Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Life Skills Program For Youth Who Have Experienced Homelessness, Michael Black, Ariel Campbell

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: According to the United States Department of Education (2017), for the 2016-2017 school year, there was an estimated 1,924 students enrolled in public schools in Wyoming experiencing homelessness, with an estimated 295 of these students unaccompanied by a family member or guardian. Homeless youth comprise one of the most vulnerable and medically underserved populations in the United States (Ammerman et al., 2004) and are also substantially more likely to have mental health concerns as a result of their past traumatic experiences (Davies & Allen, 2017). Homeless youth typically develop identities and habits that enable them to negotiate and survive …

Implementing An Occupational Therapy Student-Run Clinic At The University Of North Dakota, Ryan Walter, Kennedy Bresnahan

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: The curriculum of the occupational therapy program at the University of North Dakota (UND) includes approximately 185 hours of level I fieldwork experience where students work to integrate and practice skills learned within the classroom in a clinical setting. Students report that these experiences are often observation-based. Additionally, academic fieldwork coordinators are having an increasingly difficult time finding placements to support the growing number of students nationwide. A contributing factor to placement shortages is the tradition of using the apprenticeship model of supervision, where one student is supervised by one fieldwork educator (FWE). In order to ensure a consistent …

Navigating Cultural Differences Between Fieldwork Educators And Students, Tiana Brown, Norris Chin

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background Cultural competency is an awareness and incorporation of knowledge about individuals and groups of people into specific policies, practices, standards and attitudes by incorporating the client's personal views, values and belief (Suk, Oh, & Im, 2018). Although it is important for future health care professionals and faculty to understand our growing diverse population, there is little to no emphasis on improving the interactions of diverse students and their fieldwork educators. Currently, there is no literature that provides guidance on facilitating culturally competent interactions and challenges for fieldwork educators or students. The purpose of this project was to develop a …

Occupational Therapy In Primary Care: Progressive Neurological Disorder, Amanda Callahan, Danielle Chartier

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project is to provide occupational therapists with a quick reference guide describing the unique role of occupational therapy to provide treatment for patients with multiple sclerosis within a primary care setting.

A substantial literature review was completed to gather knowledge on multiple sclerosis, occupational therapy, primary care, and the intertwining of these three concepts. The findings from the literature review assisted to guide the development of the product.

A collaborative client and therapist guide was developed to guide treatment for individuals with multiple sclerosis within a primary care setting. Occupational therapists bring a holistic perspective …

Engaging Caregivers In Family-Centered Pediatric Occupation Therapy, Sidney Carlson, Sarah Schwartz

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose Family-centered care is considered the gold standard when working with children and their families (Darrah, Wiart, Magill-Evans, Ray, & Andersen, 2010). Despite there being a strong push toward family-centered care, there remains a disconnect in outpatient pediatric settings when working with children ages 3-18. The purpose of this scholarly project is to raise awareness of the need for caregiver engagement in pediatric, outpatient occupational therapy and identify best practice principles for caregiver engagement.

Methods An extensive literature review was conducted in order to understand caregiver engagement in pediatric occupational therapy. The information obtained from the literature review was analyzed …

A Group Protocol For Promoting Wellness In Rural Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Emily Bachmeier, Laurel Busch

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: In the United States, there are currently 46 million citizens aged 65 and older. This number is projected to more than double by the year 2060 (Mather, 2016). As the elderly population continues to grow, the need for evidence-based, client centered prevention programs for community-dwelling older adults becomes more crucial to promote independence and preserve well-being in the community. Older adults living in rural areas are at an even higher risk of losing independence secondary to decline in activity tolerance, which further elevates their need for targeted interventions (Park, Kim, & Lee, 2015). Creating a preventative program to maintain …

Occupational Therapy With An Adventurous Twist, Ashley Cambronne, Mikaela Karpen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project is to increase knowledge and awareness of adventure therapy (AT) for occupational therapists (OTs) practicing in mental health settings or who are interested in practicing in mental health settings within the United States. Currently, there is a lack of knowledge and awareness of AT by OTs practicing within the United States. This lack of knowledge and awareness is due to a lack of research, especially research focused on AT implementation by OTs. The process for gathering data and creating the scholarly project was first, identifying a problem, then searching CINAHL, PubMed, PsychInfo, and Academic …

