American Journal of Occupational Therapy

Date Presented 04/04/19

This poster will highlight the need for and development of the Making Meals Performance Measure (MMPM). This assessment has been used in an occupation-based program to help people living in poverty maximize their food resources. Current assessments focus largely on knowledge acquisition and are self-report measures. The creation of performance measures such as the MMPM help demonstrate the value of occupation-based interventions and the distinct contribution of OT.

Primary Author and Speaker: Laura Schmelzer

Additional Authors and Speakers: Rebecca Hughes, Hannah Stanger

Date Presented 04/04/19

SUD impacts the individual and his family's daily occupations while posing a massive health and societal concern. OTs may contribute a unique perspective in understanding this phenomenon. This is the first study to explore pain sensitivity and SMD in SUD. Findings demonstrate that while pain and SMD coexist, SMD may serve as a risk factor for having SUD, thus indicating a potential additive value for OTs in SUD therapy.

Primary Author and Speaker: Tami Bar-Shalita

Additional Authors and Speakers: Naama Asayag

Contributing Authors: Yoram Bonneh, Shula Parush

Date Presented 04/05/19

This study provides support for client-centered perceived function evaluation tools compared to nonindividualized physical function assessment to assess breast cancer survivors' function. The COPM detected 30 to 39% perceived impairment (PI) in self-care, 40 to 44% PI in productive activities, and 40 to 47% PI in leisure activities. The DASH detected approximately 8% more physical function impairments and symptoms than the general population (17.8 vs 10.1).

Primary Author and Speaker: Anne Fleischer

Additional Authors and Speakers: Mary Fisher, Laurie Bunger

Date Presented 04/06/19

The Chinese Facial Emotion Recognition Test (CFERT) assesses the ability of seven emotions recognition from facial expressions in patients with schizophrenia. Items (168 photos) bank of CFERT were selected from the database of the “Taiwan Corpora of Chinese Emotions and Relevant Psychophysiological Data—Behavioral Evaluation Norm for Facial Expressions of Professional Performer.” CFERT has acceptable reliability and trivial practice effect for clinicians to measure repeatedly.

Primary Author and Speaker: Shu-Chun Lee

Contributing Authors: Ching-Lin Hsieh

Date Presented 04/06/19

Sickle cell disease is a debilitating chronic illness characterized by persistent anemia and increased risk for stroke and cognitive impairment. The current study presents findings on the cognitive and functional task performance deficits of adults with sickle cell disease. An opportunity exists for OTs to improve the long-term outcomes of this population by providing appropriate evaluation and cognitive intervention.

Primary Author and Speaker: Taniya Varughese

Additional Authors and Speakers: Mallory Varnum, Erica Hull

Contributing Authors: Regina Abel, Allison King

Date Presented 04/06/19

The purpose of the study is to examine the validity of the anger scale. Three hundred and eleven normal subjects and 322 persons with mental illness were recruited to participate in the study. The data were analyzed using the Rasch measurement model with Winsteps 3.56 and SPSS 22. The results of the study demonstrated the adequate reliability and construct validity of the anger scale when applied to normal subjects and persons with mental illness in Taiwan.

Primary Author and Speaker: Ay-Woan Pan

Additional Authors and Speakers: Tsyr-Jang Chen

Date Presented 04/07/19

Adults with ABI on an inpatient rehabilitation unit were significantly less accurate and efficient, used fewer strategies, and followed fewer rules, compared to healthy controls on the short Weekly Calendar Planning Activity (WCPA-10). The WCPA-10 was quick, feasible, and provided functionally relevant information on those that exhibited mild to no cognitive impairments on a cognitive screening tool, highlighting the importance of performance-based tools in identifying functional cognitive deficits.

Primary Author and Speaker: Alexis Lussier

Additional Authors and Speakers: Joan Toglia

Date Presented 04/04/19

This study aimed to use a novel data-collection method to characterize the existing low-vision service delivery system and calculate the prevalence rate of VI within Massachusetts. Existing services were identified and mapped. Synthetic estimation was used to make estimates of the prevalence of VI of the 351 towns in Massachusetts, using national estimates of VI and town-level census data. Data were then used to identify gaps and prioritize need and could be applied to other states with other populations.

