Occupational Therapy Commons^™

A Scoping Review Of Challenges And The Adaptation Process In Academia: Implications For Occupational Therapy Educators, Maria Concepcion C. Cabatan, Lenin C. Grajo, Erlyn A. Sana

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The fulfillment of role expectations and responsibilities as one builds an academic career can be challenging. Increased demand for occupational therapy faculty merits examination of academic experiences from the literature. This study describes the experiences of educators using adaptation models (Savickas & Porfeli, 2012; Schkade & Schultz, 2003) as a theoretical lens. Arksey and O’Malley’s Scoping Study Framework (2005) was used in the study. Researchers reviewed literature from 2005-2017 from four databases. Researchers analyzed 28 articles from higher education and the health professions using quantitative and qualitative methods. Twenty-two of the 28 articles were published from 2010-2017. The studies analyzed …

The Effects Of The Leisure Activity Of Coloring On Post-Test Anxiety In Graduate Level Occupational Therapy Students, Brittney N. Burton, Mary F. Baxter

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This study examined the effects of the leisure activity of coloring on the anxiety levels of graduate level occupational therapy students after taking a high stress exam. This study also examined the effects of the leisure activity of coloring on the students’ perceptions of preparedness for and performance on the exam.

Method: The participants were recruited for this quantitative, pre/posttest study through a purposive convenience sample and randomly assigned to either the leisure activity or the control. A self-report assessment was used for data collection. The changes in anxiety levels were examined using a repeated measures analysis …

The Feasibility Of Conducting Task-Oriented Training At Home For Patients With Stroke, Veronica T. Rowe, Marsha Neville

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Task-oriented training for upper extremity hemiparesis following a stroke is an effective intervention with evidence of its application in the clinic setting. However, the home provides an enriched and practical environment to implement this intervention. This report presents the feasibility of implementing task-oriented training at home.

Method: Stroke survivors with limitations in upper extremity movement and function were assessed before and after a Task-Oriented Training and Evaluation at Home (TOTE Home) program, and 1 month later. Areas of process, resources, management, and scientific value were analyzed for the feasibility of a larger randomized clinical trial (RCT).

Results …

Older Adults And Photo-Elicited Perspectives On Shopping For Groceries In A Changing Community, Lori E. Breeden, Alessandra Planera, Lauren Kirchner, Samantha Asencio, Matthew Branden, Evan Dunlap, Alex Robinson, Samantha Stevens, Sally Wasmuth

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: A community experiencing gentrification created challenges for older adults and their ability to access food. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine barriers and facilitators perceived by three urban-dwelling older adults during their grocery shopping experiences.

Methods: The researchers conducted photo-elicitation supported interviews to gather information on grocery shopping from three older adults attending a local senior center. Photo-elicited interviews were conducted, and the thematic analysis examined the participants’ perspectives on their experiences.

Results: Thematic analysis revealed the participants’ experiences in a changing landscape. In the categories of community resources, transportation, and the store, …

The Sensory Processing 3-Dimensions Scale: Initial Studies Of Reliability And Item Analyses, Shelley Mulligan, Sarah A. Schoen, Lucy Jane Miller, Andrea Valdez, Deborah Magalhaes

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The Sensory Processing 3-Dimensions Scale (SP-3D) is a performance-based measure for assessing sensory processing abilities and challenges, including sensory modulation, sensory discrimination, and sensory-based motor disorders. Initial studies of reliability were conducted, and item response theory was applied to assist in refining the measure.

Methods: Descriptive and correlational methods were used to examine internal consistency of the scales and inter-rater reliability. Item response theory using Rasch analyses was applied to examine unidimensionality of scales, model fit, and item difficulty.

Results: Internal consistency for most measures was acceptable, demonstrating the subtests, domains, and behavior scales as distinct …

Effects Of Partnerships Between Adolescents With Developmental Disabilities And Service Dogs, Terry K. Crowe, Jean C. Deitz, Melissa Y. Winkle, Rachel A. Nelson, Jennifer Woolf

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: With increasing frequency, service dogs are being placed with children with developmental disabilities (DDs). Occupational therapists and other professionals have advocated for the therapeutic use of service dog partnerships to facilitate greater independence and quality of life. There are no studies that examine service dog intervention with adolescents.

