Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

The Effects Of A High Fat Meal On Blood Flow Regulation During Arm Exercise, Alexander Chiu, Lauren Pederson, Jeremy O. Via, Natalie J. Bohmke, Jacob Richardson, Aaron Autler, Hunter Reed, Eric Henderson, R. Lee Franco, Ryan S. Garten

Graduate Research Posters

A diet high in saturated fats results in endothelial dysfunction and can lead to atherosclerosis, a precursor to cardiovascular disease. Exercise training is a potent stimulus though to mitigate the negative effects of a high saturated fat diet; however, it is unclear how high-saturated fat meal (HSFM) consumption impacts blood flow regulation during a single exercise session.

PURPOSE: This study sought to examine the impact of a single HSFM on peripheral vascular function during an acute upper limb exercise bout.

METHODS: Ten young healthy individuals completed two sessions of progressive handgrip exercise. Subjects either consumed a HSFM (0.84 g of …

Six Weeks Of Resveratrol Improves Cardiovascular Health In Patients With Copd, Rebekah Lavender, Kolton Cobb, Kendall Goldman, Paula Rodriguez-Miguelez Phd

Graduate Research Posters

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide. One-third of people diagnosed with COPD die of cardiovascular (CV) complications as opposed to pulmonary. Despite these odds, there are no therapies that mitigate this important health issue. Resveratrol, a naturally occurring antioxidant, improves CV health in other populations. However, there is currently no literature on resveratrol in patients with COPD. The purpose of this pilot study was to test if six weeks of resveratrol supplementation could improve CV health in patients with COPD. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, pilot trial was completed in 8 patients with …

Determining The Impact Of Increased Physical Activity On Improving Sleep Quality In Young Adults, Ashley Darling, Alex Chiu, Eric Henderson, Aaron Autler, Jennifer Weggen, Kevin Decker, Ryan Garten

Graduate Research Posters

Determining the Impact of Increased Physical Activity on Improving Sleep Quality in Young Adults

Disturbed sleep, defined as any alteration to normal sleep patterns, has been linked to poor cardiovascular health and an increase in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. These negative sleep patterns are highly prevalent with 35% to 41% of individuals in the United States reported some form of disturbed sleep. Although high amounts of physical activity (PA) are often associated with high sleep quality, little is known about PA’s effectiveness to improve different aspects of sleep (e.g. duration vs quality) and the mechanisms to which it can improve …

The Influence Of A Positive Empathetic Interaction On Conditioned Pain Modulation And Manipulation Induced Analgesia In People With Lateral Epicondylalgia, Ahmad Muhsen, Penny Moss, William Gibson, Bruce Walker, Angela Jacques, Stephan A. Schug, Anthony Wright

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Objective: Conditioned pain modulation (CPM) and manipulation induced analgesia (MIA) are two forms of endogenous analgesia. Many forms of analgesia can be influenced by the nature of the patient clinician interaction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of an empathetic and supportive interaction on CPM and MIA in people with Lateral Epicondylalgia (LE).

Methods: In a double-blind, randomised, controlled trial, 68 participants with LE were assigned to two groups: the empathetic and neutral interaction groups. The interactions were carried out by a trained, professional role play actor, playing the part of a research assistant (RA). The …

Stakeholder Perceptions On Transitioned Foster Youth Work Outcomes: A Mixed Methods Study In San Antonio, Bonnie Inkel

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Purpose: This examination of stakeholder perceptions on transitioned foster youth work outcomes is a crucial step to identify service strengths and barriers, characteristics of successful/unsuccessful outcomes, and opportunities for occupational therapy collaboration in San Antonio, Texas.

Method: A mixed-methods approach identified perceptions from two groups of stakeholders. Group I included transitionedfoster youth ages 18–24, and group II involved public/private agency professionals working with youth. Small sample sizes prevented traditional statistical analysis, but the Excel VARA (variance) statistical function analyzed numerical spread combinations from collected data, thus providing quantitative analysis.

