Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Development Of A School Based Program: Implementing Occupational Therapy Into General Education Classrooms, Samantha Jo Larson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project (SP) was to build a program containing activities for kindergarten and first grade general education classrooms that promote childrens’ skills that are necessary for development in handwriting, reading, writing, spelling, and clothing management.

The People Left Behind: Older Adults In Custody, Therese Pettersen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The number of older adults in custody has significantly increased over the past few decades, now accounting for 10% of the total prison population (Carson & Sabol, 2016). It has been documented that older adults in custody have been subjected to bullying, lack of understanding and knowledge among prison staff, harassment, isolation, lack of age-appropriate occupations and more (Du Toit & McGrath, 2018). Increased staff training on older adult care (Brooke & Ryback, 2020; Williams et al. 2012), environmental modifications (Bierie, 2018; Brooke et al., 2020; Du Toit et al., 2019; Du Toit & McGrath, 2018; Maschi et al., 2012), …

An Occupational Therapy Perspective On Health And Wellness: A Step Toward Prevention, Olivia Grace Myers

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this project was to develop a group protocol that addresses the primary prevention of obesity through an occupational therapy lens within a community setting.

A Successful Start With New Start: Transitional Community-Based Services For Student Veterans, Sheena Kay Miller

Occupational Therapy Capstones

For veterans, integration into the community post-service poses a variety of unique challenges as they pursue many different opportunities. One of those opportunities sought out by this population according to the literature is higher education. It is estimated that approximately 900,000 veterans and their families had utilized the post-9/11 GI Bill as of 2018, with that number expected to only increase over time (Ulrich & Freer, 2020). Some of the unique challenges faced by this population include higher rates of mental health diagnoses, suicidal thoughts, and service-related injuries such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI) than their civilian peers (Eakman et …

The Newly Arrived Client: Applying Culturally Responsive Occupational Therapy Approaches To The Refugee Population To Promote Occupational Justice, Dominique Menard

Occupational Therapy Capstones

At the end of 2021, there were 836,300 Somali refugees and asylum seekers worldwide; in Minnesota alone, there are more than 70,000 Somali refugees, which is the largest concentration in the United States (Culture Care Connection, 2022; The UN Refugee Agency, n.d.). As with many refugee populations, Somali refugees experience many healthcare inequities including limited understanding of the resettled nation's healthcare system, poor functional health literacy, provider and/or interpreter gender preferences, discrimination, and limited cultural competence of providers (Eklöf et al., 2019; Fang et al., 2015; Gele et al., 2016; Houston et al., 2021; Njenga, 2022; Wångdahl et al., 2018). …

Living A Trustful Life: A Trauma-Focused Mentorship Program For Foster Youth, Michelle Ann Mcnamee

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Foster youth can experience many challenges as they transition into adulthood which can threaten their success in achieving whom they wish to become. Often, foster youth are exposed to physical, mental, and sexual trauma leading to their removal from their biological home (Engler et al., 2020). Adverse experiences at a young age can be multi-dimensional and long-lasting, leading to negative consequences in occupational performance including self-isolation and hesitation to trust others (Häggman-Laitila et al., 2019; Paul-Ward & Lambdin-Pattavina, 2016).

Assisting Mothers In The Transition Into Motherhood, Abbey Mckenna Marinucci

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The perinatal period ranges from 22 weeks gestation to 2 years postpartum (Hoekzema et al., 2017; Seth et al., 2016; World Health Organization, n.d.). During the perinatal period, intervention is primarily provided by an obstetrician and gynecologist (OBGYN) during pregnancy. Typically, mothers are discharged on average 2.1 days after a natural birth (Podulka et al., 2011). Women are seen at 6 weeks postpartum where mothers’ physical health is the focus of the visit, leaving mothers' mental health concerns unaddressed and questions typically unanswered (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2012 & American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2012 as cited in Corrigan …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Promoting Early Literacy In Head Start Programs, Paige Mann

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project is to create resources to support teachers and caregivers of Head Start students in supporting early literacy skill development. These resource guides and activity kits aim to support teachers and caregivers in closing the literacy gap between children raised in low-socioeconomic (SES) households and their peers from highsocioeconomic households.

Water Based Therapy Educational Resource And Program Development For Children With Neurological Disorders, Alicia Young

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Children with neurological disorders require more social, behavioral, and physical support to be successful in everyday life (Ogundele, 2018). The impairments these children face can often lead to isolation, decreased overall functioning, and impact engagement in occupations such as play, social participation, and leisure (Kwan and Collet, 2020). Access to water-based group lessons can be limited due to one- on-one instruction required. Occupational therapy has the skill set to be able to incorporate play, social participation, and leisure-based activities for children with neurological disorders.

Serving The Needs Of The Autism Spectrum Disorder Population, Taylor White

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is marked by challenges in social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behavior which results in difficulties in many occupations (American Psychological Association [APA], 2013; Crabtree & Demchick, 2018). Occupational therapy is part of the multidisciplinary team providing services to children with ASD. The purpose of this doctoral experiential placement was to gain advanced clinical practice knowledge for serving children with ASD. Additionally, a product focused on enhancing interprofessional collaboration was developed.

