The lived experience of clients using mindfulness interventions for symptomology of upper extremity orthopedic impairments : a mixed methods study, 2024

Item — Call Number: MU Thesis Fon

Identifier: b7931934

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

See more See less

The collection consists of dissertations written by students enrolled in the Monmouth University graduate Occupational Therapy program. The holdings are primarily bound print documents that were submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree.

During the fall 2022 semester (in instances where the requisite waivers were received from consenting student authors), the Monmouth University Library, together with the University's Graduate School and School of Education, began providing open access to select full-text digital versions of current theses and dissertations through links to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global website in the Library's Online Public Access Catalog. Links to these open access digital publications can also be found in the "External Documents" section under any conforming titles that are listed among the holdings itemized in the collection inventory for this finding aid.

Dates

Creation: 2024

Creator

Fontana, Amanda T. (Amanda Taylor) (1997- ) (Author, Person)
Garcia, Andrea (Thesis advisor, Person)
Goodwin, Alysson (Thesis advisor, Person)
Patro, John (1985- ) (Thesis advisor, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use. Access is by appointment only.

Research appointments are scheduled by the Monmouth University Library Archives Collections Manager (732-923-4526). A minimum of three days advance notice is required to arrange a research appointment for access to the collection.

Access to the collection is confined to the Monmouth University Library and is subject to patron policies approved by the Monmouth University Library.

Patrons must sign a completed Researcher Registration Form and provide appropriate identification to obtain access to the collection. Copies of these documents will be kept on file at the Monmouth University Library.

Full Extent

1 Items (print book) : 72 pages ; 8.5 x 11.0 inches (28 cm).

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Experiencing an upper extremity (UE) impairment has a significant impact on an individual’s physical and mental health. Regular occupational therapy (OT) interventions for UE impairments typically only treat physical aspects. The purpose of this Doctoral Capstone Project (DCP) was to look at participants’ experience of using mindfulness interventions in conjunction with regular OT interventions to improve health management, and better meet the physical and mental health needs of individuals with UE impairments. The DCP was a two-week mindfulness program where participants chose between four mindfulness exercises; meditation, deep breathing, journaling, and nature. Participants performed this intervention two times per week for a maximum of five minutes each session. Interviews were completed at pre-intervention (Interview Part A), during intervention (Interview Part B), and post-intervention (Interview Part C). Mixed methods were used to analyze the data with a qualitative phenomenological approach for thematic analysis and descriptive quantitative analysis. Four major themes arose from participants’ experience; (1) Perceptions of Condition, (2) Motivation for Participation, (3) Use of Program, (4) Client's Understanding of Change Over Time. Subthemes emerged from each of these four themes with representative quotes describing participants’ experiences. Descriptive quantitative data analysis determined an average change in pain intensity scale of 4.96. Findings suggest a self-administered mindfulness program is pragmatic in an outpatient UE orthopedic setting to provide holistic OT intervention.

Keywords: upper extremity impairment, orthopedics, symptomology, health management, occupational therapy, occupations, occupational engagement, psychosocial, mindfulness, nontraditional practices, holistic practices.