Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Teaching Body Awareness To Students With Visual Impairments And Additional Disabilities, Vicki Depountis, Phoebe Okungu, Tracy Hallak, Jennifer Taylor

Bright Ideas Conference

Body awareness, spatial awareness, and positional language, are essential elements of orientation and mobility (O&M). Typically developing students usually learn these concepts and skills incidentally as they interact with various environments. Students with visual impairments and/or multiple disabilities must be deliberately taught these concepts using research-based strategies. Routine-based learning, integration of music, picture and tactile communication, and physical and verbal guidance have been shown to enhance learning by students with visual impairments and/or multiple disabilities. When these strategies are incorporated into individually designed structured movement routines (SMRs), students are more likely to anticipate movements and connect language to corresponding O&M …

Participants' Perceptions Of Factors In Preventing Falls, Jaclyn Fok

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

Falls pose a serious threat to older adults, often resulting in physical, emotional, and financial consequences. The use of multifactorial fall prevention programs has provided community- dwelling older adults with strategies to decrease the risk of falling. Outcomes for these programs are measured in terms of such factors as fear of falling, balance and self-efficacy. One outcome of fall prevention programs that is less well understood is what the older adults themselves perceive as most beneficial. For this program evaluation project, five women participated in semi-structured interviews to understand which aspects of a multifactorial fall prevention program they found to …

Interprofessional Collaboration Between Occupational Therapists And Registered Nurses In Acute Care Settings: An Exploratory Study, Vincent P. O'Brien, Bethany Loy, Kelly Nguyen, Holly Micheff

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

Background. Collaboration between occupational therapists and nurses is key to a positive prognosis for their patients. Currently, there is a gap in the research on professional relationships between occupational therapists and registered nurses in acute care settings. Purpose. To examine interprofessional collaboration between registered nurses and occupational therapy in an acute care setting. Methods. A phenomenological, qualitative design with use of semi-structured interviews was used. Interviewees were four occupational therapists and four registered nurses who currently work in acute care settings in Northern California and were recruited through a snowball, convenience and purposive sampling. Themes and subthemes …

Acl Injuries In Female Athletes, Leslie A. Mesa

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament has been studied in many different ways and become injured more with the increase in sports participation by both male and female athletes. “ACL injuries are 9x more common in female athletes than male athletes and over 1.4 million women have been suffered from the ACL rupture which is twice the rate of the previous decade” (Hewett, 2010). ACL injuries are known to occur more in females than males because of differences in anatomy, knee alignment, muscle strength, and conditioning. Since female athletes are more prone to injury, it is important to incorporate neuromuscular training to …

Inclusion Of Seniors In The Design Of Assistive Technology, Margaret Rusnak

Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education Conference (2015)

Assistive technology helps many older adults complete essential tasks, thus providing them a means to remain functionally independent within their communities. However, many older adults either reject the use of devices or misunderstand their intention. The gap between design and need may be bridged through the active participation of elders in the design process. Previous studies have focused on older persons’ attitudes toward adopting new technology, emphasizing how to promote and maintain usage. Recent research reveals the necessity of including older adults in the design, research, and application of assistive technology in an effort to meet the real needs of …

Oral Wellness: Using Occupational Therapy To Enhance Oral Hygiene Delivery In Long-Term Care, Lauryn J. Banovitz, Liberty Bellah, Rosemarie Lion

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

Based on current literature, oral health in long-term care (LTC) facilities is frequently of low priority and does not follow evidence-based best practices. Poor oral health reduces the quality of life of older adult patients and can lead to systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, and pneumonia which is the leading cause of death in LTC. Occupational therapists can play an instrumental role as oral care consultants, and educators to raise the standards of oral care in LTC facilities.

