Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Spirituality: Partnering With A Special Needs Ministry, Kelsey Stockton, Kayla Collins, Mary P. Shotwell

Spring 2020 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Children with special needs frequently face obstacles and barriers to inclusive participation in various activities among their peers; most commonly due to mental, physical, and/or social limitations and deficits (Mathur & Koradia, 2018). One activity in particular impacted by such barriers is participation in spiritual activities within a church (Jacober, 2007; Lee, 2010).

While several highly successful special needs ministries have been established globally, many churches currently either lack appropriate evidence-based volunteer and staff training, adequate resources and accommodations to meet each child’s needs and functional capabilities or are unable to provide any accommodation services. (Avis, 2019; Jacober, 2007; Lee, …

A Non-Pharmaceutical Approach To Chronic Pain: An Ot’S Perspective, Alison L. Brown, Kayla Collins, Mary P. Shotwell

Spring 2020 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The following project was created for advocacy and education of occupational therapy's role in chronic pain management. This project focuses on occupational therapist's ability to utilize non-pharmaceutical interventions to manage chronic pain symptoms. The capstone outlines fitness-based exercises, aquatic therapy, ergonomics, adaptive equipment, and adaptive strategies by supporting their efficacy in recent literature. Occupational therapists possess invaluable skills that can impact the chronic pain community for the better. They can aid in the reduction of pain while increasing overall quality of life and independence. Occupational therapists are a much needed resource in chronic pain management.

Developing Educational Resources To Support The Use Of The Hippotherapy Evaluation And Assessment Tool, Emily Peoples, Kayla Collins, Mary P. Shotwell

Spring 2020 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

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 …

Leadership Roles In The Field Of Occupational Therapy, Christina Pitts, Kayla Collins, Mary P. Shotwell

Spring 2020 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this capstone project was to learn about leadership through expertise and experience. The first portion of the project consisted of reviewing the literature and interviewing four occupational therapists that currently had a leadership role within the healthcare industry to gain insight into leadership qualities. The second potion included me being at a facility (Advent Therapy in Richmond Hill, G.A.) for 14 weeks where I observed and learned about current programs, and with the guidance of the therapists and management of the facility, developed and implemented a program that was deemed to be beneficial to the client population.

Mental Health In The School System: Providing Tools And Resources For Teachers, Hannah Skinner, Kayla Collins, Mary P. Shotwell

Spring 2020 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Mental health is an important part of our everyday life. For many school aged students, mental health issues are on the rise and our roles as occupational therapists are becoming more vital. Educators also have a vital role in the mental health of their students, however their is a gap between their knowledge of mental health practices and their comfort and confidence with implementing such practices.

This project aimed to bridge this gap for 5 educators in the Lake Stevens School District in Washington state. The project was comprised of a Mindfulness Toolkit that walked teachers through implementing a total …

Exploring The Occupation-Based Needs Of Older Adults With Alzheimer’S Disease At A Reminiscence Therapy Adult Day Center, Kendra C. Gillio, Susan Macdermott, Becki Cohill

Spring 2020 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting approximately 60% to 70% of the older adult population aged 65 and older (Santos da Silva, de Oliveira Alves, Barros Leite Slagueiro & Bezerra Barbosa, 2018). Reminiscence therapy prompts an individual’s memory by stimulating their sense – sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch, and provides an opportunity for them to revisit and relive their past through their surrounding environment (Swann, 2013). For individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, occupational therapy focuses on adapting the environment in order to promote their ability to engage in meaningful occupations, increase quality of life, and social …

Exploring The Concurrent Validity Of The Indoor Mobility Pre-Driving Screen (Imps): A Comparison Of The Imps And Ef-Car Motion Driving Simulator, Nicholas T. Bolen, Kayla Collins, Mary P. Shotwell, Kaitlyn Cremer

Spring 2020 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the concurrent validity of the Indoor Mobility Pre-driving Screen (IMPS) in relation to assessments on the EF-Car Motion Driving Simulator. Data was gathered from a convenience sample of 36 participants ages 18 and older who possessed an active driver’s license. To answer the primary research question, is there a correlation between scores on the IMPS and the EF-Car Motion Driving Simulator, statistical analyses were performed in the form of Pearson r correlations. Results of these statistical tests showed scores on the IMPS correlate with some scores on the driving simulator. While some …

