Occupational Therapy Commons^™

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.

Establishing Similarities And Differences Among The Self-Reported Academic Integrity Of Australian Occupational Therapy Undergraduate And Graduate-Entry Master’S Students, Ted Brown, Helen Bourke-Taylor, Stephen Isbel, Louise Gustafsson, Carol Mckinstry, Alexandra Logan, Jamie Etherington

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Research into the prevalence of dishonest academic behaviors suggests that such behaviors may be extensive in higher education. This study investigated the academic integrity of Australian occupational therapy students and compared the perspectives of undergraduate (UG) and graduate-entry master’s (GEMs) students.

Method: Students from five Australian universities (701; response rate 35%; 72.5% female) completed five standardized scales: (a) Academic Dishonesty Scale; (b) Academic Dishonesty in the Classroom Setting Scale; (c) Academic Dishonesty in the Clinical/Practice Education Setting Scale; (d) Academic Dishonesty Tendency Scale; and (e) Perceived Academic Sources of Stress. One-way analyses of variance were conducted to …

Practical Actions Shaped By The Internal Structures Of Occupational Therapists’ Professional Identities, Risa Takashima, Kazuko Saeki

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This study aims to consider the internal structures of the professional identities that occupational therapists construct in clinical settings and to explore the differences of practices resulting from these structures.

Methods: In completion of this study, a qualitative methodology based on a grounded theory approach was employed. Semi-structured, individual interviews were conducted with 30 practicing occupational therapists in Japan. First, the internal structures in the participants’ professional identities were identified and typified. Second, the participants’ actions in their practices were analyzed.

Results: We identified three types of internal structures of professional identities. One type focused on …

The Impact Of Cognitive Functioning On Daily Occupations For People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Qualitative Study, Aoife Mc Auliffe, Sinéad M. Hynes

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Cognitive rehabilitation research in multiple sclerosis is ever-developing, but the impact of cognitive difficulties, seen in 40% to 80% of people, on daily occupations is not well known. The aim of this study is to explore the needs of people with MS who have self-reported cognitive deficits.

Methods: An exploratory qualitative descriptive research design was used. Data was collected through semi-structured telephone interviews with the participants. Recordings were transcribed and analyzed thematically.

Results: Seven participants were recruited (mean age 47). Three themes were developed through associations found in the data. “Neglected symptom” reported the participants’ frustrations …

Serving High-Risk Youth In Context: Perspectives From Hong Kong, Chi-Kwan Shea, Nancy Jackson, Christine Haworth

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: High-risk youth are often defined in occupational therapy terminology as adolescents and young adults who experience personal, contextual, or environmental barriers to effective participation in healthy, age-appropriate occupations. Without assistance for participation, these youth may acquiesce to daily routines of unhealthy risk-taking or isolation, failing to achieve developmental milestones needed for successful transition to adulthood. There are known therapeutic services targeting this population, but occupational therapy involvements have been sparsely documented.

Method: Having been affiliated with a community-based occupational therapy program serving high-risk youth for many years in the US, the principal investigator of the study used …

Life After Losing An Adult Child To A Drug Overdose: A Kawa Perspective, Aaron Weis, Julie D. Kugel, Heather Javaherian-Dysinger, Jessica Nicole De Brun

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Limited research is available to occupational therapy practitioners focusing on parents’ abilities to cope with the loss of an adult child to a drug overdose. We examined the unique experiences of grieving parents from a Kawa model perspective to identify potential implications for occupational therapy.

Methods: We used a qualitative approach in which 11 participants completed Kawa drawings and participated in semi-structured interviews.

Results: Following a Kawa model analysis themes emerged: volatile nature of flow, support from inner circle and connection with outer circle, lonely islands, personal attributes of positivity and economics, and enhancing my river’s flow.

Conclusion: The …

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

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Program Evaluation Of The Impact Of Sensory Room Interventions On Student Readiness In Muskegon County, Emilie Brzak, Olivia Deweerd, Erica Roll

Pediatrics

Aim: This study is a program evaluation of four different sensory rooms in the schools within Muskegon County Northern Service Unit (NSU) to uncover the benefits of sensory interventions on students’ school readiness.

Methods: Grand Valley State University occupational therapy students analyzed data from the school occupational therapists to promote evidence based practice of this program.

