Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy’s Winter 2014 Vision in Action

Conference January 24, 2014 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM Yellow Cohort Class of 2014 Application of Scholarship Occupational Therapy Practice Intervention Evidence

KOSAIR CHAIRITIES COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND NATURAL SCIENCES 901 South Third Street Louisville, KY 40203

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Vision in Action Conference 2014 Winter January 24, 2014 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy Yellow Cohort Class of 2014 Application of Scholarship The Job Fair will continue in the hallways of the KCC building throughout the day. Please plan to visit with each of the Job Fair Participants in-between sessions

8:30AM – 9:00AM Registration & Job Fair Start KCC Lobby 8:30 – 9:00

Strategic Actions for Assuring Excellence Opening Address KCCHNS Room 144 L. Randy Strickland, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA Spalding University Provost

Time

Rm 108

Rm 110

Rm 120

Rm 144

9:00-9:20

Alternative Treatment Methods for Adults with PTSD Kristin Armstrong, OTS

Are Biomechanical Interventions More Effective When Used in Conjunction with Occupation-Based Interventions for Enhancing Occupational Performance in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury? Jennifer Burnett, OTS

The Most Effective ServiceBased Delivery in SchoolBased Occupational Therapy Madison Carrico, OTS

Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy Interventions to Treat Edema Lauren Ehalt, OTS

Effective Interventions for Increasing Social Skills in Children with ASD Kayla Ingram, OTS

Evidence-Based Interventions for Preventing Future Limitations in Occupational Performance for Individuals with Fibromyalgia Brittany Hebert, OTS

9:20 – 9:30 Break & Job Fair 9:30-9:50

The Need for an Occupational Therapy Model Specific to Work Readiness in Adults with Brain Injury Saima Ritchie, OTS

Effective OT Interventions to Improve Occupational Performance in Elderly Persons with Dementia or Other Related Diseases Paige Dellis, OTS

9:50 – 10:00 Break & Job Fair 2|Page

Time

Rm 108

Rm 110

Rm 120

Rm 144

10:00-10:20

Effective Occupational Therapy Interventions for Increased Functional Use and Overall Quality of Life in Adults with Upper Extremity Hemiparesis Post-Stroke Jordan Trull, OTS

Falls Prevention in Older Adults: Effective Interventions for Intrinsic Risk Factors Britney Kessick, OTS

The Effectiveness of Interventions on Fine Motor Skills for Children with Neurological Conditions Amanda Mercadal, OTS

Effective Occupational Therapy Interventions to Promote SocialEmotional Abilities for Children Receiving Early Intervention Services Lauren Jackson, OTS

10:30-10:50

Effective Interventions to Improve Psychosocial Function in Adults with Acquired Brain Injury Liz Walton, OTS

Effective Interventions Addressing Functional Decline within Elderly Communities Shea Sims, OTS

11:00-11:20

Exploring Evidence Based Interventions to Treat Combat Induced PTSD Aprile Wilson, OTS

Effective Occupational Therapy Compensatory Interventions to Promote Improved Memory and Learning in Adults with Severe TBI during the PostAcute Phase of Recovery Matthew Baumann, OTS

10:20 – 10:30 Break & Job Fair Effective Occupational Therapy Interventions for Decreasing Chronic Pain to Restore Occupational Performance in Older Adults Raissa Smith, OTS

Effective Interventions for the Rehabilitation of Upper Extremity Cumulative Trauma Disorders Laura Jones, OTS

10:50 – 11:00 Break & Job Fair

11:20 – 11:30 Break & Job Fair 11:30-11:50

Efficacy of Utilizing Rehabilitation Gaming Technologies in Occupational Therapy to Improve Upper Extremity Function and Occupational Performance for Adults Post CVA Katilin Gardner, OTS

BOX LUNCH and Poster Presentation Set-up

Interventions Targeting Maladaptive Behavior in School Children with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Carrie Turk, OTS

11:20 – 11:30 Break & Job Fair Effective Intervention Strategies for Adults with Movement Impairment Following Stroke Susan McMillan, OTS

Effective Occupational Therapy Interventions to Promote Participation and Functional Use of the Affected Upper Extremity for Clients Post-Stroke Jodi Combs, OTS

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11:50 AM – 1:00 PM L u n c h B o x P o s t e r S e s s i o n R m 1 2 0 Neuroscience Neuro-Occupation Mind Map Poster Presentations MSOT Yellow Cohort Class of 2016 Room 120

12:30 – 2:00 Fieldwork Educators’ Skill Building Series, Room 108 12:30-1:15 ASOT FW Educator On-line Resource and Tutorial, Angela Cecil, MBA, OTR/L 1:15-2:00 Giving the Gift of Feedback to Students during FW with co-leader, Dr. Elizabeth Jackson, Psychologist, Seven Counties, Inc.