Results: Participants confirmed they had not completed a similar survey on …

Occupational Therapy’S Needs Assessment For Service Navigation For Children With Autism, Kristina Lauren Paula

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background. This capstone project brings to our attention the importance of occupational therapy’s role in meeting the continued needs of children with autism. As the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) continues to increase, so does the disparity in the accessibility of services for children and their families. Therefore, it is imperative to facilitate a diagnostic process and identify the child’s specific needs, to implement early intervention strategies. The medical model of disability, an internationally recognized approach in diagnosing children withautism, views autism as a problem that individually belongs to the child. Although the current medical model is preferred by …

Effect Of Animal-Assisted Intervention On Graduate Students’ Perceptions Of Well-Being: Insights From Occupational Therapy, Christine Kivlen

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Problem Statement: There is a growing concern regarding college student well-being that requires a need for implementation of cost-effective interventions addressing the increasing number of students experiencing negative mental health symptoms. Studies from medical and educational settings suggested positive mental health benefits from animal assisted intervention (AAI). Researchers studying college students exposed to animals during periods of high academic stress demonstrated successful reductions in stress and anxiety; however, researchers have not examined a specific area of dosage, including the influence of recurring AAI (more than one session) in the graduatestudent population. Furthermore, researchers have failed to include each element of …

Pilot Evaluation Of The Usability And Utility Of A Wearable Technology To Monitor And Evaluate Health Condition, Drew Nielsen, David Shipon, Md, Facc, Facp

Phase 1

Introduction: Cardiac rehabilitation programs have particularly poor attrition and rehospitalization from cardiac-related events is a large burden on the medical system, as 8.9% of patients who have acute MI are rehospitalized within one year. External barriers may exist that prevent patients from adequately completing in-house cardiac rehabilitation, which makes them strong candidates for a home-based rehab program (HBCR). Previous randomized trials have generated evidence that HBCR can achieve similar cardiac improvements in 3- 12-month clinical outcomes. With the large-scale adoption of wearable technologies, with an estimated 8.2 million devices owned by individuals over 55, we have an opportunity to incorporate …

Effects Of Dietary Sodium Intake On Blood Flow Regulation During Exercise In Salt Resistant Individuals, Kevin P. Decker, Morgan T. Kimmel, Hunter L. Reed, Alex H. Chiu, Austin C. Hogwood, Jennifer B. Weggen, Ashley M. Darling, Ryan S. Garten

Graduate Research Posters

PURPOSE: Dietary sodium intake guidelines is ≤2,300 mg/day, yet is exceeded by 90% of Americans. This study examined the impact of a high sodium diet on blood flow regulation during exercise. METHODS: Six males (25 ± 2 years) consumed dietary sodium intake guidelines for two weeks, with one week salt-capsule supplemented (HS: 6,900 mg/day of sodium) and the other week placebo-capsule supplemented (LS: 2,300 mg/day of sodium). At the end of each week, peripheral hemodynamic measurements [blood flow (BF), shear rate (SR), and flow mediated dilation (FMD)/SR)] of the brachial and superficial femoral artery were taken during handgrip (HG) and …

Opioid And Non-Opioid Prescribing Rates For Ankle Fractures In Emergency Departments Across The United States Between 2006 And 2015, Lucy C. Bowers, Kyle B. Kosik, Alejandro G. Villasante Tezanos, Matthew C. Hoch, Phillip A. Gribble

Posters-at-the-Capitol Presentations

This presentation describes the percentage of patients prescribed a controlled and non-controlled medication in an United States Emergency Department for a diagnosed ankle fracture.

Sin Papeles: The Experiences Of Undocumented Central American Immigrants In The United States, Elizabeth Jarquin

Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects

In the United States, the topic of immigration represents a source of intense debate, which has escalated in recent years. Research indicates that Latinx immigrants are negatively impacted by current immigration policies— they are feeling afraid, angry, exhausted, defeated, overwhelmed, and concerned about themselves and their family (Castrellón, Rivarola, & López, 2017; Wray-Lake et al., 2018). This research, however, has largely neglected the Central American subgroup and the experiences of undocumented immigrants. The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of undocumented Central American immigrants and their families within the current sociopolitical context. I utilized interpretative phenomenological analysis …

Exploring The Professional Development Of Mft Students Enrolled In Equine Assisted Family Therapy Coursework: An Experiential Learning Modality, Natalie Rothman

Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects

Equine assisted activities have been utilized in various manners with multiple populations in therapeutic and educational environments. A graduate level marriage and family therapy program in South Florida is currently offering Equine Assisted Relational Learning (EARL) activities focused on teaching a specific sub-model of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), known as Equine Assisted Family Therapy (EAFT). The experiential nature of EAP and EARL transforms abstract concepts such as thoughts and mannerisms into tangible experiences, as well as highlights behavioral patterns. The unique and innovative theoretical foundation of EAFT is being taught, demonstrated, and utilized to assist graduate level therapists with professional …

