Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Facilitating The Creative Process Through Collaboration, Jennifer K. Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Miles Parker Scharfenberg, an artist based in Richland, Michigan, provided the cover art for the Fall 2019 edition of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). “Late Night Fireworks” is a 30” x 40” painting made from acrylic on canvas. Born 15 weeks premature, Miles’ multiple health impairments have made it difficult to engage in meaningful occupations, such as painting. With support from his mother, Carol; occupational therapy students; and members of the community; Miles creates colorful abstract expressionist paintings. Collaboration is part of his creative process. In this fifth anniversary issue of OJOT, Occupation and the Artist is following …

Perceptions And Outcomes Of Occupational Therapy Students Participating In Community Engaged Learning: A Mixed-Methods Approach, Amy Mattila

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Today’s health care system requires therapists to acquire a level of confidence, flexibility, and personal growth that enables them to treat a diverse and complex clientele. Occupational therapy programs need to ensure that clinical placements can best prepare students for these demands. Community engaged learning (CEL) offers a distinctive opportunity both to meet the curricular requirements of fieldwork and to afford students the chance to develop unique sets of skills. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine the experiences of graduate occupational therapy students participating in CEL fieldwork placements. The study explored the students’ self-efficacy before and after …

Occupational Therapy’S Work And Industry Area Of Practice: Content In Entry-Level Professional Occupational Therapy Curricula: A Survey, Thomas F. Fisher

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process identifies work as an area of occupation that has long been recognized by the profession as an area of practice. This study identified how entry-level professional occupational therapy programs meet educational standards required by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education for educational programs. Standards identified were those that relate to the area of work and industry practice. One hundred and sixty-seven program directors were invited to participate in a survey directed at work and industry occupational therapy practice. Items on the survey related to content taught in their entry-level occupational therapy …

Evaluation And Treatment Of Musicians From A Holistic Perspective, Annie Ting, Janice Rocker

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Throughout the past 3 decades, treatment of injured musicians in a health care setting has been reported; however, the quality of care from a musician’s standpoint is poor. As musicians are speaking up more about their pain, the profession of occupational therapy has the capacity to make an impact on the way musicians are treated from a rehabilitative perspective. Musicians often do not trust medical practitioners who follow the traditional medical model because their symptoms and concerns are not addressed. Occupational therapists, especially those working in the realm of hand rehabilitation, are well equipped to treat injured musicians using our …

Effect Of Verbal Directions On Grip Strength Evaluated Using The Handheld Dynamometer, Laura Walsh, Marie-Christine Potvin

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Grip strength measurement using the handheld dynamometer is a key aspect of the evaluation of an upper extremity injury. The handheld dynamometer manufacturer has established research-based guidelines outlining body positioning during grip strength measurement. However, verbal direction guidelines, while provided, have not yet been shown to be most effective through research. This study seeks to determine whether the use of one of two types of verbal directions, with and without encouragements, resulted in greater grip strength as measured by the handheld dynamometer.

Method: The grip strength of healthy females (n = 60) was compared using two sets of prerecorded …

Use Of Standardized Assessments And Online Resources In Stroke Rehabilitation, Susan H. Lin, Pamela R. Bosch, Veronica T. Rowe, Susan E. Fasoli, Jeanne Langan

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The extent to which movement-related standardized assessments and online resources are used in stroke rehabilitation is unclear in the United States.

Method: The researchers used a cross-sectional descriptive survey that examined (a) therapists use of movement-related standardized assessments, (b) factors influencing learning of new assessments, and (c) use of frequency of online resources by occupational therapists and physical therapists in the United States.

Results: Of 151 respondents (46.4% occupational therapists, 53.6% physical therapists), the most frequently used movement-related assessments by occupational and physical therapists were the Berg and Fugl-Meyer Assessment, respectively. More physical therapists use motor-related …

Health Management: Occupational Therapy’S Key Role In Educating Clients About Reliable Online Health Information, Amy Armstrong-Heimsoth, Melissa L. Johnson, Meredith Carpenter, Tincey Thomas, Ashley Sinnappan

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Only 12% of Americans possess proficient health literacy skills. Among those with the lowest health literacy are individuals with chronic health conditions. Occupational therapists are well prepared to assist these clients with health literacy, given our roles in teaching new health management skills and health promotion.

Methods: An educational course was designed and taught to over 100 individuals and caregivers with chronic health conditions to assist in finding and determining trustworthy health information online. An author designed pre postsurvey was used to evaluate effectiveness.

