Occupational Therapy Commons^™

The Effects Of Self-Stigma On Occupational Engagement For Adults With Mental Illness, Alyssa A. Kostreba, Taylor E. Lavoi

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the impacts of self-stigma on everyday occupations of persons with serious and persistent mental illness. Greater understanding of the impacts of self-stigma is important to development of occupation-based interventions used by occupational therapists in mental health settings.

Methodology: A qualitative phenomenological approach was utilized to interview six participants between the ages of 31-58 years old with severe and persistent mental illness. High level in vivo coding was used to interpret participant responses.

Results: Four themes emerged from participant interviews: 1) negative impact on self, 2) coping with negative social encounters, 3) …

Studying With Successful Sensory Environments: A Pilot Study, Katrina Kotta

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background/Purpose: Higher education institutions are facing pressure by state and federal authorities to retain and efficiently graduate students. The University of North Dakota (UND) has responded by implementing initiatives in light of declining retention rates within recent years. University of North Dakota’s approach focused on best teaching practices and classroom learning approaches versus individualized student programs for academic success. Studying With Successful Sensory Environments (SWSSE) is an individualized approach created within occupational therapy, which focuses on effective management of the environment through knowledge of sensory processing patterns to enhance focus and productivity in higher education. The purpose of this study …

Virtual Reality: An Evidence-Based Guide For Occupational Therapy, Grant Mitchell, Kyle Nelson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Problem: Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging technology that serves to position the user in control of a virtual environment to maximize interest and function. VR is a context for intervention included in the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process 3rd edition (OTPF-3; AOTA, 2014). It is crucial that occupational therapy (OT) practitioners enhance their knowledge about VR technology used by their clients to provide effective client-centered practice (AOTA, 2010). There is a lack of organization of the literature and research evidence regarding the use of VR as an intervention modality. While there has been a significant increase in …

The Occupation Of Driving: A Guide For Occupational Therapists Working With Adolescents Who Have Adhd, Molly Schmitz, Morgan Voss

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Driving is a rite of passage for all teens with or without a disability. Individuals with ADHD are at a far greater risk of being in an accident or receiving a traffic violation as a compared to their developmental counterparts. In addition, parents and practitioners are often unaware of an individual’s readiness to drive skills prior to receiving formal driver’s education. Thus, this can be a stressful transition or learning process with individuals with ADHD and their families. For parents, practitioners, and teens, it is important that they understand the resources available to them and the steps to access those …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Primary Care With Older Adults, Kate Gearman, Tessa Richards

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The older adult population in the United States (U.S.) is projected to increase over the next 30 years (United States Census Bureau, 2014). With that, nearly two-thirds of older adults in the U.S. are diagnosed with at least one chronic health condition (Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2016b). These findings highlight a need for more specialized services for this population. Primary care is one sector of healthcare service delivery operating within the U.S. healthcare system. Presently, occupational therapy services are limited in primary care settings as defined in this scholarly project. Occupational therapy services have demonstrated efficacy in …

Student Organization For Accessibility And Resources (Soar) Program: A Policies And Procedures Manual, Molly Hofmeister, Kelsey Schiller

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Students with disabilities who attend college face many challenges with little support; and therefore are at a higher risk of preemptively dropping out of college (Mamiseishvili & Koch, 2011). Some of these challenges and barriers include but are not limited to roles and responsibilities of support staff and a greater demand for students’ self-reliance (Garrison-Wade, 2012). The Student Organization for Accessibility and Resources (SOAR) Program is a current peer mentorship program missioned to provide guidance and mentorship for college students with disabilities as they negotiate the complexities of transitioning and attending college (Morrison, personal communication, September 13, 2016). Peer mentorship …

Happy Hearts: A Caregiver's Guide To Assisting Patients With Heart Failure, Stephanie Carlson, Ashley Waller

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a holistic guide that could be provided by occupational therapists (OTs) to caregivers of individuals with heart failure (HF). A thorough literature review was completed on the impact that caregiving for individuals with HF has on mental, physical and environmental aspects of the caregiver and their role as a caregiver. The literature revealed that there is a significant number of individuals with HF and the role of caregiving is on the rise. As the need for caregivers’ increases, the demands associated with caregiving responsibilities increases accordingly. Activities that caregivers assist HF …

Parent Guide For Therapeutic Play, Amber Brown, Corey Lof

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this project was to create a guide for parents of children ages three through six who have transitioned from early intervention services and did not qualify for early special education services. Delays may be present in many areas including cognitive, fine motor, gross motor, social-emotional, and adaptive development (North Dakota Department of Human Services, 2013), creating difficulty for the child to engage in everyday occupations including play.

