Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Exploring Student And Faculty Perspectives On Professionalism In Occupational Therapy Education, Mary Roduta Roberts, Jilaine Barton, Amy Janzen, Carolina Johnson, Lauren Painchaud

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The development of professionalism is critical for occupational therapy (OT) students to become competent occupational therapists. This paper reports on the first phase of a multi-phase project to develop and pilot a situational judgement test to support teaching, learning, and development of professionalism in an OT program. The purpose of this study was to explore faculty and students’ perspectives on professionalism and OT. Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were completed with students (n = 18) and faculty (n = 4). The main insights shared included challenges in defining professionalism in OT, the importance of context, and differing perspectives on the effectiveness of …

Perceptions Of Capstone Mentors: Differentiating Capstone And Fieldwork Students In Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones, Sara Stephenson, Rochelle S. Reiss

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

This qualitative descriptive study explored occupational therapy doctoral capstone (OTD) mentors’ perceptions of differences between capstone and fieldwork students to inform mentor training development. Retrospective data from 157 mentors (145 occupational therapists, 12 non-OT professionals) mentoring 178 OTD students from 2020 to 2023 were analyzed using rapid analysis integrated with Kielhofner’s Qualitative Data Analysis Procedure. Mentors were selected by students through a structured process involving interviews and alignment of professional interests, contrasting with assigned FW placements. Six themes emerged: independence/student autonomy, mentoring relationship, professional skill refinement, unique experience, project development, and negative or neutral challenges. These themes highlight capstone students’ …

Evaluating Students' Experience In Applying Model Of Human Occupation In Acute-Care Settings Through Actor-Based Case Simulations, Tiffany T. Lin, Homa Zahedi

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists in hospital settings play a critical role in facilitating rehabilitation and promoting safe discharge, thereby reducing hospital readmissions and preventing hospital-acquired injuries, such as deep vein thrombosis and falls. Despite the benefits of occupation-based interventions, novice therapists often revert to an impairment-focused approach because of difficulties in applying occupation-centered models. The Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) offers a framework to support occupation-based practice, yet students and early-career therapists frequently encounter challenges in translating theoretical models into clinical application.

This study aims to examine occupational therapy students’ experiences with actor-based case simulation sessions designed to enhance confidence and application …

Occupational Therapy Holistic Admissions At A Public, Urban Research University: Process, Outcomes, And Transitions, Ashley Stoffel, Dalmina Arias, Toni Van Denend, Caitlin Smith, Jenica Lee, Maria Larson, Gail Fisher

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Implementing a holistic admissions process reflecting the mission of the university provides the means to expand enrollment of students from diverse backgrounds who have life experiences and values that are well matched to the communities they serve. This article explores the historical significance, outcomes, and transitions of a holistic admissions process in a public, urban research university.

The holistic admission process outlined in this article offers a balanced and equitable approach to student selection by considering a broad array of backgrounds, experiences, and attributes beyond traditional metrics, such as grades. With a commitment to inclusivity, access, and belonging, the department …

Feasibility Of Therapeutic Drumming Intervention For Autistic Youth: An Exploratory Study, Zahava L. Friedman, Dina Prisco, Jorge Ochoa, Talia Nuesi, Carmen Guarino, Patricia Higgins, Danielle Centi

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: There is a need to identify a wider variety of neurodiversity-affirming interventions within the scope of occupational therapy. Therapeutic drumming, percussive music-making as a therapeutic intervention, holds potential for occupational therapy practice, though few studies have explored its efficacy with this population. The purpose of this study was to explore the design and effectiveness of therapeutic drumming for autistic youth from perspectives of drumming facilitators to identify relevant outcome variables and usefulness in the study and practice of therapeutic drumming.

Methodology: This exploratory feasibility study recruited twelve facilitators and 10 autistic youth. An occupational therapy graduate student …

Service Disruptions In Early Intervention Amid Covid-19: Understanding Challenges Faced By Families And Providers, Tiana T. Nguyen, Samantha Mong, Juliana Lainez, Domenique Embrey

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Infants at risk for developmental delays require early intervention (EI) services to support their development. However, many families face barriers to receiving services, which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: This qualitative study examined how COVID-19 impacted access to EI therapy services from the perspectives of families and EI providers in the San Francisco Bay Area. The study aimed to identify existing barriers and new pandemic-specific challenges to inform strategies for improving continuity and quality of EI care during future service disruptions.

