Occupational Therapy Commons^™

An Intervention For Sensory Difficulties In Children With Autism: A Randomized Trial., Roseann C Schaaf, Teal W. Benevides, Zoe Mailloux, Patricia Faller, Joanne Hunt, Elke Van Hooydonk, Regina Freeman, Benjamin E Leiby, Jocelyn Sendecki, Donna Kelly

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

This study evaluated a manualized intervention for sensory difficulties for children with autism, ages 4-8 years, using a randomized trial design. Diagnosis of autism was confirmed using gold standard measures. Results show that the children in the treatment group (n = 17) who received 30 sessions of the occupational therapy intervention scored significantly higher (p = 0.003, d = 1.2) on Goal Attainment Scales (primary outcome), and also scored significantly better on measures of caregiver assistance in self-care (p = 0.008 d = 0.9) and socialization (p = 0.04, d = 0.7) than the Usual Care control group (n = …

A Multidisciplinary Approach To The Prevention Of Infant Torticollis And Plagiocephaly, Anne H. Zachry, S. K. Slaughter

Faculty Presentations

Research suggests that parents are more likely to carry out positioning recommendations from a health care professional than any other source. Occupational therapy practitioners can play an important role in educating parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers about the importance of providing tummy time and limiting infant time spent in baby gear.

A Transformative Experience For Occupational Therapy Students In A Simulated Learning Environment, Kitsum Li, Barbara Mccamish

Collected Faculty Scholarship

Simulation is being integrated into nursing and medical curriculum nationally and it is well integrated into the Nursing program at Dominican University of California, However, use of simulation in allied health professionals is only an emerging practice. The aim of this program is to integrate simulation into the OT curriculum in order to facilitate the development of therapy foundation skill.

Home-Based Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Following Hip Fracture Surgery: What Is The Evidence?, Kathleen Donohue, Richelle Hoevenaars, Jocelyn Mceachern, Erica Zeman, Saurabh Mehta

Physical Therapy Faculty Research

Objective. To determine the effects of multidisciplinary home rehabilitation (MHR) on functional and quality of life (QOL) outcomes following hip fracture surgery.

Methods. Systematic review methodology suggested by Cochrane Collaboration was adopted. Reviewers independently searched the literature, selected the studies, extracted data, and performed critical appraisal of studies. Summary of the results of included studies was provided.

Results. Five studies were included. Over the short-term, functional status and lower extremity strength were better in the MHR group compared to the no treatment group (NT). Over the long-term, the MHR group showed greater improvements in balance confidence, functional …

Computer-Based Cognitive Retraining For Adults With Chronic Acquired Brain Injury: A Pilot Study, Kitsum Li, Julie Robertson, Joshua Ramos, Stephanie Gella

Collected Faculty Scholarship

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a computer-based cognitive retraining (CBCR) program on improving memory and attention deficits in individuals with a chronic acquired brain injury (ABI). Twelve adults with a chronic ABI demonstrating deficits in memory and attention were recruited from a convenience sample from the community. Using a quasi-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design, a significant improvement was found in both memory and attention scores postintervention using the cognitive screening tool. This study supported the effectiveness of CBCR programs in improving cognitive deficits in memory and attention in individuals with chronic ABI. Further research is recommended to validate these findings …

The Fieldwork Planning Matrix – Maximizing The Learning Environment In Non-Traditional Community Based Settings, Arlene Lorch, Otd, Otr/L, Ches, Tina Angelis, Edd, Otr/L

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

OBJECTIVES

•Learn about a matrix guided tool utilized to plan and structure unique fieldwork experiences.

•Identify key elements associated with “matrix” implementation.

•Understand multi-faceted uses of the manual.

BACKGROUND - NONTRADITIONAL FW

•More community-based sites are needed to meet FW placement demand

•Typically, these FW sites rely upon non-traditional, distant supervision.

•These learning environments require high degree of structure to support experiential self-directed learning

•High structure requires detailed planning

•A planning matrix method to maximize the learning environment is proposed.

