Occupational Therapy Commons^™

An Occupational Therapy Program To Help Community Dwelling Seniors Age In Place, Amy Lundberg, Kayla Novacek

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: It is estimated that by 2030, one in five people in the United States will be 65 or older (US Census Bureau, 2008). An aging in place initiative has come to the forefront of health care to help seniors cope with the age related challenges, allowing seniors to experience productive aging in their own homes. The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop an occupation based aging in place wellness program for community dwelling elderly.

Methods: A literature review was conducted to identify the current challenges associated with aging. In addition, the literature review identified strengths and limitations …

Children Impacted By Deployment: An Occupational Therapist's View, Lisa Mitteness, Angela Thielen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The number of children impacted by deployment is a growing area of concern for healthcare providers. This scholarly project explored the impact of deployment on families and children during the phases of deployment. An extensive review of literature revealed a lack of practice-related information for occupational therapists working with children impacted by deployment.

The project is an educational workshop addressing the affects of deployment on children and practice guidelines for occupational therapists. The occupational therapy model for practice utilized is the Person-Environment-Occupational Model; the family centered approach supports application of the model. The workshop topics include: (a) impacts of deployment, …

On The Go: Sensory Kit Manuals For Families Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sarah Dahlhauser, Holly Frolek

Occupational Therapy Capstones

In the past 10 years the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has increased to 1 in every 150 children (Case-Smith & Arbesman, 2008). According to Greenspan and Wieder (1997), 95% of these children diagnosed with ASD experience sensory modulation problems. Having a child with ASD can have a significant impact on family dynamics during the first years post-diagnosis. The findings of a qualitative study by Werner Degrace (2004) suggest that family life revolves around the preoccupation with the child’s behaviors. The findings further indicate that social and leisure involvement are sacrificed to manage the child’s behaviors at the cost …

Evidence-Based Intervention For Sleep Disturbance In Healthy Elderly Individuals, Sarah Gregory, Heather Hoffman

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Elderly individuals have a predisposition to experiencing sleep disorder, yet many remain untreated. Consequences of untreated sleep disturbance may result in decreased cognitive functioning, lowered perceived quality of life, and loss of independence. A literature review describes the definition of sleep, consequences of sleep disorder, sleep disturbance in the elderly population, intervention efficacy, principles of gerogogy, and the role of occupational therapy in sleep intervention.

The scholarly project presents a manual designed for use with well-elderly populations and intended to be guided and/or distributed by occupational therapists. The manual is entitled “Take Control of Your Sleep: An Occupational Therapy Manual …

Life Skills: An After School Program For Children With Down Syndrome, Allison Hendrickson, Kayla Korynta

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Parents of a child born with Down syndrome often have concerns about their child’s education, ability to live independently outside of the home, gain employment and have a means to support themselves, and their participation in social events within the community. Concerns also arise when parents are unsure about what professional will address these issues and help support their child in development. Occupational therapy is a unique discipline that offers a number of services to children with disabilities in the school system. These services begin at the age of 3 and continue until the child graduates or turns 21 and …

The Role Of The Occupational Therapist In Adolescent Substance Intervention, Cassandra Leach, Kori Le Blanc

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The current occupational therapy literature has limited information regarding the use of occupational therapy interventions for substance abuse specific to the adolescent population. Adolescents between the ages of 12 to 17 years have increased their engagement in illicit drug use from 9.3% in 2008 to 10% in 2009 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2009). In regards to alcohol use, in 2009, approximately 10.4 million persons (27%) ages 12-20 years reported drinking alcohol within the last month (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2009). According to Martin, Bliven, and Boisvert, (2008) substance abuse addictions significantly impact the person’s …

A Lifestyle Modification Program For Community Dwelling Adults With Obesity, Ashlee M. Lee, Julie A. Stolt

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Obesity is significantly rising among adults in the United States. The Center for Disease Control (CDC, 2009e), estimates that obesity increased by 15% to 32.9% within a 20 year span (1985 – 2008). Clinical obesity is defined as having a BMI 30 and over; it is correlated with secondary complications that include hypertension, type II diabetes, osteoarthritis, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, cerebral vascular accidents, sleep apnea, and respiratory illnesses (CDC, 2009d; World Health Organization [WHO], 2009). Beyond the many health consequences caused by obesity, there are also psychosocial, genetic, and discriminatory aspects of this disease that negatively impact the quality of …

