Mental Health
2015-601Community-Based Services And Recidivism Of Persons Living With Schizophrenia Mental Health Posters Intermediate to topic
1. Describe the methodology for completing an evidence based practice review.
2. Describe and discuss the current and relevant literature regarding the reduction of hospital re-admissions of those with schizophrenia through the use of community-based programs.
3. Justify the establishment of more community-based programs for those with severe mental illness in order to promote community integration by reducing the number of hospital re-admissions after discharge.
This poster is designed to provide occupational therapists with an overview of evidence-based research and treatment procedures needed to answer the following question: For adults living with schizophrenia, do community-based services reduce the number of hospital re-admissions after discharge? The methodology utilized the five steps for completing an evidence based practice project: 1.) description of a practice scenario 2.) development of a clinical question 3.) systematic review of the current literature 4.) integration of findings and 5.) recommendations for practice. The community-based settings studied include day care programs, outpatient facilities, and sheltered homes. Programs in these settings focus on skills training, social support, supportive employment, and self-management of illness. To date, the evidence reports that high-quality, multi-disciplinary, occupation-based, community-based services have been successful in reducing the rate of hospital re-admissions for persons living with schizophrenia. Occupational therapists can provide skilled services that would not only help meet the needs of chronically ill patients but also add an important dynamic to team-based community mental health settings.
Butcher, J., Mineka, S., & Hooley, J. (2010). Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. In Abnormal
psychology: Core Concepts (2nd ed., pp. 383-402). Boston, MA: Pearson Allyn and Bacon. Castaneda, R.., Olsen, L., Radley, L. C. (2013). AOTA fact sheet: Occupational therapy’s role in
community mental health. AOTA press .Bethesda, MD.
/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/MH/Facts/Community-mental-
health.pdf
Elixhauser, A. & Steiner, C. (2010). Readmissions to U.S. hospitals by diagnosis: HCUP statistical brief
#153. April 2013. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD.
Gibson, R., D'Amico, M., Jaffe, L., & Arbesman, M. (2011). Occupational therapy interventions for
recovery in the areas of community integration and normative life roles for adults with serious
mental illness: A systematic review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65, 247-256. Kent, S. & Yellowlees, P. (1995). The relationship between social factors and frequent use of psychiatric
services. Aust NZ Journal of Psychiatry, 29(3), 403-408
Lewis, P. A. & Hugi R. (1981). Therapeutic stations and the chronically treated mental ill. Soc Serv Rev
55, 206-220. Liem, S. K. & Lee, C. C. (2013). Effectiveness of assertive community treatment in
Hong Kong among patients with frequent hospital admissions. Psychiatric Services 64, 1170-
1172.
Lin, H. & Lee, H. (2008). The association between timely outpatient visits and the likelihood of
rehospitalization for schizophrenia patients. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 78, 494-497.
doi: 10.1037/a0014515
Long, P. W. (2011). SYNOPSIS. Schizophrenia. Retrieved from
ps01.html
Marshall, M. & Lockwood, A. Assertive community treatment for people with severe mental disorders
(Cochrane review). In: The Cochrane Library, issue 3.Oxford, U.K.: Update Software, 2001. Odes, h., Katz, N., Noter, E., Shamir, Y., Weizman, A., & Valevski, A. (2011). Level of function at
discharge as a predictor of readmission among patients with schizophrenia. American Journal of
Occupational Therapy, 65, 314-319 doi: 10.5014/ajot.2011.001362
Rebeiro, K. L., Day, D. G., Semeniuk, B., O’Brien, M. C., & Wilson, B. (2001). Northern initiative
for social action: An occupation-based mental health program. American Journal of Occupational
Therapy, 55, 493-500.
Roick, C., Heider, D., Kilian, R., Matschinger, H., Toumi, M., & Angermeyer, M. C. (2004). Factors
contributing to frequent use of psychiatric inpatient services by schizophrenia patients. Social
Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 39, 744-751. doi: 10.1007/s00127-004-0807-8 Schizophrenia. (n.d.). Schizophrenia. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved from
Suzuki, Y., Seiji, Y., Akira, F., & Koichi, O. (2003). Associated factors of rehospitalization among
schizophrenic patients. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences 57: 555-561.
Sytema, S., Burgess, P., & Tansella, M. (2002). Does community care decrease length of stay and risk of
rehospitalization in new patients with schizophrenia disorders? Schizophrenia Bulletin, 28(2),
273-281.
