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Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Health Management within the Adult Population: A Road Toward Occupational Engagement
No full textApproximately 37 million Americans have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) (CDC, 2023). As a result, DM is ranked as the eighth leading cause of mortality in the United States, yet the management of symptoms and overall condition is frequently neglected by a significant portion of the American population (CDC, 2023). A contributing factor to this issue is the insufficient access to resources for underserved communities, particularly among the Hispanic population with low health literacy. This capstone project focuses on health management and educating the adult population with a goal of enhancing activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) participation. The Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) – Enhancement in Occupational Participation program provides community resources that will aid in providing improved healthcare decisions, improved medication adherence, and enhance participation in occupations.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesfall2024/1043/thumbnail.jp
The Association of Salivary Estradiol Levels with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Stiffness and Laxity.
No full textBACKGROUND: Females are three to six times more likely to sustain an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury than males. Researchers have previously identified hormonal fluctuations as a possible intrinsic factor related to the higher incidence of ACL injuries among female athletes. Whether hormonal levels, with or without use of oral contraceptives (OC), influence ligamentous mechanical properties resulting in increased ACL injury risk remains unclear. Furthermore, previous studies have mainly focused on anterior tibial translatory (ATT) laxity, with limited research on changes in ATT tissue compliance/stiffness. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of estradiol levels, menstrual cycle phases, with and without use of OC on ATT tissue compliance/stiffness and laxity.
METHODS: Fifty-two female participants (age 24-30 years), divided into two groups of 26 each (Group OC using oral contraception, and Group NOC not using oral contraceptive). Data collection was performed on two different dates corresponding to two menstrual cycle phases: follicular or inactive phase (days 1-3) and the ovulation or active pill phase (days 12-14). Estradiol levels via saliva sampling, ATT tissue compliance/stiffness and laxity measures via the GNRB knee arthrometer were collected each testing session. Spearman’s rank-order correlation product-moment correlations were run to determine the relationship between follicular and ovulation phase estradiol and GNRB outputs related to translation and compliance.
RESULTS: Estradiol levels showed a significant change between follicular and ovulation phases across both groups combined (p = 0.01). There were weak non-significant correlations between measured estradiol levels and GNRB measures of anterior translation and compliance, (p\u3e 0.05). No significant relationships were found across subjects whether they were on oral contraceptive or not using hormone regulated birth control.
CONCLUSION: Estradiol level changes in the follicular and ovulation phases and oral contraceptive use did not significantly influence ACL laxity (anterior tibial translation) or compliance/stiffness. Additional studies on hormonal fluctuations as a potential risk factor for higher female ACL injury are indicated
Occupational Therapy in End-of-Life Care
Get PDFPatients at the end-of-life (EoL) experience functional decline in response to terminal illness and the active dying process, inhibiting participation and engagement in meaningful daily activities. Occupational therapy practitioners (OTP) are equipped to address patients’ occupational needs and desires despite their declining capacities; however, the absence of occupational therapy (OT) services in EoL care leaves patients’ occupational needs unmet, directly affecting their quality of life. The literature demonstrates the need for enhanced education and training among occupational therapy students (OTS) and practitioners to better prepare them to work with terminally ill patients who face progressive functional decline and imminent death. To address this problem, a Guidebook for Occupational Therapy in End-of-Life Care was developed to educate OTS and OTP on the EoL care setting, the need for OT services within this setting, and the role, scope, and delivery of OT services for this population. The purpose of this guidebook is to promote the presence of OTP and enhance the utilization of OT services in EoL care to facilitate occupational participation and engagement, and therefore promote quality of life preceding death. A capstone document consisting of five chapters provides foundational information on OT in EoL care and the methodology for guidebook creation. The development of this capstone and project will expand OT practice and broaden the scope of EoL care to comprehensively meet the needs of terminally ill patients and their families
Addressing Psychosocial Client Factors in People with Cancer: An Occupational Therapy Guidebook
Get PDFPeople with cancer experience a variety of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial impacts that affect their quality of life, occupational performance, and occupational engagement. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners are well-equipped to address these impacts, however, OT is an underused service in the cancer population, resulting in a limited amount of literature addressing OT interventions in cancer care. OT interventions in the literature are focused on addressing an individual’s physical client factors. The focus on physical client factors is causing people with cancer to report that their psychosocial client factors are not being addressed. The literature demonstrates that OT practitioners do not have clear OT guidelines within the literature on how to address psychosocial client factors in their clients with cancer. The purpose of this capstone project was to create an OT guidebook to address psychosocial client factors for people with cancer. An OT guidebook was developed to educate OT practitioners on the role and scope of OT in the cancer population. The guidebook consists of four chapters that provide various assessments/screening tools, the goal setting process, interventions to address the identified psychosocial client factors of spirituality, mood, body-image, self-esteem, and cognition, a case example, and additional resources for OT practitioners and their clients. The capstone project document consists of five chapters that address the background, literature review, methodology for developing the guidebook, results, and the discussion. This capstone project will broaden the role of OT in the cancer population by providing OT practitioners with the guidance to address psychosocial client factors which will enhance the occupational engagement, occupational performance, and quality of life for people with cancer
An Exploration of Intimate Partner Violence in LGBT Relationships
Get PDFBackground: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals experience disproportionate rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) compared to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. Findings report rates of IPV among LGBT individuals ranging from 31.1%-61.1%, which is higher compared to 29%-35% with their cisgender peers. There is limited research regarding the impact of IPV in LGBT relationships through an occupational therapy lens. Purpose: This research project intends to identify occupational limitations by addressing the required needs and resources of individuals from LGBT IPV to improve their quality of life. The research acquired can be used to identify problem areas to provide culturally safe care to an underserved population during a vulnerable period. Research Question: The study hopes to answer the research question: “How does LGBT intimate partner violence impact occupational performance?” and “How does LGBT intimate partner violence impact personal narratives?” Methods: Surveys and voluntary live formal interviews. Results: Qualitative data: Data analysis generated five themes: (a) universal experience, (b) power of connection, (c) blurring of lines, and (d) nuance and complexity. Quantitative data: 75%+ moderate impact on pursuing or engaging in intimate relationships, friends, leisure, and play. 100% of participants did not identify religious participation as a major role in their life; 27-36% of participants identified being a family member, friend, and worker to be the major role in their life. Conclusion: Further research on the difference in needs of LGBTQ+ versus heteronormative IPV; to inform OT practice and advocacy needs. OTs\u27 role in providing culturally relevant care in LGBTQ+ safe spaces (i.e., LGBT centers) and across all healthcare settings.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2023/1010/thumbnail.jp
An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis: Exploring Key Constructs That Facilitate the Transition of Homeless Individuals to Sheltered Living Conditions
Get PDFPURPOSE: to understand the processes that homeless individuals experience when taking action to seek shelter and move into sheltered living conditions.