Time

Rm 108

Rm 110

Rm 120

Rm 144

1:00-1:20

Fieldwork Educators’ Session Continued

Re-entering the community after TBI: Effective interventions for the military Sarah Tucker, OTS

Effective Intervention Strategies to Promote Occupational Performance Among Individuals with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Madalyn Payne, OTS

1:30-1:50

Fieldwork Educators’ Session Continued

2:00 – 2:20

Fieldwork Educators’ Session Wrap-up

Effective Treatments for Restoring Previous Hand Function of Individuals with Osteoarthritis Laura Mason, OTS Alternative Interventions to Treat Chronic Low Back Pain for Return to Work Casey Smith, OTS

Effectiveness of Neuro-muscular Electrical Stimulation to Improve Upper Extremity Function Following a CVA Kati Jones, OTS Preventing Future Functional Limitations through Effective Wheelchair Positioning and Seating Interventions Hunter Lane, OTS Effective Interventions for Children with Cerebral Palsy that Promote Functional Use of the Affected Upper Extremity Erin Roberts Wegrzyn, OTS

Effective Animal Assistive Therapy Among Children with Autism Jennifer Leitner, OTS

2:20 – 2:30 Wrap up conclusion

Conference Program Evaluation will occur through an on-line survey sent to all participants email. Please look for and complete the QuestionPro Survey

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Evidence Based Practice

Practice Experiences Leadership and Advocacy Strategic Actions for Assuring Excellence L. Randy Strickland, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA The founding chairperson of the Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy and current Spalding University Provost will discuss leadership actions for meeting the needs of today’s healthcare environments. Fieldwork Educators’ Skill Building Series Angela Cecil, MBA, OTR/L ASOT Academic Fieldwork Director (Specific Skill Building Discussion with Co-Leader, Dr. Elizabeth Jackson, Psychologist, Seven Counties, Inc.) Fieldwork is integral to the MSOT program's curriculum design and includes experiences designed to enrich didactic coursework through directed observation and participation in selected aspects of the occupational therapy process. ASOT has designed this informational series to provide tools for meeting new and experienced practitioners’ needs who supervise students during fieldwork. The Fieldwork Educator Skill Building Series will include two parts: 1) the rolling topic, ASOT Fieldwork Educator On-line Resource and Tutorial, and 2) a specific skill building topic; the skill discussed at this conference will be about giving feedback (and related strategies) to fieldwork students. During this session, participants will be asked to engage in discussion with the presenters and to give input into quality improvement processes for effective fieldwork education practices within the MSOT curriculum.

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Children and Youth The Most Effective Service-Based Delivery in School-Based Occupational Therapy Madison Carrico, OTS School-based therapy requires choosing a service-based delivery model. As an occupational therapist in the school system one must decipher the best practice for the student. This could be through direct service, consultations with his/her teachers, or collaboration with the teachers and other professionals. The effectiveness of these approaches impacts the student’s ability to perform and grow, in a way that should positively impact their academic success. This presentation will inform you on the differences between collaboration, consultation, and direct services and discuss which is the most effective in the school-system. Effective Interventions for Increasing Social Skills in Children with ASD Kayla Ingram, OTS A wide variety of social skills training interventions have been developed and researched for improving various social skills in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, but which occupational therapy interventions are truly effective? Children with ASD frequently display difficulty developing and maintaining meaningful social relationships due to complex issues including inability to read emotions of others and inability to understand other viewpoints. For anyone who has ever worked with children with ASD, it is a given that no two children display exactly the same autistic features. This presentation explores a combination of research on social skills interventions as well as personal experiences from level II fieldwork and the effectiveness of these interventions for increasing targeted social skills in children with ASD. Overall, while the research articles used for this presentation varied in format and design, group interventions consistently yielded significant positive results for increases in targeted social skills. The Effectiveness of Interventions on Fine Motor Skills for Children with Neurological Conditions Amanda Mercadal, OTS Children with neurological conditions often suffer from deficits in upper extremity function or, more specifically, fine motor skills. Functional performance is essential for children to be successful in life. Effective interventions can impact a child’s play skills, occupation, and overall ease and success with ADL’s. This presentation will explore the effectiveness of a variety of interventions on fine motor skills for children with neurological conditions. Through evidence based interventions, occupational therapists are able to choose more effective treatments for these children, allowing for greater gains in functional use.

