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Browsing by Author "Schmid, Arlene, advisor"

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    Acquiring stakeholder input on the clinical usefulness of measuring outcomes of therapeutic horseback riding
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Brenneman, Moriah, author; Peters, Caiti, advisor; Schmid, Arlene, advisor; Stallones, Lorann, committee member
    Therapeutic riding (TR) is a recreational activity which provides mounted and ground-based horsemanship opportunities adapted to the abilities of the participants Click or tap here to enter text.. TR provides physical and psychological benefits to participants with diverse disabilities, including physical, developmental, cognitive, and age-related disabilities, promoting higher quality of life (QoL); however, certified therapeutic riding instructors (CTRIs) and centers are limited in their capacity to implement outcome assessments and report the benefits of their community-based TR programs to a broad audience due to credentialing requirements, time restraints, and limited financial resources. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify whether and how TR professionals are currently measuring participant outcomes; benefits and barriers to implementing standardized assessments in TR; and characteristics which would make TR assessments clinically useful in the community TR environment. To address this purpose, we conducted a computer-based survey among TR stakeholders. We identified that while TR professionals measure outcomes among their participants, they typically do not use standardized assessments. Benefits of implementing standardized assessments included bolstering the TR profession, acquiring funding, and communicating about TR services with a broad audience. Barriers to implementing standardized assessments included time, systemic, and expertise constraints. Respondents reported that standardized assessments should be relevant to all age groups and populations who receive TR services. Finally, our respondents reported that for standardized assessments to be clinically useful, they would need to be low-cost (free or $1 – 2 per use), require less than 20 minutes, and available in either paper or computer format. This study revealed that standardized assessments may be a strong support to the TR profession; however, assessments must meet the needs of TR providers in the community.
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    An exploratory cross- case study of parent and teacher perspectives on children's kindergarten experiences following play-based early childhood education
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024) Fyffe, Lisa Ann, author; Davies, Patricia, advisor; Schmid, Arlene, advisor; Quynn, Kristina, committee member; Jennings, Louise, committee member
    Play has been the foundational pedagogical approach to early childhood education dating back to the days of Plato (428-347 B.C.E..) and Socrates (469-399 B.C.E.). Yet recent changes in public policy emphasizing academic content mastery at kindergarten entry threaten the tradition of play as the dominant means of learning for young children enrolled in early childhood education centers. Early childhood professionals argue that pedagogy emphasizing approaches to learning, social relationships, and self-management are essential in preschool, and prepare children for subsequent academic instruction. Parents, fearful that their child will not be ready for kindergarten if they are not exposed to academics early on, place pressure on privately funded early childhood centers to provide academic rigor under the guise of school readiness. The desire for children to develop learning readiness through playing stands in contrast to educational reforms priorities of standardized instruction and measurable academic results to support efficacy in early childhood education programs. Early childhood educators, in response to public policy and parental expectations, may design their preschool curriculum with an academic emphasis, thus disrupting the tradition of play as the dominant means of learning for young children. For play to retain its' importance in early childhood education, research will need to demonstrate how play prepares children for kindergarten. This dissertation explores how children fared in kindergarten following play-based early childhood education at a Reggio-Emilia-inspired preschool. The Reggio Emilia-inspired philosophy of early childhood education emphasizes artistic expression, child-led exploration, engaging environments and collaborative relationships to promote children's curiosity and joyfulness with learning (McNally & Slutsky, 2018). Play-based learning is a pedagogical approach to early childhood education grounded in guided play, where the adult curates a learning context towards an educational goal and the child maintains agency and some degree of freedom to explore and discover while learning (Zosh et al., 2018). Cross-case analysis was used to gain a deep understanding of the experiences of four children navigating kindergarten during the Covid-19-affected 2020-2021 school year. Data included: a series of three 1-hour interviews with four mothers and three kindergarten teachers at the onset, midpoint and conclusion of the school year, field visits during remote learning, and artifact collection including work samples and progress reports. The most substantial findings from this longitudinal study center on three main constructs: school readiness, everyday adaptability, and kindergarten performance, which are each addressed in the three manuscripts included in the dissertation. Finally, I situate my dissertation within the Occupation and Rehabilitative Science framework and conclude my dissertation by describing the implications of this dissertation of occupational therapy practice and future scholarship.
