Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Facilitating The Creative Process Through Collaboration, Jennifer K. Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Miles Parker Scharfenberg, an artist based in Richland, Michigan, provided the cover art for the Fall 2019 edition of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). “Late Night Fireworks” is a 30” x 40” painting made from acrylic on canvas. Born 15 weeks premature, Miles’ multiple health impairments have made it difficult to engage in meaningful occupations, such as painting. With support from his mother, Carol; occupational therapy students; and members of the community; Miles creates colorful abstract expressionist paintings. Collaboration is part of his creative process. In this fifth anniversary issue of OJOT, Occupation and the Artist is following …

Perceptions And Outcomes Of Occupational Therapy Students Participating In Community Engaged Learning: A Mixed-Methods Approach, Amy Mattila

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Today’s health care system requires therapists to acquire a level of confidence, flexibility, and personal growth that enables them to treat a diverse and complex clientele. Occupational therapy programs need to ensure that clinical placements can best prepare students for these demands. Community engaged learning (CEL) offers a distinctive opportunity both to meet the curricular requirements of fieldwork and to afford students the chance to develop unique sets of skills. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine the experiences of graduate occupational therapy students participating in CEL fieldwork placements. The study explored the students’ self-efficacy before and after …

Occupational Therapy’S Work And Industry Area Of Practice: Content In Entry-Level Professional Occupational Therapy Curricula: A Survey, Thomas F. Fisher

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process identifies work as an area of occupation that has long been recognized by the profession as an area of practice. This study identified how entry-level professional occupational therapy programs meet educational standards required by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education for educational programs. Standards identified were those that relate to the area of work and industry practice. One hundred and sixty-seven program directors were invited to participate in a survey directed at work and industry occupational therapy practice. Items on the survey related to content taught in their entry-level occupational therapy …

Evaluation And Treatment Of Musicians From A Holistic Perspective, Annie Ting, Janice Rocker

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Throughout the past 3 decades, treatment of injured musicians in a health care setting has been reported; however, the quality of care from a musician’s standpoint is poor. As musicians are speaking up more about their pain, the profession of occupational therapy has the capacity to make an impact on the way musicians are treated from a rehabilitative perspective. Musicians often do not trust medical practitioners who follow the traditional medical model because their symptoms and concerns are not addressed. Occupational therapists, especially those working in the realm of hand rehabilitation, are well equipped to treat injured musicians using our …

Effect Of Verbal Directions On Grip Strength Evaluated Using The Handheld Dynamometer, Laura Walsh, Marie-Christine Potvin

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Grip strength measurement using the handheld dynamometer is a key aspect of the evaluation of an upper extremity injury. The handheld dynamometer manufacturer has established research-based guidelines outlining body positioning during grip strength measurement. However, verbal direction guidelines, while provided, have not yet been shown to be most effective through research. This study seeks to determine whether the use of one of two types of verbal directions, with and without encouragements, resulted in greater grip strength as measured by the handheld dynamometer.

Method: The grip strength of healthy females (n = 60) was compared using two sets of prerecorded …

Use Of Standardized Assessments And Online Resources In Stroke Rehabilitation, Susan H. Lin, Pamela R. Bosch, Veronica T. Rowe, Susan E. Fasoli, Jeanne Langan

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The extent to which movement-related standardized assessments and online resources are used in stroke rehabilitation is unclear in the United States.

Method: The researchers used a cross-sectional descriptive survey that examined (a) therapists use of movement-related standardized assessments, (b) factors influencing learning of new assessments, and (c) use of frequency of online resources by occupational therapists and physical therapists in the United States.

