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ACT to Decrease Burnout: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as an Option to Address Burnout in Occupational Therapy Practitioners
Get PDFIntroduction: Burnout is a mental health crisis that can occur when a person is overwhelmed and under-appreciated. The research reports that occupational therapy practitioners (OTs) may self-address burnout through yoga or self-reflection (Costa, 2018). However, the research does not support or deny the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to address burnout among OTs. ACT has been established in the research as a frame of reference and intervention to utilize with people experiencing burnout (Reeve et al, 20 I 8). This project aims to provide a basis for future research on the topic of ACT to address burnout among OTs by assessing the interest, knowledge and use of ACT among OTs prior to and following an inservice video. Method: The research problem explored the effectiveness of ACT as a therapeutic approach for addressing burnout among OTs. This capstone project utilized a mixed-method approach to gather data through a virtual needs assessment, pre-test and post-test surveys. The participants included OTs who were members of various occupational therapy-focused Facebook groups, working at the Level II fieldwork site and working in the community. Results: The needs assessment demonstrated a great interest in the topic with 220 participants. While they were aware of burnout and some had experienced burnout, they believed there was a need for more education on the topic. By comparing the post- and pre-survey scores an increase was found in all six measured variables following a viewing of the inservice video. Conclusion: The use of ACT to address burnout among OTs should be explored by further research. However, this Capstone project provides a foundation for future research and exploration into consultative occupational therapy services for therapists experiencing burnout
Benefits of Montessori Method use in Activity Involvement on Individuals with Dementia
Get PDFBackground: The Montessori Method was a teaching approach developed by Dr. Maria Montessori for children who did not have access to proper education and materials. She used this method by teaching them through familiar tasks, puzzles, and self-driven interest. This taught them independence, problem-solving, and decision make. This project discusses the use of the method within the geriatric and memory care population to help them remain independent through choosing activities that interest them. These activities consist of familiar tasks such as setting a table, washing dishes, and folding clothes. Method: This project used a needs survey, pre- and post-survey, and a recorded PowerPoint presentation. The presentation and surveys were sent through e-mail to a variety of healthcare workers that had a history of working with individuals in the geriatric population. Data and statistical findings were gathered through electronic surveys on Google Forms. Results: The responses of the needs survey showed that only 41. 7% of the participants were familiar with the use of Montessori Method with the geriatric population. The presentation was sent to 20 individuals and the presentation had a total 9 views. The post-survey showed results that 100% of those who filled out the post-survey reported that they had gained knowledge on the subject and that they felt it was helpful information. Conclusions: This project was developed to educate healthcare workers in the geriatric and memory care setting on the importance of self-directed activities and giving options to individuals in order to improve quality of life and provide meaningful tasks to that specific individual. When comparing results to other findings, it was consistent with reporting the need for quality interventions and tasks in order to decrease frustration, depression, and refusal to participate
Capstone Project: Early Active Motion Versus Early Passive Motion Following a Flexor Tendon Repair
Get PDFFlexor tendon injuries are relative)y rare, occurring in 7.0/100,000 people. An early active motion or early passive motion protocol have been the two primary methods used by occupational therapists for rehabilitation of a flex or tendon repair. Each of these methods have their own strengths and weaknesses, but the intervention that leads to a better outcome while maintaining integrity of the flexor tendon repair was researched. Common complications that occur during the rehabilitation of a flex or tendon that can affect the integrity of the repair included tendon lag, scar adhesions, tendon rupture, and joint contracture. Research focused on the comparison of early active motion versus early passive motion protocols resulted in the early active motion rehabilitation method displaying better outcomes while maintaining the integrity of the repair. The early active motion protocol resulted in greater total range of motion and patient satisfaction while having a smaller percentage of scar adhesions and joint contractures. In addition to this, hand therapists indicated that they utilize a combination of these protocols and acknowledge the benefits of an early active motion approach. They also noted that collaboration with referring surgeons is important because they have final say in which protocol to use. This Capstone project led to the development of a website noting that the early active motion protocol results in better outcomes following a flexor tendon repair. A flexor tendon repair intervention protocol with the progression of exercises for the early active motion rehabilitation method is included on the website
Implementation of Mental Imagery Training for Upper Extremity Recovery Post-Stroke
