Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Human Papillomavirus: The Influence Of Prevention And Vaccination, Lacey N. Russell

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Human Papillomavirus infections (HPV) are the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. Of cancers in parts of the body where HPV is often discovered about 80% originated from an HPV infection. Despite this knowledge and the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine, vaccination by both genders in Kentucky and on a national scale remains highly underutilized. As a result, preventable incidence and mortality rates from HPV-related illness are elevated. Health care delivery factors such as increased vaccination and preventative care, insurance coverage, and accessible rural health care are necessary for HPV prevention and promotion of holistic health. The …

Greater Needs, Greater Spending: Improving Care For High-Need, High-Cost Patients, Laken Tackett

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

High-need patients spend up to four times more than the average American adult on health care services and prescription medications annually. Tailoring services to each individual’s needs could improve health care outcomes, effectively decreasing costs. Although high-need individuals make up only 5% of the population, they account for 50% of national health care expenditure. Improving care for this population is vital. Implementing an occupational therapist in the primary care process is one way to improve health for these individuals. Highly specialized care coordinators could also be beneficial for this population to coordinate services and medications, making sure there are not …

Medical Marijuana And The Healthcare System, John T. Lear-Phillips

Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Many individuals in America suffer from chronic diseases (Glaucoma, Cancer, PTSD, HIV/AIDS, and multiple sclerosis) and medical marijuana can alleviate the side effects associated with these conditions. The federal government should legalize marijuana in order to give individuals with chronic diseases the organic medication they need to manage their symptoms. The current literature discusses how this topic is a national and community healthcare issue due to the large numbers of individuals with chronic conditions who could benefit from access to medical marijuana. Medical marijuana has the ability to improve the cost, access, and quality of healthcare in the United States …

A Systematic Review Of The Efficacy Of Weighted Vests And Blankets On People With Asd Or Adhd, E. Denny, W. Folkes, I. Ghattas, H. Kaufmann, H. Williams, Marie-Christine Potvin

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Sensory-based treatment methods are commonly used by occupational therapists and others working with individual with ADHD and ASD (Wan Yunus, Liu, Bissett, & Penkala, 2015). Weighted vests or weighted blankets are popular sensory-based interventions used with people with these conditions. Weighted vests and weighted blankets are widely reported to have various benefits and positive outcomes with children with these conditions (Shulman, 2018). They are thought of as providing deep pressure that is reported to help clients self-regulate, diminish episodes of maladaptive behavior and anxiety or stress, and improve attention, sleep, and mood (Shulman, 2018). A series of systematic reviews have …

Cognitive Orientation To (Daily) Occupational Performance (Co-Op) Approach And Children With Disabilities, E. Amidon, K. Matteo, K. O'Toole, C. Pistilli, A. Slomowitz, Marie-Christine Potvin

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

There is a growing body of research evidence for the CO-OP approach since first published in 2001. Individual studies such as single case designs have found positive outcomes using this approach, however, no prior systematic reviews exist. Therefore, this review aims to compile and evaluate the efficacy of the CO-OP approach in children with disabilities.

A Systematic Review Of The Effects Of Handwriting Interventions On Adults With Parkinson’S Disease, J. Buchanan, W. Rybak, V. Stange, J. Wing, V. Yeh, L. Carvell

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Occupational therapists working with this population have incorporated a variety of methods into their interventions in an attempt to facilitate greater ease and legibility in handwriting. These interventions include finemotor hand exercise programs, practice-based programs, and visual and auditory cueing (Bryant, Rintala, Lai, DeBakey & Protas, 2010). Improvement in handwriting skills can increase quality of life and independence, as well as decrease frustration, for those with PD (Collett et al., 2017). A systematic review of available research was completed in order to assess the efficacy of these interventions for both short and long-term outcomes. Eleven studies were identified as relevant …

Cross-Cultural E-Learning Between Cypriot And American Occupational Therapy Students: A Pilot Study, Kayla Collins, Pavlina Psychoili, Mary Zadnik

Occupational Therapy Collection

Rationale: Culturally competent practice is necessary for occupational therapists (OT) working with clients from different backgrounds, values, and beliefs. Developing sustainable methods for providing students with cross-cultural experiences reinforces a global understanding of the profession and broadens students’ views of clinical practice.

