Frank Low Research Day Posters

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  Addressing Occupational Deprivation and Alienation in Rural Skilled Nursing Facilities Through an Activities Resource Guide

  Stephanie Dullum

  The purpose of this product was to create a resource guide on leisure activities for the activities department in a rural skilled nursing facility (SNF) to address common chronic conditions and support the needs or wants of the SNF residents.  With aging comes more chronic conditions and less physical activity, socialization, and time engaged in meaningful activities, affecting quality of life(QOL) and well-being (Causey-Upton, 2015; Cudjoe et al., 2020; Nedjeljeko et al., 2021; Portillo etal., 2023; Sen et al., 2022; Small field & Molitor, 2018;World Health Organization [WHO], 2022). Providing residents with more meaningful leisure activities will assist the SNF staff in addressing those common concerns through improvement to physical, social, creative, and cognitive skills (Cirillo, A., 2022; Senior Services of America, n.d.).  A literature review needs assessment was completed to find effective ways to address common chronic conditions and occupational deprivation in the adult population residing in SNFs. Various health concerns of the population and best approaches were analyzed, as well as increasing leisure engagement, and what activities should be utilized in a SNF. The environment-health-occupation-well-being (E-HOW) model was used to guide the literature review needs assessment and develop the product (Pizzi & Richards, 2017). The final product was created while completing a doctoral placement in a rural SNF.  The final product is an activity resource guide that provides activities to SNF staff to positively impact the residents' quality of life and well-being. This guide can be used and adapted for rural SNFs or assisted living facilities to provide ideas for activities that may fit the residents' needs and interests.  The resource guide was created from learning about the residents' interests and comparing those to what the evidence states are the most beneficial activities to address common health disparities seen in the population. This product is intended to enhance the residents’ health, well-being, and QOL through activities that address physical, social, creative, and cognitive skills. Future research should determine additional activities that further address all skill and leisure areas that will benefit overall health for residents of SNFs.

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  Stroke rehabilitation through the continuum of care: Integrating evidence and occupation-based practice

  Emily Geissler

  Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to provide patients with knowledge on the rehabilitation process and practitioners with a resource to assist in implementing occupation and evidence-based practice in stroke rehabilitation throughout the entire continuum of care.

  Methods: An extensive literature review was conducted regarding evidence-based and occupation-based interventions within stroke rehabilitation. The author partnered with a midwestern healthcare agency to experience stroke rehabilitation as an occupational therapy practitioner across the continuum of care. Through a needs assessment, it was found patients lack knowledge regarding the rehabilitation process and practitioners lack knowledge of other settings. The ecology of human performance (EHP) model, occupational therapy process, and motor learning frame of reference were used throughout to guide the literature review, needs assessment, and time spent within the agency. The guide was developed and shared with the rehabilitation director to share with practitioners in each setting.

  Conclusions: The guide was created to promote evidence and occupation-based practice throughout the continuum of care in stroke rehabilitation. It was also created to educate patients on their diagnosis and what their rehabilitation process will likely entail. Due to limited time in the partnering agency, the guide was not implemented into practice. Implementation of a resource that guides occupational therapy practitioners to best practice can enhance outcomes in rehabilitation for stroke patients.

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  The How To’s For Engaging with Medically Complex Children: A Resource Guide

  Allyson Bourque

  Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project is to identify and address the factors that serve as barriers to engagement in valued occupations for children with serious or life-threatening illness.

  Background: Children with serious or life-threatening illness are at great risk for occupational deprivation due to their complex medical needs as well as the inhibiting physical symptomology that may accompany their diagnoses (Doukkali et al., 2013; Kasven-Gonzales & Miale, 2010). Individuals working with this population have reported a need for more specialized education for working with children with medically complex needs (Gysels et al., 2005; Whiteford et al., 2020). It is essential to address the barriers to occupational engagement for this population, as occupational deprivation has been shown to decrease quality of life, and increase the feelings of depression, isolation, and risk of suicide (Doukkali et al., 2013; Miralles et al., 2016).