Primary Author and Speaker: Jennifer Kaldenberg

Date Presented 04/04/19

Cancer care and oncology is an emerging area of practice in OT. It is imperative to compare current practice trends to the literature that supports evidence-based OT interventions in order to maximize therapeutic outcomes for cancer survivors. Results from this survey research aim to describe how OT practitioners are addressing side effects of survivorship within intervention and compare these practice trends to a systematic review of the literature.

Primary Author and Speaker: Katie Polo

Additional Authors and Speakers: Meghan Harkness

Kelsey Badger, Jennifer Lynn, Addie Jacobs, Elizabeth Mathews

Date Presented 04/04/19

The study implicated that when helping schizophrenic people obtain flow experience through daily activities, OTs should not only provide activities that correspond to their abilities and interests but also facilitate their self-determined behaviors and self-efficacy. This theory-based study may serve as a piece of evidence in practice to establish the foundations for further inquiring OT intervention outcomes and cross-cultural differences.

Primary Author and Speaker: LIN-JYE HUANG

Additional Authors and Speakers: Fu-Chang Hu, Chinyu Wu, Yi-Hong Yang, Shu-Chun Lee, Powen Lin, Shih-Jui Hu

Date Presented 04/04/19

The influence on sensory processing characteristics on occupational choices among the typical population has not been thoroughly studied. The purpose of this study was to understand the connection between the experiential characteristics of pleasurable occupations and sensory processing characteristics in typical adults utilizing two existing surveys. Cluster analysis on 451 respondents yielded six clusters establishing potential links between activity choices and sensory processing patterns.

Primary Author and Speaker: Erna Blanche

Additional Authors and Speakers: Megan C. Chang, L. Diane Parham

Date Presented 04/04/19

This study examines the relationship between parent stress and sensory processing differences in preschool-age children who were referred to a multidisciplinary pediatric psychiatry clinic. A correlation was found between elevated parent stress and sensory processing differences in their children. These results provide evidence to support the role of the OT in pediatric mental-health settings and encourage collaboration between OTs and mental-health professionals.

Primary Author and Speaker: Kristina Daily

Contributing Authors: Alexis Clyde, Brandon Oscarson

Date Presented 04/04/19

Current research indicates that a correlation exists neurologically among anxiety, sensory over responsively, GI dysfunction, and behavior. To gain better understanding of correlations among SPD and GI dysfunction, and how they impact family occupations, assessments were given to parents of children 18 months through 12 years who were seen for GI dysfunction at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Preliminary results indicate positive correlations among SPD, GI dysfunction, and parent stress.

Primary Author and Speaker: AnnMarie Murphy

Additional Authors and Speakers: Amy Lynch

Contributing Authors: Katherine Bevans

Date Presented 04/04/19

The purpose of this study was to describe participation in everyday activities and social roles, and quality of life for persons with ABI-related oculomotor impairments. Forty subjects were interviewed with a semistructured format. Results of the study describe symptoms, quality of life, and participation difficulties in everyday activities and social roles. Implications of results will be discussed, including areas to assess and the complexity of the challenges with this population.

Primary Author and Speaker: Sharon Wagener

Contributing Authors: Robert Krieger

Date Presented 04/05/19

Sensory processing disorder (SPD) poses unique occupational challenges. However, most of the understanding is through a pediatric lens. To obtain information about the adult lived experience, a phenomenological study was conducted using Colaizzi's seven-step method and interpretive phenomenological analyses and the PEO model. The resulting conclusion is that adults with SPD experience an extreme paradoxical relationship with occupations.

