Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Interdisciplinary Skill Development During Summer Autism Clinic, Rachel F. Kagle

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

The present paper focuses on the interdisciplinary skill development of speech-language pathology graduate student clinicians and occupational therapy graduate student clinicians in the treatment of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This paper explains the significance of these disciplines in the treatment of Autism before giving the results of the study. For the present study, data was collected at James Madison University’s Summer Autism Camp over a four-week period. There were ten speech-language pathology (SLP) clinicians that received the survey and eleven children with Autism that were enrolled in the program. It was hypothesized that the SLP clinicians would display skill …

Sleep As An Occupation In College Students: A Mixed Method Study, Charlotte Sally, Savannah Hancock, Rhianna Wallace, Jacqueline M. Bloom

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Sleep is an emerging area of research and practice for occupational therapists. The purpose of this study was to identify and investigate how college students’ cognitive perceptions and beliefs about sleep affect their quality of sleep. Four college students participated in qualitative interviews investigating their sleep beliefs and attitudes. The students also completed a two-week daily sleep diary to report their sleep beliefs, attitudes, and daily living patterns. Four emerging themes were identified from the interviews: beliefs about sleep patterns related to temporal structure of sleep, stress, daytime performance associated with sleep, and conflicting beliefs about sleep. Daily sleep diaries …

Occupational Therapy In The Intensive Care Unit, Kelsie Colombini, Kristen M. Henderson, Michelle Huie, Courtney Malachowski

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

In recent years, the number of inpatient cardiovascular surgeries has significantly increased in hospitals around America. Occupational therapists in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Mills-Peninsula Medical Center (Burlingame, California) lack a standard protocol for addressing physical, cognitive, and psychosocial factors in patients post cardiac surgery. Furthermore, individuals’ experience and clinical reasoning frequently guides interventions rather than current evidence. The American Occupational Therapy Association’s Centennial Vision encourages occupational therapists to pursue science-driven practices and provide evidence-based interventions. In response to this Vision, an evidence-based clinical pathway was developed for the occupational therapists at Mills-Peninsula Medical Center. The clinical pathway facilitates …

Hippotherapy Capstone, Autumn O'Hara

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Capstone Projects

Therapists work with many children with many different diagnoses. One of the most prevalent diagnosis is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). According to recent statistics, available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with ASD; which is a developmental disability that can cause social and behavioral challenges (CDC, 2016). ASD can also be defined as a complex group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in social interaction and verbal and nonverbal communication, as well as restricted, repetitive interests (APA, 2016). Therapist also work with individuals who have other diagnoses and deficits, including but …

Efficacy Of Therapeutic Listening® Quickshifts In Children With Sensory Processing Difficulties, Shannon Preto, Ann Malloy, Bryant Luong

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Few empirical studies provide evidence for the effectiveness of Therapeutic Listening - Quickshifts (TL-Q). However, anecdotally, therapists and clients report TL-Q produces consistent positive results as an intervention for children with learning and developmental problems. In this study, the researchers examined the effectiveness of TL-Q intervention for five children with sensory processing difficulties to improve participation and function in (1) self-regulation and arousal, (2) activities of daily living (ADLs), (3) social/emotional skills, and (4) sensorimotor skills. Over the course of an 8-week prospective study, the researchers conducted a pre-test, post-test, prospective case study. During the intervention period, occupational therapist with …

Validation Of The Medication Box Task Assessment, Katherine Blank, Alison Chandler, Malcolm Isely, Serena Soria, Yamin Zaw

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

There are a limited number of validated occupation-based cognitive assessments that are feasible in clinical settings. For individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI), ecologically valid cognitive assessments are needed to understand how cognition influences functional performance. This study implemented a quantitative exploratory correlational design using a battery of gold standard tabletop cognitive assessments as criterion measurements against the Medication Box Task assessment, an occupation-based cognitive assessment. Eight participants completed the test battery. The student researchers used Pearson correlations to analyze each participant’s scores on the Medication Box Task assessment and the scores on the battery of gold standard assessments. Results …

