Expanding OT’s Role in Research: The Stepping Stones for Success
Presented by: Kaila Clark, Jade Smith, Sara Stephenson OTD, OTR/L, BCPR, and Dr. Amanda Blattman
OT is experiencing a deficit in evidence based-practice compared to other healthcare fields. There are several contributing factors for this discrepancy, including: misconceptions regarding the process, lack of resources, issues recruiting interdisciplinary team members, and limited experience. To address this immediate need, a comprehensive schema outlining several research processes will be discussed. This foundational knowledge is tailored for OT’s new to research in order to provide a strong basis and initiative. OT’s with interest in research can utilize this schema to incorporate evidence based techniques in their own clinical practice area/setting.
1. Participants will have a better understanding of navigating the research process from the ground up.
2. Participants will have greater confidence in advancing research in their respective fields. .
Vocational Skills Training and Strategies Around Recovery in a Community Rehab Center
Presented by: Kaila Clark, Erika Miller, and Reyna Conklin
Employment is an important aspect of a person’s recovery as it helps to build self-efficacy, stability, and the opportunity to develop new skills. For individuals in the recovery process of substance abuse disorders, employment is a fundamental component for increasing independence and paves the way for a successful transition into the community. At Crossroads West, weekly sessions were held over the course of eight weeks to provide residents vocational training focused on: career exploration, SWOT analysis, resume building, professional dress, mock interviews, and entrepreneurship, all while using an occupational lens to maximize resident’s participation in their meaningful life activities.
1. At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will identify the impact of vocational skills training and how employment is a protective factor in substance abuse recovery. 2. Participants will understand occupational therapy’s role in substance abuse treatment and using the recovery model to guide intervention.
Non-Pharmacological Pain Management Methods for the Elderly Population
Presented by: Lindsey Martens and Olivia McNish
Over the course of two semesters, we created and implemented a non-pharmacological pain management program at the Beatitudes campus. This program can be aimed for individuals with any diagnosis who are in search of methods to reduce their pain other than taking medication. Treatment strategies such as stretching, increasing range of motion, heat and ice modalities, nutrition, joint protection techniques, topical ointments, body positioning, ergonomics, energy conservation, adaptive equipment, mediation, yoga and other forms of exercise were utilized. Keeping pain management individualistic and knowing that while some methods may work for some may not work for others was key to the program. As these methods are utilized continually or in the future with new individuals, it is important to note that pain management is trial and error based, and pain won’t go away overnight. These strategies can be used to help reduce pain levels caused by various diagnoses and comorbidities in individuals.
1. At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will gain an understanding in numerous non-pharmacological pain management approaches for the elderly population.
Health and Wellness Promotion in Substance Use Rehabilitation
Presented by: Elizabeth Rodriguez and Sophia Grimm
Northern Arizona University occupational therapy (OT) students worked with a substance use rehabilitation facility that serves men 18 and older called Crossroads Midtown for Men. The students created and implemented an 8-week program for the participants at the facility after conducting an extensive needs assessment. The OT students held a class for 1 hour a week that focused on promoting positive health and wellness lifestyle activities that could be applied after the participants were discharged from the facility. Each session was based on an interest of the participants or health-related areas they expressed interest in learning about.
1. At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will understand the positive effects of exercise promotion in substance use rehabilitation programs 2. Participants will understand how to promote of health and wellness in substance use rehabilitation programs 3. Participants will understand how OT plays a role in treating substance use disorder
Social Determinants, Occupations, and Population Health : Exploring the Daily Lives of Refugees
Presented by: Cyrena Connolly
The occupational experiences of 8 refugees engaging in cross-cultural occupations were explored using the person-environment-occupation model, Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, and socioecological model, resulting in two key findings: first, occupational therapy is invaluable in addressing occupational barriers by educating clients, modifying contextual factors, and task analysis, thereby facilitating adaptation and integration; and second, occupational therapy interventions are most beneficial when they address the clients’ immediate needs and help with long-term integration.
