Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Bridging The Gap From New Graduate To Practicing Occupational Therapist: An Educational Resource In Orthopedics, Rachel Carlson, Helen Carey, Kaylee Munch, Lisa Choe

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

OT is pivotal in the rehabilitation and recovery of individuals with orthopedic conditions (Nelson, 2010). However, as a new graduate occupational therapist, there is limited support as they make the transition to clinical practice (Turpin et al., 2021). New graduates receive support through professional mentorship and peer support but are often focused on the safe practice of basic skills rather than on best practices (Opoku et al., 2021). New graduates would feel more confident in clinical judgment and decision-making with additional support from mentors and accessible up-to-date resources (Adam et al., 2013). Purpose: Develop an accessible resource for new occupational …

Program Development Of Incorporating Mindfulness-Based Practices Within Pediatric Occupational Therapy, Sarah Cottone, Zeida Gutierrez, Katie O'Hara

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project will address the limited literature and provide treatment results on the effective use of mindfulness exercises in pediatric occupational therapy for improved self-regulation. Purpose: This program aims to educate the pediatric clinic on the benefits of mindfulness and to develop mindfulness-based exercises to implement within pediatric occupational therapy sessions for self-regulation treatments. The purpose of the mindfulness exercises was to show efficient, effective, and noninvasive approaches to regulate a child’s emotions and sensory system.

Advocating And Educating The Role Of Occupational Therapy For Adaptive Swim Lessons Among Children With Autism, Charlotte Leonard, Zeida Gutierrez, Jon Edenfield

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Drowning is the number one cause of death for children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause of death for children ages 5-14 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022). Children with autism are 160x more likely to drown than their neurotypical peers (Autism Society of Florida, n.d.). Many parents and caregivers put protective layers in place such as locks, gates, and fencing. However, children with autism are known to wander from safe spaces. According to the Autism Society of Florida (n.d.) children with autism are naturally drawn to water due to its ability to ease sensory needs. Brenner …

Healthy Seniors: Supporting Chronic Condition Management Through Educational And Motivational Materials., Megan Wiggs, Helen Carey

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Within the United States, the older adult population is rising and facing a growing number of chronic conditions (Mirza et al., 2020). Chronic conditions are associated with an increase in hospitalizations, functional decline, and healthcare spending. Largely, chronic conditions are managed under primary care physicians and treatment is not put into place until an exacerbation and hospitalization occurs (Mirza et al., 2020). Thus, a cruel cycle is created in which an individual undergoes functional decline, worsening of the condition, and decreasing quality of life and well-being. The older adult population wishes to age in place and manage their health; however, …

Building Resilience To Treat Trauma And Improve Social Participation With Youth In Foster Care, Rachel Greene, Keisa Boykin, Dana Madalon

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Childhood trauma is classified by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) that caused the trauma. An ACE is a traumatic event that an individual has observed from birth to 18 years old (Atchison & Suarez, 2021). ACEs include but are not limited to physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, and neglect. ACEs also include household dysfunctions such as domestic violence, divorce, incarceration of family, substance abuse, food scarcity, poverty, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Building resilience promotes healthy coping skills, the ability to trust and engage with support systems, and the prevention of retraumatization (Bethell et al., 2017). Trauma and resiliency are invertedly related, …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy And The Use Of Physical Agent Modalities And Occupational Therapy Interventions To Decrease Pain Associated With Endometriosis To Provide Increased Occupational Performance In Leisure Activities, Ciara Autumn Pearce, Keisa Boykin

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Endometriosis is a condition that can affect women of reproductive age (Kalaitzopoulos et al., 2021). This condition causes endometrial-type tissue to grow outside of the uterus (Kalaitzopoulos et al., 2021). Women diagnosed with endometriosis often have difficulty participating in their daily responsibilities and leisure activities. In a study completed by Lozano-Lozano et al., 2021, 22.6% of women reported limitations in at least one activity of daily living and instrumental activity of daily living. Other limitations include incontinence, meal preparation, leisure activities, and household chores (Mundo-López et al., 2020). Symptoms of endometriosis often include chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, sexual dissatisfaction, and …

An Occupational Therapy Assessment Guide For People With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Cynthia Sakian, Steven M. Gerardi

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This poster presents development of an occupational therapy assessment guide tailored for individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder. Motivated by the lack of standardized assessment protocols in the field, the initiative seeks to mitigate inconsistencies among occupational therapy practitioners and propel advancements in treatment. Key objectives include a comprehensive review of pertinent literature on occupational therapy and posttraumatic stress disorder, identification of functional impairments associated with the disorder, and the formulation of an assessment framework. Rooted in the Model of Human Occupation, the guide underscores the significance of volition, habituation, performance capacity, and environmental influences, accommodating individual preferences and disruptions while …