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Preventing Future Functional Limitations through Effective Wheelchair Positioning and Seating Interventions Hunter Lane, OTS The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the results of eight studies on preventing future functional limitations due to wheelchair positioning and seating type interventions on pediatric clients with cerebral palsy. These eight studies cover interventions in this area which include the use of dynamic seating systems, wheelchair skills training program, shoulder impingement prevention through propulsion techniques, the effects of contour foam seats, the use of a thoracic lumbar sacral seating system, use of a rigid pelvic stabilizer, use of a sacral pad and knee block system, and a prototype product seating device used for infants with postural issues as bath seats. Results from all these articles vary, however the results supported that the use of occupational therapy in the area of wheelchair positioning and seating as an intervention decreases the risk of hindering the functional development of young children. This research provides evidence-based research to support this small niche field of occupational therapy. Effective Animal Assistive Therapy Among Children with Autism Jennifer Leitner, OTS This presentation will examine the evidence supporting Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and how occupational therapists could use this research for compassionate client centered care during treatment. An overview of the research suggests that the therapeutic use of animals such as dogs and horses may help to increase verbal and nonverbal communication skills in children with autism and attention deficit disorder. AAT may also assist with organizing sensory systems for children with sensory processing deficits through tactile and proprioceptive inputs. Finally, interactions with animals may result in a decrease in pain in hospitalized children enabling higher occupational functioning. Interventions Targeting Maladaptive Behavior in School Children with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Carrie Turk, OTS Children with intellectual disabilities such as autism and ADHD often have difficulty with behaviors that affect engagement, participation, and overall success in the classroom setting. The causes contributing to these maladaptive behaviors can be diverse, and so are the interventions used to improve them. It is common for children with these diagnoses to have problems with integrating and processing sensory information, therefore various forms sensory integration therapy are often used. Children with autism also struggle with social skills, which can cause a decrease in classroom participation, as well as have effects in all areas in the school environment. This presentation will explore the effectiveness of interventions, both SI based and non-SI based, being currently used or that have relevance to OT's working in school based practice.

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Effective Interventions for Children with Cerebral Palsy that Promote Functional Use of the Affected Upper Extremity Erin Roberts Wegrzyn, OTS Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood with lifelong effects. Occupational therapy for children with CP enhances their occupational performance, participation, and quality of life. This presentation identifies three evidence-based interventions commonly utilized with children with CP: interventions utilizing virtual reality gaming technologies, Botox combined with therapy, and constraint induced movement therapy and discussed the evidence behind their use in practice. Benefits and limitations of these interventions as well as directions for future research will also be discussed. Effective Occupational Therapy Interventions to Promote Social-Emotional Abilities for Children Receiving Early Intervention Services Lauren Jackson, OTS Children receiving early intervention services often show signs of social-emotional delays. Social-emotional well-being can affect the social participation and adaptive behaviors of a young child. Occupational therapists are uniquely qualified to apply holistic and family-centered interventions to promote social-emotional development and increase occupational performance. Occupational based reasoning is used to collect information and make decisions on the most effective interventions. Compassionate client-centered care is used in all of the interventions by focusing on the development of the child’s skills and including the natural supports of the family. This presentation discusses the evidence for a variety of interventions that occupational therapists could implement including parent-directed therapy; occupational performance coaching and relationship-focused interventions.

