Research

2003 - 2004 Projects

2002 - 2003 Projects

2001 - 2002 Projects

Occupational Therapy Research Network

Research Projects completed during the 2002-2003 academic year

Stigma Busters: Improvisational Theatre to Reduce the Stigma of Mental Illness Researchers: Amy Allgood, MOTS; Jacob Andrews, MOTS; Trisha Atkinson, MOTS; Heather Beam, MOTS; Christine Malaski, MS,OTR/L         

**This project was presented at the Annual American Occupational Therapy Association, June 2003 in Washington, DC* 

The issue of stigma in mental illnes is one that continues to be a problem in society. Stigma directly effects the forming attitudes of youth, the general knowledge and belief of communities, and the treatment of persons living with mental illness. The purpose of this study was to determine if educating students through the use of improvisational theatre could help reduce the levels of stigmatizing beliefs. There were 232 high school and college students that participated in the research. Significance (p=.039) was found in high school students viewing the improvesational theatre performance. No differences were found among college students.

Recruitment, Retention/Motivation and Attrition in Occupational Therapists Researchers: Meggan Boutott, MOTS; Jennifer Driscoll, MOTS; Christina Lake, MOTS; Lynn Wilhelm, MOTS; Brenda Hughes, MA, OTR/L, Christine Malaski, MS, OTR/L
Due to increases in longevity, the number of certified occupational therapists needs to increase to meet the demand. The purpose of this study was identifying aspects influencing people to choose occupational therapy as a career path and retention factors. Survey responses (n = 24) were from 18 registered occupational therapists practicing for at least one year from three Iowa rehabilitation settings and six retired occupational therapists. Respondents filled out a survey and attended two follow up focus group interviews. The results regarding recruitment, motivation/retention, and attrition were similar to previous findings, but respondents identified new factors. Overall, this study revealed important aspects that need to be considered by the profession of occupational therapy to increase recruitment, satisfaction, while minimizing attrition.

The Effects of Handwriting Curriculum on Near Point Copying         Researchers: Jessica Pickering, MOTS; Nicole Tierney, MOTS; Theresa Schlabach, MA, BCP, OTR/L
The objective of this research was to determine if handwriting curriculum has an effect on handwriting problems. A sample of 33 handwriting samples were gathered from fourth grade students taught with D’Nealian and traditional handwriting curriculum. Two handwriting passages were copied by each student and evaluated by The IOwa Writing Assessment and Norms (IOWAN). No differences were found to exist between the two handwriting styles. These findings suggest handwriting difficulties do not occur because of curriculum, rather occupational therapists should be challenged to look at other environmental factors in attempt to remediate handwriting problems in school aged children.

Video Games and Visual Motor Integration Researchers: Tara Hanke, MOTS; Nicole Lumbrazo, MOTS; Laura Paisley, MOTS; Anne Stegmaier, MOTS, Theresa Schlabach, MA, BCP, OTR/L            

**This project was presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, June 2003 in Washington, DC**                      
The purpose of this study was to compare the amount of time first- and second-grade children spent playing video games to their visual-motor integration. Participants included elementary students from schools in Illinois and Iowa. A survey completed by a parent/guardian provided demographic information, as well as the length of time and type(s) of video game(s) played by each participant. This information was compared to the participant’s score on the Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI). No significant correlation was found between the VMI standard scores and the number of hours each participant spent playing video games per week. More research is needed in this area to determine activities that affect a child’s visual-motor integration.

Sexual Expression and Spinal Cord Injury: Comparing Perspectives Between Patient and Occupational Therapist Researchers: Tracy Boyer, MOTS; Kylene Canham, MOTS; Breigh Hansen, MOTS; Katie Hiemstra, MOTS; Elizabeth Meyer, MOTS; Kathleen Zajicek, MS, OTR/L
Sexual expression is an important area to address when treating spinal cord injured patients. Occupational therapy is a holistic profession that evaluates and treats the patients’ activities of daily living including sexual expression. Sexual expression is not being addressed adequately by therapists. The purpose of this study was to compare the perspectives of the occupational therapist and patient, to investigate if sexual expression was being addressed and what intervention methods were perceived to be effective by the patient. A convenience sample of patients with a spinal cord injury were chosen from two Midwestern rehabilitation facilities. The results indicated that further research is needed to determine whether occupational therapists are addressing sexual expression and if patients are satisfied with the intervention.