Toda La Familia: An Occupational Therapy Resource Guide For Working With Latino Children Diagnosed With Asd And Their Families, Rachel Fritzler, Stacey Sigmond

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project was to create a resource guide for occupational therapists working with Latino children diagnosed with ASD and their families. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that has become increasingly prevalent within the United States (Baio, Wiggins, and Christensen, 2018), with ASD rates triplining in Hispanic children between the years of 2002 through 2006 (Pedersen et al., 2002). Blanche, Diaz, Barretto, and Cermak (2015) indicated that multiple family members, not just primary caretakers, are aiding in caring for a child diagnosed with ASD. However, many extended households which may include grandparents, aunts, uncles, …

The Experiences Of Occupational Therapists Working In Oncology Care And The Implications Of The Referral Process, Samantha Albrigtson, Jade Clement

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this independent study was to explore the current role of occupational therapists working in oncology care and to understand the implications of the referral process for this specific population.

Methodology: A phenomenological research design, derived from Giorgi and Giorgi (2008), was used to implement this study. The researchers interviewed 6 occupational therapists, from a variety of settings, in the Midwest region using a semi-structured interview style. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and broken down into key constituents (Giorgi & Giorgi, 2008).

Results: The subsequent results from the 6 interviews were developed from 11 key constituents that …

From Here To There: An Occupational Screening Tool For Transitioning Soldiers, Bailey Fruit, Hannah Williams

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Time has shown that it can be difficult for military personnel to resume their typical life roles within civilian life. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were the longest wars in United States history and involved some of the most intense ground engagements since Vietnam (Cogan, 2014). This left many soldiers to deal with the traumatic experiences they went through. This study aimed at developing a screening tool to address the difficulties experienced by veterans during their transition into civilian life.

The researchers began with a thorough review of literature to identify the occupational challenges the project would address. Following …

Secondary Tia Outpatient Prevention (Stop) Program: Addressing Individuals Of Lower Socioeconomic Status, Mackenzie Funke, Kasey Nieland

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project was to provide secondary prevention in an outpatient setting to individuals who have experienced a transient ischemic attack (TIA) and are of lower socioeconomic status (SES). Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of long-term disability (National Stroke Association, 2018). An estimated 795,000 plus Americans experience a stroke each year (Benjamin et al., 2017). Of this estimation, about 185,000 Americans experience a recurrent stroke (Benjamin et al., 2017). Roughly, one half of patients fail to seek medical attention within 24 hours of a TIA (Sharry …

Access To Occupational Therapy Practice: A Review Of Current Licensing Processes In The United States, Melissa Groth, Martha Scoby

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose This study was conducted to gain insight on the 50 United States and Washington D.C. occupational therapy (OT) licensure application process. This study sought to examine the accessibility of the OT licensure websites as well as the compliance each OT state licensure application has with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The researchers predicted that, while the profession of OT seeks inclusion for all individuals, there is discrimination prominent in the OT state licensure process for individuals living with disabilities.

Methodology A two-fold process was used to collect information regarding accessibility and accommodation within licensing processes for OT licensure …

Occupational Therapy Community Reintegration For Inmates With Co-Occurring Disorders, Miranda Hosking, Kara Moore

Occupational Therapy Capstones

A co-occurring disorder (COD) is the coexistence of a substance use disorder and mental health disorder (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2016). The prevalence of inmates with COD in correctional facilities is disproportionately high (Grant, Stinson, & Dawson, 2004). Despite the high incidence, correctional facilities are not equipped to meet the complex needs of individuals with COD, which often leads these individuals to re-offending or re-incarceration (Sacks, Chaple, Sacks, McKendrick, & Cleland, 2012). The role of occupational therapy in this area of practice is not clearly distinguished. However, occupational therapy’s holistic, client-centered, and occupation-based principles position the profession …

Occupational Therapy At Stable Days: Supporting A Christian Worldview, Liz Nerhus, Jordan Mooney

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to provide a framework for use by an occupational therapist providing integrated services from a Christian worldview perspective within a faith-based setting.