Enhancing Engagement In Older Adults With Alzheimer's Disease At A Reminiscencce Therapy Adult Day Center, Kendra C. Gillio

Student Capstone Papers

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative form of dementia, which can impair an individual’s executive functioning, orientation, and memory; ultimately leading to mood and behavior changes (Alzate, 2018). Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting approximately 60% to 70% of the older adult population aged 65 and older (Santos da Silva, de Oliveira Alves, Barros Leite Slagueiro & Bezerra Barbosa, 2018). Currently, the number of individuals with dementia is estimated at approximately 50 million people worldwide and is expected to climb to 152 million people by the year 2050 (Rathbone, et. al, 2019). Damage to the brain develops …

The Urban/Rural Divide In Access To Medication-Assisted Treatment For Opioid Use Disorder In Utah, Debasree Dasgupta, Erin Fanning Madden, Sandra H. Sulzer, Timothy Light, Michelle Chapoose, Suzanne Prevedel

All Current Publications

Death by drug poisoning is the leading cause of death due to injury in the state of Utah (UDOH, 2014). From 2013-2015, Utah ranked seventh in the nation for drug overdose deaths, the majority of which were opioid-related (CDC, 2018a). In 2017, the age-adjusted mortality rate from drug overdose in Utah was 15.5 per 100,000, putting the state above the national average of 14.9 per 100,000 (CDC, 2018b). Opioid overdose death rates in most of rural Utah far exceeds rates across the urban counties of the state. The higher rates of deaths in rural Utah is indeed concerning. Evidence indicates …

Occupational Therapy In Veterans Treatment Court, Lauren T. Rodriguez, Kayla Collins, Mary Shotwell, Suny Faradj-Bakht

Spring 2020 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Veterans may face difficulty transitioning back into a civilian lifestyle. Their difficulties may be attributed to PTSD, TBI, sexual trauma, anxiety, depression, unemployment, and more. Due to these obstacles, veterans may commit crimes that place them in the Veterans Treatment Court (VTC). It was noted in October of 2018 that there were possible gaps in service for our veterans. The purpose of this project was to create an occupational therapy-based curriculum that will reduce the recidivism rate in St. Johns County VTC. The OT-based manual is intended to replace negative habits, roles, and routines with positive ones in order to …

The Health Benefits Of Visual Art Activities In The Geriatric Population, Melody Au-Yeung, Abraham Avila, Jason Bandong, Hy Ia, Naureen Imam, Kayla Wilcox

San Marcos, Spring 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this poster presentation is to assess the efficacy of visual art therapy on the physical and mental health of the geriatric population.

Description: The potential impact of art therapy on cognition and dementia is a growing field of research in the rehabilitative world. Some researchers have found support for certain mediums, such as ceramic painting, while others have explored multimodal treatment programs that integrate art into physical activities. Combining physical activity with an arts and crafts program could posit a significant impact on ADL function and quality of life in older adults. As a …

The Effectiveness Of Lsvt-Big And Pwr! Programs On A Patient With Parkinson’S Disease: A Case Report, Naureen Imam, Jennifer Dannenbring

San Marcos, Spring 2020

Background: The prevalence of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) drives the search for effective interventions. While LSVT-BIG and high-intensity training improve gait speed and balance deficits, only limited research exists on the impact of the Parkinson's Wellness Recovery (PWR!) program on PD symptoms. Thus, LSVT-BIG and PWR! should be explored in tandem as standardized treatment for patients with PD.

Purpose: The primary purpose of this case report is to determine the effects of LSVT-BIG and PWR! programs on gait impairments, balance deficits, and participation restrictions in a patient with PD.

Case Description: A 74-year old male with PD attended PT …

Addressing Challenges In Solid Food Transitioning In Infants, Stephanie Gonyea

OTD Capstone Projects

I collaborated with Elements, LLC to address challenges associated with solid food transitioning in infants. I collaborated with local pediatricians to advocate for the role of occupational therapy in supporting caregivers who are struggling to transition their infant to solid food, and marketed Elements as a resource for remediating any challenges families face. In advocating for Element's services, I provided doctors offices with a deliverable marketing their services.

