Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Impact Of Motivations For Volunteering On Well-Being Among Health Sciences Students, Allison J. Naber, Rebecca Benson, Katie Ericsson, Macey Genzlinger

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Motivations for volunteering as a meaningful occupation can influence well-being. This study explored the relationship between motivations for volunteering and perceived well-being among students enrolled in one of ten departments in a School of Health Sciences. A cross-sectional survey incorporating the RAND 36-Item Short Form Survey and Volunteer Function Inventory was employed. Most of the 95 participants were students enrolled in the health science undergraduate and occupational therapy graduate programs. Approximately 75% had volunteered in the past year. RAND SF-36 findings indicated good perceived well-being among many categories. Primary motivations for volunteering included values (Mdn = 30) and understanding …

Professional Behavior Attributes: A Survey Of Occupational Therapy Faculty Perspectives, Taylor A. Gurley, Kate E. Decleene Huber, Angella Chen, Kristen Dyson, Hannah Hackman, Paige Mcintire, Erika Wilson

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Professionalism in occupational therapy has been challenging to define due to differing values and behaviors across contexts and professions. There is a difference between how occupational therapy students and faculty view and comprehend professionalism suggesting that occupational therapists may not have an established sense of professionalism when entering the health care field for the first time. The study's purpose was to examine occupational therapy faculty’s perceptions of essential professional behavior attributes that students should possess to succeed in occupational therapy practice. This study utilized a survey methodology to anonymously collect opinions from 150 occupational therapy faculty members across the United …

Seltec: Service And Experiential Learning Through Engagement In The Community: A Level I Fieldwork Model: Part 2, Amanda J. Mohler, Andrea B. Brown

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The SELTEC model of Level I fieldwork was developed and published in 2020. The SELTEC model combines service and experiential learning to benefit student learners, the educational system, and the community. The purpose of the study was to determine students’ perceptions of a SELTEC model experience compared to a traditional Level I fieldwork experience. The research team administered a 24-item survey to thirty students who participated in the study. All participants received both a traditional one-week and SELTEC level I fieldwork experience during their occupational therapy education at Arkansas State University. Seventy-nine percent (n=23) of the respondents selected the SELTEC …

Content Validation Of A Patient-Reported Outcome Measure For Pediatric Clients With Hand And Upper Extremity Impairment, Jenny M. Dorich

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Occupational therapists and physical therapists practicing in hand therapy have adopted routine use of patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) for evaluating treatment outcomes. However, the PROMs currently used in pediatric hand care are limited in clinical utility for the pediatric population. Thus, a need exists for developing a PROM that is tailored to the pediatric hand therapy population. The overarching purpose of this dissertation is to establish the content validity of a novel PROM for children with hand and upper extremity impairment – the Upper Extremity Life Impact Measure-Youth (UE LIM-Y).

This three-part dissertation applies published standards for PROM development …

The Experience Of Meditation, And Its Effects On Attention, For Adults With Stroke Or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Three-Part Dissertation With Qualitative And Quantitative Evidence, Cheryl Carrico

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Impairment of attention is common after stroke; is a defining characteristic of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); and has been shown to correlate significantly with difficulties in daily life for individuals with these conditions. More research is needed to establish effective interventions addressing impaired attention in such cases. Meditation is not a standard-of-care intervention for this purpose but may have therapeutic potential. Meditation has been broadly defined as an activity which has self-regulation of attention as its main aim. In other words, it can be considered a training of attention. To shed light on the therapeutic potential of meditation, including …

Increasing Social Inclusion For Children With Disabilities In Faith-Based Settings: A Four-Part Dissertation, Valerie Miller

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

The aim of this dissertation is to increase the body of research in occupational therapy about how to increase the social inclusion of children with disabilities in faith-based settings. Even since the advent of important legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act, which paved the way for community participation for individuals with disabilities, individuals with disabilities continue to face barriers to participating in society. Decreased inclusion for individuals with disabilities is seen throughout all sectors of society. One area of regular societal participation for many Americans is in faith-based settings such as churches, synagogues and temples. It has been reported …

Protecting Against Pain And Stress In The Nicu: An Evidence-Based Eye Examination Guideline, Heather Jo Bowman

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to create an evidence-based Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) eye examination guideline and associated resources that supported use of non-pharmacological interventions and emphasized the importance of parent education and involvement from both an interdisciplinary and occupational therapy perspective.