Health and Wellness Alternative Treatment Methods for Adults with PTSD Kristin Armstrong, OTS Typical PTSD treatment in adults centers on pharmacological prescriptions and cognitive behavior therapy. As an occupational therapist one must look at the person as a whole to decide on the best course of action for the individual. My experience in working with adults suffering from PTSD is that some do not like taking medication as a treatment and are open to alternative treatments in place of or in addition to traditional treatment plans. This presentation introduces evidence based alternative treatment methods to address PTSD symptoms which therapists may explore based on their own treatment styles and the needs of their patients. The alternative method options include internet based therapy, healing touch and guided imagery, mind-body bridging, acupuncture, music therapy, virtual reality and group exposure therapy.

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Effective Interventions to Improve Psychosocial Function in Adults with Acquired Brain Injury Liz Walton, OTS At least 1.7 million people in the United States incur a brain injury every year. Secondary to the physical aspects of acquired brain injury, many individuals experience persistent long-term psychosocial problems (emotional and behavioral regulation, social and coping skills, conversational skills and appropriate social interaction). Impaired psychosocial function has the potential to disrupt one’s ability to engage in therapy, return to work, be active in community participation, and have meaningful social and family relations. Improving psychosocial function can enable clients to lead more independent and successful lives. This presentation will explore evidence based interventions which have demonstrated efficacy in improving psychosocial function during the post-acute recovery phase after acquired brain injury.

Rehabilitation, Disability & Participation Effective Occupational Therapy Compensatory Interventions to Promote Improved Memory and Learning in Adults with Severe TBI during the Post-Acute Phase of Recovery Matthew Baumann, OTS People with severe TBI often manifest cognitive dysfunction as characterized by a myriad of cognitive deficits, including attentional disturbances, learning and memory impairments, and executive dysfunction. A combination of these deficits can significantly interfere with an individual’s ability to learn and retain skills for activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), and employment. However, research has shown that with appropriate client-centered occupational therapy interventions, an individual’s cognitive deficits can be mitigated to promote increased functional independence. This presentation highlights the evidence on effective occupational therapy compensatory interventions to promote improved memory and learning in adults with severe TBI during the post-acute phase of recovery (i.e., implementation of the self-generated learning technique, goal-directed attention regulation training, functional skill learning during varying contextual interference schedules, using PDA’s as cognitive aids, and the application of the spacing effect). Clinical applications and direction for future research will also be discussed. Are Biomechanical Interventions More Effective When Used in Conjunction with Occupation-Based Interventions for Enhancing Occupational Performance in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury? Jennifer Burnett, OTS Spinal cord injuries affect an individual’s ability to participate in activities of daily living. Occupational therapists assist in the rehabilitation of individuals with SCI through biomechanical interventions to improve gross and fine motor skills to increase independence with daily tasks. Interventions vary and can include activities to increase strength and range of motion in upper extremities, core stability, balance, and functional 9|Page

mobility. This presentation will address the effectiveness of adding client-centered, occupation-based therapeutic interventions through the exploration of research to provide an evidence base for practitioners who work with individuals with SCI. Effectiveness of Neuro-muscular Electrical Stimulation to Improve Upper Extremity Function Following a CVA Kati Jones, OTS Individuals with acute CVA often experience unilateral upper extremity dysfunction; only 15% of those suffering stroke recover hand function following an acute CVA. Occupational therapists can use neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) as a preparatory intervention or coupled with purposeful activity in conjunction with other occupational therapy practices. This presentation will discuss the evidence for the use of NMES as an occupational therapy intervention to improve function in the hemiparetic arm and hand. Directions for future research will also be discussed. Effective Occupational Therapy Interventions to Promote Participation and Functional Use of the Affected Upper Extremity for Clients Post-Stroke Jodi Combs, OTS Impaired upper extremity function is one of the most common side effects following a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Cerebrovascular accidents resulting in upper extremity paralysis can have a devastating effect on a person’s ability to perform and participate in functional activities. Although upper extremity recovery after a stroke is challenging, many evidence- based approaches lead to improvements in functional use of affected limbs over time. This presentation explores effective evidence-based interventions that can be used to promote participation and functional use of the involved upper extremity in clients post- stroke. Efficacy of Utilizing Rehabilitation Gaming Technologies in Occupational Therapy to Improve Upper Extremity Function and Occupational Performance for Adults Post CVA Kaitlin Gardner, OTS Stroke continues to be one of the leading causes of serious long-term disability in the United States. Hemiparesis is the most common deficit resulting from stroke and affects a person’s independence with daily activities. The use of rehabilitation gaming systems is a new treatment approach in occupational therapy to remediate the effects of stroke. This presentation will explore the efficacy of using gaming systems in the rehabilitation process to treat upper extremity dysfunction following a CVA. Evidencebased clinical applications using rehabilitation gaming technologies as preparatory and occupation-based interventions to maximize upper extremity function and occupational performance will be discussed.