Results: Of 151 respondents (46.4% occupational therapists, 53.6% physical therapists), the most frequently used movement-related assessments by occupational and physical therapists were the Berg and Fugl-Meyer Assessment, respectively. More physical therapists use motor-related …

Health Management: Occupational Therapy’S Key Role In Educating Clients About Reliable Online Health Information, Amy Armstrong-Heimsoth, Melissa L. Johnson, Meredith Carpenter, Tincey Thomas, Ashley Sinnappan

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Only 12% of Americans possess proficient health literacy skills. Among those with the lowest health literacy are individuals with chronic health conditions. Occupational therapists are well prepared to assist these clients with health literacy, given our roles in teaching new health management skills and health promotion.

Methods: An educational course was designed and taught to over 100 individuals and caregivers with chronic health conditions to assist in finding and determining trustworthy health information online. An author designed pre postsurvey was used to evaluate effectiveness.

Results: There was a significant pre-post change in four categories: finding quality …

Productivity Standards And The Impact On Quality Of Care: A National Survey Of Inpatient Rehabilitation Professionals, Leslie E. Bennett, Vanessa D. Jewell, Linda Scheirton, Molly Mccarthy, Brittney C. Muir

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Skyrocketing health care costs have resulted in significant changes to reimbursement rates in health care. The result has increased pressure to be as efficient as possible while maintaining high-quality care. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine health care professionals’ perceptions on whether and how productivity pressures have impacted the quality of care in therapy practice.

Method: A survey was disseminated nationally to inpatient rehabilitation facilities.

Results: Two hundred and fifty-seven surveys were opened. Of these completed surveys, 154 participants completed the closed-ended questions and 109 participants completed the open-ended questions. Outcomes indicated that …

Yoga And Autism: Students’ Perspectives On The Get Ready To Learn Yoga Program, Lauren E. Milton, Selena Bantel, Kayelee Calmer, Marlee Friedman, Elizabeth Haley, Lauren Rubarts

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Yoga, a complementary health approach known for various therapeutic effects, is used with diverse populations, including students ASD. Limited evidence exists inclusive of the first-hand perspective of students with ASD who participate in yoga. The purpose of this study is to understand the perspective of students 10 and 14 years of age with ASD who participated in a portion of the GRTL yoga program as part of a physical education class.

Method: Using a qualitative design, this study examined the student perspective on the GRTL yoga program. A convenience sample of seven male participants between 10 and …

Use Of The Star Process For Children With Sensory Processing Challenges, Sarah A. Schoen, Lucy Jane Miller, Stephen Camarata, Andrea Valdez

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This study examined the effectiveness of the STAR PROCESS, an intensive, short-term intervention that combines principles of sensory integration, relationship-based therapy, and parental-therapist collaboration for children with sensory processing challenges.

Method: A nonconcurrent multiple baseline, repeated measures design was used. Four boys, aged 5 years 0 months to 7 years 9 months, participated in this study. The mean length of intervention was 22 sessions delivered 3 to 5 times per week. A behavioral coding system was used to measure change in four areas: play level, positive affect, joint attention, and novel use of equipment. The theory of …

Effects Of Maternal Views And Support On Childhood Development Through Joint Play, Amiya Waldman-Levi, Sherraine Grinion, Laurette Olson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Playful interactions draw a mother and child toward each other in positive ways; therefore, time spent in playful interactions with a responsive mother may be a developmental asset for a child. It is critical to examine how mothers support their children in joint play as well as their views of joint play.

Methods: This mixed-methods study consisted of 32 mothers and their typically developing children. The Parent’s/Caregiver Support of Young Children’s Playfulness, the Test of Playfulness, the Environmental Supportiveness Assessment, and seven open-ended interviews were used to assess joint play and maternal perceptions of this experience.

Results …

Effectiveness Of Two Keyboarding Instructional Approaches On The Keyboarding Speed, Accuracy, And Technique Of Elementary Students, Denise K. Donica, Peter Giroux, Young Joo Kim

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Keyboarding skill development is important for elementary students. Limited research exists to inform practice on effective keyboarding instruction methods.

Method: Using a quasi-experimental design, we examined the effectiveness of Keyboarding Without Tears® (n = 786) in the experimental schools compared to the control schools who used the district standard instructional approach of free web-based activities (n = 953) on improving keyboarding skills (speed, accuracy, and technique) in elementary students.