Methodology: An extensive literature review was completed on the topics of occupational therapy in integrated faith-based settings, with an emphasis on spirituality, experience of practitioners, current tools of the profession, and the basic tenants of the Christian faith. The search databases used included: CINAHL, OTSEARCH, Pubmed, SocIndex, and PsycINFO. The literature review revealed that nearly 80% of Americans identify spirituality as an important part of their life (Williams-Reade, Lobo and Gutierrez, …

Addressing Role Transitions In Young And Middle-Aged Adults Post-Stroke In The Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting: An In-Service For Occupational Therapists, Ashley Ystaas, Kelsey Raymond

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Young and middle-aged adults experience disruptions to their daily life roles and responsibilities due to the variety of impairments they may face following a stroke. This population is in the time of their lives where they have a variety of roles and responsibilities that are important to them such as work, parenting, home management, education, driving, community re-integration, and social participation (Harris & Bettger, 2018; Lawrence, 2010, Maaijwee et al., 2015). An extensive literature review was conducted to determine if and when occupational therapists address roles during the rehabilitation process with young and middle-aged adults post-stroke. The thorough review of …

Part 2: Preparing Entry-Level Occupational And Physical Therapy Students To Promote Healthy Lifestyles Emphasizing Healthy Eating With Individuals With Disabilities, Brooks C. Wingo, Donald H. Lein, Beth A. Barstow, Christopher A. Eidson, Tara S. Pearce, Laurie A. Malone, David M. Morris

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Rehabilitation professionals including occupational therapists (OT) and physical therapists (PT) are increasingly called upon to incorporate health promotion of lifestyle behaviors including physical activity and healthy eating into routine clinical care. While OTs and PTs may be comfortable promoting activity-related behaviors, many are less comfortable with nutrition behaviors. To address entry-level OT and PT students’ perceived discomfort with discussing diet-related behaviors, faculty developed a healthy eating module for students to use during a community-based service learning program. The purpose of this paper is to describe the formative evaluation process of developing the healthy eating module, and to discuss results of …

Comparison Of Laryngeal Excursion In Stroke Patients With And Without Penetration/Aspiration By Videofluoroscopy Swallowing Study, Yun-Fang Lee, Yung-Chun Chi, Shih-Chung Chang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Objective: Post-stroke dysphagia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in acute stroke patients due to malnutrition or aspiration. This study compares the hyolaryngeal movement during swallowing between post-stroke dysphagia patients with and without penetration/aspiration by videofluoroscopy swallowing study (VFSS). The goal was to find out possible defects in swallow mechunism for improving post-stroke dysphagia swallowing training. Method: We retrospectively collected VFSS images from stroke in-patients in a medical center in Central Taiwan from October 2015 to April 2017. The subjects were subdivided according to the VFSS results and 8-point penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) into those with penetration/aspiration (PAS ≥ 3) …

Hand Temperature And Heart Rate Variability In Stroke Patients When Using Yole Hands And Conventional Elastic Bandages During Passive Upper Limb Exercises, Mei-Yi Lee, Chun-Han Yang, Ko-Long Lin, Shih-Ming Chen, Shu-Shi Chen

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Therapeutic exercise can mitigate sensorimotor deficit and improve motor function in the upper limbs of stroke patients. During physical rehabilitation, elastic bandages (EB) are often used to secure stroke patients' affected upper limbs to exercise equipment. However, the application of EB can reduce blood flow and lower skin temperature in patients' hands. Furthermore, reduced skin temperature can lead to autonomic nervous reactions, of which heart rate variability (HRV) is an effective indicator. This study investigates the correlation between hand temperature and HRV. Stroke patients' hand temperatures and HRVs were documented during passive upper limb exercises, and the results between the …

A Systematic Reviewarticle Of Turning Difficulties In Individuals With Stroke, Pei-Yi Chou, Shu-Chun Lee

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Introduction: Making turn is a challenging task that is reported as one of the activities that most frequently leads to fall in stroke patients. Among community-dwelling older adults, hip fractures are eight times more likely to result from falls while making turns than from falls while walking straight. The stroke patients have asymmetric posture and movements due to hemiparesis, thus their turning performance may varied depending on the direction of the turn. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic reviewarticle was to summarize the characteristics of turning after stroke and discuss the possible neuromuscular mechanisms of turning difficulties. Methods: Searches of …

The Correlation Between Spasticity Of Upper Limbs And Functional Performance In Acute And Subacute Stroke Patients, Wan-Ling Hsu, Pei-Jung Huang, Wei-Hsiu Chang, Chi-Tzu Feng

