Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Global Health And Disability: A Review And Call To Action For All Rehabilitation Professions, Evan M. Pucillo, Matthew B. Huish, Quinn Tate, Edward C. O'Bryan, Ty T. Dickerson

Physical Therapy Collection

The World Health Organization estimates 15% of the world’s population is living with disability and anticipates an increase as the population ages. Disability is a growing healthcare concern and presents a tremendous burden to all nations. The world will soon need to provide health and rehabilitative care for an enormous number of persons with disability. The purpose of this article is to provide a brief narrative review pertaining to global health and rehabilitation, and to motivate the rehabilitation professions in taking immediate action through further investment in global health initiatives to manage both the current and projected burden of disability. …

Ureteral Tunnel Length Versus Ureteral Orifice Configuration In The Determination Of Ureterovesical Junction Competence: A Computer Simulation Model, Carlos A. Villanueva, J. Tong, Carl A. Nelson, Linxia Gu

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Introduction The long-held belief that a ureteral re-implant tunnel should be five times the diameter of the ureter, as proposed by Paquin in 1959, ignores the effect of the orifice on the occurrence of reflux. In 1969, Lyon proposed that the shape of the ureteral orifice (UO) is more important than the intravesical tunnel. However, both theories missed quantitative evidence from principles of physics. The goal of the current study was to test Lyon’s theory through numerical models (i.e. to quantify the sensitivity of ureterovesical junction (UVJ) competence to intravesical tunnel length and to the UO).

Materials and methods The …

Effects Of Aging On Temporal Predictive Mechanisms Of Speech And Hand Motor Reaction Time, Karim Johari, Dirk B. Den Ouden, Roozbeh Behroozmand

Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Articles and Research

Evidence from previous studies has suggested that movement execution in younger adults is accelerated in response to temporally predictable vs. unpredictable sensory stimuli. This effect indicates that external temporal information can modulate motor behavior; however, how aging can influence temporal predictive mechanisms in motor system has yet to be understood. The objective of the present study was to investigate aging effects on the initiation and inhibition of speech and hand movement reaction times in response to temporally predictable and unpredictable sensory stimuli. Fifteen younger (mean age 22.6) and fifteen older (mean age 63.8) adults performed a randomized speech vowel vocalization …

Sensory, Motor And Process Skills As Compared To Symptom Severity In Adult Patients With Schizophrenia, Lola Halperin

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness affecting millions of Americans. It is characterized by positive and negative symptoms; cognitive impairments; and sensory, motor, and process skill deficits; as well as compromised motor learning, functional difficulties, and diminished quality of life. Neuroscientists attribute the above deficits to abnormal brain development, exaggerated synaptic pruning, and neurodegenerative processes, causing disrupted connectivity and diminished plasticity in the brain, neurotransmitter dysfunction, and impaired sensory processing.

Presently, there is no cure for schizophrenia. Numerous medications and rehabilitation modalities exist; however, many of the affected individuals continue to struggle daily. Recovery of these individuals implies symptom management …

Running Economy While Running In Extreme Cushioning And Normal Cushioning Running Shoes, Miles A. Mercer, Tori M. Stone, John C. Young, John Mercer

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research

The purpose of the study was to determine if running economy was influenced by wearing maximal cushioning shoes vs. control (neutral cushioning) shoes. (Please see Abstract in text)

Validation Of The Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire Classification Coding System Using Accelerometry In Multiple Sclerosis, Robert W. Motl, Rachel E. Bollaert, Brian M. Sandroff

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Objective: There have been recent efforts toward creating a health contribution score (HCS) from the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ) that reflects public-health guidelines for levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The HCS yields categories of insufficiently active (less substantial or low benefits), moderately active (some benefits), and active (substantial benefits). The present study examined the validity of the GLTEQ HCS and its categories as reflecting levels of MVPA in multiple sclerosis (MS). Method: The sample included 684 persons with MS. Participants wore an accelerometer on an elastic belt around the waist above the nondominant hip during the waking hours …

