Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Occupational Science: A Data-Based American Perspective, Doris Pierce, Karen Atler, Julie Baltisberger, Elaine Fehringer, Elizabeth Hunter, Somaya Malkawi, Twilla Parr

Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy Faculty and Staff Research

The purpose of this research was to provide a data-based picture of the discipline of occupational science by identifying patterns of research in the first 5 years of presentations at the Society for the Study of Occupation: USA (SSO:USA). A grounded theory approach was used to examine 184 peer-reviewed presentation abstracts, from 2002 to 2006. Among the 108 data-based presentations, adults were the most studied group, with 46% of the data-based abstracts focused on participants with a disability or clear disadvantage. Presenters’ research foci related to 4 themes: the personal experience of occupation, the context surrounding or impacting occupation, changes …

Identifying Strategies Early Intervention Occupational Therapists Use To Teach Caregivers., Jessica L. Colyvas, L Brook Sawyer, Philippa H. Campbell

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

This study investigated early intervention occupational therapists' use of strategies to teach caregivers. A sample of 40 videotapes made by early intervention occupational therapists was randomly selected from an archival videotape data set of provider home visits. The sample included 20 videotapes illustrating traditional services and 20 videotapes illustrating therapists providing participation-based services. Videotapes were rated using the Teaching Caregivers Scale, which rates three variables on 30-s intervals: (1) routine, (2) provider role, and (3) strategies used to teach caregivers during early intervention home visits. Regardless of the model of service, explicit teaching strategies were rarely used during home visits.

Positioning Techniques To Reduce The Occurrence Of Dequervain’S Tendonitis In Nursing Mothers, Alison Virzi

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

DeQuervain's tendonitis is an inflammation of two tendons: the extensor pollicis brevis and the abductor pollicis longus as they cross in the first dorsal compartment of the wrist. Symptoms include pain, swelling along the radial aspect of the wrist, and a decrease in thumb motion. A positive Finkelstein's test at examination is seen. Frequently it is caused by repetitively gripping, lifting, and positioning the wrist in flexion, ulnar deviation with thumb extension. It is a common diagnosis in women, referred to as "washerwoman's syndrome". It is also common for new mothers to experience due to the demands their wrists are …

The Importance Of Mentoring For The Professional Involvement Of Therapists Specializing In Ayres Sensory Integration®, Heather Miller-Kuhaneck

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

Mentoring, a term that originated with Greek literature, has been defined as a reciprocal, enabling relationship that promotes growth and development of the mentee (Milner & Bossers, 2005; Rose, 2005; Scheerer, 2007; Schemm & Bross, 1995). Generally, this relationship focuses specifically on development of the career of the mentee. The mentoring relationship serves multiple functions and may occur in many forms, providing role modeling, support and encouragement, socialization to the culture, advocacy, and perhaps even protection. Mentors also provide training, advice, and guidance. Mentoring may occur formally or informally, and the culture of the organization in which the relationship occurs …

Examining The Neuroscience Evidence For Sensory-Driven Neuroplasticity: Implications For Sensory-Based Occupational Therapy For Children And Adolescents., Shelly J. Lane, Roseann C. Schaaf

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

When Ayres first presented the theory of sensory integration (SI), she grounded it in the neuroscience literature. Neuroplasticity was then, and is today, considered to be at the heart of this theory. This evidence-based review sought to critically examine the basic science literature to specifically identify evidence for the assumptions and tenets of Ayres' theory of SI. We reviewed literature between 1964 and 2005, within psychological, physiological, and biomedical areas, addressing neuroplasticity. The review focused on sensorimotor-based neuroplasticity; explored the data that addressed the links among sensory input, brain function, and behavior; and evaluated its relevance in terms of supporting …

Evolution Of The Sensory Integration Frame Of Reference., Roseann C. Schaaf, Patricia L. Davies

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

An Investigation Of Depression And Fatigue Post West Nile Virus Infection., Patti J Berg, Stacy Smallfield, Lana Svien

Journal Articles: Occupational Therapy

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to examine depression and fatigue in individuals with a seropositive confirmed history of West Nile virus (WNV) infection.

METHODS: The South Dakota State Epidemiologist sent 218 letters inviting residents with a diagnosis of WNV to participate in the study. Forty-five subjects were tested. An occupational therapist and a physical therapist met with each participant to assess performance parameters, including depression and fatigue levels. Subjects (n=42) completed the Revised Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) during the assessment. The Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) was sent to participants as a follow-up questionnaire, and …

Parasympathetic Functions In Children With Sensory Processing Disorder., Roseann C. Schaaf, Teal W. Benevides, Erna Imperatore Blanche, Barbara A. Brett-Green, Janice P. Burke, Ellen S. Cohn, Jane Koomar, Shelly J. Lane, Lucy Jane Miller, Teresa A. May-Benson, Diane Parham, Stacey Reynolds, Sarah A. Schoen

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

The overall goal of this study was to determine if parasympathetic nervous system (PsNS) activity is a significant biomarker of sensory processing difficulties in children. Several studies have demonstrated that PsNS activity is an important regulator of reactivity in children, and thus, it is of interest to study whether PsNS activity is related to sensory reactivity in children who have a type of condition associated with sensory processing disorders termed sensory modulation dysfunction (SMD). If so, this will have important implications for understanding the mechanisms underlying sensory processing problems of children and for developing intervention strategies to address them. The …

Dual-Task Interference: The Effects Of Verbal Cognitive Tasks On Upright Postural Stability In Parkinson's Disease, J. D. Holmes, M. E. Jenkins, Andrew M. Johnson, S. G. Adams, S. J. Spaulding

Occupational Therapy Publications

Although dual-task interference has previously been demonstrated to have a significant effect on postural control among individuals with Parkinson's disease, the impact of speech complexity on postural control has not been demonstrated using quantitative biomechanical measures. The postural stability of twelve participants with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and twelve healthy age-matched controls was evaluated under three conditions: (1) without a secondary task, (2) performing a rote repetition task and (3) generating a monologue. Results suggested a significant effect of cognitive load on biomechanical parameters of postural stability. Although both groups increased their postural excursion, individuals with Parkinson's disease demonstrated significantly reduced …

Survivors On The Edge: The Lived-Experience Of Professional Musicians With Playing-Related Injuries, Christine A. Guptill

Digitized Theses

The purpose of this study was to understand the lived-experience of professional instrumental musicians who have experienced playing-related injuries. This study used a hermeneutic phenomenological methodology developed to examine this lived-experience. In-depth interviews were conducted with ten professional musicians. This was followed by a focus group where preliminary findings were presented to participants and their feedback was sought. Other sources of lived-experience included participant-observation by the researcher, who is a musician and has experienced injuries; and biographic and artistic representations of musical performance and its loss, including literature, films and television.

The findings were summarized in a visual representation unique …

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 …

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 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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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 …