  Methods: Methods for this scholarly project included a literature review, clinical needs assessment, and use of the Person Environment & Occupation model as a conceptual framework (Law et al., 1996). This population was clinically assessed at a pediatric hospice and respite home in the Midwest, USA.

  Results: There is a need for further education pertaining to non-verbal communication, activity and environmental modification, and behavioral response protocol for individuals working with medically complex children. The findings from the literature review and population assessment informed the development of an educational resource to serve as an all-encompassing guide to understanding the occupational needs of this population. Topics within this educational guide include differentiation between palliative care, respite care, and hospice care, an overview of common diagnoses, medical equipment and devices used by this population, education on behavior identification and response, non-verbal communication strategies, activity and environmental modifications as well as a guide on how to use various piece of adaptive equipment for occupational engagement.

  Conclusion: There is a need to address occupational deprivation among children with medically complex conditions. This educational guide will enhance providers’ skill set, knowledge, and confidence to facilitate occupational engagement that promotes a sense of competence, control, and normalcy in the lives of this population. (Budash, 2022; Hammil et al., 2014).

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  A Holistic Approach to Promote Sleep for People Emerging from Homelessness: A Good Night’s Rest in Your Nest Sleep Toolkit

  Anna Burggraf

  Background: Sleep deprivation has been linked to chronic health issues, decreased physical and cognitive functioning, and overall decreased quality of life, which limits the ability to engage in desired tasks and occupations (Gonzalez & Tyminski, 2020). Obtaining restful sleep serves as a foundation for optimal cognitive and physical functioning during daily tasks, roles, and activities (AOTA, 2017). Individuals who have experienced homelessness consistently demonstrate higher rates of sleep inadequacies compared to the general public, highlighting the need for service providers to address the quality of sleep participation for this population (Gonzalez & Tyminski, 2020).

  Purpose

  • Promote sleep participation for individuals emerging from homelessness • Supply occupational therapy practitioners and other service providers with evidence-based and model-driven materials

  • Incorporated into client’s daily routines, habits, and environments.

  • Assist clients in establishing healthy bedtime routines, make environmental modifications, and enhance the mind-body-spirit connection

  Methods:

  • A thorough literature review was completed to determine current interventions approaches, programming types, the role of occupational therapy, and barriers to sleep participation for individuals emerging from homelessness.

  • Literature revealed a significant need interventions to promote sleep for individuals emerging from homelessness

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  How Adaptive Sports Promote Occupational Engagement and Quality of Life for Individuals with Disabilities in a Rural Community

  Michael Helgeson

  Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project is to address the barriers individuals with physical disabilities face through the development of adaptive sports programs; hereby, increasing their occupational engagement, quality of life (QOL), and life satisfaction.

  Background: Individuals with disabilities, compared to the general population, have diminished health and QOL due to limited community participation and occupational engagement (Yazicioglu et al., 2012). Adaptive sports have shown to increase QOL and well-being for individuals with physical disabilities (Brown et al., 2021; Yazicioglu et al., 2012). Although, this population, specifically in rural communities, face many barriers to adaptive sports engagement including a lack of adaptive sports resources, adaptive equipment, adaptive sports facilities, and knowledge of how to include individuals with disabilities (Obradovic et al., 2021). To combat these barriers, an adaptive sports manual was developed to guide the implementation of adaptive sports programs within rural community facilities.

  Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to determine: (1) the characteristics of successful adaptive sports programs in rural communities, and (2) the impact of adaptive sports on individuals with disabilities. The literature review was guided by the Ecology of Human Performance (EHP; Dunn et al., 1994; Dunn, 2017) framework to support the development of an adaptive sports manual. A clinical needs assessment was completed prior to the on-site experience, and product development was then carried out at a YMCA facility in a rural community.

  Results: Characteristics of successful adaptive sports programs include consideration of the viewpoints of individuals with disabilities, incorporation of universal design concepts, and involvement of coaches who are specialized in adaptive sports (Ryan et al., 2014; Schubauer, 2021). Additionally, the evidence overwhelmingly shows that adaptive sports lead to increased QOL, occupational engagement, and self-efficacy (Lape et al., 2018; Yazicoglu et al., 2012). §

  Conclusion: There is a clear need for increased adaptive sports opportunities in rural communities. The product titled, YMCA Resource Manual for the Implementation of Adaptive Sports Programs, will ensure that adaptive sports include pertinent characteristics and are offered to all individuals to help promote their occupational engagement and QOL.

