Browsing by Author "Schmid, Arlene A., advisor"
Now showing 1 - 18 of 18
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Open Access A qualitative study: the influence of occupational therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction on functioning, disability, and health(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2022) Pearce, Delaney M., author; Schmid, Arlene A., advisor; Atler, Karen E., committee member; Fruhauf, Christine A., committee memberIntroduction: Approximately one quarter of all women in the United States experience symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). Occupational therapy (OT) for PFD is a relatively new area of expertise within the field, resulting in limited research on its efficacy. Objectives: Explore the ways in which OT for PFD influences health using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) as a guide. Method: Four participants completed the study. Eligibility criteria included: >18 years old, biologically female, English speaking, self-reported pelvic floor issue, completed OT intervention for PFD within the last two years. Electronic medical records and Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory Questionnaire-10 (PFDI-20) scores prior to and after completing OT intervention for PFD were reviewed, and semi-structured interviews were conducted. Results: Four themes emerged: 1) improved mental health and physiological function, 2) promotion of the mind-body connection, 3) reintroduction of meaning, and 4) relationships with healthcare professionals and sociocultural influences. Each theme is tied to a component of the ICF. Conclusion: OT for PFD has a positive impact on health per the ICF. This may result in better function and participation in everyday life. More research is needed to investigate the generalizability of these findings.Item Embargo Advancing the transition to employment for young adults with intellectual disabilities through assessment, self-report, and learning from lived experience(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024) Parsons, Cristina C., author; Persch, Andrew C., advisor; Schmid, Arlene A., advisor; Graham, James, committee member; Hickey, Matt, committee member; Cleary, Dennis, committee memberThis dissertation seeks to advance the transition to employment for young adults with intellectual disabilities through three distinct approaches. First, we explore the construct of self-determination specifically as it pertains to the employment of young adults with intellectual disabilities. Second, we intentionally refine an assessment of "vocational fit" for self-report by young adults with intellectual disabilities. Third, we examine how young adults with intellectual disabilities and their families experience barriers to engagement in self-advocacy in navigating complex systems intended to assist with the transition to work. In Study 1, we found evidence to support the idea that the context of employment plays a bigger role in the construct of self-determination than is explicated in current self-determination theories. We learned in Study 2 that young adults with intellectual disabilities can interpret and respond appropriately to a self-report version of a vocational fit assessment. In Study 3, findings taught us that the complexities of support systems intended to assist young adults with intellectual disabilities in reaching their employment goals drastically affects their and their families' ability to advocate for their rights and needs. Taken together, these studies present a multi-faceted approach to improved assessment, inclusion, and access necessary for the successful transition to employment for young adults with intellectual disabilities.Item Open Access An adapted group yoga intervention: the lived experience of individuals with chronic traumatic brain injury(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2017) Roney, Megan A., author; Schmid, Arlene A., advisor; Sample, Pat L., advisor; Stallones, Lorann, committee memberThe purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of individuals with chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI) who participated in an adapted group yoga intervention. Participants attended one-hour yoga sessions twice a week for eight weeks and described their experiences through focus groups and individual interviews. Data accumulated were analysed using a coding process to generate themes of what experiences occurred, how experiences occurred, and why experiences occurred. Participants described experiencing the yoga intervention as a progression from initially expecting physical benefits from yoga to feeling safe and comfortable in the yoga intervention classes and among fellow participants, and to experiencing physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. Participants stated that these experiences carried over into their daily lives, positively impacting their health maintenance and social participation. Participants attributed their experiences to various structural strategies of the intervention including commonalities among participants, the instructor's dual knowledge of yoga and therapeutic rehabilitation, as well as the adaptability of yoga to their personal needs. Additionally, participant experiences were attributed to a re-conceptualization of what yoga