Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Black Drowning Deaths: An Introductory Analysis, Alena Gadberry, James Gadberry

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Black children between the ages of 5 and 14 are 2.6 times more likely to drown than white children. A systematic exclusion from public pools and other forms of water activities over time has led to a lack of cultural capital involving aquatics among black families. Pierre Bourdieu has provided a theoretical foundation in which to understand this issue. The social fields created by generational socialization have made blacks feel like they have no place in the water. It will take a restructuring of the social institutions to set in motion the socialization (or a re-socialization) of new and more …

A Single-Center Comparison Using Exoskeleton Rehabilitation For Cerebrovascular Accidents And Traumatic Brain Injury In A Cohort Of Hispanic Patients, Lisa R. Trevino, Kristina Vatcheva, Michael E. Auer, Angela Morales, Lama M. Abdurrahman, Sarajova Viswamitra, Annelyn Torres-Reveron

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of disability in the United States. The EKSO GT Bionics® (EKSO®) is a robotic exoskeleton approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for rehabilitation following a cerebrovascular accident (CVA or stroke) and recently received approval for use in patients with TBI. The aim of the study was to examine if the use of exoskeleton rehabilitation in patients with TBI will produce beneficial outcomes.

Methods This retrospective chart-review reports the use of the (EKSO®) robotic device in the rehabilitation of patients with TBI compared to patients with CVA. We utilized …

Integrating Art Into Life In Pursuit Of Occupational Balance, Jennifer K. Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Dr. Sharon Gutman, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, an occupational therapy professor and artist based in New York, provided the cover art for the Summer 2020 edition of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). “Goldfish” is a 10” x 13” watercolor painting. Dr. Gutman has nearly 30 years of experience in clinical practice, higher education, research, and service to the profession. Dr. Gutman pursued a career in occupational therapy because it was a field where she could use her creativity. This decision led to an extraordinary career and a life of service to others. When the demands of a busy lifestyle …

They Said: Perspectives On Capstone Experience And Projects In Occupational Therapy, Rondalyn V. Whitney, Guy Mccormack

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

The S.E.L.F. Approach: Systems And Experiential Learning Framework For Fieldwork And Capstone Education Development, Theresa Delbert, Kasey Stepansky, Tina Lekas

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

This article presents an evidence-based strategy to assist academic fieldwork coordinators and capstone coordinators with meeting the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education standards of experiential learning components in an entry-level doctoral occupational therapy curriculum. The S.E.L.F. approach core methods for pedagogical framework and manual development are based on systems theory and educational learning theories. To optimize fieldwork and capstone delivery, the recommended process should include organizational analysis, program development, manual writing, and implementation of practical learning experience. Objectives of the fieldwork and capstone experiences can effectively connect to the overall curriculum design while addressing integral credentialing standards through an …

Demonstrating Occupational Therapy’S Distinct Value: Addressing The Quadruple Aim Of Health Care Through Doctoral Capstone Projects, Ingrid Provident, Jennifer E. Lape

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The quadruple aim of health care focuses on enhancing health care systems through improving quality patient care, improving the health of populations, providing care in cost-efficient ways, and improving the experience of providing health care by decreasing provider and caregiver stress and burnout. The purpose of this retrospective review is to share how the curricular design and doctoral capstone process from one postprofessional occupational therapy doctorate program have been designed to support students in recognizing occupational therapy’s distinct value in creating sustainable practice changes to move their respective health care systems forward. The postprofessional occupational therapy doctorate curriculum over 12 …

Fieldwork Educators’ Expectations Of Level Ii Occupational Therapy Students’ Professional And Technical Skills, Jessica Mason, Cynthia L. Hayden, Renee Causey-Upton

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Fieldwork educators are critical to the development of successful occupational therapy students, and the fieldwork experience is vital to the growth of each occupational therapy student in the profession. The purpose of this research was to explore perceptions held by Level II fieldwork educators of occupational therapy students’ professional and technical skills at the beginning of Level II fieldwork. This study used a convergent parallel mixed-method design and surveyed 54 fieldwork educators. The survey participants expected students to possess a variety of professional and technical skills in a multitude of areas. Fieldwork educators identified communication as the most essential professional …

