Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Benefits Of Montessori Method Use In Activity Involvement On Individuals With Dementia, Megan Canzoneri

MOT Student Capstones

Background: The Montessori Method was a teaching approach developed by Dr. Maria Montessori for children who did not have access to proper education and materials. She used this method by teaching them through familiar tasks, puzzles, and self-driven interest. This taught them independence, problem-solving, and decision make. This project discusses the use of the method within the geriatric and memory care population to help them remain independent through choosing activities that interest them. These activities consist of familiar tasks such as setting a table, washing dishes, and folding clothes. Method: This project used a needs survey, pre- and post-survey, and …

Capstone Project: Early Active Motion Versus Early Passive Motion Following A Flexor Tendon Repair, Matthew Angle

MOT Student Capstones

Flexor tendon injuries are relative)y rare, occurring in 7.0/100,000 people. An early active motion or early passive motion protocol have been the two primary methods used by occupational therapists for rehabilitation of a flex or tendon repair. Each of these methods have their own strengths and weaknesses, but the intervention that leads to a better outcome while maintaining integrity of the flexor tendon repair was researched. Common complications that occur during the rehabilitation of a flex or tendon that can affect the integrity of the repair included tendon lag, scar adhesions, tendon rupture, and joint contracture. Research focused on the …

An Occupational Therapy Approach To Ergonomic Intervention, Kristy Hege

MOT Student Capstones

The occurrence of work-related shoulder and neck injuries is on the rise for computer workers due to extended work hours, fewer breaks, and repetitive movements involving neck rotation, shoulder movement, and awkward posture. The individual's workstation and environment's design play a key role contributing to neck and shoulder injuries. An occupational therapist is equipped with the knowledge and skills to modify and adapt a person's workstation and improve their shoulder and neck pain or injuries. The capstone project's purpose was developed to identify risk factors, promote an occupational therapy ergonomic intervention program, suggest workstation and environment modification/adaptations, and promote posture …

Expressive Arts In Occupational Therapy: Children Traumatized From Opioid-Addicted Caregivers, Laura Maclean

MOT Student Capstones

Occupational therapy has been associated with expressive arts and the act of healing the body and mind since the inception of the profession. Children use expressive arts to self-express, explore, and enhance the development of the brain and body. Children that have experienced trauma may have trouble recognizing and expressing emotions, thus react with negative behaviors, poor social skills, and learning challenges. Trauma may occur in children from caregivers' behaviors due to opioid addiction. The use of expressive arts through occupational therapy's holistic perspective provides traumatized children with a guide to recognize and express emotions, increase attention, and improve social …

Increasing Law Enforcement Understanding Of Special Needs And Disability Populations: The Role Of The Occupational Therapist, Rekha Tabjula

MOT Student Capstones

Incidences of fatalities and injuries among populations with disabilities continue to occur during police interactions. There is an increased need to address this concern with a new method, or reform, to training that has not allowed law enforcement to properly and safely engage with those who have Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disabilities, Traumatic Brain Injuries, and mental health conditions. Occupational therapists can provide a collaborative approach to increasing law enforcement's awareness, knowledge, and confidence to these aforementioned 0 conditions. Law enforcement officers from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department viewed a training video on various conditions with a supplemental video with guest …

Promotion Of Fine Motor Skills Through Video Supports, Kaitlin Hasher

MOT Student Capstones

Pediatric occupational therapists working with students in a school-based setting are consistently facing challenges with time management due to their high caseload numbers and limited documentation time in school-based settings. Along with time constraint issues, schoolbased occupational therapists find it difficult to communicate with caregivers on the skills being practiced in the school setting due to limited face-to-face time with caregivers. Children continue to require therapeutic services in school-based settings, however as occupational therapists continue to take on more responsibilities in this setting it becomes more challenging to find time to provide effective and efficient means to educate and reinforce …

Promoting Awareness And Healing In Persons In Mental Health And Addiction Recovery In Middle Tennessee, Savannah Rain Flint

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Healing Arts Project, Inc., also known as HAPI. HAPI exists to fill a gap in recovery and rehabilitation services by providing free art supplies and art classes at partnered facilities, by providing art exhibition and publication opportunities for HAPI program participants, and by participating in outreach events throughout the year. These opportunities help spread awareness and inclusivity of mental health and addiction recovery within the community and helps artists to externalize their personal struggles, thoughts, and feelings through various creative outlets.

