individual and family functioning.

Method: This quantitative study examined caregivers’ perspectives of the training families receive to support their child’s feeding delay …

Inter-Rater Reliability Of Goal Attainment Scaling With Children With Sensory Processing Disorder, Teresa A. May-Benson, Sarah A. Schoen, Alison Teasdale, Jane Koomar

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) is advocated as a meaningful outcome measure for parents and clinicians using an Ayres Sensory Integration^® Intervention (ASI) approach. Although used in several treatment effectiveness studies, reliability of therapist goal writing and scoring has not been established in this area.

Method: Ten occupational therapists and 40 parents of children receiving ASI participated across two clinical sites. The interview therapists and inter-rater therapists wrote GAS goals based on the same goal-setting interviews conducted with parents. Follow-up parent interviews were conducted post-ASI intervention, and the GAS goals were rated by both the interview therapists …

Profile Of Pediatric Assessments Selected In Occupational Therapy Practice And The Influence Of Occupation-Based Assessments On Clinical Practice, Alysha Skuthan

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Occupational therapy practice is intended to reflect the core construct of occupation throughout all aspects of service delivery. In pediatricoccupational therapy, there is insufficient evidence examining regularly selected assessment tools and the occupational constructs ofselected assessment tools. A mixed methods research study was conducted to examine the most regularly selected assessment tools by pediatric occupational therapists and the resultant effects on service delivery specific to goal writing, intervention planning, length oftreatment, materials used in practice, and the context of service delivery among other practice outcomes generated by therapist participants. The primary assessment tools utilized by pediatric occupational therapists reflected a …

The Perceptions Of Four Novice Occupational Therapists' Preparedness And Ability To Perform Occupation-Based Practice In Pediatric Practice, Laurie Knis-Matthews, Meagan Koch, Alivia Nufrio, Melissa Neustein Gorman, Feby Zaki, Katheryne H. Wall

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Although occupation-based practice (OBP) is considered best practice within the occupational therapy profession, practitioners continue to have a difficult time actively implementing OBP into treatment. The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) standards necessitate the implementation of OBP. Within the literature, there are gaps in the research investigating novice therapists’ perceptions of incorporating OBP in practice, especially in the United States. Since children and youth is a rapidly growing area of practice, this study focused on investigating how novice therapists are implementing OBP in pediatric settings. This qualitative study therefore investigated the perceptions of four novice pediatric occupational therapists’ …

An Unexpected Outcome Of A Pediatric Simulation Encounter For Occupational Therapy Students., Anne H. Zachry, K. Booker, S. B. Lancaster

Faculty Presentations

This presentation reviewed how to plan and implement a pediatric simulated educational experience to align with the targeted course learning objective(s). Participants learned how to incorporate best practices into simulation education in order to advance occupational therapy education.

Measures Of Pediatric Function And Physical Activity In Arthritis, Anna E. Greer, Maura D. Iversen

Exercise Science Faculty Publications

Physical function can be assessed through physical examination with the use of performance-based measures and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Each form of assessment provides a unique contribution to the understanding of the impact of rheumatologic conditions on the patient. PROMs of physical function (PF) are an important component of the assessment of children with arthritis and have been included in the recommended core set of measures for childhood arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions. These measures provide the child’s or parent’s perspective of function within the context of daily living. Measures of PF include both generic measures, which are designed for use …

Turning Everyday Activities Into Play: Building Relationships And Fostering Connections For Adopted Children And Children In Foster Care, Marissa E. Siu

Student Capstone Papers

The purpose of this capstone project was to create a program for community members, foster families, and adoptive families. In this project, community members was defined as any professional that works with foster and adoptive families in the community or in their profession. This included school staff, school administrators, therapists, and day care or respite providers.

The goal of this program was to use play to build stronger family bonds and relationships while also supporting the development of children in foster care and adopted children. By providing this program as a tool that can be used by families and community …

Long-Term Functional Effects Of Medulloblastoma Treatments, Serena Khiantani, Pamela Ponce, Bailey Diprima, Sarika Maymoundok, Leah Murray

Master of Occupational Therapy Student Critically Appraised Topics

All studies relate directly to components of the evidence-based practice question and were used to understand the possible long-term effects of treatment for clients diagnosed with medulloblastoma cancer. This Critically Appraised Topic (CAT) contains 6 research articles from both national and international journals. Study designs include two cohort studies with a control group, 1 cross sectional study with a control group, 1 retrospective cohort study without a control group, 1 descriptive report on a Randomized Control Trial (RCT), and 1 descriptive study. Through these studies, we found that radiation treatment is associated with impaired IQ and academic achievement and that …

Developing Educational Resources To Support The Use Of The Hippotherapy Evaluation And Assessment Tool, Emily Peoples

Student Capstone Papers

The Hippotherapy Evaluation and Assessment Tool (HEAT) was created in 2011 with the goal of creating an assessment specific to this therapeutic intervention and effectively tracking client progress. Based on the current literature of client progress during hippotherapy intervention, four domains of scoring were created: Static Posture, Dynamic Motor Behavior, Sensory Processing, and Psychosocial/Behavioral. Over the years, many thesis studies have been conducted to confirm the reliability and validity of the HEAT. However, further dissemination was required as many therapists had not yet heard of the tool. A doctoral capstone project was completed in 2019-2020 to create a training program …

Holistic Home Modification: Developing A Client-Centered Approach To Home Assessments And Quality Of Life Measures, Maggie Little

OTD Capstone Projects

This project is an appraisal of home assessments and quality of life measures in order to find the best fit for pediatric populations and their caregivers.