should look and feel like, enhanced body awareness, and feeling supported. The fact that the participants generally expressed beneficial outcomes indicates the need to further research adapted yoga interventions for the population of individuals with chronic TBI.Item Open Access Development of occupation from the therapeutic activity of yoga(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2018) Turner, Kristin M., author; Schmid, Arlene A., advisor; Hooper, Barbara, committee member; Dickman Portz, Jennifer, committee memberParticipation in occupation is essential for human health and well-being. While therapeutic activities and techniques can be useful, they do not contribute to survival, health, or well-being in the powerful way that occupation does; therefore, it is important to understand how occupation develops. While there has been some research on how children develop occupations, little research has been conducted to understand the ways in which adults develop new occupations or the ways in which activities transform into occupations. This study explored the development of one potential occupation, yoga, among a group of eight people participating in a study of yoga for chronic pain. Interviews and a focus group were used to explore the process, supports, and barriers of yoga developing as an occupation. Several results were most significant. First, the process of yoga developing as an occupation varied among participants and progressed non-sequentially. The process included the elements of initial reluctance, consistency, meaning increase, transfer, and identity. Second, the process of yoga developing as an occupation was supported by several factors: the yoga classes being adapted and accessible to participant abilities; the class transforming into a socially meaningful group experience; and yoga becoming more meaningful as participants recognized their personal benefits.Item Open Access Do participants with chronic pain have improved self-efficacy after completing the MY-Skills intervention?(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2020) Kinkel, Charla, author; Schmid, Arlene A., advisor; Atler, Karen E., committee member; Fruhauf, Christine A., committee memberPurpose: The aim of this study was to explore if participants with chronic pain have improved self-efficacy in performing daily activities and managing pain symptoms after completing the Merging Yoga and self-management Skills program (MY-Skills). Method: Care dyads, comprised of caregivers and care-recipients with chronic pain were recruited to complete the 8-week MY-Skills intervention. Twice each week, participants engaged in a one-hour group self-management course followed by a one-hour group yoga session developed for care dyads with chronic pain. Self-efficacy outcomes were collected using the Chronic Pain Self-Efficacy Scale (pain management, physical function, coping with symptoms); the PROMIS® Self-Efficacy for Managing Daily Activities Short Form 4a; and the PROMIS Self-Efficacy for Managing Symptoms Short Form 4a. Data for all participants were analyzed using a paired t-test. A post hoc exploratory analysis of separate caregiver and care-recipient outcomes was conducted using a Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Results: Eight participants completed the study (50.23±14.77 avg. age, 77% female, 69% with pain for > 10 years). The participants reported increased self-efficacy across all measures and domains, with significant improvement found for self-efficacy for physical function (38.97±19.45 vs. 59.10±18.60, p = .004). The post hoc exploratory analysis showed increased self-efficacy in all caregiver outcomes. Care-recipients reported increased self-efficacy in all areas except pain management, which significantly decreased. Conclusion: MY-Skills improved self-efficacy to varying degrees for participants in aggregate. Improvements in self-efficacy related to physical function demonstrated that MY-Skills increased participants' confidence in performing everyday occupations such as running errands, doing chores, working, and socializing. Interventions that improve self-efficacy, like MY-Skills, may help people with chronic pain gain function, problem-solving, and coping skills to reclaim a sense of control and enhance quality of life.Item Open Access Group occupational therapy and yoga: the caregiver experience(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016) Hinsey, Katie M., author; Schmid, Arlene A., advisor; Atler, Karen E., committee member; Fruhauf, Christine, committee memberThe purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the experiences of caregivers of people with stroke after participating in a group occupational therapy and yoga intervention (MY-OT). Participants elected to either participate in the 8 week MY-OT intervention or to not attend. Participants completed the Zarit Burden Interview and Positive Aspects of Caring scale retrospectively after the MY-OT intervention. Caregivers also chose to participate in focus groups and individual interviews following the intervention. Qualitative data were analysed using an iterative, coding process to generate larger themes based on caregiver experience. Caregivers who attended the MY-OT intervention saw a 47% decrease in caregiver burden and a 26% increase in positive aspects of caring. Those