Designing Effective Capstone Experiences And Projects For Entry-Level Doctoral Students In Occupational Therapy: One Program’S Approaches And Lessons Learned, Sara Stephenson, Oaklee Rogers, Cynthia Ivy, Richard Barron, Jennifer Burke

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Entry-level doctoral occupational therapy programs require students to complete a capstone experience and project that supports advanced skills through an in-depth learning experience with a student-selected mentor. Strong curriculum design and mentorship are vital aspects of successful capstone experiences and projects. Through the application of these key components, students are supported, in collaboration with mentors, to achieve mutually beneficial projects allowing advancement of the profession through dissemination of capstone work.

Ican-Play: A Practice Guideline For Assessment And Intervention Of Play For Children With Severe Multiple Disabilities, Stephanie Hui, Katherine Dimitropoulou

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The nature of play in children with severe multiple disabilities (SMD) is complex, as many have significant motor and language impairments. Through the use of assistive technology (AT), children with SMD can play more independently and provide input to caregivers on their preferred play repertoire. This author-developed guideline describes an assessment and intervention to improve play in children with SMD using AT methods. The Interactive Child Activity Narrative of Play (iCan-Play) is an assessment tool used to evaluate play in children with SMD. It provides a comprehensive understanding of children’s play preferences, social and environmental contexts, and frequency of play. …

Sensory-Based Interventions In The School Setting: Perspectives Of Paraeducators, Lyn Kaiser, Marie-Christine Potvin, Caitlin Beach

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore paraeducators’ perceptions of sensory-based interventions (SBIs). Paraeducators are frequently responsible for implementing SBIs to enhance a student’s ability to learn in school. Previous studies have explored the perceptions of teachers and occupational therapists, but as of yet, there are no published studies exploring the perceptions of paraeducators regarding the efficacy of SBIs.

Methods: An ethnographic study was conducted with paraeducators (n = 11) working with students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or emotional disturbance in a center-based special education program. These paraeducators participated in a focus group …

Bundling Payment Initiatives For Total Hip And Knee Arthroplasties: Perspectives Of Health Care Professionals, Katherine Lally, Melinda Schultze, Hannah Ehresman, Helene L. Lohman, Vanessa D. Jewell

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: A broad qualitative research study explored the perceptions of rehabilitation health care professionals and administrative leadership on coordination of care for rehabilitation patients who received hip or knee arthroplasties under the bundling initiative.

Method: Data was collected through the conduction of a focus group, email communication, and individual phone interviews. Researchers analyzed data collected from five administrative personnel and eight rehabilitation health care professionals who work in a facility that participates in a bundling initiative payment model.

Results: Four major themes were identified: importance of care coordination, increased efficiency and effectiveness, establishing protocols, and challenges of …

Effectiveness Of A Metacognitive Shopping Intervention For Adults With Intellectual Disability Secondary To Down Syndrome, Katherine V. O'Neill, Sharon A. Gutman

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a metacognitive strategy-training intervention on the shopping performance of adults with intellectual disability secondary to Down syndrome.

Method: A single subject ABA design across six participants was employed and included a 2-week baseline data collection period, followed by an 8-week intervention phase, and a 2-week follow-up data collection period 1 month after intervention end. Time, frequency, and level of assistance required by the participants to demonstrate targeted shopping skills were measured during baseline, intervention, and follow-up probe phases.

Results: As a group, the participants experienced …

Experience Of Stigma Post Incarceration: A Qualitative Study, Rebecca Sinko, Tina Deangelis, Bernadette Alpajora, Josephine Beker, Ilyse Kramer

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Minimal attention has been given to the perspectives and experiences of individuals post incarceration regarding stigma and its impact on reintegration and occupational engagement. This research aimed to understand how stigma is experienced among individuals who were formerly incarcerated and its influence on occupational engagement, specifically social participation, work, and school occupations. This research also examined the role of occupational therapy as an intervention in addressing stigma from the perspectives of individuals who were formerly incarcerated to inform practice and mitigate the influence of stigma.

