Occupational Therapy Commons^™

The Effectiveness Of Aquatic Therapy With Persons Who Have Experienced A Cerebral Vascular Accident, Heather L. Tweedie

Masters Theses

This study examined the effectiveness of using aquatic therapy (AT) as a technique in the treatment of cerebral vascular accidents (CVA). The unique properties of the aquatic environment were manipulated to determine change in range of motion, muscle tone, balance, functional ambulation, and psychological functioning particularly social relationship and positive and negative feelings.

A single subject design was conducted using two subjects that participated in a twelve week aquatic therapy program. Aquatic therapy showed to be effective in treating common symptoms of a CVA. More research needs to be completed to ensure the effectiveness of aquatic therapy in congruency with …

Caregivers’ Perceptions Of Accessibility And Quality Of Services In The Community For Children With Mental Health Diagnoses: A Pilot Survey, Karin E. Brems

Masters Theses

This pilot study was intended to explore caregivers' perceptions of the mental health services available in the community for children with mental health diagnoses. A study-specific survey was developed to look at demographic characteristics, service accessibility, and service quality. This survey was distributed to caregivers through Michigan support groups. Returned surveys were analyzed for themes that could assist in the development of further research to improve community services for children with mental health diagnoses.

This pilot study yielded rich qualitative data. Upon review and analysis, five themes emerged: (1) bureaucratic hassles and getting the runaround, (2) closed doors, (3) support …

Creating A Curriculum To Integrate Augmentative And Alternative Communication In A Preschool Setting, Megan R. Graham

Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background/Introduction: Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices are tools used to help individuals with speech difficulties to communicate. The University of Arkansas AAC Lab is designed to develop and evaluate technology and implementation strategies for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In this research setting, we used Proloquo2Go, TouchChat, and a developing AAC program. I have created a curriculum for this Lab that integrates this AAC program into a preschool setting for preschoolers with extensive support needs. Purpose: This project was meant to create a pre-school curriculum for special needs preschoolers implementing models of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy, Occupational …

The Effects Of Brain Gym® Activities On Second-Grade Students' Academic Performance And Handwriting Skills, Kristen Keinath

Masters Theses

Objective: The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the effects of Brain Gym® activities on second-grand students' academic performance and handwriting skills.

Method: Results were obtained by administering the Test of Handwriting Skills (THS) to two classrooms in a Northern Michigan Elementary School and having both teachers complete a self-developed Academic Performance Form on each student participating in the study. The data from was analyzed using a t-test for the THS and mean scores for the self-developed Academic Performance Form.

Results: Findings suggest a significant difference (p < .05) in the number of letters produced in 20 seconds and spacing of letters. Non-standardized testing showed a decrease in attention to task scores between pre- and post-testing.

Conclusion: Brain Gym® activities were shown to positively effect handwriting …

Survey Of Current Occupational Therapist Practice In The Emerging Field Of Home Modification And Barrier Free Design, Christian Michael Petrovich

Masters Theses

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a national survey of occupational therapists to ascertain what current trends are taking place in the field of home modification and barrier-free design and to examine how occupational therapists view their role in the practice of home modification and barrier free design.

METHODS

A 16-question survey was developed and included two hundred and fifty US licensed and or registered occupational therapists randomly selected from the AOTA membership listing.

CONCLUSIONS

The role of occupational therapy in the emerging practice of home modification and barrier -free design is regarded as important by occupational therapists in the United States. Many …

The Meaning Of Computers To A Group Of Men Who Are Homeless., Kathleen Swenson Miller, Stacey Bunch-Harrison, Brett Brumbaugh, Rekha Sankaran Kutty, Kathleen Fitzgerald

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the experience with computers and the meaning of computers to a group of homeless men living in a long-term shelter. This descriptive exploratory study used semistructured interviews with seven men who had been given access to computers and had participated in individually tailored occupation based interventions through a Work Readiness Program. Three themes emerged from analyzing the interviews: access to computers, computers as a bridge to life-skill development, and changed self-perceptions as a result of connecting to technology. Because they lacked computer knowledge and feared failure, the majority of study participants …

Sexuality And The Initial Occupational Therapy Assessment For Adults With Physical Disabilities, Mandy Sherrick

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Guide For Early Intervention With Multiple Sclerosis Patients, Anni Stafford

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Leveling The Playing Field: Creating Equal Access To Playgrounds For Children Of All Abilities, Sarah Kriesel-Koll

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Wellness Program For Pre And Newly Retired Individuals Living In Rural Communities, Nicole R. Miller

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Ergonomics And The School-Aged Child, Allison Ruff

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Occupation-Based Hand Therapy: A Practice Guide For Entry-Level Therapists, David Braski

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

An Evidence-Based Occupational Therapy Intervention Protocol For Individuals With Post-Stroke Unilateral Neglect, Sarah Fischer

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Protocol To Enhance Quality Of Life In Nursing Home Residents Through Implementation Of The Eden Alternative Concepts, Amy Slominski, Megan Briese

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

An Occupation-Based And Clent-Centered Hand Therapy Protocol, Nathan Yeager

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Strategies For Healthcare Professionals In Dealing With Adolescents With Self-Harming Behaviors, Tera L. Remund, Andrea Keever

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Home Program Guide For Parents And Their Child With Sensory Defensiveness, Chelsea Takuski

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Living With Adhd: A Parent's Guide To Childhood Adhd Management, Macy Adams

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Injury Prevention In The Workplace, Jeremy Anderson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Ergonomic assessments and proper body mechanics are the common practice for educating post injury employees. However, injury prevention protocols are often not a routine practice although they are believed to be essential in decreasing the number of injuries on the job, and lowering related costs to the employer.

Research literature consistently identifies the negative fiscal, psychological, emotional and physical impact of occupational injuries on both society and the individual worker. Occupational injuries account for billions of dollars every year in medical and workers compensation costs not taking into account the billions in indirect costs. The issue is that despite the …

An Aquatic Occupational Therapy Program For Children With Physical, Developmental, And Psychosocial Disabilities, Nicole E. Miller

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Mothers With Disabilities: Dispelling The Myths, Sarah Churchill

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Parent Educational Manual: Using Sensory Integration Techniques For Children With Autism, Stephanie Bekken, Lacey Lemley

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Parent's Guide To Infant Massage, Rana Gish

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

An Occupational Therapy Program For Women And Children Of Domestic Violence Who Are Living In Shelter Care, Stacie A. Lewis, Sarah Olin

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

An Occupational Therapy Program For Children And Adolescents Exposed To Trauma, Cherie A. Lowe, Katie A. Tallackson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Every year many children and adolescents are affected by traumatic experience many of which result in long term challenges. The traumatic event may lead to psychological disorders, such as anxiety disorders, depression, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, substance abuse, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These disorders often have the effect of interrupting development of occupational performance skills and ultimately are manifested in deficits in occupational performance. A literature review was conducted to identify the effects of trauma on children and adolescents as well as to explore current treatment programming available to this population. Examples of research-based occupational therapy programming for …

Maintaining A Balanced And Healthy Lifestyle For Caregivers, David Nelson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Stress-Related Injury Prevention Business Plan, Jose Lucio

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

A Community-Based Holistic Wellness Program For Adults Living With Hiv/Aids, Katie Kohler, Ranae Selzer

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

Program Development For Occupational Therapists In The Schools: Assessments And Interventions For Children In Grades 1-6 With Social Dysfunction, Rose Kirby, Christina Knott

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

A Protocol For Occupational Therapists Working With Returning War Veterans, Suzanne Lunski

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.