who did not attend saw a 2% decrease in caregiver burden and a 4% decrease in positive aspects of caring. Five themes were elicited from focus groups and interviews: 1) Changes in daily life; 2) Coping Mechanisms; 3) Learning through observation; 4) Sense of community and 5) Learning new information. Group occupational therapy, focused on self-management, and yoga are effective and beneficial interventions for the caregiver and care recipient together.Item Open Access Merging yoga and occupational therapy for Parkinson's disease(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2019) Swink, Laura A., author; Schmid, Arlene A., advisor; Atler, Karen E., committee member; Fruhauf, Christine A., committee member; Fling, Brett W., committee memberPurpose: The purpose of this dissertation was to develop a fall risk self-management program for people with Parkinson's disease (Merging Yoga and Occupational Therapy for Parkinson's Disease [MY-OT for PD]), conduct a feasibility and pilot study, and analyze outcomes following the MY-OT for PD program. Method: This dissertation includes three studies. Study One was a qualitative study which focused on the adaptation of a program originally designed for individuals with chronic stroke (i.e. Merging Yoga and Occupational Therapy) and development of a new program to specifically meet the needs of people with Parkinson's disease (PwP) (i.e. MY-OT for PD). To complete Study One, we conducted a focus group with PwP and nine expert interviews. Study One results led to the creation of Stage 1 manuals to guide the MY-OT for PD program. In Study Two, we completed the 8-week (14-session) MY-OT for PD program and focused on feasibility and pilot testing. Feasibility was assessed related to the process, resources, management, and scientific basis of the program. The following outcome measures were collected: five fall management scales, concern about falling, balance, balance confidence, and self-reported falls. Study Three was a mixed-methods analysis of health-related quality of life following the MY-OT for PD program. The quantitative outcome was a HRQoL standardized assessment specifically for PwP. The qualitative data were collected via two focus groups with participants after the program in which participants were asked about eight HRQoL domains from the quantitative assessment. Results: In the qualitative development study, three themes were identified related to revision of the MY-OT program (and development of Stage 1 manuals): revisions to the guiding model, revisions to content, revisions to delivery. We outlined changes to the manuals in relation to each theme and developed a new guiding model (the PD Fall Risk Model), altered manual content, and altered delivery aspects of the manual to create the PD-specific MY-OT for PD Stage 1 program manuals. We then implemented and tested the 8-week, 14-session MY-OT for PD program. Eighteen participants enrolled, one dropped out during the control period, and 17 participants completed an average of 12.82/14 sessions. Improvements were seen on all outcome measures, and significant differences were seen between the control and intervention periods on one of the fall management scales and balance, with significantly greater scores improvements during the intervention period as compared to the control period. HRQoL results were mixed because quantitative results showed no significant differences in HRQoL following the MY-OT for PD program, while qualitative results showed noted improvements in all HRQoL domains. Conclusion: MY-OT for PD is one promising program that decreased the number of self-reported falls during the intervention, improved balance, and participants reported improvements in HRQoL. In order to complete future trials, MY-OT for PD would need to be modified based on participant feedback and analysis of outcomes following the feasibility and pilot testing in Studies Two and Three.Item Open Access Merging yoga and occupational therapy for Parkinson's disease improves fatigue management and activity and participation measures(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2019) Hill, Heather M., author; Schmid, Arlene A., advisor; Atler, Karen E., committee member; Fling, Brett W., committee memberIntroduction: The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the influence of a fall-risk management intervention, Merging Yoga and Occupational Therapy for Parkinson's Disease (MY-OT-PD), on fatigue and activity and participation measures, as well as examine the relationship between fatigue and activity and participation measures in Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: This mixed methods study included 17 participants with PD. Participants took the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health Measure of Participation and Activities Screener (IMPACT-S) at three separate eight-week intervals: baseline (followed by an eight-week control period), pre-intervention, and post-intervention. Focus groups were completed at the conclusion of the study to qualitatively explore participants' perception of the intervention related to their fatigue and activity and participation levels. Results: Fatigue and activity and participation measures were significantly correlated (r = 0.76). Activity and participation measures (IMPACT-S) significantly improved after