Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

A Mixed-Methods Study Examining Developmental Milestones And Parental Experiences In Ghana, Kate G. Barlow, Stacey Reynolds

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Ghana currently lacks a systematic method for identifying children with developmental delays, and there do not appear to be any culturally sensitive assessment tools available. The objectives of this mixed-methods research study were to explore normal developmental milestones and parental practices in the Ghanaian population. The study also aimed to identify and describe culturally specific factors that should be accounted for on assessments used in the Ghanaian culture.

Methods: Twenty-eight Ghanaian parents were interviewed and asked to participate in a developmental milestone picture-identification task. Quantitative and qualitative data analyses were performed.

Results: The interviews revealed several cultural factors that …

Understanding Therapists’ Use Of Play With Children With Life-Threatening Conditions: A Qualitative Study, Rachel L. Bambrick, Carole W. Dennis, Kimberly Wilkinson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This study examined how occupational therapists use play in their treatments when working with children with life-threatening conditions.

Methods: This narrative qualitative study used an interpretive phenomenological approach to data analysis. Three semi-structured interviews were conducted with each therapist; interviews were designed to gather an understanding of how these occupational therapists work with children with life-threatening conditions and the ways in which they use play.

Results: Four major themes arose from the interviews along with two sub-themes. The four major themes were: play as a means, playful moments, condition-dependent limitations, and reimbursement. The two sub-themes were the importance of …

Normative Or Heavy Clouds? Early Indicators Of Nonverbal Learning Disability Based On Mothers’ Reports, Sara Rosenblum, Michal Piran, Sonya Meyer, Dalia Sachs

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Children with Nonverbal Learning Disabilities (NVLD) are verbally competent and particularly weak in nonverbal, visuospatial, and social abilities. Most of the literature about NVLD discusses the all-around functioning and diagnosis process during school years. In this qualitative study, the perceptions of mothers of children with NVLD were explored in the context of their children’s daily functioning characteristics during their first 3 years. The aim was to identify early indicators and warning signs of NVLD during the developmental process.

Method: Five mothers participated in two in-depth, semi-structured retrospective interviews.

Results: Two main themes were identified: (a) “Everything …

The Clinical And Classroom Utility Of The Inventory Of Reading Occupations: An Assessment Tool Of Children’S Reading Participation, Lenin Grajo, Catherine Candler, Patricia Bowyer, Sally Schultz, Jenny Thomson

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the initial clinical and classroom utility of the Inventory of Reading Occupations (IRO), a new tool to assess children’s reading participation.

Method: The study used phenomenological qualitative and descriptive methods. The participants included 38 occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, classroom teachers, and parents who completed or reviewed responses of children on the IRO. To provide triangulation, 20 of the children who completed the IRO were interviewed. Data were thematically analyzed and then categorized using a central Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats premise.

Results: The majority of the participants indicated favorable response to the …

The War On Words, Diane Powers Dirette

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

No abstract provided.

News From The Graduate School - Allied Health, Otterbein Office Of Graduate Programs

Graduate School

Newsletter that provides updates from the Graduate School and the Allied Health Graduate Program.

Therapeutic Riding And Psychological Health In Older Adults, Alyssa Pattison, Craig Ashford

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

This project explores the available quantitative and qualitative research to see if there is a link between therapeutic horseback riding and the reduction in symptoms of depression in older adults. Currently, there is a gap in evidence based research surrounding older populations with depression and therapeutic riding. However, research gathered on adolescents and adults suggest that therapeutic riding may alleviate depressive symptoms in persons over 65 years of age. Studies included in this project reveal groups of themes. The first is assessments, tools and evaluations. The second is animal assisted therapy, equine assisted therapy, therapeutic riding, and the barn environment. …

Discharge To The Community From An Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital: Factors To Consider, David Byerly, Jennifer Caswell, Erin Brooks

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Nationally, inpatient psychiatric settings average a 5% readmission rate for their patients, within one month of discharge. A search for articles published within the past 20 years, uncovered critical themes and led to recommendations for practice from 15 articles. Impacting an individual’s readmission are 1) length of stay at the facility, 2) employment opportunities and support after discharge, 3) social and family support, impacting feelings of exclusion/inclusion (stigma), 4) the extent to which the individual embraces the AA recovery philosophy, 5) the specific characteristics of the immediate geographical location of housing, 6) adherence to medical plans, and 7) the availability …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Empowering The Oldest Old Population, Lauren Conigliaro, Nicole Wingfield

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Question: Does occupational therapy promote occupational engagement and increase confidence in mobility in the oldest old population residing in assisted living facilities?