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Effective Intervention Strategies for Adults with Movement Impairment Following Stroke Susan McMillan, OTS Stroke is a leading cause of disability in the United States and often results in movement impairment of the upper extremity. This can be manifested as slow movements, reduced active range of motion, impaired interjoint coordination and movement patterns, abnormalities of tone and weakness. A need exists to investigate effective interventions to improve upper extremity motor ability and functional use in activities of daily living (ADL) to increase quality of life. The participants in the studies of this review are adults who have experienced a cerebral vascular accident with motor impairment of the upper extremity. This presentation will explore evidence-based interventions which may be beneficial due to the plasticity of the brain. Effective Treatments for Restoring Previous Hand Function of Individuals with Osteoarthritis Laura Mason, OTS Osteoarthritis is a degenerative inflammatory disorder that can affect multiple joints, especially hands that debilitates everyday living task and decreases quality of life. Occupational therapists have a variety of interventions strategically used to restore function and decrease pain. These intervention approaches range from the use of durable medical equipment, custom splinting, modalities, range of motion, and home exercise programs. This presentation will focus on the evidence- based interventions for restoring previous hand functions in individuals with osteoarthritis. Exploring Evidence Based Interventions to Treat Combat Induced PTSD Aprile Wilson, OTS With the large number of service men and women returning from active duty in both Iran and Afghanistan, the number of them experiencing the effects of PTSD is anticipated to grow. As a result, occupational therapists should have an understanding of effective interventions to treat Combat Induced PTSD in settings which encourage treatment initiation and completion. By addressing the barriers for clients seeking treatment associated with the stigma of mental health facilities, occupational therapists will take an important step in connecting clients with appropriate therapy services to improve their quality of life. The purpose of this presentation is to present evidenced based interventions which can be utilized by therapists to address the needs of this population. Effective Occupational Therapy Interventions for Increased Functional Use and Overall Quality of Life in Adults with Upper Extremity Hemiparesis Post-Stroke Jordan Trull, OTS Upper extremity hemiparesis following stroke is one of the most common residual effects that warrant skilled occupational therapy services. A large majority of adults who experience these effects often discontinue or avoid use of the affected extremity due to depressed performance capacity of the extremity, eventually leading to decreased 11 | P a g e

independence with activities of daily living and overall quality of life (QOL). Numerous interventions that address upper extremity hemiparetic deficits are available, however research and innovation have provided more expansive, effective treatment options as the quality of patient care continuously evolves. Research has shown significant advancements in self-perceived QOL following improved function of an affected upper extremity. The purpose of this presentation is to provide evidence supporting effective treatment interventions that directly address upper extremity deficits following stroke. Re-entering the community after TBI: Effective interventions for the military Sarah Tucker, OTS Approximately twelve percent of military servicemen and women who have been deployed may have sustained at least mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) (Schneiderman, Braver, & Kang, 2008). Research shows even mild TBI can cause these service members to experience deficits in executive functioning and daily activities (Erez, Rothschild, Katz, Tuchner, & Hartman-Maeir, 2009), which can make returning to civilian life all the more difficult. This research presentation will explore the most common cognitive deficits associated with mild to moderate TBI, and the most effective interventions (both restorative and compensatory) in order for service members to return to civilian work and home life.