The Experience Of Retirement For Individuals With An Intellectual Disability, Megan Flowers

Theses : Honours

Retirement is a significant life transition that affects all workers; it is therefore important that individuals in the workforce are aware of the issues that can occur during the retirement years. The retirement experience has been researched in depth, however studies into the experience of retirement for individuals with an intellectual disability is severely lacking. Robert Atchley researched the factors that facilitate successful retirement adjustment for individuals in the normative population; this narrative review discusses these factors in relation to the barriers that individuals with an intellectual disability face in achieving a smooth retirement adjustment. The results found that: individuals …

Heart Transplant Rehabilitation: An Occupational Therapy Program, Amos Hartsell, Kirsten Slominski

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a comprehensive rehabilitation program following the acute inpatient stay after heart transplantation. This project can be applied in community based and in home rehabilitation settings.

Methods: A literature review was conducted using the SCOPUS and Pub Med databases. Information was gathered regarding rehabilitation of cardiac transplant recipients, problems facing recipients, occupations/activities, and occupational therapist roles. In addition information was gathered from medical facility web sites regarding existing cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Results: Designed from the perspective of the Occupation Adaptation Model, a rehabilitation home program was developed for heart transplant recipients. …

A Cultural Competence Guide For Occupational Therapists: Addressing Major Health Issues Of The Eastern Shoshone & Northern Arapaho Tribes, Crystal Nelson, Ashton Wilcox-Brown

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The authors have created a cultural competency guide on the history, culture, and beliefs of the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes as well as an overview of current health concerns and resulting health disparities. The creation of the guide is necessary in order to provide information about these cultures to occupational therapists (OT) working with them. However, there is considerable lack of resources for discussing cultural competency regarding these tribes in relation to occupational therapy.

In preparing to create the guide, an extensive literature review was conducted to determine cultural issues and health disparities of the two tribes. Secondary …

The Work Practices And Employment Patterns Of Parents Of A Child With Rett Syndrome, Jessica Coles

Theses : Honours

Objective: To review the literature examining the work practices and employment patterns of parents of a child with an intellectual disability, with a specific focus on Rett syndrome. Method: Electronic database searches of Medline, Cinahl and ISI Web of Knowledge and manual searches of reference lists were conducted. Government Reports obtained from Australian Bureau of Statistics were also examined. Quality of articles was assessed using Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment Checklists from Standard Quality Assessment Criteria for Evaluating Primary Research Papers used to assess quality of literature. Results: The work practices and employment patterns of parents of children …

The Relationship Between A Teacher Check List And Standardised Tests For Visual Perception Skills: A South African Remedial Primary School Perspective, Janet Richmond, K Holland

Research outputs pre 2011

Occupational therapy in remedial education settings has been questioned by the South African Government as they see occupational therapy as a costly service and thus has challenged occupational therapy clinicians’ approach to assessment. This study was undertaken to establish whether the results of standardised tests of visual perception skills, relate to teachers’ observations in respect of primary remedial school age children (six to eleven years) attending a short term remedial school because of low scholastic achievement despite having average or above intellectual ability. The Test of Visual Perceptual Skills – Revised, the Developmental Test of Visual Perception-2, the Jordan Left-Right …

Occupational Therapists' Perspectives On Psychosocial Treatment Of Sexual Dysfunction With Mental Health Patients, Brittany Siefert, Joseph Troudt

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the perceptions of mental health occupational therapists about psychosocial treatment of sexual dysfunction with clients in psychiatric facilities.

Methods: Using qualitative methodology, student researchers interviewed six occupational therapists practicing in psychiatric settings as part of an exploratory study into the perceptions of clinicians about treatment of sexual dysfunction with people who have mental health disabilities. Semi-structured interviews utilized open-ended questions. Electronic recording of interviews was conducted and verbatim transcripts were created. Data was analyzed and emergent codes and themes were developed.

