Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Benefits Of Early Intervention With A Certified Lymphedema Therapist For Management Of Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome (Rfs) And Axillary Web Syndrome (Aws) In Breast Cancer Patients, June Leary, June Leary

Capstone Showcase

All breast cancer treatment leads to soft tissue changes in the treated quadrant. While these changes are chronic, they are also identifiable and manageable with care from an appropriate provider. Scarring, lymphedema, radiation fibrosis syndrome (RFS), and axillary web syndrome (AWS) may all be part of the post-treatment soft tissue changes for a breast cancer survivor.

Familiarity with the likely presentation and lifelong management of a patient’s specific symptom burden is crucial. While any physical therapist can rehabilitate the neuropathies, shoulder pain, postural dysfunction, or other numerous orthopedic issues that may occur, there is an acknowledged deficit in the treatment …

A Guide To Occupational Therapy Intervention Planning For Individuals With Migraines In Rural Communities, Angelina M. Caron

Occupational Therapy Capstones

One in ten individuals in the world experience migraines (Amari et al., 2022). Migraines are a debilitating condition that presents with symptoms of intense head pain, aura, and nausea (American Migraine Foundation, 2018; Mayo Clinic, 2023). These symptoms have a global effect on an individual’s life and affect the meaningful and necessary tasks they do each day including work, school, family and social life, and their emotional health and cognitive functioning (Buse et al., 2019; Estave et al., 2021). Occupational therapy (OT) can be used with individuals with migraine by addressing factors such as routines, migraine self-management, cognitive strategies, and …

Editors’ State Of The Journal, Nancy E. Krusen, Stacy Smallfield, M Nicole Martino

Translational Science in Occupation

No abstract provided.

The Power Of Podcasting In Knowledge Translation For Occupational Therapy, Matthew C. Brandenburg

Translational Science in Occupation

No abstract provided.

Value Of Case Studies For Translating Evidence In Occupational Therapy: A New 3-Dimensional Model, George S. Tomlin, Bonnie Riley, Aimee Piller, Jessica Mchugh Conlin, Ashlea D. Cardin, Katrina M. Serwe, Deborah A. Dougherty

Translational Science in Occupation

Importance: Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners often address complex occupational performance needs of diverse consumers. Professional reasoning, theory, and trial and error interventions can be demonstrated in case studies. Case studies are usually relegated to the lowest level in evidence hierarchies. Yet they have a long tradition in health care literature, and may particularly document the holism, inclusivity, uniqueness, and complexity of OT practice.

Objective: To determine how case studies make a distinct contribution to professional knowledge, using a new model for categorizing them.

Evidence Review: 103 case studies published in AJOT from 1990-2023 were rated by the authors “1” or …

Translating Knowledge Of Functional Cognition Into Occupational Therapy Practice, Mckenzie R. Behrendt, Emilea Rogers, Azia Ourada, Sara Mengler, Mackenzie Post, Stacy Smallfield

Translational Science in Occupation

Functional cognition is a critical component for safely and effectively performing daily occupations. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners are uniquely positioned and trained to address functional cognition while considering a client’s abilities and environments. A multimedia e-learning module was developed as a teaching modality to enhance understanding and application of functional cognition concepts for OT students and practitioners. As educators, it is important to assess the effectiveness of the teaching and learning experiences we create. We evaluated the multimedia e-learning module for quality, value, and usefulness using critical reflection perspectives. These perspectives included a literature review, as well as from learner, …

Gazing In The Mirror: Reflecting On Student Perspectives In Work-Integrated Learning In Healthcare Education, Cassidy P. Johnson, Simone C. Regnier, Leah M. Stade Otd, Mhptt, Otr/L

Translational Science in Occupation

Abstract: Student engagement is typically woven into the curriculum of healthcare education through hands-on experiences, lectures, discussions, active learning, and lab components. This engagement is critical to developing student confidence, efficacy, and esteem in important skills that will serve them as they enter their profession. In our doctoral program, we are allowed additional engagement opportunities, including belonging to a research project with professionals. Upon reflection, our experience on an interprofessional research team has helped to translate our classroom knowledge to research and professional practice skills.

Plain-Language Summary: This paper is a reflection on the value of adding work skills beyond …

Retrospective Chart Review Of The Acute Care Psychosocial Evaluation Process For Females Diagnosed With Breast Cancer, Kimberly Conrad, Lou Jensen, Shelley Ashcroft, Antoine Bailliard, Vanessa D. Jewell

Translational Science in Occupation

Background: A breast cancer diagnosis can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. This retrospective chart review explored the occupational therapy evaluation process with female patients in an inpatient acute care hospital with a breast cancer diagnosis.