Advocating For The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Burn Population, Jordan Faircloth, Keisa Boykin

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

In 2018, around 450,000 individuals in the United States (U.S.) suffered from severe burn injuries (ABA, 2018). The largest burn center in the U.S. is the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital, located in Augusta, Georgia. This location is where the capstone experience was completed. Individuals who suffer from severe burns are at risk for developing contractures. Scar contractures can impact an individual during ADL participation, limiting their independence and causing a disruption in daily routine, habits, and roles (Oosterwijk et al., 2017). Five main components of scar management focus on compression gear, sun protection, appropriate positioning/splinting to …

Establishing A Transformative Social Emotional Learning Evaluation Plan To Support All Students Within A Targeted School District, Tia Coleman, Angela Blackwell, Tiffany Lee

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Social and emotional learning (SEL) refers to the process through which individuals acquire social and emotional competencies (Geesa et al., 2022). This capstone project aimed to enhance education by developing a transformative SEL evaluation plan in a school district. The school district presented a commitment to fostering SEL but recognized the need for more targeted and transformative actions. This initiative arises from the acknowledgment that the existing SEL program did not meet the district's specific needs of inclusivity and equity, potentially impacting overall student performance, participation, and well-being. To address this gap, the district incorporated insights from occupational therapy practice …

An Activity Program For Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Rebecca Wright, Keisa Boykin

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are characterized by onset in the developmental period and include both intellectual and adaptive functioning deficits in conceptual, social, or practical domains that limit functioning in one or more areas of daily life (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013). Occupational therapists provide interventions for individuals with IDD however there are gaps surrounding occupation-based leisure and recreation activities (Kalijaca, et al 2019). Purpose: The purpose of this project is to create an activity program for individuals with IDD to increase participation and performance in leisure and recreation …

A Occupational Therapy Guidebook For Teachers On Sensory Processing And Sensory Integration, Kaitlyn Stanley, Keisa Boykin, Heidi Woolley

Fall 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Children with sensory processing (SP) challenges find simple classroom tasks overwhelming and can present with deficits in behavior management, emotional regulation, and occupations due to the inability to self-regulate the sensory input from their environment. In addition, deficits in SP may impact a child's ability to maintain engagement and participation in the learning process. If these SP needs are not met through the school, the child lacks the adequate tools to be successful in learning, which is considered occupational injustice (AOTA, 2020). By providing teachers with the adequate educational tools to understand sensory processing and sensory integration (SP-SI), identify and …

Neurology Within Occupational Therapy., Emma Price

Honors Theses

Occupational therapy is a field of study that can have the potential to greatly impact various conditions within the neurological field. The ones discussed in this paper include spinal cord injuries (SCI), strokes, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Within this, research was completed to see various assessments and interventions that can be used with these conditions within occupational therapy. This includes assessments such as the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) or Assessment of Motor and Process skills (AMPS). Then when it comes to specific interventions that can be used this can range from strengthening exercises, working on activities of daily …

Student Perceptions Of Reading Preparation And Textbook Use In Professional Allied Health Programs, Laura Stimler, Camille Skubik-Peplaski, Melba G. Custer, Shirley P. O'Brien

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: In professional allied health education, textbooks are central to developing course content, student learning and certification exams, but little is known about the graduate student’s perspective. This study was intended to describe current trends in graduate students’ point of view, habits and opinions related to buying and using textbooks and other resources in allied health education. Methods: This was a multi-site collaborative research project. An electronic survey was developed to gather data on student habits and perspectives regarding textbook preferences including digital texts, academic reading, exam preparation, and obtaining course materials. The survey was distributed across four academic institutions. …

The Impact Of Experiential Learning In A Pro Bono Ot Clinic On Clinical Reasoning Development, Julie Sandvig, Debra Hanson, Paula Kitzenberg

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Abstract

Fieldwork educators have expressed concerns about the readiness of occupational therapy students for clinical reasoning in the practice setting. Experiential learning involving face-to-face personal interactions with clients facilitates the application of theoretical knowledge, and the development of professional skills, competence, and self-confidence. Having the opportunity for extensive hands-on time working with clients, such as is offered in a pro bono clinic structure, may positively impact student clinical reasoning development of occupational therapy students.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of participation in a student-run occupational therapy pro bono clinic on student perceptions of clinical …

Training And Instruction Of Learning And Study Strategies Improve Academic Performance In Rehabilitation Students, Evan M. Pucillo, Gabriela Perez

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Prior study has demonstrated that certain learning strategies can be improved with training and instruction. As a result, downstream academic success may be potentiated. However, it is unclear if instructional intervention can influence academic outcomes among rehabilitation students. The purpose of this study was to compare changes in grade point average (GPA) after exposure to a set of standardized self-paced training modules on the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) in Physical therapy (PT) and Occupational therapy (OT) students. Methods: A causal-comparative design was used, and a multi-center convenience sample collected N=75 entry-level PT and OT students [PT: 41(55%); …

