Browsing by Author "Messenger, Elizabeth"

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    Effect of Virtual Reality Interventions on Occupational Participation in Stroke Patients: A Rapid Systematic Review
    (2023-05-04) Gillen, Grace; Huff, Nichole; Messenger, Elizabeth; Russell, Rachel; Butcher, Madison; Chase, Tony; Sego, Daniel; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences
    This rapid systematic review of the literature examines the literature on effective occupational therapy virtual reality (VR) interventions in rehabilitation of individuals poststroke. This review provides a comprehensive overview and analysis of 25 studies that addressed common themes, including: upper extremity (UE) mobility, functional outcomes, Quality of Life (QoL), and functional performance, related to increasing occupational participation through VR. Findings reveal moderate strength of evidence for the use of VR interventions, in addition to conventional occupational therapy (OT), in supporting individuals’ occupational performance and relative, functional factors contributing to participation in occupations, among individuals following a stroke. This review supports the use of VR interventions for individuals poststroke due to their innovativeness, adaptability, and ability to simulate real-life activities of daily living (ADLs), and supports the use of occupation-based VR interventions which can inform and guide intervention approaches for OT practitioners working in stroke rehabilitation.
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    Healing Through Leisure: Empowering Recovery For Mothers
    (2025-05-05) Messenger, Elizabeth; Van Antwerp, Leah; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Young, Nikole
    Mothers in early recovery from substance use disorder face unique challenges, including societal stigma, disrupted occupational roles, and a lack of structured, meaningful engagement outside of traditional treatment settings. At Heart Rock Recovery Center, a residential sober living community for pregnant and parenting women, staff identified a need to strengthen mother- child bonding through co-occupational leisure and daily activities. This doctoral capstone project aimed to address these needs by implementing a structured leisure exploration and life skills program designed to support maternal identity, promote co-occupational engagement, and enhance overall wellbeing. The program focused on engaging mothers in meaningful leisure occupations while reinforcing essential life skills to support daily function and long-term recovery. At the conclusion of the 14- week doctoral capstone project, staff reported high satisfaction with the program implementation and perceived positive effects on the mental health and overall wellbeing of participating residents. Although the sample size was limited, these findings provide preliminary evidence that integrating leisure-based, occupation-centered interventions into recovery settings can play a critical role in promoting wellness and improving quality of life for mothers in early recovery.