Date of Award
Spring 5-4-2024
Document Type
Oral Presentation/Poster
Degree Name
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Department
Health Science
Faculty Mentor
Mackenzie Feldhacker, OTD, OTR/L, CLT-LANA
Second Advisor
LT Devon Barbieri, MOTR/L
Third Advisor
Tamatha Gallegos, MOTR/L, CDRS, CBIS
Keywords
occupational therapy, traumatic brain injury, concussion, service members, sleep, insomnia, bright light therapy, shift work, wakefulness
Subject Categories
Occupational Therapy
Abstract
Sustaining a traumatic brain injury of any severity is associated with an extremely high prevalence of insomnia. Military service members, being exposed to hazardous equipment and conditions, are one of the most likely populations to sustain sleep concerns following TBI. This student capstone project aimed to support military service members experiencing sleep disturbances due to TBI through direct advanced clinical skill attainment, Light Therapy program development, and by initiating research and clinic resource creation relating to shift work and sleep. To target this population, the project was completed at the Fort Carson Intrepid Spirit Center in Colorado where outpatient concussion care is provided to active-duty service members. Outcomes of this capstone consisted of increased student competency in TBI care, improved patient sleep quality as a result of a novel occupational therapy (OT) Light Therapy protocol, and enhanced global interprofessional knowledge and clinic resources in the realm of shift work sleep interventions. OT practitioners are encouraged to explore sleep-related treatment, although niche, as they contribute to broad health-related outcomes as highlighted by this project.
Recommended Citation
Myers, Leah N., "Promoting Wakefulness to Increase Occupational Engagement in Military Service Members Experiencing Insomnia Following mTBI" (2024). Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations. 111.
https://red.library.usd.edu/ot-capstone/111