An extensive literature review was conducted in order to obtain up to date information on the importance of play in development and facilitation of parent led play sessions. Research articles, …

Resource Guide For Secondary Complications Of Individuals Aging With A Spinal Cord Injury, Allison Laska, Emily Proctor

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop an easy to use resource guide to aid occupational therapists in working with those aging with a spinal cord injury (SCI) that have endured a secondary complication and advocating to other healthcare professionals the usefulness of occupational therapy in treatment of these individuals.

Method: An extensive literature review was conducted using Cinahl, OT Search, PubMed, PsycInfo, various medical journals, OT course textbooks, and documents obtained from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) website. Information was gathered about aging with SCI, common secondary complications in SCI, OT’s role in SCI, OT’s …

A Resource Manual For Occupational Therapists To Use With Parents Of Infants Transitioning Home From The Nicu, Alyssa N. Briggs, Nicholle R. Clouse

Occupational Therapy Capstones

One of the many challenges facing health care professionals practicing in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is providing appropriate care and support for parents throughout the transition process from hospital to home. Because the families are often the ultimate advocates and caregivers for infants it is important that they are well equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to take part in their infant’s care. Therefore, by providing clear and easy to use resources that address parental confidence, skills, knowledge, roles, routines, and the environment, professionals can help alleviate parental stress and uncertainty throughout the transition process.

An extensive …

Caregivers Of Stroke Survivors: Exploring The Role Of Spousal Caregivers Through An Occupational Therapy Lens, Lisa J. Knecht-Sabres, Karley Kammer, Matthew K. Kilian, Kim Veverka

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the occupational needs of caregivers of stroke survivors and to identify potential implications for occupational therapy’s role with this population. Methods: Focus groups and a semi-structured interview were used to gather an in-depth perspective on caregivers’ needs and level of participation in valued activities. Interactions were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis included open coding, formulation of categorical patterns, and thematic analysis. Rigor was enhanced through peer review, multiple coders, member checking, and triangulation. Results: Four primary themes emerged: (1) the essential need for additional services and support; (2) the amount …

A Resource Manual To College And University Academic Return For Young Adults With A Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Rachel Gromek, Emily Hermanson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Reportedly, in the United States 75% of traumatic brain injuries that occur each year are referred to as mild (Centers for Disease Control Prevention, 2010). Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of disability each year with the highest prevalence being between ages 15-24 years (Willmott, Ponsford, Downing, & Carty, 2014). The greatest deficits experienced by college or university students with a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) are cognitive, psychosocial, and physical (Kennedy, Krause, & O’Brien, 2014; Marschark, Richtsmeier, Richardson, Crovitz, & Henry, 2000). The purpose of this project was to address the limited resources available to individuals with …

A Qualitative Pilot Study Of Aging Women’S Physical Activity Experiences In One University Fitness And Wellness Center, Alexis Hobbs

Online Theses and Dissertations

Physical inactivity is one of the driving risk factors for developing health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases (World Health Organization, 2003). The prevalence of these diseases increases with the aging process, which renders participation in physical activity crucial among the aging population. There is strong evidence that physical activity reduces the risk of these health disparities and disabilities (Young & Dinan, 2005), however despite these well-documented benefits, aging women still remain sedentary. This study examined the phenomenon of women 55 years of age or older and their lived experiences of participating in physical activity within a university …

The Deaf Experience In A Hearing Medical World, Sarah Kaylynn Lykins

Online Theses and Dissertations

Background: The purpose of this narrative study was to understand personal experiences of a Deaf individual when communicating with healthcare professionals, to describe personal feelings regarding challenges and successes experienced during healthcare interactions, and express the need for culturally competent healthcare providers with increasingly diverse populations.

Method: The participant interviewed is a member of the Deaf community, uses American Sign Language (ASL), and had multiple decades of major medical treatments. The study was conducted using a semi-structured method with a certified interpreter (CI) present to interpret and was audio and video recorded to account for all aspects of the signed …

Experiences Of Non-Traditional Female College Students With Bipolar Disorder, Taylor Lynn Massie

Online Theses and Dissertations

Background: Although research has been done on many aspects of bipolar disorder, research has not examined the individual living experiences of college students with bipolar disorder. Research looks at the

Methods: In-depth interviews were used to learn the details of the experience of attending college with bipolar disorder. Three volunteers came forward to be interviewed. They had a bipolar disorder diagnosis, and are current students at a southern university. Questions focused on the lived experience of being a student with bipolar disorder, and probing questions were used to learn more about each participant’s particular experience. The first two interviews had …

Lived Experience Of Collegiate Athletes With Season Ending Injuries, Leah Thomas Thomas

Online Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the lived experience of collegiate athletes and their experience with a season ending injury. The individuals will have had an injury that has kept them from participating in their sport for the remainder of the season. Evidence shown gives the factors that impact recovery, supports for recovery, the model for response to sport injury, and coping mechanisms of the athletes impacted. However, there is a lack of research on the actual lived experience of the injury for collegiate athletes. Knowing this information could help change the way that we look at their …