Primary Author and Speaker: Nicole Quint

Additional Authors and Speakers: Chelsea McKenna, Amanda Messingschlager, Alexia Bien, Emma Smith

Date Presented 04/05/19

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) perceived noncontact boxing to influence their social and community engagement. This study found that those with PD who perceived noncontact boxing positively were positively influenced by it in both their social engagement and their physical and cognitive abilities. This study supports the feasibility of clinicians to utilize community-based, movement-focused activities to assist in the management of PD symptomology.

Primary Author and Speaker: Casey Humphrey

Additional Authors and Speakers: Dana Howell

Contributing Authors: Melba Custer

Date Presented 04/05/19

The purpose of this study is to explore if children with learning disabilities experience praxis deficits due to sensory processing disorder. Results suggest that individuals with learning disabilities and ADHD score much more than others on movement processing and body positioning processing. Relationships between praxis skills and sensory processing were inconclusive.

Primary Author and Speaker: Phil Esposito

Additional Authors and Speakers: Del Aguilar

Date Presented 04/05/19

We examined the constructs of behavioral response and threshold of Dunn’s four-quadrant model of sensory processing. We tested if these axes, as measured by the Adult and Adolescent Sensory Profile, are ordinal ranges and if variation is consistent with external measures of characteristics that may also reflect sensory processing, Eysenck's personality model, and somatosensory event-related potentials and sensory gating.

Primary Author and Speaker: Alexia Metz

Contributing Authors: Daniella Boling, Ashley DeVore, Holly Holladay, Karen Karmol, Jo Fu Liao

Date Presented 04/05/19

Agricultural injuries lead to loss of work time and resultant negative effects for physical and mental health. Limited published research exists regarding the efficacy of OT intervention to mitigate or prevent such injuries. A systematic review exploring such interventions for management or prevention of agriculture-related injuries reveals that musculoskeletal interventions along with environmental modifications and client education are supported by evidence.

Primary Author and Speaker: Katrin Volkmer

Additional Authors and Speakers: Whitney Lucas Molitor

Date Presented 04/05/19

This study investigated the occupational needs of LGBTQ young people in a transitional housing facility. Primary needs identified were home management, work and work preparation, social skills, and financial management. OTs can develop programming for young people that addresses independent living skills for residential stability using a developmental, trauma-informed, occupation-based approach.

Primary Author and Speaker: Callan McDermott

Additional Authors and Speakers: Emily Simpson

Contributing Authors: Lauren Hild

Date Presented 04/05/19

OT research is virtually nonexistent in many lower-middle-income countries. In this study, researchers partnered with a community organization to explore a culturally grounded and relevant role for OT with families of children with Down syndrome in Kyrgyzstan.

Primary Author and Speaker: Allison Burns

Contributing Authors: Parul Bakhshi, Kathy Kniepmann, Lauren Milton

Date Presented 04/05/19

The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the health beliefs of community-dwelling African American male elders and the activities or behaviors associated with these beliefs. This research topic will advance the practice of OT through providing a client-centered perspective of the major influences on health behaviors and the role of engagement for a high-risk minority population.

Primary Author and Speaker: Leslie Roundtree

Additional Authors and Speakers: Farnaz Chaudhry, Rudi Holland, Katrina Morgan, Jacek Tomczak

Date Presented 04/05/19

Physician-assisted suicide (PAS) is increasing in the health professions community and has political relevance and ethical considerations. OTs play a holistic role in patients finding meaning and joy in their lives. To do this job to an OT’s best ability, it is important to have an understanding of the process of PAS and the views of other OTs on this topic. This was a critically needed research study due to the lack of data and research on PAS from an OT's view.

Primary Author and Speaker: Lauren Johnson

Additional Authors and Speakers: Shelby O'Connor, Alyssa Leathers, Morgan Voorhes, Kaitlyn Higgins, Linda Scheirton

Date Presented 04/06/19

OT is actively responding to the current political climate of healthcare reform with the reaffirmation of professional roots in occupation. Therapists are advocating for the power of occupation as an evidence-based practice, yet in many settings is under-utilized. OTs find value in occupation-based interventions (OBI), but are facing barriers to implementation. This study examined the current trends and barriers in the use of OBI in the hand-therapy setting.