Occupational Therpay’S Role When Treating Pediatric Feeding Disorders, Callie Vold

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Feeding and eating are required occupations that all humans must engage in to meet one of their most basic needs (AOTA, 2020; Maslow, 1943). While feeding and eating allows humans to meet their most basic physiological needs it also allows them to meet other needs of Maslow's Hierarchy along with engaging in valued occupations (AOTA, 2020; Maslow, 1943. Children with Pediatric Feeding Disorders (PFD) have difficulty with one or more areas of feeding which are medical, nutritional, feeding skill and/or psychosocial dysfunction (Fleet et al., 2022; Goday et al., 2019; Howe & Wang, 2013; Marshall et al., 2015; Sharp et …

Improving Transitions For Individuals With Spinal Cord Injuries: A Dual-Component Resource, Benjamin Frederick Stagg

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Returning to societal functions after a spinal cord injury is often the primary goal of most individuals (Kennedy et al., 2010). The transition out of rehabilitation is often inhibited by many difficulties ranging from a lack of quality peer supports, a gap in post-discharge care, an absence of psychological support, and experiences of unaddressed chronic pain, worries about bowel and bladder accidents, altered body image, concerns about autonomic dysreflexia, and spasms (Dickson et al., 2011; Kennedy et al., 2010). Transitions for individuals with spinal cord injuries presents a clear area of need for this scholarly project.

Reading The Warning Signs: Preventive Mental Health Youth Education Program, Cammy Cate Robertson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Wyoming is the third leading state in suicide related death (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2018; Wyoming Department of Health, n.d.). According to the National Institute of Mental Health (2022), suicide is the second leading cause of death in individuals aged 10-14. One in six youth experiences a mental health disorder yearly, while 50% of individuals aged 14 begin to have lifelong mental health concerns (Kessler et al., 2005; Whitney & Peterson, 2019). Students who experience depression are twice as likely to drop out of school, and students with mental, emotional, or behavioral concerns are three times more …

Program Structure For Children And Adolescents With Disabilities To Increase Participation In Physical Activity, Abbigail Mackenzie Smith

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Children and adolescents with disabilities face barriers and are often excluded from engaging in daily activities such as physical activity and social participation (Bundy & Du Toit, 2019; Hocking, 2019). Activities such as physical activity and social participation not only increase children's and adolescents' sense of belonging, mental health, and quality of life but also impact the development of skills needed to fully engage in society (Bundy & Du Toit, 2019). Opportunities for children and adolescents with disabilities to engage in physical activity and social participation are commonly seen in the form of programs supported by nonprofit organizations. These programs …

Addressing The Psychosocial Impacts And Recovery Of A Patient With Carpal-Metacarpal (Cmc) Arthroplasty: A Case Study, Christopher Hernandez

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background & Purpose: Hands are an integral part of what defines us as human beings, they provide us with independence in work, leisure, self-care, and social interactions (Hannah, 2011). Injury to the upper extremity can harm one’s ability to engage in daily occupations, and often can result in a wide range of consequences affecting the physical, psychological, social, and economic aspects of a person’s everyday life (Cederlund et al., 2010; Chown et al., 2017). Treatment is often placed on the physical aspects of the injury, while the phycological symptoms associated with the injury are often not addressed (Jack & Estes, …

A Guide For Occupational Therapists: Utilizing Equine-Assisted Therapy For Children In The Foster Care System Dealing With Trauma, Alexis Skogen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

In 2015, over three million children who were affected by trauma or abuse were reported to Child Protective Services (Papovich, 2019). “Children in the foster care system have often been exposed to traumatic experiences such as violence, illicit substances, and neglect” (Crabill & Hanson, 2018, p.8). Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can be similar to experiencing trauma; children, prior to entering the foster care system, often experience ACEs (Craig, 2020). Children in the foster care system face hardships such as being taken out of their homes, passing through multiple homes, in addition to other childhood traumas they experience prior to their …

Respiratory Therapy Staff Retention: A Systems Thinking Approach, Jerin G. Juby

Full-Text Theses & Dissertations

Respiratory therapists are an integral part of the healthcare workforce in the United States. The healthcare workforce shortage accelerated by the COVID global pandemic has impacted respiratory therapy departments across the nation, with organizations struggling to hire and retain staff. The prevailing approaches in combating this is linear in nature and does not consider the complexity of the system. The purpose of this dissertation is to address retention issues in respiratory therapy departments from a systems thinking approach and to develop a prototype utilizing systems thinking methodologies and tools.

Running Shoes For People With Haglund's Deformity, Matthew Klein

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

Heel counters are one of the many footwear components that are commented on here at Doctors of Running. Heel counters are (usually) a rigid piece of material embedded in or molded around the upper of the rearfoot. The purpose is to provide structure to this part of the shoe and potentially stabilize the heel. There are now several variations, going from ones that wrap completely around the heel, to split heel counters (a piece left out at the rearmost portion) and even super thin heel counters just to keep the upper from collapsing. While many people do well with these …

Everything You Need To Know About Running Shoe Wear Patterns, Matthew Klein

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

Look online for information on running shoes and you’ll soon see articles about wear patterns on the bottom of your shoes. Usually, these articles promise “secret knowledge” of what each wear pattern means and what horrible injury you’re therefore due. Individual companies often claim that certain wear patterns mean you need specific shoes or orthotics, which, lucky for you, they happen to be selling.

Most of this information is flat-out wrong. There’s simply no compelling evidence linking wear patterns on your running shoes with an increased risk for a given injury. Nor is there a relationship between your wear …

Changes In Running Biomechanics In Master Runners Over Age 50: A Systematic Review, Matthew Klein, Chris Patterson

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

The number of individuals over 50 years of age participating in recreational and competitive running has increased over the past ten years. It has been established that older runners experience a reduction in strength and power. These changes may contribute to different running biomechanics from younger runners. The pur-pose of this study was to synthesise the current evidence on run-ning biomechanical differences in the lower extremity between masters runners over 50 years and younger runners under 40 years. The systematic data search included CINAHL, MEDLINE, and SPORTDiscus databases. Fourteen cross-sectional studies that com-pared lower extremity biomechanics of masters runners to …