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Objective: This study attempted to investigate the correlation between severity of spasticity and functional recovery in acute and subacute stroke patients. Methods: A total of 22 acute and subacute stroke patients were analyzed. Methods used to evaluate outcomes included Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) for assessing upper limbs spasticity; Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-UE), Box and Block Test (BBT) for assessing the motor ability of upper limbs; Functional Independence Measure (FIM) for assessing independent of daily life, and Stoke Impact Scale (SIS) for evaluating the quality of life. Results: Correlation was found between MAS and FMA-UE (p=.01), BBT (p=.02) and two subtests of …

An Acute Non-Traumatic Rib Fracture Detected By Ultrasound And A Reviewarticle Of The Literature, Tze Chao Wee, Chueh-Hung Wu, Tyng-Guey Wang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Ultrasound is increasingly used for the diagnosis of musculoskeletal conditions, particularly in soft tissue injuries. In some cases, it is useful for the evaluation of fractures. A 54-year-old woman presented with focal a non-traumatic right-sided chest pain. Physical examination revealed a focal area of tenderness on palpation. Erect chest X-ray was unremarkable. A focused musculoskeletal ultrasound was carried out to examine the area of tenderness and a rib fracture which was not detected on the erect chest X-ray was diagnosed during sonographic examination. A brief literature reviewarticle on the use of ultrasound in the diagnosis of fracture, in particular rib …

Return To Work And Health Management In Patients With Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder: Literature Reviewarticle, Yi-Chieh Lien, Jang-Ting Wei, Yi-Shiung Horng

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are cumulative traumatic disorders that result from work-related ergonomic factors, such as repetitive motion, forceful exertion, awkward posture, holding a vibrating tool, and working in an environment that causes whole-body vibration. These risk factors may induce tendinitis, tenosynovitis, entrapment neuropathy, bursitis, meniscus tear, and even herniation of the lumbar intervertebral disc. WRMSDs may not only affect a patient's health and quality of life but also entail substantial economic and labor costs. Methods for early diagnosis of WRMSDs and management of workplace risk factors must be determined. In addition, vocational rehabilitation should be offered to individuals with …

Accuracy Of Residual Urinary Volume Measurements In Patients With Neurogenic Bladder When Using A Portable Ultrasound Bladder Scanner, Yao-Hung Yang, Chung-Yao Chen

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Estimating the post-voiding residual urine amount is essential for managing patients with neurogenic bladder. Accurate post-voiding residual urine estimation provides guidance for the appropriate frequency of catheter drainage and reduces the rate of urinary tract infection. Although urethral catheterization is the most accurate method of estimating post-voiding residual urine, a bladder scanner-a noninvasive portable ultrasound device-constitutes an alternative method. In this study, we retrospectively reviewarticleed the residual urine amount in patients with neurogenic bladder of different etiologies using a bladder scanner and urethral catheterization. Data for 144 bladder scans and urethral catheterizations in 39 patients were analyzed, revealing that the …

Idiopathic Thoracic Intradural Spinal Arachnoid Cyst Associated With Syringomyelia: A Casereport And Literature Reviewarticle, Jou Yu Lin, Michael Mu Huo Teng, Fu-Kong Lieu, Szu-Fu Chen

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

We report an adult woman who presented with lower limb weakness and dysesthesia caused by a thoracic spinal arachnoid cyst associated with syringomyelia. Before the diagnosis was made by thoracic magnetic resonance imaging, she was diagnosed with lumbar spondylosis and underwent lumbar spinal surgery; however, her symptoms were not relieved. The patient received multilevel laminectomy and cyst resection after thoracic pathology was identified. An upper motor neuron lesion, although rare, should be considered a differential diagnosis when leg symptoms and signs develop. For patients with leg weakness and pain, we emphasize a detailed neurological examination to localize the lesion to …

Patients' Perceptions And Patient-Reported Outcomes In Progressive-Fibrosing Interstitial Lung Diseases, Jeffrey J. Swigris, Kevin K. Brown, Rayid Abdulqawi, Ketan Buch, Daniel F. Dilling, Dirk Koschel, Krishna Thavarajah, Rade Tomic, Yoshikazu Inoue