Primary Author and Speaker: Erin Phillips

Additional Authors and Speakers: Efthemia Tounas, Meghan Waack, Kelsey Traetow

Date Presented 04/06/19

Study aim was to evaluate the frequency and severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms and cognitive impairment at ICU dismissal and three months after hospital dismissal. Delirium, days of invasive ventilator use, and ICU length of stay were associated with worse psychocognitive scores. Data indicates cognitive impairment and anxiety and depression symptoms can be present at ICU dismissal, but not significantly different across ICU settings, suggesting an OT role in intervention and assessment.

Primary Author and Speaker: Jennifer Bergstrom

Additional Authors and Speakers: Leah Struss

Date Presented 04/06/19

The purpose of this study was to look at the relationship between adaptive skills and school readiness in preschool-age children with Down syndrome. Results show expressive communications skills and personal daily living skills were the strongest predictors of school readiness. By identifying predictors and areas of weakness, OTs can better support these individuals, maximize skill development, and ease their transition to kindergarten.

Primary Author and Speaker: Phil Esposito

Additional Authors and Speakers: Megan Bowers

Date Presented 04/06/19

Interprofessional education (IPE) is increasingly emphasized in educational curricula. Despite this, variation exists regarding methods for implementation and delivery of such content. As such, development of course content emphasizing interprofessional collaboration in OT education is critical. Results following an IPE course among students from three professional disciplines demonstrate increased knowledge of teamwork and collaborative care.

Primary Author and Speaker: Whitney Lucas Molitor

Additional Authors and Speakers: Allison Naber

Contributing Authors: Angela MacCabe, Julie Johnson

Date Presented 04/06/19

OTs must abide by certain standards to maintain a license to practice. Despite the existence of various studies on licensure loss in other healthcare professions, no prior research has been conducted regarding OT licensure revocation. The most common reasons for OT licensure loss were fraud and criminal conviction. These results can enhance ethical decision making in practice as well as educational curricula.

Primary Author and Speaker: Regina Drummond

Contributing Authors: Myrel Agbayani, Christine Chong, Chris Josko, Shelby Murley

Date Presented 04/06/19

Photovoice was used as a participatory tool to document how the experience of having a sibling with developmental disability influenced the lives of well siblings. Data were collected from three cohorts: young child, adolescent, and young adult well siblings. Six major themes arose: (1) normalcy, (2) challenges, (3) support, (4) learned, (5) similarities, and (6) happiness.

Primary Author and Speaker: Alexia Metz

Contributing Authors: Sarah Hayes, Kristy Bernard, Dianna Temple, Briana Klingle

Date Presented 04/06/19

In a sample of 389 student veterans, we employed regression to establish that the meaningfulness of occupation mediated the relationship between social and community-based occupation and both psychological and subjective well-being. Occupation was also associated with greater coping skills and social support, in turn contributing to greater psychological and subjective well-being, respectively. Findings support OTs’ use of occupation to promote veterans’ well-being.

Primary Author and Speaker: Adam Kinney

Additional Authors and Speakers: Aaron Eakman

Date Presented 04/06/19

The results of a national survey of OTAs and OTs who work in geriatric settings will be presented. The findings will be of interest to clinicians who are frustrated by constraints that interfere with their ability to deliver services to their clients. Evidence of a relationship between high moral distress and leaving a position will be of interest to managers. The study supports the need for educators to teach strategies for conflict resolution.

Primary Author and Speaker: Neil Penny

Date Presented 04/06/19

Collaboration during provision of low-vision services is paramount to comprehensive service delivery. Despite rural practitioners having decreased access to other members of the rehabilitation team, professional collaboration occurred similarly among OTs working in rural, micropolitan, and urban settings. Methods of collaboration, including online technology, should be explored as a means of increasing interprofessional collaboration to foster improved client outcomes.