This capstone project explored ways in which occupational therapy can improve oral care in LTC facilities. The proposed solution was …

Re-Injury Anxiety & Return-To-Sport Outcomes In College Students, Megan C. Callen

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

When athletes are injured, they are faced with the initial injury stage, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and then the return-to-sport. When athletes have a negative outlook, they are less likely to recover from the injury at the proposed date of return-to-sport, take a longer span of time to recover, and have higher levels of stress and anxiety. Wadey, Podlog, Hall, Hamson-Utley, Hicks-Little, & Hammer, (2014) examined the dimensions of reinjury anxiety and found athletes with greater reinjury anxiety were in denial of the severity of their injury by wishing things would get better and had a greater focus on their distress. …

The Elements Of Healing And Wellness Post Diagnosis Of Cancer: A Review Of The Literature And A Personal Account, Tiffany Bystra

Honors Theses

Being diagnosed with cancer is an earth-shaking experience that can break even the most strong and stable of individuals. Thoughts of uncertainty and anxiety are commonly experienced for those having been diagnosed, and when one’s health is compromised, nothing else seems to matter except becoming healthy and well again. This honors thesis deeply investigates my personal experiences being a recent cancer survivor in conjunction with reviewing the research and literature to investigate how one can promote their healing and wellness through holistic means despite going through medical treatments that are physically, emotionally, and spiritually taxing on every level. A thorough …

Cross-Cultural And Inter-Professional Knowledge Translation Of Developmentally Supportive Care In An Indian Nicu, Amy Carroll, Otd, Otr/L, Susan Toth-Cohen, Phd, Otr/L

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Synopsis:

A cross-cultural, and inter-professional NICU Team, including an American OT, used knowledge translation (KT) frameworks to apply current global evidence in developmentally supportive care in ways that were useful, cost effective, and meaningful to the families and staff in their tertiary care NICU setting in Gurgaon, India. The team used Pre & Post videotaping of routine care and procedures to measure the change in practice.

Objectives

1. Increase NICU nurses’ use of DSC during routine care and procedures

2. Decrease the use of non-supportive behaviors

Embedding Mindfulness Practice In Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Education Program: Experiences And Outcomes, Mary Muhlenhaupt, Otd, Otr/L, Faota, Shelly Wallock, Dr.P.H., Otr/L

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Objective:

To embed mindfulness practice into an entry-level occupational therapy curriculum and assess outcomes to reduce student stress and promote well-being.

Evidence Based Design In Healthcare: An Applied Study On The Impacts Of Interior Design For Cerebral Palsy, Katie D. Phillips

Honors College Theses

Evidence Based Design (EBD) is an informed approach to design where designers base their decisions on quantitative and qualitative research. The design of the Universal Access Center for United Cerebral Palsy, discussed in this paper, encapsulates this approach to design. The five stages of EBD and how they were achieved within this project is defined. In the first phase, programming, current trends in healthcare as well as issues surrounding design for adults with Cerebral Palsy (CP) are discussed. In schematic design, initial issues of the project are resolved, and creative ideas are explored leading to the design development stage. In …

I'Ve Been Diagnosed: A Champion! Crohn's & Colitis Family Day, Samantha M. Goldberg

Honors College Theses

This Honors thesis outlines the creation of “I’ve Been Diagnosed: A Champion! Crohn’s & Colitis Family Day”—an experience designed to provide Southeast Georgia children and families affected by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) an opportunity to enhance community involvement and build a support network through therapeutic recreation, team-based activities, education, and a positive family-centered environment. Following the nursing process focusing on the community as the patient, this paper is organized by assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, and evaluation. A literature review was conducted and interviews with a medical professional and a patient were completed. Specific interventions were planned using the nursing process …

The Gentleman's Game In The Land Of The Free: The Marketing, Development, And Future Of American Rugby, Nathan Blaikie

Whittier Scholars Program

The United States has a unique opportunity to become one of the top rugby countries in the world. Rugby is the fastest growing sport in the United States with youth, high school, college, and club players growing every year. Now is the time for USA Rugby to take the next step in exposing the game to mainstream audiences across every country. With sports being a billion dollar industry in the United States, there is always room for a sport to gain exposure. The next decade will be important in seeing where the future lies for American rugby. One of the …