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

The effects of interstitial lung disease (ILD) create a significant burden on patients, unsettling almost every domain of their lives, disrupting their physical and emotional well-being and impairing their quality of life (QoL). Because many ILDs are incurable, and there are limited reliably-effective, life-prolonging treatment options available, the focus of many therapeutic interventions has been on improving or maintaining how patients with ILD feel and function, and by extension, their QoL. Such patient-centred outcomes are best assessed by patients themselves through tools that capture their perceptions, which inherently incorporate their values and judgements. These patient-reported outcome measures (PROs) can be …

Patients' Perceptions And Patient-Reported Outcomes In Progressive-Fibrosing Interstitial Lung Diseases, Jeffrey J. Swigris, Kevin K. Brown, Rayid Abdulqawi, Ketan Buch, Daniel F. Dilling, Dirk Koschel, Krishna Thavarajah, Rade Tomic, Yoshikazu Inoue

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

The effects of interstitial lung disease (ILD) create a significant burden on patients, unsettling almost every domain of their lives, disrupting their physical and emotional well-being and impairing their quality of life (QoL). Because many ILDs are incurable, and there are limited reliably-effective, life-prolonging treatment options available, the focus of many therapeutic interventions has been on improving or maintaining how patients with ILD feel and function, and by extension, their QoL. Such patient-centred outcomes are best assessed by patients themselves through tools that capture their perceptions, which inherently incorporate their values and judgements. These patient-reported outcome measures (PROs) can be …

Effect Of Comorbidity On Functional Recovery In Patients With Stroke, Kuo-Chuan Chiu, Pei-Hsin Lin, Serena Y.C Lin, Mu-Jung Kao

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Objectives: Stroke is a vital cause of acute neurological dysfunction. This study evaluated the prevalence of comorbidities and their effects on functional recovery in patients with stroke. Methods: This was a prospective study. The participants were 105 patients with acute stroke with moderate to severe functional disability who were admitted for comprehensive rehabilitation. The participants were 76 patients who underwent the Post-acute Care-Cerebrovascular Diseases program and 29 participants who accepted a regular rehabilitation program within 6 months after stroke. The effect of each comorbidity on the patients' post-hospitalization daily living activities was analyzed based on the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). …

The Preliminary Results Of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy In Patients With Piriformis Syndrome, Ching-Fen Huang, Tien-Wen Chen, Cyuan-Fong Li, Yu-Hsuan Hsiao, Chia-Hsin Chen, Mao-Hsiung Huang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

The study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) on the rehabilitation of patients with piriformis syndrome. Thirty-six patients diagnosed with unilateral piriformis syndrome were included and allocated randomly into three groups, Groups A-C, with twelve patients in each group. Patients in Groups A-C all received conventional physical modalities programs, including hot packs and interferential current therapy, three times weekly for six weeks. Patients in Group B received an extra twenty minutes of stretching exercise therapy after physical modalities therapy, and Group C received the same therapy as in Group B and extra shockwave therapy …

Effects Of Lidocaine On Migration, Proliferation, Collagen Expression And Cytotoxicity Of Tendon Cells, Hsiang-Ning Chang, Jong-Hwei S Pang, Miao-Sui Lin, Wen-Chung Tsai

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Background: Lidocaine is commonly used for the treatment of a variety of tendinopathies in combination with corticosteroids injection. Purpose: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of lidocaine on migration, proliferation, protein expressions of type I and III collagen and cytotoxicity of tendon cells. Methods: Rat Achilles tendon cells were divided into control and study groups (treated with 0.1%, 0.15%, and 0.2% lidocaine). Tendon cell migration and proliferation were assessed using transwell filter migration assay and MTT assay, respectively. Cytotoxicity of lidocaine was evaluated by the LDH-Cytotoxicity assay. The protein expression of type I and type III …

Effect Of Aerobic Dance Training In Adults With Prader-Willi Syndrome: A Pilot Study, Fei-Chuan Chen, Shih-Yun Hon, Li-Ping Tsai

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Objective: Aerobic Dance Training has beneficial effects in improving physical fitness. However, there were few studies validating the physical fitness effectiveness of Aerobic Dance Training in Prader-Willi Syndrome patients (PWS). This study aims to investigate the effects of Aerobic Dance Training in PWS adults, by using integrated clinical measurements of physical fitness. Methods: This is a matched controlled study design. Twelve Prader-Willi Syndrome patients received either Aerobic Dance Training or conventional physiotherapy for 8 weeks (2 times per week for 2 hours each session). Clinical measurements of physical fitness were analyzed before and after the intervention and were followed at …