The Lived Experience Of Informal Caregivers Of Chronic Stroke Patients, Ann Snider Wigginton

Online Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to contribute to the literature surrounding stroke-survivor caregivers and to understand the caregivers’ perspective on leisure participation and quality of life. Four caregivers of clients with chronic stroke were recruited for the study via convenience sampling. Participants were audio-recorded during a semi-structured interview lasting 60-80 minutes. The interview guide was consistent across participants and included open-ended questions about the caregiver’s leisure participation and quality of life. Recorded data was transcribed and in-vivo coding was completed. Eight categories were developed from the identified codes and narrowed into primary meaning units: role shift, loss of …

The Experience Of Adults With Chronic Stroke Who Have Participated In Occupation-Based Or Modified Constraint Induced Interventions As A Part Of A Research Study, Ariel Wilson

Online Theses and Dissertations

There is a lack of qualitative research about the client perspective of specific chronic stroke interventions for motor recovery. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of adults with chronic stroke who have participated in occupation-based (OBP) or modified constraint-induced (MCIT) interventions as a part of a research study. Four participants were recruited through convenience sampling and interviewed about their participation in research. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed until themes emerged. Results showed participants engaged in the research interventions because of a desire to achieve a lost sense of ‘normalcy’ and perceptions of their …

Role Of Community Participation In Improving Quality Of Life In Clients With Dementia And Their Caregivers, Mridula Dhamija

Online Theses and Dissertations

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects on quality of life for clients with dementia and their caregivers by participating in a community program, the Memory Café.

Method: In this qualitative, cross case study, the Marwit Meser Caregiver Grief Inventory (MM-CGI) was given to caregiver. Data collection was done by interviewing the participants; there was a main question with follow- up questions as needed. All the interviews were audiotaped and transcribed followed by primary and secondary coding. Shortlisting of categories resulted in emergence of themes which were common across cases and unique to each case.

Results: …

In Adult Patients With Unilateral Stroke, Is Distributed Constraint-Induced Therapy Or Bilateral Arm Training More Effective In Improving Upper Extremity Motor And Functional Outcomes Compared With A Routine Approach?, Courtney Beyer, Christine Kim, Janice Li, Angelica Soltis, Kitsum Li

Occupational Therapy | Critically Appraised Papers Series

Stroke survivors may experience deficits and impairments of upper extremity (UE) function that limit their engagement in meaningful everyday occupations. It is important for occupational therapists to identify and test the effectiveness of interventions targeted to decrease UE learned nonuse, improve functional performance, and increase participation in one’s daily occupations.

This study compared the efficacy of distributed constraint-induced therapy (dCIT) and bilateral arm training (BAT) in improving movement strategies and functional abilities of the UE in stroke survivors. Each intervention group participated in the intervention 2 hr/day, five times per week for 3 consecutive weeks. Participants in the dCIT group …

For Stroke Patients, In What Ways Does Robot-Assisted Therapy Improve Upper Extremity Performance In The Areas Of Motor Impairment, Muscle Power, And Strength?, Maria Mandrussow, Ani Keshishyan, Kitsum Li

Occupational Therapy | Critically Appraised Papers Series

Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability among adults. Adequate rehabilitation of the upper extremity in stroke patients can improve performance in activities of daily living. Robot-assisted therapy can offer intense, repetitive, and task-specific training to the impaired limb after stroke. Prior studies have shown that robot-assisted therapy may improve strength and motor deficits of the impaired limbs, but there is a lack of research comparing the effects of unilateral robot-assisted training protocol (URTP) versus bilateral robot-assisted training protocol (BRTP) with a robotic device. Comparison of the effectiveness of these two protocols is beneficial to determine the appropriate treatment …

Critically Appraised Paper For “Cognitive Stimulation Of Executive Functions In Mild Cognitive Impairment: Specific Efficacy And Impact In Memory”, Avery Wilson, Yamin Zaw, Malcolm Isely, Kitsum Li

Occupational Therapy | Critically Appraised Papers Series

Executive functions play a pivotal role in an individual’s independence. However, little research has been conducted on the efficacy of specific cognitive training for individuals with deficits consistent with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The researchers in this study aimed to use a cognitive stimulation program that taught specific strategies to enhance the participants’ attentional and executive functional tasks. The study, using a crossover design involving two groups, included 30 participants affected by the amnestic form of MCI, executive function deficits, or both. The 6-month training sessions addressed challenges through the use of individualized cognitive strategies and proposed activities to exercise …

Critically Appraised Paper For Occupational Therapy Intervention: Effects On Self-Care, Performance, Satisfaction, Self-Esteem/Self-Efficacy, And Role Functioning Of Older Hispanic Females With Arthritis, Jennifer Borcich, Erin Sheehy, Kitsum Li

Occupational Therapy | Critically Appraised Papers Series

Arthritis is a chronic condition that presents physical and psychosocial challenges that can affect daily functioning. The researchers in this study examined two frequently used methods of occupational therapy intervention—enabling or preparatory activities and occupation-based activities—for managing and improving symptoms of arthritis to improve participation, satisfaction, and self-efficacy in activities of daily living (ADLs).

