Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Supporting The Enculturation And Acculturation Process For Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Immigrants, Sherry A. Manoly, Susan Macdermott, Karen Park, Becki Cohill

Spring 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Objectives: The Egyptian Coptic Orthodox population in America has grown exponentially due to religious intolerance in Egypt. Many Copts move to the U.S. and experience feelings of helplessness because of the stark difference in American culture compared to the culture they had left behind. Occupational therapy (OT) is a profession that can impact the Copts due to the focus on gaining independence in life through participation in meaningful occupations. This qualitative study sought to answer the research question, “what is the current state of occupational engagement for recently immigrated Coptic Christian immigrants, and how can occupational therapy support immigrant populations?” …

Gait And Balance Changes With Investigational Peripheral Nerve Cell Therapy During Deep Brain Stimulation In People With Parkinson’S Disease, Geetanjali Gera, Zain Guduru, Tritia R. Yamasaki, Julie A. Gurwell, Monica Chau, Anna Krotinger, Frederick A. Schmitt, John T. Slevin, Greg A. Gerhardt, Craig G. Van Horne, Jorge E. Quintero

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Background: The efficacy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) and dopaminergic therapy is known to decrease over time. Hence, a new investigational approach combines implanting autologous injury-activated peripheral nerve grafts (APNG) at the time of bilateral DBS surgery to the globus pallidus interna. Objectives: In a study where APNG was unilaterally implanted into the substantia nigra, we explored the effects on clinical gait and balance assessments over two years in 14 individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Methods: Computerized gait and balance evaluations were performed without medication, and stimulation was in the off state for at least 12 h to best assess the …

Culture And Occupational Therapy, Kaitlyn Domingo, Becki Cohill, Susan Macdermott, Karen Park

Spring 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this capstone project was to develop a cultural intelligence program for occupational therapy practitioners (OTP[s]). However, due to the results of the project’s research component, this capstone shifted to addressing a potential need for a global shift in the occupational therapy (OT) process and diversifying the content and dissemination of cultural training courses.

A mixed-methods survey was conducted to assess 45 OTPs’ confidence levels with delivering culturally intelligent care, their means of overcoming cultural barriers in clinical practice, and to collect anecdotes on the process of becoming a culturally intelligent practitioner.

Four primary research themes are developed …

Incorporating Reminiscence Therapy Into Traditional Ot Practice For Adults With Adrd Residing In A Snf/Ltc, Natasha Menard, Becki Cohill, Susan Macdermott, Karen Park

Spring 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

As the population diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) raises from 5.3 to 12.7 million over the next three decades, this calls for a demand for treatments to address this population (Alzheimer’s Association, 2021; Atchinson & Dirette, 2017). While traditional practice often focuses on symptom management, the inclusion of functional activities alone does not fully address the negative side effects of ADRD (Kok et al., 2013; Lepore et al., 2017; Mayo Clinic, 2019). Both occupational therapy (OT) and reminiscence therapy have been shown to be effective methods to treat the ADRD population separately, but there is limited evidence …

Occupational Approaches For Reducing Food Insecurity In College Students, Jessica Sabbara, Becki Cohill, Susan Macdermott, Karen Park

Spring 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Food insecurity is a prevalent problem in the United States (Feeding America, 2021). The COVID-19 pandemic has exasperated existing health disparities including access to the food resources necessary for a healthy lifestyle (Feeding America, 2021). The impact of food insecurity on health, well-being, and quality of life is well-documented Schmelzer & Leto, 2018; Seligman et al., 2010 Emerging adults and college students may experience food insecurity due to limited access to nutrition assistance programming and low food literacy (El Zein, et al., 2019; Owens, et al, 2020). Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners can serve an important role in reducing food insecurity …

Defining A Role For Occupational Therapy In The Transition From The Military To Academia: A Scoping Review, Elizabeth Cifuentes, Steven M. Gerardi

Spring 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

There is a paucity of literature on the role of OT for veterans in transition to school, and the literature that is available has not been systematically reviewed. This makes it difficult for OT practitioners to address the needs of veterans in transition from military service to school.

This scoping review was conducted to answer the question, “What is currently being done to address the transition of veterans from military service to academia and are within the scope of practice of occupational therapy?” An in-depth search of the literature was completed, and it was confirmed that there is no literature …

Sensory Processing, Chronic Pain, And Recovery From Substance Use, Claire Ruth, Susan Macdermott, Becki Cohill, Karen Park

Spring 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Those with chronic pain have worse drug and alcohol treatment outcomes and higher rates of relapse compared to those without pain or with reduced pain (Ilgen et al., 2020).

Methods: A descriptive study was employed with the aim of determining what are the sensory processing pattens of those with co-morbid chronic pain and in recovery for substance use. All participants completed the Adolescent and Adult Sensory Profile, the Brief Pain Inventory, and the Personal Recovery Outcome Measure (PROM).