Literature Review: Although medically necessary, researchers and practitioners in the NICU interdisciplinary field have discussed pain and stress associated with preterm infant eye examinations (American Academy of Pediatrics [AAP], 2016; Fierson, 2018; Francis, 2016; Pollaci et al., 2020; Samra & McGrath, 2009). Pain and stress likely impact sensory and overall brain development (AAP, 2016; Brummelte …

Strategies For Campers With Sensory Challenges, Rachel Jessica Lindemann

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The OTS partnered with a summer camp agency to understand their needs for camp programming. The executive director informed the OTS that this camp would benefit from programming recommendations as they would like to be more inclusive toward campers of all abilities. Pfeiffer, Clark, and Arbesman (2018) explain that sensory challenges can exist in children/adolescents with or without an existing diagnosis. Children and adolescents who have difficulty regulating and responding to sensory input impedes their ability to participate in meaningful occupations. The OTS decided to provide the agency with programming recommendations to serve campers with sensory challenges in order to …

Accessibility In Rural America, Ashley Osbjornson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Individuals with disabilities are often faced with barriers when trying to access public spaces out in the community, which results in lack of inclusion (Chibaya et al., 2021; Sandwood, 2019). This is an ongoing barrier that if addressed, may expand inclusion for those with disabilities (CDC, 2020a). The purpose of this scholarly project was to increase accessibility and usability for rural shoppers. Thus, a manual was created for Minnesota stores to use as a guide when assessing accessibility and usability. In addition, this manual was created to help store owners understand disability and its impact and identify strategies store …

The “Nature” Of Growth: A Virtual Education Platform For Caregivers Of Children With Trauma, Katelyn Rose Mclellan

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: The “Nature” of Growth: A Virtual Education Platform for Caregivers of Children with Trauma

Background: More than two thirds of all children report having been exposed to at least one traumatic event prior to the age of 16 (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2021). These children are considered at risk due to the previous trauma that they have been exposed to (Ryan, Jane, & Powers, 2017). Children exposed to trauma face significant barriers to engagement in meaningful tasks, delays in development, longterm health issues, and unpredictable emotions (Forkey et al., 2021). Caregivers of these children have …

Creating A Sensory Friendly Classroom, Kaitlynn Stearns

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Children’s primary occupations are centered around engagement in their education through interaction with their learning environment and academic pursuits. In the school season months, children in Minnesota are spending roughly 935 hours at school annually (MARSS, 2020). The student’s environment in school provides a number of sensory experiences that can either support or inhibit a student’s ability to succeed in school. Many research studies have shown that children who have sensory needs that go unmet can display disruptive behaviors and will typically withdraw from engagement in their education (Dean et al., 2017). The purpose of creating the Sensory Friendly …

Upper Extremity Evaluation & Intervention Through The Utilization Of Occupation-Based Activities Within The Model Of Human Occupation Perspective, Richard J. Seaman

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Upper Extremity Evaluation & Intervention Through the Utilization of Occupation-based Activities within the Model of Human Occupation Perspective.

Background: The importance of upper extremity rehabilitation is vital for clients to be able to reengage in their valued occupations that were affected due to a recent injury, illness, or surgery. Upper extremity fractures make up approximately 590,000 fractures annually in the USA (Napora et al., 2020). Clients with these types of conditions seek therapy to help improve their ability to gain back function within their body and daily lives. Through this process, clients are asked to perform various exercises that …

