Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Becoming An Occupational Therapy Advocate: A Toolkit For Practitioners, Tiana Jo Griffith

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Advocacy is an important component of the occupational therapy profession. Advocacy helps advance the profession, promote client well-being, and ensures access to services. Although practitioners are aware of the importance of advocacy, there is still a lack of involvement in advocacy efforts. There are several reasons for the lack of involvement, including insufficient knowledge and preparedness, limited discussion of advocacy, and lack of time to interact with the policy process (Dhillon et al., 2010; Marfeo, 2020; Osman et al., 2020). A toolkit was developed to address the identified barriers by providing occupational therapy practitioners in Wyoming with information and resources …

A Proactive Approach To Lymphedema Treatment: A Patient’S Educational Guide, Bridget Jae Reuss

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Lymphedema affects between 90 and 250 million people worldwide, yet there is little information about it, and it is poorly understood by the medical community (Manrique et al., 2022). This too often results in patients not receiving proactive treatment for their symptoms. Proactive intervention increases the patient’s ability to engage in meaningful occupations, socialization, quality of life, mobility, and confidence (Dominick et al., 2014; Lu et al., 2015; Warren et al., 2007; Yarmohammadi et al., 2021).

Sensory-Based Universal Design Strategies For Head Start Students To Optimize Educational Engagement, Lexi Elizabeth Zahn

Occupational Therapy Capstones

This scholarly project aims to educate and enable early childhood education teachers on how children’s sensory systems can be positively or negatively influenced to improve overall classroom experiences for all children. A teacher’s resource guide was developed to inform early education teachers about the sensory system and sensory regulation so that they can better understand the sensory needs of their students. The guide provides them with universally designed, sensory-based strategies to implement in the classroom to increase the performance ranges of students in their educational pursuits.

Fostering Early Literacy Skill Development In School Aged Children, Jaden Pikarski

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project is to foster early literacy skill development for children within the school system. The materials created are intended to enhance the context and promote learning in a way that is meaningful and developmentally appropriate.

Social Skills Development: A Program For Pediatric Occupational Therapy Group Sessions, Kenadee Eyre

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Children with a neurological disorder often demonstrate delays in social skills development (Glenn et al., 2020; Goldingay et al. 2020; & Tanta & Kuhaneck, 2020). This delay in development impacts their participation in meaningful occupations as optimal performance range includes an element of social interaction. The purpose of this product is to provide pediatric occupational therapists with the resources necessary to build social skills groups following a hierarchy of social skills development.

Acting On The Need Of A Client, Caregiver, And Practitioner Seating And Mobility Guide, Aleksander Robert Kohn

Occupational Therapy Capstones

There is a significant need for individuals with a disability and specific mobility limitations to require a wheeled mobility device. Wheeled mobility devices allow individuals to gain and/or maintain independence and engagement in occupations. The evaluation, prescription, and fitment of wheeled mobility devices are complex, requiring clients and caregivers to use and maintain these devices in specific ways. Barriers caregivers face can include not positioning the client properly in the wheeled mobility device, damaged or missing wheelchair parts, or improper positioning of the straps and belts, affecting posture, which could lead to secondary complications.

Assisting Mothers In The Transition Into Motherhood, Abbey Mckenna Marinucci

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The perinatal period ranges from 22 weeks gestation to 2 years postpartum (Hoekzema et al., 2017; Seth et al., 2016; World Health Organization, n.d.). During the perinatal period, intervention is primarily provided by an obstetrician and gynecologist (OBGYN) during pregnancy. Typically, mothers are discharged on average 2.1 days after a natural birth (Podulka et al., 2011). Women are seen at 6 weeks postpartum where mothers’ physical health is the focus of the visit, leaving mothers' mental health concerns unaddressed and questions typically unanswered (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2012 & American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2012 as cited in Corrigan …

Improving Occupational Engagement For Children With Executive Dysfunction, Autumn Hopkin

Occupational Therapy Capstones

A person's ability to successfully perform complex tasks requires a higher level of thinking made possible through the successful use of executive functions. Executive functions develop over time, but typical development begins in early childhood. When children experience interruptions to development, executive dysfunction can inhibit their ability to reach their full occupational potential with play, academics, and social skill development. This scholarly project aims to promote executive function using an evidence-based approach to support occupational therapy practitioners and the children they serve with executive dysfunction.