Results: From the preliminary findings, individuals with co-morbid chronic pain and substance use may have atypical sensory processing in areas of …

Occupational Therapy In Youth Violence: An Occupation-Based Program For At-Risk Youth, Jasmine Shahin, Pam Kasyan-Howe, Kristin Domville

Spring 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Throughout the years, youth participating in violence has become an increased concern around the nation as there is an increase in media outlets displaying tragedies, such as mass school shootings caused by students. The at-risk youth population is a specific population disadvantaged in engaging in safe and health-promoting activities due to limited resources or opportunities. As a result, at-risk youth make decisions based on their disadvantaged environment (Farajzadegan et al., 2018; Gallagher et al., 2015a). Factors including socioeconomic status, social support from family or friends, and mental health impact an individual’s opinions, attitudes, and interests as well as their occupational …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy With The Homeless Population: A Scoping Review, Shelby Osborne, Steven M. Gerardi, Gina Benevente

Spring 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Homelessness is a global and national occurring pandemic. Individuals experiencing homelessness tend to lack education; health resources; stress management; social, independent, vocational, and leisure skills. These causes of homelessness create adverse impacts on occupations leading to situations described as occupational injustice and barriers to occupational engagement. Due to these adverse impacts on occupations, homelessness is of concern to the occupational therapy profession. It is necessary to identify in what behaviors occupational therapy practitioners are engaging with this population to increase occupational performance and decrease occupational injustice.

The theoretical framework of the Model of Human Occupation and the Occupational Therapy Practice …

Impact Of Cuff Over Inflation On Blood Pressure Readings In Adults, Amy Toonstra Pt, Dpt, Kristin Lafebvre Pt, Phd, Jessica Denn, Matthew Goecke, Lucas Grossoehme, Emma Jarocki

DPT Capstone Posters

Purpose

• Physical therapists regularly use blood pressure (BP) readings when making clinical decisions.
• Inaccuracies in BP readings may occur when not following standard procedure.
• False or missed diagnoses of hypertension (HTN) may lead to improper medical management.

Objective

To determine the effects of cuff over inflation on BP readings compared to the standardized 20 mmHg above the loss of Korotkoff sounds when taking manual BP in adults.

Participants

109 adult participants recruited at the MN State Fair on August 28, 2019.

Methods

Data Collection

• Utilized American Heart Association (AHA) standardized positioning and procedures
• Baseline BP measurement taken using standard cuff …

Efficacy Of The Idbt-Pain Skills Training Intervention To Reduce Emotional Dysregulation And Pain Intensity In People With Chronic Pain: Protocol For A Single-Case Experimental Design With Multiple Baselines., Nell Norman-Nott, Chelsey Wilks, Negin Hesam-Shariati, Negin Hesam-Shariati, Jessica Schroeder, Jina Suh, Jina Suh, Mary Czerwinski, Sylvia Gustin

Psychology Faculty Works

Introduction Difficulties in emotional regulation are key to the development and maintenance of chronic pain. Recent evidence shows internet-delivered dialectic behaviour therapy (iDBT) skills training can reduce emotional dysregulation and pain intensity. However, further studies are needed to provide more definitive evidence regarding the efficacy of iDBT skills training in the chronic pain population. Methods and analysis A single-case experimental design (SCED) with multiple baselines will be used to examine the efficacy of a 4-week iDBT-Pain skills training intervention (iDBT-Pain intervention) to reduce emotional dysregulation and pain intensity in individuals with chronic pain. The iDBT-Pain intervention encompasses two components: (1) …

Life Skills Curriculum For Lower Middle School Students At Benton Hall Academy, Elizabeth Atkins

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project focused on the creation of a life skills curriculum for the lower/middle school students at Benton Hall Academy, a school for children who learn differently, in Nashville, TN. Through collaboration with stakeholders, students' top 3 life skill needs were identified, including: social and communication skills, money management and spending skills, and vocation planning. Current literature and materials, as well as students' overarching needs, were examined and used to create the above mentioned units, totaling 13 individual lessons with all needed materials also included.

