CSM OT graduates, professors publish systematic review
OMAHA, Neb. – Three College of Saint Mary occupational therapy graduates and three of their professors recently learned their systematic review on multisensory environments (MSE) for outcomes of occupational engagement in dementia was published in the journal for Physical & Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics.
“Having faculty and students publish a systematic review together contributes to the body of knowledge for the occupational therapy profession and adds to the OT department’s scholarship agenda,” said Dr. Kristin Haas, professor and director of the Occupational Therapy Program. “As a student or new graduate getting published helps set you apart from others and shows you what is possible for your future.”
Graduates Hattie Holler ’21, Mollie Sultenfuss ’21, and Katherine Jacobs ’21 and professors Dr. Ellie Cusic, Dr. Maureen Hoppe and Dr. Adebimpe Obembe authored the paper, which summarizes the available evidence on the effects of MSE for improving occupational engagement for people with dementia living in long-term care facilities. The graduates were students in the Master of Occupational Therapy* when they began their research.
“There have been a lot of published articles on MSE in dementia,” said Dr. Obembe, assistant professor of OT. “But why this is unique is that the students looked at only occupational engagement outcomes. They looked at outcomes that are relevant to occupational engagement because that is the core of OT practice.”
Ten studies were included in the review. The studies showed the benefits of MSE on some outcomes of occupational engagement, such as decreased agitation, improved mood and behavior, and increased environmental and social interaction. Other outcomes of interest were cognition, quality of life, balance and ADL engagement.
In their conclusion, the students and professors determined MSE may be used to decrease behavioral and psychological symptoms and improve mood, which may increase occupational engagement in those patients.
“I am so proud of what Dr. Obembe and Dr. (Mary) Smith have developed with the systematic reviews as part of the research continuum in both the MOT and OTD programs,” Dr. Haas added. “This accomplishment speaks volumes about the great things happening in the OT department.”
* The OT Department is no longer accepting applications to the MOT program as of fall 2019 as College of Saint Mary transitioned to the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program. For more information about OTD please visit CSM.edu/OTD.