Industry & Work: Effective Interventions for the Rehabilitation of Upper Extremity Cumulative Trauma Disorders Laura Jones, OTS According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) are currently the leading cause of work-related injuries in the United States. In clients with CTDs, occupational therapy services focus on symptom management and enabling clients to regain function to return to meaningful occupations. This presentation investigates evidence-based occupational therapy treatments for CTDs to reduce pain and increase functional abilities. According to the research reviewed, deep physical agent modalities (DPAM’s), splinting, and manual techniques were considered safe, practical, and effective preparatory treatments to prepare clients for meaningful interventions and to improve functional use in activities of daily living (ADL’s). This presentation also describes the evidence-based research promoting the inclusion of individualized, occupation based goals in addition to DPAM’s, splinting, and conservative preparatory methods to deliver significant improvement in client functional performance. Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy Interventions to Treat Edema Lauren Ehalt, OTS Edema is the collection of fluid that can affect the entire body, especially upper extremities. This swelling can act to impact the ability to independently complete meaningful occupations on a daily basis. The purpose of this presentation is to 12 | P a g e

examine the evidence supporting interventions such as passive and active range of motion program manual lymph drainage, modified manual edema mobilization, light retrograde message, and TENS upon edema. Implications of these treatments upon occupational performance will also be discussed. Alternative Interventions to Treat Chronic Low Back Pain for Return to Work Casey Smith, OTS This presentation will provide a compilation of the latest research in the field of occupational therapy related to the treatment of chronic back pain as well as my observations and experience during Level II fieldwork while leading a work hardening program for clients with low back injuries. There is recent and important evidence gathered from veterans who are collectively demonstrating an increasing request for non-pharmacological interventions to treat chronic pain. As occupational therapists, we have a social responsibility to provide the most up to date and effective interventions for our clients. This presentation will look at alternative methods that warrant further investigation into treating chronic back pain for return to work without using traditional pharmacological approaches. This presentation will discuss the following interventions: Yoga, the Surface Perceptive Tool, Work Hardening with a cognitive behavioral approach, Balneotherapy, Aquatic Therapy, Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (PENS), and increasing core strength. Evidence-Based Interventions for Preventing Future Limitations in Occupational Performance for Individuals with Fibromyalgia Brittany Hebert, OTS Fibromyalgia is condition with an unclear epidemiology characterized by chronic widespread pain, abnormal pain processing, sleep disturbance, fatigue and psychological distress. It is estimated to affect approximately five million adults each year. Symptoms of fibromyalgia can negatively impact an individual’s ability to complete activities of daily living and decrease occupational performance. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss and examine the evidence supporting various nonpharmacological interventions, in both individual and group treatment settings, that can be utilized to prevent further limitations in occupational performance and increase the overall quality of life for individuals living with fibromyalgia. Effective Treatments for Restoring Previous Hand Function of Individuals with Osteoarthritis Laura Mason, OTS Osteoarthritis is a degenerative inflammatory disorder that can affect multiple joints, especially hands that debilitates everyday living task and decreases quality of life. Occupational therapists have a variety of interventions strategically used to restore function and decrease pain. These intervention approaches range from the use of durable medical equipment, custom splinting, modalities, range of motion, and home exercise programs. This presentation will focus on the evidence- based interventions for restoring previous hand functions in individuals with osteoarthritis. 13 | P a g e

Effective Intervention Strategies to Promote Occupational Performance Among Individuals with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Madalyn Payne, OTS Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common nerve entrapment injury usually resulting in pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hands and wrists. As a result of these factors, occupational performance is often negatively impacted. This presentation will present a summary of evidence of conservative treatment options such as splinting, median nerve and tendon glides, lumbrical stretches, massage techniques, and deep physical agent modality treatments for CTS. These interventions have been shown to effectively decrease signs and symptoms associated with CTS to increase function and occupational performance. CTS effects millions of people each year and these treatment options can be used by occupational therapists to meet the occupational needs of society to decrease the associated symptoms and to return patients to participating in meaningful activities. The Need for an Occupational Therapy Model Specific to Work Readiness in Adults with Brain Injury Saima Ritchie, OTS Many individuals experience physical and cognitive deficits secondary to ABI/TBI that manifest differently in a work setting versus other routine ADL and IADL tasks. Measuring these deficits and planning interventions specifically for return-to-work presents a challenge for occupational therapists due to the wide range of assessments available, but the lack of assessments that shed light on the physical and cognitive performance skills in work-related tasks. This presentation will explore the need for development of evidence-based assessments and interventions specifically geared toward return-to-work for individuals with ABI/TBI. The development of such a model would provide potential predictors of successful employment outcomes, and facilitate creation of client-centered, goal-oriented, and realistic interventions for individuals with brain injury.