Method: This study focused on the effects of partnerships between service dogs and three participant dyads, each including an adolescent with DDs and a parent. A single-subject, alternating treatment design was used to compare the effects of two conditions (service dog present or not present). The effects were examined …

The Lived Experiences Of Occupational Therapists In Transitioning To Leadership Roles, Shawn Sasha Shams, Ravneet Batth, Andrea Duncan

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Several studies on leadership in occupational therapy have discussed the key qualities of leadership and its importance, even though little is known about the transition process into leadership roles. This research examined the lived experiences of occupational therapists who have transitioned from a clinical to a leadership role and identified the supports and challenges that were found to be important.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were used to gain insight into the transition process of five occupational therapy professional practice leaders. NVivo software was used to organize and analyze the qualitative data.

Results: Three common themes were identified as “supports” for …

State Of The Journal: Moving Forward, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Occupational Therapy Programming Facilitates Goal Attainment In A Community Work Rehabilitation Setting, Tina M. Deangelis, Kimberly Mollo, Carolyn Giordano, Michaela Scotten, Brianna Fecondo

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

An occupational therapy program for participants with mental health challenges, a history of serious mental illness, recovering from substance use disorders, on parole/probation, and/or experiencing homelessness was implemented in a community work rehabilitation setting. The impact of occupational therapy interventions focused on stress and anger management, sleep hygiene, anxiety and depression management, relapse prevention for addiction, vocational and academic skill building, money management, healthy eating, and relationship and leisure skill development. Participant satisfaction and performance scores regarding individual goal setting and attainment was collected and analyzed via retrospective review of pre/post outcome scores (n = 44) obtained through the Canadian …

“We Don’T Like Talking About Toileting Issues In Front Of Everyone”: Parents’ Reflections On Family-Centered Care, Holli Ruiz

OT Student Capstones

Objective. The objective of this study was to describe how pediatric occupational therapist enacted family-centered care in the outpatient clinic and the resulting perception families had of this care. Method. The use of an open-ended, six question survey was administered to parents of children who were receiving occupational therapy services in an outpatient pediatric clinic. Two researchers employed thematic coding to analyze the results. Results. Five themes emerged including: styles of communication, transfer to home, environment, focusing on the child, and involving the family in goals and focus. Conclusion. There were many positives associated with family-centered care to include satisfaction …

Exploring The Refugee Occupational Experience Across The Socioecological Model, Cyrena Crockett Connolly

OT Student Capstones

The aim of this Doctoral Experiential Component was to explore the occupational experiences of refugees in engaging in cross-cultural occupations. This was done by using the person- environment-occupation model and Occupational Therapy Practice Framework as theoretical lenses to identify and map occupational barriers across the socioecological model. Identifying occupational barriers across multiple levels of prevention creates new ways to address specific occupational needs and allows for impactful change. This project explored the occupational barriers of 8 participants in Salt Lake City, UT. Participants were refugees from Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Syria, and United States-born to Sudanese …

Resiliency In School Experiences: A Dropout Prevention Initiative, Stephanie L. Smith

OT Student Capstones

The ramifications of high school dropout have significant adverse effects both for individuals and society. High school graduation is the social determinant that strongly predicts long-term health and success (American Public Health Association, n.d.). Unfortunately, more than 500,000 high school students dropout each year without the skills and credentials needed to become successful, productive members of society (Communities in Schools, 2009). The dropout numbers for ethnic minorities are disproportionately high. In 2009, the proportions of 16 to 24- year-old high school dropouts were 10.7% for African Americans, 15.9% for American Indians, and 17.9% for Hispanics (Center for Mental Health in …

Occupational Therapy In Community Corrections And Reentry: Program Implementation For Adult Males With Addiction, Cassandra E. Sankey

OT Student Capstones

The evolution of incarceration, or confinement, began in the 18th century with the Quakers, known as the Pennsylvania system, an isolation and penitence ideology (Penner, 1978). Later, the Auburn system was implemented in the 19th century, which embraced an approach of mental isolation (Penner, 1978). Today, citizens entrust the criminal justice system with the power to protect communities from individuals who commit crimes (Muñoz, Moreton, & Sitterly, 2016). Therefore, the United States criminal justice system diversified the supervision of lawbreakers based upon the severity of their crimes, such as jail, prison, probation, and parole. This has led to decades of …

Using The Backward Design Process To Integrate Interprofessional Education Utilizing Simulation In Ot And Pt Educational Curricula, Norman C. Belleza, Maureen Johnson

Physical Therapy Collection

Interprofessional simulation education (IPSE) has been integrated into the OT and PT curriculum. Having a dedicated simulation center on-site allows for continued use of IPSE for regular monitoring and assessment of student achievement in interprofessional exchanges. Additional healthcare disciplines can also integrate IPSE including nursing, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, post-graduate professionals, athletic trainers, and speech and langue pathology. Inclusion of IPSE will augment the collaborative effort for increased interactions among various health care providers.