Incorporating Functional Hand Assessments as Outcome Measures in Burn Rehabilitation: A Pilot Study
Presented by: Kristin Hazak and Dr. Michael Gerg, DOT, OTR/L, CHT, CEES, CWCE
Seven participants were included in this pilot study. Inclusion criteria were individuals 10 years of age and older with current admission to the Arizona Burn Center with a primary diagnosis of partial thickness to full thickness burn injury, including at least one hand, with no restriction on TBSA or agent. Outcomes of the SHT and the bMHQ were measured in two trials, with trial 1 administered within 3 weeks of injury and trial 2 within 14-28 days. While no statistical significance was found when comparing the results of the two trials, clinical significance was found through observed trends in the data collected from this study that indicate the ability to track improvement over time, both subjectively and objectively, through the use of the SHT and bMHQ as hand function assessments.
The Impact of Complex Trauma on Childhood Occupations
Presented by: Erika Miller, Rachel Reed, and Lara Taggart
Childhood trauma is a prevalent public health issue that impacts healthy development and performance in meaningful occupations. Chronic exposure leads to maladaptive responses emotionally, cognitively, and behaviorally. Individuals with a trauma history are often unaware of their sensory needs or how they respond to stress. This inability to recognize cues and behaviors and adjust accordingly in a healthy way results in difficulties with managing emotions and declines in occupational performance.
1. At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to understand the impact complex trauma has on childhood occupations 2. At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to understand the role of occupational therapy in the treatment of complex trauma
Collaboration with PT in Acute Care: Knowing Our Distinct Role
Presented by: Tamara Turner and Alison de la Montaigne
This poster will demonstrate the value of knowing our distinct value as occupational therapy practitioners in the acute care setting. Data comes from an interprofessional elective offered to second year PT and OT students focused on advancing acute care skills and on interprofessional collaborative practice in which “multiple health workers from different professional backgrounds provide comprehensive services by working with patients, families, carers, and communities to deliver the highest quality of care (WHO, 2010)”.
1. At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to identify the distinct value of occupational therapy in acute care.
2. At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to identify the value of shared decision making, team dynamics, and communication of our findings within the interprofessional team during evaluation and treatment.
The BRIDGE Program: Enhancing Outcomes of Ostomy Self-Care
Presented by: Melissa Novak
The Inpatient Ostomy Program at a Level One Trauma Center with 262 beds (serving a high-risk population) revealed patient dissatisfaction related to a lack of independence and confidence in performing self-care at discharge. Therefore the Occupational Therapy (OT) Department proposed the inclusion of their consultative services to focus on ostomy self-care skills, specific to two key areas: 1) problem-solving the patient’s home or community environment, and 2) hands-on training of appliance manipulation for ADLs and IADLs. This innovative program was aptly named BRIDGE by the OT Department, to serve as a bridge from pre-discharge to home.
1. At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will consult occupational therapy to facilitate ostomy ADL training with patients and caregivers to improve outcomes, decrease adverse sequelae, promote independence, decrease depression, and improve occupation. 2. At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will promote the consultative services of occupational therapy within the acute care setting to act as a “BRIDGE” for new ostomates from the hospital to home. 3. At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will facilitate education to bedside nurses and CNA staff on current ostomy-care practices with regards to toileting, bathing, and appliance maintenance.
Critically Appraised Paper: Effects of Kinesio Tape in Individuals with Lateral Epicondylitis: A Deceptive Crossover Trial.
Presented by: Case Peters and Zoie Koch
The aim of the study was to investigate the true effect of KT application on pain free grip strength, maximal grip strength, pain intensity, and EMG activity in patients with chronic Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy who were ignorant to the possible effects of Kinesio Tape. The researchers utilized a deceptive, randomized, crossover trial (level I) with four different taping conditions. Across four different taping conditions, no significant difference was found in pain-free grip strength, maximal grip strength, pain during maximal grip or electromyographic (EMG) activity..