Get PDFMental imagery is a powerful tool in upper extremity stroke recovery when used in conjunction with traditional rehabilitative therapies. ft is the process of cognitively visualizing fluid and functional movements of the affected upper extremity during everyday tasks. Substantial research has been conducted regarding the efficacy of this intervention with supported outcome measurement data. Mental imagery training is beneficial because it can be done with minimal set up and completed outside of therapy hours. Neuroplasticity is used to salvage motor pathways for functional return of the limb. This tool is not suitable for every person who has had a stroke, and a selection process must occur prior to provision. Once the appropriate patient is selected, thorough training and education should be administered by a therapist or allied health staff. 3 An in-service was subsequently provided to share the information gathered from the literature review. Additional objectives included creating a mental imagery toolkit consisting of the necessary items for implementation at an acute rehabilitation unit. A total of ten rehabilitation professionals attended the in-service and were presented with pre- and post-surveys to complete before and after the in-service. These surveys included the five identical questions administered on a Likert scale, creating quantitative data that could be analyzed. Overall, the data demonstrated an increase in knowledge of mental imagery and its provision for upper limb post-stroke recovery from the in-service. The mental imagery intervention toolkit and in-service provision presented to staff was successful in improving access to and knowledge of this underutilized recovery tool
Mindfulness for the Occupational Therapy Practitioner: Enhancing Client-Centered Practice and Stress Management
Get PDFBackground: Occupational therapy can be an emotionally demanding profession that is not immune to the effects of stress and burnout. Studies on mindfulness have found this practice can be a useful tool to relieve the symptoms of burnout. This capstone project aimed to help therapy practitioners working in a high productivity setting of skilled nursing understand the stress and burnout related to healthcare and how mindfulness practice positively influences stress management and client-centered practice. Methods: This project involved an in-service presentation with a pre- and post-survey for therapy practitioner participants educating on research related to stress and burnout experiences for healthcare workers and mindfulness practice benefits. A two-week mindfulness activity and postsurvey were offered for willing participants to trial mindfulness practice. Using the results from the electronic surveys, changes in understanding of stress, burnout, and mindfulness were compared as well as perceptions of engaging in mindfulness practice. Results: Participants that engaged in the in-service presentation found benefit in learning about mindfulness practice. Respondents to the surveys were more aware of the symptoms and progression of burnout. There was an increased understanding of the concept of mindfulness and further interest to learn more and practice mindfulness after the in-service presentation. Participants in the two-week mindfulness activity found benefits of decreased physical burnout symptoms with increased motivation at work. Conclusions: Educating therapy practitioners on recognition of burnout symptoms, how stress affects occupational performance, and the many benefits mindfulness provides in the management of stress was realized through completion of this capstone project. Participants of the in-service and two-week activity realized positive results from learning about mindfulness. There was a growing interest to learn more about this topic as a stress management strategy that can be used in both professional and personal lives. This Capstone project is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree in Master of Occupational Therapy with Cabarrus College of Health Sciences
The role of occupational therapy in the multi-tiered system of support framework to address overall school performance
Get PDFThe multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) framework is an evidence-based approach utilized in school settings to address academic and behavioral concerns for students. In the MTSS framework, early intervention is key to reducing the need for more intensive services in the future. The purpose of this capstone project is to determine the role of occupational therapy in the MTSS team. Unfortunately, occupational therapy practitioners are often not included in the multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) framework nearly as much as they should be. This can be due to many factors such as lack of knowledge of the scope of practice of occupational therapy, barriers in district level MTSS implementation, and limitations in the services occupational therapists provide in the school setting. Occupational therapy practitioners can provide many contributions to the MTSS framework. A pre-survey was utilized to determine current knowledgebase of school-based occupational therapy practitioners on the MTSS framework. An in-service and a program manual were presented with detailed information for each tier, evidence that supports occupational therapy inclusion, ideas to promote inclusion and advocacy for the profession, and interventions school-based occupational therapists can implement in their daily practice. A post-survey was utilized to determine knowledge gained from the in-service presentation
Increasing Law Enforcement Understanding of Special Needs and Disability Populations: The Role of the Occupational Therapist
Get PDFIncidences of fatalities and injuries among populations with disabilities continue to occur during police interactions. There is an increased need to address this concern with a new method, or reform, to training that has not allowed law enforcement to properly and safely engage with those who have Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disabilities, Traumatic Brain Injuries, and mental health conditions. Occupational therapists can provide a collaborative approach to increasing law enforcement\u27s awareness, knowledge, and confidence to these aforementioned 0 conditions. Law enforcement officers from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department viewed a training video on various conditions with a supplemental video with guest speakers and first-person perspectives on a particular disability. A pre-test survey and post-test survey were completed to assess for a growth in learning post training. Data reported 62% improvement in understanding Intellectual Disabilities, Traumatic Brain Injuries, and three mental health conditions (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder); as well as, I00% understanding of what Occupational Therapy is. This Capstone highlights the value of providing training from a healthcare professional, an occupational therapist, to improve law enforcement\u27s understanding of various conditions in order to encourage safe practices when interacting with populations who have an invisible disability