the intervention (p = 0.012). Four themes related to fatigue and/or activity and participation emerged following qualitative analysis including: 1) managing fatigue: paying attention and acting accordingly; 2) creating mindfulness in daily activities; 3) giving and receiving within a community; and 4) strengthening relationship to self and others. Conclusion: Participants experienced improvement in activity and participation measures as well as perceived fatigue management after engagement in a community-based, fall-risk management program, MY-OT-PD.Item Open Access Mind over matter: an exploratory case study of mind-body interventions in the burn unit(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2019) Anderson, Abby, author; Schmid, Arlene A., advisor; Atler, Karen E., committee member; Yuma, Paula, committee memberIntroduction: The aim of this case study was to explore the experience of five patients who participated in mind-body based occupational therapy (MB-OT) while in the burn unit. Individual responses to mind-body practices were assessed and patient perspectives were included to better understand what MB-OT brought to the recovery process.Item Embargo Occupational therapists' perspectives and role with illness-induced trauma from medical conditions(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Beyers, Camryn, author; Schmid, Arlene A., advisor; Weaver, Jennifer A., committee member; Currin-McCulloch, Jen, committee memberIllness-induced trauma might cause a disruption in an individual's occupational performance. This study examined occupational therapy practitioner's perspectives and role in addressing illness-induced trauma in practice. In this explanatory sequential mixed methods design, twenty-four occupational therapists completed an online survey and ten occupational therapists participated in a semi-structured 1:1 interview. Survey questions asked about their knowledge of illness-induced trauma. Interview questions asked therapists about how they incorporate illness-induced trauma knowledge and trauma-informed care into their practice. Quantitative results showed that the majority of occupational therapists did not receive formal trauma-informed care training, 96% agreed that psychological trauma has a significant impact on rehabilitation outcomes, and 8% agreed that current guidelines for trauma-informed care adequately consider the needs of clients with illness-induced trauma. Qualitative results indicated three major themes: occupational therapy approaches, illness-induced trauma's effect on rehabilitation, and barriers to providing trauma-informed care. Findings suggest that occupational therapy practitioners have a unique perspective on addressing illness-induced trauma and their ability to practice trauma-informed care could support a client's ability to process and heal after a traumatic medical event.Item Embargo Occupational therapists' perspectives on their unique role in pelvic health(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Fyhrie, Jennifer, author; Schmid, Arlene A., advisor; Weaver, Jennifer, committee member; Fruhauf, Christine A., committee memberIntroduction: Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) may present as urinary/fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and/or pelvic pain. These symptoms have been shown to cause disruption to individuals' activities of daily living and decrease quality of life. Conservative estimates indicate 28 million women are affected by PFD worldwide. The core of occupational therapy (OT) is to mitigate barriers to engagement in occupations of one's choosing, yet there is a gap in the literature detailing occupational therapy practitioners' (OTP) perspectives on their unique contributions in pelvic health. Methods: This exploratory descriptive study utilized an online survey to purposively recruit OTPs and screen individuals for an interview. Inclusion criteria required that participants a) be a licensed or retired OTP, b) have at least one year experience as an OTP, and c) have any professional experience in pelvic health. One-on-one semi-structured interviews occurred on a virtual platform, were audio-recorded, and transcribed. Using Dedoose software, thematic inductive analysis was conducted. Results: Thirty-one individuals completed the survey, 21 were eligible to participate, and 13 participated in an interview. It was found that OTPs believe they offer a unique contribution to the pelvic health field. Three primary qualitative themes were generated that elaborate on this belief: OTPs apply a psychosocial lens, the OT approach is comprehensive, and OTPs use occupation-focused interventions when working with people with PFD (e.g., consider the influence of client mental health as client preferences, culture, and lifestyle). Conclusion: This study identified the perceptions of OTPs regarding their unique approach to working with clients in pelvic health. Data suggests that OTPs complement the biomechanical focus of other pelvic health providers by recognizing the role of mental health and intervening to down-regulate the nervous system.Item Open Access Perceived impact and experience of long-term yoga involvement for people with chronic pain(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2018) Rose, Caroline M., author; Schmid, Arlene A., advisor; Atler, Karen