Methods: Semi-structured virtual interviews were conducted with caregivers of eligible infants and EI providers. …

Theme Park Experiences Of Families With A Disabled Child Regarding Accessibility And Participation: Mixed Methods Study, Kylie Allan, Karen Park

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Despite the large number of children with disabilities, there is little research focused on the experiences families with a child who has a disability have while at theme parks. Both play and leisure participation offer meaningful opportunities for self-expression and can support skill acquisition and building social connections, particularly in family-oriented environments, like amusement parks.

Methods: Using environmental assessments, surveys, and semi-structured interviews, this mixed-methods study explored the experiences of these families, specifically looking at accessibility and participation in the theme park environment. Thirty-seven parents and guardians completed the online survey, while 10 individuals also elected to …

The Impact Of Computer Training On Confidence And Occupational Participation In Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Alicia Jones, Joseph A. Scazzero, Rosanne Dizazzo-Miller

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: It is fundamental to understand why older adults choose and use technology to fully understand how to meet the needs of an aging population in a technologically advanced society. This research aimed to design and implement a holistic technology training program for older adults that explores using a laptop beyond basic internet use.

Method: A pre-post mixed-method survey study took place at a local senior center. A classroom-style program was designed to deliver information and instruction using a digital device. An 11-item survey on attitudes toward technology using a 7-point Likert scale with qualitative responses was used to collect …

A Retrospective Study Correlating Omsq-12 And Quickdash Scores Of Post-Operative Upper Extremity Patients, Sabrina Nassir, Mariem Metry, Yuju R. Huang

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: This retrospective study aimed to identify a correlation between the Örebro Musculoskeletal Screening Questionnaire (ÖMSQ-12) and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) of postoperative male patients with elbow and or wrist/hand conditions. The study aimed to discover how an individual’s comorbidities affect overall functionality over 6 weeks of treatment at Select Physical Therapy Hand Therapy in Orange, CA.

Methods: Data collected from male workers' compensation patients (N = 43) aged 20-50 years with elbow and/or wrist/hand conditions from January 1, 2021, to January 1, 2025, were included. Throughout a patient's therapy experience, they are …

The Content Validity Of The Functional Cognition Index In Instrumental Activities Of Daily Living (Fci-Iadl) As A Screening Tool For Mild Cognitive Impairment (Mci) In Older Adults In Singapore, Namrata P. Sadarangani, Phyllis Simon

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a syndrome that is considered a transition phase between healthy cognitive aging and dementia. The person may have subjective memory complaints, substantiated by family or caregiver and/or impaired executive function, that lead to difficulties performing complex Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). Our objective was to develop a tool to assess functional cognition in IADLs as a screen for MCI in older adults.

Method: A Qualtrics survey questionnaire was rated by 15 content experts on the relevance of the 22 test item questions to the cognitive domains being measured using a 4-point …

Reframing Occupational Therapy In A Reactive Health System Through Prevention And Caregiver Training, Rosanne Dizazzo-Miller

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

This article explores the expanding role of occupational therapy in chronic disease management, prevention, and caregiver supported care. Occupational therapy is uniquely positioned to support health promotion and caregiver training but remains underused in prevention-focused health care models. Current literature from the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy highlights the importance of caregiver training, the systemic barriers limiting occupational therapy's role in chronic disease management, and the need for the profession to embrace a broader role within this area of practice.

Self-Reported Confidence Of Dpt Students In Assessing And Treating Different Body Regions Within Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy Practice, Scott W. Lowe, Jennifer Wiley

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Introduction

This study examined Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) students' self-reported confidence in assessing and treating musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions based on body regions. We hypothesized that there would be identifiable differences in self-perceived confidence across the different body regions. Most literature assessing DPT students' readiness for clinical practice has come from the perspective of educators and clinicians, whereas student perspectives have not been reported.

Methods:

The study is a descriptive, observational online survey.  Participants were final-year DPT students in the United States. Participants rated their comfort level in assessing and treating patients with MSK complaints, both in general and specifically …

Online Decoding Of Rat Self-Paced Locomotion Speed From Eeg Using Recurrent Neural Networks, Alejandro De Miguel, Nelson Totah, Uri Maoz

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Objective. Accurate and reliable neural decoding of locomotion holds promise for advancing clinical applications such as rehabilitation and prosthetic control, as well as for understanding neural correlates of action. Recent studies have demonstrated successful decoding of locomotion kinematics across species in motorized treadmill settings. However, efforts to decode locomotion speed directly and continuously in more natural contexts—where pace is self-selected rather than externally imposed—are scarce, and those that exist generally achieve only modest accuracy and require intracranial implants. Here, we aim to decode self-paced locomotion speed non-invasively and continuously using cortex-wide electroencephalography (EEG) recordings from rats. Approach. We introduce an …

The Bent Clinician: How Dental Work Is Reshaping Your Spine - And What To Do About It, Kelly Davis Pt, Dpt, Faaompt, Mt

New Orleans Dental Association News

Musculoskeletal disorders affect somewhere between 64 and 93 percent of dental professionals over the course of their careers. Neck pain, shoulder aches, low back fatigue — these aren’t just the cost of doing good work. They are predictable patterns that, with the right understanding, you can absolutely change.

