Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Occupational Therapy In Integrated Primary Care: Addressing The Needs Of Individuals Experiencing Homelessness, Caitlin E. Synovec, Marybeth Merryman, Josh Brusca

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Current health care policy supports occupational therapy services with individuals experiencing homelessness in primary care settings. Research on the impact of interventions is needed to support this emerging practice area.

Method: A retrospective, descriptive study was completed following the initiation of full-time occupational therapy services in an integrated primary setting and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) for clients experiencing homelessness. This study evaluated: (a) percentage of referred clients who engaged in ongoing intervention; (b) diagnostic demographics of those referred; (c) functional goal types and frequency; (d) a comparison of preintervention Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) scores with postintervention …

Case Report: Optimizing Daily Function For People With Below-Elbow Limb Deficiency With The Softhand Pro, Amanda Theuer, Sasha Blue Godfrey, Kristin Zhao, Ryan Breighner, Manuel Catalano, Marco Santello, Antonio Bicchi, Karen L. Andrews

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Innovation in prosthetic devices for adults with upper limb loss is necessary to meet the demand for effective devices to optimize participation in daily activity. We evaluate the SoftHand Pro (SHP) as a terminal device to determine the application of this biologically-inspired prosthetic hand for use for a person with transradial limb deficiency.

Method: This case study describes and measures the first use of the SHP by an individual with transradial limb deficiency in their home environment. This paper reports the features and functionality of the SHP prototype and provides recommendations for changes to further optimize function. …

Concussion-Related Vision Disorder Practice Patterns In Occupational Therapy: A Survey, Alicia Reiser, Greta Bunin, Mitchell Scheiman

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Occupational therapists are among the first providers to initiate care after a concussion; however, evidence is limited regarding current concussion-related vision disorder practice patterns. A better understanding of these practice patterns is important because of the impact of undetected and untreated vision problems on occupational performance.

Method: A mixed-methods survey was administered online to occupational therapists to explore the assessments and interventions used to address concussion-related vision disorders, occupational therapy’s perceived role, and difficulties encountered when treating these conditions.

Results: Of 23,910 occupational therapists invited to participate, 2,278 (10%) began the survey, and 1,187 (52%) met …

Exploring Associations Between Health Literacy And Visual Impairment In Older Adults With Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Amd), Jennifer Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss for Americans 65 years of age and older. Central vision loss makes reading challenging. Health literacy assessments that measure skills in basic literacy are often too demanding for people with AMD. The impact of central vision loss on functional health literacy has yet to be explored in the literature.

Methods: A between-subjects study design was employed to explore associations between functional health literacy and visual acuity in older adults with AMD. The Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA) was used to measure health …

Transition In Occupations Of Refugees During Resettlement, Karen Mccarthy, Jacqueline-Elizabeth Cantrell, Jennifer Daine, Kimberley Keagan Banuelos, Adam Chan

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Human displacement is a social problem that has occupational implications. There is a significant gap in the research focusing on the refugee experience and the impact of this experience on their occupations as they transition to living in the US. This study seeks to capture the experience of refugees and the impact of this transition to the US on a broad array of occupations.

Method: This research is a qualitative study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with two participants who have legal status as refugees living in the US.

Results: Thematic analysis generated three themes: …

Applying The Model Of Human Occupation During The Pandemic Stay-At-Home Order, Tiffany T. Lin, Gail Fisher

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Doing It Right: Ot Meeting Population Needs With Covid-19, Amanda Balser, Shirley P. O'Brien, Peggy Wittman

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Occupational Therapy In The Time Of Covid-19, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

An Unexpected Outcome Of A Pediatric Simulation Encounter For Occupational Therapy Students., Anne H. Zachry, K. Booker, S. B. Lancaster

Faculty Presentations

This presentation reviewed how to plan and implement a pediatric simulated educational experience to align with the targeted course learning objective(s). Participants learned how to incorporate best practices into simulation education in order to advance occupational therapy education.

Functional Performance In People With Parkinson’S Disease: Lsvt Big For Life®, Mark Blanchard, Barbara Doucet, Cassidy Perilloux, Tamara Marchetta, Darian Price, Ashley Pattison, Galla Bonanni, Baily Amedee

Journal of Interprofessional Practice and Collaboration

This study aimed to observe the effects that an LSVT BIG for LIFE^® program had on functional performance and overall health related quality of life. Method. Seven participants with Parkinson’s disease participated in onsite LSVT BIG for LIFE sessions throughout a 40-week program. Each session included the completion of seven LSVT BIG^® exercises, one functional component task (sit to stand), a mindfulness activity, and a functional activity. Seven standardized assessments including the Box and Blocks Test (BBT), Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39), Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS), Physical Performance Test (PPT), Timed Up and Go …

Une Revue Des Méthodes D’Évaluation De La Rentabilité De La Prévention Des Lésions Professionnelles, Martin Lebeau

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Les lésions professionnelles entraînent des coûts élevés qui sont assumés par l’ensemble des acteurs économiques de la société (travailleurs, employeurs, assureurs, collectivité). L’investissement dans la prévention des lésions professionnelles peut permettre d’en réduire l’ampleur. Toutefois, l’investissement en vaut-il toujours le coût? Et comment peut-on estimer la rentabilité d’un investissement en prévention?

Cette étude s’inscrit dans la volonté institutionnelle de développer des connaissances et des outils en lien avec le calcul de la rentabilité des investissements en prévention des lésions professionnelles dans les entreprises.