Addressing Comorbidity Education Needs In Tristar Skyline’S Readmission Reduction Program, Savannah Carroll

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone experience was completed in partnership with TriStar Skyline Medical Center’s inpatient rehabilitation Readmission Reduction Program. This project was driven by a need to increase the provision of education for patients qualifying for this program to promote successful comorbidity management upon discharge to reduce avoidable readmissions. The primary focus of this project was to develop educational materials to promote an understanding of how to successfully manage Diabetes Mellitus, COPD, and CHF to reduce disease complications and avoidable readmissions. The educational materials were developed as online interactive modules for in-room education at the patient’s own pace with voice over …

Clinicians' Perspectives On The Permobil Explorer Mini, Hannah Guffey

OTD Capstone Projects

Clinicians' Perspectives on the Permobil Explorer Mini

Clinicians' Perspectives On The Permobil Explorer Mini, Searcy Fox

OTD Capstone Projects

Clinicians' Perspectives on the Permobil Explorer Mini

Clinicians Perspectives On The Permobil Explorer Mini, Lilly Otoole

OTD Capstone Projects

Clinicians Perspectives on the Permobil Explorer Mini

Can New Civilian Counselors Deal With Veteran Ptsd Competantly?, Thomas Parker, Sonya Heckler Cheyne

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Theoretical Proposal

Lipscomb Ideal: Promoting Independent Living Skills In Students With Intellectual Disabilities, Abigail Hamblen

OTD Capstone Projects

Lipscomb IDEAL: Promoting Independent Living Skills in Students with Intellectual Disabilities

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) …

Integration Of Occupational Therapy Into Primary Care, Averie Conn

OTD Capstone Projects

The Integration of Occupational Therapy into Primary Care is an emerging practice area only beginning to be explored. There has been a noticeable shift to support primary healthcare and its practitioners as it becomes clear the system is unsustainable for optimal patient quality care and outcomes. An occupational therapist has an in depth education in kinesiology/anatomy/pathophysiology, human development across the lifespan, cognition/perception, and psychology. Combined with their specific interest in client-centered clinical reasoning, an occupational therapist has a unique lens that allows them to facilitate a functional and fulfilling lifestyle for each person they work with. Throughout this project, the …

Traitement De L’Épicondylose Latérale Chronique Du Coude : Essai Clinique Randomisé À Simple Insu Évaluant L’Efficacité De La Fenestration Écho-Guidée Et Celle De La Chirurgie Par Approche Ouverte, Nathalie J. Bureau, Patrice Tétreault, François Desmeules, Guy Cloutier, Manon Choinière

Rapports de recherche scientifique

L’épicondylose latérale du coude, communément appelée « épicondylite » ou tennis elbow, est un syndrome douloureux et incapacitant. L’épicondylose est particulièrement fréquente dans la population en âge de travailler et touche autant les hommes que les femmes. Dans certains secteurs d’emploi, l’épicondylose peut affecter un travailleur sur cinq.

Cette pathologie est favorisée par une surutilisation du poignet et de l’avant-bras. Malgré les avancées de la médecine moderne, le traitement de l’épicondylose du coude demeure bien souvent un défi thérapeutique. Plusieurs types de traitement sont proposés. Aucun consensus ni modèle de prise en charge standardisé n’existe. Les coûts directs de …

Enhancing The Connection Between Academic Advising, Admissions, And A Dpt Program Within The Same Institution, Lyndsey Vandenberg Pt, Dpt, Edd, Hannah Brigger, Amanda Jungmann, Nick Parkhurst, Callie Rohlik

DPT Capstone Posters

Background

• Limited data exists on matriculation from an undergraduate program to a DPT program within the same institution.
• Academic advising and admissions influnce students' educational experiences and academic path throughout a student's education.
• Various marketing strategies exist to attract potential students to a graduate program.

Purpose

• Investigate academic advisors' and admission staff knowledge, practice, and resources in regard to the DPT program within the same institution.
• Identify desired resources to optimize the connectedness between the undergraduate programs and DPT program in the same institution.

Participants

• 5 Academic Advisors
• 9 Admissions Staff Members

Methods

• Qualitative data collection via surveys and focus …

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 …

Benefits Of Montessori Method Use In Activity Involvement On Individuals With Dementia, Megan Canzoneri

MOT Student Capstones

Background: The Montessori Method was a teaching approach developed by Dr. Maria Montessori for children who did not have access to proper education and materials. She used this method by teaching them through familiar tasks, puzzles, and self-driven interest. This taught them independence, problem-solving, and decision make. This project discusses the use of the method within the geriatric and memory care population to help them remain independent through choosing activities that interest them. These activities consist of familiar tasks such as setting a table, washing dishes, and folding clothes. Method: This project used a needs survey, pre- and post-survey, and …

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 …

An Occupational Therapy Approach To Ergonomic Intervention, Kristy Hege

MOT Student Capstones

The occurrence of work-related shoulder and neck injuries is on the rise for computer workers due to extended work hours, fewer breaks, and repetitive movements involving neck rotation, shoulder movement, and awkward posture. The individual's workstation and environment's design play a key role contributing to neck and shoulder injuries. An occupational therapist is equipped with the knowledge and skills to modify and adapt a person's workstation and improve their shoulder and neck pain or injuries. The capstone project's purpose was developed to identify risk factors, promote an occupational therapy ergonomic intervention program, suggest workstation and environment modification/adaptations, and promote posture …