Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

The Efficacy Of Mirror Therapy On Lower Extremity Function, Gait, And Balance In Hemiparetic Individuals Post-Stroke: A Systematic Review, Van Tran, Mauricio Calvo, Valerie Fairley

DPT Capstones

Objective: Common residual impairments of the lower extremity following a stroke include hemiparesis, inability or difficulty with walking, decreased walking speed, or decreased balance with ambulation. Mirror therapy is a recognized intervention for stroke rehabilitation that aims to facilitate functional motor recovery of a paretic limb. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of mirror therapy in combination with conventional stroke rehabilitation interventions on lower extremity function, gait and balance in hemiparetic individuals recovering from stroke.

Methods: A systematic search of the current literature was performed using MEDLINE, PEDro and PubMed to identify studies concerning mirror therapy …

Efficacy Of Coping Strategies On Emotional Regulation For Individuals With Childhood Trauma, Alyssa Szatmary

MOT Student Capstones

In childhood, individuals may be exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and carry the weight of the trauma throughout the lifespan. Childhood trauma can have a negative impact on mental health, causing emotional dysregulation, and influencing perspective, actions, and social patterns. Individuals who have experienced childhood trauma may improve their quality of life by creating resilience, advocating a healthy lifestyle, and developing adaptive, coping strategies to cope with adverse, or major life events. In the Upper Cumberland of Tennessee, there are limited resources within the community that targets this population. This capstone project aims to assess the differences in emotional …

Will Increasing The Knowledge About Community Transition Programs For Adolescents And Young Adults With Intellectual Disabilities Enable Ot Practitioners To Integrate Transition Services Into Practice?, Emily Draughon

MOT Student Capstones

The transition from adolescence to adulthood for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) can be especially challenging due to intellectual and adaptive deficits. Without adequate support and guidance throughout this transition, these individuals are not able to maximize their independence and participation with essential occupations including post-secondary education, employment, and community participation. Occupational therapists (OT) use a holistic and client-centered approach and specialize in adapting the environment and/or the task to meet the specific needs of the person to promote independence and full participation in desired occupations. The current trend in transition programming displays an underutilization of OT support. Increasing OT …

Training Program For Occupational Therapists Working With Skilled Caregivers In Skilled Nursing Facilities, Lovegifty Dudero, Mai Huynh, Ridhee Patel

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Dementia impairs one’s ability to live independently and participate in everyday activities (CDC, 2019). Individuals with dementia (IwD) are often referred to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) for around-the-clock care to receive support for their everyday challenges brought on by dementia symptoms. Although certified nursing assistants (CNAs) help IwD with everyday self-care tasks, they frequently lack specialized dementia care training. Consequently, CNAs experience low self-efficacy when providing care and managing challenging behaviors IwD may have. OTs have expertise and understanding regarding the stages of dementia and how the symptoms of dementia impact participation in daily occupations. OTs working in SNFs are …

Occupation-Based Cna Program To Build Caregiver Knowledge And Self-Efficacy In Dementia Care, Lucky Ung, Judy Chen, Michelle Hong

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are primary caregivers to individuals with dementia (IwD) who reside in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). CNAs are also expected to know how to provide person-centered and occupation-based care while managing challenging behaviors of IwD without formal training which become sources of strain and stress for CNAs and often leads to feelings of uncertainty and inadequacy (Pelissier et al., 2015). Further research shows that specialized dementia care training programs are beneficial to CNAs in acquiring the knowledge and skills required to provide high quality dementia care and that CNAs prefer the use of a multimodal education program …

Nutrition Needs Assessment For Women Of Childbearing Age With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Callie Coleman, Whitney Bignell

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that affects women’s menstrual cycles, androgen (male hormones) levels, and cysts on the ovaries. This endocrine disorder has various symptoms, with insulin resistance as a hallmark symptom. Approximately 65-70% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, whether or not they are overweight, obese, or lean (Marshall & Dunaif, 2012). Many women with PCOS struggle to lose weight because their excess weight is related to nutrition, lifestyle factors, and imbalanced hormones. Understanding PCOS as a metabolic disorder with nutritional implications led to investigating the potential benefit of having registered dietitian nutritionists …

Treatment Of Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction: A Case Study, Baylee Ann Reiser

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a progressive and debilitating disease that can lead to bony involvement or deformity. Common symptoms of PTTD include medial ankle and foot pain and acquired flat foot deformity. The purpose of this case study is to examine physical therapy interventions in a patient with chronic PTTD.