Productive Aging Effective Occupational Therapy Interventions for Decreasing Chronic Pain to Restore Occupational Performance in Older Adults Raissa Jewell Smith, OTS The human body is a remarkable masterpiece supplemented with a complex and unique neurological system which interprets pain to alarm individuals that something is wrong. Pain can be defined as a concoction of sensory and emotional experiences originating from various etiologies. Chronic pain is categorized as lasting longer in duration than 3 months and yields psychological effects such as hopelessness, fear, stress, depression, anger, and fatigue. Research shows that the mind-body connection is linked to chronic pain; therefore the most effective Occupational Therapy treatments require targeting psychological and physical aspects to treat the individual as a whole. 14 | P a g e

The purpose of this presentation is to utilize evidence based research to identify effective occupational therapy interventions for decreasing chronic pain to restore occupational performance in older adults thus providing opportunities to regain independence. Effective OT Interventions to Improve Occupational Performance in Elderly Persons with Dementia or Other Related Diseases Paige Dellis, OTS Dementia is not a specific disease. It's an “umbrella” term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills, severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities including ADL’s and IADL’s. Disruptive behaviors and memory loss are both common symptoms with dementia and can impact daily occupational performance. As Occupational Therapists, it is our job to be creative with our interventions and figure out what works best for each patient to provide the most effective treatment sessions possible. This presentation focuses primarily on the exploration of evidence-based interventions that may improve occupational performance in elderly persons with dementia or other related diseases including: music therapy, automated prompting to improve memory, as well as sensory integration workshops. Further research is needed to validate these interventions/programs used within nursing homes, hospitals, home health services or skilled nursing facilities. Falls Prevention in Older Adults: Effective Interventions for Intrinsic Risk Factors Britney Kessick, OTS According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, falls are a serious public health problem with approximately 30% of community dwelling older adults falling each year, resulting in direct medical cost totaling more than 28.2 billion dollars. These overwhelming statistics will only continue to increase with current population trends. This presentation focuses on effective interventions that address intrinsic fall risk factors such as fear of falling, anxiety and depression as well as decreased strength, balance, cognition, functional mobility, and vestibular dysfunction. As the older adult population continues to grow, occupational therapists will play a vital role in designing fall prevention programs and providing therapeutic interventions for increasing older adults’ overall quality of life and maximizing independence and motivation to complete activities of daily living as well as enhancing participation in leisure activities and community mobility for productive aging. Effective Interventions Addressing Functional Decline within Elderly Communities Shea Sims, OTS Our aging society becomes inevitably vulnerable to physical and mental decline. With decreased regenerative properties, as compared to younger adults, a vast majority of older adults are becoming increasingly more dependent with life skills that require selfcare and community involvement. What was once considered routine or habitual can 15 | P a g e

be altered by age related deficits that can interfere with the distribution of independent living and management of occupational performance within their living quarters. This presentation is designed to examine effective intervention planning for improving typical functional impairments in the elderly community. Evidence based practice and research will allow for active discussion and insight into addressing positive changes in physical and cognitive impairment through occupational therapy approaches involving technology, inter-disciplinary programs, treatment tactic of multi-components, and subjective examination of elderly populations. 12:00 – 12:50 PM KCCHNS Room 120 Box Lunch Poster Session Walk Around Integrating Neuroscience & Occupation - Mind Map Poster Presentations Yellow Cohort 2016 Conference participants have the opportunity to grab their box lunch in KCC Room 120 and stroll through the eight poster presentations discussing concepts of the ASOT curriculum, neuroscience course content, and thoughts of occupational therapy’s past, present, and future that links neuroscience with varied Eleanor Slagle Lectures and the OT Practice Framework. The students, in “neuroscience teams,” will share their perspectives of the structure and function of the central nervous system and occupation through non-linear visual representations of neuro-occupation.