Primary Author and Speaker: Whitney Lucas Molitor

Additional Authors and Speakers: Diana Feldhacker

Date Presented 04/04/19

Existing research suggests that better outcomes of children in temporary placements occur when proxy caregivers exhibit commitment toward children in their care and presence of a consistent relationship exists. The purpose of this poster is to present findings of a mixed-methodology study exploring the perceptions of RTF caregivers’ in their occupation.

Primary Author and Speaker: Amy Lynch

Additional Authors and Speakers: Bethany Hepp

Date Presented 04/04/19

This survey of patient members of an online health community who use power wheelchairs suggests that OTs may better meet patient functional and social needs during power wheelchair assessment by discussing power wheelchair features that are available but may not be covered by insurance, as well as recommendations for avoiding complications. While most respondents felt their medical needs were assessed, few patients felt their social needs are being discussed in assessments.

Primary Author and Speaker: Sherry Xiao

Additional Authors and Speakers: Helene Svahn, Karin Leire, Angela Regier

Contributing Authors: Kristina Simacek, Paul Wicks, Elizabeth Lawler, Christopher Curran, Jamie Granskie

Date Presented 04/04/19

The innovative use of a feeding, swallowing, and nutrition interprofessional education event gave students the opportunity to learn about and practice various aspects of how OTs, speech therapists, and nutritionists work together. Students from these three different fields of study expanded their knowledge of each profession’s scope of practice and learned how interprofessional collaboration can result in the maximum benefit for a client in the healthcare setting.

Primary Author and Speaker: Veronica Rowe

Additional Authors and Speakers: Emily Millard, Chelsea Clarkson

Date Presented 04/04/19

This poster reports the findings of an autoethnographic study about the lived experience of anorexia within the context of culture. Results suggest that when anorexia is viewed as an issue of control, it can lead to a spiral of self-blame and shame that promotes isolating occupational behaviors and hinders the recovery process. This study adds evidence to the value of clinicians understanding anorexia from a personal and cultural perspective not adequately addressed in a medical model framework.

Primary Author and Speaker: Melanie Klyop

Contributing Authors: Valerie Howells

Date Presented 04/04/19

Disparities exist in the early identification of underserved children with ASD. Our study used a large university sample to examine subtypes of children with an eventual ASD diagnosis based on parent concerns and sociodemographics. Results suggest that children with speech parent concerns are most likely identified earlier, regardless of race, ethnicity, or SES. However, our findings point to the difficulty in identifying girls with ASD and children with social and behavior parent concerns.

Primary Author and Speaker: Anna Wallisch

Contributing Authors: Lauren Little, Evan Dean, Winnie Dunn

Date Presented 04/04/19

Disparities exist regarding ASD diagnosis for Latino children. Findings from narrative interviews exploring how Latino parents and caregivers perceive ASD diagnosis will help illuminate how health information is communicated within this at-risk population and inform the development of future targeted education and intervention programs.

Primary Author and Speaker: Lucia Florindez

Additional Authors and Speakers: Dominique Como, Daniella Florindez, Sharon Cermak, Leah Duker

Date Presented 04/04/19

Little is known about how families from different racial and ethnic backgrounds report family impact associated with caregiving children with autism. We examined family impact variables among caregivers from different racial and ethnic backgrounds from the National Survey of Children with Special Healthcare Needs (n=5,178) and found significant differences on financial spending and time spent caregiving. These differences may impact providers' work to engage in culturally relevant therapy.

Primary Author and Speaker: Teal Benevides

Contributing Authors: Jiwon Lee, Jessica Franks, Nonye Nwosu

Date Presented 04/05/19

Family caregivers are integral to our healthcare and long-term services and supports system. As such, effective collaboration must exist between OT and other healthcare providers and family caregivers when their loved ones are hospitalized and when they are discharged to home and community settings. We identify and describe types of interactions and barriers to these interactions, among healthcare providers, hospitalized older adults, and family caregivers.

