Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Entrepreneurship And Ot, Alex Heumann, Susan Macdermott

Spring 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this project was to discover the perceived and actual barriers to business ownership through research with current OT businesses and create a deliverable supporting OTs entering business ownership.

Occupational Rights Workshops: Critical Reflection, Discussion, And Collaboration With Occupational Therapists, Michelle Arakaki

Student Capstone Papers

In the summer of 2020, occupational therapy organizations condemned systemic racism and called on the profession to improve its’ practices in promoting justice and enhancing efforts in increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2020; World Federation of Occupational Therapists). Since then, there have been formations of DEI committees, opportunities for continuing education in justice and antiracist practice, and more discussion in the literature on how therapists could support the occupational rights of their clients. Occupational rights are “the right of all people to engage in occupations that contribute positively to their well-being and the well-being of …

Supporting The Transition Out Of The Family Caregiver Role: An Occupation-Centered Approach, Whitney Wilbanks

Student Capstone Papers

Engagement in meaningful and valued occupations can be used as a means to help former family caregivers cope, heal, and grow following the loss of their loved one (Pickens, 2011). Occupational engagement can be used as a means to help former family caregivers reshape their personal identity, experience a sense of wholeness, and reestablish purpose and balance in their lives (Hocking, 2016). The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to educate hospice care staff on ways to support individuals with transitioning out of the family caregiver role following the death of the care recipient. An educational resource was developed …

Covid-19 And Telehealth Use Among Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, And Speech-Language Pathology Practitioners In The United States, Caesarinne Sprianu, Dragana Krpalek, Julie D. Kugel, Gurinder Bains, Lida Gharibvand

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: To explore occupational, physical, and speech-language pathology therapists’ perceived effectiveness of telehealth and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their professional roles. Method: Participants were recruited for the study through a research flyer distrusted via postal mail, emails, social media, and national association websites. An anonymous electronic 19-item survey was developed for this study by the researchers based on a review of the literature and clinical experience. Results. In total, 186 survey responses were obtained, with 152 meeting the inclusion criteria. The average age of participants was 38.6 years with an average work duration of 12.7 years ± 12.5 …

Effectiveness Of Interprofessional Education Modules On Cultural Competency Of Physical Therapy And Occupational Therapy Students, Ayse Ozcan Edeer, Nadia Rust

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The United States is a melting pot of diverse ethnicities and cultures. Graduate-level teaching methods must prepare students to work with diverse populations and in various contexts. The outcome of instruction should be technically competent and culturally humble health care providers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of collaborative interprofessional instruction on cultural competency levels of Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (DPT) and Master of Science Occupational Therapy Program (MSOT) students. Methods: This was a pre-posttest quasi experimental study. A total 58 students from the DPT (28) and MSOT (30) programs participated and provided demographic …

Promoting Therapist’S Use Of Iadls: Establishing A Pet Care Protocol With Stallworth Inpatient Rehab, Christa Schmieder

OTD Capstone Projects

Inpatient rehabilitation at Stallworth has shown a need for a comprehensive overview of pet care as an IADL along with resources to assist in guiding patients in determining the appropriate steps to ensure their pet is well taken care of. This need was found through surveying the therapy team as well as shadowing therapists and connecting with patients. This project was centered around creating tools such as an IADL kit with instructions for therapists to use with patients, a resource bank containing adaptation recommendations and pet care service apps, a resource explaining how to certify animal as service animal, emotional …

Muscular Dystrophy And Quality Of Life: A Critically Appraised Topic, Raegan Avrit Mot/S, Courtney Aycock Mot/S, Keelie Johnson Mot/S, Lindsay Lampkin Mot/S, Cassady Ozanich Mot/S

Master of Occupational Therapy Student Critically Appraised Topics

Muscular dystrophy causes progressive muscle disease that affects both children and their families. This poster describes a critical appraisal and synthesis of the literature describing factors affecting quality of life for children with MD. Identification of these factors can help professionals educate and support individuals and their families.