MSOT PROGRAM ACCOUNTABILITY AND CURRICULUM THREADS ASOT has specific content focus areas throughout the 30 month MSOT program that pulls together students’ learning into one comprehensive experience. The unifying elements that draw all MSOT courses into an inherent whole are identified as curriculum threads. The threads are derived from the MSOT conceptual framework and student learning outcomes of the program courses. The curriculum threads provide an educational structure that supports students in meeting the needs of the times within rapidly changing and dynamic health and human services delivery systems. The threads also frame student learning outcomes in order for students to demonstrate competence in basic skills as a direct care provider, consultant, educator, manager, researcher, and advocate for the profession and consumers. Occupational therapy is a service delivery profession consistent with the provision of other professional programs at Spalding University. The MSOT program flows like a river, connecting the knowledge from liberal arts and sciences with professional concepts, theories, application skills, occupational outcomes, and evidence based practice. An occupational therapist must understand the history and ongoing evolution and vision of occupational therapy, including the impact of occupation upon the health and wellness of individuals, groups, and society. Occupational performance, performance skills, performance patterns, and context are essential to the application of the occupational therapy process. As humans, we bridge our knowledge, skills, and 16 | P a g e

competence within the process of performing daily actions, continually creating new knowledge, skills, and shared constructions. The curriculum design, Professional Accountability and the Flow of Life through Occupation, emphasizes students’ personal and professional accountability within the active process of engaging in the lifelong learning process and creating intertwining river channels of the knowledge, skills, and competencies of occupation within the occupational therapy process. The student’s demonstration of professional accountability includes ethical, effective, and efficient actions. Professional accountability and responsible behavior includes the following steps:  Seeing, identifying or becoming aware of an issue or a problem,  Developing ownership for resolution of the issue or problem,  Developing a strategic plan for action to solve the problem or issue,  Implementing the plan of action and continuing to monitor for complete resolution, and  Reflection upon outcomes and ways to improve future actions. Accountability becomes a current within the curriculum flow that propels students and faculty to act as an integrated crew, rowing as a collective whole taking the student from journeyman to competent entry level practitioner with a vast knowledge of the everchanging river of occupation. The MSOT Curriculum threads are: A. Occupational Needs of Society: Successful implementation of the occupational therapy process depends on the ability of the therapist to focus on the needs and priorities of individuals, groups, and communities. The therapist and clients must collaborate and develop joint accountability for successful outcomes of the occupational therapy process. Aligning with the Spalding University mission, the MSOT program is committed to addressing the evolving needs of the times by providing learning opportunities empowering students to become therapists dedicated to diversity, justice, and care for the complex needs of society. B. Leadership in Practice & Advocacy: The skills of leadership and being an effective team member are vital for successful occupational therapy service delivery. Occupational therapy students are provided opportunities to build management and consultation skills throughout the curriculum. Courses emphasize the concept of the individual occupational therapy practitioner as part of a broader team. The MSOT program emphasizes responsible and active participation of students to prepare them for self-directed practice as occupational therapists in a variety of service delivery systems. Advocacy involves actions that bring forth empowerment. Advocacy represents the strategies devised, actions taken, and solutions proposed to influence decisionmaking to create positive change for clients within their natural environment and the profession of occupational therapy. 17 | P a g e

C. Critical Thinking/Occupation Based Reasoning: The occupational therapist collects information and makes decisions. Learning to reflect on observed phenomena, to relate those observations to conceptual frameworks, and to generate new questions, leads to heightened awareness and potential effectiveness. The occupational therapy process is a reflective action, which culminates in the facilitation of the engagement in meaningful occupations. Conceptually based practice is achieved through the critical reasoning process including each student’s capacity to:  Apply the theories of occupational therapy,  Understand the contextual determinants upon occupational performance,  Analyze the role of occupation across the life span,  Implement the steps of the occupational therapy process,  Discover relationships and connections among areas of study, and  Demonstrate awareness of the role of prevention and wellness within the profession. D. Compassionate Client-Centered Care: Compassionate client-centered care is an approach in which clients are viewed as whole persons. It involves empowerment and respecting the person’s autonomy, voice, self-determination, and participation in decision-making. Compassion is based within a Humanistic perspective and is the river bank of the curriculum, defining all of our social interactions. Compassion links the occupational therapy practitioner with the client through empathy, and is often characterized as actions. The occupational therapist seeks to enhance the occupational potential of all he/she works alongside. Clients may be individuals, families, groups, communities, aggregates, organizations, systems, and populations. Clients may seek or receive occupational therapy interventions related to health promotion, wellness, disease prevention, illness or injury management, habilitation, and rehabilitation processes for enhancing participation in life activities.

Thank you to the Sponsors & Supporters of The Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy’s Winter 2014 Vision in Action Conference

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