A Qualitative Examination Of Optimal Professional Traits Of Physical Therapists. – An Exploratory Investigation, Nicholas G. Wood

Honors College Theses

Physical therapists are constantly searching for aspects of their professional practice to improve, in order to enhance interactions with patients, eventually leading to a more successful practice (Resnek & Jensen, 2003). Although this is the case, limited research has been found which has examined optimal qualities of physical therapists from neither a qualitative perspective, nor based upon their location. Thus, the purpose of this study is to use a qualitative approach to describe optimal qualities necessary for a successful physical therapy practice. In addition, this study aims to determine if therapists practicing in a rural community describe different qualities than …

An Interprofessional, Tailored Behavioral Intervention For Sleep Problems In Autism: Use Of Sensory Data To Inform Intervention, Rebecca Sinko, Ms, Otr/L, Sarah E. Kauper, Bs, Ots, Phoi Truong, Bs, Ots, Rachel L. Dumont, Bs, Ots, Amy L. Miller, Bs, Ots, Roseann C. Schaaf, Phd, Otr/L, Faota, Margaret Souders, Phd, Crnp, Eric D. Bull, Ots, Denise G. Doria, Ots, Jamie A. Frank, Ots, Jenna R. Grady, Ots

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Purpose:

The purpose of this poster is to demonstrate how Sensory Profile data informed occupational therapy sleep interventions for two participants as part of an Interprofessional Tailored Behavioral Intervention study.

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Prevention Of Infant Torticollis & Plagiocephaly, Anne H. Zachry

Faculty Presentations

AOTA includes health promotion as an Intervention approach in the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process. As health care professionals, occupational therapy practitioners are responsible for promoting public health and wellness. Occupational therapists need to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of varying infant positions, providing tummy time, and limiting infant time spent in baby gear.

Occupational Therapy And Family Caregiver Training: The Key To Successful Dementia Care, Catherine V. Piersol, Phd, Otr/L, Ann O'Sullivan, Otr/L, Lsw, Faota

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Most people with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders live in the community and are cared for by family caregivers who have not received formal training. Evidence has shown that caregiving can have profound negative effects on a caregiver’s own physical and psychological health, including increasing social isolation and decreasing quality of life and wellbeing. If the demands of care exceed the caregiver’s capacity, the person with dementia can also be negatively affected. Research supports the effectiveness of teaching caregivers approaches that match the skills and interests of the person with dementia, use appropriate cues, identify and modify behavioral triggers, and …

Parents' Goals: An Analysis Of Therapist Reasoning, Amy L. Miller, Ots, Rachel L. Dumont, Ots, Janice P. Burke, Phd, Otr/L, Faota, Ellen S. Cohn, Scd, Otr/L, Faota, Sarah E. Kauper, Ots, Roseann C. Schaaf, Phd, Otr/L, Faota, Eric D. Bull, Ots, Denise G. Doria, Ots, Jamie A. Frank, Ots, Jenna R. Grady, Ots, Phoi Truong, Ots

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Purpose:

Illustrate the use of DDDM to develop parent-identified goals for occupational therapy and to identify underlying sensory integration factors hypothesized to be impacting participation.

The Ot's Role In An Interprofessional Research Team, Sara Benham, Otd, Otr/L, Atp, Susan Toth-Cohen, Phd, Otr/L

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Why Interprofessional Research?

The research field receives contributions from multiple disciplines and is inclusive by nature. •Feels natural in our day to day work practices to collaborate with other professions. •A plan to build research capacity includes establishing a research culture, environment, and infrastructure as well as partnership with other disciplines (Frontera et al., 2006).

Pt/Ot Students Experience Working At Overnight Camp For Children With Disabilities, Audrey L. Zapletal, Ms, Otr/L, David A. Lehman, Phd, Pt

Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations

Objectives:

• Describe the innovative interprofessional field experience
• Discuss how the camp program enhances the OT/PT students’ skills towards interprofessional practice and discipline specific clinical reasoning
• Examine how this opportunity has influenced OT/PT students’ educational and professional development