Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Understanding Parkinson’S Through Visual Narratives: “I’M Not Mrs. Parkinson’S”, S. G. Lutz, Jeffrey D. Holmes, D. Rudman, A. M. Johnson, K. Ladonna, M. E. Jenkins

Occupational Therapy Publications

Although it is accepted that individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) must navigate challenges such as receiving their diagnosis, and changing daily occupations, little is known about how they navigate. The purpose of this study is to deepen the current understanding of the experience of living with PD and its implications for occupation through a narrative visual methodology (photo-elicitation). Methods: Six individuals with PD were asked to take photographs and share verbal narrative accounts to illustrate their experience of living with PD. Findings: Results highlight the interrelationship between occupation and identity, as many of the participants stories were interpreted as foregrounding …

Expanding Beyond Individualism: Engaging Critical Perspectives On Occupation., Alison J Gerlach, Gail Teachman, Debbie Rudman, Rebecca M Aldrich, Suzanne Huot

Occupational Therapy Publications

BACKGROUND: Perspectives that individualize occupation are poorly aligned with socially responsive and transformative occupation-focused research, education, and practice. Their predominant use in occupational therapy risks the perpetuation, rather than resolution, of occupational inequities.

AIM: In this paper, we problematize taken-for-granted individualistic analyses of occupation and illustrate how critical theoretical perspectives can reveal the ways in which structural factors beyond an individual's immediate control and environment shape occupational possibilities and occupational engagement.

METHOD: Using a critically reflexive approach, we draw on three distinct qualitative research studies to examine the potential of critical theorizing for expanding beyond a reliance on individualistic analyses …

A Pilot Experimental Study Of Adding The Copm To The Occupational Therapy Evaluation Process In The Swing-Bed Division Of A Rural Hospital Setting, Sarah T. Durbin Ms.

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Extensive evidence is available on the efficacy of occupation-based practice for improving patient outcomes in hospital settings. There were no studies that took place specifically in the swing-bed division of rural hospital settings regarding occupation-based practice prior to the implementation of this study. Purpose: This study sought to determine whether the addition of the COPM would increase occupational performance and patient satisfaction for individuals treated in the swing-bed division of a rural hospital setting. Theoretical Framework: The Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement is the primary theory supporting this study, due to the emphasis placed on client-centeredness, spirituality, …

The Impact Of Interactive Education On Caregivers Caring For Individuals With Dementia, Lisa K. Hong

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are becoming more prevalent and individuals with the disease requiring much physically and emotionally from caregivers. As caregivers are often thrust unprepared into their roles, the need for quality education becomes increasingly important.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify changes in caregiver perception after participation in an interactive educational program. The following research questions were used: 1) What is the perception of both professional and family caregivers about their ability to provide care following an interactive education program for dementia care? 2) Does an education program change the caregiver’s general knowledge …

Critically Appraised Paper For “Adaptive Vs. Non-Adaptive Cognitive Training By Means Of A Personalized App: A Randomized Trial In People With Multiple Sclerosis.”, Kevin Ng, Jeffrey Kou, Patricia Lyons, Yvonne Lam, America Ortega, Kitsum Li

Occupational Therapy | Critically Appraised Papers Series

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that causes cognitive and physical fatigue, which can slow cognitive processing speed (CPS). Slow CPS affects occupational engagement. Evidence suggests that physical activity can be used as an intervention to address and manage slowed CPS in MS. This Level I randomized controlled trial (RCT) examined the impact of a physical-activity behavioral intervention on CPS and walking performance among people with mild to moderate MS.

Seventy-six participants with mild to moderate MS participated in the study for 6 months. The participants were split into two groups, the intervention group and the wait-list control group. In …

Promoting Utilization Of The Allen Cognitive Level Screen 5 {Acls-5) Assessment Tool With Long Term Care Clients With Dementia To Promote Quality Of Care, Michelle S. Verni

MOT Student Capstones

The purpose of this capstone project was to examine any changes, after participating in an educational training, in occupational therapists' (OTs') clinical knowledge of the Allen Cognitive Level Screen 5 (ACLS-5) assessment tool related dementia levels and the OTs' perceived professional value and intention to use for promoting quality of care with long-term dementia clients. A one-day educational/training in-service with self-reported questionnaires was held. The questionnaires were used to measure the effectiveness of the educational/training in-service through any changes in clinical knowledge that would assist in increasing the intent to use the ACLS-5 in their settings to promote quality of …

