Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Navigating Dysautonomia: A Workbook For Empowered Living, Madison Thornton

OTD Capstone Projects

Dysautonomia Support Network (DSN) is a nonprofit organization composed of volunteers who have a passion for serving the population of individuals with dysautonomia. Dysautonomia is a complex and often debilitating disorder affecting the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature control. Those living with dysautonomia face a myriad of challenges ranging from chronic fatigue and dizziness to gastrointestinal issues and cognitive impairment. The unpredictability of symptoms can significantly impact daily life, leading to feelings of frustration, isolation, and helplessness. However, amidst these challenges lies the potential for empowerment and transformation. …

Designing Sensory Adaptive Environments To Enhance Participation In Healthcare For Autistic Children, Lady Rios-Vega, Amy Carroll, Rachel Dumont, Diane Treadwell‑Deering, Matthew Fields, Roseann Schaaf

Jefferson Autism Center of Excellence Faculty Papers

Purpose: Many autistic individuals experience sensory features that impact participation in healthcare. In this study, we aimed to identify the needs of autistic children during healthcare participation and, based on the findings, generate solutions to improve participation in healthcare. Methods: A design-thinking approach with qualitative methods was used. First, observation of the environment and journey mapping were completed as part of the empathy stage of design thinking. Next, six parents of autistic children completed semi-structured interviews. The interviews were transcribed, and thematic analysis was used to identify themes. Next, healthcare providers participated in a group session to discuss experiences caring …

Crawling Out From Under: A Physical Therapist’S Celebration Of The Power Of Occupational Therapy, Natalie N. Michaels

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Isaacs’ syndrome, also known as Acquired Neuromyotonia, is a rare condition caused by continuous firing of the motor units, leading to twitching muscles and cramping that will persist even during sleep. The medical treatment of Isaacs’ syndrome is nondescript and arbitrary. Because of the rare incidence of the disorder, very few studies have been conducted to help determine the appropriate intervention for individuals with this affliction. This paper is a narrative case-study that offers a first-person account of a physical therapist with Isaacs’ syndrome and her journey through rehabilitation with her occupational therapist. The progress of this individual over time …

Self-Regulation Processes Of Depressive Symptoms And Participation In Persons With Stroke Using Heart Rate Variability As A Real-Time Biomarker, Yejin Lee

WUSM Theses and Dissertations – All Programs

Depressive symptoms are a key risk factor for restrictions in participation in daily activities in persons with stroke. Thus, many researchers have attempted to develop interventions for relieving depressive symptoms after stroke, however, post-stroke depressive symptoms are still undertreated. To develop evidence-based approaches for reducing depressive symptoms, and thereby ultimately enhancing participation in daily activities, it is important to understand what moderates the associations between depressive symptoms and participation in daily activities in persons with stroke to employ the moderator as an intervention target.

One possible mechanism to moderate such associations is self-regulation – cognitive, behavioral, and emotion regulation. Self-regulation …

Sensory Integration: Improving Participation, Behavior, And Learning In Individuals With Sensory Processing Disorder, Brooklyn K. Osborne

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

This capstone project encompassed a two-fold focus on advanced clinical practice in the area of sensory integration and research on the effect of sensory integration on the family dynamic. Ayres Sensory Integration was implemented in clinical practice in order to enhance learning, behavior, and participation in individuals with sensory processing disorder and sensory concerns. The research study examined the lived experiences of parents/caregivers of children with sensory processing difficulties to understand how sensory integration has impacted their family dynamic. Qualitative phenomenological methodology was used for data collection and analysis. Sixteen parents were interviewed, and four major themes emerged including family …

Promoting Full Participation For Students Involved In Young Life Capernaum, Hannah Simmons

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project focused on creating educational tools and resources for students, leaders, and coaches involved in Nashville Young Life Capernaum. Young Life Capernaum is a longstanding organization that is built on serving young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The goal was not to change what they are doing but to supply practical skills and knowledge on topics such as self-regulation, behavior management, accommodations, and appropriate language use to increase participation and inclusivity of all stakeholders involved. The results were guidebooks, specifically made for Capernaum leaders, coaches, and students, that attempt to encompass common questions and frequently needed …

Elopement Prevention: Promoting Safety And Supporting Participation, Sarah C. Duckworth

