Graduation Year

2020

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Type

Open Access Capstone

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

Abstract

Abstract

Occupational therapy practitioners do not always know how to treat the painful shoulder and this may be due to a lack of education regarding manual therapy. This research project is designed to determine the best practice for teaching manual therapy techniques to occupational therapy providers by providing an in-service to teach new knowledge and skills regarding manual therapy to improve patient care by reducing client shoulder pain. Three types of learning styles were used which include: behaviorist theory, constructivism, and active learning strategies. The design was a two-tailed T test with a pretest/posttest to evaluate knowledge of the participants regarding manual therapy techniques. Data was collected regarding the participants satisfaction with the different teaching strategies used in the in-service. Another survey was sent to the participants four weeks post the in-service to determine frequency and use of the manual therapy techniques in practice. The objectives were met and the statistical analysis was significant at .003 which is less than .05. Certain strategies of active learning were rated at different levels of helpfulness. In a four-week follow up survey participants indicated they had used manual therapy techniques on clients and non-clients. This research concluded that educating occupational therapy practitioners in use of manual therapy techniques by using active learning strategies increases their knowledge. The new knowledge will allow the practitioners to utilize stretching, joint mobilization, and myofascial release in a more effective treatment to ease the client’s shoulder pain.

Faculty Mentor

Cindy Hayden

Department Affiliation

Occupational Therapy

Committee Member

Dana M. Howell

Department Affiliation

Occupational Therapy

Committee Member

Shirley P. O'Brien

Department Affiliation

Occupational Therapy

Comments

I want to express my greatest appreciation to Dr. Cindy Hayden. She has been an exceptional mentor for me during my Capstone project. I could not have asked for a better match for me and my project. She always encouraged me and lead me to my final project. I appreciate Dr. Dana Howell for her guidance and encouragement throughout the entire program. Dr. O'Brien, thank you for the encouraging videos during my first class with you. I will never forget these professors that have changed my life for the better.

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