Results: There was a significant pre-post change in four categories: finding quality …

Productivity Standards And The Impact On Quality Of Care: A National Survey Of Inpatient Rehabilitation Professionals, Leslie E. Bennett, Vanessa D. Jewell, Linda Scheirton, Molly Mccarthy, Brittney C. Muir

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Skyrocketing health care costs have resulted in significant changes to reimbursement rates in health care. The result has increased pressure to be as efficient as possible while maintaining high-quality care. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine health care professionals’ perceptions on whether and how productivity pressures have impacted the quality of care in therapy practice.

Method: A survey was disseminated nationally to inpatient rehabilitation facilities.

Results: Two hundred and fifty-seven surveys were opened. Of these completed surveys, 154 participants completed the closed-ended questions and 109 participants completed the open-ended questions. Outcomes indicated that …

Yoga And Autism: Students’ Perspectives On The Get Ready To Learn Yoga Program, Lauren E. Milton, Selena Bantel, Kayelee Calmer, Marlee Friedman, Elizabeth Haley, Lauren Rubarts

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Yoga, a complementary health approach known for various therapeutic effects, is used with diverse populations, including students ASD. Limited evidence exists inclusive of the first-hand perspective of students with ASD who participate in yoga. The purpose of this study is to understand the perspective of students 10 and 14 years of age with ASD who participated in a portion of the GRTL yoga program as part of a physical education class.

Method: Using a qualitative design, this study examined the student perspective on the GRTL yoga program. A convenience sample of seven male participants between 10 and …

Use Of The Star Process For Children With Sensory Processing Challenges, Sarah A. Schoen, Lucy Jane Miller, Stephen Camarata, Andrea Valdez

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This study examined the effectiveness of the STAR PROCESS, an intensive, short-term intervention that combines principles of sensory integration, relationship-based therapy, and parental-therapist collaboration for children with sensory processing challenges.

Method: A nonconcurrent multiple baseline, repeated measures design was used. Four boys, aged 5 years 0 months to 7 years 9 months, participated in this study. The mean length of intervention was 22 sessions delivered 3 to 5 times per week. A behavioral coding system was used to measure change in four areas: play level, positive affect, joint attention, and novel use of equipment. The theory of …

Effects Of Maternal Views And Support On Childhood Development Through Joint Play, Amiya Waldman-Levi, Sherraine Grinion, Laurette Olson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Playful interactions draw a mother and child toward each other in positive ways; therefore, time spent in playful interactions with a responsive mother may be a developmental asset for a child. It is critical to examine how mothers support their children in joint play as well as their views of joint play.

Methods: This mixed-methods study consisted of 32 mothers and their typically developing children. The Parent’s/Caregiver Support of Young Children’s Playfulness, the Test of Playfulness, the Environmental Supportiveness Assessment, and seven open-ended interviews were used to assess joint play and maternal perceptions of this experience.

Results …

Effectiveness Of Two Keyboarding Instructional Approaches On The Keyboarding Speed, Accuracy, And Technique Of Elementary Students, Denise K. Donica, Peter Giroux, Young Joo Kim

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Keyboarding skill development is important for elementary students. Limited research exists to inform practice on effective keyboarding instruction methods.

Method: Using a quasi-experimental design, we examined the effectiveness of Keyboarding Without Tears® (n = 786) in the experimental schools compared to the control schools who used the district standard instructional approach of free web-based activities (n = 953) on improving keyboarding skills (speed, accuracy, and technique) in elementary students.

Results: The results showed significant improvements in keyboarding speed and accuracy in all schools for all grades favoring the experimental schools compared to the control schools. Significant differences in improvements …

Handwriting Performance Of Typical Second-Grade Students As Measured By The Evaluation Tool Of Children's Handwriting - Manuscript And Teacher Perceptions Of Legibility, Diane M. Long, James Conklin

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The purpose of the study was to describe scores achieved by typical second-grade students on the Evaluation Tool of Children’s Handwriting – Manuscript and to compare scores with teacher perceptions.

Method: As part of a larger study, the ETCH-M was administered to 74 second-grade students. Teachers scored classroom samples of handwriting assignments using a researcher-developed scale and scores were compared to ETCH-M scores to determine cutoff values for good versus poor handwriting.

