Trends in Occupational Therapy Research and Practical Applications for Providers

Research Special Interest Section

Transition from the IFSP to the IEP: The Changing Roles of the Occupational Therapy Practitioner in Part C vs Part B of IDEA

Pauline Kelly, OTD, OTR/L 

Establishing Fieldwork Site Objectives for Entry-Level Development 

The Impact of Vestibular Processing on Attention and School Performance: A case study

Dominique Blanche Kiefer, OTD, OTR/L, BCP

Elevating Fieldwork Experiences: The Role of Evidence-Based Practice in Occupational Therapy

Kristina Hartsook, DrOT, OTR/L, BCP

Empowering students in fieldwork: Building emotional intelligence skills through self-assessment 

Lucerito R. Gonzalez, COTA/L, MSOTS

Decreasing Lymph Volume With the Use of Deep Oscillation Therapy

Candice D. Young E.d.S., COTA/L, CLT

The Experiences of Siblings of Individuals with Special Needs   

Kim Dudzinski, EdD, OTR/L, Mary Stein, OT-S, Veronica Sarti, OT-S, Alexis Bellacera, OT-S, & Hannah Sbacchi, OT-S 

Home and community health therapy services post Public Health Emergency (PHE)

Amanda Kotolski, Ph.D., OTR/L

Occupational Therapy interventions to address axillary web syndrome: A debilitating side effect of breast cancer treatment

Brittany Hypes, OTD, OTR/L, CSRS, C-MLD, Kaye Rubio, Ph.D., MHS, OTR/L, CLT-LANA, & Kristin Domville, OTD, MOT, OTR/L

A critique of the meshing hypothesis:

Using Shulman’s knowledge domain theory to facilitate effective instruction 

An evidence-based guide to combining interventions with sensory integration in pediatric practice: A book review

by: Gustavo Reinoso, Ph.D., OTR/L and Thomas J. Decker, Ed.D. OTD, OTR/L

Because of the complexity of the clients we assess and treat utilizing sensory integration, we often wonder about how we can best address a family’s needs by incorporating other approaches during our busy practices. The concept of combining and blending approaches is not new. In 1995, Blanche, Botticelli and Hallway published a textbook “Combining Neuro-Developmental Treatment and Sensory Integration principles: An Approach to Pediatric Practice.” The textbook was well-received among clinicians

Telehealth value and future considerations in pediatric occupational therapy practice to support innovation and healthcare equity

by: Elizabeth Morejon, OTD, OTR/L, CSIPT,  and Evelyn Terrell, OTD, MS/HAS, OT/L

Integrating research into fieldwork experiences: Benefits for practitioners, students, and faculty

by: Annemarie Connor, PhD, OTR/L, Sarah Fabrizi PhD, OTR/L, and Adrienne Yaryan, OT-S, and Kevin Ortiz, OT-S

As new occupational therapy programs continue to develop, it has become more difficult to find fieldwork (FW) sites for students since practitioners are less willing to supervise students due to the lack of resources, limited time, and questions of student preparedness (Varland et al., 2017). Unfortunately, this predicament is now exacerbated in the era of COVID-19. Emerging practice fieldwork sites, largely focused on prevention and health promotion in community-based practice, have been one mechanism for creating meaningful and productive fieldwork sites during this increasingly challenging landscape (Clarke et al., 2015; Dancza et al., 2013). 

The pelvic floor: The muscle group we all should know more about

by: Sujata Martins, MS, OTR/L, CD

Out of sight, out of mind is a common saying for most and unfortunately tends to be applied to the pelvic floor. By learning to take care of our pelvic floor, most of us can avoid embarrassing accidents, as well as spending money on incontinence products, medications, and even surgery. It is also extremely valuable for pregnant women in order to prepare for delivery and postpartum healing, and plays an important role in intimacy. 

Lymphedema Basics: Increasing Client Occupations

by: Candice D. Young E.d.S., COTA/L, CLT

Increasing independence in occupations is what occupational practitioners are known for. For many experienced clinicians, it is a daily routine recognized through experience through evidence-based practices. However, many clients suffer from diseases uncontrolled by either primary or secondary causes resulting in delayed healing or ongoing therapy services. The growing anxieties of past medical history, congenital conditions, or surgeries are not always straightforward nor understandable, and the complications may be unknown. Lymphedema could be lurking in the foreseeable future for many with no current cure and awaiting breakthrough treatments (Schaverien and Aldrich (2018).  

Wake up to the occupation of sleep: Its importance in the older adult

by: Anette Bullard, MEd, COTA/L and Anjali Parti, OTD, OTR/L 

Everyone has experienced having to power through the day after a night of not sleeping well with every aspect of the day feeling more challenging due to your lack of sleep. The National Institute of Health (2017) identifies sleep as one of the most important occupations for maintaining all aspects of health. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018) has recognized sleep deprivation as a public health problem with broad, negative effects on safe occupational performance. For the older adults the challenges brought on by age compounded with a lack of sleep can further decrease successful occupational performance. Many age-related changes tend to disturb patterns of sleep and the myth that older adults need less sleep is actually incorrect (Suni, 2022b). The older adult is confronted with additional sleep obstacles such as, chronic conditions, medications, diminished physical activity, and decreased cognitive exercise, all of which have all been associated with decreases in sleep satisfaction. The resulting downward spiral of poor sleep results in less successful occupational engagement. The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework includes ‘rest and sleep’ as an area of occupation and defining occupational therapy practitioners as qualified professionals to assist clients with the occupation of rest and sleep (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2020). This brief article seeks to assist practitioners with identifying resources and awareness for more consistently addressing the occupation of sleep in the older adults.