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.

Brain Volumes And Dual‑Task Performance Correlates Among Individuals With Cognitive Impairment: A Retrospective Analysis, Jason K. Longhurst, Morgan A. Wise, Daniel J. Krist, Caitlin A. Moreland, Jon A. Basterrechea, Merrill R. Landers

Integrated Health Sciences Faculty Research

Cognitive impairment (CI) is a prevalent condition characterized by loss of brain volume and changes in cognition, motor function, and dual-tasking ability. To examine associations between brain volumes, dual-task performance, and gait and balance in those with CI to elucidate the mechanisms underlying loss of function. We performed a retrospective analysis of medical records of patients with CI and compared brain volumes, dual-task performance, and measures of gait and balance. Greater cognitive and combined dual-task efects (DTE) are associated with smaller brain volumes. In contrast, motor DTE is not associated with distinct pattern of brain volumes. As brain volumes decrease, …

Stationary Exercise Classification Using Imus And Deep Learning, Andrew M. Heroy, Zackary Gill, Samantha Sprague, David Stroud, John Santerre

SMU Data Science Review

In the current market, successful fitness tracking devices utilize heart rate and GPS to determine performance. These devices are useful, but don't extensively classify stationary exercise. This paper proposes a modern approach for tuning and investigating optimal neural network types on stationary exercises using Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs). Using three IMUs located on the ankle, waist, and wrist, data is collected to map the body as it moves during the stationary physical activity. A novel five-stage deep learning tuning system was written and deployed to classify user movement as one of three classes: air squats, jumping jacks, and kettlebell swings. …

Executive Function As A Mediating Factor Between Visual Acuity And Postural Stability In Cognitively Healthy Adults And Adults With Alzheimer's Dementia, Susan W. Hunter, Alison Divine, Edward Madou, Humberto Omana, Keith D Hill, Andrew M Johnson, Jeffrey D Holmes, Walter Wittich

Physical Therapy Publications

BACKGROUND: Falls in older adults, notably those with Alzheimer's dementia (AD), are prevalent. Vision and balance impairments are prominent falls risk factors in older adults. However, recent literature in the cognitively impaired suggests that executive function (EF) is important for falls risk assessments. The study objectives were to: 1) to compare balance among people with AD, healthy older adults (OA), and healthy young adults (YA) and 2) to quantify the interaction of visual acuity and EF on postural stability.

METHODS: We recruited 165 individuals (51 YA, 48 OA, and 66 AD). Trail Making Tests (A and B) quantified EF and …

Training Evaluation For Introductory Ocean Lifeguard Instruction: A Practical Example From California, William A. Koon, Ryan M. Gates, Jack Futoran

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Ocean lifeguards have several responsibilities that require precise training. California State Parks is one of the largest providers of open water lifeguard services in the United States, and trains approximately 200 new lifeguards per year. As part of our lifeguard training section’s quality improvement efforts, we conducted a training needs assessment to help determine how well our introductory ocean lifeguard training curriculum prepared lifeguards to perform job related tasks upon successful completion of the training program. We surveyed both first year and seasoned lead lifeguards on operational needs, training gaps, and specific subject areas. We identified several areas where our …

Demonstrating The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Hospice Care Through Fall Prevention Intervention Program Development, Lauren Schar

OTD Capstone Projects

Demonstrating the Role of Occupational Therapy in Hospice Care through Fall Prevention Intervention Program Development

Mercyone Therapy Rooms, Natalie Bohnsack

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

My poster will be about my volunteer work with MercyOne along with information regarding occupational therapy. I will discuss the tasks I completed at MercyOne and what I observed while in the therapy area. In addition, I will include a section about what occupational therapy is. I will do research on food therapy since that is a useful technique occupational therapist utilize and I believe others should be educated on. At the end, I will include my future plans to become a pediatric occupational therapist.

