Group items tagged

This article lists multiple clinics across the United States that offer equine therapy for veterans, otherwise known as Horses for Heroes.

This study aims to discover the impacts of an occupational therapy driving intervention with returning combat veterans. A single-subject design with three phases was used and conducted by a certified driving rehabilitation specialist. The three phases included a baseline pre-test, intervention with three 1-hr training sessions, and a post-test. Participants were recruited from several VA clinical in northern Florida. Inclusion criteria for participants included service in OEF or OIF, presence of a mTBI or orthopedic injury with PTSD, participation in driving prior to medical condition, valid driver's license residence in community, score of a least 24/30 on Mini-Mental State Examination. Outcome measures included the OT-CDRS and Optec 2500 for visual abilities, Useful Field of View for visual attention and processing speed, MMSE for general cognitive abilities, Trail-Making Test Part B for shifting, foot tap test for peddle control in car and right lower extremity ROM. One subject was selected and showed improvements in outcome measures. The subject showed improvements in visual search skills post-intervention. Patient also showed improvements in his appropriateness of searching skills post-intervention. Patient was also shown to improve on his on-road communication skills and recognition of need to inform other road users of intended actions. Although there were improvements in the veterans driving abilities, the threats to internal validity pose limitations to the study. The investigators intend to use data and address limitations in the hopes of conducting a random-controlled trial with more participants.

This article, published by the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, is titled High-Intensity Sports for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression: Feasibility Study of Ocean Therapy With Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The article discusses the psychosocial issues experienced by persons with PTSD and depression and offers suggestions in regards to effective intervention strategies and techniques for occupational therapy practitioners to utilize to assist such patients with participation in meaningful occupation. The article highlights the effectiveness of ocean therapy and discusses the feasibility of applying such intervention techniques with war veterans.

This article specifically relates to the importance of treating PTSD among veterans with appropriate psychotherapies. This article relates directly to the work I am currently involved in at the VA as many of the patients I see struggle daily with PTSD symptoms. In addition, an interdisciplinary team approach is used at the VA and pt's and staff work closely with psychologist and psychiatrists to ensure appropriate care. In looking at this article it is important to see that symptoms of PTSD are treated appropriately and with the best means available.

This handout can be useful for VA hospitals to introduce Veterans to the services OTs can provide in terms of their mental health, including the ability to address psychosocial needs and rehabilitate using occupations.

Examines the effectiveness of functional electrical stimulation therapy in restoring grasping functions that may have been lost of weakened as a result of an SCI. We frequently use this method with our veterans and have had great results.

This study examined occupational performance issues amongst soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The researches focused on ways to motivate these individuals to participate in their daily occupations. Getting back to civilian life after serving in the military and experiencing war is the most challenging and most common mental health and brain injury. Thirty 20-29 year olds were interviewed using the COPM. These individuals were also screened for PTSD, depression, TBI, and alcohol abuse. The top five challenges of occupational performance from using the COMP were relationships, school physical health, sleeping and driving. The role of occupational therapy is vital for their individuals to reintegrate them into the communities and to the daily occupations.

These researchers utilized surfing for those with PTSD to assist when transitioning back into civilian life. They chose this sport to ensure attendance and retention in their program. The results showed that sport-oriented therapy can be used/beneficial when re-integrating veteran's into a civilian lifestyle.

This article talks about OT's role in driving with veteran's. Researchers used the Driver's Stress Profile and the Driving and Occupational Limitations to get information. Those who had increased experience driving off base had more difficulties with this when returning home than those who did not. They also required more time to return back to driving regularly.

This AJOT article is titled Occupational Therapy for Servicemember and Veteran Recovery, Resilience, and Reintegration: Opportunities for Societal Contribution and Professional Transformation. It was published earlier this month (July 2014) and discusses opportunities for future growth and professionalism.

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship among cognitive reserve, Executive function, and health and safety judgment among a sample of older adult inpatients of an extended medical care unit at a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospital. Independent Living Scales (ILS): Health and Safety subtest were used to assess judgement and safety. Executive function was measured by the Trial making test. Global function was measured by the MMSE. After controlling for global cognitive functioning, the results revealed that people with high estimated IQ performed similarly on a measure of health and safety judgment, regardless of their EF abilities. However, among individuals with low estimated IQ it appears that intact EF is critical in making appropriate health and safety decisions. Therefore, the results suggest executive functioning is critical for making appropriate health and safety decisions for patients with lower measured intellectual abilities and provide further support for the cognitive reserve model.