A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Study To Assess The Effect Of Anodal And Cathodal Electrical Stimulation On Periwound Skin Blood Flow And Pressure Ulcer Size Reduction In Persons With Neurological Injuries, Anna Polak, Cezary Kucio, Luther C. Kloth, Malgorzata Paczula, Ewa Hordynska, Tomasz Ickowicz, Edward Blaszczak, Ewa Kucio, Krystian Oleszczyk, Krzysztof Ficek, Andrzej Franek

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

The use of electrical stimulation (ES) should be considered for treating nonhealing pressure ulcers (PUs), but optimal ES wound treatment protocols have yet to be established. A randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical study was conducted to evaluate the effects of cathodal and anodal high-voltage monophasic pulsed current (HVMPC) on periwound skin blood flow (PSBF) and size reduction of Stage 2 to Stage 4 PUs of at least 4 weeks’ duration.Persons >18 years of age, hospitalized with neurological injuries, at high risk for PU development (Norton scale <14 >points; Waterlow scale >15 points), and with at least 1 Stage 2 to Stage 4 …

In-Home Delivery Of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy Via Virtual Reality Gaming, Alexandra L. Borstad, Roger Crawfis, Kala Phillips, Linda Pax Lowes, David Maung, Ryan Mcpherson, Amelia Siles, Lise Worthen-Chaudhari, Lynne V. Gauthier

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: People with chronic hemiparesis are frequently dissatisfied with the recovery of their hand and arm, yet many lack access to effective treatments. Constraint-induced movement therapy (CI therapy) effectively increases arm function and spontaneous use in persons with chronic hemiparesis. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and measure safety and outcomes of an in-home model of delivering CI therapy using a custom, avatar-based virtual reality game.

Methods: Seventeen individuals with chronic hemiparesis participated in this pretest/posttest quasi-experimental design study. The 10-day intervention had three components: 1) high-repetition motor practice using virtual reality gaming; 2) constraint of …

Imagine A World …, David A. Nelson

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

The author and issue editor introduces the second half of Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews’ two-part series on health disparities and inequities in the United States. The chasm between an ideal health care system and the current reality may appear vast, and closing it insurmountable at times, but acknowledging and working to address the many health conditions that disproportionately affect specific patient populations is one step health providers and researchers can take toward closing the gap.

The Magic Wand: A Case Study Of Chronic Neck Pain, Sandra L. Winkler

The Qualitative Report

Medications used to manage chronic pain have documented side effects including drug dependency, drug interaction, and adverse systemic reactions. This case study used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to understand how one individual experienced chronic neck pain including pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions. Convenience sampling identified Ms. P, an individual with a 10-year history of chronic pain. The research questions were: “How does one individual with chronic neck pain describe their experience living with neck pain?” and “How does one individual with chronic neck pain manage their pain?” Three super-ordinate themes emerged: pain pervades everything, finding relief, and recovery. Findings suggest that living …

Girls In The Boat: Sex Differences In Rowing Performance And Participation, Kevin G. Keenan, Jonathon Senefeld, Sandra K. Hunter

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Men outperform women in many athletic endeavors due to physiological and anatomical differences (e.g. larger and faster muscle); however, the observed sex differences in elite athletic performance are typically larger than expected, and may reflect sex-related differences in opportunity or incentives. As collegiate rowing in the United States has been largely incentivized for women over the last 20 years, but not men, the purpose of this study was to examine sex differences in elite rowing performance over that timeframe. Finishing times from grand finale races for collegiate championship on-water performances (n = 480) and junior indoor performances (n = 1,280) …

Physical Therapy Considerations For Chronic Kidney Disease And Secondary Sarcopenia, Michael O. Harris-Love, Haniel J. Hernandez, Gideon Obamwonyi

Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Publications

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition that may negatively affect musculoskeletal health. These comorbidities may include malnutrition, osteoporosis, and decreased lean body mass. Secondary sarcopenia due to CKD may be associated with mobility limitations and elevated fall risk. Physical therapists are well-positioned among the health care team to screen for secondary sarcopenia in those with CKD and for the treatment of musculoskeletal comorbid conditions that may affect functional performance. Given the consequences of both low muscle mass and low bone mineral density, appropriate and timely physical therapy is important for fall risk assessment and intervention to minimize the …

The Art And Science Of Occupation As Therapy, Jennifer Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Ashley Woo Lee, an occupational therapy student based in Loma Linda, CA, provided the cover art for the Winter 2018 issue of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT) (Figure 1). The piece, titled “Tree of Life,” is a 11” x 14” drawing made from mixed media. As a child living in Korea, Ashley enjoyed drawing as a favorite pastime. After her family relocated to the United States, art became Ashley’s primary means for self-expression. When a career in art was not an option, the field of occupational therapy satisfied Ashley’s artistic and scientific interests. In a recent interview, Ashley …

Factors Associated With Academic Performance Among Second-Year Undergraduate Occupational Therapy Students, Tore Bonsaksen, Brian J. Ellingham, Tove Carstensen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Research into occupational therapy education and its outcomes for students is growing. More research is needed to determine the factors of importance for occupational therapy students’ academic outcomes. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with academic performance among second-year undergraduate occupational therapy students in Norway.

Methods: Occupational therapy students (n = 111) from two education programs completed questionnaires asking for sociodemographic, work-related, and education-related information. Hierarchical linear regression analysis was used to examine factors independently associated with the students’ academic performance.

Results: A higher age was associated with better average academic performance among the students, whereas having …

Co-Constructing Simulations With Learners: Roles, Responsibilities, And Impact, Diane E. Mackenzie, Kathleen E. Collins, Mylene J. Guimond, Abby C. Hunter, Kassia J. Jurcina, Johanna L. Mcdonald, Nikki L. Richards, Stephanie. H. Sinclair, Kelsey Y. Taylor

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Co-constructed simulations were designed and piloted with senior occupational therapy master’s students in a neurorehabilitation practice module. The instructor served as the guide for the students through all phases of the case creation, simulation development, delivery, and debrief. The instructor facilitation promoted self-regulated learning (SRL) of knowledge and skill development through independent discovery and peer learning. This paper provides an evidence-informed co-construction simulation design with outlined stages, roles, and responsibilities for the instructor and learner. Thematic qualitative analysis of student feedback highlighted enhanced insight and SRL as a result of multiple role preparation, observation and interaction with peers, close interaction …

Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Educator Practices And Preferences In Clinical Education, Kaitlyn Ryan, Melanie Beck, Lee Ungaretta, Magdalena Rooney, Elaina Dalomba, Leamor Kahanov

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The shortage of clinical education fieldwork sites coupled with a concern over the quality of the required fieldwork experience poses an unintended outcome for the recent changes in the health care system and an increasing number of occupational therapy students. While the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) issues standards for fieldwork education, the quality of the experience is known to vary. The present study employed a mixed methods concurrent nested design with a quantitative online survey alongside qualitative individual semi-structured online interviews to examine the practices and preferences of fieldwork educators in Pennsylvania ACOTE accredited programs. From the …

Balancing Efficacy And Effectiveness With Philosophy, History, And Theory-Building In Occupational Therapy Education Research, Barbara Hooper, Jyothi Gupta, Andrea Bilics, Steven D. Taff

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The preferred focus for education research in occupational therapy increasingly rests on studies that investigate efficacy and effectiveness in the teaching-learning context. While important, the almost exclusive promotion of outcomes-focused studies can come at the expense of other forms of inquiry, including philosophy, history, and theory-building. To fully inform education and enhance practice, outcomes-focused research needs the conceptual foundation provided by philosophical, historical, and theory-building studies. In this paper, the authors suggest that the research enterprise in occupational therapy education is in its infancy and, therefore, quite susceptible to shortcuts that head straight to outcomes. To address this issue, the …

Use Of Religious Observance As A Meaningful Occupation In Occupational Therapy, Kelly Thompson, Bryan M. Gee, Sara Hartje

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Research shows that religious and spiritual beliefs influence a person’s health and quality of life. Studies have found that religious people are healthier and require less access to health services, and that clients want to have their religious and spiritual needs addressed as a part of their plan of care.