Upper Limb Rehabilitation For Amputees, Michaela Ramandanes

Virginias Collegiate Honors Council Conference

It is estimated that 75% of the 30 million people that need prosthetic devices lack access to the technologies they need. This suggests a need for solutions outside of standard healthcare models. In this work we present a solution by development of a simple, safe and accessible at-home exercise program for individuals with upper limb loss. It is intended to help amputees strengthen the muscles needed to operate body-powered prostheses when muscles have atrophied from lack of use. Extensive research identified the most effective exercises to hinder overuse injuries. The exercises were compiled and published on a website with a …

Home Assessment Modifications For Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder And Sensory Processing Disorder, Danielle Stelbasky

OTD Capstone Projects

Based off of the identified needs of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, the goals of this project were to investigate and implement modifications in homes due to specific challenges these individuals face. Coinciding with Tucker's House Agency mission and vision, and incorporating the PEO model as a guideline, Tucker's House staff and EC student created projects to enhance occupational performance in individuals with ASD by reducing environmental barriers in their home.

Cultivating Vocational And Independent Living Skills Through Meaningful Occupations, Sawyer Dullaghan

OTD Capstone Projects

A 12-week curriculum was developed for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to teach life skills, employment skills and foster independent living. These skills are taught in a simulated environment including rooms such as: the bedroom, the living room, and the office.

Home Assessments And Modifications: Researching Safety Features, Grant Opportunities, And Durable Medical Equipment Available For Tucker’S House Agency, Autumn Triggs

OTD Capstone Projects

Doctoral capstone project completed with Tucker's House, a nonprofit organization that completes home assessments and modifications for families with children with disabilities to improve accessibility and independence for the children at home. The project included: completing home assessments and providing client-centered recommendations and researching grant opportunities for Tucker's House as well as the families benefitting from the services, current durable medical equipment options, and safety features that should be included in the home assessments, recommendations, and modifications.

Advocacy For Occupational Therapy Within A Local Jail, Caitlin Clark

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project looks at advocating for the occupational therapy profession within the Nashville Davidson County Sheriff's Office and ways to implement quality interventions and group therapy into the jails. It also looked at current re-entry programs at the DCSO and ways to improve current programming.

Power Skills Curriculum Development For Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities At Friends Life Community, April Coleson

OTD Capstone Projects

Development of life skills curriculum for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities from an occupational therapy perspective

The Right To Explore: On Time Pediatric Power Mobility, Elizabeth Stuckey

OTD Capstone Projects

The following project was completed in partial fulfillment of OTD 6680, for the degree of Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. This project focused on the importance of pediatric power mobility. After identifying the needs of the agency, goals and outcomes were developed in order to best serve the agency. Various outcomes were achieved through this project including a review of the literature, development of a protocol, participation in a power mobility related research study, creation of various educational materials, and engagement in other educational opportunities.

Muscle Excitation Of The Lower Extremity During A Single Leg Rotational Squat In Individuals With And Without A Previous Hamstrings Strain Injury, Claudia M. Simpson

Honors College Theses

The hamstrings muscles work with quadriceps and gluteal muscles to stabilize the hip and knee during multidirectional movements. The purpose of this study was to determine muscle excitation patterns of the lower extremity during a single leg rotational squat (SLRS) in individuals with and without a previous hamstrings injury. Twenty physically active individuals between 19-23 years old participated in the study, ten with previous injury and ten without. The Hamstring Outcome Score was used to assess participants’ perceived physical abilities (Hamstring=89.37+7.2%, Control=96.75+2.83%; p=0.011). Participants completed five trials of a SLRS moving through four phases to a 72bpm metronome and reaching …

Support, Advocacy, And Education For Individuals With Mental Illness, Mackenzie Mellinger

OTD Capstone Projects

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Davidson County provides support, advocacy, and education to those with mental illness and their loved ones. This semester long project includes (but is not limited to) advocacy through the use of instagram/social media, attending legislative events, creating marketing materials appropriate for the population, and looking at mental health through an occupational therapy lens.

The Effect Of Peer Mentoring On Certified Peer Specialists’ Own Recovery: A Health Belief Model Approach., Eli Feathers

Galileo-W Conference

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