Fall Risk Reduction Using Lifestyle-Integrated Functional Exercise (Life), Kayla L. Comer, Tiffany Huang, Kelly Schmidt, Matthew W. Tong

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

As the population and longevity of older adults’ increases, the prevalence of falls is becoming an ever-growing issue. Falls in older adults may lead to sedentary behavior, decreased independence, and lower quality of life. Evidence has shown that traditional exercise programs emphasizing strength and balance can decrease the fall risk in older adults, but may be difficult to sustain over time. Emerging evidence suggests that exercises that are integrated into daily life, as seen in the Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise (LiFE) program, may have a more lasting effect in reducing fall risk in older adults. This study explored the effectiveness of …

Living With Fragile X Syndrome: An Examination Of Family Occupations, Rebecca Schira, Samantha Alexander, Noelani Brisbane, Kaitlyn Williams

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of inherited Intellectual Developmental Disorder and a genetic model for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Those living with FXS face emotional, social, intellectual, and physical challenges that impact engagement in occupations, yet to date, there has been limited qualitative research examining family occupations in FXS. In this research, twelve interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed for common themes anchored in the Person, Environment, Occupation (PEO) model. Results indicated that while children with FXS exhibit strengths, there are certain occupations that families find difficult to engage in. A new model was created for consideration …

The Effects Of Therapeutic Listening On Bilateral Coordination, Avery Wilson, Mios Buccat, Amanda Grace Irao, Morgan Mousley, Michael Yra Munchua

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Therapeutic Listening® is an intervention increasingly used by occupational therapists despite the lack of supporting evidence in current literature. Therapeutic Listening® is a sound-based treatment developed by Sheila Frick, OTR/L, rooted in sensory integration. The purpose of this continuation study was to compare the quality of bilateral movement in typically developing children after either listening to Therapeutic Listening® Bilateral Coordination Quick Shift or listening to white noise. This study used a randomized control pretest-posttest experimental design to analyze posture, smooth and continuous movement, effort, precision, and arm/leg movements. Specific items were further analyzed after eliminating those with a strong ceiling …

Implementing Multifactorial Education Modules With Older Adults: Individualized And Interactive Fall Prevention Education, Salvador Chavez, Jocelle Flores, Rachelle Yambao

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Falls are a significant concern for community-dwelling older adults (OAs), with one in four OAs reporting a fall every year. Occupational therapy students collaborated with first responders of the Novato Fire District to identify gaps in fall prevention community outreach programs and found that many interventions lack an interactive or individualized approach. Based on the gap analysis and current literature, seven education modules were developed to address key risk factors including home safety hazards, polypharmacy, fear of falling, and strength and balance exercises. Thirty community-dwelling OAs participated in the education modules that were implemented at two senior community sites in …

The Duc Healthy Aging Website: Providing Online Occupation-Based Information, Haley Caruthers, Samantha Talavera, Jackeline Ulloa, Stephanie Vera

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Access to current, evidence-based health information is an important step to the promotion of health and wellness for all age groups, including OAs. Since the virtual world is easily accessible and is being used more frequently by OAs, an effective way to convey relevant up-to-date health information is through a website devoted to the dissemination of health promotion information tailored for OAs, including tips for integrating healthy habits into their lifestyle. Dominican University of California’s (DUC) Healthy Aging website, developed in May 2014, contains relevant and evidence-based research, including activities and local community based programs that promote healthy aging on …

Camping For Children With Cerebral Palsy, Emily Scannell

Honors Theses

Children with cerebral palsy and their families may have needs that make camping difficult or seemingly inaccessible. Through an explanation of the research backing the benefits of camping, this paper makes it clear that camping is a worthwhile activity that can be optimized through modifications. Understanding cerebral palsy and the steps of basic camping activities, it is possible to create modifications to increase family and child wellness while camping. Through a hypothetical case study, a specific look can be had at the ways to prepare for an optimal camping experience- from adapted equipment, to modified preparatory strategies. Through a review …