Results: The results showed significant improvements in keyboarding speed and accuracy in all schools for all grades favoring the experimental schools compared to the control schools. Significant differences in improvements …

Handwriting Performance Of Typical Second-Grade Students As Measured By The Evaluation Tool Of Children's Handwriting - Manuscript And Teacher Perceptions Of Legibility, Diane M. Long, James Conklin

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The purpose of the study was to describe scores achieved by typical second-grade students on the Evaluation Tool of Children’s Handwriting – Manuscript and to compare scores with teacher perceptions.

Method: As part of a larger study, the ETCH-M was administered to 74 second-grade students. Teachers scored classroom samples of handwriting assignments using a researcher-developed scale and scores were compared to ETCH-M scores to determine cutoff values for good versus poor handwriting.

Results: Mean scores for total word legibility, total letter legibility, and total numeral legibility were 88.82%, 84.30%, and 89.26%, respectively. Cutoff scores below 82% …

From Manuscript To Article: The Ojot Publication Process, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Going Beyond Accessibility By Advocating For Inclusive Playgrounds, Alexander Herrera, Otas, Amanda Shoffner, Otas, Kiondrah Wilson, Otas, Sara Loesche, Ms, Otr/L, Cht

School of Continuing and Professional Studies Posters

Play is the primary occupation of all children and is vital for the development of physical, cognitive, and social-emotional skills. Children of all abilities benefit from play and should all have equal opportunity to use and explore playground equipment. Many community playgrounds are limiting and create barriers which do not allow all children to use them. It is important that occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) step up and utilize their skills and knowledge to bring about a change.

Occupational therapy practitioners, with their knowledge of environmental barriers, understanding of disability and specific knowledge of activities, are in an ideal position to …

Community-Based Level Ii Fieldwork Program At An Adult Day Program For Clients With Memory Loss: Site, Academic Program, & Fw Educator’S Perceptions, Nakia L. Lynn, Otr/L, Caps, Jeanne M. Coviello, Otd, Otr/L, Nadine Sabila, Ms, Lnha, Csw

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

• At the conclusion of this poster, participants will be able to describe at least three benefits of creating a community-based Level I and Level II fieldwork at Adult Day Programs.
• At the conclusion of this poster, participants will be able to state at least three benefits of using the collaborative fieldwork model for Level II OT practitioner students.

Parenting With Down Syndrome: The Role Occupational Therapy Plays, Kalhie M. Mayer, Bs, Otas, Aubrey Rubin, Otas, Jessica Schatzan, Otas, Sara Loesche, Ms, Otr/L, Cht

School of Continuing and Professional Studies Posters

• OTPs can help individuals with Down Syndrome complete their activities of daily living so they can be independent and start a family
• Sex education is an very important area for OTPs to work on with individuals who have Down Syndrome or other intellectual disabilities
• OTPs play a huge role in helping people with Down Syndrome parent efficiently and effectively through various strategies such as recommending adaptations to support the occupations of a parent
• OTPs can be instrumental in advocating for individuals with Down Syndrome who have children through linking them with agencies, completing performance assessments, and testifying in legal proceedings …

Inclusive Community: Exploring The Benefits Of Sensory Friendly Environments, Corinne Hanna, Otas, Shoshana Weisberg, Otas, Sara Loesche, Ms, Otr/L, Cht

School of Continuing and Professional Studies Posters

Sensory friendly environments support inclusivity for children with autism and their families. Environmental barriers often cause an unpleasant experience for children who experience sensory processing disorders. Occupational therapy practitioners have a role in collaborating with teachers for modifications in the classroom and advocating for sensory friendly events within the community to promote engagement in childhood occupations.