Objectives: Investigate potential benefits of cross-cultural collaborations for student learning. Identify facilitators and barriers of cross-cultural educational collaborations for development of curriculums that give students opportunities to evaluate cultural variations in occupation.

Approach: This pilot study will be implemented in phases, the first of which has been completed. OT students from the European University of Cyprus and the …

Integrating A Behavioral Activation Approach Within Occupation-Based Intervention To Reduce Depression In Older Adults With Low Vision, Tracey Vause-Earland, Phd, Otr/L, Catherine Verrier Piersol, Phd, Otr/L, Faota

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of An Evidence-Based Intervention To Improve The Wellbeing Of People With Dementia And Their Carers: Study Protocol For 'Care Of People With Dementia In Their Environments (Cope)' In The Australian Context., Lindy Clemson, Kate Laver, Yun-Hee Jeon, Tracy A. Comans, Justin Scanlan, Miia Rahja, Jennifer Culph, Lee-Fay Low, Sally Day, Monica Cations, Maria Crotty, Susan Kurrle, Catherine V. Piersol, Laura N Gitlin

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: There are effective non-pharmacological treatment programs that reduce functional disability and changed behaviours in people with dementia. However, these programs (such as the Care of People with dementia in their Environments (COPE) program) are not widely available. The primary aim of this study is to determine the strategies and processes that enable the COPE program to be implemented into existing dementia care services in Australia.

METHODS: This study uses a mixed methods approach to test an implementation strategy. The COPE intervention (up to ten consultations with an occupational therapist and up to two consultations with a nurse) will be …

A Comical Look At Occupational Therapy, Karen Mccarthy, Kira Kuwada

Collected Faculty Scholarship

n 2015, I attended the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Conference and was inspired by the keynote address given by Sue Baptiste, MHSc, OT(C). Baptiste explored how she viewed the profession of occupational therapy as moving away from its roots in occupation and becoming more reductionistic in its practice. The profession of occupational therapy has seen many paradigm shifts—from a paradigm of occupation, to a mechanistic paradigm, and then toward a contemporary paradigm, which embraces (1) emphasizing the importance of occupation to health and well-being, (2) recognizing occupational problems and/or challenges as the focus of occupational therapy, and (3) …

Age-Related Changes In Visual Processing Speed: A Pilot Study Using The Motor Free Visual Perception Test- 4, Amber Zadravecz, Kassidy Ha, Lauren Gollnick, Stephanie Pawek, Zoe Studer

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Older adults are at a significantly increased risk of being involved in motor vehicle accidents. Evidence reveals that visual processing speed decreases with age, which may impact driving. The Motor-Free Visual Perception Test- Third Edition (MVPT-3) is used as a pre-driving assessment and has an age-normed Response Time Index that measures visual processing speed. In 2015, a new version, the new Motor-Free Visual Perception Test- Fourth Edition (MVPT-4), was published. The new MVPT-4 does not yet demonstrate its utility in measuring visual processing speed. The purpose of this study was to explore if differences in visual processing speed between younger …

Measuring The Outcomes Of Therapeutic Listening In Children With Learning And Developmental Disabilities, Hannah Tashjian, Donielle Hair, Phoebe Taasan

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Anecdotal reports of the Therapeutic Listening ®-Quickshifts (TL-Q) technique report positive effects on child behavior but the individualized approach requires further supporting evidence. TL-Q is an individualized sound-based program used to facilitate sensory processing skills and is believed to improve interpersonal, social, and cognitive skills (Frick & Hacker, 2001). This study examines the use of a standardized protocol to measure the specific outcomes of the TL-Q program using a practice-based evidence (PBE) approach for the purpose of aggregating data for clinical practice. The protocol was used to measure the outcomes of the TL-Q program in a convenience sample of 23 …

Survey Of Sensory Diet Use Among California Occupational Therapy Practitioners, Morganne Peterson, Allison Hunt, Emily White

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of sensory diets in the field of occupational therapy. This study investigated the use of sensory diets among California occupational therapy practitioners. A mixed-methods design was used to collect data through an online survey. The survey was sent out to members of the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC) and received 98 respondents within one month. Participants worked among various clinical settings and implemented sensory diets with various client populations. Practitioners reported using terms such as “sensory strategies,” “sensory tools,” and “sensory supports” which indicates an overall misunderstanding associated with …

Collaborative Practices In Special Education: An Exploratory Study, Blanka Pentek, Katherine Sadoff, Evelyn Tang

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Objective: This exploratory survey study examined collaborative practices of professionals working in special education. The basis for the survey was the Conceptual Model of Collaboration (CMC), created by Hess and colleagues (2017).