DESIGN: This Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) utilized a purposive homogeneous sample (n=9) of formerly homeless individuals. Inclusion criteria: experience of homelessness, \u3e30 yrs. old, 2.5 yrs. living in supportive housing, English-speaking, and \u3e 23 on the MMSE.
METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were analyzed through open-line coding, memo-ing, and data categorization to form themes.
RESULTS: The following superordinate themes emerged: path to homelessness, life on the streets, tipping point to sheltered lifestyle, connecting with lifelines, and life with Faith-based organization (FBO).
CONCLUSION: Unsheltered homelessness negatively impacts occupational participation, performance, and the internal processes of homeless individuals. External support was needed to overcome barriers, begin utilizing support services, and complete the process of transitioning into a sheltered environment.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonessummer2023/1047/thumbnail.jp
Plan for Retirement versus the Occupational Impact Throughout Retirement: The Significance of Identity and Role Transitions
Get PDFOBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to conduct a mixed methods research study on retired individuals and identifying their occupational identity throughout their retired experience.
METHODS: Using survey methods, a demographic questionnaire was sent out to individuals who signed up to participate in the study. To participate, individuals had to be in the age range of 50-80 years with a minimum of 2 years post retirement. A total of 15 participants initially signed up with a 93% survey response rate (n=14) and 86% (n=13) response rate for completion of the study with an interview.
RESULTS: Most participants reported dealing with adaptations as best as they could to continue through their retirement. The research results supported themes found in the literature.
CONCLUSIONS: This mixed methods study suggests that there continues to be a missing gap in literature about a potential resource to assist in facilitating the transitions into and throughout retirement.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonessummer2023/1037/thumbnail.jp
The Occupation of Surfing by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Communities as a Form of Resistance
Get PDFThis study explores the concept of resistance through a qualitative research study by focusing on the occupation of surfing by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. The concept and acts of resistance have seldom been discussed in occupational science literature in addressing these communities\u27 barriers. The frameworks include occupational justice, postcolonialism, and collective occupations that provide a layout of why and how current grass-roots efforts of communities marginalized from a meaningful activity utilize the meaningful activity as a vehicle for liberation. Eight participants were interviewed to understand their individual experiences in surfing in Southern California. Themes include Race, Class, and Gender Manifesting in Different Ways, Identifying as a BIPOC Surfer, Cohesion and Balance Between Forms of Resistance, and Collective Doing within a Space. The results give occupational therapists and occupational scientists a deeper understanding of how resistance can enable systematic change in response to oppressive forces, including racism, patriarchy, and capitalism.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonessummer2023/1036/thumbnail.jp
Occupational Barriers in Attendance of Diabetes Prevention Programs in Adults of Low Socioeconomic Status
Get PDFThe purpose of this project was to meet the needs of adults of low socioeconomic status that are at risk for developing diabetes due to multiple occupational barriers through evidence-based interventions developed by Occupational Therapists. Reflecting on current literature on the social determinants of health can help clients achieve a better quality of life. It addressed the specific barriers in an individual’s lifestyle and community resources faced daily in occupations such as managing finances, shopping, sleeping, cooking, and eating healthier, along with utilizing physical activity to prevent diabetes. OT is underutilized in this area even though the expertise is needed to decrease the prevalence of diabetes. By the end of this mixed methods research project, OT can be recognized as a stakeholder in the Center for Disease and Prevention Control’s diabetes prevention program to advocate for these clients to receive all the diabetes prevention assistance afforded to everyone.
Type II diabetes is rising rapidly around the world. This project highlights barriers in clients in the Northern Virginia region. Looking at diabetes prevention at the local level rather than the national level allows for a more accurate picture of the barriers these individuals face. Later this data could be used for further studies in other areas across the United States and even internationally.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonessummer2023/1034/thumbnail.jp