Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

An Intergenerational Leisure Activity Program To Promote Successful Aging, Rachel Becker, Jason Zacharias

Occupational Therapy Capstones

PROBLEM: By the year 2030, older adults who are 65 years of age or older will account for 20% of the US population (Center for Disease Control, 2008); however, the rate of successful aging has decreased 25% from 1998 to 2004 (McLaughlin, Connell, Heeringa, Li, &Roberts, 2009).

PURPOSE: The purpose of this scholarly project is to develop an intergenerational program that will promote successful aging of older adults. METHOD: A literature review was conducted on older adults and successful aging using PubMed, OT search, CINAHL, AJOT, Google scholar, and textbooks. RESULTS: Researchers indicated that intergenerational programs promote successful aging and …

Occupational Therapy In Oncology: A Guide For The Occupational Therapist Working On The Oncology Care Team, Kaitlyn Radi, Anna Schumacher

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.

A Manual For Caregivers Of Infants And Young Children Who Are At Risk For Or Have Experienced A Tbi: Prevention And Education, Meghan Enabnit, Stephanie Gubbels

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The prevalence of infant TBI, 0 to 4 years of age, is one of the highest population groups to experience TBI (Faul, Xu, Wald, & Coronado, 2010). The age group between 0-4 years old has contributed to 251,546 emergency department visits, 15,239 hospital visits, and 998 deaths (Faul et aI., 2010). The purpose of this scholarly project is to increase awareness and knowledge of infant and young child traumatic brain injury across all contexts, to reduce incidence of traumatic brain injury and re-injury and to promote development for the vulnerable, at-risk, infant and young child population through the creation and …

Exercise Medicine For Prostate Cancer, Robert U. Newton, Daniel A. Galvao

Research outputs 2013

Since initial reports in the mid-1980s, there has been increasing interest in the application of exercise as medicine for the prevention and management of cancer. A large number of high-quality, randomised, controlled trials with cancer survivors have confirmed both aerobic and resistance exercise to be highly beneficial for improving body composition, quality of life, mental health functional capacity and reducing risk of cancer recurrence and development of other chronic diseases. Such benefits have ultimately been realised in reduced cancer mortality between 30 and 60 % in large cohort retrospective studies. Treatments for prostate cancer are increasingly effective with quite high …

Creativity In An Online Community As A Response To The Chaos Of A Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Cynthia Witney, Lelia Green, Leesa Costello, Vanessa Bradshaw

Research outputs 2013

No abstract provided.

A Qualitative Study On The Impact Of Occupational Therapy Mentors On Children From Disadvantaged Homes And The Implications For Future Success, Melinda Cervantes, Jennifer Prevett

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Research into childhood development has shown that the impacts of a traumatic life event can have adverse effects on the development and future success of a child. Traumatic live events can be defined as any experience that varies from a typical pattern of childhood development, for example divorce, death of a parent, addiction concerns, domestic violence, or incarceration of a parent. Often a positive role model cannot be found in these children’s lives, keeping them from reaching success later in life. Researchers have studied the impact of a mentoring relationship on children from disadvantaged homes and have found the mentoring …

Occupational Therapy For Adolescents: A Nature-Based Interventions Approach, Amanda Cruze, Myrtyce Remus

Occupational Therapy Capstones

PURPOSE: The first purpose of this scholarly project was to address current trends in relation to adolescents’ increased reliance on technology, decreased exposure to natural settings, and utilization of nature in adolescent occupational therapy care. The second purpose of the scholarly project was to provide occupational therapists with an interventions guide for nature-based activities to be used with the adolescent population.

METHOD: A literature review was conducted on adolescents, technology and nature using PubMed, CINAHL, AJOT, OT Search, MESH, Google Scholar, and textbooks.