Methods: 27 professionals who work in special education participated. Cross tabulation tests and Pearson's correlation tests were run to determine relationships between the variables.

Results: The findings indicated that the majority of participants value collaboration for student outcomes and professional development. Most participants agreed on common facilitators and barriers to collaboration. Collaboration primarily takes place in IEP meetings, through email and text messaging and is frequent in all …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of A Formal Dementia Care Training Program: Abilities Care Experts™, Carmen Joaquin, Michelle D'Amato, April Perez, Louiza Alexandria Villarina, Sophie E. Miller

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Overview: Abilities Care Experts™ (ACE™) is an educational training program for nursing staff who care for individuals with dementia in skilled nursing facilities (SNF). The objective of the program is to provide the nursing staff with knowledge, and methods to engage residents’ remaining abilities in order to maximize occupational participation using a stage-specific dementia care approach. ACE™ training has yet to be evaluated for effectiveness in a controlled study design.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the ACE™ training.

Design: The study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional, quasi-experimental design.

Participants: A total of 29 CNAs, 13 ACE™ trained …

Pilot Study: Assistive Technology As A Vocational Support For Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Erin Chaffee, Tina Ho, Kevin Ng

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the effectiveness of video-based instruction (VBI) to support completion of vocational tasks. A mixed-method approach was utilized to explore the use of VBI on a personal digital assistant with individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Using two assembling cooking tasks, researchers investigated the level of independence with task completion through written instruction versus VBI. The results indicated a small non-significant increase in the level of independence with task completion during the VBI task independent of intelligence quotient (IQ) levels. Participant’s feedback of VBI was also noted as positive to help learn …

Managing Fatigue With Technology For Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis, Janie Grant, May Anne Gamueda, America Ortega, Jordan Song

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the use of a mobile health application (mHealth app) in conjunction with energy conservation management techniques will result in a decrease in fatigue for adults with multiple sclerosis.

METHOD: Using a quantitative, exploratory, pre-posttest design, we examined outcomes associated with the use of the mHealth app, Pace My Day, by seven participants during one chosen task over two weeks. The app reinforced the use of energy conservation management techniques during the chosen task. Outcome measures included Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM).

RESULTS: There was …

Resilience And Protective Factors In Older Adults, Jessica Mcclain, Katelyn Gullatt, Caroline Lee

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Evidence suggests resilience promotes successful aging in place and protective factors promote resilience. This study sought to investigate whether or not the combination of three protective factors, physical health, social support, and self-efficacy are all of equal importance in predicting resilience among Marin County older adults, or if some individual protective factors have a greater impact on resilience than the others. Fifty-eight participants ages 62 and higher were recruited from senior community programs and personal contacts. Four self-report questionnaires were completed by the participants in this exploratory, cross-sectional, quantitative design. SPSS was used for a descriptive and multivariate analyses to …

Measuring Physiological Responses To Sensation In Typical Adults, Sarah Button, Kristen Christensen, Emily Minor

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Objective: Sensory processing issues can have a large negative impact on the ability to participate in daily occupations such as ADLs, access to work, school and leisure environments, and social interactions (Dunn, 2001). The evidence documenting sensory processing issues in adults is sparse. Physiological information can be used as objective evidence to support the claim that those with over-responsivity to sensations are experiencing their environment differently than the typical population. Understanding more about sensory processing in adults may lead to increased recognition of the problem and more opportunities for intervention to increase occupational participation. The purpose of this quantitative study …

Functional Cognitive Activities For Adults With Traumatic Brain Injury: Pilot Case Studies, Ajay Pala, Karen Huang, Ashley Cook

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

The purpose of these pilot case studies were to investigate the effectiveness of the Functional Cognitive Activities for Adults with Brain Injury: A Sequential Approach (FCA) in generalizing functional cognitive skills across meaningful occupations for adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study was a pretest-posttest design consisted of two participants with TBI.

Both participants attended 14 out of the 16 intervention sessions, twice-a-week for eight-weeks. Pretest-posttest measurements, including the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills, and Goal Attainment Scale (GAS), were used to measure changes in occupational performance. Additionally, a four-month follow-up phone interview using …