Therapists’ Perceptions Of The Carroll Upper Extremity Function Test To Measure Functional Outcomes Post-Hand Allotransplantation Based On Lived Experience, Jyoti Heiple

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Hand allotransplantation is a treatment option available for individuals who have suffered a traumatic upper extremity injury. To date, there is not an industry-standard recognized measurement tool for assessing post-hand allotransplantation functional performance. A commonly used observational functional assessment tool is the Carroll Upper Extremity Function Test (UEFT). This dissertation explores therapists’ perceptions of the Carroll UEFT applicability to measure functional outcomes post-hand allotransplantation. The study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach with in-depth, semi-structured interviews with seven occupational and physical therapists representing five hand transplant centers in the United States. Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-phase thematic analysis approach was utilized …

Impact Of Stigma On Students With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Implications For School-Based Occupational Therapists, Sidney M. Mcreynolds Mrs.

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

This study used the Attention/Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Stigma Questionnaire (ASQ) and the ADHD Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (ADHD-IRAP) among school-based professionals, including occupational therapists. 24 occupational therapists and 23 other school professionals completed demographic questions and the ASQ. 22 completed scores were used for the ADHD-IRAP results. Other school professionals (36.17%) reported having experience with children with ADHD outside of their professional capacity more than occupational therapists (23.40%) which was marginally significant (F (0.96, 10.78) = [11.75], p = .051). On the ASQ subscales, there was a significant difference between groups for Self-Image (F (2.55,10.05) = [11.42], p = .002), …

Impact Of Coping Strategies For Caregivers Of Those With Dementia Or Alzheimer's Disease, Amanda W. Tilley

MOT Student Capstones

Caregivers of those who have Alzheimer's disease (AD) or dementia are challenged by the burdens placed on them in their role including not knowing how to use coping strategies to decrease the burden of care. There has already been research completed on how occupational therapy (OT) can help the client who has dementia or AD and how the caregiver can improve communication with person who has dementia or AD. There is a gap in the research showing how OT can help the caregivers cope with their role. OT can help with the difficulties caregivers have by teaching them coping strategies …

Role Of Surgery In Multifocal Glioblastoma, Syeda Kubra Kishwar Jafri, Syed Sarmad Bukhari, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim

Section of Neurosurgery

The management of multifocal glioblastomas is a point of constant discussion amongst neuro-oncologists. Best outcomes in glioblastoma management come from gross total resection (GTR) followed by concomitant radiation and chemotherapy (CCRT). Multifocal disease is resistant to GTR. Conventional management of these lesion is usually biopsy only followed by CCRT. Recent evidence has shown that there may be some benefit to attempting GTR of the largest lesion whenever safe to do so.

Dirfloortime: An Innovative Approach To Supporting Development Through Connection And Understanding, Jessica Townsend

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

Children with developmental delays and neurobehavioral disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), often have social, emotional, or behavioral delays. Children who are not reaching developmental milestones or are reaching them at a slower rate may need extra support and services to reach their full potential. An innovative approach to treatment of developmental delay commonly used among therapists is called DIRFloortime®. DIRFloortime® (also referred to as Floortime) is the application of the Developmental, Individual-Differences, & Relationship-Based (DIR) model in practice. The purpose of this capstone project was to explore Floortime as a holistic intervention …

Using Creative Making To Redesign Life After Stroke, Jennifer K. Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Kate Davies, a knitwear designer and author based in Scotland, provided the cover art for the Winter 2022 edition of the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy. “Balance for Better” is a blanket made from wool and mohair. The blanket consists of 30 individual squares designed and knitted by KDD & Co. employees. The colors and pattern of each square reflect the work, achievements, and legacy of the inspirational women celebrated in the blanket. At age 36, Kate suffered a near-fatal stroke that left her paralyzed on the left side of her body. Forced to give up her career as …

Racially Informed Care: A Treatment Approach And Exploration Of The Implications Of Race Related Barriers In The United States, Charae Mcconnell

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Social factors surrounding race and ethnicity often create barriers to meaningful occupation and keep people of color from achieving a greater quality of life (Pooremamali et al., 2016). These barriers often result in occupational deprivation and feelings of alienation in society. Research has shown that these barriers created by systematic racism exist for individuals across different environments and persist over their lifetime (Pooremamali et al., 2016). Because of these barriers and the prolonged stress responses caused by racism, people of color, especially black and brown, have significantly higher rates of chronic illness than White Americans. People of color, specifically African …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In The Foster Care System, Melanie N. Smith