OTD Capstone Projects

The goal of this capstone project was to create resources promoting elopement prevention and provide suggestions for anti-elopement equipment visits at the Vanderbilt Pediatric Seating & Mobility Clinic. Research indicates that 50% of families have never received guidance about elopement prevention from a healthcare professional. The tools created during this capstone project were meant to improve equipment visits, educate caregivers, and empower future occupational therapy practitioners. The goals were achieved through collaboration with stakeholders, completing a review of the literature, attending a child passenger safety technician course, and developing resources. The result was a social story and sensory toolbox for …

Empowering Children And Families With Food Allergies: An Innovative Role For Occupational Therapy, Salma H. Bachelani, Meredith P. Gronski, Kelly A. Carlson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Food allergies (FAs) have far-reaching implications regarding occupational participation. Children with food allergies and their families experience impacts on their daily life activities. The current standard of care for FAs fails to adequately address the wide-ranging barriers to participation in home, school, and community environments. This study used a mixed-method design to examine the impacts of FA on the needs of children and families affected by FA. Eighteen parents of children with FAs and six health care providers of children with FAs were interviewed; the parents also completed two questionnaires to identify the level of impact of FA on areas …

The Parents' Perspective: Experiences In Parent-Mediated Pediatric Occupational Therapy For Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Allison Klowan, Mary Beth Kadlec, Stefanie Johnston

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Parent-mediated occupational therapy (OT) is a family-centered method of providing care for children and their families. This study aimed to understand and describe the parents’ perspectives of whether parent-mediated OT services improve child participation and parent-child social interactions in the home and community.

Method: This study was performed with a qualitative, phenomenological research design using focus groups. Eight participants were included in the study who were parents of children with at least one NDD, such as autism spectrum disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Results: Four major themes were developed: It’s a Family Affair, Sometimes it Just Takes …

Enhancing Physician Perspectives Of Skilled Occupational Therapy Services For Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis, Valerie S. Trinidad

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

This Capstone Project, with a focus in research, sought to identify a relationship between self-reported functional performance and participation restriction as described by satisfaction with one’s execution or participation in a described occupation. A correlational study design was employed under the mentorship of Dr. Thomas Decker, EdD, OTD, OTR/L who oversaw all IRB processes, documentation, study development and deployment, as well as co-authored and provided mentorship for creation of a publishable manuscript of this project. The established Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and the newer Keele Assessment of Participation (KAP) were the two outcome measures of focus for surveying …

Increasing Occupational Engagement By Addressing Psychosocial And Occupational Factors Of Chronic Pain: A Case Report, John V. Rider, Monica C. Tay

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Chronic pain can significantly disrupt occupational engagement through physical, psychological, and social domains. Because pain is a subjective experience influenced by numerous factors, it has the capacity to become increasingly complex. Evidence supports addressing chronic pain through a biopsychosocial approach and promoting health and well-being through occupational engagement.

Method: This case report describes the implementation of psychosocial and occupation-focused assessments and interventions for a 68-year-old client with chronic pain and increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and pain catastrophizing. The use of an occupation-focused time-use assessment (Occupational Experience Profile), psychosocial assessments, and pain assessments guided intervention development. Occupational …

Identifying Motivators, Facilitators, And Barriers To Engaging In An Online Fine Motor Exercise Program, Kristine Ricossa, Kyndra Menefee, Lauren Rally, Mia Do, Charis Chan

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Purpose: The aim of this qualitative study was to examine the impact of the motivators, facilitators and barriers for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) in engaging in a fine motor exercise program given online. Methods: Using a phenomenological design, a purposive sample of 6 individuals with PD were recruited. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews via zoom with follow up member checks. Data were analyzed through an inductive approach by developing generalizations from themes based on the interview data. Results: Three common themes were developed, ‘integrating and forming habits’, ‘acknowledging participation in exercise can fight the disease’, ‘recognizing improvement in …

Community Accessibility For Individuals With Disabilities, Marshall Dumas

OTD Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project was to gain a deeper understanding of the lived experience of individuals with disabilities and to identify what accessibility barriers may exist in community settings. Individuals with disabilities may face increased environmental barriers that influence their ability to successfully access and fully participate in community settings. This project attempts to provide community accessibility resources for individuals with disabilities in order to make community outings as successful as possible for all persons.