Benefits Of Pet Friendly Work Environments On Physical, Mental, And Social Health Of Office Workers: A Systematic Review, Ahmed Radwan, Jenna Keeman, Tristan Hunzinger, Owen Wilson, Shayla Seymour

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Background: Pet-friendly workplace initiatives are increasingly common, yet the empirical evidence for benefits to office workers’ physical, mental, and social health is scattered and heterogeneous.

Objective: To synthesize evidence on health-related outcomes associated with pet-friendly work environments for office and desk-based workers, and to appraise the current level of evidence.

Methods: A PRISMA-guided systematic search (2014–2024) was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, OVID, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Two reviewers independently screened titles/abstracts and full texts, extracted data, and appraised study quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) checklists. Outcomes were coded and synthesized narratively within three domains: physical, mental, …

Discordance Between Self-Report And Performance-Based Measures Among At-Risk Older Adults: A Secondary Data Analysis, Chiung-Ju Liu, Wen-Pin Chang, Inga Wang

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

Importance: Subtle, age-related declines in occupational performance among at-risk older adults may go undetected when assessed solely with self-report measures, potentially leading to missed intervention opportunities. Understanding discrepancies between self-reported and performance-based occupational performance outcomes can inform assessment selection and interpretation.

Objective: To examine the discrepancies between the two types of measure among community-dwelling older adults at risk for losing independence.

Design: Cross-sectional study using secondary data analysis.

Participants: Seventy-one community-dwelling older adults (M age = 74 yr, SD = 9) who showed muscle weakness and reported difficulty with activities of daily living.

Outcomes and measures: Canadian Occupational Performance Measure …

Implementing A Sensory-Informed Protocol For Fall Prevention In A Skilled Nursing Facility, Riley R. Scholberg, Amy Lyons-Brown, Elizabeth Force

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project developed and implemented a sensory-informed admission protocol to support fall prevention at a skilled nursing facility. The development of this protocol aimed to improve the early identification of vision and hearing impairments and integrate sensory considerations into resident care planning and fall prevention. Participants included newly admitted residents and interdisciplinary staff members from rehabilitation, nursing, and administration. Methods included administering the Screening for Severe Dual Sensory Loss (SDSL), reviewing resident characteristics and fall-related indicators, educating staff on sensory-informed care, and developing practical resources to support consistent screening, documentation, and intervention. Expected outcomes included increased staff knowledge, improved …

A Program To Address Anxiety And/Or Add/Adhd In Children With Cerebral Palsy To Improve Social Participation, Victoria Shaw, Mary Jan Greer

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this project was to develop a program for children with cerebral palsy, who experience anxiety and/or ADD/ADHD, that will promote their social participation during play activities. The program lasted for 14 weeks and had two participants, within those 14 weeks, several objectives were accomplished. These objectives include the administration of the needs assessment, implementation of the program modules, pre- and post-interviews with the caregivers and staff, and the finalization of the program. The expected outcome from the program was to determine the effectiveness of the different program modules increasing interactions with peers by decreasing anxiety and improving …

A Hand Therapy Quick Reference Guide: Supporting Level Ii Fieldwork Experiences ​, Raven I. Gammage, Rebecca Caudrillier, Mary Greer

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Occupational therapy students often begin Level II hand therapy fieldwork with limited preparation. This capstone project developed an evidence-informed Hand Therapy Quick Reference Guide to support students and clinicians with foundational knowledge and clinical resources. Following implementation, feedback from hand therapists, fieldwork educators, and students indicated the guide was organized, practical, and applicable across clinical settings. The guide has the potential to improve fieldwork preparedness and support successful entry into hand therapy practice.

A Hand Therapy Quick Reference Guide: Supporting Level Ii Fieldwork Experiences, Raven I. Gammage, Rebecca Caudrillier, Mary Greer

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Occupational therapy students often begin Level II hand therapy fieldwork with limited preparation. This capstone project developed a Hand Therapy Quick Reference Guide to support students and clinicians with foundational knowledge and clinical resources. Evaluative feedback from hand therapists, fieldwork educators, and students indicated the guide was organized, practical, and applicable across clinical settings. The guide has the potential to improve fieldwork preparedness and support success in hand therapy practice.