Method: This study used a descriptive survey design to explore the attitudes and behaviors of occupational therapists concerning religious observance in clinical practice. The survey yielded 181 responses from a random sampling from members of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Results: The study found that while …

Occupational Therapy Employers’ Perceptions Of Professionalism, Vicki C. Mason, Kathleen Mathieson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) patient satisfaction survey, the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program, and the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Initiative in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are affecting expectations of professionalism in health care. These initiatives and shifts in expectations are especially concerning for occupational therapists whose services historically have not been well understood.

Method: Eighteen supervisory and managerial occupational therapy practitioners were interviewed regarding perceptions of professionalism in occupational therapy employees. The semi-structured interview guide explored professionalism in occupational therapists’ interactions with patients and co-workers and in an employer’s organization. …

Expressive Art To Facilitate The Development Of The Occupational Profile: A Scoping Review, Verna G. Eschenfelder, Christina M. Gavalas, Taylor M. Pendergast, Colleen A. Gorman

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background. The American Occupational Therapy Association and the American Medical Association have changed CPT codes to require a completed occupational profile at every evaluation and re-evaluation session for reimbursement as of January 1, 2017. A revitalization of art in occupational therapy has led to a recent increase in the evidence supporting the use of expressive art in practice. The benefits of expressive art can directly enhance the occupational profile required by these changing reimbursement requirements.

Methods. A scoping review method was applied in the current study. Out of 347 initial articles, 12 met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed through …

A Bibliometric Analysis Of Peer-Reviewed Journal Publications By British Occupational Therapy Authors, Ted Brown, Yuh-Shan Ho, Sharon A. Gutman

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: A bibliometric analysis was completed of the peer-reviewed literature from 1991 to 2015 written by British occupational therapy authors that was indexed in the Science Citation Index-Expanded (SCI-Expanded) or Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) databases.

Methods: “Occupational therapy” and “occupational therapist” were used as keywords to search journal articles’ publication title, abstract, author details, keywords, and KeyWords Plus. One of the authors had to be identified as a qualified occupational therapist with a British affiliation.

Results: From 1991 to 2015, 680 journal articles were published by British occupational therapy authors. The top three journals in which authors published …

Discovering Perspectives On Health And Well-Being From Parents And Teachers Of Preschool- Aged Children, Divya Sood, Delawnia Comer-Hagans, Dirk Anderson, Diana Basmajian, Ashley Bohlen, Michelle Grome, Irada Imanova, Kimberly Martin

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This study explores the concept of health and well-being as perceived by teachers and parents of preschool-aged children in the specific context of a child day care facility. The study also identifies the barriers parents and teachers encounter and the supports they require in promoting the health and well-being of preschool-aged children.

Method: A qualitative phenomenological research design combined with a projective technique of Photovoice was used for data collection. A total of eight participants, four teachers and four parents of preschool-aged children from a child day care facility, participated in the study.

Results: Several themes were identified related …

Feasibility Exploration Of Electrodermal Response To Food In Children With Asd Compared To Typically Developing Children, Michelle A. Suarez

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) frequently have food selectivity that causes additional health and quality of life stressors for the child and the family. The causes of food selectivity are currently unknown but may be linked, at least in part, to sensory processing problems.