Method: Interviews were conducted with 10 participants of a work rehabilitation program for people …

Occupational Therapy Group Programming For Adolescents With Developmental And Learning Disabilities: A Retrospective Documentation Review, Jennifer A. Merz, Bonnie Nakasuji, Kimberly S. Mollo

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Individuals with learning disabilities have higher rates of unemployment, are less likely to live independently, and have lower rates of college graduation. Occupational therapists who serve this population need to capture outcomes for programming effectively to determine best practice to address these needs. A retrospective documentation review of occupational therapy transition group programming was completed to identify themes and to assess fieldwork student documentation clarity.

Method: Analysis of 162 de-identified treatment notes from the years 2014–2018 was completed for six high school students (HSS) (13 to 20 years of age) who previously participated in a high school …

Effectiveness Of Electronic Documentation: A Case Report, Christie Raymond, Susan Zapf, Ellen Hudgins

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This case report aims to inform the occupational therapist and other health care professionals of documentation best practices.

Method: This qualitative case report uses an exploratory approach to compare the quality of one participant’s handwritten documentation to her electronic documentation. Outcome measures include the Accuracy Rationale Completeness (ARC) Audit to score the quality of the notes and quantity of words, and an informal discussion with the participant about her experiences using both types of documentation.

Results: The participant’s 25 handwritten notes scored a sum of 321 and the 25 electronic notes scored a …

Capstones: Voices From The Occupational Therapy Profession, Rondalyn V. Whitney, Guy Mccormack

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Experience Of Stigma Post Incarceration: A Qualitative Study, Rebecca Sinko, Tina M. Deangelis, Bernadette Alpajora, Josephine Beker, Ilyse Kramer

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

Background: Minimal attention has been given to the perspectives and experiences of individuals post incarceration regarding stigma and its impact on reintegration and occupational engagement. This research aimed to understand how stigma is experienced among individuals who were formerly incarcerated and its influence on occupational engagement, specifically social participation, work, and school occupations. This research also examined the role of occupational therapy as an intervention in addressing stigma from the perspectives of individuals who were formerly incarcerated to inform practice and mitigate the influence of stigma. Method: Interviews were conducted with 10 participants of a work rehabilitation program for people …

Pre-Stretching Of The Hamstrings Before Squatting Acutely Increases Biceps Femoris Thickness Without Impairing Exercise Performance, Thiago Barbosa Trindade, Leônidas Oliveira Neto, José Claudino Neto Pita, Vagner Deuel De Oliveira Tavares, Paulo Moreira Silva Dantas, Brad J. Schoenfeld, Jonato Prestes

Publications and Research

Background: Bilateral squat exercise is widely used in resistance training (RT) programs to increase lower limb strength and muscle mass, but this exercise does not result in significant hypertrophy of the hamstrings. It has been speculated that stretching between sets with a certain degree of tension results in muscle hypertrophy, while acute stretching could decrease performance during maximal contractions.

Objective: This study investigated the acute effects of hamstring stretching before bilateral squatting on muscle thickness (MT), electromyography (EMG), and total training volume (TTV) on exercise performance.

Methods: Fourteen resistance-trained young men, with ∼7.5 years of RT experience, performed the 10 …

Using A Timed Motor Task To Predict One-Year Functional Decline In Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment, Sydney Y. Schaefer, Andrew Hooyman, Kevin Duff

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Affordable, noninvasive methods of predicting functional decline are needed for individuals at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. This study tested whether a timed upper-extremity motor task predicted functional decline over one year in 79 adults diagnosed with amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Participants completed subjective and objective measures of daily functioning at baseline and one year later. Motor task performance and delayed memory were also evaluated at baseline. Motor task performance was a significant predictor of one-year follow-up daily functioning, improving model fits by 18– 35%. Thus, motor behavior has potential to be an affordable enrichment strategy that is sensitive to functional …