Fighting A Battle Against The Opioid Epidemic With Occupational Therapy, Emily Best, Otas, Douglas Milke, Otas, Teresa Vega, Otas, Sara Loesche, Ms, Otr/L, Cht

School of Continuing and Professional Studies Posters

• The opioid epidemic is an opportunity for occupational therapy practitioners to help promote health and wellness within communities, populations, and individuals.
• Occupational therapy practitioners are trained to understand unique learning styles by looking at a person’s habits, roles, routines, environments, performance skills, client factors, etc.
• Occupational therapy’s client-centered and holistic values provide an advantage in adapting intervention strategies to what works best for a particular client or population

Impact Of Spinal Cord Injuries On Occupational Performance And Successful Role Acquisition During Motherhood, Caitlin Defrehn, Bs, Otas, Marie Quainoo, Ba, Otas, Sara Loesche, Ms, Otr/L, Cht

School of Continuing and Professional Studies Posters

OT services can be utilized to optimize a mother’s function, mobility and engagement during and after pregnancy

OTPs can help women with SCIs fulfill the role of mother by providing

• “training, adaptations, and resources” (para. 14)
• “evaluating and recommending wheelchair seating and positioning” (para. 6)
• Evaluating [mental], physical and environmental barriers in the home and community and recommending modifications (para. 8) (AOTA, 2015)

Current literature indicates that there are limited resources for mothers living with SCIs, especially regarding care of infants

Additional research is necessary to “examine the most effective strategies and adaptations” (p.2)

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Oncology: Returning To Work During And After Treatment, Annamarie Scheidell, Otas, Stephanie Sloane, Bs, Ms, Otas, Sara Loesche, Ms, Otr/L, Cht

School of Continuing and Professional Studies Posters

Medical advances have improved the five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed with cancer and some late-stage cancers that once were terminal have now become manageable, chronic conditions. Because of this, more individuals with cancer as well as survivors of cancer are re-entering the workforce. Resuming the role of worker is considered an important step in recovery for many. Occupational therapy (OT) can play an important role in facilitating a successful transition back to work for both cancer patients and survivors.

Ota Students’ Perceptions Of An Inter & Intraprofessional Level I Experience In Morocco, Julia Sablom, Otas, Sophia Mascaro, Otas, Jeanne M. Coviello, Otd, Otr/L

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

• Cultural immersion experiences provide students with authentic, real-life opportunities to engage with clients serving as a powerful tool to enhance students’ global perspectives of occupation (Humbert, Burket, Deveney, & Kennedy, 2012).
• Interprofessional & intraprofessional education provides students with an increased understanding of the unique knowledge, skills, scope, function, & roles within their own & among other disciplines (IEC, 2011; Jung, Salvatori, & Martin, 2008).

Creation Of A Health And Wellness And Self Care Tool For Mothers Of Infants Requiring A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Stay, Genevieve Maccarthy

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Capstone Projects

Purpose: Despite occupational therapy’s established role in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in providing family centered intervention, mothers continue to report lack of readiness to discharge home and emotional distress while in the NICU and upon discharge home. Occupational therapists have the unique skillset to promote engagement in meaningful activities and facilitate overall health and wellness for mother’s during and after their NICU stay.

Method: A qualitative survey was distributed to a convenience sample of fifteen participants to identify emotional experiences in the NICU, how these experiences impact each mother fulfilling her role as a primary caretaker, and the …

A Discharge Checklist To Combat Patient Readmission: A Case Study In A Skilled Nursing Facility, Shaylin O’Connell

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Capstone Projects

A Discharge Checklist to Combat Patient Readmission: A Case Study in a Skilled Nursing Facility focuses on the creation of a discharge checklist, as an intervention, to increase the competency for occupational therapists working in skilled nursing facilities discharging clients back to their home environment. A SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility) provides post-acute healthcare services and rehabilitation for patients following a hospitalization prior to discharging home (Burke et al., 2017). This case study for clinical improvement uses the DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, control) quality model and a multiple case study research design for evaluation. The goal of the quality improvement …