RESULTS: A review of the literature indicated that the target population, Generation Z, had grown up with …

An Occupational Therapy Guide To Assessment Of Executive Function Of Rural Agriculture Workers, Cayleigh Gerstner, Alyssa Lopez

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Develop a guide for occupational therapists working with rural agricultural-based individuals’ experiencing cognitive deficits. Methodology: A comprehensive literature review was completed with major topics including the definition of executive functioning, common duties of ranch/farm workers, relationship between executive functioning and work, rural agriculture culture. The goal of the literature review was to gain an understanding of the influence of executive functioning skills on engagement within occupational duties and tasks of rural agriculture workers. Results: An occupational therapy guide was developed to provide a list of common tasks/duties of ranchers/framers and the associated executive functioning skills as well as client …

An Occupation-Based Protocol For Treatment Of Adults With Burn Injury, Lyndsey Felber, Megan Metelak

Occupational Therapy Capstones

People are occupational beings. Occupations build the structure of a client’s day. Thus, occupations give life it’s meaning (Hocking, 2001). Occupational therapists have a holistic viewpoint of clients that focuses on improving their quality of life through meaningful occupations. There is a lack of literature supporting the use of occupationbased intervention with adults with burn injuries. Throughout the literature preparatory and purposeful interventions are prominent for burn rehabilitation. (Holavanahalli et al. 2011, Fung et al., 2010, Parry et al., 2012). According to Richard et al. (2008), current techniques to treat burn injuries have remained unchanged for centuries. They suggest that …

Community Based Program For Young Adults With High Functioning Autism: Social Participation And Dating, Brook Dahle, Laura Hennes

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: In the United States, autism spectrum disorders affect 1 in 88 individuals (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). Autism spectrum disorders affect individuals throughout their lifespan (Alexander, 2011). The most significant impairment in individuals with high functioning autism experience is qualitative impairment in social interaction (Sadock & Sadock, 2008). Services for individuals with autism spectrum disorders are available until the age of 21. Therefore, adults with autism spectrum disorders have limited access to intervention even though they continue to struggle (Shattuck, Wagner, Narendorf, Sterzinger, & Hansley, 2011). The focus of this project is young adults with high functioning …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Skilled Dementia Care: Improving Quality Of Life, Kelly Bainbridge, April Benoit

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The occurrence of dementia has been increasing over the years. It is estimated that the number of people with dementia will increase to more than 45 million within the next 20 years (Ferri et al., 2005). This increase will lead to an increased demand for occupational therapists to work with individuals with dementia within skilled care units to meet the vast needs of this population and promote quality of life. Occupational therapists are skilled in working with people with dementia; yet, most occupational therapists do not feel confident in their role with skilled dementia care. This has been found to …

Occupational Therapy In The Intensive Care Unit: A Quick Reference Guide, Susie Bonn, Megan Keidel

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to create a quick reference guide for occupational therapists treating clients in the intensive care unit (ICU) in order to increase quality of care, decrease medical errors, and improve confidence.

Methods: A literature review was conducted to determine the needs of occupational therapists and other health professionals working in the ICU environment. It was discovered that occupational therapists do not receive specific education on treating clients in the ICU and that there are no specific resources for occupational therapists currently available. Rehabilitation is beginning sooner within the ICU in order to decrease client …

An Occupation Based Intervention Protocol For Carpometacarpal Joint Arthroplasty, Joshua A. Gillbertson, Christopher G. Johnson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The carpometacarpal (CMC) joint is located at the base of thumb and, functionally, is the most important joint within the hand due to its extensive mobility and the importance it has on the dexterity of human prehension. Due to the hypermobility and high degrees of utilization of the CMC joint, it is a common area for increased pain, joint disease, and the development of arthritis. Arthritis can be a debilitating condition as it is associated with instability, deformities, and limited range of motion, which all impact engagement in activities of daily living and meaningful occupations. When conservative treatments and non-surgical …

Substance Abuse Post-Spinal Cord Injury: A Manual For Occupational Therapists, Janaye Hellman, Emilee Soper

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to assist therapists in physical rehabilitation settings to begin addressing and treating substance abuse with patients post spinal cord injury (SCI). The project provides therapists with a resource guide to use for identifying specific screenings. occupational therapy assessments, intervention strategies, and discharge recommendations that may be useful during treatment sessions.