Lower Extremity Kinetics And Muscle Activation During Gait Are Significantly Different During And After Pregnancy Compared To Nulliparous Females, Jennifer J. Bagwell, Nicholas Reynolds, Michelle Walaszek, Hannah Runez, Kristina Lam, Jo Armour Smith, Dimitrios Katsavelis

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Low back, pelvic, and lower extremity pain are common during and after pregnancy. Understanding differences in mechanics between pregnant and non-pregnant females is a first step toward identifying potential pathological mechanisms. The primary purpose of this study was to compare joint kinetics and muscle activation during gait between females during and after pregnancy to nulliparous females.

Methods

Twenty pregnant females completed testing on three occasions (second trimester, third trimester, and post-partum), while 20 matched, nulliparous controls were tested once. Motion capture, force data, and surface electromyography were averaged across seven trials during gait. Lower extremity kinematics, lower extremity moments …

How Can Care Settings For People With Intellectual Disabilities Embed Health Promotion?, Kristel Vlot-Van Anrooij, Monique C. J. Kiks-Leensen, Anneke Van Der Cruijsen, Henk Jansen, Koos Van Der Velden, Geraline Leusink, Thessa I. M. Hilgenkamp, Jenneken Naaldenberg

Physical Therapy Faculty Research

Background:People with intellectual disabilities (ID) depend on their environment to live healthily. Asset‐based health promotion enhances a settings’ health‐promoting capacity starting with identifying protective or promotive factors that sustain health. Method: This inclusive mixed‐methods study used group sessions to generate and rank ideas on assets supporting healthy nutrition and physical activity in Dutch intellectual disability care settings. Participants included people with moderate intellectual disabilities and family and care professionals of people with severe/profound intellectual disabilities. Results: Fifty‐one participants identified 185 assets in group sessions. They include the following: (i) the social network and ways “people” can support, (ii) assets in/around …

Automatic Detection Of Dynamic And Static Activities Of The Older Adults Using A Wearable Sensor And Support Vector Machines, Jian Zhang, Rahul Soangra, Thurmon E. Lockhart

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Although Support Vector Machines (SVM) are widely used for classifying human motion patterns, their application in the automatic recognition of dynamic and static activities of daily life in the healthy older adults is limited. Using a body mounted wireless inertial measurement unit (IMU), this paper explores the use of an SVM approach for classifying dynamic (walking) and static (sitting, standing and lying) activities of the older adults. Specifically, data formatting and feature extraction methods associated with IMU signals are discussed. To evaluate the performance of the SVM algorithm, the effects of two parameters involved in SVM algorithm—the soft margin constant …

Reliable And Valid Measures For The Clinical Assessment Of Balance And Gait In Older Adults With Dementia: A Systematic Review, Jacqueline Baker, Danielle De Laat, Emily Kruger, Sarah Mcrae, Sabrina Trung, Carly Zottola, Humberto Omana, Susan W. Hunter

Physical Therapy Publications

No abstract provided.

Exploratory Study Of Children With Sensory Processing Disorder (Spd) Without An Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd) Diagnosis, Breanna Williams, Lauren Brown, Kendall Grzywa, Emma Green

Pediatrics

The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of children with sensory processing disorder (SPD) without an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis. Examples of these diagnoses include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cerebral palsy (CP), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), and Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). This was an exploratory descriptive study that gathered quantitative data through the Sensory Processing Measure (SPM) Home Form. The SPM Home Form was provided by occupational therapy (OT) students and completed by the child’s caregiver. The scores fell into three interpretive ranges: Typical, Some Problems, and Definite Dysfunction. Researchers hypothesized …

Application Of Lsvt-Big Protocol Intervention In 74-Year-Old Female With Parkinson’S Disease: A Case Report, Abigail Stroup

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative condition affecting 60,000 Americans each year.1 This case study evaluates the effectiveness of physical therapy, including the LSVT-BIG protocol, for an individual with Parkinson’s.