The Impact on Occupational Therapy Referrals After Training Hospice Staff and Volunteers on the Role of Occupational Therapy                  Researchers: Lynn Steidler-Thompson, MOTS; Kasey Ruff, MOTS; Elizabeth Walsh, MOTS; Phyllis Wenthe, M Ed., OTR/L                        
Occupational therapy has been found to be underutilized in the hospice setting. This study was undertaken to determine if referrals for occupational therapy changed after hospice staff and volunteers were given a one-hour in-service explaining the role and use of occupational therapy in hospice. Results indicated that there was no change in referral rate to the occupational therapist. There was a decrease in the number of participants who reported seeing clients who were appropriate for occupational therapy services. A statistically significant difference was found between the experimental and control group in their knowledge and understanding of occupational therapy’s role in hospice and their need for additional training on the use of occupational therapy.   

Parental Perception of Sensory Integration’s Impact on Behavior of Children Prescribed Stimulant Medication Researchers: Dawn Magnuson, MOTS; Jennifer Moore, MOTS; Gigi Sullivan, MOTS; Sharon Robinson, MS, OTR/L                               
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a diagnosis commonly treated with stimulant medication. Sensory integration (SI) is a treatment unknown to many people, used to treat ADHD symptoms. This single case study investigated parents perception of the effects of SI on behaviors associated with ADHD in combination with stimulant medication. During the study, the children received similar SI treatment at an outpatient clinic once a week. According to the Conners’ Parent Rating Scale, the children displayed varying behaviors, which may require more individualized treatment techniques. SI treatment has been proven effective with children with ADHD in previous research. This research did not show the significance of utilizing this approach with children in the study.

Education of Occupational Therapy in the Medical Profession             Researchers: Katherine Boyer, MOTS; Melissa Gagnepain, MOTS; Jennifer Hahn, MOTS; Emily Kegler, MOTS, Lynn Kilburg, MBA, OTR/L                  
The profession of occupational therapy depends solely on referrals from many specialties throughout the medical profession. A physician’s base of knowledge is gained in medical school. If medical professors do not have an adequate understanding of occupational therapy and the scope of their services they may not instruct students accurately, consequently referrals to occupational therapy may be negatively impacted. The purpose of this study is to examine medical school professors’ knowledge of occupational therapy and how much is taught to medical students regarding occupational therapy’s effectiveness and importance. Responses indicated that medical school professors have a lack of knowledge regarding occupational therapy. Despite a sample size of only 49, a descriptive method confirmed the need for promotion of the profession  

Companion Animals: Use Of A Client’s Pet In Home-Based Occupational Therapy Researchers: Sue Lee, MOTS; Christina Schutte, MOTS; Brenda Hughes, MA, OTR/L 
Pets can be a readily available and beneficial modality in home-based therapy. The purpose of this study is to determine if home health occupational therapists are incorporating companion animals into treatment. A survey created by the researchers was sent to 501 occupational therapists working in home health. Of the 227 surveys returned, 40 surveys were not included because the therapists were not currently working in home health. The results found 49.2% of occupational therapists surveyed have incorporated a companion animal into treatment in home health. Of these therapists, 93.8% felt treatment was more effective and 97.7% felt it was more meaningful when incorporating a companion animal. The researchers concluded home-based occupational therapists are incorporating companion animals into treatment.

Perceptions of Residents Quality of Life and Staff Job Satisfaction in Eden Alternative and Traditional Nursing Homes Researchers: Sean McGinn, MOTS; Krista Pinter, MOTS; Daniel Stotlar, MOTS; Catherine Willenborg, MOTS; Brenda Hughes, MA, OTR/L                 
The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of quality of life among residents and staff job satisfaction in Eden Alternative versus traditional nursing homes. The research question was whether the Eden Alternative environment improves residents’ quality of life and staff job satisfaction. A survey created by the researchers was administered to staff and residents who met the cognitive requirement. Surveys were completed by 37 residents and 30 staff at the two Eden Alterative nursing homes. The two traditional nursing homes had 18 residents and 35 staff that completed the surveys. Mann Whitney U was utilized for analysis with level of significance established at p=.05. Four of 30 questions had significance, three for the residents and one for staff.

Impact of the Motion Picture Industry on Physical Therapy Students’ Perceptions of Mental Illness  Researchers: Tracy Craig, MOTS; Julie Jones, MOTS; Christine Malaski, MS, OTR/L
Studies have explored the media’s impact on society’s perceptions of people with mental illness. Research has shown negative and inaccurate depictions of people with a mental illness perpetuate stigma. The purpose of this study was to determine if a motion picture film depicting mental illness impacts physical therapy students’ perceptions of mental illness. Physical therapy students (n = 49) were given the Community Attitude Toward the Mentally Ill (CAMI) questionnaire. Results were consistent with previous research. Students indicated they were less tolerant of people with mental illness with regard to whether people with a mental illness should be managed aggressively and hospitalized. Scores also revealed students were less willing to be supportive and kind toward individuals with a mental illness.  