The Impact Of Trauma On Occupational Performance For People Experiencing Homelessness, Isabella Jeanette Johannes

Occupational Therapy Capstones

People transitioning from homelessness experience trauma at three times the risk than the general population (McCurry, 2021). Occupational therapy can provide trauma-informed services that helps people that have experienced homelessness transition to supported housing by addressing occupational competence and identity formation through meaningful activity (McCurry, 2021). Occupational therapy can address this area by educating staff and students that work with this population to be more trauma- informed. It is important to utilize a trauma-informed approach to avoid retraumatization to people that have experienced homelessness (AOTA, 2021). There were two purposes of this project: a) develop advanced knowledge in trauma-informed care, …

The Ambassador Program: Improving Functional Community Participation For Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Kathryn Elizabeth College

Occupational Therapy Capstones

This scholarly project aims to create more functional engagement opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) in a community setting. Individuals with ID/DD experience a multitude of barriers when attempting to become active members of the community and engage in meaningful opportunities and social interactions (Doerpinghaus et al., 2022; Trembath et al., 2010). These barriers can include a lack of individualized support, low self-esteem, difficulty finding valuable volunteer experiences, and a prejudice in community settings (Milot et al., 2020; Trembath et al., 2010).

An Occupational Therapy Perspective On Health And Wellness: A Step Toward Prevention, Olivia Grace Myers

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this project was to develop a group protocol that addresses the primary prevention of obesity through an occupational therapy lens within a community setting.

Life Skills Training Resource For Individuals Aging Out Of The Foster System, Stephanie Coauette

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this project was to create a training resource for foster families regarding life skills for the population of individuals aging out of the foster care system. There is an identified need for resources for individuals who age out of the foster system for life skills training and basic activities of daily living (ADL) training (Paul-Ward & Lambdin- Pattavina, 2016). Aging out of the foster system means that an individual has turned 18 years old without a legal adoptive family taking responsibility for them (Scannapieco et al., 2007). There is a need for the individuals who are preparing …

Serving The Needs Of The Autism Spectrum Disorder Population, Taylor White

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is marked by challenges in social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behavior which results in difficulties in many occupations (American Psychological Association [APA], 2013; Crabtree & Demchick, 2018). Occupational therapy is part of the multidisciplinary team providing services to children with ASD. The purpose of this doctoral experiential placement was to gain advanced clinical practice knowledge for serving children with ASD. Additionally, a product focused on enhancing interprofessional collaboration was developed.

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Promoting Early Literacy In Head Start Programs, Paige Mann

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project is to create resources to support teachers and caregivers of Head Start students in supporting early literacy skill development. These resource guides and activity kits aim to support teachers and caregivers in closing the literacy gap between children raised in low-socioeconomic (SES) households and their peers from highsocioeconomic households.

Development Of Wellness And Nutrition Through The Use Of Gardening, Josie Anhorn

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The population of older adults has been rising exponentially in recent years (Duffin, 2022), leading to an influx in people moving into retirement or independent living communities. This transition may cause many changes in the new residents’ occupational participation and overall well-being. Research has shown specific areas of concern in socialization, nutrition, self-esteem, physical abilities, and continued participation in meaningful occupations (Holland et al., 2017; Knecht-Sabres et al., 2020; Smith, 2015; Sommerfeld et al., 2018; Swann, 2006; Swann, 2010). Gardening has been shown to positively impact these areas of health and well-being and ease some of the negative symptoms (Thompson, …

Addressing Interoceptive Awareness In Elementary School Students Affected By Childhood Trauma To Improve Emotional Regulation, Alison O’Sadnick

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Childhood trauma can affect students’ interoceptive awareness affecting their ability to emotionally regulate within the classroom environment (Neal, 2021). Evidence demonstrates that for students to emotionally regulate, they must have interoceptive awareness (Mahler, 2020). Interoceptive awareness is described as the ability to detect the physiological state of the body such as recognizing signals of respiratory effort, temperature, fatigue, hunger, thirst, satiety, pain, muscle aches, and heart rate (Mahler et al., 2022). Children who have experienced trauma commonly have difficulty identifying and describing internal arousal states, labeling, and expressing emotions and making their needs and wants to be known (Scaffa, 2019).