Primary presenter is currently a graduate student in the Department of Occupational Therapy at The University of xxxxxx. The content of this poster was developed as a requirement in a full semester course on evidence-based research. The faculty mentor is a recognized expert in evidence-based research. The primary speaker presented the contents of this poster in a public forum prior to the conference submission.
This poster presents an evidence-based project that explored community-based programs’ effects on hospital recidivism rates in persons living with schizophrenia.
2015-602Integrating Occupational Therapy Into a Community Mental Health Setting: Doctoral
Students' Perspectives
Mental HealthPostersIntermediate to topic
1. Explain the role doctoral level fieldwork students have at a geriatric psychiatric outpatient clinic
2. Demonstrate the need of occupational therapy services within community-based mental health settings 3. Showcase the use of sensory integration in geriatric mental health
4. Demonstrate the need for occupation-based caregiver training and support programs in the geriatric mental health setting
In alignment with AOTA’s centennial vision to make mental health a key practice area and to promote the profession of occupational therapy, the xxxxxxxxxxxxx has recently established an affiliation with the xxxxxxxxxxxx, which is a branch of the University of Pennsylvania Health System. This affiliation has combined the need for increased focus on mental health as well as the need for occupational therapy in primary care settings. Six doctoral level fieldwork students spent one day each week for a total of twelve weeks at the geriatric psychiatric clinic. Throughout their time there, they participated in interdisciplinary lectures and discussions, advocated and promoted the occupational therapy profession to psychiatric physicians, psychologists, and social workers, consulted with individual clients and caregivers regarding home safety, occupational engagement, occupational deprivation, routine development, and the use of sensory integration for mental health disorders and dysfunction. In addition to the weekly meeting with the interdisciplinary team and the individual client consultations, the fieldwork students also proposed two projects based on identified needs of the geriatric psychiatric population. The first project will be the implementation of a sensory integration program at the clinic and the second will be the implementation of an occupation-based caregiver training and support program. The projects will be implemented in the 2015-2016 academic year and will be funded by the Genesis Rehabilitation Cares Grant. The poster being presented will go into great detail of the fieldwork students’ experience at the psychiatric outpatient clinic and further describe the projects they created.
Brodaty, H., & Donkin, M. (2009). Family caregivers of people with dementia. Dialogues in Clinical
Neurosciences, 11(2), 217.
Collier, L., McPherson, K., Ellis-Hill, C., Stall, J., & Bucks, R. (2010). Multisensory stimulation to
improve functional performance in moderate to severe dementia - interim results. American
Journal of Alzhiemer's Disease and Other Dementias, 25(8), 698-703. doi:
10.1177/15733317510387582
Cruz, J., Marques, A., Barbosa, A., Figueiredo, D., & Sousa, L. X. (2013). Making sense(s) in dementia:
A multisensory and motor-based group activity program. American Journal of Alzhiemer's
Disease and Other Dementias, 28, 137-146. doi: 10.1177/1533317512473194
Forbes, D., Blake., C. M., Thiessen, E. J., Pecock, S., & Hawranik, P. (2014). Light therapy for improving
cognition, activities of daily living, sleep, challenging behaviour, and psychiatric disturbances in
dementia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2. doi: 10.1002/14651858
Maseda, A., Sanchez, A. Marante, M., Gonzalez-Abraldes, I., De Labra, C., & Carlos, J. (2014).
Multisensory stimulation on mood, behavior, and biomedical parameters in people with dementia:
Is it more effective than conventional one-to-one stimulation? American Journal of Alzheimer's
Disease and Other Dementias, 1-11. doi: 10.1177/1533317514532823
Olsen, K. (2014). Pilot study: Measuring relaxation response to the iLs Dreampad. Integrated Listening
Systems, 1-4. Padilla, R. (2011). Effectiveness of environment-based interventions for people
with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65,
514-522. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2011.00260
Riley-Doucet, C. K. (2009). Use of multisensory enviornments in the home for people with dementia.
Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 35(5), 42-52.
Six Doctor of Occupational Therapy students, attending University of xxxxx in xxxxxx, created this poster to showcase their interest in interdisciplinary learning. At the time of this project, they were in their last year of their Dr.OT program, all having completed clinical Level II fieldworks and numerous evidence-based practice and community occupational therapy courses.
This poster will describe the unique fieldwork experience six doctoral students from the University of the Sciences had at an outpatient geriatric psychiatric clinic. It will also describe two innovative programs the students created for this specific fieldwork site.