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Children and youth who spend time in the foster care system face a variety of obstacles perpetuated by childhood trauma and limitations in service provision. Literature regarding this population demonstrates challenges, including the inability to form attachments and productive peer relationships, deficits in cognition and educational performance, and unpreparedness upon transitioning from the system. In addition, literature demonstrates the significantly increased prevalence of mental health challenges among those in foster care. Parents of foster children report inadequate services and supports to address the ongoing ramifications of a child raised in a constant state of traumatic stress. Following a depiction of …

Considerations For Occupational Therapists In Developing Community-Level Interventions For Youth With High Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces), Victoria G. Wilburn, Megan E. Huber, Denise Senter, Hannah B. Stoll

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Drug misuse likely contributes to the over 30,000 children in foster care and to the 24.2% of children who have experienced two or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Twenty-five percent of children are living in poverty, with nearly half of those living in single-parent households. Among the national guidelines to preventing ACEs are connecting youth with positive activities and providing family relationship enhancement opportunities. We believe the profession of occupational therapy can help contribute to the mental and behavioral health care workforce in a greater capacity than is currently used. Many children are not afforded the opportunity to engage in …

Sleep In The Intensive Care Unit (Icu): An Overlooked Opportunity For Occupational Therapists To Fill A Gap In Health Care Service, Mckenzie C. Bolin, Melissa M. Sweetman

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Sleep hygiene is well-established in the scope of occupational therapy practice; however, this occupation is rarely addressed in the intensive care unit (ICU). The majority of health care practitioners believe patients experience reduced sleep quality in the ICU, which can negatively impact patient outcomes. Through a review of the literature, this paper identifies common factors that negatively influence sleep quality and duration and proposes evidence-based interventions to improve patients’ sleep. Factors that influence sleep and fall in the domain of occupational therapy practice include the environment, psychosocial elements, and patient care. Occupational therapists can use interventions, such as orienting patients …

Guidelines For Medication Education For Occupational Therapists, Jaclyn K. Schwartz

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Taking medications is a vital health management activity for people with chronic health conditions. These individuals must take their medications as prescribed to receive the intended benefits and minimize negative effects. Many people with chronic health conditions do not know essential information about their medications, which limits their ability to take their medications as prescribed. Occupational therapists regularly engage in client education to enhance performance of health management. When addressing medications, however, additional considerations are needed because of the highly regulated, interdisciplinary, and complex nature of this occupation. The purpose of this practice guideline is to describe the integration of …

Caring For The Caregiver: A Feasibility Study Of An Online Program That Addresses Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, And Secondary Trauma, Emily C. Koller, Regina A. Abel, Lauren E. Milton

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Informal caregivers are susceptible to compassion fatigue in vicarious response to another’s suffering. The purpose of the study was to determine the feasibility of an online program that addresses compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress in informal caregivers.

Method: The study used a pre-post repeated measures feasibility design. Eighty-six participants were initially recruited. The intervention consisted of a 70-min online program. The participants completed surveys before and after program completion. The number of participants that completed each study phase was recorded to determine feasibility outcomes of acceptability, implementation, and demand. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was employed to analyze …

Occupational Therapists’ Perspectives On Caregiver Education Of Stroke Survivors, Elinor Pastore, Daniel Ryan, Lisa J. Knecht-Sabres

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Introduction: The objective of this research study was to gather a greater understanding of how occupational therapists provide education to caregivers of stroke survivors and how they address the needs of caregivers throughout the rehabilitation process.

Methods: The researchers used a convergent mixed methods design. RedCap electronic surveys containing both open-ended and closed-ended questions were completed by 90 participants from multiple states. A focus group (n = 8) and a one-on-one interview (n = 1) were conducted to gather qualitative information regarding occupational therapists’ perspectives related to their experiences on educating caregivers in the acute rehabilitation setting. Descriptive …