Exploring First Semester Allied Health Students’ Transition To Graduate School Through The Lens Of Occupational Adaptation, Carly E. Williams, Jessica N. O'Brien, Rebecca E. Dodick, Jillian M. Bell, Jennifer O. Knauth, Lorrie A. George-Paschal, Nancy Krusen, Jacquie Rainey

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

The purpose of the study was to examine experiences of students transitioning into graduate allied health programs within a public university in the United States. Researchers assessed students’ occupational adaptation as well as factors that facilitated and inhibited their transition. Researchers collected data using the Relative Mastery Scale (RMS) (George-Paschal, Krusen, & Fan, 2022) and a researcher-developed transition survey. Participants included 129 students from three allied-health professions. Researchers conducted a mixed ANOVA to explore differences in RMS ratings across three disciplines. There was a statistically significant increase in RMS ratings over time for all disciplines and statistically significant differences between …

Cracking The Code: The Systematic Development Of A Matrix To Increase Credible And Dependable Coding Of Qualitative Data, Greta Gray, Ms, Otr/L

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

A systematic, credible, and dependable coding matrix was developed to deductively code the qualitative data from the Clinician’s Perceptions of Infusing Coaching into their Occupational Therapy Practice study (CPIC). A coding matrix is used to organize qualitative data into meaningful units of text to be interpreted by the researchers. Codes for this project were deductively organized under categories from Roger’s Diffusion of Innovation Theory (RDIT), a framework that identifies how a new idea is adopted in practice. Five preliminary coders, with one leading the process, participated in the development of the coding matrix to reduce the risk of bias influencing …

Life Balance, Stress, And Occupational Burnout In Occupational Therapy Assistant Students: An Exploratory Study, Olivia W. Hammond, Mba, Otr/L, Cht

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Culminating Presentations

The United States healthcare worker burnout crisis demands immediate attention. College is critical for preparing occupational therapy assistant students (OTA) to address life balance, stress, and burnout as they transition into the workforce. However, little is known about these factors in this population. In this doctoral presentation, the primary author presents her doctoral project, which explored OTA students' life balance and its association with their perceived stress and occupational burnout across employment status, residential status, years of study, and age. A cross-sectional Qualtrics e-survey was distributed to OTA students ages 18 and older, including a demographic survey, Life Balance Inventory …

Neurofeedback Within The Scope Of Occupational Therapy With Clients With Substance Use Disorder: A Scoping Review, Aundrea Culliver, Mary Ann Smith, Steven M. Gerardi, Colin Ross

Summer 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a problematic pattern of use of a substance or substances, leading to impairments to health, social function, and control of a substance. This negatively affects everyday activities of daily living, and occupation performance that causes a disruption to physical, mental, and social health.

Now, Neurofeedback is a noninvasive biotherapy that uses audio or video feedback to reinforce healthy brain function. This type of intervention usually works by having a patient listen to music and putting electrodes on a patient’s head that pick up negative or positive brain activity or waves. And if the negative activity …

Examining The Latent Structure And Correlates Of Sensory Reactivity In Autism: A Multi-Site Integrative Data Analysis By The Autism Sensory Research Consortium, Zachary J. Williams, Roseann Schaaf, Karla K. Ausderau, Grace T. Baranek, D. Jonah Barrett, Carissa J. Cascio, Rachel L. Dumont, Ekomobong E. Eyoh, Michelle D. Failla, Jacob I. Feldman, Jennifer H. Foss-Feig, Heather L. Green, Shulamite A. Green, Jason L. He, Elizabeth A. Kaplan-Kahn, Bahar Keçeli-Kaysılı, Keren Maclennan, Zoe Mailloux, Elysa J. Marco, Lisa E. Mash, Elizabeth P. Mckernan, Sophie Molholm, Stewart H. Mostofsky, Nicolaas A.J. Puts, Caroline E. Robertson, Natalie Russo, Nicole Shea, John Sideris, James S. Sutcliffe, Teresa Tavassoli, Mark T. Wallace, Ericka L. Wodka, Tiffany G. Woynaroski

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Differences in responding to sensory stimuli, including sensory hyperreactivity (HYPER), hyporeactivity (HYPO), and sensory seeking (SEEK) have been observed in autistic individuals across sensory modalities, but few studies have examined the structure of these "supra-modal" traits in the autistic population.

METHODS: Leveraging a combined sample of 3868 autistic youth drawn from 12 distinct data sources (ages 3-18 years and representing the full range of cognitive ability), the current study used modern psychometric and meta-analytic techniques to interrogate the latent structure and correlates of caregiver-reported HYPER, HYPO, and SEEK within and across sensory modalities. Bifactor statistical indices were used to …