Iris Clubhouse: Experiences Of Community Integration, Rebecca J. Reeves

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The lived experience of community integration for those living with a serious mental illness (SMI) who are members of an unaccredited Clubhouse is an under investigated topic. The goal of this study is to better understand this phenomenon to inform the development of efficient and effective community integration programming for a local Clubhouse who is working toward becoming accredited. 15 active and inactive members of a local Clubhouse participated in a semi-structured interview to discuss their experiences of community integration while living with an SMI. The interviews were analyzed using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach (Dibley et al., 2020). Seven themes …

Katz Of All Kinds Inclusive Playground: A Funding And Inclusive Playground Guide For Melbourne School District, Kennedi Wiles-Blankenship

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Play allows children to develop many skills needed to be successful. Common skills include cognitive skills, emotional intelligence, physical development, and social development (Siu et al., 2017). The skills created at a young age provide the groundwork for further development. Children who do not have access to play opportunities will be less likely to develop the skills. The literature revealed that child development is positively impacted through play. Unfortunately, children with disabilities have fewer opportunities to develop the skills previously stated due to inaccessible playgrounds. The inability to participate in play will deprive the child of developing key life skills. …

Enhancing Ergonomics And Personal Safety Within The Farming Profession, Savannah Hooper

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Agriculture workers regularly experience “forceful exertions, pinching, stooping, prolonged static postures, awkward positions, and continual bending and twisting while handling excessive or asymmetrical weight, leaving them at an increased risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders” (Kirkhorn & Schenker, 2001, para. 30). The literature revealed that farmers are regularly exposed to safety risks within their occupation, but standards are not in place to establish minimum safety and ergonomic requirements for each farm (Kirkhorn & Schenker, 2001). The injuries and WMSD’s recorded within the agriculture sector reveal that the profession’s consistent use of hazardous materials, challenging body positions, and high-risk equipment have created …

Program Development: An Adaptive Sports Program For Children With Disabilities To Promote Occupational Engagement, Haylee Whitehurst

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Very little is known about the correlation between children with disabilities and the benefits of participation in adaptive sports. It is well known what the benefits of sports are for typically developing children. Research shows the need for growth in the adaptive sports area due to the information known about typically developing children. People are often unaware, but people with disabilities are the United States largest minority group and the only group that you can join at any moment (Inclusive Playgrounds, n.d.). According to Inclusive Playgrounds (n.d.), 6.7 million school-age children live with disabilities in the United States. Camp Aldersgate …

Incorporating An Occupational Balance Component Into A Community Physical Education In The Park Youth Program, Chineche Lilian Aniemena

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the Doctoral Capstone Project was to incorporate an evidence-based occupational balance component into the “Physical Education (PE) in the Park” program to promote healthy behaviors and weight loss, and prevent obesity.

Promoting Inclusivity For Students With Disabilities To Improve Their Occupational Performance At The Collegiate Level, Erica Basca

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Students with disabilities enrolled in post-secondary institutions are increasing in numbers so that students develop the skills needed to achieve a career and live independently. Barriers at the collegiate level include difficulties communicating their concerns with the faculty, lack of mentorship from their advisors, and having no prior knowledge about student organizations/services. Students also experienced daily stressors due to the physical demands of their classroom environment, the pressures of socialization, and the want of acceptance (Hong, 2015). Research by Love (2016) observed the barriers that prevent students with disabilities from engaging in leisure and social activities. The barriers included physical …

Serve Those Who Served Us: Life Skills Program Development To Decrease Homelessness In The Veteran Population, Hannah Hale Malone

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, veterans represent one fourth of the entire homeless population, which is approximately 200,000 individuals each night (NCH, 2009). Within Arkansas, it is estimated that more than 500 are homeless throughout the state (Jared, 2021). These veterans are 50% more likely to become homeless than other Americans due to poverty, shortage of affordable housing, lack of social support networks, a number of stress-related conditions, substance abuse, and the disadvantage of their military occupation and training not being transferable when competing for employment in the civilian workforce (VA Office of Inspector General, 2012). Unfortunately, …

Upper Limb Differences Theory: Achieving Occupational Independence, Elisabeth Carrice Mcdaniel

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The project aims to develop a holistic theory that addresses the occupational needs of individuals with limb differences.