2015-603The Future of Anorexia Nervosa Treatment: Deep Brain Stimulation?
Mental HealthPostersIntermediate to topic
By reviewing this poster and interacting with the presenter, participants will be able to:
1. Describe the methodology for completing an evidence based review project.
2. Describe and discuss the current and relevant literature regarding the use of deep brain stimulation in the treatment of chronic anorexia nervosa.
3. Discuss the pros of critically reviewing current treatment procedures for anorexia nervosa and be open to creating new treatment approaches and protocols in response to future medical management of symptoms.
This poster is designed to provide occupational therapists with an awareness of chronic anorexia nervosa and potential future treatments. Evidence based research procedures were used to answer the question: For persons living with chronic anorexia nervosa who have undergone deep brain stimulation to control symptoms, what components of a comprehensive occupational therapy program should be developed to maximize function? Anorexia nervosa (AN) is characterized by distorted body image and excessive dieting that leads to severe weight loss with a pathological fear of becoming fat. In the medical procedure of deep brain stimulation (DBS), electrodes are implanted in specific regions of the brain in order to elicit a desired response (such as the frontal lobe eliciting executive functions). In the case of anorexia nervosa, reward, mood, decision-making and motivation areas are targeted in order to alleviate symptoms. Current research reports the ability of DBS to reduce maladaptive activity and connectivity of the stimulated region. Successful DBS has been reported to restore disease- related brain networks to a healthy state. Many individuals who are living with AN may show symptoms of other mental disorders, such as obsessive- compulsive disorder, anxiety and depression. Deep brain stimulation has been reported to successfully alleviate symptoms of these related mental disorders. To date, only one pilot study has been successfully reported to alleviate symptoms of chronic AN. Currently, occupational therapists report using primarily cognitive based therapy, in addition to other approaches. These traditional approaches are reported to have short term effects. It is hypothesized that DBS will yield more long term success in managing symptoms for person living with AN. Increasing popularity of DBS as a medical management of chronic AN may necessitate occupational therapy to critically review current treatment procedures and be open to creating new treatment approaches and protocols.
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th
ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Arcelus, J. et al., (2011). Mortality rates in patients with anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 68 (7): 724- 731. American Medical Association.
Hay, P., Touyz, S., Sud, R. (2012). Treatment for severe and enduring anorexia nervosa: a review.
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 46(12) 1136-1144. DOI:
10.1177/0004867412450469
Lipsman, N. et al., (2013). Subcallosal cingulate deep brain stimulation for treatment- refractory anorexia
nervosa: A phase 1 pilot trial. Retrieved October 1, 2014, from
Oudijn et al.: Is deep brain stimulation a treatment option for anorexia nervosa? BMC Psychiatry 2013
13:277.
The primary presenter is currently a graduate student in the Department of Occupational Therapy at The University of xxxxxx. The primary presenter of this poster created the content as a requirement in a full semester course on evidence based research. The faculty mentor is a recognized expert in the evidence based process. The primary speaker presented this content in a public forum prior to the conference submission.
This poster is designed to provide occupational therapists with an awareness of chronic anorexia nervosa and current and future treatment.
2015-604Bridging Clinics and Classrooms: Creating Trauma-Informed Educational Communities Mental Health 1 hour 50 minute sessions Introductory to topic
1. Define key components of trauma-informed classrooms and the contribution of a trauma informed perspective to children’s educational success.
2. Describe the role of occupational therapy as a vital part of trauma informed school teams
3. Describe the development of a partnership bringing together school personnel, university faculty, community based clinicians and graduate students in occupational therapy and trauma counseling with the goal of integrating trauma informed practices into an elementary school classroom.
4. Identify strategies for building capacity to support the establishment of collaborative, trauma informed practices in their own school communities.