E., committee member; Portz, Jennifer D., committee memberIntroduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the perceived impact and experience of long-term involvement in a community-based group yoga class for people with chronic pain. Methods: Eleven participants, who previously completed an 8-week yoga intervention and continued attending yoga at a community pain clinic for 2 years, took part in the study. A mixed methods approach was employed. Two-year follow-ups of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) were collected and compared to baseline COPM scores to measure change in perceived occupational performance and satisfaction. Individual qualitative interviews were conducted to explore participants' perceived impact and experience of long-term yoga involvement. COPM data were analyzed using Wilcoxon sign ranked non-parametric tests and qualitative interviews were analyzed using an inductive approach. Findings: COPM performance and satisfaction scores significantly improved between baseline and follow up after 2 years of yoga. Three main themes emerged from the qualitative interviews: 1) Occupational shift from "living" to "existing," 2) The change process is "progressive," and 3) Yoga is "a positive thing I do in my life." Conclusion: Long-term involvement in community-based group yoga may improve and sustain occupational health and well-being. Therefore, occupational therapists may consider yoga as a tool to promote occupational health in people with chronic pain.Item Open Access The integration of yoga into occupational therapy practice for people with multiple sclerosis(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2020) Candray, Haylee A., author; Schmid, Arlene A., advisor; Atler, Karen A., committee member; Fling, Brett W., committee memberThe purpose of this study was to fill a research gap, by providing initial insight into the use of yoga in occupational therapy practice (OT) for people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). More specifically, this study aimed to answer how and why occupational therapists (OTs) integrate yoga into clinical practice for PwMS. Eight OTs, residing across the United States, completed an online survey and semi-structured telephone interview. Telephone interviews were transcribed verbatim and inductively open coded. Themes, answering the questions of how and why OTs use yoga for PwMS, emerged through thematic data analysis including: (1) OT and yoga are a natural and complementary fit; (2) holistic benefits for clients beyond therapy; (3) leveraging personal ties to yoga; and (4) use of yoga is dependent on client factors and clinical environment. Since OTs use activities to promote health and well-being, yoga may be appropriate for PwMS because its use is context- and client-centered and allows for shared engagement in a meaningful activity for clients and therapists. Furthermore, as yoga and OT together are a natural and complementary fit, OTs use of yoga may be holistically beneficial to PwMS during and after being discharged from occupational therapy. Future research needs to establish the efficacy of integrating yoga into clinical OT practice as well as qualitatively assess PwMS' experience of engaging in yoga during occupational therapy.Item Open Access The process by which combat-exposed student veterans achieve a meaningful and purposeful life(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2019) Kinney, Adam R., author; Eakman, Aaron M., advisor; Schmid, Arlene A., advisor; Henry, Kimberly L., committee member; Coatsworth, J. Douglas, committee memberBackground: Studies investigating risk and resilience among combat-exposed student Veterans emphasize the impact of combat exposure upon negative health-related outcomes (e.g., depression or posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]). Little is known regarding the risk that combat exposure poses to positive outcomes, such as meaning in life, and protective factors that promote such outcomes despite combat exposure. In particular, there is a lack of research investigating whether activity engagement promotes student Veterans' resilience. Objective: The purpose of this dissertation was to test a series of theoretical propositions that explain the process by which student Veterans achieve resilience. First, I investigated whether combat exposure poses an indirect risk to student Veterans' sense of meaning and purpose in life, through its association with health-related symptoms. Second, I investigated whether protective factors, including indicators of activity engagement, promoted student Veterans' sense of meaning and purpose in life despite combat exposure and health-related symptoms (combat-related risk). Protective factors were considered to operate in two models of resilience: 1) a compensatory model, whereby protective factors promote life meaning independently of combat-related risk, or 2) a moderator model, whereby the protective factors weaken the effect of combat exposure upon life meaning. Method: This dissertation is composed of three studies, each of which analyzed data obtained through an online survey of 153 combat-exposed student Veterans at two time points. The online survey contained psychometrically sound assessments of: combat exposure, health status (PTSD; depressive; somatic symptoms), meaning