Twenty-nine older Hispanic women with osteoarthritis participated in the study and were randomized into two intervention groups and a control group. Whereas the occupation-based intervention group consisted of 10–15 min of enabling or preparatory activities, followed by 30 min of occupation-based activities, the enabling/preparatory-based intervention group …

Critically Appraised Paper For “Cognitive Training For Improving Executive Function In Chemotherapy-Treated Breast Cancer Survivors”, Kaitlyn M. Williams, Morgan Mousley, Katherine Blank, Jocelle Flores

Occupational Therapy | Critically Appraised Papers Series

The present literature regarding patients with breast cancer after chemotherapy treatment indicates increased occurrence of cognitive deficits, particularly in executive function. To explore these deficits, the researchers used an online, computer-based intervention program aimed to improve impaired cognition. The population of this study was a group of female breast cancer survivors who had previously received chemotherapy treatment with or without hormonal therapy. The participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group or the control group. The implemented intervention was a home-based cognitive training computer program accessible through an online subscription to the Lumos Lab, Inc. The intervention group completed the …

Non-Medical Use Of Cognitive Enhancing Prescription Medications Among Occupational Therapy And Speech Language Pathology Health Care Students: A Pilot Study, Randy P. Mccombie, Hannah Slanina

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This research was designed to serve as a pilot study to generate baseline data on non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) for cognitive/academic enhancement purposes among students representing two healthcare professions, Occupational Therapy (OT) and Speech Language Pathology (SLP) and to assess students’ opinions regarding whether use of these medications constitutes academic “cheating.” Introduction: NMUPD, such as Adderall ® or Ritalin ®, to reduce fatigue, improve memory, and increase concentration to ultimately improve grades has increased among college students in recent years, with estimated use put as high as 35% on some campuses. These drugs appear to be readily …

Supervisor Perceptions Of Entry-Level Doctorate And Master's Of Occupational Therapy Degrees, Sherry Lynne Muir

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In occupational therapy (OT), there is a push to encourage the entry-level doctorate (eOTD) over the master's of OT (MOT), without having identified which degree develops therapists who can best meet the needs of clients, while providing the fewest negative consequences for stakeholders. This collective case study assessed whether there are differences between OTs with MOT and with eOTD. Each supervisor's experiences with the two degree groups represented a separate case, then all were collectively considered. The central research question was whether OT supervisors, who have observational knowledge of clinical performance, perceived differences between MOTs and eOTDs in factors that …

Through My Eyes: The Effect On Family Life Of Having Siblings With Autism Spectrum Disorder As Experienced By A Typically Developing Adolescent, Samantha L. Brand

Honors Theses and Capstones

As the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) continues to increase, research efforts have begun to focus on the effects a person with ASD has on family life. The dominant voice in the extant literature is that of parents and caregivers, but only a small body of research explores the experiences of siblings. Using a phenomenological approach, a qualitative study was conducted to understand how a typically developing (TD) adolescent experiences the effects of having siblings with ASD on family routines and activities. Findings indicate that the family’s performance context—including routines, relationships, and activities—acts as the mediator of the bidirectional …

Through My Eyes: The Effect On Family Life Of Having Siblings With Autism Spectrum Disorder As Experienced By A Typically Developing Adolescent, Samantha L. Brand

Honors Theses and Capstones

As the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) continues to increase, research efforts have begun to focus on the effects a person with ASD has on family life. The dominant voice in the extant literature is that of parents and caregivers, but only a small body of research explores the experiences of siblings. Using a phenomenological approach, a qualitative study was conducted to understand how a typically developing (TD) adolescent experiences the effects of having siblings with ASD on family routines and activities. Findings indicate that the family’s performance context—including routines, relationships, and activities—acts as the mediator of the bidirectional …

Communication: How Do Females With Rett Syndrome Perform This Activity And What Factors Influence Performance?, Anna Urbanowicz

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Background Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder primarily caused by mutations in the X-linked methyl-Cp2G-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene. The disorder affects approximately 1 in 9000 females and is usually associated with language, physical and intellectual impairments, each of which contributes to difficulties with communication. In Rett syndrome, eye gaze is considered a common form of communication and conventional methods, such as talking and gestures, less common. Females appear to use these forms of communication to serve a number of functions including choice making, requesting, social convention, bringing attention to themselves, and to reject, comment and answer. However, the literature …