Results: Three themes emerged related to: scope of practice, perceived …

Treating Adults With Chronic Pain: Exploring The Contemporary Trends Of Occupational Therapy, Jennifer Gough, Laura Roush

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore occupational therapy’s approach in treating individuals with chronic pain. More specifically, to evaluate occupational therapy’s role in current practices including assessments, models of practice, modalities, and competencies.

Methodology: Following IRB approval, a purposive sampling method was used to gain a sufficient number of participants to complete an online survey. Inclusion criteria for participants in this study included occupational therapists currently working in an outpatient setting, current members of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), and practicing within the states of Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Colorado, and Nebraska. Subjects were …

A Holistic Treatment Approach For Individuals Experiencing Phantom Phenomena: An Occupational Therapy Approach, Jenna Akkanen, Laura Olauson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The prevalence of individuals who have had an amputation and experience adverse types of sensory input from the missing limb is very high (Hunter, Katz, & Davis, 2005). According to the literature, sensory input can be divided into non-painful sensations or painful sensations in the amputated limb often called "phantom sensations." These pains and sensations can have many negative implications upon an individual's occupational performance, and consequently directly implicate the need for occupational therapy. A large number of persons post-amputation experience pain and different sensations from their affected limb even after the healing process has finalized; the etiology behind why …

The Adl Of Sexuality: A Guide For Occupational Therapists For Elderly Clients, Autumn Edmundson, Amber Lafrenz

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a guide that would address the assessments, treatment/interventions, and discharge planning process regarding sexual health/sexuality with an elderly client. Through the use of the guide and accompanying resources it is assumed that occupational therapists will have an increased level of comfort, knowledge, and competence. This is important as Couloumbis and Miller (1994) study indicated that occupational therapists that received formal education (academically or clinical practice) addressed sexuality in the elderly 27.8% more than occupational therapists who did not have any educational experience.

Methodology: An in depth literature review was conducted …

Differentiating Dementia From Mental Illness In The Elderly: An Occupational Therapy Process, Michelle Halsted

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this product is to provide those persons admitted to a hospital setting with an unclear diagnosis the opportunity to be efficiently and accurately diagnosed, thus allowing proper treatment, medications, and placement, if needed. Often, . there is confusion amongst professionals in the treatment team as to whether an older adult may have a developing dementia versus symptoms of a mental illness. Through the evaluation process, individuals will engage in a balance of evaluative activities that may improve physical, social, emotional, spiritual, occupational, and cognitive focus areas. These evaluations are primarily based on Allen's Cognitive Model and The …

Life Coaching: Possibilities For Occupational Therapy Practice, Amy L. Heinz, Karen Mccarthy, Wendy Pentland, Camille M. Dieterle, Jennie M. Antolak

Collected Faculty Scholarship

No abstract available

The Outcome Star: A Tool For Recovery Orientated Services; And, Exploring The Use Of The Outcome Star In A Recovery Orientated Mental Health Service, Emma-Louise Keen

Theses : Honours

Objective: The primary objective of this review was to examine the Outcome Star and its utility as a tool for use in recovery oriented mental health services. The secondary objective was to examine similar instruments and their use within mental health services. Methods: Electronic databases Psycinfo, CINAHL, Medline and Proquest were searched. Manual searches of reference lists of retrieved articles and specific journals were undertaken to identify research relevant to describing the structure and properties of the Outcome Star, and its use in mental health settings. Results: A review of the literature revealed that there is a paucity of research …

Pubertal Trajectory And The Management Of Menstruation In Females With Rett Syndrome And Down Syndrome, Olivia Annelies Knight

Theses : Honours

Background: Puberty is a challenging transition for all young women and particularly so for those with an intellectual disability. Individuals with an intellectual disability often experience both cognitive and physical impairment and a wide range of comorbidities. This review explores research into the pubertal trajectory and the management of menstruation in two syndromes within intellectual disability. Rett syndrome which is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder and Down syndrome which is a chromosomal birth disorder. Aim: The purpose of this review was to identify research exploring pube1ial trajectory and menstrual management in females with Rett syndrome and Down syndrome and …