Creating An Infrastructure To Support Faculty Outcomes Research On Teaching And Learning, Susan Toth-Cohen, Phd, Otr/L, Susan Wainwright, Phd, Pt

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

This presentation discusses the Teaching and Learning Initiative (TLI), a comprehensive program for building faculty capacity to design and implement educational research in a school of health professions. The TLI is a staged program based on Eade's (1997) approach to capacity building, which the authors apply to the academic environment. The TLI consisted of 4 stages:

1. Initial planning and data gathering.

2. Training faculty in educational outcomes research.

3. Faculty submission of educational outcomes research for intramural funding.

4. Participatory action research approach to further develop faculty capacity for the scholarship of teaching and learning, including educational outcomes …

Clinical Reasoning In The Use Of Slings For Patients With Shoulder Subluxation After Stroke: A Glimpse Of The Practice Phenomenon In California, Kitsum Li, Naoko Murai, Simon Chi

Collected Faculty Scholarship

Literature reports the frequent use of shoulder slings by occupational therapists for the management of post-stroke shoulder subluxation despite the low evidence for its efficacy. To understand the clinical context that defies current research evidence, a survey was distributed among California occupational therapists. One hundred and sixty-eight participants responded to the survey, answering questions regarding the occurrences and clinical reasoning in the use of shoulder sling with patients post stroke. 81.5% of the respondents reported the use of shoulder sling. However, the actual sling prescription was limited to 28.4% of their patients. Slings were primarily prescribed for upper extremity management …

An Organization-Wide Service Improvement Approach, Jennifer Jasmine Arfaa, Phd, Mhsa, Cynthia Line, Phd, Nora Kramer, Msn, Rn, Karen Montoro, Rn, Richard D. Blob,, Maria Francesco, Jaime Stazi, Rn, Elisabeth Kunkel, Md, Susan Krekun, Md, Lizanne Mason, Rn, Kathy Evans, Rn, Lorraine Weikel, Rn, Ann D. Clark, Ms, Otr/L, Ray Wisniewski, Teresa Heavens

Department of Nursing papers and presentations

APPROACH TO PROBLEM SOLVING

High priority index questions from HCAHPS and Press Ganey surveys, including overall ratings, communication with RNs and MDs, hospital environment and response to concerns and complaints, were targeted for improvement. These high priority indices served as the basis for redesigning Patient Services using a multi-faceted approach to improve patients’ experiences.

At Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH), high performance on the Patient Experiences of Care Survey has been driven by a successful multi-tiered approach to patient services:

·Hospital leadership guided and implemented new approaches to ensure excellence in patient services is an ever-present and obtainable goal

·Physician …

Evidence-Based Practice In Occupational Therapy Curricula., Tina Angelis, Edd, Otr/L, Thomas G Dimarco, Susan Toth-Cohen, Edd, Otr/L

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

The purpose of this study is to describe currently used educational strategies for teaching evidence-based practice (EBP) in entry-level master's degree occupational therapy programs in the United States. Fifty-eight entry-level occupational therapy program directors completed a survey. Results showed that occupational therapy programs consistently use a wide variety of EBP resources for teaching EBP including database searches, literature reviews, and the development of a research proposal. Less commonly used strategies include the use of case stories and journal clubs. The current study provides a baseline of existing strategies taught in entry level programs that may be built upon to gather …

Early Intervention Provider Use Of Child Caregiver-Teaching Strategies, Philippa Campbell, Phd, Catherine Ehret-Coletti, Ms

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

Most current early intervention approaches emphasize the importance of a provider role as teacher or coach, a role in which providers give parents or other caregivers information about how to optimize children’s growth and development (Stremel & Campbell, 2007). However, few studies have examined the information that should be provided for caregivers or how this information is best delivered to caregivers although a number of rating scales are able to distinguish between roles of direct service provider for the child (e.g., traditional) and triadic interaction among provider, caregiver, and child (Campbell & Sawyer, 2007; Salisbury & Cushing, 2013). Related factors …

Picturing Life, Molly Bathje

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The cover art of the summer 2013 issue of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy provided by Jonathan Darnall reflects his unique life perspective, current roles, and values. An exploration of Jon’s life experience reveals how creative arts, including photography, have positively influenced his life and inform OT practitioners about the benefits of photography as an intervention and an occupation.