Believe In All: Adaptive Gymnastics Program, Pooja Patel

OTD Capstone Projects

This poster is part of the doctoral capstone project completed with the gymnastics facility, Believe Gymnastics. The project focused on developing a gymnastics program for children with cognitive, physical, or neurological needs or impairments. The goal of this project was to increase the opportunity for children with disabilities to participate into the leisure activity of gymnastics.

Chronic Shoulder Pain In Manual Wheelchair (Mwc) Users With Spinal Cord Injury (Sci): The Lived Experience, Jennifer L. Silvestri, Sonia Lawson, Cristina Sadowsky

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Existing research on the lived experience of those with spinal cord injury (SCI) resulting in paraplegia who use a manual wheelchair and experience shoulder pain is extremely limited. This research aimed to begin the process of understanding the lived experience of this population and to describe how chronic shoulder pain impacts occupational engagement and quality of life.

Method: A phenomenological approach using a constant comparative method was used to analyze data and to construct and redefine themes throughout the research process. The qualitative data obtained from two semi-structured interviews with the four study participants is presented below. …

Expanding Knowledge On Occupations, One Harmful Occupation At A Time, Taylor Dingus

OCCUPATION: A Medium of Inquiry about Health through Occupation

Humans are both natural doers and occupational beings, but in order to consider them as such, one must understand all occupational choices, the meanings and human behavior behind the choices, and the environment in which the choices take place (Helbig & McKay, 2003). Considering self-harm, substance abuse, and addiction as occupations advances this understanding of humans as occupational in nature who are molded by their occupational choices and factors surrounding them (Wasmuth, Brandon-Friedman, & Olesek, 2016). This study aimed to gain an understanding of the occupational nature of humans that engage in occupations defined as harmful by society in order …

Occupation And Time-Use: The Narratives Of One Individual With Tetraplegia, Amanda Balser

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Successful health-management habits of individuals with tetraplegia have correlated with better quality of life and occupational engagement. Objectives: Little is known about the experience of time-use during these practices and the influence these routines have on participation in other meaningful occupations. This study aimed to explore the stories an individual with tetraplegia has about time-use in health management practices, influences on time-use, and feelings about quality of life and life satisfaction. Methodology: Narrative inquiry was used to explore the stories of time-use of one individual living with tetraplegia. Findings: Eleven interpretive stories were thematically represented illustrating the complexity of …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Reducing Barriers For Team-Based Sports Participation For Adolescents, Dennis Nguyen, Karen Park, Becki Cohill, Susan Macdermott

Summer 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Participating in team-based sports has numerous benefits that includes not only increased physical fitness, but also cognitive abilities and academic performance. With the many benefits of participating in team sports can provide, it will be significant to understand adolescents' specific barriers and assist in reducing the barriers for successful participation. The purpose of the capstone project was to identify and understand adolescent barriers to bridge the gap between conventional rehabilitation and team sports participation. Multiple barriers and motivators were identified including financial management, time management, and physical/athletic skill. Facing these determinants may possibly support in increasing team sports participation and …

Toward A Defined Role For Occupational Therapy In Foster Care Transition Programming, Amy Armstrong-Heimsoth, Molly Hahn-Floyd, Heather J. Williamson, Catherine Lockmiller

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Youth who age out of the foster care system and transition to adulthood face challenges that are exacerbated by a history of trauma, severed relationships, and instability of living and educational placements. A review of the literature demonstrates poor outcomes overall for this population. Occupational therapists are positioned to meet the needs that arise during this time; however, a review of emerging roles for occupational therapists is necessary to describe how occupational therapists can best fulfill gaps in current programming. Through a review of the literature and a preliminary mixed-methods study, this paper establishes a direction for the inclusion of …

Are We Missing Opportunities? How Occupational Therapists Would Benefit From Connecting Mindfulness To Occupational Participation, Barbara P. White, Paige Brousseau, Jessica Daigneault, Emily Harrison, Virginia Lavallee, Kaleigh St Cyr

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Exploring How Older People Living At Home Alone Occupy Their Time – A Time-Geographic Study, Alison Wicks, Megan Blanchard, Ingeborg Nilsson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Knowing what older people choose to do with their time informs occupational therapists in their everyday practice. This study explored how sixteen older Australians living at home alone without support occupied their time.