Treatment Interventions For Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome, Nathan Cook, Alexa Srolovitz

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) or more commonly referred to as “shin splints” is characterized as an overuse or repetitive stress injury that causes vague pain over and around the tibia. Researchers are yet to determine a definitive cause though numerous risk factors have been noted. They are as follows; over training,type of surface, poor footwear, muscular imbalances at the ankle, over tight or weak triceps surae muscles, imbalances at the thoracolumbar complex, other muscular imbalances and BMI above 30. Rehabilitation and treatment interventions often call for a pause in training entirely or at the very least an immediate scaling …

Occupational Therapy's Role In Transition To Higher Education And Employment For Individuals Living With Austism Spectrum Disorders, Kelsey Covert, Samantha Mathieu

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

The focus of this evidence-based project was on the transition process for individuals living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to higher education and employment; specifically, how the University of Southern Maine can support individuals with autism spectrum disorder as they transition to higher education and employment. Those with ASD have several risk factors such as decreased communication and executive functioning skills. These skills and further related skills are linked to negative post school outcomes. An increasing number of the population with ASD are enrolling in post-secondary education, but many do not finish due to a lack of support at this …

Pes Planus (Flat Feet) In Relation To Knee Pain, Timothy Conley, Joseph Davenport Ii

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Pes Planus (Flat Foot) disorder has been found to be associated with frequent knee pain and medial tibiofemoral (TF) cartilage damage. The flattening of the foot causes this pain and damage within the knee by forcing the tibia to rotate internally increasing the rotational pressure on the TF joint. We will be discussing a few factors that may contribute to pes planus such as equines foot deformity, tibial torsion, tarsal coalition, ligamentous laxity and congenital vertical talus. Amongst some of these contributions, a reduction in physical activity at a young age can also be a root cause to flat feet …

Breaking Down Barriers: Technology And Dementia, Jamie Sullivan, Kristin Desrochers

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Clinical Question Does the use of person-centered, interactive, computerized technology in a facility setting improve health outcomes within the scope of occupational therapy for persons with dementia? This clinical question was informed in partnership with our community partner it’s Never 2 Late (iN2L), a company focused on providing person-centered accessible technology to persons with dementia. After an extensive review of the literature it was found that person-centered interactive computerized technology can be used to improve cognition, social participation, mental health, well-being and engagement. The authors concluded that technology like iN2L should be implemented in residential facilities to improve health outcomes …

Driving Predictability For Individuals With Neurological Disorders: Occupational Therapy Services, Julie Roy, Caroline Dunn

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Driving is an essential occupation of most individuals; from work to school to medical needs and everyday activities, people need to drive, safety and predictably. This evidence-based project utilized published, scholarly and peer-reviewed studies, both quantitative and qualitative, to attempt to answer the question, ‘Do Occupational Therapy services for people with dementia or progressive neurological conditions predict the ability for the individual to remain safely engaged in the occupation of driving?’ Exclusion material was any articles found that were driving programs. This evidence-based projects ended up with a total of 11 articles; four level I articles, three level II articles, …

Family-Centered Care Outcomes In A Preschool Setting, Victoria Schalk, Cathy Lane

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Family-centered care (FCC) is recognized as an inclusive service delivery model based on the theory that more parental involvement will result in more relevant outcomes for the child and family. It has become the preferred method of service delivery for pediatric providers, including occupational therapists. Although FCC has become the standard, it is unclear how effective it is as a model. We conducted a review of available and best evidence concerning the impact of FCC on children’s outcomes in preschool, in order to provide recommendations for occupational therapists practicing in preschools using FCC. We found that the majority of research …

Assessing Dementia And Mild Cognitive Impairment Within The Home, Kate Sobanik, Melinda Blais

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

What are useful assessments which can be administered by occupational therapists for homebound adults with dementia or mild cognitive impairment that will influence practice patterns?

Does The Application Of Kinesiology Tape Aid In Increasing Venous Flow, K. Fitzgerald, Victoria Saunders

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Kinesiology tape has become extremely popular among athletes of all ages. It’s bright colors and the unique patterns created by the tape have gained an astonishing amount of attention. KT tape is a highly elastic tape that is advertised to increase muscle proprioception, reduce pain, and increase the space between fascial layers for higher venous flow. There has been a large amount of controversy surrounding KT tape and the placebo effects its usage may have. The purpose of this study is to determine if kinesiology tape actually increases venous flow which will result in a reduction of edema and ecchymosis …

Occupational Therapy Led Handwriting Programs In General Education, Angela Hamel, Collin Skilling

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

PIO: Does integrating occupational therapy led handwriting programs into a classroom’s curriculum improve overall handwriting in all children?

“Older Adults And Their Experiences With Home Care And Assisted Living”, Faith Robinson

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

As the state of Maine and the U.S. population at large continues to age, discussion about future care and living arrangements for older adults has become an increasingly relevant issue. Older adults are often faced with a range of options for housing, including staying in their home in their community while receiving home care services, or moving to an assisted living facility.

Currently a gap in the research exists as to the attitudes, perceptions, and lived experiences of the older adults themselves around these decisions, experiences, and the meaning of “home” in our older years. This study aims to provide …

Expanding The Concept Of Play, Allison Vachon, Kylie Lyon

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

The focus of this presentation is on medically fragile children. Through our searching process, we found that play is essential for typical development in children. When a child has a complex condition, play is often compromised. Through our evidence, we found that medically fragile children experience barriers engaging in play and social encounters while at school. Medically fragile children spend most of their day interacting with teaching staff or nurses due to the demanding needs of their disabilities. With the help of assistive technologies such as a powered mobility chair, a single switch output communication aid and movement to music …