Interrater Reliability Of The Pediatric Neuromuscular Recovery Scale In Children With Spina Bifida, Elizabeth Ardolino, Megan Flores, Germaine Ferreira, Susan Jeantete, Kathleen Manella

Physical Therapy Collection

Purpose: There is a paucity of outcome measures to assess the quality of functional mobility in children with spina bifida¹. The Pediatric Neuromuscular Recovery Scale (Peds NRS) is a valid and reliable outcome measure that was developed to assess the motor capacity of children with spinal cord injury^2-6. The purpose of this study was to examine the interrater reliability of the Pediatric Neuromuscular Recovery Scale (Peds NRS) to classify motor capacity in children with myelomeningocele (MMC) form of spina bifida.

Subjects: Twenty-one children with MMC (1.4- 10 years of age; mean age of 5.3 …

Integrating Interprofessional Education With Simulation Experiences Within Ot And Pt Curricula: A Look At The Backwards Design Process, Nicole Rodriguez, Norman C. Belleza, Maureen Johnson

Physical Therapy Collection

Interprofessional education has become a significant focus across healthcare disciplines noting the benefits that can be achieved through improving patient outcomes, increasing awareness for potential referral to other providers, and fostering collaboration.

The integration of simulation into established OT and PT curriculum was a less daunting task by using the backward design process. Continued growth and the addition of Speech Therapy, Nursing, and Physician’s Assistant programs will further necessitate use of backward design to integrate meaningful multidisciplinary activities for students.

A Website Designed To Equip Occupational Therapists With Information And Strategies For Holistically Addressing Sexual Activity With The Geriatric Population, Amber Fernandez, Ashleigh Mora

Occupational Therapy Capstones

As individuals age, they are likely to experience occupational deprivation. Occupational deprivation occurs in many forms. Many older adults experience occupational deprivation relating to the activity of daily living, sexual activity. Older adults experience many age-related changes, which impacts their ability to engage in sexual activity. Health care professionals have a responsibility to ensure older adults are able to engage in safe sexual practices. Yet, healthcare professionals, including occupational therapists, are not addressing this need with their clients in a routine manner. A literature review was conducted in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of all the barriers older adults …

What Stops Some Occupational Therapy Practitoners From Providing Fieldwork Education?, Jacqueline S. Schafer-Clay

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

A critical fieldwork shortage exists for the profession of occupational therapy and an evidence gap was found; literature with practitioners who do not provide fieldwork education was missing. The purpose of this capstone project was to identify the barriers that stop some occupational therapy practitioners from providing fieldwork education and what benefits and supports may motivate these same individuals to become fieldwork educators. A quantitative descriptive and correlational study with an online survey design, with 25 closed ended questions was distributed through snowball sampling across the United States. Responses were received from 42 states plus the District of Columbia. There …

Incorporating Meaningful Occupations Of Students With Moderate To Severe Intellectual Disabilities Into Structured Learning Experiences With Transition Planning At A Public School System, Catherine Gardner

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The purpose of this capstone project was to learn from stakeholders how to identify meaningful occupations of students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities and how to incorporate them into their structured learning experiences in school to help them prepare for adult life upon graduation at 21 years old. The project also sought to explore how to involve the students and their families in the process of identifying meaningful occupations.

The Impact Of An Occupation Based Parkinson Caregiver Program On Caregiver's Quality Of Life, Jennifer L. Labonte

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The goal of the study was to enhance the PD patient’s caregiver’s ability to provide quality care to meet the ever changing needs of a neurodegenerative medical condition along with enhancing quality of life indicators of the caregiver. The community based program covered 7 topics over 4 consecutive weeks. The project design was an experimental one group pre and posttest design. The outcome measurement tool was the Parkinson Caregiver QOL Index. Data was analyzed utilizing a paired t-test for individual questions and the total score on the Parkinson Caregiver QOL Scale. No statistical significance was found between pretest and posttest …