Methods: This descriptive retrospective chart review analyzed 134 occupational therapy evaluations of female patients with breast cancer admitted to a southeastern US academic medical center. Data were extracted and categorized using the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework.

Results: The most frequently administered assessments were non-standardized and the AM-PAC "6-Clicks." Documented short-term goals primarily focused on self-care (56.6%), gross motor skills (24.7%), and instrumental activities …

Exploration Of Learning Preferences For Parents Of Children With Sensory Over-Responsivity: A Mixed-Methods Study, Lisa M. Porter, Shelly J. Lane, Barbara B. Demchick, Jane K. Sweeney, Breanne Kearney

Translational Science in Occupation

Importance: Parent education is essential to pediatric occupational therapy (OT), yet there is a paucity of research regarding how to best support parents as adult learners.

Objective: To explore the learning experiences of parents of children with sensory over-responsivity (SOR).

Methods: An embedded mixed-methods design was used. Sixteen parents of children with SOR, aged 3–8 years, were recruited using purposive sampling. All parents participated in group trainings; of these, nine participated in one-on-one interviews. Quantitative data included pre-intervention parenting self-efficacy (PSE) scores and post-intervention learner satisfaction measures. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore parents’ learning experiences during …

Perceptions And Barriers Of Vestibular Rehabilitation Among Occupational Therapy Practitioners, Rebecca Callais

Translational Science in Occupation

Background: Vestibular dysfunction affects 15-20% of adults annually, often impacting daily activities and quality of life (Neuhauser, 2016). While occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants (OTs/OTAs) can address functional limitations caused by vestibular disorders, their role in vestibular rehabilitation (VR) is under-studied.

Objective: This study explored the competence and confidence of occupational therapy practitioners (OTP) in VR and identified barriers to implementation.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to 532 OTP in the Gulf South region, with 79 responses received. The survey included questions on VR training, techniques used, barriers of implementation in practice, and educational supports. Quantitative data were …

Integration Of The Science Of Team Science (Scits) With Applied Healthcare Frameworks: Interprofessional Education Through A University-Based Head Injury Clinic, Part I: Theory, Emily Balog, Susan Paparella, Natalia Noce, Stephanie Hubbell, Kelly Pena

Translational Science in Occupation

Background: Wicked problems in healthcare, such as the complex health condition of head injury, demand interprofessional collaboration that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. These complex clinical challenges call for theoretical frameworks that integrate both disciplinary expertise and interdisciplinary processes.

Definitions and Concepts: Grounded in Repko and Szostak’s (2017) framework of interdisciplinary studies, this paper integrates the Science of Team Science (SciTS), the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) competencies, and TeamSTEPPS® to construct a novel heuristic that informs the design of an interprofessional education (IPE) and practice model.

Relationships Between Concepts: We align SciTS’ four phases with IPEC and TeamSTEPPS® to enhance team-based …

Addressing Delirium In The Intensive Care Unit: An Interprofessional Approach, Olivia Grace O'Neill

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Successful recovery from an intensive care stay is influenced by many factors, including length of stay, medical ventilation requirements, and the extent of surgical interventions such as cardiac, intracranial surgery, neurosurgery, and vascular neurosurgery. A major barrier to achieving a full recovery can be delirium, which is seen in 80% of critical care patients. Delirium is described as a severe change in mental abilities and a short-term cause of cerebral impairment that can present as distortion or psychosis and is associated with numerous conditions. While critical care-related delirium typically lasts less than a week, those affected by longer periods …

Brain Injury (Bi) In Survivors Of Intimate Partner Violence (Ipv): The Importance Of Identifying Bi Symptoms And The Impact On Daily Occupations, Alexis Walther

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) and resulting brain injury (BI) often experience unmet occupational needs. Specifically, there are barriers to occupations like health management, social participation, work, and education. These barriers occur due to lasting IPV and BI related trauma and symptoms, negative societal views, underreported nature of the injury, and lack of awareness on the topic. This poses a problem, as many service providers may not be educated or aware of the link between IPV and BI, since it is an emerging area of practice. This results in a gap in literature and services related to IPV …