Results: Within this program, sensory interventions increased students’ school readiness.

Conclusion: Outcomes indicate that the primary means of increasing students’ school readiness include transitioning to an active activity following sensory interventions and participating in multiple stations. Results are not generalizable to other programs.

Occupational Therapy In Prisons, Amber Carmean, Amanda Boman, Katie Kowalski, Joselyn Walsworth

Community Based

This study investigates the needs of incarcerated individuals upon reintegration into the community. In this article, we use thematic analysis to dissect two prison documentaries in order to best assess the needs of these individuals to inform occupational therapy intervention. Occupational therapy seeks to empower individuals while analyzing needs and how the individuals can be best supported. Our analysis shows that there are many needs that go unaddressed prior to community reintegration leading to a higher chance of recidivism recurring. Through better understanding the needs of individuals, occupational therapy can become better informed on how intervention can benefit this specific …

The Impact Of Technology On Fine Motor Development In Children, Erin Taylor

MOT Student Capstones

Fine motor skills involve the coordination and refinement of small muscles that control the hand, fingers, and thumb. Children need to develop these skills along with dexterity and strength in order to complete important tasks including writing, self-feeding, getting dressed, and playing. With the abundance of technology and touchscreen devices available, there is evidence that children are spending more than the recommended time using a device and engaging in screen time. While there is evidence that the use of technology in children has increased, there is little research on the possible impact of this increased use on the development of …

The Use Of Music As A Therapeutic Tool To Increase Positive Outcomes In Individuals With Neurological Disorders, Kelly Swaringen

MOT Student Capstones

The overall concept of this study is to explore and gather evidence to support the positive impact that music can have on individuals with neurological impairments or disorders in areas including communication, cognition/memory, psychosocial skills, and motor skills. The goal is to examine how music can be a powerful tool in increasing patient outcomes and how occupational therapy (OT) practitioners can utilize music as a tool in their own practice setting. As OT practitioners, our overarching goal is to facilitate functional and effective participation in occupation while promoting emotional well-being and high quality of life. We have the unique privilege …

Sensory Integration In Classrooms: Improving Attention In School-Aged Children, Abbey Mccormick

MOT Student Capstones

The overall concept of this capstone project is to gather evidence supporting the positive effects of sensory integration in relation to attention in school-aged children, including children diagnosed with attention deficit disorder and those with no forn1al diagnosis. The goal of this project is to provide teachers and support staff, including occupational therapists, in a school system with training to implement sensory activities throughout the school day to improve students' attention. Occupational therapy can play a unique role in school systems by providing teachers and other staff with the tools and education to understand the importance of sensory integration and …

Advocacy-Related Occupations Among People With Disabilities: Assessing Program Outcomes Of An Advocacy Workshop, Audrey Tarbutton, Stefanie Austin, Rachel Bendewald, Hayley Monforte

Community Based

An emerging area of occupational therapy (OT) practice includes program development for persons with disabilities (PWD). These programs are designed to train PWD how to identify issues and advocate for inclusion and accessibility (Umeda et al., 2017). Among the available literature on community-based advocacy programs, results show positive social outcomes including increased self-advocacy knowledge and related behaviors (i.e. Kramer, 2015; Mishna et al., 2011). Regarding the present study, an advocacy training program titled “Community Organizing Advocacy Skills Training” (COAST) was developed using the Midwest Academy Training Manual for the Advocate. The purpose of this study was to pilot a tool …

A Family's Perception Of Occupation-Based Activity Sessions During Their Transition To Permanent Housing, Laura Opie, Lauren Goldstein, Ashton Roth, Ella Savalox

Community Based

This study aimed to evaluate families' perceptions of occupation-based activity sessions during their transition from homelessness to permanent housing. A phenomenological design was selected to identify families' perceptions. Results identified potential benefits of providing occupation-based activity sessions to families in transition and indicated the importance of empowering families to enact their own sense of agency to successfully resolve their transition to permanent housing.