Meeting the needs of trauma-affected children and communities has become of increasing importance demanding collaborative approaches between school personnel, occupational therapy practitioners and mental health counselors. With strong historical roots in mental health, and training in neurophysiology, child development, and psychosocial systems, Occupational Therapists are well-positioned to contribute to these innovative partnerships to address children’s mental health concerns in schools. According to a 2011 report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 60% of adults report exposure to abuse or difficult family circumstances during childhood. Adverse childhood experiences, including abuse, neglect, violence, and/or poverty, are likely to lead to substantial deficits in neurodevelopment and produce symptoms of dysregulation, hyper-arousal, sensory sensitivity, avoidance, and dissociation. In addition, traumatic stress has been shown to alter brain chemistry, and negatively impact children’s sensory processing, emotional and behavioral self regulation, language, and relational capabilities. Children with trauma histories demonstrate deficits in cognition, memory, sensory modulation, and visual processing (Ito, 1999; Koomar, 2009; Richardson, et al., 2015). In an academic setting, children who have experienced trauma may demonstrate inattention, aggressiveness with other children, and academic and social challenges (National Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention, 2012). The overwhelming incidence of childhood adversity and its impact on children’s educational participation demands a collaborative, trauma-sensitive approach to school based care. This presentation details the development and implementation of a pilot program joining trauma counseling and occupational therapy with school administrators and faculty with the goal of establishing a trauma and sensory informed school community. This collaborative approach draws upon the unique skills of all disciplines to support the creation of a safe school environment for children who have experienced trauma by fostering the neurodevelopmental and social-emotional growth of students as a foundation for successful participation in day-to-day educational activities.
(2013). Findings from the Philadelphia urban ACE study. Public Health Management Corporation, 1-24. Atchison, B. (2007). Sensory modulation disorders among children with a history of trauma. A frame of
reference for speech pathologists. Language, Speech and Hearing Services in Schools, 38, 109-
116.
Champagne, T., & Gray, K. (2011). Occupational therapy’s role in mental health recovery, American
Occupational Therapy Association, Retrieved from
/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/MH/Facts/Mental%20Health%20Reco
very.pdf
Ito, Y., Teicher, M.H., Glod, C.A. & Ackerman=, E.(1998). Preliminary evidence for aberrant cortical
development in abused children: A quantitative EEG study. The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and
Clinical Neurosciences, 10(3), 298-307.
Koomar, J. (2009). Trauma and attachment-informed sensory integration assessment and intervention.
Sensory Integration Special Interest Section Quarterly, 32(4), 1-4.
Layton, L (2015). Majority of US public school students are in poverty, The Washington Post. Retrieved
from students-are-
in-poverty/2015/01/15/df7171d0-9ce9-11e4-a7ee-526210d665b4_story.html
National Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention. (2012). Childhood Trauma
and Its Effect on Healthy Development. Retrieved from
xxxxx, OTD, OTR/L received her BA from xxxxx University (1980), her MS in Occupational Therapy from xxxxxx University (1985), and her OTD from xxxxxx University (2012). She is an Assistant Professor in the OT Department at xxxxxx University teaching OT theory, assessment and intervention courses, evidence-based practice and the evaluation process. xxxxx has 30 years of clinical experience in a variety of settings. She maintains a private practice focused on the treatment of sensory processing disorders, autism and children’s mental health. Her scholarship interests include the teaching/learning in the health professions, therapeutic use of self in OT, and the establishment of innovative partnerships to bridge the gap between academic education, research, and practice.
This presentation details a partnership between occupational therapy and mental health counseling to develop a trauma-sensitive school community. Key components of trauma informed care will be discussed, highlighting the role of occupational therapy as part of trauma informed educational teams.
2015-605Complementary Alternative Medicine for the Treatment of Mental Illness
Mental HealthPostersIntroductory to topic
1. Increase awareness of alternative treatments for treating mental illness.
2. Recognize the beneficial effects of alternative medicine in conjunction with a structured treatment plan for treating mental illness.
3. Understand the use of complementary alternative medicine (CAM) in occupational therapy practice.
The use of complementary alternative medicine (CAM) in the treatment of many different illnesses including physical and mental ailments is a growing topic of study in recent literature. It is an emerging area of interest in the treatment of mental illness and is in accordance with AOTA’s centennial vision of health and wellness promotion (AOTA, 2007). The purpose of this research was to study the benefits of CAM when used in conjunction with a traditional treatment plan to increase the health and wellness of individuals with mental illness. Complementary medicines that were examined include, but are not limited to, yoga, guided imagery, art/music, and meditation. A thorough and comprehensive review and critical appraisal of the literature was conducted and the significance of these benefits was reported. All literature was selected based on relevance to the topic and was found using the following databases: PubMed, Science Direct, and ProQuest. This poster presentation discusses the findings across various mental health diagnoses and the application to OT practice. The evidence suggests that the use of CAM as an occupational therapy intervention has a positive effect on an individual’s overall health.