Method: People aged 70 years and older living alone in one’s home and receiving no support services were voluntary recruited. The participants completed time-use diaries for 5 days and recorded how, with whom, and where they spent time. Data were coded and analyzed using the software program Vardagen.

Results: The participants reported 217 different daily activities. While patterns of daily participation varied, all …

Pet Pals Program: Experiences Of Volunteer Residents Providing Friendly Pet Visits To Individuals In A Memory Support Unit, Kelsey Odell

OT Student Capstones

Studies show that animal-assisted therapy modalities have an effect on motivation for participation, behavioral or psychosocial regulation, and physical and cognitive functions in individuals with dementia. Dementia is a progressive neurocognitive disorder that affects cognition and memory. As the disease progresses, skills needed to participate in activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), community engagement and socialization decrease, making maximal independence more difficult. The Pet Pals Program provides educational and teaching concepts to volunteers and their pets to provide friendly pet visits to those in the memory support units. The program emphasizes the benefits of …

The Use Of Cognitive Strategies Among People With Schizophrenia: A Randomized Comparative Study, Alona Kaizerman-Dinerman, Naomi Josman, David Roe

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Global Perspectives On Occupational Therapy Practice And Education, Suzanne Martin, Amy Wagenfeld

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Occupational Therapy Practice With Adults With Intellectual Disability: What More Can We Do?, Khalilah R. Johnson, Meghan Blaskowitz, Wanda J. Mahoney

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Related Service Providers’ Perspectives On Everyday Life Participation Of Children And Youth With Disabilities, Kathleen Flecky, Alyssa Bornman, Danielle Boyer, Andrea Huckabee

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the perspectives of related service providers on everyday life participation of children and youth with disabilities that they serve.

Method: A qualitative design was used to guide interviews that elicited the participants’ perspectives working with children and youth with disabilities.

Results: Five themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: (a) each child’s individual experiences and quality of life; (b) linked to home, school, and community life; (c) child or youth driven; (d) provider collaboration and carryover; and (e) distinct professional provider views.

Conclusion: Insights into related service …

Overcoming Barriers By Doing Things Differently, Jennifer Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Tom Yendell, an artist based in Hampshire, England, provided the cover art for the Summer 2018 issue of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). “Silk Flowers” is a mouth painting made from acrylic on silk. Born a bilateral congenital amputee, Tom has learned to use his toes the same ways others use their hands. Tom relies little on aids and adaptations in his everyday life. He believes learning to do things your own way is empowering. As a world-renowned mouth and foot painter, Tom is a living example of how barriers can be overcome by doing things differently. Through …

Adapted Dance Class And Autism Spectrum Disorder, Lindsay Gutting, Carly O'Brien, Kelsey Moggie

Pediatrics

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral symptoms. Although a variety of interventions for those with ASD are available, Adapted Dance Class (ADC), also called Dance Movement Therapy (DMT), is a relatively understudied intervention that has the potential support social skill development for this population.

Method: This is a descriptive, exploratory case study in which researchers aimed to discover whether DMT is effective in promoting social and communication skills in adolescents with ASD. We viewed 16 videos of four students who participated in two DMT classes and procedurally documented social …

Disart: Redefining The Construct Of Participation, Jennifer Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

DisArt, an arts and culture organization based in Grand Rapids, MI, provided the cover art for the Spring 2018 issue of the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). The piece, a somatic sculpture by Petra Kuppers, was featured at the 2015 DisArt Festival in Grand Rapids. Kuppers is a disability culture activist and community performance artist who connects people, both disabled and nondisabled, in public spaces. DisArt’s mission is to increase the participation of disabled people in our communities through disability art exhibitions, cutting edge public events, and consultation. In a recent interview, DisArt co-founders and executive directors, Dr. Christopher …

Development Of The Daily Living Questionnaire (Dlq): A Factor Analysis Study, Sara Rosenblum, Naomi Josman, Joan Toglia

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Performance of daily activities and participation in life events involves higher-level cognitive abilities. The purpose of this study was to develop a self-report scale for detecting everyday difficulties in activities/participation tied with higher-level cognitive deficiency and to examine its reliability and validity.

Method: The Daily Living Questionnaire’s (DLQ) content and face validity were established. Internal consistency following an exploratory factor analysis, as well as construct validity, were initiated with a convenience sample of 194 healthy adults, aged 18 to 85 years, and 34 adults diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Results: The four factors received in Part A, activities and …