Program Evaluation Of The Impact Of Sensory Room Activities On Student Readiness In Muskegon County, Mary C. Spyhalski

Education

There is a lack of research regarding the effect of sensory room interventions and equipment on student’s school readiness, as well as a lack of research regarding documentation and monitoring the effectiveness of sensory rooms. This is a problem for occupational therapists and teachers implementing sensory interventions that are not backed by research (Stephenson & Carter, 2011). Occupational therapists in Muskegon County Northern Service Unit (NSU) have determined a need to collect data on the impact of sensory room interventions on student readiness for school-day activities within their district. Program evaluations are needed in order to gather data that discusses …

Global Occupational Therapists’ Health And Wellness Interventions With Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Catherine Keegin, Lyndsey Lehman, Hannah Meier, Megan Weinberg

Older Adult

Rationale: The profession of occupational therapy (OT) has an opportunity to positively impact health and wellness for community-dwelling older adults with the approaching global increase of the aging population (He, Goodkind, & Kowal, 2016). Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore occupational therapists’ use of health promotion and wellness approaches to facilitate healthy aging with community-dwelling older adults in a global context. Results: Four qualitative themes were uncovered: perceptions of older adults, safety, the role of OT, and preventive versus reactive care. Participants with 10 or more years of experience addressed spirituality in practice more often than those …

Exploring The Connections Between The Presence Of Developmental Trauma And Clinical Reasoning: The Lived Experience Of Pediatric Occupational Therapists, Gwendolyn R. Blake, Briar E. Plantinga, Julie Shafer

Pediatrics

Background: Developmental trauma is a current issue facing the nation. It adversely affects participation in occupations across the lifespan. This paper examines how the clinical reasoning of practicing pediatric occupational therapists changes when treating clients who have experienced developmental trauma.

Methods: A phenomenological approach was applied using multiple cases. Four individuals, who identified as working with clients with developmental trauma, were interviewed using a series of semi-structured and open-ended questions on their experience treating these clients.

Results: Narrative transcripts were reviewed by the authors and organized into themes of performance patterns of the therapist and the context of developmental trauma …

Use Of Online Educational Modules To Improve Occupational Therapy Students’ Knowledge And Perceptions Of Their Emotional Intelligence Skills: An Evidence-Based Pilot Study, Jennifer Calabrese, Jennifer E. Lape, Theresa Delbert

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Many current students studying in health care professions lack skills in communication, socialization, and decision-making that can lead to an inability to recognize and manage emotions, indicating a need for emotional intelligence training in university health field curricula. This article presents an evidence-based study that used a new approach to education using online emotional intelligence modules within a graduate occupational therapy program to supplement the program’s curriculum. The study was completed over six and one-half weeks and included 28 second-year graduate occupational therapy students. A pre/post-survey design was used to determine participants’ knowledge and their perceptions of their own emotional …

Bringing Upstairs Care Downstairs; Integration Of Rehabilitation Medicine, Care Management, And The Hospital Elder Life Program (Help) Into An Emergency Department., Robert Anderson, Molly Anderson, Rhonda Babine, Farid Feghali, Elizabeth Dunstan, Matthew Glazer, Susan Horton, Stephanie O'Brien, Elizabeth Pontius, David Smith, Megan Viens, Heather Williams

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: Services such as physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), speech-language pathology (SLP), social work (SW), care management, and elder life specialists have long been an established part of care for patients admitted to Maine Medical Center (MMC) but not for patients in the Emergency Department (ED). Methods and Results: Driven in part by changes in Medicare reimbursement models, care management established a presence in the Emergency Department (ED) in 2003 with a focus on care planning and cost avoidance. In recent years PT, OT, SLP, SW, and the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) have increased their ED involvement substantially. …

Neural Foundations Of Ayres Sensory Integration, Shelly J. Lane, Zoe Mailloux, Sarah Schoen, Anita Bundy, Teresa A. May-Benson, L. Diane Parham, Susanne Smith Roley, Roseann C. Schaaf

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

Sensory integration, now trademarked as Ayres Sensory Integration^® or ASI, is based on principles of neuroscience and provides a framework for understanding the contributions of the sensory and motor foundations of human behavior. The theory and practice of ASI continues to evolve as greater understanding of the neurobiology of human behavior emerges. In this paper we examine core constructs of ASI identified in the seminal work of Dr. Jean Ayres, and present current neuroscience research that underlies the main patterns of sensory integration function and dysfunction. We consider how current research verifies and clarifies Ayres’ propositions by describing functions …