The Impact Of Grief Work On Hospice Mental Health Providers Through A Bowen Family Systems Lens, Joshua Hernandez

Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects

Marriage and family therapists and other mental health professionals and clients can be thought of as their own, divine emotional unit, generating and distributing the anxiety of one to the other. In fact, Kerr and Bowen (1988) described anxiety as a driving force exchanged by every living organism, and the energy surrounded by every human relationship. Within a hospice setting, anxiety can be heightened due to catering to end-of-life care, which can potentially affect the emotional response and reactivity of the mental health professional, changing the course of treatment for the patient and their family. Emerging research within healthcare has …

The Effect Of Left Pelvic Positioning On Contralateral Shoulder Total Range Of Motion And Internal Rotation Deficit In Collegiate Baseball Pitchers, Kaitlyn Williams

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Context: Shoulder injuries are a significant problem in baseball players. The relationship between shoulder range of motion (ROM) deficit, hip joint flexibility and function of the diaphragm has been investigated as a global contributor to injuries in overhead athletes. Objective: To investigate the effects of pelvic positioning on shoulder total ROM and IR, and contralateral hip internal rotation (IR) of baseball players. Design: Pretest/posttest observational cohort study with repeated measures Setting: NCAA Division II baseball team Patients: Ten male pitchers Intervention: Left hip repositioning technique Main Outcome Measure(s): ROM was assessed using a digital inclinometer for right shoulder IR, right …

The Effects Of Lower Body Positive Pressure Treadmill Running On Acute Femoral Cartilage Deformation In Healthy Males And Females, Megan Graff

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Context: Lower body positive pressure treadmills (LBPPT) have been integrated into athletic performance and rehabilitation, but the physiologic and biomechanical effects of LBPPT unloading are not well known. As LBPPT use increases, it is imperative to know its effects on local joint cartilage. Assessing femoral cartilage deformation through ultrasonography after running on a LBPPT may provide a better understanding of effects on knee cartilage. Objective: Compare the effects of running at 100% and 80% body weight (BW) on a LBPPT on femoral articular cartilage and gait biomechanics between sexes and limbs in healthy, physically active participants. Design: Two group crossover. …

“It’S Supposed To Be Super Easy And It’S Not”: Black And Latinx Student Experiences In The Doctor Of Physical Therapy Admissions Process, Melissa Yeung

Theses and Dissertations

Data provided by the Physical Therapy Central Application System (PTCAS) suggests that despite the large numbers of applicants to Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs on an annual basis, a gap remains between the number of White and Black and Latinx applicants who are offered admission to DPT programs. Efforts made by DPT programs to increase the diversity of their incoming cohorts include the use of holistic review processes and enrichment programs to recruit more diverse classes. However, research suggests that the undergraduate experiences of students of color have an impact on their aspirations to graduate and professional schools, and …

A Review Of Factors, Seating Design, And Shape Capture Methods For Reducing Pressure Injury Risk, John A. Damiao

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation in the form of three papers ready for submission to peer-reviewed journals is submitted toward the requirements of the PhD in Health Related Sciences program at Virginia Commonwealth University. Chapter One provides an introductory overview of the project, including: (a) an overview of pressure injuries, (b) the impact of seating as an intervention, and (c) aims of the three-paper dissertation in addressing various aspects of pressure injury prevention. Each paper is unique and singular in its focus, yet all share the overlying aim of addressing pressure injury risk associated with wheelchair seating. Paper One describes the unique facilitators …

Relationship Of Demographic Characteristics Of Occupational And Physical Therapists Towards Their Knowledge And Attitude On Person-Centered Care In Skilled Nursing Facilities, Sadashiv R. Aggarwal

Theses and Dissertations

The study aimed to assess the relationship of specific demographic characteristics of occupational (OTs) and physical therapists (PTs) with their knowledge and attitudes towards principles of Person-Centered Care (PCC) in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). The study further examined if knowledge and/or attitudinal differences exist between OTs and PTs towards PCC. The proposed descriptive study used the Person-Centered Care theory, which is a holistic (bio-psychosocial-spiritual) health care delivery approach. PCC delivers services that are respectful and individualized, allowing negotiation of care, and offering choice through a therapeutic relationship where persons receiving care are empowered to be involved in health decisions at …

The Role Mentoring Plays In The Transition Of Practice Of Newly Credentialed Athletic Trainers, Stacy E. Walker, Stephanie Mazerolle Singe, Julie M. Cavallario

Ellmer School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Context: Mentoring has been identified as an important method to support newly credentialed athletic trainers during their transition to practice. Gaining a better understanding of this relationship could provide valuable insights that may assist employers and professional programs to develop a plan, which could better facilitate the transition.