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    Effect of yoga and group occupational therapy on community reintegration and perceived activity constraints for people with chronic stroke
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016) Bolster, Ruby, author; Schmid, Arlene, advisor; Atler, Karen, committee member; Portz, Jennifer, committee member
    Purpose: People with stroke commonly experience perceived activity constraints, or barriers to engaging in activity, as well as challenges with community reintegration. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of an 8-week yoga and group occupational therapy (OT) intervention (Merging Yoga and OT: MY-OT) on perceived activity constraints and community reintegration among individuals with chronic stroke. We also assessed the correlation between perceived activity constraints and community reintegration in this sample. Method: This non-controlled pilot study employed a pre- and post-test design. Fourteen people with chronic stroke participated in MY-OT and completed assessments at baseline and at the completion of the 8-week intervention. Results on an established activity constraints questionnaire and the Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI) were analyzed using Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests. Results: Perceived activity constraint scores improved significantly (76.82±10.97 vs 87.08±9.5, p=.005; 13% change), as did RNLI scores (79.25±15.45 vs 97.92±11.46, p=.004; or a 24% improvement). Perceived activity constraint and RNLI scores demonstrated an excellent and significant correlation (rs=.864, p=0.001). Conclusions: When working with people with chronic stroke, rehabilitation professionals may consider group OT combined with yoga. Rehabilitation professionals may target perceived activity constraints in order to improve community reintegration.
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    Measuring executive function after yoga for adults with acquired brain injury: a pilot study
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2022) Grieb, Emily, author; Schmid, Arlene, advisor; Stephens, Jaclyn, committee member; Riggs, Nathaniel, committee member
    Background: Acquired brain injury (ABI) may result in cognitive impairments, particularly deficits in executive function (EF), which may impact engagement in everyday activities. Yoga has been shown to improve various health outcomes for individuals with ABI. This study aims to explore the impact of group yoga on EF for individuals with ABI. Methods and Materials: This was a single-arm pilot study that involved eight weeks of therapeutic group yoga led by a registered yoga teacher. Nine participants attended hour-long, in-person yoga classes once a week. Sessions included seated, standing, and floor postures combined with breathwork and meditation. EF was assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function for Adults (BRIEF-A) self-report form. Results: The behavioral regulation index improved significantly pre to post yoga. No significant improvements were found on the EF scales, metacognition index, or global executive composite. However, measurable improvements (>5%) were found in the following EF scales: Emotional Control, Plan/Organize, and Organization of Materials. Conclusion: Group-based yoga may improve behavioral regulation for adults with chronic ABI, however further research is needed.
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    Mind-body interventions utilized by an occupational therapist in a medical intensive care unit: an exploratory case study
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2017) Provancha, Alexa F., author; Schmid, Arlene, advisor; Coatsworth, Douglas, committee member; Malcolm, Matthew, committee member
    The medical intensive care unit (MICU) presents a challenging environment within the health care arena. Patients in the MICU are at risk for occupational deprivation, due to a lack of opportunities for purposeful movements and activities, which further impedes recovery. Occupational deprivation occurs when people are not afforded equal opportunities to participate in desired occupations. Mind-body interventions might be a tool for occupational therapists to use a preparatory method to improve patients' physical and psychological health, leading to increased performance and participation in occupations while in the MICU. The purpose of this study was to explore the use of mind-body interventions delivered by an occupational therapist in a MICU. The patient in our case study was within normal ranges for all physiological and mental status variables during the mind-body interventions. Therefore, this study demonstrates that it is feasible for an occupational therapist with proper training and credential to elicit mind-body interventions in this setting, with this patient.
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    Occupational therapists: the quarterbacks of pelvic healthcare
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Le Fevre, Eleanor, author; Schmid, Arlene, advisor; Weaver, Jen, committee member; Fruhauf, Christine, committee member
    Background: The ability to effectively manage chronic issues has a large impact on a person's quality of life. Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a chronic and debilitating disorder which affects millions of people worldwide. PFD is often placed lower in the hierarchy of treatable medical conditions yet has a substantial impact on a person's functional capability. Pelvic health occupational therapists (PHOT)s are emerging practitioners in PFD management. PHOTs provide a client-centred, holistic approach to care. To date PHOT is not well described in the literature or well known in the practice of pelvic healthcare. Aim: To investigate the perceptions of PHOTs, their value in the management of PFD, and how this value is communicated to other healthcare providers (OHCP)s. Methods: This qualitative research study included a demographic survey and one-to-one interviews with PHOTs and lead researchers. Thirteen PHOTs were interviewed by a lead researcher and provided data on their perceptions and interactions with OHCPs. Data collection was completed over a five-month period from July 2022-December 2022. Data collection ended once saturation in responses was reached. Data were analyzed by lead researchers using an in vivo coding process, creation of categories and code book. I created themes and sub-themes driven by the data. Results: Two main themes were created from the data with PHOT participants supporting inclusion of OT in pelvic healthcare; (1) pelvic healthcare is an interdisciplinary field; (2) more practitioners are needed in PHOT. Conclusion: PHOTs perceptions and value on interdisciplinary teams are key to increased communication between PHOTs, OHCPs, and the clients they serve. Further research is needed to define the PHOT role and impact as part of an interdisciplinary team.