Research Projects in completed during the 2001-2002 academic year:

SEXUALITY AND SPINAL CORD INJURY: WHO IS ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE? - Student Researchers: Kathleen Donahue MOTS, Margaret Haffarnan MOTS; Faculty Advisor: Kathleen Zajicek, MS, OTR/L 

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY INTERVENTION AND DEPRESSION IN CARDIAC PATIENTS - Student Researchers: Phyllis Crawford MOTS, Jennifer Graham MOTS; Faculty Advisor: Kathleen Zajicek, MS, OTR/L

CARDIAC DIAGNOSIS AND RELATIONSHIP TO SELF ESTEEM - Student Researchers: Mandy Hodel MOTS, Debbie Vetter MOTS, Veronica Toohill MOTS Faculty Advisor: Kathleen Zajicek, MS, OTR/L

PURPOSEFUL ACTIVITY: THE ROLE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN TREATMENT - Student Researchers: Beth Harris MOTS, Jennifer Brewer MOTS; Faculty Advisor: Christine Malaski, MS, OTR/L **Presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, May 2002, Miami, FL**

THE IMPACT OF CANCER ON SPIRITUALITY IN YOUNG ADULTS 18-25 - Student Researchers: Leslie Gruber MOTS, Emily Jensen MOTS, Julie Mausser MOTS, Kelly Link MOTS; Faculty Advisor: Christine Malaski, MS, OTR/L

MOTIVATORS AND PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF VOLUNTEER LEADERS: A PILOT STUDY - Student Researchers: Bethany Klokkenga MOTS, Rachel Eisfelder MOTS; Faculty Advisor: Christine Malaski, MS, OTR/L **Presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, May 2002, Miami, FL**

PERCEPTION OF STIGMA IN FAMILIES OF ADOLECENTS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND PHYSICAL DISABILITY - Student Researchers: Joseph Ulloa MOTS, Stephanie Kerker MOTS, Nancy Fandel MOTS; Faculty Advisor: Christine Malaski, MS, OTR/L

IMPORTANCE OF SPIRITUALITY TO PATIENTS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY - Student Researchers: Angel Carley MOTS, Julie Dry MOTS, Malinda Heimsoth MOTS; Faculty Advisors: Christine Malaski, MS, OTR/L & Brenda Hughes, MA, OTR/L **Presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, May 2002, Miami, FL**

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS IN NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNITS - Student Researchers: Lisa Benscoter MOTS, Jennifer Gilles MOTS; Faculty Advisor: Theresa Schalabach, MA, BCP, OTR/L

GRASP PATTERNS OF FIRST YEAR STUDENTS: WHICH IS MOST COMMON? - Student Researchers: Casey Sickles, Lisa Whitaker MOTS; Faculty Advisor: Theresa Schlabach, MA, BCP, OTR/L

UPPER EXTREMITY DYSFUNCTION RESULTING FROM CVA: FACTORS INFLUENCING TREATMENT - Student Researchers: Gabriel Stickling MOTS, Alissa Oetzmann MOTS; Faculty Advisor: Lynn Kilburg, MBA, OTR/L

EFFECTS OF TAI CHI INSTRUCTION ON ELDERLY MOBILITY CONFIDENCE - Student Researchers: Kelly Jeffers MOTS, Jennifer Kohl MOTS, Julie Meske MOTS; Faculty Advisor: Phyllis Wenthe, MEd, OTR/L **Presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, May 2002, Miami, FL**

IMPACT OF ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY ON SOCIALIZATION SKILLS OF CHILD PET OWNERS - Student Researchers: Jennifer Lavoi MOTS, Monica Blue MOTS; Faculty Advisor: Phyllis Wenthe MEd., OTR/L **Presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, May 2002, Miami, FL**

QUALITY OF LIFE OF OLDER PERSONS IN ASSISTED LIVING ENVIRONMENTS - Student Researchers: Angela Berger MOTS, Kimberly Lewis MOTS, Christina Toohill MOTS; Sharon Robinson, MS, OTR/L

Click here for research projects completed during the 1999-2000 academic year included: If you are interested in obtaining more information on any of these projects, contact Christine Urish at (563) 333-6281 or email at UrishChristineK@sau.edu