Primary Author and Speaker: Beth Fields

Contributing Authors: Juleen Rodakowski

Date Presented 04/05/19

This poster explores the HRQOL of youth with MS, as measured by the KIDSCREEN27. Findings indicate a relatively robust HRQOL in a North American sample of 32 children and adolescents, however the potential need for OT program development in specified subgroups may exist. This information is important as we work to expand our role in health and wellness, potentially by helping children manage chronic illnesses such as MS.

Primary Author and Speaker: Andrea Tyszka

Additional Authors and Speakers: Ruth Farber

Date Presented 04/05/19

Play affords the opportunity for children to develop cognitive, motor, and social skills. Gaps exist in the literature related to temporal play characteristics in infants and toddlers. The goal of this study was to track the frequency and duration of different play behaviors. The average duration and average frequency increased for play object choice, play purpose, and play construction. An overall decrease in duration and frequency for play type occurred as the infants and toddlers matured (between 8 and 16 months).

Primary Author and Speaker: Bryan Gee

Additional Authors and Speakers: Amanda Neilsen

Date Presented 04/05/19

Primary Author and Speaker: Rachel Meinert

Additional Authors and Speakers: Beth Hatkevich

Date Presented 04/04/19

Musculoskeletal disorders, including the elbow, wrist, and hand, are very common disabilities worldwide. Patients who experience elbow, wrist, and hand musculoskeletal pain are frequently seen in outpatient therapy. Using a sample of 89,422 patients from 3,400 outpatient clinics, this session will identify immutable and mutable factors that are the best predictors of a high functional recovery.

Primary Author and Speaker: Jason Hughes

Additional Authors and Speakers: Teal Benevides, Pamalyn Kearney, Michael Iwama, Leigh Lehman

Contributing Authors: Ying-Chih Wang

Date Presented 04/05/19

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of yoga on stress and anxiety levels within the OT college student population compared to a matched control group performing physical exercise alone. Findings supported the use of yoga as a stress-reduction tool. This research aligns with previously reported literature stating that yoga has a positive impact in reducing stress levels and suggests that academic programs implement scheduled stress management curricula for students.

Primary Author and Speaker: BrieLynn Sturm

Additional Authors and Speakers: Melinda Cozzolino

Contributing Authors: Sebastian Harenberg

Date Presented 04/05/19

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a syndrome defined as an intermediate stage between cognitively intact and clinically diagnosed dementia; the age-adjusted prevalence of MCI in Taiwan is approximately 18%. Combination of cognitive training and exercise has been found to be effective for improving cognitive functions. However, it is still unclear which combination method could induce better training effects. This study provides and discusses emerging work from Taiwan’s experience.

Primary Author and Speaker: Ching-yi Wu

Additional Authors and Speakers: I-Ching Chuang

Date Presented 04/05/19

Outdoor play has physical, cognitive, and social emotional benefits and has a direct positive influence on children’s development. It also provides a rich possibility for use in pediatric OT intervention. The results of this mixed-methods survey describe how OTs are using outdoor play in their practices and explore the barriers and affordances for using outdoor play in OT sessions.

Primary Author and Speaker: Kimberly Wilkinson

Additional Authors and Speakers: Julia Rossi, Louise Scott-Cole, Raleigh Silvia, Sarah King

Contributing Authors: Claire Allman, Alexis Kennedy, Jamie Langan, Stephanie Lasnicki, Alison Miller, Katarina Schutt, Hannah Wilcox

Date Presented 04/05/19

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of Ellie’s Meditative Movements (EMM) on persons with chronic conditions. The quasi-experimental study utilized a pretest, posttest, and follow-up design. Twenty-four participants completed the intervention. Results showed significant impact on symptoms of anxiety, depression, fatigue, emotional and functional well-being, and quality of life. EMM may contribute to improved symptom management and quality of life for persons with chronic conditions.

Primary Author and Speaker: Virgil Mathiowetz

Date Presented 04/05/19

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular-disease-related death among breast-cancer survivors (BCS). Adhering to dietary and physical activity recommendations can help reduce MetS, but many women face challenges with lifestyle behavior change after cancer treatment, and few programs exist to support such efforts. Evidence-based habit development strategies in combination with OT intervention could reduce MetS risk factors among rural BCS.