in life, and six protective factors (social support; instructor autonomy support, coping ability; academic self-efficacy; social and community participation; and meaningful activity). In study one, I considered meaning and purpose in life as an inferential construct, whereby a meaningful life was operationalized as high levels of composite indicators of belonging (social support; instructor autonomy support), self-understanding (coping ability; academic self-efficacy) and doing (social and community participation; meaningful activity). I used path analysis to explore whether baseline health status mediated the relationship between combat exposure and belonging, self-understanding, and doing at follow-up. In study two, I considered meaning in life as student Veterans' self-appraisal of their lives as meaningful and purposeful. I used path analysis to: 1) explore whether baseline health status and life meaning mediated the relationship between combat and follow-up life meaning, and 2) test whether protective factors operated in compensatory and/or moderator models of resilience. In study three, I classified student Veterans by level of combat exposure (high/low) and self-reported meaning in life (high/low) at follow-up, which yielded four possible classifications (e.g., resilient group: high combat exposure and high life meaning). I fit linear mixed models to obtain adjusted means for the six protective factors and the health-related conditions for each classification. I used independent samples t tests to examine differences between classifications with respect to adjusted levels of protective factors and health-related conditions. Patterns of differences between groups provided insight into whether the protective factors operated in a compensatory or moderator model of resilience, and whether health-related symptoms influence student Veterans' adaptive response to combat exposure. Results: All three studies revealed that health-related symptoms help explain the risk posed by combat exposure to student Veterans' sense of meaning and purpose in life. Specifically, greater combat exposure was associated with more severe health-related symptoms, which in turn was associated with less meaning and purpose in student Veterans' lives. Studies two and three provided evidence that coping ability and meaningful activity operate in compensatory models of resilience, and that social support operates in a moderator model of resilience. Study two also provided evidence that instructor autonomy support, coping ability, and academic self-efficacy operate in moderator models of resilience. Conclusion: This dissertation supported my initial theoretical propositions. This dissertation revealed that health-related symptoms help explain the risk posed by combat exposure to student Veterans' sense of meaning in life. Thus, this dissertation supports an expanded conception of combat-related risk, in which the effect of combat exposure upon positive outcomes, such as a sense of meaning in life, is emphasized. This dissertation also revealed that the majority of the proposed protective factors, including personally meaningful activity engagement, fostered student Veterans' sense of meaning in life despite combat-related risk. I 1) expand upon these findings, 2) discuss implications for research and practice, and 3) explain how these findings advance occupational science and rehabilitation science.Item Open Access The therapeutic use of yoga in occupational therapy for individuals with stroke(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2018) Andrews, Alexandra P., author; Schmid, Arlene A., advisor; Atler, Karen, committee member; Portz, Jennifer Dickman, committee memberThe purpose of this study was to provide a description of the experiences of occupational therapists (OT) who are currently using yoga in occupational therapy practice for individuals that have experienced a stroke. Specifically, this study aimed to understand how and why OTs may be integrating yoga into rehabilitation for stroke. Ten OTs from around the United States completed a survey and comprehensive interview. Interview data was analyzed using an iterative process and both deductive and inductive coding. Themes in the data emerged related to the perceived benefits of integrating yoga in occupational therapy for stroke including: how yoga promoted client-centered recovery; that yoga brought "context" to therapy; and how yoga could be used to address multiple physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs following stroke. Based on these findings, yoga is currently being integrated into health care and specifically into occupational therapy. Yoga may be a beneficial means of therapy for individuals post-stroke to aide in physical and psychosocial rehabilitation and increase reintegration into life after stroke. While this study highlights a sample of OTs using yoga in practice, these findings do not serve as a guideline for OTs, but rather describe why OTs have chosen to use this complementary approach.Item Open Access Women's experience receiving occupational therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction: a case series(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2021) Schmitz, Johanna R., author; Schmid, Arlene A., advisor; Atler, Karen E., committee member; Fruhauf, Christine