Results: Mean scores for total word legibility, total letter legibility, and total numeral legibility were 88.82%, 84.30%, and 89.26%, respectively. Cutoff scores below 82% …

From Manuscript To Article: The Ojot Publication Process, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

Development Of A Non-Invasive Device For Swallow Screening In Patients At Risk Of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia: Results From A Prospective Exploratory Study, Catriona M. Steele, Rajat Mukherjee, Juha M. Kortelainen, Harri Pölönen, Michael Jedwab, Susan L. Brady, Kayla Brinkman Theimer, Susan Langmore, Luis F. Riquelme, Nancy B. Swigert, Philip M. Bath, Larry B. Goldstein, Richard L. Hughes, Dana Leifer, Kennedy R. Lees, Atte Meretoja, Natalia Muehlemann

Neurology Faculty Publications

Oropharyngeal dysphagia is prevalent in several at-risk populations, including post-stroke patients, patients in intensive care and the elderly. Dysphagia contributes to longer hospital stays and poor outcomes, including pneumonia. Early identification of dysphagia is recommended as part of the evaluation of at-risk patients, but available bedside screening tools perform inconsistently. In this study, we developed algorithms to detect swallowing impairment using a novel accelerometer-based dysphagia detection system (DDS). A sample of 344 individuals was enrolled across seven sites in the United States. Dual-axis accelerometry signals were collected prospectively with simultaneous videofluoroscopy (VFSS) during swallows of liquid barium stimuli in thin, …

Effects Of Anaerobic Fatigue On The Tuck Jump Assessment Performance In Female Collegiate Club Athletes, Madison M. Vomacka, Nicole Bascelli, Monica Lininger

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

Purpose: To determine the impact of a fatigue trial on the scores and number of jumps in a Tuck Jump Assessment (TJA) in female collegiate club athletes. The TJA is a 10-second plyometric jumping assessment used to replicate sport and identify lower extremity landing patterns. Scores from the TJA are summed together and those who score a 6 or higher are suggested for intervention training. Methods: Sixteen female club athletes (age: 20.9+1.9 years, weight: 59.13+7.72kg, height: 64.56+2.63cm) completed the TJA twice, once before performing a Wingate protocol and then again after. A dependent sample t-test was performed to determine any …

Prediction Modeling For Board Of Certification Exam Success For A Professional Master’S Athletic Training Program, Scott L. Bruce, Elizabeth K. Crawford, Gary B. Wilkerson, R. Barry Dale, Martina Harris, David W. Rausch

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

Introduction: The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education mandates accredited athletic training programs have a minimum, three-year aggregate, first-attempt pass rate on the Board of Certification (BOC) examination of 70%. No studies have examined first-attempt BOC exam success for students enrolled in a professional master’s athletic training program (PMATP). Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with first-attempt success on the BOC examination for PMATP students. Methods: This cohort designed study used common application data from subjects’ university and PMATP applications to create prediction models to identify those factors that predict first-attempt success on the …

Performance Motion Analysis Unable To Predict Running-Related Injury In Collegiate Distance Runners, Christopher P. Melgares, Andrew C. Fry, Zachary Sanchez

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Running-related injury (RRI) is common among competitive collegiate distance runners who participate in the sport of cross country and long distance track and field. Many factors contribute to RRI. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if a 3D motion capture system’s performance motion analysis (PMA) report is capable of identifying factors predictive of RRI among collegiate distance runners during a cross country season. Methods: Thirty-one collegiate cross country runners (17 male, 14 female, mean age = 20.5 ± 1.4 years) gave their consent to participate in the investigation. Subjects were screened in the motion capture …

Comparison Of Pitching From Flat Ground Vs. 10-Inch Mound Regarding Elbow Varus Torque And Arm Speed, Stephen A. Cage, X. Neil Dong, Brandon J. Warner, Diana M. Gallegos

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of throwing surface and distance on varus elbow torque and arm speed. Methods: 11 male collegiate baseball pitchers (age = 20.73 ± 1.56 years, height = 175.26 ± 9.03 cm, mass = 70.31 ± 9.03 kg) participated in this study. Varus elbow torque and distance were measured using a 3D motion sensor housed in a spandex sleeve at the medial joint line of the elbow. Participants were instructed to complete their normal warmup routine as if they were about to pitch in a bullpen session or a game. Participants …

An Examination Of Step Frequency And The Running Readiness Scale As Predictors Of Running-Related Injury In Collegiate Cross-Country Athletes, Shelley S. Payne Dr., Jenna D'Errico, D. S. Blaise Williams

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between step frequency and the Running Readiness Scale and the occurrence of a Running-Related Injury (RRI) in a Division III cross-country team. Methods: Each athlete was screened prior to the season for their step frequency at a preferred and pre-determined pace. Additionally, each athlete performed 6 musculoskeletal tests known as the “Running Readiness Scale” to assess body alignment, weight distribution, and muscular endurance. Each subject logged their training and competition schedule and injury history throughout the season using the Otterbein Run Tracker app. Results: Sixteen subjects completed data collection …