A Holistic Approach To Promoting Sleep For People Emerging From Homelessness: A Good Night’S Rest In Your Nest Sleep Toolkit, Anna Frances Burggraf

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Sleep deprivation has been directly linked to chronic health issues, decreased physical and cognitive functioning, and overall decreased quality of life, which limits the ability to engage in desired tasks and occupations (Gonzalez & Tyminski, 2020). Individuals who have experienced homelessness consistently demonstrate higher rates of sleep inadequacies compared to the general public, which highlights the need for service providers to address the quality of sleep participation for this population (Gonzalez & Tyminski, 2020).

A Successful Start With New Start: Transitional Community-Based Services For Student Veterans, Sheena Kay Miller

Occupational Therapy Capstones

For veterans, integration into the community post-service poses a variety of unique challenges as they pursue many different opportunities. One of those opportunities sought out by this population according to the literature is higher education. It is estimated that approximately 900,000 veterans and their families had utilized the post-9/11 GI Bill as of 2018, with that number expected to only increase over time (Ulrich & Freer, 2020). Some of the unique challenges faced by this population include higher rates of mental health diagnoses, suicidal thoughts, and service-related injuries such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI) than their civilian peers (Eakman et …

The Effects Of Sensory Exposures On Pre-Term Infants Within The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Isabell Grace Fetsch

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting is a very dynamic, complex environment that can greatly affect the well-being and physical development of pre-term infants. Pre-term infants are defined as infants born earlier than 37 weeks’ gestation (CDC, 2021). AOTA (2018) researchers stated that a pre-term infant does not have the self-regulatory tools to adapt to the complex and highly stressful NICU environment. Pineda et al. (2017) explained that the environment within the NICU presents many adverse sensory stimuli such as bright lights, loud noises, and stressful human touches. When infants are unable to manage environmental sensory exposures appropriately due …

Pediatric Telehealth Simplified: A Toolkit For The Rural Pediatric Occupational Therapy Practitioner, Stacy Michelle Buschette

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project is to promote occupational therapy to rural pediatric populations by means of effective and efficient telehealth service delivery via an extensive toolkit. The toolkit is meant to enhance the occupational therapy practitioner’s skills, abilities, and competencies pertaining to telehealth to ease the transition to telehealth implementation.

Methodology: An in-depth literature review of current research was conducted to determine the common barriers and supports that are experienced by occupational therapy practitioners implementing telehealth service delivery. Due to the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous occupational therapy practitioners were compelled to transition to telehealth intervention …

Meeting Sensory Needs: A Childcare Provider’S Guide To Support Sensory Strategies In The Daycare Setting, Mckenzie Dye

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Meeting Sensory Needs: A childcare provider’s guide to support sensory strategies in the daycare setting.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to create a supplemental sensory guide to support childcare providers in creating a sensory rich environment. This product incorporated the expertise of occupational therapy to create a sensory guide that outlines a sensory activity bank and environmental modifications.

Background: A high percentage of children in childcare experience sensory related difficulties that hinder their performance in daily activities. Many children in daycare who have sensory processing difficulties are being treated as if they have behavior problems, which can have …

Increasing Health, Wellness, And Self-Care In Older Adults Experiencing Mental Health Effects During And After A Pandemic, Hayley Blom

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The COVID-19 pandemic calls for new solutions in promoting increased health, wellness, and self-care in older adults experiencing mental health effects during and after a pandemic. As the virus began to spread in the United States in early 2020, social distancing measures were implemented to reduce the spread of the virus. During this time of uncertainty, assisted living facilities (ALF) put a halt to all program activities, mealtimes in the communal dining area, and any other activities or events that were face-to-face. Along with activity programming, most facilities restricted visitors from entering the building including residents’ loved ones. These factors …

Wellness Education For The Food Insecure Population, Erin M. Grensteiner

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Food insecurity is a problem facing the United States that often has few solutions. Those who face the challenges of food insecurity are known as the food-insecure population. Since the persistence of food insecurity, poorer health outcomes have become positively associated with the food-insecure population. After reviewing the literature, it was found that difficulties with the occupations of maintaining personal and home hygiene and resource seeking were prevalent and found to lead to poorer health outcomes. Difficulties with maintaining personal and home hygiene were found to stem from a lack of access or money to spend on personal and home …

Pathway Through Nature: A Nature-Based Occupational Therapy Program To Support Adolescent Mental Health, Danielle Grace Halstead