Une recension des plus récentes études sur le sujet, publiées entre 1995 et 2017, a permis de …

Doing It Right: Ot Meeting Population Needs With Covid-19, Amanda Balser, Shirley O'Brien, Peggy Wittman

Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy Faculty and Staff Research

In 2010, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) identified strategic goals for health promotion and disease prevention in Healthy People 2020. Some of the overarching goals were to “achieve health equity, eliminate disparities, and improve the health of all groups” in order to address inequities tied to race and ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, geography, and disability (p. 3). The plan also targeted health disparities by recognizing social determinants of health and creating “social and physical environments that promote good health,” including the development of policy and programs (HHS, 2010, p. 3). Health disparities are population specific and …

Turning Everyday Activities Into Play: Building Relationships And Fostering Connections For Adopted Children And Children In Foster Care, Marissa E. Siu

Student Capstone Papers

The purpose of this capstone project was to create a program for community members, foster families, and adoptive families. In this project, community members was defined as any professional that works with foster and adoptive families in the community or in their profession. This included school staff, school administrators, therapists, and day care or respite providers.

The goal of this program was to use play to build stronger family bonds and relationships while also supporting the development of children in foster care and adopted children. By providing this program as a tool that can be used by families and community …

Demystifying Sensory Processing To Promote Effective Interprofessional And Caregiver Collaboration, Janis Leinfuss, Erin O'Hara

Student Journal of Occupational Therapy

Research shows collaboration and coaching with caregivers and educators positively impacts growth in occupational performance. Better understanding of this additional role that occupational therapy practitioners play; when working with children with sensory processing challenges, is vital to properly advocate for strategies and resources to help them reach their personal trajectory.

This article offers insight into the importance of removing professional jargon to facilitate effective interprofessional collaboration. Specific strategies for making coaching and training sessions for sensory processing content relatable and meaningful to educators and caregivers are also provided.

Promoting Interprofessional Collaboration Through Education In The Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting, Emma Murphy

OTD Capstone Projects

As part of a 14-week occupational therapy doctoral capstone project, the author partnered with Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital to research and address interprofessional collaboration in the inpatient rehabilitation setting. The project sought to attain a comprehensive assessment of the current interdisciplinary collaboration environment at VSRH, improve communication between the therapy and nursing departments, provide rehabilitation education for nurses on staff-identified topics, and promote interprofessional collaboration as a whole.

Doing Nonbinary Gender: The Occupational Experience Of Nonbinary Persons In The Environment, Karen Mccarthy, Meghan Ballog, Maria Mayela Carranza, Katherine Lee

Occupational Therapy | Faculty Scholarship

Understanding the effect of the environment is fundamental to grasping the occupational experiences of nonbinary individuals. Current research in occupational science addresses the occupations of the transgender population but often fails to distinguish between the binary and nonbinary experience. There is an absence of occupational science research that solely focuses on the nonbinary experience. This study focuses on nonbinary individuals and aims to illuminate the environmental factors that support or hinder occupational engagement for nonbinary individuals. Using a descriptive qualitative research design, we conducted two interviews per participant and photo-elicitation. Data analysis resulted in three themes: binary environments and safe …

Strategies For Hybrid Teaching, Julia Bilotta

OTD Capstone Projects

This project aimed to work alongside the occupational therapy department at Belmont University to research, develop, and disseminate strategies for hybrid teaching. As the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic required universities to rapidly switch to online teaching, the need for strategies to complete this effectively arose. Moving months ahead to present day, Belmont University has adapted a hybrid model for teaching, which includes both online and in-person learning. With that being said, the department of occupational therapy expressed the need for lab experiences and clinical skill competencies that follow the ACOTE standards, that can be delivered through a virtual …

Understanding The Impact Of Social Distancing On Older Adults And Senior Centers To Better Adapt Towards A New Normal, Salina Jivan

Student Capstone Papers

COVID-19 brought about social distancing mandates that posed as a new barrier to meaningful social participation in the community. The purpose of this project was to understand the impact of social distancing on older adults and senior organizations to better inform the role of OT in helping seniors adapt towards a new normal within the community. A qualitative study and needs assessment were performed through phone interviews with seniors and organizations that support them from around the United States. Themes highlighted seniors desire for social contact and cautious return to the community once mandates are lifted. Both seniors and organizations …

Occupational Therapy And Accessibility In The Outdoors And Summer Camps, David M. Lewis

Student Capstone Papers

Opportunities for positive youth development (PYD) are promoted through both outdoor and camp experiences. The experiences provided by the outdoors and camps are ideal for developing physically, cognitively, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. These areas of PYD are further generalizable to several aspects of occupational performance and participation, while continuing to have benefits throughout the lifespan. While the outdoors and camps provide these valuable opportunities for development, the environments and contexts of these opportunities are often limiting factors for individuals with disabilities. Utilizing an occupational therapy approach allows for further understanding of how to promote inclusion and accessibility practices in these …

Transition In Occupations Of Refugees During Resettlement, Karen Mccarthy, Jacqueline-Elizabeth Cantrell, Jennifer Daine, Kimberley K. Banuelos, Adam Chan

Occupational Therapy | Faculty Scholarship

Background: Human displacement is a social problem that has occupational implications. There is a significant gap in the research focusing on the refugee experience and the impact of this experience on their occupations as they transition to living in the US. This study seeks to capture the experience of refugees and the impact of this transition to the US on a broad array of occupations.

Method: This research is a qualitative study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with two participants who have legal status as refugees living in the US.

Results: Thematic analysis generated three themes: …