Effect Of Verbal Directions On Grip Strength Evaluated Using The Handheld Dynamometer, Laura Walsh, Otd, Otr/L, Cht, Marie-Christine Potvin, Phd, Otr/L

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

Background: Grip strength measurement using the handheld dynamometer is a key aspect of the evaluation of an upper extremity injury. The handheld dynamometer manufacturer has established research-based guidelines outlining body positioning during grip strength measurement. However, verbal direction guidelines, while provided, have not yet been shown to be most effective through research. This study seeks to determine whether the use of one of two types of verbal directions, with and without encouragements, resulted in greater grip strength as measured by the handheld dynamometer.

Method: The grip strength of healthy females (n = 60) was compared using two sets of prerecorded …

The Meaning And Motivation Of Children Participating In Animal-Assisted Therapy: A Pilot Study, Beth Laskowski, Melissa Y. Winkle, Whitney Lucas Molitor

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Background: Despite claims that animal-assisted therapy is beneficial, there is limited empirical evidence supporting this. Current literature supports the physical, emotional, and psychological benefits an animal can provide, but few studies have explored the outcomes of incorporating an animal into skilled treatment facilitated by a healthcare professional. This study seeks to explore the effects of animal-assisted therapy in outpatient pediatric occupational therapy practice.

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to explore the meaningfulness and motivation animal-assisted therapy interventions provide for pediatric clients when compared with traditional occupational therapy treatment.

Methods: Researchers utilized a within-participants repeated-measures design for this study. …

Identifying The Prevalence Of Sensory Processing Dysfunction In A Post-Concussion Population And It's Relationship With Quality Of Life And Functional Indicators, Stephen Van Lew

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Background: Approximately 10-20% of individuals who sustain a concussion will experience post-concussion syndrome, defined as symptomology beyond the traditional 7-10-day concussion recovery period. A particular area of symptomology, sensory processing deficits was explored in this study to ascertain the prevalence of these deficits along with possible associations with QOL and everyday functional outcomes. Methods: This study was a prospective, cross-sectional, quantitative study using a consecutive and convenience sampling model. The research participants were recruited from an outpatient occupational therapy program at an academic medical center. Normative data from two different sensory processing outcome tools were used in the analysis. …

Identifying Opportunities For The Role Of Occupational Therapy In A Correctional Setting, Maxwell Sand

Student Capstone Papers

This study provides insight into the experiences of 7 individuals who had previous first-hand experience working in a correctional setting. Workplace culture related to health and wellness are discussed where participants disclose negative effects the environment posed to their well-being which in turn impacted their job satisfaction. Correctional settings prove not only to be restrictive to inmates, but also to staff members as they limit access to meaningful occupations, roles, and routines. Job demands linked to poor work policies and interaction with inmates are also found to take a toll physically, mentally, and emotionally which further exacerbates symptoms of stress, …

Exploring The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Primary Care, Tina Rosselli

Student Capstone Papers

Background: With an increase in adult chronic conditions (Holstein, 2018), as well as a growing number of older adults aging in place (Dickson & Toto, 2018), primary care will continue to see the greatest number of patients as it is the first point of contact for a person to enter the health-care system. Most primary care clinics are reimbursed based on quality outcome measures, which means insurance payers are looking at the value of care instead of the quantity of services (Halle et al., 2018). There is value in as well as an absence of assessment of occupational participation …

Assessing Workplace Wellness For The Occupation Of Hairdressing, Alex Kim

Student Capstone Papers

There is presently a lack of occupational therapy interventions that holistically treat work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) commonly found in the hairdressing population. Current studies found in the literature solely focus on the hairdressers’ symptoms, which leads to a more limited understanding of their situation. Furthermore, this focus on symptoms could lead to the possibility of overlooking confounding variables that could play a role in impacting these workers. This capstone project aims to examine the hairdressing occupation as a whole, assessing the health-related needs of hairdressers and create a holistic program that would address current needs and future preventative treatments for …