Scholarship and Open Access Repository
Not a member yet
1330 research outputs found
Sort by
Examining Anxiety and Coping Strategies with Persons with Parkinson\u27s Disease (PwPD) Who Routinely Exercise
Forty to 50% of the PwPD are reported to experience anxiety (Kwok et al., 2019). Anxiety is psychological distress characterized by excessive worry, and apprehension about future events (Khatri et al., 2020). Psychological distress with this population is secondary to care dependency, poor work and social function, increased physical and cognitive decline, increased dementia risk, and high mortality rate (Kwok et al., 2019).Exercise and meditation have been found to be useful coping strategies to manage one’s physical condition as well as psychosocial factors such as anxiety, with PD (Mantri et al., 2021).Although these coping strategies have the potential to reduce anxiety, there is a lack of understanding on which coping strategies PwPD utilize or should utilize to address symptoms of anxiety. Therefore, an exploratory study examining the lived experiences of PwPD, and their coping strategies is the basis of this investigation. This study used a mixed methods design with Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to better understand individuals with PD lived experiences with anxiety. The findings from this study suggest that the BAI scale had a limited potential to detect anxiety, possibly due to outcome measure administered post exercise.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2024/1031/thumbnail.jp
Lower Limb Prosthetics Impact on Social Participation
Amputations can cause a lack of motivation which will hinder occupational performance and participation after limb loss (Şimsek et al., 2020). The fit of an individual’s prosthetic is crucial to allow for an increase in participation (Diment et al., 2022). Occupational therapists treat the limb loss community but there is little evidence in the literature to support social participation with the use of a prosthetic limb. There is a need for new research to better understand how the use of a prosthetic can impact an individual’s social participation.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2024/1038/thumbnail.jp
Assistive Technology Abandonment with Veterans and Leisure Activities
Veterans using assistive technology (AT) often face barriers that limit their participation in meaningful leisure activities, negatively impacting their mental health and quality of life. This project aimed to address these challenges by developing an educational program focused on improving AT management, reducing abandonment, and promoting leisure engagement. A needs assessment of veterans in Abilene, TX, revealed critical issues, including barriers to leisure, limited community involvement, and gaps in AT maintenance education. The program delivered web-based and in-person resources on AT use, adaptive leisure strategies, and equipment recycling. Key outcomes included enhanced social participation, improved independence, and sustainable solutions for AT recycling. This initiative highlights the essential role of occupational therapy in empowering veterans through evidence-based, occupation-focused interventions that support mental well-being and functional engagement.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2024/1000/thumbnail.jp
Development of a Virtual Reality Program to Promote Occupational Participation and Decreased Psychosocial Deficits in Persons with a Brain Injury
Stroke is one of the leading causes of disabilities including problems with balance, muscle weakness, abnormal muscle tone, mental health, as well as deficits in visual function and sensory function The purpose of this capstone is to develop a virtual reality program that will be used with the stroke population to address ADLs, IADLs, and quality of life.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2024/1004/thumbnail.jp
Training Staff Members and Caregivers on Utilizing Allen Cognitive Levels to Aid Individuals Living with Alzheimer\u27s and Dementia to Maintain Activities of Daily Living
This capstone project is about training staff members and caregivers on utilizing the Allen\u27s cognitive levels to aid individuals living with Alzheimer\u27s and dementia to maintain their activities of daily living by creating a program that consists of modules, physical demonstration, and a deliverable for staff members and caregivers as well as therapeutic activities and sensory regulation activities for the participants.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2024/1022/thumbnail.jp
Powerful Families Podcast: The Role of Occupational Therapy in Family Education of Mental Health Conditions and Substance Use Disorder
Mental health conditions and SUD significantly impact family members emotionally and physiologically, yet these effects are often insufficiently recognized and addressed (Delaney, 2023). Existing education programs focus on individuals in recovery, leaving families without the necessary knowledge and skills to support their loved ones effectively, resulting in feelings of powerlessness and confusion. This capstone project created an education program to equip family members of individuals with SUD or mental health challenges with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate addiction and recovery effectively. The program focuses on improving understanding of SUD, fostering healthier coping mechanisms, strengthening family trust, and enhancing caregivers\u27 occupational wellbeing. By empowering families through education and resources, the project promoted resilience and well-being in families and their communities.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2024/1033/thumbnail.jp
An Educational Video Guide to Aging in Place
The growing population of older adults in the U.S. faces numerous challenges in maintaining independence while aging in place. Key findings from the needs assessment and literature review underscore the importance of accessible resources, health promotion, and health literacy in fostering autonomy and well-being among older adults. Occupational therapy addresses individual needs, educates on resource availability, and promotes interventions to enhance older adults\u27 independence and safety. The purpose of this project was to create an educational video guide aimed at empowering older adults and their families with the knowledge and tools to overcome barriers to aging in place. This project includes five videos focusing on fall prevention and recovery, modifying daily activities, establishing exercise routines, using mobility aids, and promoting health management. Each video incorporates evidence-based strategies, clear demonstrations, and accessible resources to support learning. By addressing common barriers, such as environmental hazards, social isolation, and health conditions, the video guide provides practical solutions to improve quality of life. Disseminated via YouTube, this accessible resource offers a proactive approach to aging in place, enabling older adults to sustain meaningful activities and autonomy in familiar environments.
Keywords: older adults, aging in place, occupational therapy, independence, autonomy, quality of lifehttps://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2024/1053/thumbnail.jp
Leveraging Gamification and Social Media to Teach Heart Failure Clinical Practice Guidelines in Entry-Level Physical Therapist Education
Introduction: Clinical practice guideline adherence remains a challenge in health care, with reported rates as low as 26%. Research shows multiple barriers to adherence, including limited access and guideline complexity. Integrating guidelines into education is crucial, demanding innovative methods to enhance translation into practice.
Methods: This multiple methods study explored application of the substitution, augmentation, modification, and redefinition model to integrate social media and gamification activities to engage students in learning action statements of a clinical practice guideline for the management of heart failure. Performance on exam items relevant to the guideline content were used to determine if this method resulted in improved understanding and application of guideline content. Student reflections provided qualitative information to determine if students felt increased engagement with the guideline content.
Results: Quantitative analysis of short-term and long-term assessments showed improved retention in applicable exam items, with varying effect sizes. Qualitative analysis identified several themes including enjoying social media use, considering future practice implications, and trepidation in using content created by classmates.
Discussion: The study successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of integrating social media and gamification in clinical practice guideline education, aligning with constructivism and adult learning principles. The flipped gaming approach engaged students actively, fostering intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy. The metacognitive reflection assignment contributed to long-term retention and application of knowledge. In summary, this innovative approach addressed diverse learning styles, providing a successful framework for clinical practice guideline education
Philippine Physical Therapy Association Convention 2023 Conference Abstracts: Platform Presentations
Occupational Therapists\u27 Perception of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders & Sleep in Pediatric Outpatient Settings
The capstone investigates pediatric occupational therapists\u27 views on managing sleep issues in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. It highlights gaps in education and resources and emphasizes the need for evidence-based interventions. Findings emphasize the importance of enhancing occupational therapists\u27 role in addressing sleep challenges for improved family well-being, advocating for more comprehensive education and support systems.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2024/1057/thumbnail.jp