Case Description. This case study describes the 15-week physical therapy management in an outpatient clinic for a 34-year-old female with unstaged PTTD presenting with pain, decreased range of motion, strength deficits and muscle imbalance, impaired balance, and impaired gait. The patient lived a …

Rehabilitation Of A Patient Diagnosed With Dermatomyositis In A Skilled Nursing Facilty: A Case Report, Chance D. Halvorson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Dermatomyositis is a disease of unknown origin that results in skin rashes and muscle wasting that can lead to significant respiratory issues and loss of function. This case report describes the response following functional training in a bedridden patient who recently reported to a skilled nursing facility.

Case Description: The patient was a 78-year-old male who was previously diagnosed with dermatomyositis that rapidly progressed after being hospitalized for over 4 months. The patient had a complicated past medical history and a difficult socioeconomic background.

Intervention: The plan of care was focused around promoting independence …

The Correlation Between The Season Of Birth And Early Child Development In Healthy Children: Evidence From The Midwestern Region Of The United States: A Pilot Study, Elizabeth G. Bodensteiner

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Research has been conducted in countries like Japan and China assessing the impact of various factors on gross motor development. One variable that has been researched and discussed within studies in other countries is the relationship between gross motor development and birth season. This study aimed to address the impact of birth season on gross motor development, specifically within the Midwestern region of the United States. There is limited research regarding this topic within the Midwestern region of the United States.

Materials and Methods: Parents of 114 children completed self-reports on their children’s gross and …

Association Of Generalized Joint Hypermobility And Occurrence Of Musculoskeletal Injury In Physical Therapy And Occupational Therapy Students, Katie A. Harris

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background: Previous studies have found a higher rate of hypermobility among physical and occupational therapy students compared to the rate of hypermobility within the general public. Hypermobility has been linked to increased injury rates. This raises the question of the influence hypermobility has on injury type and recurrence.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to examine the rate of hypermobility and injury history among physical and occupational therapy students. The injury type and frequency of those with hypermobility was compared to those without hypermobility to determine if there was a relationship. The Foot Posture Index was used …

Outpatient Physical Therapy Treatment Of Patient With Spondylosis: A Case Study, Paige B. Kropuenske

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: In the United States low back pain (LBP) is one of the leading causes for individuals to reach out to health care professionals. LBP is often associated with a diagnosis of spondylosis. Spondylosis is present in about 80% of peoples in the United States. The prevalence of spondylosis continues to increase without a definite cure or form of treatment. Overall, exercise and intervention have proven to decrease symptoms of pain of those with spondylosis. However, success of treatment may see large variables in success. Further research into specific treatment interventions may be warranted to decrease chronic …

Periacetabular Osteotomy With Tibial Derotation And Fai Repairs As A Treatment For Symptomatic Hip Dysplasia In An Athlete: A Case Study, Marlie M. Maanum

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: This case study details a 16-year-old patient following periacetabular osteotomy surgery with labral repair and tibial derotation. In reading this case, you will learn about interventions performed and ideas to consider for any patient hoping to return to sports following orthopedic procedures.

Case Description: Throughout the rehabilitation there was a large focus on the patient returning to sports, specifically basketball. The physical therapy prescription focused on mobility and strengthening of the entire lower extremity due to this surgery’s aggressive nature at the ankle and hip joint. It is accepted throughout the orthopedic world that there …

The Effect Of Physical Therapy Intervention On Fatigue, Balance, Depression And Quality Of Life In Clients Following Medical Treatment For Cancer: A Pilot Study, Mckenna N. Johnson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