Evidence In Action: Impact Of Early Occupational Therapy Intervention In The Complex Stroke Patient, Gabriela Charles, Otr/L, Katie Connolly, Otr/L, Alan Cook, Otr/L, Megan Drollinger, Otr/L

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Introduction

Cerebrovascular disorders represent the third leading cause of mortality and second major cause of long-term disability in North America (3). Patients who arrive at the emergency room within 3 hours of their first symptoms tend to have less disability 3 months after a stroke than those who received delayed care (4). Further, several studies suggest stroke rehabilitation is most effective when initiated early, and confirms the existence of a positive correlation between early rehabilitation interventions and improved functional outcomes (2). Rationale to support these findings is centered around various arguments that bed rest negatively affects various body systems and …

Occupational Therapy And People Living With Scoliosis And Undermineralized Bones, Curran Smith, Ids, Katie Ramin, Ots

Program of Industrial Design Posters

Poster highlights work with 7 year old boy Brendan. Created Prone Pillow which can be used as a back rest. It also features a handle for carrying and a removable cover.

A Company-Wide Initiative To Improve Screening For Vision Impairment, Tami Levengood, Otr/L, Mscs, Otd, Marie Christine Potvin, Phd, Otr/L

CSHLA Scholar Day

Objectives:

• > 1 out of 6 point up in knowledge of vision impairment & confidence in screening (6 questions; 1=strongly disagree to 7=strongly agree)
• 40% of clients will undergo vision screening
• Identify & resolve barriers to vision screening (4 questions)

Sensory-Based Interventions In The School Setting: Perspectives Of Paraeducators, Lyn Carvell, Ms, Otr/L, Otd Candidate, Marie-Christine Potvin, Phd, Otr/L

CSHLA Scholar Day

Sensory experiences or environmental modifications can:

• Regulate behavior
• Improve sensory modulation
• Improve readiness for activities
• Improve focus for learning

Sleep Quality And Quantity May Differ By Design Versus Health Science Majors At Philadelphia University, T. Sweeney, T. Buonanno, B. Balsirow, J. Bhatt, B. Buleza, N. Grosso, T. Paulose, M. Pease, R. Petrie, A. Zaveri, A. Bower

CSHLA Scholar Day

Abstract:

Sleep deprivation in college students leads to a diminishment in motivation, ability to retain information, and shortens attention span which combined leads to lower academic performance. While some students may resort to caffeine or substance use to increase productivity, others forego drowsiness and consequently suffer from sleep deprivation. Increased stress and screen time both aggravate this situation. We hypothesize that there is a relationship between work demands related to a student’s choice of major and poor sleep quantity and quality. A 38-question survey was administered to 70 college students at Philadelphia University in March 2017 using Typeform, an on-line …

Therapeutic Benefits Of Certified Canines For Veterans With War-Related Trauma Disorders, Smith Lauren

Honors Theses

Veterans and their service dogs share a special relationship that is not only a friendship but a working relationship as well. They each give each other something that they cannot get on their own. The purpose of this thesis is to determine the relationship between veterans and their service dogs and the emotional and physical support provided. A review of the literature, combined with systematic interviews of combat veterans led to an initial understanding of the relationship between a veteran and a service dog and the benefits and risks associated with this special connection.

Therapeutic Benefits Of Certified Canines For Veterans With War-Related Trauma Disorders, Erin Caspers

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Efficacy Of A Local Resource Reference Manual On Home Modifications For Occupational Therapists In Roanoke, Virginia, Stephanie Peck

MOT Student Capstones

A qualitative research study was conducted to justify and promote occupational therapy's involvement within the home evaluation and home modification process. A resource reference manual was constructed following a systematic literal review where three key areas were identified as areas of interest; the impact of home modifications on participation and 3 performance within the home setting, occupational therapy's implementation of home modifications, and fall prevention with home modifications. With the results of the literature review supporting the involvement of occupational therapists within the home evaluation and home modification process, three objectives where identified to guide the study. These three objectives …