Primary Author and Speaker: Heather Fritz

Contributing Authors: Wassim Tarraf

Date Presented 04/05/19

Although prison dog-training programs have increased in prevalence, little research on the topic exists. We used quantitative and qualitative methods in a repeated measures design to study effects of a dog-training program in a women’s prison. We found positive effects on empathy and academic and workplace self-confidence. Further, the program fostered improved parenting attitudes. We are beginning a similar study in a male institution to compare outcomes between female and male offenders.

Primary Author and Speaker: Samantha Bauer

Additional Authors and Speakers: Regina Abel

Date Presented 04/04/19

Approximately 795,000 Americans experience a stroke each year, which leads to a decrease in function. Robotic therapy is being tested as an intervention for upper-extremity rehabilitation in stroke. However, research indicates that there is insufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of robotic therapy over conventional therapy. As OTs consider additional methods of delivering therapy, this review informs them about the effectiveness of robotics.

Primary Author and Speaker: Rochelle Mendonca

Additional Authors and Speakers: Kerry Sheehy, Emily Freedman, Namrata Grampurohit

Date Presented 04/04/19

Stress and anxiety have major negative implications for student quality of life (QOL). We designed a study to examine effects of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) or progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) on stress and anxiety in graduate students. Preliminary results of physiological and psychological tests showed a decrease in heart rate and state anxiety in both AAT and PMR groups. This study provides evidence of interventions to improve QOL and health in graduate students.

Primary Author and Speaker: Brandi Hertel

Contributing Authors: Regina Abel

Date Presented 04/04/19

This project examined existing applications of the SAFE PLACE model using a grounded theory approach to identify common themes that occurred during individual sessions as a means of validating or refuting the core principles proposed by the model. Themes of communication, management and engagement of activities, expression of emotion and affect, and interpersonal interactions provided preliminary validation of the model.

Primary Author and Speaker: Teresa May-Benson

Contributing Authors: Alison Teasdale

Date Presented 04/04/19

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ceramics as an intervention for reducing stress in OT and PT graduate students. A cross-sectional approach was utilized on 28 OT and PT students. Stress levels were determined by a pre- and posttest design, a visual analog scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and an open-ended question. The results of the study showed a significant reduction in stress for the OT and PT graduate students who painted ceramics.

Primary Author and Speaker: Jewell Dickson

Additional Authors and Speakers: Abigail Alvarez, Chelsea DeJesus, Naureen Jooma

Contributing Authors: Cindy LaPorte

Date Presented 04/04/19

This scoping review assessed the current state of the OT literature regarding the military population. Twenty-seven articles were examined that facilitated mapping of the current evidence. Results indicate research has focused on the needs of service members and veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. Further research is warranted to address the occupational needs of older veterans; gender, racial, and ethnic minorities; and military families to guide future research and advance best practice.

Primary Author and Speaker: Amanda Carroll

Date Presented 04/04/19

As technology use continues to advance in educational settings as well as daily life, effective use of computers, including keyboarding skills, is becoming increasingly more critical. This session will review two different keyboarding instructional approaches for the elementary-school setting. Outcomes including keyboarding speed, accuracy, and technique will be reported for approximately 1,900 total students included in this study. Relevance to OT services will be discussed.

Primary Author and Speaker: Denise Donica

Additional Authors and Speakers: Peter Giroux, Young Joo Kim

Date Presented 04/06/19

This scoping review examined research on the association between sensory processing and internalizing behavior among individuals ages 1-22 years. Findings suggest that sensory processing sensitivity was positively associated with various conditions, personality characteristics, aspects of family life, anxiety, and mental health difficulties. Findings from this scoping review may inform intervention approaches that target the sensory processing underpinnings of internalizing behaviors.

Primary Author and Speaker: Kasey Kotsiris

Additional Authors and Speakers: Lauren Little