Inspiring Meaningful Community Outcomes: A Philanthropic, Interdisciplinary Approach in the Promotion of Neuro-Wellness
Faculty Advisor Name
Jeanne Wenos
Department
Department of Health Professions
Description
Background: Millions of Americans are affected by neurological and neurodegenerative disorders and thousands of cases are diagnosed each year (Batista & Pereiral, 2016). This escalating pervasiveness is absent of prejudice against age, gender, and socioeconomic status, meaning all communities will experience direct or indirect effects (Batista & Pereira, 2016). As onset trends of these disorders increase, action towards increased societal involvement, economic alleviation, and reciprocal benefits through occupational service calls forth acknowledgement in our society’s conscience (Marko-Kucsera et al, 2018).
Neurological disorders are diseases of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves and neurodegenerative diseases are the progressive, incurable death of neurons in the brain and nervous system (Batista & Pereira, 2016). These neuro-definitive conditions drastically impact all aspects of one’s Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and is the focus of the occupational therapy (OT) profession (Batista & Pereira, 2016). HRQoL is a term describing the interaction between physical, emotional, mental, and social dimensions of health, and their value regarding satisfaction in life (Batista & Pereira, 2016). Skilled therapeutic services address and enhance these dimensions in any individual, particularly those with degenerative disorders. Barriers to services in this population include insurance stipulations, access to healthcare, and a lack of community programming. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to establish a replicable Philanthropic Interdisciplinary Neuro-Wellness Group (PING) that addresses HRQoL and meets the unique needs of our community.
Methods: This study was approved by the James Madison University (JMU) Institutional Review Board (protocol ID: 20-1109) and signed consent was obtained from all participants. Participants (N=26) in this eight week participatory action study included men with neurodegenerative diseases (n=8), their caretakers (n=8), OT student volunteers (n=7), and rehabilitation professionals (n=3). OT students and rehab professionals provided skilled instruction, care, and support to participants in a cost-effective manner. Assessments included pre and post measures of the Timed Up and Go Test, one on one participant interviews, a caregiver focus group, and a volunteer questionnaire.
Results: Wilcoxen analysis of paired samples reveals a significant increase in pre to post physical function (z= - 2.366, p < .05). Qualitative themes from interviews, the focus group, and questionnaires include motivated camaraderie, a supportive network of friends, and clinical skill development.
Conclusion: Participants expressed that exercise and occupation-based group intervention increased functional mobility, inspired feelings of confidence and security when walking, and evoked camaraderie. Reported benefits included improved gait, balance, social skills, higher-level thinking, and functional strategies for daily use. Caregivers expressed that access to affordable community therapy increased resilience and hope in facing these difficult diseases. Respite care during group intervention encouraged connections through shared experience, friendship, and beneficial resources. OT student volunteers engaged in hands-on experience, and expressed increased skill development and inspiration for future specialties as outcomes. Reported benefits included experience in transfers, guarding, building relationships, communication, and therapeutic use-of-self. Lastly, rehab professionals reported fulfillment in supervising and educating future professionals. Described as joyous service to the community, expressed positive outcomes included societal connection, a higher sense of life purpose, and hope that PING develops in other communities.
Inspiring Meaningful Community Outcomes: A Philanthropic, Interdisciplinary Approach in the Promotion of Neuro-Wellness
Background: Millions of Americans are affected by neurological and neurodegenerative disorders and thousands of cases are diagnosed each year (Batista & Pereiral, 2016). This escalating pervasiveness is absent of prejudice against age, gender, and socioeconomic status, meaning all communities will experience direct or indirect effects (Batista & Pereira, 2016). As onset trends of these disorders increase, action towards increased societal involvement, economic alleviation, and reciprocal benefits through occupational service calls forth acknowledgement in our society’s conscience (Marko-Kucsera et al, 2018).
Neurological disorders are diseases of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves and neurodegenerative diseases are the progressive, incurable death of neurons in the brain and nervous system (Batista & Pereira, 2016). These neuro-definitive conditions drastically impact all aspects of one’s Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and is the focus of the occupational therapy (OT) profession (Batista & Pereira, 2016). HRQoL is a term describing the interaction between physical, emotional, mental, and social dimensions of health, and their value regarding satisfaction in life (Batista & Pereira, 2016). Skilled therapeutic services address and enhance these dimensions in any individual, particularly those with degenerative disorders. Barriers to services in this population include insurance stipulations, access to healthcare, and a lack of community programming. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to establish a replicable Philanthropic Interdisciplinary Neuro-Wellness Group (PING) that addresses HRQoL and meets the unique needs of our community.
Methods: This study was approved by the James Madison University (JMU) Institutional Review Board (protocol ID: 20-1109) and signed consent was obtained from all participants. Participants (N=26) in this eight week participatory action study included men with neurodegenerative diseases (n=8), their caretakers (n=8), OT student volunteers (n=7), and rehabilitation professionals (n=3). OT students and rehab professionals provided skilled instruction, care, and support to participants in a cost-effective manner. Assessments included pre and post measures of the Timed Up and Go Test, one on one participant interviews, a caregiver focus group, and a volunteer questionnaire.
Results: Wilcoxen analysis of paired samples reveals a significant increase in pre to post physical function (z= - 2.366, p < .05). Qualitative themes from interviews, the focus group, and questionnaires include motivated camaraderie, a supportive network of friends, and clinical skill development.
Conclusion: Participants expressed that exercise and occupation-based group intervention increased functional mobility, inspired feelings of confidence and security when walking, and evoked camaraderie. Reported benefits included improved gait, balance, social skills, higher-level thinking, and functional strategies for daily use. Caregivers expressed that access to affordable community therapy increased resilience and hope in facing these difficult diseases. Respite care during group intervention encouraged connections through shared experience, friendship, and beneficial resources. OT student volunteers engaged in hands-on experience, and expressed increased skill development and inspiration for future specialties as outcomes. Reported benefits included experience in transfers, guarding, building relationships, communication, and therapeutic use-of-self. Lastly, rehab professionals reported fulfillment in supervising and educating future professionals. Described as joyous service to the community, expressed positive outcomes included societal connection, a higher sense of life purpose, and hope that PING develops in other communities.