Method: The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of using electrodermal activity (EDA) measurement in response to food to gain insight into the physiological processes associated with eating for children with ASD compared to typically developing children. In addition, differences in food acceptance and the relationship between food acceptance …

A Retrospective Pre-Post Treatment Study Of Occupational Therapy Intervention For Children With Sensory Processing Challenges, Sarah A. Schoen, Lucy Jane Miller, Joanne Flanagan

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This study investigated the impact of an intensive, short-term program that incorporates the principles of sensory integration and relationship-based therapies with extensive parent collaboration. The goals were to identify measures sensitive to change and explore the relation between sensory modulation characteristics and change in behavior after intervention.

Method: A retrospective chart review examined routine clinical data pre-post intervention from 179 children identified with sensory processing challenges without comorbid autism. Change in measures of adaptive behavior, emotional functioning, sensory-related behaviors, and motor functioning were evaluated. Relations between sensory modulation and behavior were explored.

Results: Improvements were noted …

Selection Of Post-Acute Care For Stroke Patients, Kathryn M. Gulfo, Glen Gillen, Lauri Bishop, Clare C. Bassile, Randy B. Kolodny, Joel Stein

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Significant variation exists in post-acute care for stroke survivors. This study examines referral practices of occupational and physical therapists for patients after acute stroke.

Method: Occupational therapists (OTs) and physical therapists (PTs) were surveyed either electronically or in person at a national conference. The respondents selected the most appropriate referral for each of five case vignettes. The referral choices included Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF), Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), Long-Term Acute Care Hospital (LTACH), home with home services, or home with outpatient services. Demographic data included practice location, setting, and duration. The respondents were also asked to rate …

Occupational Adaptation As A Construct: A Scoping Review Of Literature, Lenin Grajo, Angela Boisselle, Elaina Dalomba

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This study integrates research on practice applications of the construct of occupational adaptation with occupational therapy and occupational science literature.

Method: Using Arksey and O’Malley’s 5-step Scoping Study Framework (2005), we conducted a scoping review of 74 articles from five online databases and literature hand-searching and performed quantitative and thematic analyses.

Results: The Occupational Adaptation model (Schkade & Schultz, 1992; n = 74) and the Model of Human Occupation (Kielhofner, 2008; n = 37) were the most frequently cited literature influences. Occupational adaptation has been defined as a process (n = 49), an outcome (n = …

State Of The Journal: Past, Present, And Future, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Current State Of Commercial Wearable Technology In Physical Activity Monitoring 2015-2017, J. A. Bunn, J. W. Navalta, C. J. Fountaine, J. D. Reece

Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

Critically Appraised Paper For “Adaptive Vs. Non-Adaptive Cognitive Training By Means Of A Personalized App: A Randomized Trial In People With Multiple Sclerosis.”, Erin Chaffee, Ty Duong, Kaylee Gothelf, Emily Minor, Kitsum Li

Occupational Therapy | Critically Appraised Papers Series

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a working-memory program to improve the cognitive status of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Given the increasing use of technology in modern-day society, further research is required to provide evidence supporting working-memory training devices that are easily accessible for people with memory deficits.

Critically Appraised Paper For “Effects Of Dance On Motor Functions, Cognitive Functions, And Mental Symptoms Of Parkinson’S Disease: A Quasi-Randomized Pilot Trial”, May Anne Gamueda, Caroline Lee, Susan Nguyen, Ajay Pala, Blanka Pentek, Kitsum Li

Occupational Therapy | Critically Appraised Papers Series

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a systemic condition that presents not only motor but also nonmotor symptoms, as a result of dopamine deficiency in the basal ganglia. Rehabilitation typically focuses on motor deficits, however, despite the fact that nonmotor symptoms have a significant impact on quality of life. The researchers of this study investigated the effectiveness of dance on motor functions, cognitive functions, and mental symptoms of individuals with PD. They chose dance as their intervention because it has been shown to activate the basal ganglia as well as improve mood. In addition to motor function and mood, the researchers also …