RICHES Cabarrus College of Health Sciences
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Occupational Therapy Services Has the Potential to Improve the Infertility Experience
Get PDFInfertility has the potential to have a lasting impact on quality of life and well-being, which negatively impacts occupational roles and performance due to the demands required during this stressful life event. Based on the literature review, there is limited research on the impacts of occupational engagement, occupational roles, and performance in relation to the infertility experience. There ls also limited research on the role occupational therapy may provide and the services that may be implemented to improve quality of life. The purpose of the current study is to first determine the limitations in relation to occupations, occupational role and performance. Second, the researcher aimed to educate medical professionals on the role occupational therapy may provide to those experiencing infertility including possible treatment interventions. The current study began with the completion of a needs assessment and the results were gathered to include in the presentation provided to the infertility medical professional staff. The infertility medical professional staff completed a quantitative pre and post survey for the researcher to determine the effectiveness of the OT education session through utilization of a Likert-Scale. The results of the needs assessment indicate that most women have trouble engaging and in their roles within relationships with others and their work responsibilities. The educational session was successful, and the results indicate that the medical professionals gained an increased understanding on the role of OT and the services available to women during their infertility experience. Overall, all the objectives of the study were achieved through completion of the research project
Using OT-Based Yoga Programs to Improve Sleep Health Across Populations
Get PDFSleep dysfunction affects all ages and inhibits successful engagement in everyday activities. Pain and psychological issues are common factors that contribute to sleep health. There is demand for holistic approaches to promote sleep health due to undesirable effects of medications. Yoga has been shown to improve health and wellness of those who practice and can be a tool to improve symptoms leading to poor sleep health. Sleep is an occupational domain that is underrecognized compared to the full scope of occupational therapy (OT). OTs can implement yoga programs to promote sleep health across the lifespan, because they are skilled in providing client-focused holistic care and possess the education to integrate physical ability, mental health, and lifestyle support with provision of services. The objective of this project was to educate OT students to improve knowledge and perceptions of OT-based yoga programs to improve sleep health across populations. 25 OT students participated in this presentation and completed pre- and post-surveys using a five-point Likert scale to create quantitative data. The results of the pre-survey indicated students were not confident in listing factors leading to sleep dysfunction or how this program fits into OT\u27s scope of practice. Following the presentation, students demonstrated improved knowledge and perception of this topic with indicated understanding of how this intervention can improve sleep health and its integration to the domain and process of OT services. The education relayed in this project served to bridge the gap in literature by fusing OT fundamentals with yoga for an evidence-based intervention approach to improve sleep health
Preventative Education to Promote Safe Aging in Place
Get PDFThe process of aging independently and safely in the comfort of one\u27s own living environment is known as aging in place. It is imperative to acknowledge the changing needs of the older adult as the natural aging process occurs to support safe aging in place. Many older adults do not often receive appropriate training to age in place safely until falls or disabilities have already begun to occur. It is hypothesized that providing preventative education before the likelihood of falls and disabilities arise will provide a knowledge base of customizable strategies to support physical needs to age in place independently and safely. Implementing preventative education to the age group prior to 65 years old can minimize environmental barriers and will demonstrate how to properly modify the home environment to confront physical disability should it arise. This capstone project analyzed the benefits of preventative education to individuals aged 60-64 who were living independently and without any physical disability. This project was completed through a pre- and post-survey consisting of the same 11 questions along with an educational PowerPoint in-service which included a supplemental visual handout. The results indicated an increased gain in knowledge in areas including safety within the home, contextual modifications, and energy conservation techniques. The field of occupational therapy promotes health, quality of life, and overall well-being. These results indicate that knowledge of preventative methods can be utilized to maintain health in the older adult population as they age safely in the comfort of their own environment
Implementation of Client-centered Instrumental Music to Improve Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Clients with Dementia During Activities of Daily Living