People who are diagnosed with cancer and undergo radiation or chemotherapy treatment are at great risk for developing long-term side effects such as fatigue, balance deficits, depression, and decreased quality of life months and even years following treatment. With approximately 16.9 million people in the United States with a history of invasive cancer, and an expected steady increase in this number in the coming years, a better understanding of these side effects and how they can be treated would be instrumental for health care professionals. The purpose of this study was to test the effect of exercise intervention on fatigue, …

Interdisciplinary Approaches To Pediatric Aquatic-Based And Land-Based Therapy, Danielle E. Scheck

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

With various injuries, diseases, and conditions continuing to grow and expand with our rising population size, so does the need for therapeutic intervention. To assist in the rehabilitation process, aquatic therapy may be used by multiple healthcare professionals to best benefit their clients through the aquatic medium's unique hydrodynamic and hydrostatic qualities. The aquatic medium is particularly beneficial to the pediatric population as water is usually naturally motivating and "fun." Occupational and physical therapists are among the professionals qualified to perform "aquatic-based" therapy in addition to or in place of more traditional "land-based" therapy. This project aims to expand on …

Restoring Identity For The Homeless: Exploring Occupational Therapy Services For Unhoused Populations, Christina E. Geistfeld

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Individuals experiencing homelessness face many occupational and social barriers that limit the ability to participate in meaningful daily living activities, impacting the overall identity of individuals within this population. Occupational therapy services have been explored but there is a continued need to expand and advocate for the effect of occupational therapy in meeting the population’s needs and ultimately aim to reduce homelessness rates. This capstone project sought to explore service delivery for individuals at the Stephen Center in Omaha, Nebraska who are experiencing homelessness, providing increased advocacy efforts along with continuing to explore clinical skill development to best serve the …

Creating An Occupational Therapy Based Preschool Curriculum, Taelor Gartman

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

This doctoral capstone project is geared toward creating and implementing an occupational therapy-based therapy program for the preschool population at Kids-A-Cat-A-Me daycare in Trumann, Arkansas. The goal of the project was to implement key principals from occupational therapy to children in early childhood development. Exposing the children to fine motor skills, gross motor skills, handwriting skills, and play skills on a daily basis allows them to practice and master age-appropriate skills. Exposure to the developmental skills aims to prevent maladaptive behaviors, while promoting growth and development.

Leaders Create Leaders: A Transformational Perspective, Kyra Wright

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The doctoral capstone experience aims to assess and facilitate new hires' professional and clinical reasoning skills to ensure they provide high-quality care and succeed within the organization. Participants will understand transformational leadership theory and how it aligns with occupational therapy. Participants will understand how transformational leadership principles can be applied to leadership roles. Participants will be able to understand the implications of fostering transformational leadership within the workplace.

Health Management Program For Homeless Veterans, Rileigh Smith Daniels

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

In the United States, it's clear that homelessness within the veteran population is rampant, with programs only slowing the growing number, not decreasing it. The inclusion of health management skills within the homeless veteran community can help reduce homelessness and prolong life satisfaction within this population. Access to health care, nutrition management skills, and social promotion and maintenance can help decrease homelessness within the homeless veteran population by providing the health management skills needed to obtain occupational balance. By implementing occupational therapy’s role and scope within health management skills, the hope is that homelessness within the veteran community will decrease …

Leap 2.0: Theatre As A Therapeutic Modality For Adults With Special Needs, Sydnie Walker

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

The purpose of the multi-week theatre workshop is to help adults with special needs experience increased quality of life and daily functioning by facilitating the development of skills in social participation, leisure participation, and community engagement through the collaborative theatre process.

Developing Meaningful Leisure Activities For Residents In An Assisted-Living Facility, Mabry Watson

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

Ultimately, residents’ engagement in leisure activities within assisted living facilities are crucial to increase their overall quality of life, self-esteem, and longevity. The lack of activity coordinators not providing resident-centered activities promotes the need for meaningful leisure activity programs to decrease occupational deprivation. Occupational therapists’ primary obligation is to promote independence within assisted-living facilities and any client they are presented with. OTs determine what their clients identify as meaningful to them in their daily occupations. They have a unique perspective on health and wellness, allowing them to design programs that focus on the benefits of providing meaningful and productive occupations …