Resilient Aging: Maximizing Functional Abilities of Aging Adults
No full textThe Resilient Aging program aims to educate fitness trainers and other movement professionals who work with community-dwelling older adults in order to help them provide the best exercise programs for overall wellness. Training from the program includes education regarding a variety of restorative movements, stretching, positional transitions. proprioceptive training, balance, and strengthening exercise in multiple planes with a variety of loads to maximize the functional abilities, and resilience of the elderly participants, with outcomes aimed at improving the movement professionals understanding of these topics. The program promotes the client participation in occupations by providing education to movement professionals regarding not only general exercise prescription information, but also ways to incorporate restorative exercise, balance training, and fall recovery. holistically with their clients. The information was presented to 8 movement professionals at the local YMCA, resulting in a high level of success towards the established outcomes. All audience members either agreed or strongly agreed that their understanding of the content had improved after the presentation and verbal feedback during the program indicated novel information exchange and positive ideas for realistic implementation. Future programs could involve the use of an initial needs assessment in order to identify the current knowledge base of the audience members, thereby allowing for a more targeted approach to teaching the movement curriculum. Overall, the Resilient Aging program is an effective way to collaborate with movement professionals in order to influence their exercise programming for the senior client members
Occupational Therapy Perspectives on Creating a Sensory Friendly Event
Get PDFAccess to sensory friendly events is important for social development and participation for children and adults with sensory processing needs. The number of these events in local communities are limited. The disconnect between the number of accessible events and companies willing to host such events is exacerbated by limited resources and education available for non-medical companies. This project sought to determine the needs of a local hockey arena and manager and create a guideline that would assist in not only hosting an event but also educating staff to feel more empowered to be part of the planning and implementation aspect. The guideline uses layman\u27s terms and language to enable any individual or company to host a successful event and provide staff with a simulation activity to improve empathy during regular events. By providing such resources, the project is designed to improve the number of sensory friendly events and increase their success by using occupational therapy theories and techniques
Let\u27s Talk About the Birds and the Bees: A Framework for Providing Sexual Education in Special Education
Get PDFBackground: Studies have shown that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are anywhere from three to seven times more likely to be sexual abused. These individuals are also more likely to be victims of bullying and may display maladaptive sexual behaviors due to their lack of sexual health knowledge. While provision of sexual health education has been shown to have many benefits including helping to decrease bullying and increase academic success, many students in special education, especially those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, receiving little to no sexual education. This capstone project is aimed to raise awareness for the need for sexual education and increase advocacy for the adoption of sexual education programs in the special education population by providing a framework for implementing sexual education to this population and promoting occupational therapy\u27s (OT} emerging role in this area. Methods: This project employed the use of multiple surveys to obtain information on current practices and attitudes regarding sexual education being provided to special education students. First, a needs assessment survey was sent electronically to special education staff to identify current practices and barriers to providing this subject. Next, a survey of OT practitioners and a parent survey were sent electronically to gauge attitudes and beliefs surrounding these topics. Finally, pre- and post-test surveys were used in conjunction with an educational in-service presentation. The data from the pre- and post-test surveys was calculated electronically to measure the impact of the educational presentation on project stakeholders. Results: The needs assessment identified several common barriers for providing sexual education in special education. These barriers included a lack of a modified curriculum, the perception of lack of administrative and parental support, and feelings that students would not understand the material. In addition, the OT survey revealed that a large portion of school OT practitioners did not feel that being involved in this subject was within their scope of school practice as most programs do not have a formal curriculum to allow services to be considered educationally relevant. Of the parents who participated in the parent survey, a large majority of them were in support of their special needs child receiving sexual education at school. By providing education targeting current barriers, measurable differences were found in the responses of stakeholders indicating increased positive attitudes, comfort levels, and advocacy for this topic. Conclusions: The research methods for collecting information and data in this project, including the needs assessment, surveys, and an educational session, were shown to be effective in measuring key stakeholders\u27 needs, attitudes, knowledge, and confidence needed to take positive actions for providing sexual education in special education. Occupational therapy was viewed to be a valuable resource in the provision of sexual education to this vulnerable population due to OT\u27s unique knowledge and skillsets related to activities of daily living, social and educational participation, modifications, and health promotion