Case Description. The patient was a 74-year-old female diagnosed with PD who received outpatient physical therapy services four times per week for four weeks.

Intervention. The therapeutic interventions provided included dynamic, large amplitude exercises per the LSVT-BIG protocol as well as gait, stair, and bed mobility training.

Outcomes. Outcome measures included the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), Timed “Up & Go” (TUG), Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand …

Does Early Physical Therapy Intervention Reduce Opioid Burden And Improve Functionality In The Management Of Chronic Lower Back Pain?, Shedrick Martin, Kimberly Tallian, Victoria T Nguyen, Jason Van Dyke, Harminder Sikand

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

Introduction: Chronic lower back pain is a leading cause of disability in US adults. Opioid use continues to be controversial despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on chronic pain management to use nonpharmacologic and nonopioid pharmacologic interventions. The objectives of the study were to assess the impact of early physical therapy (PT) intervention on improving functionality and reducing opioid burden in patients with chronic lower back pain.

Methods: A single-center, retrospective chart review of patients receiving ≥6 PT visits and treated with either opioids first (OF) or PT first (PTF) therapy for chronic lower back pain were …

Clinical Decision-Making In A Patient With Cervical Radiculopathy And Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: Double Crush Syndrome, Taylor Nord

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Double crush syndrome (DCS) is pathology involving the association between proximal and distal nerve lesions. It is often difficult to diagnose due to the variety of possible sources of tissue involvement and, therefore, is difficult to treat effectively. The purpose of this case report is to describe the physical therapy diagnosis and treatment of an older adult with DCS consisting of cervical radiculopathy (CR) and cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS).

Case Description: 74-year-old female with a diagnosis of CR was referred to physical therapy. The physical examination confirmed this diagnosis. Due to the patient not responding well …

The Perceived Effects Of Occupational Therapy Interventions For Those Who Recently Transitioned From Homelessness To Permanent Housing, Sydney Krol, Madison Muir, Katie Johnson, Kristin Hazlett, Kaelyn Hughs

Community Based

OBJECTIVE. The study's objective was to examine the perceived effects of occupational therapy services for families who have recently transitioned to permanent housing from a period of homelessness.

METHOD. The study used a qualitative research design. One family received occupational therapy interventions administered by occupational therapy student researchers. Exit interview was audio recorded and transcribed.Themes and codes were derived from the transcription.

RESULTS. Three themes and seven codes were identified, which encompassed the participants perception of the intervention. The themes were lifestyle transformation, mindset development, and client centered care. The codes were organization and planning, roles and routines, goal progression, …

Barriers And Facilitators To Voting For People With Disabilities In Michigan Rural Communities, Christian Aguilar-Quiroz, Kaylyn Brzys, Chris Paclibar, Kyle Witte

Community Based

Objective: In this study, we sought to investigate and obtain data on the perceived barriers and facilitators that rural Michigan residents with disabilities face throughout the voting process.

Method: We conducted two separate focus groups in two different rural areas of Michigan asking a series of semi-structured questions about the participants’ voting experiences. We obtained recorded interviews, qualitative data, of their answers to these prepared questions.

Results: Physical accessibility was limited by poor lighting for people with low vision problems and a lack of accommodations for those who are not able to stand for a prolonged time while waiting in …

Occupation-Based Learning Modules In Preparation For Parole: A Program Evaluation, Alisha Cheyne, Gabrielle Martino, Elizabeth Vander Wall, Natalie Wallace

Community Based

A qualitative research study was conducted that examined occupational therapy students’ fieldwork rotation at Muskegon Correctional Facility, where they implemented a 15-week pre-parole program. One focus group with three participants was conducted. Transcription, coding, and theming followed, providing five themes; restriction, OT perceptions, learning styles, future needs, and relationships. Results showed areas of needs within this population, ways occupational therapy can address this need, and general improvements that can be made to pre-release programs.