Transition In Occupations Of Refugees During Resettlement, Jennifer H. Daine, Adam A. Chan, Jacqueline-Elizabeth Cantrell, Kimberley Keagan Banuelos

Student Research Posters

Purpose: In 2016, there were 22.5 million refugees worldwide (UNHCR, 2017). California resettled just over 5,000 of those 85,000 (Igielnik & Krogstad, 2017). Limited research has been conducted in the United States (U.S.) focusing on the refugee experience; furthermore, there is a significant gap in research regarding the impact of the refugee experience on the occupations of refugees as they transition to living in the U.S. Smith (2012) explored the adaptation of cultural weaving among Karen refugees to maintain their previous occupations and the impact of daily weaving on their lives within Western culture; however, the study focused only on …

Autism And Occupation: Video Modeling For Maker Activities, Hannah Gibeson, Kelly Yerby, Molly Smith, Brittany Yung

Student Research Posters

Understanding the lived experiences of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using video modeling (VM) while engaging in Maker activities is an essential part of occupational therapy research. Participants in this study were four individuals with ASD recruited from a project-based studio located in San Rafael, CA, and one staff member. The qualitative portion of this study analyzed the lived experiences and perspectives of the individuals with ASD and their service provider through qualitative semi-structured interview methods. The quantitative portion of this study analyzed the effectiveness of VM for Maker activities during the activity of making a box using a …

Integration Of Pet Therapy To Enhance Occupational Performance, Brooke Harrell

MOT Student Capstones

Individuals with a Dementia diagnosis are on the continual rise in America. This debilitating condition remains incurable even with all the research and technology we have available today. Benefits of canine interactions have been demonstrated and it is becoming more common to incorporate canines into therapy practice. Canines have the ability to reduce anxiety and improve an individual's overall mood. By successfully impacting these two variables, canine interaction enhance client's potential and abilities tremendously. Canines provide an alternative outside of the box treatment method for clients with Dementia. Our role as an occupational therapist is to provide client centered care, …

The Benefits Of A Screening Tool For Seating And Mobility During The Initial Occupational Therapy Evaluation In Skilled Nursing Facilities, Ryan Haines

MOT Student Capstones

Occupational therapy practitioners are familiar with the idea that wheelchair positioning and mobility can have an impact on one's ability to participate in daily routines and leisure activities, yet many times it is overlooked during the initial evaluation process. Residents of skilled nursing facilities who rely upon wheelchairs for their mobility are at a particularly high risk of developing medical complications, such as pressure sores, and respiratory issues secondary to long-term seated positioning. The purpose of this project is to create an easy to use wheelchair positioning screening tool to use on both long-term care residents and individuals who are …

The Effect Of An Iadl Group Serving Moderate Functional Adults With Intellectual Disabilities In A Group Home Setting, Megan P. Buckland

MOT Student Capstones

Objective: The purpose of this project is to explore and provide participants an opportunity to engage in meaningful activities in the hopes to increase their performance participation and improve their satisfaction in areas of occupations for Instruments of Daily Activities (IADL 's). These areas included, meal preparation and home management tasks. The IADL's were accomplished through group participation and on an individual basis. Method: The occupational therapy student provided two questionnaires for the parents and or guardians, as well primary caregivers in the group home. The participants were also given the Lawton-Brody's IADL scale and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. …

Let It Flow: Increasing Occupation-Centered Practice In Skilled Nursing Facilities, Patrick D. Robbins

MOT Student Capstones

The purpose of this study was to use the Kawa Model to discover and analyze the performance of the occupational therapy profession to incorporate occupation-centered practice in the skilled nursing setting. The guiding questions of the Kawa Model were used to guide phenomenological research inquiry into literature sources to generate drawings of the historical and current aspects of occupation-centered practice in the SNF setting. Environmental restrictions and obstacles from multiple sources were identified to prevent the implementation of occupation-centered services, while professional skills and values were identified with potential to initiate change in current practice trends. Two possible strategies for …

Pre-Sleep Routines In Adult Normal Sleepers, Jean Koketsu

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Sleep is the most important restorative occupation, and pre-sleep routines, which precede sleep, have not been explored in normal adult sleepers. Routines are an important construct in occupational therapy, but it is not well-researched.