Objective: To examine what aspects of the mentoring relationship provided the most benefit during transition to practice.

Design: Grounded theory.

Setting: Individual phone interviews.

Patients or Other Participants: 13 athletic trainers who graduated from a professional master's program, were certified between February and July of 2016, and obtained employment between July to …

Caffeine Ingestion Enhances Repetition Velocity In Resistance Exercise: A Randomized, Crossover, Double-Blind Study Involving Control And Placebo Conditions, Jozo Grgic, Sandro Venier, Brad J. Schoenfeld, Pavle Mikulic

Publications and Research

We aimed to examine the effects of placebo and caffeine compared to a control condition on mean velocity in the bench press exercise. Twenty-five resistance-trained men participated in this randomized, crossover, double-blind study. The participants performed the bench press with loads of 50%, 75%, and 90% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), after no supplementation (i.e., control), and after ingesting caffeine (6 mg/kg), and placebo (6 mg/kg of dextrose). At 50% 1RM, there was a significant effect of caffeine on mean velocity compared to control (effect size [ES] = 0.29; p = 0.003), but not when compared to placebo (ES = 0.09; …

Do The Anatomical And Physiological Properties Of A Muscle Determine Its Adaptive Response To Different Loading Protocols?, Brad J. Schoenfeld, Andrew D. Vigotsky, Jozo Grgic, Cody Haun, Bret Contreras, Kenneth Delcastillo, Aston Francis, Gilda Cote, Andrew Alto

Publications and Research

It has been proposed that superior muscle hypertrophy may be obtained by training muscles predominant in type I fibers with lighter loads and those predominant in type II fibers with heavier loads.

Purpose: To evaluate longitudinal changes in muscle strength and hypertrophy of the soleus (a predominantly slow-twitch muscle) and gastrocnemius (muscle with a similar composition of slow and fast-twitch fibers) when subjected to light (20–30 repetition maximum) and heavy (6–10 repetition maximum) load plantarflexion exercise.

Methods: The study employed a within-subject design whereby 26 untrained young men had their lower limbs randomized to perform plantarflexion with a low-load (LIGHT) …

An Evaluation Of The Factor Structure And Internal Consistency Of The ‘Conceptions Of Learning’ And ‘Preferences For Teaching’ Measures In American Occupational Therapy Students, Tore Bonsaksen, Adele Breen-Franklin

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

When planning to use measurement scales in new samples and contexts, examining the scales’ psychometric properties is an important initial step. This study examined the factor structure and internal consistency of two measures that are part of the Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIST) – the Conceptions of learning and Preferences for teaching and courses – in a sample of American occupational therapy students. The students (n = 115) completed the measures and provided basic sociodemographic information. Scale structure was examined with Principal Components Analysis (PCA), while consistency between scale items was assessed with mean inter-item correlations. …

Exploring Sleep Health Among Occupational Therapy Students, Kathy M. Yang, Stacy Smallfield

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

A substantial number of health-professional graduate students do not follow the national recommendation of obtaining at least seven hours of sleep per day. Decreased sleep duration and quality are strongly associated with daytime sleepiness and dysfunction, academic burnout, low academic performance, and mental health symptoms and disorders. However, limited research exists on sleep health among occupational therapy (OT) graduate students. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore OT graduate student perspectives on sleep and to measure their sleep duration, quality, and practices to inform sleep promotion strategies for increased student well-being. A mixed-method study with a cross-sectional design …

Long-Term Impact Of International Service Learning: Cultural Competence Revisited, Nathan Short, Heather Y.Z. St. Peters, Thomas Almonroeder, Grace Bolomope, Kelli Daller, Kayla Deaton, Madeline Kreill

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

As cultural diversity continues to rise globally, there is an evident need for culturally competent care, especially within the client-centered field of occupational therapy. Previous research has shown that occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) students who participated in international service-learning demonstrated an immediate positive impact on their cultural competence. The current study revisits these same doctoral students to examine the long-term impact of international service-learning experiences at six-month, one-year, two-year, and three-year intervals following the initial experience. The researchers conducted a mixed methods study with a pre-test post-test design, utilizing the Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS), as well as qualitative responses in …