A., committee memberIntroduction: Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a condition that affects one third of women, greatly impacting their quality of life (QoL). There is limited research on occupational therapy (OT) and pelvic floor health as pelvic floor therapy is a relatively new topic in the field of OT. Objectives: Explore the experiences of women who have received OT for PFD. Method: Eligibility criteria included: ≥18 years old; biologically female participants; self-reported pelvic floor health issue; English speaking; completed OT intervention for PFD within the past two years. Four participants completed a semi-structured interview about their treatment and qualitative analyses were completed using inductive coding techniques. Participants' electronic medical records were reviewed. The Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory Questionnaire-20 (PFDI-20) was completed to assess changes in PFD symptoms and impact on QoL. Results: Qualitatively, three main themes emerged from the data across participants: 1) OT changed the course of women's ongoing journey with pelvic health, 2) women experienced relief through discovering OT, and 3) OT empowered women to be the experts of their own bodies. There were clinically significant changes in participants PFDI-20 scores indicating a decrease in PFD symptoms and impact of PFD symptoms on QOL following OT intervention. Conclusion: In conclusion, it appears that OT interventions may play an important role in positively impacting women's life with PFD. More research is needed to investigate the mechanisms of what makes OT interventions effective in treating PFD.Item Open Access Yoga improves balance, balance confidence, and occupational performance for adults with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a pilot study(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2015) Willis, Leslie Ann, author; Schmid, Arlene A., advisor; Atler, Karen E., committee member; Tracy, Brian L., committee memberThe purpose of this study was to examine the preliminary efficacy of yoga on balance, balance confidence, occupational performance, and satisfaction with performance in adults with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). We used a non-controlled pretest-posttest design. Fifteen adults with DPN attended 8-weeks of yoga, including positive affirmations, breathing, postures, and relaxation. Balance was measured using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS); balance confidence, using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC); and perceived occupational performance and satisfaction, using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). Significant improvements were found for balance (p=.009), balance confidence (p=.004), occupational performance (p=<.001), and satisfaction with performance (p=<.001). Improvements remained significant after the Bonferroni correction (α= .05/4- .0125). The effect sizes were medium for balance (dCohen = 0.65) and large for occupational performance and satisfaction (dCohen = 1.13, 1.07, respectively). Yoga appears to significantly improve balance, balance confidence, occupational performance, and satisfaction for adults with DPN. Further research utilizing a control group, a larger sample size, and randomization is required.Item Open Access Yoga improves functional gait and health-related quality of life for adults with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a pilot study(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2015) Phillips, Chloe E., author; Schmid, Arlene A., advisor; Sample, Pat L., committee member; Tracy, Brian L., committee memberObjective: To determine whether health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and functional gait improved after an 8-week yoga intervention among individuals with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), and whether HRQOL and functional gait were correlated in populations with DPN. Design: An 8-week yoga intervention non-controlled pretest-posttest pilot study. Setting: Colorado State University’s Integrative Rehabilitation Lab Participants: Sample of individuals with DPN (N=15) over the age of 18 recruited from Fort Collins, CO and neighboring towns. Self report balance impairment? Interventions: Each participant took part in an 8-week yoga intervention that met twice per week for one hour each session. Yoga sessions included physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. The yoga was modified for persons with DPN and included seated, standing, and exercises laying on the floor. Main outcome measures: The Neuro-QoL was used to assess HRQOL. The Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) was conducted to examine walking endurance and the 10-Meter Walk Test was used to evaluate walking speed. Results: HRQOL and functional gait showed fair correlation. HRQOL improved by 8%. Both components of functional gait improved significantly, walking endurance by 15% (p=0.014) and walking speed by 23% (p<0.001). Conclusion: The results demonstrate that yoga is a potential intervention to promote positive improvements in HRQOL and functional gait, including both walking speed and walking endurance, in individuals with DPN. Rehabilitation and medical professionals may consider this as a modality for helping patients manage their DPN.