Resilience Programs for Occupational Therapy Students

Overseen By Heather Javaherian, OTD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Loma Linda University

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 3 years

130 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines how health and resiliency programs can enhance occupational therapy students' well-being. The researchers aim to determine if these programs can improve students' lifestyle habits, self-esteem, and mindfulness while reducing feelings of depression and anxiety. Participants will engage in these programs as part of their regular coursework and complete surveys before and after to assess changes. Eligible students must be enrolled in the Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at Loma Linda University between June 2023 and June 2029. As an unphased trial, this study provides students an opportunity to enhance their well-being while contributing to valuable research.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on educational programs rather than medical treatments, so it's unlikely that you would need to change your medication routine.

What prior data suggests that this resilience programming is safe for occupational therapy students?

Research shows that resilience and stress management programs are generally safe. In similar studies, participants have experienced less stress and improved mental health, indicating that these programs are well-tolerated.

Although specific safety data for the resilience program in this trial is unavailable, the study is marked as "Not Applicable" for its phase, suggesting it involves low-risk activities. These activities are expected to be safe, as they resemble those in regular classroom settings.

Overall, resilience programs do not use medication or involve medical procedures, reducing the risk of side effects. Participants typically benefit from these programs without major safety concerns. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the health and resiliency programming because it offers a proactive approach to supporting occupational therapy students in managing stress and building resilience throughout their three-year program. Unlike traditional support options that might involve counseling services or stress management workshops offered sporadically, this programming is integrated directly into their coursework. This seamless integration means students can develop crucial skills in real-time, potentially enhancing their overall well-being and performance. By embedding these strategies into their daily routine, the program aims to create lasting habits that could benefit students beyond their academic careers.

What evidence suggests that health and resiliency programming is effective for occupational therapy students?

Research has shown that health and resilience programs can improve students' mental and emotional well-being. These programs often reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. In this trial, occupational therapy students will engage in health and resiliency programming as part of their coursework. Students who participate in resilience training typically develop better coping skills and higher self-esteem. They also become more mindful, meaning they are more aware and present in their daily lives. For occupational therapy students, these programs have been linked to increased optimism and proactive behavior. Overall, these programs aim to support healthier lifestyle choices and stronger mental health. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for students enrolled in the Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at Loma Linda University from June 2023 to June 2029. Participants can be aged between 18-65, and of any gender or ethnic background.

Inclusion Criteria

Of any ethnic background

My gender does not affect my eligibility.

Enrolled during June 2023 to June 2029

Exclusion Criteria

N/A

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Occupational therapy students engage in health and resiliency programming as part of their coursework over a three-year program

3 years

Integrated into regular coursework

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in anxiety, depression, self-esteem, attachment security, and mindfulness through assessments

3 years

Pre and post assessments

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Health and Resiliency Programming

Trial Overview

The study tests the effectiveness of health and resiliency programs integrated into occupational therapy curriculum. It aims to see if these programs improve students' well-being, lifestyle behaviors, self-esteem, mindfulness, and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Occupational therapy students will engage in health and resiliency programming as part of their course work over their three year program.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Loma Linda University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

322

Recruited

267,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study of 29 occupational therapy students, it was found that patient falls are the most frequently unreported safety incidents, with 47.1% of students never reporting them, despite falls being the most commonly reported issue overall (41.1%).

The study highlights a significant under-reporting of safety incidents, particularly in documentation and equipment-related issues, indicating a need for improved reporting practices and measures to enhance patient safety during academic practices.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Patient safety in the training practices of an undergraduate program in Occupational Therapy]. Peñas-Felizzola, OL., Parra-Esquivel, EI., Gómez-Galindo, AM.[2022]

A study of 153 combat-exposed student veterans found that those with a high sense of life meaning reported better coping abilities and fewer depressive symptoms, indicating that life meaning plays a crucial role in resilience after combat exposure.

The research suggests that occupational therapists can enhance student veterans' resilience by focusing on promoting meaningful activities, social support, and coping strategies, while also addressing health conditions like PTSD and depression.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Protective and Health-Related Factors Contributing to Resilience Among Student Veterans: A Classification Approach. Kinney, AR., Schmid, AA., Henry, KL., et al.[2022]

A study involving occupational therapy students in Spain showed that their resilience significantly improved after a clinical practice period, with women showing an increase of 13.85 points and men 7.72 points on the resilience scale.