Student Perceptions Of Research In An Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program: A Cross-Sectional Survey, Kristin A. Valdes, Stephanie Dalton, Deandra Modeste, Jacqueline J. Moskalczyk, Troy Olmo, Jacklynn M. Smith

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Student perceptions of research in graduate programs play a role within the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) curriculum and how future clinicians value Evidence Based Practice and research. The Student Perception of Research Integration Questionnaire (SPRIQ) was utilized to examine students’ perceptions of research in their graduate coursework. Participants included in this study were all students enrolled in an occupational therapy doctorate program. All items were scored on a 5-point Likert scale. Mean scores were calculated for each item on the respondents’ submissions. The items were further categorized into subscales. The mean score of all items of the SPRIQ was 4.44 …

The Use Of An Embedded Librarian To Enhance Student Information Literacy Skills: A Pilot Study, Elaina J. Dalomba, Elizabeth Kavanaugh, Kaitlin Manbeck, Samantha O'Neill, Kyle Soldevilla, Melanie Watson, Ellen Mclaughlin

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This pilot study explored an embedded librarian (EL) intervention to enhance occupational therapy student information literacy skills development. The EL provided computer laboratory and in-class instruction, online presence in the classroom website, and extensive office hours to assist students in the identification of information needed, determination of how and where to find scholarly information needed, and assessment and utilization of information retrieved to meet assignment requirements. Participants were 46 third-year (junior) occupational therapy students. Three tools were used to assess skills pre and post intervention: the Student Assessment of Information Literacy Skills, the Student Perception of Literacy Skills-Q (SPIL-Q), and …

Telehealth Student Experiences And Learning: A Scoping Review, Katrina M. Serwe, Makayla Heindel, Isabel Keultjes, Hailey Silvers, Samantha Stovich

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Telehealth as a service delivery model is increasing in popularity. Knowledge and use of telehealth technology will be a new mandatory learning outcome in occupational therapy curriculums with the implementation of the 2018 Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education standards. However, it is not known how healthcare programs are currently incorporating telehealth into education or which methods of telehealth education are most effective. This study addressed this gap in the literature using Arksey and O’Malley’s five-step methodological process to conduct a scoping review to examine the student experience of delivering healthcare services via telehealth and related learning outcomes. The scoping …

The Critical Friend: Development Of A Peer Supervision Training For A Student-Run Occupational Therapy Clinic, Anne Murphy-Hagan, Lauren E. Milton

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

An occupational therapy program at a research institution in the Midwest offers a student-run outpatient stroke clinic to prepare learners for the student-to-clinician transition. Notably, the students practice peer supervision in which participants with roughly the same level of training monitor, evaluate, and support one another. This project details the development of The Critical Friend, an evidence-based peer supervision training program implemented in a student-run occupational therapy clinic. The ADDIE Model of Instructional Design, which classifies five phases of instruction implementation (analyze, design, development, implementation, and evaluation) was utilized to translate research knowledge into a learning deliverable. This paper …

What Does The Evidence Say About Student, Fieldwork Educator, And New Occupational Therapy Practitioner Perceptions Of Successful Level Ii Fieldwork And Transition To Practice? A Scoping Review, Blakeney Patterson, Mariana D'Amico

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study explored occupational therapy (OT) student, fieldwork educator, and new practitioner perceptions of successful Level II fieldwork experiences and how those experiences related to transitioning into practice. A scoping review was conducted where articles related to OT fieldwork experiences were analyzed using key terms and databases. A total of 14 articles related to OT fieldwork experiences and transitions into practice were critically analyzed. Three studies explored student perceptions of fieldwork experiences and perceived self-efficacy, two studies investigated student perspectives of fieldwork educators, four studies explored transition to practice of recently graduated OT students, two studies investigated student perceptions of …

Effect Of A Gamification Model On A Graduate Level Occupational Therapy Course, Edwin Myers

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Gamification in education refers to the immersion of game elements and game mechanics to enhance student engagement. Elements of gamification include the use of reward systems, leader boards, social activities, badges, missions, challenges, and aspects of free choice in course design. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of applying a gamification model to a graduate level occupational therapy course in assistive technology (AT). This mixed methods study followed two consecutive cohorts of students (N=63 students, 55 females) in a graduate level occupational therapy program as they participated in a gamified course allowing the students to “choose …