Enhancing Client-Centeredness In Parkinson's Disease Care: Attending To The Psychosocial Implications Of Lived Experience, Jeffrey D. Holmes, Sara Lutz, Mike Ravenek, Debbie L. Rudman, Andrew M. Johnson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Evidence-based practice requires that clinicians interpret the best research evidence in the context of their clinical experience, while at the same time considering client knowledge and experiences. Although clinicians are becoming increasingly skilled at the evaluation of research evidence, the evidence-based practice process often neglects client values and self-identified health issues. Ignoring these key aspects of client-centered practice may lead to interventions that fail to target the implications of a client’s disease that are important to occupational participation and quality of life (QOL). A focus on client-centeredness is particularly important in progressive neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, where there …

Use Of Participant-Generated Photography In A Research Contribution Course, Maryellen Thompson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

This paper describes the use of small, qualitative studies focused on interviews done with participant-generated photographs as an effective and efficient way of teaching research to entry-level masters students. A comparison of using time-use diaries vs. participant-generated photography is presented to explicate the research process and demonstrate the advantages of using photography, including ease of data collection and data sharing. Over a three-year period of using participant-generated photographs as a guide for semi-structured interviews, students have consistently expressed enjoyment of the research process and increased empathy with their research participants.

Therapists As Educators: The Importance Of Client Education In Occupational Therapy, Kate E. Decleene, Angelia J. Ridgway, Julie Bednarski, Lori Breeden, Gina Gabriele Mosier, Deborah Sachs, Donna Stephenson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Client education is a major component of everyday health care practice. Entry-level occupational therapy (OT) accreditation standards require educators to teach students how to demonstrate the ability to educate clients, family, caregivers, and significant others to facilitate their skills related to personal occupations. Although these standards are a necessity, entry-level programs are not required to teach students the teaching methodologies that support human learning. However, the educational standards do require students to apply the principles of teaching and learning processes. This project explored the evidence in teaching and learning strategies and how these were introduced to OT students during their …

Children With Developmental Disabilities And Their Motivation To Play, Lindsey Askins, Brittany Diasio, Dagmara Szewerniak, Susan M. Cahill

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how and when children with developmental disabilities aged nine to 12 years spontaneously demonstrated play behaviors indicative of intrinsic motivation. Data was collected from six child participants and four parent participants through the use of the Pediatric Volitional Questionnaire (PVQ) and semi-structured photo-elicitation interviews. Overall, the children who participated in this study sought out play experiences with which they were familiar in their natural environments. Specifically, they sought out experiences that afforded them the opportunity to exercise control over their environment and create a sense of predictability. Each of the children …

Stakeholder Recommendations To Refine The Fitness-To-Drive Screening Measure, Sherrilene Classen, Sandra M. Winter, Craig A. Velozo, Elizabeth M. Hannold, Jason Rogers

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

In developing the web-based Fitness-to-Drive Screening Measure (FTDS) and keyform (results output) for use to identify at-risk older drivers, we examined the needs, perspectives, and suggestions of three stakeholders groups: occupational therapy practitioners, certified driver rehabilitation specialists (CDRSs), and family members/caregivers. We conducted three focus groups, which were moderated, recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using directed content analysis. Respondents in two focus groups also rated FTDS aspects (e.g., ease of use, format, and relevance), using a visual analog scale (VAS, 0-10 scale with 10 being excellent). All three stakeholder groups contributed to the development of the web-based FTDS. Results from occupational …

Indicators Of Simulated Driving Skills In Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sherrilene Classen, Miriam Monahan, Stephanie Hernandez

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Adolescents are at high risk for motor vehicle crashes (MVCs). Teens with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may have an even greater risk for MVCs due to impaired visual, cognitive, and motor skills critical for driving. This prospective two group study demonstrated the demographic, clinical, and simulated driving skill differences of seven adolescents with ASD (mean age = 15.14, SD ±1.22) compared to 22 healthy controls (HC) (mean age = 14.32, SD ±.72) through a comprehensive driving evaluation (CDE) conducted by an occupational therapist certified driving rehabilitation specialist (OT-CDRS). Adolescents with ASD performed poorer on right eye …

Trading In Our Paradigm Shifts For A Staircase, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

You've Got A Friend In Me: Effectiveness Of Social Skills Interventions For Children With Adhd, Michelle Carlton, Kelly Davis, Jacquelyn Matlack, Marietta Van Ness

Collaborative Research and Evidence shared Among Therapists and Educators (CREATE Day)

Children diagnosed with ADHD present with the core symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, which lead to challenges with school based activities, including peer interactions, academics, and extracurricular activities (McClelland, Morrison, & Holmes, 2000; Hoza, 2007). Current research identifies social skills interventions as a potential strategy for occupational therapists (OTs) to address these participation challenges of children with ADHD, however there is a multitude of interventions that fall under this umbrella. The variety of social skills interventions allows for flexibility and diversity in implementation, but poses the challenge of choosing the most effective intervention. This choice should be informed by evidence-based …