My project focus was to increase community awareness of HAPI …

Adult Persistent Post-Concussion Syndrome: Occupational Therapy Practitioners’ Current State Of Practice, Megan Eisses, Megan Hicks, Megan Mitchell, Sabrina Vanderklipp

Masters Theses

BACKGROUND: Persistent post-concussion syndrome (PPCS) is a complex diagnosis involving symptoms that affect nearly all domains of occupational therapy (OT) for adults. Currently, there is a lack of clarity in PPCS symptoms and diagnosis criteria, as well as little research reflecting the best practice patterns of OT practitioners treating adults with PPCS. This study’s primary purpose was to conduct a survey to understand OT practitioners’ current state of practice for adult patients with PPCS, as well as their current knowledge of PPCS.

METHOD: This research project involves a cross-sectional design, mixed methods, 23-question survey that was distributed to OT practitioners …

The Importance Of Cognitive Screening To Promote Clinical Decision-Making Skills, Bonnie L. Rogulj

Physical Therapy Collection

Description:

Research has revealed decreased cognitive function to be associated with mobility deficits and increased fall risk. The role of the physical therapist as the "Movement Specialist" of the patient-centered team should include screening for cognitive dysfunction in an effort to promote clinical decision-making and early intervention.

The presentation will discuss cognitive changes associated with aging to improve understanding of normal aging, mild and major neurocognitive disorder. The presentation will identify tools commonly used for cognitive screening and assist participants in the selection process. Participants will analyze sample screening findings necessary for clinical decision-making skills. The presentation will recognize the …

Creating Home Modification Solutions For Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury, Ryan Heuer

OTD Capstone Projects

Tucker's House provides home accessibility assessments and modifications to children with disabilities and their caregivers. As a small non-profit Tucker's House is not able to tailor its process to specific conditions and diagnoses. The present project focused on creating and enhancing the evidence-based resources that Tucker's House can provide to individuals with spinal cord injury and spina bifida. These resources are designed to help this population safely participate in the home environment and improve their occupational performance and wellness.

Addressing Adherence And Barriers To Long-Tenn Elimination Diet Therapy Through Occupational Therapy In Order To Improve Quality Of Life In Adults With Eosinophilic Esophagitis, Alexis White

MOT Student Capstones

The six-food elimination diet {SFED) is an effective treatment approach for eosinophilic esophagitis {EoE), but it can be challenging and affect patients' quality of life. The aim of this study assesses patients' potential factors influencing adherence to long-term elimination diets. This project employed participant questionnaires to measure attitudes and practice regarding living with EoE; and an education presentation ppt with a pre- and post-survey for key stakeholders synthesizing research findings while aligning patient-provider interaction to promote improved diet adherence. Using data electronic surveys, analysis was conducted using electronic statistical software to determine patient barriers; and to determine accuracy and impact …

Understanding Benefits Of A Community Garden On Those Impacted By Food Insecurity, Taylor Boone

MOT Student Capstones

Occupational therapy professionals can support individual and community interventions for improved health and wellness. Occupational therapists have the unique ability to assess the multi-faceted contexts that impact an individual's and/or community's ability to participate in daily occupations and their level of occupational performance. Addressing nutrition can improve the individual's overall health and wellness and subsequently improve occupational performance, and ability to participate in daily occupations. Many community-based programs act as resources, or access, to improved nutritional intake for community members working towards food security. Occupational therapy has a role in these community-based programs to facilitate improved nutritional intake through functional …

Validating Occupational Therapy's Role To Facilitate Aging In Place: The Need To Raise Clinical Awareness, Laura B. Ferguson

MOT Student Capstones

The concept of staying in one's home as they age, known as aging in place (AIP), presents an emerging area of practice in which occupational therapy (OT) professionals can utilize their skills within the clinic and community to fill a niche that has been underserved. However, lack of awareness of occupational therapy, as well as the complex nature of aging in place, may weaken the understanding of the important role that OT holds to facilitate aging in place. A systematic review of evidence-based literature was conducted to establish a platform to validate occupational therapy's complex role to facilitate aging in …

Gender-Specific Differences Of Normative Values Of Pelvic Floor Muscle Function In Healthy Adults Population: An Observational Analytical Study, Iman Akef Khowailed, Heather Disney, Haneul Lee

Physical Therapy Collection

The quantitative evaluation of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function is of great value for the diagnosis and treatment of female pelvic floor dysfunction (FPFD; Gachon et al. 2019). The demographics and the prevalence of pelvic floor dysfunction are well understood but there are no data on the normative values of PFM function and the preventive measures needed to serve this population (Jundt, Peschers, and Kentenich 2015).