Get PDFPreferred music is a powerful tool for improving behavioral and psychological symptoms of clients with dementia during activities of daily living. This approach involves personalized 3 play lists comprised of instrumental music known to be meaningful to the clients. Administering client-centered instrumental music is advantageous because it requires little training, materials, and set up. Once a suitable patient has been identified, comprehensive training and education should be provided by a treating healthcare worker. An in-service was subsequently delivered to educate adult daycare clinicians on the benefit of client centered music for addressing behavioral and psychological symptoms of clients with dementia during activities of daily living. Additional objectives included training regarding the administration of a preferred music questionnaire and curating personalized playlists for successful implementation in the adult daycare setting. A total of 10 adult daycare clinicians attended the in-service and were presented with pre- and post-surveys to complete before and after the in-service. These surveys contained the same five questions including a Likert scale format, providing quantitative data for analyzation. Overall, the data demonstrated an increase in knowledge of client-centered instrumental music and its provision for the dementia population. This study suggests that client-centered instrumental music is an effective alternative method for improving behavioral and psychological symptoms of clients with dementia during activities of daily living
The Role of Auditory Sensory Support In Community Participation for Children with Autism
Get PDFChildren with autism spectrum disorder frequently have hyper-responsive reactlons to auditory stimuli from the environment when they are participating in community activities with their family. When these reactive behaviors become difficult to manage, participation in community activities tends to decrease. Occupational therapy practitioners need quality evidence-based information and strategies to effectively provide intervention to help mitigate these over-responsive reactions and help families increase their satisfaction during community participation. The purpose of this capstone project was to investigate potential causes of auditory hypersensitivity, define how maladaptive behavioral responses can deter family participation in community activities, and formulate supportive strategies to help children with ASD cope with the challenges brought on by over-responsiveness to sound. A training in-service on auditory hypersensitivity was developed to educate the staff at The Cyzner Institute, which is a school in Charlotte, North Carolina that specializes in children with ASD. The training presentation was organized into three parts. The first part discussed potential etiology related to auditory hypersensitivity. The second part examined how over-reactions to auditory stimuli can manifest as challenging behavior. The final section of the presentation described several strategies for managing and shaping challenging behavior to increase the likelihood that families of children with ASD would engage ln community activities with the strategies in place. A pre-survey and post-survey were administered to the participants to gauge their knowledge of auditory hypersensitivity before and after the in-service. The results of comparisons between the two surveys suggest that there was a gain in knowledge, confidence, and ability of participants to provide intervention and family education to improve community participation. In conclusion, the information gained from researching the topic of auditory hypersensitivity was effectively synthesized into an in-service presentation and training that improved knowledge and skill level for the staff at The Cyzner Institute
Identification and Treatment of Tongue and Lip Ties: Occupational Therapy\u27s Role as it Relates to Oral Motor Function in the Pediatric Population
Get PDFOccupational therapy (OT) practitioners have a valuable role in the treatment of tongue and lip ties. The literature revealed that tongue and lip ties are associated with feeding difficulties in infants and children. Common challenges identified are difficulty with latching, reflux, poor weight gain, gagging, choking, difficulty with managing different textures, misalignment of teeth, social difficulty, and frustration for the child and parent. Additionally, surgical correction for tongue and lip ties is controversial because there are no clear guidelines for treatment. Standardized, functional oral motor assessments for diagnosing and treating tongue and lip ties are limited. Research states the most common assessments are the Hazelbaker Assessment Tool for Lingual Frenulum Function (HA TLFF) and Tongue Range of Motion Ratio Lingual-Palatal Suction (TRMR-LPS), however; these assessments are quantitative and do not assess functional oral motor skills. The goal of this capstone was to identify OT\u27s role in the treatment of tongue and lip ties and how the ties affect the pediatric population. The researchers completed a qualitative study involving 11 OT practitioners to identify their knowledge of their role in the treatment of tongue and lip ties. The researchers provided an educational presentation using current evidence-based literature to the sample of OT practitioners. The researchers utilized a pre survey prior to the presentation to assess current knowledge and then a post survey following the presentation to assess knowledge that was learned. The outcome of the research and assessment of practitioner knowledge and treatment of tongue and lip ties indicates there is a need for further education, training, and assessment options for occupational therapy practitioners in the pediatric field for treating tongue and lip ties
Occupational Therapy Education on Transition Techniques, for the Adult/Geriatric Population, Promotes Caregiver Self-efficacy to Move an Aging Adult into a Cottage or Pod Home onto Caregiver Property
Get PDFMany aging adults prefer to age in place rather than in a facility such as a nursing home. However, many times individuals are no longer able to live safely alone and do not have the option to move into the caregiver\u27s home. One positive alternative is moving into and aging in a cottage on a caregiver\u27s property. Caregivers have reported the need for knowledge to successfully transition their loved ones into such home dwellings and/or assess them and their homes for continued safety. A presentation was provided to educate caregivers about the pod/cottage dwelling concept and how occupational therapists can collaborate with individuals to help maximize their occupational performance. Additionally, the presentation provided education on transition techniques and the role of occupational therapy (OT) in assisting with this transition. A pre- and post-survey questionnaire was presented in Likert scale format. Fourteen participants, who are caregivers for an aging loved one, attended and participated in the presentation. Overall, data analysis of results demonstrated increases in all objective areas, including increasing knowledge about pod or cottage homes on caregivers\u27 properties and confidence to move/transition their loved one with the help of OT. OT education on transition techniques for the adult/geriatric population may promote caregiver self-efficacy to move an aging adult into a cottage or pod home on caregiver property
