Occupational Therapy
Research

Rockhurst students have opportunities to conduct research under the eye of a mentor, manage and staff a student-run free health clinic and complete fieldwork assignments at clinical sites all across the country.

As part of the Rockhurst Occupational Therapy curriculum, students complete either an individual or group research project under faculty mentorship. These projects are presented at a variety of venues, e.g., AOTA, MOTA and KOTA annual conferences. Below are the projects presented this year.

Health Literacy and Stroke Survivors: A Pilot Study
Leah Brendel, Brenda Lee, Margaret Obermeyer, Diana Wiskur, and Sarah Sanderman
Faculty Mentor: Mylene Schriner

Establishing Normative Data for Hand Grip Strength: Greenleaf Evaluation Reporting System (Will be presented at the AOTA 2010 National Conference)
Keri Nance, Krystle Seigler, Jamie Luedtke, and Brad Schmidt
Faculty Mentor: Kris Vacek

Proactive or Reactive: Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialists' Strategies to Meet the Needs of the Older Driver
Carrie Martin, Nicole Boydston, and Carrie Keirns
Faculty Mentor: Jane Rues

Older Adults Use of Technology in Home and Community Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
Abbey Bertalott, Denise Willemin, Brian Luebbering, and Sharon Tripoli
Faculty Mentor: Mary Jane Youngstom

The Development of the TOGSS as a Real-World Measure of Executive Functioning: Planning, Problem-Solving, and Working Memory (Will be presented at the 2010 AOTA National Conference)
Shelby Shurtz, Alisa Reichenberger, Samantha Lester, Rachel Stieren, Lindsey Cherne, Erica Hinson, Monica Walter, and Tanya Brettman
Faculty Mentor: Elizabeth Zayat

Occupational Therapy Interventions in Nursing Homes: Is Occupation-Based Practice a Reality or a Dream
Danielle Copeland, Dan Kennedy, Audrey Boyd-Ewing, and Katie Cooper
Faculty Mentor: Mary Jane Youngstom

The Effect of Individualized Ergonomic Assessment and Intervention on Compliance and Satisfaction
Morgan Rousseau, Teresa Campbell, Trey Shandy, and Jamie Pool
Faculty Mentor: Jane Rues

The Possible Relationship between Video-Gaming Habits and Grip Strength Among Children (Will be presented at the 2010 AOTA National Conference)

William Bates, Lindsey Herbert, Jennifer Mattox, and Erin Osborn

Faculty Mentor: Kris Vacek