A total of 200 healthy adults, including 71 males and 129 females participated in this observational analytical study. Subjects were included in the study if they were healthy females or males aged 20–45.

Bladder …

An Occupational Therapy Approach To Developing Empowerment: Supporting The Recovery Of Women Affected By Substance Abuse In A Residential Treatment Facility, Margaret Schneider-Adams, Molly Schneider-Adams

OTD Capstone Projects

An Occupational Therapy Approach to Developing Empowerment: Supporting the Recovery of Women Affected by Substance Abuse in a Residential Treatment Facility Capstone project poster and presentation in fulfillment of Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program at Belmont University.

Environmental Interventions And Modifications For Individuals With Down Syndrome: Creating An Assessment Tool And Social Story For Increased Participation, Erica Williams

OTD Capstone Projects

This poster is part of the doctoral capstone project completed with Tucker's House, an agency whose mission is to create safer and more accessible homes and environments for children and young adults with disabilities. This project focused on creating an assessment tool for individuals with Down Syndrome to be used during the home assessment process. A social story was also created to explain the home assessment process in an age appropriate manner to children.

Culminating Capstone Project: Development Of An Experiential Learning Framework For Graduate Occupational Therapy Students, Daniel S. Pereira

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The following capstone project was completed within an educational setting, consisting of education and program development focus areas. The objective was to construct a framework outlining standards and protocols required to implement an experiential learning program. The experiential learning framework would be adaptable to ensure efficacy among various intervention courses. Entry-level doctor of occupational therapy students at Nova Southeastern University were surveyed and identified a desire for experiential learning. Experiential learning for occupational therapy students improved evaluation skills, critical thinking, and inductive and deductive reasoning (Coker, 2009; Doucet & Seale, 2012). Furthermore, experiential learning for occupational therapy students improved student …

Creating Bridges Of Interprofessional Education: Opportunities For Collaborating Across Multiple Disciplines And Campuses, Norman Cadiz Belleza, Jim Mathews, Leiselle Pilgrim, Kaitlyn Cremer, Maureen Johnson, Elisabeth Mcgee, Evan Pucillo, Kathy Wheat, Vibhor Agrawal

Education Collection

Introduction and Purpose: The purpose of this special interest report is to discuss strategies used by to integrate simulation activities across multiple campuses and programs to foster inter- and intra-professional education. Inter-professional (IP) simulations were done between multiple campuses of a large scale, multi-state, health science university. These simulations utilized Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), and Master of Science Speech/Language Pathology (MS-SLP) students and faculty. IP simulations involved DPT students and faculty from the health sciences university in one state and physical therapist assistant (PTA) students and faculty from a different university in that same …

Drug Addiction & Mental Health, Tyler Burkholder

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

Drugs have a serious effect on our mental health, and mental health has a major effect on drug abuse and addiction. There is a reason so many drug users usually need to keep going back to rehab. It is because drugs affect mental health to a point where you aren’t the same person during and even after drug addiction. Poor mental health also can be a major cause influencing people to start doing drugs. People with depression, anxiety disorders, mood disorders are more prone to drug use. That is why we need to make it a public policy to screen …

Effect Of Arm Eccentric Exercise On Muscle Damage Of The Knee Flexors After High-Intensity Eccentric Exercise, Xin Ye, William M. Miller, Sunggun Jeon, Jun Seob Song, Tyler J. West

Faculty and Student Publications

Repeated bout effect (RBE) describes a phenomenon that an initial unaccustomed eccentric exercise (ECC) bout can confer a protective effect against muscle damage from the subsequent same exercise. This protection has been observed in the same muscle, as well as the contralateral homologous (CL-RBE) muscle. But it is unknown whether the RBE is evident for non-local unrelated heterogonous muscles. The purpose of this study was to examine whether an initial elbow flexion (EF) muscle-damaging ECC could confer RBE against muscle damage from the subsequent ECC performed in the remote lower limb knee flexor (KF) muscle group. Twenty-seven young individuals were …