The purpose of this project is to add to the body of knowledge regarding pre-sleep routines through description by normal sleepers. This research can inform occupational therapists in regard to the usual patterns and dynamics of pre-sleep routines. Open systems theory, a grounded theory approach, and graphic and interview methods were used in this qualitative study.

Participants were 16 adults, between the ages of 23 and …

Cognitive And Metacognitive Factors In Reading Comprehension For Occupational Therapy Assistant Students, Cynthia L. Meyer

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Difficulties with reading comprehension among occupational therapy assistant (OTA) students can diminish their ability to understand didactic textual information limiting clinical performance and can impact OTA attrition rates and limit graduate success when completing the national certification examination.

Participants were one cohort of OTA students from a rural public community college.

This was a convergent mixed-method design (Creswell & Creswell, 2018). The students’ perceptions of cognitive and metacognitive factors affecting reading and the students’ preferences for cognitive and metacognitive strategies were assessed through a 59-item survey assessment combining the Text-Learning Strategies Inventory (TLSI) (Merchie, Van Keer, & Vandevelde, 2014), the …

Perceptions Of Atp Certified Occupational Therapy Practitioners On Assistive Technology Education In Occupational Therapy Programs, Karen M. Dishman Otd, Otr, Atp

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

This capstone project focused on identifying which categories of assistive technology (AT) that practitioners perceived to be needed in entry-level master’s occupational therapy (OT) programs; and validating the need for post-professional AT training and post-professional AT certificate programs. For this capstone project, a survey approach was used as the data collection method. The purpose of the survey was to determine perceptions of OT practitioners on AT education received during their entry-level OT program. The survey was returned by 148 occupational therapy practitioners certified as assistive technology professionals (ATP) by the Rehabilitation and Engineering Society of North America (RESNA). Results indicated …

Occupational Therapy Intervention For Project Search Interns With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Potential For Improved Transition Outcomes, Jessie L. Bricker

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

As the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) continues to rise, it is increasingly important to address the needs of adults with ASD as they transition into the work world. Project SEARCH, an internationally recognized program, has been successful in assisting individuals with disabilities in attaining competitive employment. Yet even in this program model, individuals with ASD have lower employment outcomes than individuals in other disability categories. The purpose of this action research study was to explore the needs of individuals with high functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD) within the Project SEARCH program from their own perspectives, and to examine …

Enhancing Collaboration Regarding Long-Term Therapy Planning For Children With Chronic Conditions Using Participatory Action Research, Victoria Ann Mcquiddy

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Children with chronic conditions often participate in therapy, but there is little information about how often or for how long therapy services should be provided. Participatory action research (PAR) methods were utilized in this study and, therefore, involved both parents and occupational and physical therapists throughout the study. Parental interviews were conducted to understand parent perception of self-management and how parents felt their child’s therapist was doing or could do to facilitate self-management, particularly as it related to discharge planning or having their child take a break from ongoing therapy. Through analysis of parent interviews completed by the therapist team …

Fine Motor Skills And The Occupations Of Young Adults With Multiple Sclerosis, Mary Squillace

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological diseases affecting adults of working age, and those of younger ages of onset have been increasingly recognized. Twenty-seven percent of people with MS (PwMS) are age 30 years old or younger. The burden of MS for young adults puts them at risk for poorer outcomes regarding their education, family planning, vocation, and social skills as they transition to adulthood. Fine motor (FM) skill impairment might impede performance within the daily occupations of young adults who are transitioning into adulthood. Few studies focus on the occupations and occupational performance of …

Comprehensive Occupational Therapy In A Breast Cancer Program, Nicole Renee Scheiman

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this capstone project is to develop an evidenced-based, innovative, and comprehensive occupational therapy evaluation and intervention protocol for breast cancer care. The contents of this paper will include an introduction into the current care provided to survivors, literature review on best practice in breast cancer care, outline of the procedures completed to discover what best practice care should be, results of these procedures, discussion of the results, and conclusion with proposed program and recommendations for further investigation. The concern investigated is the inconsistencies in care provided to survivors from the time of diagnosis throughout their lifespan or …

Jan Davis, Ms, Otr/L

OJOT Sponsor Profiles

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