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Pathway Through Nature: A Nature-Based Occupational Therapy Program to Support Adolescent Mental Health

Background: Adolescent mental health conditions have risen 13% between 2007-2017, with increased rates of untreated and unrecognized mental health challenges (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021; WHO, n.d.). Primary challenges include anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, stress, coping skills, and self-identity (Kim, 2021; Magson et al., 2021; Rapee et al., 2019). Decreased access to professionals within the mental health field have presented as a barrier to combat the rise of the challenges listed above (Asher & De Silva, 2017). Nature-based therapy provides services within the most natural context …

A Sensory-Based Toolkit For Health Management Of Patients With Aggressive Behaviors In Acute Care, Meghan Janssen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: A Sensory-Based Toolkit for Health Management of Patients with Aggressive Behaviors in Acute Care

Introduction: Patients who have aggressive behaviors in acute care have limited engagement in health management and social participation (Beattie, Griffiths, Innes, & Morphet, 2018; Harwood, 2017). There is current evidence stating aggression and difficult behaviors can be caused by a dysregulated sensory system, a specific condition or an internal/external stressor (Bowman & Jones, 2016; Harwood, 2017; Scheydt et al., 2017). The purpose of this scholarly project is to promote patient engagement in health management and social participation through the implementation of a sensory-based toolkit that …

A Research Study To Identify Gaps And Barriers To Mental Health Treatment In Natrona County, Jedekiah Zean May

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Problem: Individuals with a mental health diagnosis in Natrona County may face many barriers to treatment, including a lack of access and a lack of providers. Furthermore, the unique cultural aspects may render available treatment undesirable to these people. Wyoming has various population level mental health challenges including a suicide rate of 24.8 per 100,000 in comparison to the national average of 14.2 per 100,000 (Kaiser Family Foundation [KFF], 2020). Mental Health America (MHA) shows Wyoming ranking 48th in the nation as a state on their access/prevalence ranking as of 2020, indicating high prevalence of mental illness with low access …

Oral Hygiene Education For Patients And Staff In An Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting, Cassandra L. Madsen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Individuals recovering from a stroke or hip fracture may have comorbidities, medication side effects, and symptoms that can decrease independence with self-care tasks and lead to a decline in oral health (DeBiase & Austin, 2003). Poor oral health has been associated with systemic infections, diabetes, aspiration pneumonia, and other comorbidities that negatively impact overall health and recovery from illness or injury (Danckert, Ryan, Plummer, & Williams, 2016). Few patients are aware of the importance of oral care and its impact on overall health. Even fewer patients are aware of the importance of oral care after stroke or hip fracture and …

Bridging The Gap: A Comprehensive Discharge Guide, Ashley Marie Mutziger

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Much attention is paid to clients while they receive services, but after they have met their goals and are ready for their next steps, they can perceive a lack of support and feelings of uncertainty. Returning home from any healthcare setting can be a time of uncertainty for clients. There are many questions to be answered and potential unknowns surrounding the discharge processes. Literature shows there is a need for improving discharge practices to promote client understanding and follow-through to end the treatment experience with the confidence that the client has the tools and resources necessary to be successful in …

Accessibility In Rural America, Ashley Osbjornson

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: Individuals with disabilities are often faced with barriers when trying to access public spaces out in the community, which results in lack of inclusion (Chibaya et al., 2021; Sandwood, 2019). This is an ongoing barrier that if addressed, may expand inclusion for those with disabilities (CDC, 2020a). The purpose of this scholarly project was to increase accessibility and usability for rural shoppers. Thus, a manual was created for Minnesota stores to use as a guide when assessing accessibility and usability. In addition, this manual was created to help store owners understand disability and its impact and identify strategies store …

Transitional Caregiver Support From Nicu To Early Intervention Services., Sophia Schutt

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Transitional Caregiver Support from NICU to Early Intervention Services. Sophia B. Schutt, Dr. Julie Grabanski, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences, 501 North Columbia Road, Grand Forks, ND 58202

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to develop an occupation-based educational product for caregivers leaving the NICU setting and transitioning into early intervention services. The project is aimed at assessing and reducing caregiver stress levels and increasing co-occupational outcomes with their infants.

Methods: A needs assessment was conducted to evaluate the gap in caregiver education during the transition in care. The educational …