Efficacy of Coping Strategies on Emotional Regulation for Individuals with Childhood Trauma
Get PDFIn childhood, individuals may be exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and carry the weight of the trauma throughout the lifespan. Childhood trauma can have a negative impact on mental health, causing emotional dysregulation, and influencing perspective, actions, and social patterns. Individuals who have experienced childhood trauma may improve their quality of life by creating resilience, advocating a healthy lifestyle, and developing adaptive, coping strategies to cope with adverse, or major life events. In the Upper Cumberland of Tennessee, there are limited resources within the community that targets this population. This capstone project aims to assess the differences in emotional and self-regulation knowledge and skills between the pre and post survey responses, concluding with the presentation to colleagues, classmates, and participants. Additionally, it sought to identify strategies that have been used in evidenced-based research and apply them through education of childhood trauma and the implementation of various coping strategies to manage emotional regulation and stressors. 20 participants from the Upper Cumberland in Tennessee completed a 21 question pre- and postsurvey to determine the effectiveness of using coping strategies on emotional regulation for individuals who experienced childhood trauma. Results indicated that providing an evidenced-based and a client centered approach to occupational therapy intervention, a measurable positive change was reported in the responses of the participants, utilization of coping skills, self-efficacy, and understanding of emotional regulation and childhood trauma
The Effectiveness of Training Interventions on Parent Participation in the IEP Process
Get PDFThe Individuals With Disabilities Act (IDEA) was designed to ensure that qualifying families receive a free appropriate public education and related services for their eligible children with disabilities. For school age children, special education includes the development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that outlines the supports the school will provide to 4 each eligible student to promote participation in their education. Parents and caregivers are mandated to be equal members with school staff on their child\u27s IEP team to develop a program that will optimize their child\u27s capacity to succeed in school. Research into parent IEP involvement demonstrates low participation in the IEP process due primarily to poor understanding of the process and how they can meaningfully contribute to decision making for their child\u27s education. This capstone project sought to determine if providing parental training from a holistic, occupational therapy perspective on the IEP process would result in increased understanding and readiness for active participation in IEP development. Families transitioning from Early Intervention (EI) services to special education pre-school were provided with Likert scale surveys to determine the baseline level of understanding. Educational training on the IEP process was provided to half of the respondents. A post-survey and a two-week follow-up postsurvey was then provided to training participants to analyze how the training impacted their level of understanding about the IEP process as compared to those who did not receive training. Results show the parent training was effective in increasing levels of understanding and preparedness for IEP participation
Will increasing the knowledge about community transition programs for adolescents and young adults with intellectual disabilities enable OT practitioners to integrate transition services into practice?
Get PDFThe transition from adolescence to adulthood for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) can be especially challenging due to intellectual and adaptive deficits. Without adequate support and guidance throughout this transition, these individuals are not able to maximize their independence and participation with essential occupations including post-secondary education, employment, and community participation. Occupational therapists (OT) use a holistic and client-centered approach and specialize in adapting the environment and/or the task to meet the specific needs of the person to promote independence and full participation in desired occupations. The current trend in transition programming displays an underutilization of OT support. Increasing OT involvement in the development and implementation of transition programs is essential to best support these individuals. The purpose of this study is to educate OT practitioners on the barriers faced by current transition programs, the need for OT support within these programs, and to advocate for and promote the involvement of OTs in transition programs. Practitioners participated in an educational presentation and forum with a pre- and post-survey which demonstrated an overall increase in knowledge regarding the needs of young adults with ID during the transition to adulthood. The comparative results also show how the specialized skill set of occupational therapy can support the development and implementation of these transition programs. The review of current literature and results of the educational session provided reveal OT involvement in transition programming to be an emerging area of practice and one that could have significant impact on the successful transition to adulthood for those with special needs