1. At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will state the effects of Kinesio Tape on pain-free grip, maximal grip, pain intensity, and electromyographic activity in patients with chronic Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy
The Therapeutic Use of Arts in Substance Use Rehabilitation
Presented by: Tori Slaven, Haley Bodea, and Stephanie Lendroth
NAU OTD students prepared, implemented, and evaluated an arts and crafts program at Crossroads Flower over the course of two semesters. The first eight weeks were dedicated to a needs assessment and included site visits, interviews with staff, and focus groups with residents. Program implementation occurred during the remaining eight weeks. Sessions included themes of emotions through art, acceptance, and self-love. Outcomes were measured by session-specific pre- and post-tests as well as an overall program pre- and post-test. Scores demonstrated the residents were more likely to use art as a means to improve their mood.
1. At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will identify the benefits of emotional expression through the medium of art 2. At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will identify the benefits on overall mood of regularly practicing art 3. At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will identify the importance of opening and closing circles to help participants feel more comfortable sharing and supporting one another
Increasing Social Participation Through Outdoor Activities at Shadow Mountain Senior Center
Presented by: Connor Swanson, Kaci Jimenez, and Lauren Janke
Shadow Mountain Senior Center did not offer any activities that involved the outdoor patio area and our program’s focus was to improve the utilization of it. For older adults, leisure participation is vital to the sense of well-being. Our program included physical activity, relaxation strategies, and a change in local environment to increase physical health, social participation, and quality of life satisfaction. This data reports an increase in satisfaction with outdoor activities in the senior center. It also suggests that the participants are more willing to socialize and try new programs within the senior center.
1. At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will identify how to integrate intervention to match with site programming increases participation. 2. At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will to understand that rapport building should be a large part of the needs assessment in order to have sustainable attendance and outcome measures.
The Occupation of Volunteerism: Providing Education, Validity, and Support through an Occupational Therapy Informed Recertification Program
Presented by: Kaci Wellik, Alejandra Arroyo, and Matthew Higuera
Throughout the course of a year, we conducted a needs assessment on OCJ Kids (Opportunity Community and Justice for Kids), a non-profit organization that provides resources to foster children in group homes, and created a framework to educate and support their volunteers. The framework was set up in order to grow and expand with OCJ and started off with only one module. The first module of the recertification program focused on trauma-informed care. This module aims to educate OCJ’s volunteers on the children they are interacting with in order to promote resilience and success in the children.
1. At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will understand the value and impact of volunteerism as an occupation. 2. Attendees will have a better understanding of how occupational therapy can support the occupation of volunteering within our occupational therapy framework. 3. Attendees will learn about a volunteer recertification program which supported the volunteers of an Arizona non-profit organization, with topics that address how to better serve children, teens and young adults in foster care. 4. Attendees will better understand how to use an occupational therapy lens in non-traditional settings in order to promote the ideals and expertise of occupational therapy.
Supporting Siblings of Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disability
Presented by: Regina Buban, Reyna Conklin, OTS, Olivia McNish, OTS, and Kaila Gladden, OTS
Siblings take on various, changing roles in the care of their sibling(s) with an intellectual/developmental disability. As these children transition into adulthood, more responsibilities fall on the sibling eventually leading to the role of primary caregiver. Sibling support is crucial early on to minimize the effects that changing family dynamics can have on their overall development and mental well-being as they begin transitioning into this role. Siblings are in need of information, training, and opportunities for individual support similar to what parents are provided, however, gaps in literature show there is little support in resources and programs for siblings.
1. At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will understand the roles of being a sibling of a child with an I/DD throughout their development 2. At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will understand the unique responsibilities of being a potential sibling caregiver 3. At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will identify current services and organizations to support siblings of a child with an I/DD
Let’s Talk: Daily Communication Skills
Presented by: Kristi Knight, Allison Collins, and Brianna Howard
This community program addressed communication skills, amongst those with an SMI diagnosis. The program in which communication amongst self, peers, RI staff, employers, and healthcare professionals will be addressed. OT students fulfilled the roles of contractor and health coach throughout this program by working under the RI recovery framework and provided services directly to the members to improve their occupational health.