Methods: The literature review was conducted on the topics of substance abuse and SCIs. Research identified there is a lack of substance abuse recognition and treatment by healthcare professionals in a physical rehabilitation setting as many healthcare professionals such as occupational therapists …

Caregivers Of Children With Disabilities: An Exploratory Study Of Factors Influencing Occupational Therapy Home Programming Engagement, Sara E. Joersz, Rebecca I. Polansky

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Home programming for children with disabilities is prescribed frequently by occupational therapists as an effective adjunct to practice-setting occupational therapy. The effectiveness of home programming is largely influenced by the degree to which caregivers (and children) adhere to the home programming parameters. Numerous factors are thought to promote or limit home programming adherence but there is a lack of quantitative research addressing the relationships between these factors and home programming adherence. The purpose of this quantitative, independent study was to explore the factors that are correlated with or influence caregivers’ adherence to their child’s occupational therapy home program. A …

Occupational Therapy Screening Tool For School-Aged Children With Sleep Problems, Jenae Becker, Kathryne Kitchen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project was to review the occupational therapy literature and develop a guide to instruct occupational therapists in screening children with sleep problems and associated occupational performance issues.

The primary method used for this project was the use of an extensive literature review of common sleep problems, co-morbidities of sleep problems, the impact of lack of sleep, sleep interventions, and the role of occupational therapy when addressing sleep problems in school-aged children. A number of search engines were utilized including PubMed, CINAHL, PsychInfo, OT Search, OT Seeker, and OT textbooks.

The literature indicated there was a …

Understanding Culturally Competent Care In Occupational Therapy School To Providing Clinical Practice, Tracy Lord

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: This purpose of this study is to determine if the knowledge that is gained in occupational therapy school about working with diverse cultures is continually developed and applied while practicing in the field of occupational therapy.

Methodology: Data was collected from 18 participants in a quantitative survey and 6 participants in a qualitative interview from four Southwestern states.

Results: Results of this study suggest that the therapists who have graduated within the last 20 years have a greater understanding of including a client’s culture to provide true client-centered care in the delivery of occupational therapy services. 50% of the …

An Exploratory Study Investigating The Quality Of Life In Parents Of Children With Disabilities, Jeffrey Crain, Rebecca Lang

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of the study is to investigate caregivers' of children with disabilities perceptions related to their quality of life through engagement in meaningful occupations. Researchers hope that data from this study will contribute to the growing body of literature on caregivers of children with disabilities. Quality of life is an outcome measure that occupational therapists utilize in their practice.

Throughout the course of the study data was collected through the use of a semi structured interview tool. Researchers developed this tool to allow participants to openly express their thoughts, emotions, and experiences related to having a child with a …

Motivating The Unmotivated Child: Using Psychosocial Intervention Methods In The School, Kristi Fickes, Kelsey Hoffmann

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Problem: School-based occupational therapists have reported barriers to working with children with psychosocial needs including a limited knowledge of psychosocial methods (Barnes, Beck, Vogel, Grice, & Murphy, 2003; Case-Smith & Archer, 2008). These issues prevent children with motivational and behavioral issues from receiving the best care possible and, in some cases, from receiving therapy at all.

Methods: An extensive literature review was conducted to understand current utilization of psychosocial strategies in school-based occupational therapy practice, barriers therapists experience in applying these strategies, and effective psychosocial strategies for children with motivational issues. Findings of the literature suggested that continuing education was …

An Occupational Therapy Veteran Resource Guide, Paige Thiele, Miranda Vastag

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Currently, there are limited resources available to occupational therapists working with the veteran population. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is often confusing and complex for many health care workers to understand. An extensive literature review was conducted and the research indicated there is a need for an occupational therapy resource guide which includes a working knowledge of military culture, The Department of Veterans Affairs eligibility requirements and access, military priority conditions as well as military specific assessments. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to develop a guide that allows occupational therapists working with the veteran population to gain …