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  An Occupation-based Approach to Chronic Pain in Rural Alaska

  Emma Lehman

  Background: Adults with chronic pain living in rural communities experience occupational deprivation due to a lack of access to healthcare resources and tend to report higher levels of pain compared to urban areas [4, 8]. Chronic pain is multifaceted and managed by many professionals. Occupational therapy (OT) has a significant role in offering effective strategies to improve quality of life, self-efficacy, and daily functioning for those who experience chronic pain [5, 7].

  Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to advocate for the profession of occupational therapy within rural Alaska areas as well as develop an evidence-based, model-driven, culturally relevant resource guide for OT practitioners. The guide entitled Occupational Therapy Guide to Interprofessional Chronic Pain Management in Rural Alaska, provides occupation-based interventions for chronic pain management with clients in rural communities and will improve interprofessional collaboration in a culturally relevant manner that supports the functional abilities in people who have chronic pain. Methodology Databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, SAGE, EBSCO Host, Google Scholar, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT), and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) were used to complete a thorough literature review. Conclusion The guide was created to fill a gap in the healthcare field for adults who experience chronic pain in rural Alaska communities. The projected outcome of the product is an increased presence of OT in rural Alaska, greater interprofessional collaboration, and an increase in occupational engagement and quality of life for adults experiencing chronic pain.

  Methodology: Databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, SAGE, EBSCO Host, Google Scholar, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT), and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) were used to complete a thorough literature review.

  Conclusion: The guide was created to fill a gap in the healthcare field for adults who experience chronic pain in rural Alaska communities. The projected outcome of the product is an increased presence of OT in rural Alaska, greater interprofessional collaboration, and an increase in occupational engagement and quality of life for adults experiencing chronic pain

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  Program Structure for Children and Adolescents with Disabilities to Increase Participation in Physical Activity

  Abbigail Smith

  Background: Children and adolescents with disabilities face barriers and are often excluded from engaging in daily activities such as physical activity and social participation (Bundy & Du Toit, 2019; Hocking, 2019). Activities such as physical activity and social participation not only increase children's and adolescents' sense of belonging, mental health, and quality of life but also impact the development of skills needed to fully engage in society (Bundy & Du Toit, 2019). Opportunities for children and adolescents with disabilities to engage in physical activity and social participation are commonly seen in the form of programs supported by nonprofit organizations. These programs emphasize the benefits physical activity, and social interaction has on quality of life, mental health, academic performance, and more for children and adolescents with disabilities (te Velde et al., 2018). Furthermore, an important aspect of effective and successful programs is the prevalence of structure. Fostering skill development and positive outcomes heavily relies on the structure of the program and the effectiveness of its implementation.

  Purpose: The purpose of the product for this scholarly project is to provide program structure to increase participation in physical activity and social participation as well as increase the quality of life and well-being of children and adolescents with disabilities.

  Methods: A literature review and needs assessment were conducted to initiate this product. The focus of the literature review included barriers children and adolescents with disabilities may face with physical activity and social participation as well as best practices to support engagement in these occupations. Online databases such as CINAHL, PubMed, the University of North Dakota Scholarly Commons, etc., and governmental websites were utilized as sources for the development of this product. Through the research, it was determined that there is a need for program structure that incorporates best practices to increase the participation in physical activity and social participation for children and adolescents with disabilities. Concepts from the Ecology of Human Performance (EHP) model (Dunn, 2017) were utilized throughout the development of this product.

  Conclusion: Participation in physical activity and social participation for children and adolescents is necessary and greatly impacts psychosocial health, physical health, overall well- being, and quality of life. This product was developed for occupational therapy, interprofessional, and stakeholder use. The program manual will increase awareness, provide education and structure, and promote engagement and quality experiences with physical activity and social participation for children and adolescents with disabilities.