Acquired Brain Injury And The Impact On Functional Cognition, Jocelyn Rae Kirk

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Occupational therapy practitioners often work with individuals with deficits in cognition due to an acquired brain injury (ABI). Individuals who experience an ABI may have deficits in functional cognition, making it difficult to complete everyday complex tasks, resulting in decreased independence, safety, engagement, health, and wellness (Engel et al., 2019; Erez & Katz, 2018; Klepo et al., 2022; O’Donoghue et al., 2022; Scharaga & Holtzer, 2015). Implementing current evidence-based functional cognition evaluations is difficult for occupational therapy practitioners due to the 17-year lag between evidence and implementation into clinical practice; therefore, practitioners need support in these efforts (Rubin, 2023). …

The Impact Of The Provision Of Occupational Therapy Services For Oncology Care Patients Within The Interprofessional Team, Natasha M. Minar

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: There is growing evidence to suggest that occupational and other therapy interventions can play a role in positively affecting the outcomes of individuals with cancer and cancer survivors. Occupational therapists can address peripheral neuropathy, lymphedema, pain, fatigue, cognitive deficits, and psychosocial issues (Baxter et al., 2017; Stout et al., 2021; Vining Radomski et al., 2021). Through appropriate assessment, intervention, education, and discharge planning, occupational therapists and other rehabilitation specialties can attempt to collaboratively change the outcome of an individual’s cancer course (Munoz et al., 2015). Individuals with cancer and cancer survivors have difficulty engaging in their own life in …

Pain Neuroscience Education With A Veteran Population, Kate Westphal

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: In 2021, upper extremity (UE) injuries accounted for 21.3% of injuries by U.S. active duty service members (Mahlmann et al., 2024). Right or left shoulder pain were the top two diagnoses in active-duty service members between fiscal years 2016 and 2021, with overuse/non-specific injury being the most common UE injury (Isaacson et al., 2024). Pain often follows service members after discharge. It is estimated 66% of the 20 million Veterans in the United States experience musculoskeletal pain, and chronic pain is more intense in a Veteran population, limiting their ability to engage in preferred activities of daily living (Areias …

Enhancing Quality Of Life: Occupational Therapy’S Role In Managing Chronic Conditions, Aubrey Rude

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Chronic conditions are among the most common health concerns, and often cause disruption to daily routines, roles, self-identity, and quality of life (Fields & Smallfield, 2022). In fact, they are the leading cause of disability in the United States (Centers for Disease Control, 2019). It is estimated that 129 million adults are living with at least one chronic condition as defined by the US Department of Health and Human Services (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). Trying to manage a chronic condition is extremely time consuming, with people spending at least two hours every day on health-related activities …

Nature-Based Practices In Early Childhood Through An Occupational Therapy Lens, Angela Mossman

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Early childhood experiences are the building blocks for all future behavior and health (Warmbold,2015). These experiences, whether positive or negative, build the foundation of the brain's architecture (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2016). The developing brain comprises neural connections that develop through an ongoing process that begins before birth and continues into adulthood (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2016). This capstone project aims to demonstrate the therapeutic benefits of naturebased practices through the lens of occupational therapy. Ginsburg et al. (2007) stated that play is essential for optimal child development. The benefits of …

Rehabilitation Not Punishment: Adults In Custody Learning Skills Needed To Survive In Society, Kaitlyn J. Wanner

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: The U.S has one of the highest populations of incarcerated individuals in the world and must shift from the use of punishment to rehabilitation for these individuals (Huynh et al., 2015; Muñoz, 2019; Phelps & Aldrich, 2022). While in prison, these individuals are limited in their ability to participate in meaningful activities and lose skills needed to function in society (Lares & Montgomery, 2020). Occupational therapy assists individuals of a variety of populations engage in activities that are meaningful to them. The set of skills that occupational therapy has to offer results in a broad area of settings that …

Addressing Sleep Within The Hand Therapy Practice Context, Grant Edwin Tolkkinen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Sleep is an essential pillar for health and well-being, yet this is not well understood by the general public. Many clients seen within the occupational therapy advanced practice context of hand therapy are at risk of sleep disturbances which will impact the sensorimotor, cognitive, and psychosocial components of the client. Sleep disturbances also negatively affect many aspects which are required for successful recovery and return to occupational engagement for those with conditions of the upper extremity. Addressing sleep within practice allows occupational therapy practitioners within the advanced practice context of hand therapy to promote occupational performance across all waking …