The findings suggest that increased resilience helps students manage stress and avoid burnout during challenging practice placements, indicating that resilience training could be beneficial in educational settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Changes in Resilience in Students of Occupational Therapy After Their First Exposure to Practice Placement Education. Rodríguez-Martínez, MDC., Toledano-González, A., Triviño-Juárez, JM., et al.[2021]

Mindfulness-based stress reduction programs have been shown to significantly improve quality of life for both clinical and nonclinical populations, highlighting its effectiveness as a therapeutic tool.

Incorporating mindfulness training into occupational therapy education can enhance students' self-awareness, empathy, and focus, which may lead to better clinical outcomes for their future clients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness in occupational therapy education. Gura, ST.[2013]

A survey of 235 occupational therapy practitioners and 200 students revealed that both groups reported low well-being and moderate stress levels, indicating a need for improved support systems.

The study found that resilience and self-care strategies significantly influenced well-being, suggesting that enhancing these areas could help mitigate stress and improve overall wellness in the occupational therapy field.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exploring Well-Being: Resilience, Stress, and Self-Care in Occupational Therapy Practitioners and Students. Popova, ES., J Hahn, B., Morris, H., et al.[2023]

Occupational therapists face unique stressors similar to other healthcare professionals, such as exposure to distressing situations and prolonged interventions, but empirical evidence suggests they may be less affected by burnout compared to other groups.

The current literature on occupational stress in occupational therapy is limited, highlighting the need for further research to better understand the specific stressors and protective factors that influence burnout in this profession.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Work-related stress and occupational therapy. Lloyd, C., King, R.[2019]

A study of 149 occupational therapy students found that high levels of resilience, particularly in areas like stress management and finding personal meaning in their work, significantly predict better performance in practice education.

Key resilience factors such as 'Managing Stress' and 'Living Authentically' were linked to improved professional behaviors and communication skills, suggesting that enhancing these traits could help students succeed in their fieldwork placements.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exploring the relationship between resilience and practice education placement success in occupational therapy students. Brown, T., Yu, ML., Hewitt, AE., et al.[2020]

Children who face recurrent traumatic events are at a greater risk for long-term mental and physical health issues due to toxic stress, highlighting the need for effective interventions.

Occupational therapy practitioners can play a crucial role in addressing the effects of toxic stress by developing occupation-based programs and fostering connections between the child welfare system and other intervention services.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Childhood toxic stress: a community role in health promotion for occupational therapists. Gronski, MP., Bogan, KE., Kloeckner, J., et al.[2013]

The Transition to Wellness Program was created as a telehealth solution for occupational therapy students during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing 10 out of 60 students to continue their fieldwork and meet graduation requirements.

This program not only addressed the educational needs of students but also provided wellness interventions to individuals in the community, demonstrating the effectiveness of telehealth in occupational therapy practice.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Transition to wellness: developing a telehealth wellness program to address student fieldwork challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jenkins, GR., Cunningham, D., Barcelli, MF., et al.[2022]

The evaluation of the Occupational Medicine and Safety Program (OMSP) revealed significant challenges due to the lack of an integrated information system, which hindered effective coordination and communication.

In contrast, the Employee Assistance and Wellness Program (EAWP) was found to be valuable and well-aligned with community needs, indicating its effectiveness in providing necessary services.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluating occupational health and safety programs in the public sector. Mitchell, CS.[2019]

Entry-level occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) students reported higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression compared to previous cohorts and general population samples, indicating a significant mental health concern.

Factors such as academic workload were identified as major contributors to stress, while coping strategies like physical activity and peer support were utilized to manage this distress.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"This program should come with a warning sign!": Mental wellness in occupational therapy and physical therapy students. Webber, SC., Wener, P., MacDonald, LL., et al.[2022]

Stress is increasingly recognized as a harmful factor that can contribute to various health issues, including cancer, heart disease, and arthritis, highlighting the need for effective stress management.

Occupational therapists play a crucial role in helping patients develop stress management skills, which can be integrated into their daily activities to enhance overall health and well-being, as demonstrated through case studies of patients with diverse conditions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Stress management as a component of occupational therapy in acute care settings. Affleck, A., Bianchi, E., Cleckley, M., et al.[2013]

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This toolkit is a resource for occupational therapy practitioners working with children and youth in school and community settings to obtain specific knowledge ...