Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Utilizing Dance/Movement Therapy For Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Development Of A Method, Jayda Pearson

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

While there is limited research on the use of dance/movement therapy (DMT) with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. This thesis introduces an intervention focused on utilizing (DMT) to assist children with ADHD in self-regulation during periods of dysregulation associated with the disorder. The research is backed by literature reviews covering various topics related to ADHD symptoms such as dysregulation, impulsivity, and attention difficulties. Furthermore, the thesis delves into the background of dance/movement therapy and explores how DMT can be integrated with other modalities such as play therapy for a comprehensive therapeutic approach.

Sensory Processing Difficulties In Children Born Preterm And The Needs Of Their Families, Shelby J. Buie

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Children who are born preterm frequently experience sensory processing difficulties due to their underdeveloped brains and the atypical early sensory experiences that are associated with increased medical needs. These factors impact the development of a child’s sensory system, which ultimately influences how a child participates in daily activities. Having a child born preterm that requires increased medical attention causes stress on the family. Increased stress and a decrease in mental health can disrupt the parent-child bond. This project aimed to provide sensory-based occupational therapy treatment sessions to children who were born preterm to improve their sensory processing skills. Furthermore, the …

Enhancing Participation In Play Through Staff Training At We Rock The Spectrum, Megan Poppens

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone was completed by partnering with We Rock the Spectrum in Franklin, Tennessee. We Rock the Spectrum is an inclusive, sensory-safe play environment for all children. The goal was to provide education, coaching, and practical tips for staff to foster increased inclusion and participation in play. A training manual was created with topics including the impact of play, development, respectful disability language, disability terms and abbreviations, sensory regulation, safety, common misconceptions, pediatric diagnoses, strategies for leading groups, behavior management, and interacting one-on-one with children. The educational resources were used to enhance the staff member’s knowledge, confidence, and skills …

Expanding The Availability Of Adapted Athletics For Youth With Physical Disabilities In Middle Tennessee, Alexandra Hurd

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with ABLE Youth in Nashville, TN. ABLE Youth is a non-profit organization that uses sports as the motivation for children who use wheelchairs to reach their goals of independence. The two main goals of this project were as follows: One, to facilitate the Music City Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, the largest adaptive athletics event in Tennessee, and Two, to expand the variety of sports offered at the monthly Super Sports Saturday events. By the end of this capstone experience, volleyball and lacrosse were introduced to the ABLE youth program participants. Ideas for future …

Enhancing Athletic Participation: Continuous Glucose Monitoring For Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes Athletes, Danielle Santiago

Nursing | Senior Theses

The difficulties that children and teenagers with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) encounter are discussed in this thesis, with a focus on how fear of hypoglycemia (FOH) and actual hypoglycemia associated with this chronic illness affects their ability to engage in physical activities, especially organized sports. A common challenge for children diagnosed with T1DM is meeting the daily recommendation of 60 minutes of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity. The purpose of the proposed study is to evaluate if participation in structured exercise (physical education classes and after-school sports) increases among school-aged children who wear continuous glucose monitors (CGM) when …

Hippotherapy Within Physical Therapy Treatment: Helping Patients With Cerebral Palsy Achieve Functional Goals, Grace Kucienski

Honors Capstones

Hippotherapy is a treatment tool that can be utilized by trained occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and physical therapists. It involves the utilization of a horse’s movement to facilitate certain sensory, adaptive, neuromotor, cognitive, and physical responses from a patient. The purpose of this project is to examine how hippotherapy as a treatment tool in physical therapy benefits children with cerebral palsy. The examination of this subject matter was conducted in a case study format. For twelve weeks, one patient with cerebral palsy’s physical therapy sessions utilizing hippotherapy were observed. During these sessions, her progress towards reaching a specific functional …

Impact Of Child/Parent Characteristics On Ultra-Processed Food Intake In Preschool-Aged Children, A Latent Class Analysis Of Obesity-Related Factors And Obesity Risk, And The Qualitative Impact Of 9-11 Year Old's Perception Of Unhealthy Food Marketing, Jennifer E. Carroll

Doctoral Dissertations

Childhood overweight/obesity is an epidemic in the US. Modifiable risk factors, such as intake of foods that are highly processed, are heavily marketed to children. Exposure to food advertisements, along with home environment factors, family meal styles, and digital media habits shapes children’s preferences, tastes, and habits. Predictors of ultra-processed food (UPF) intake in children are unclear and the potential effect of ad exposure on UPF intake is unknown. It is also unknown if there are distinct response patterns among a collection of potentially obesity-related factors, and if distinct groups affect child BMI. Additionally, more qualitative research is needed to …

The Relationship Between Parental Trauma History And Perceptions Regarding Their Child’S Healthcare And Utilization Of Healthcare Services, Krishna Patel

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

TITLE: The Relationship Between Parental Trauma History and Perceptions Regarding Their Child’s Healthcare and Utilization of Healthcare Services

Adverse child events (ACEs) have been associated with a number of physical and mental health problems and have also been linked to increased health care utilization. While parents who have an ACE history may tend to seek healthcare services for themselves, limited studies have examined the impact of their trauma history on seeking healthcare services for their child. Healthcare utilization may also depend on the parents’ level of health anxiety, as well as their anxiety about their child’s health status. This …

Accommodated Gymnastics Program For Atypically Developing Children, Ashtin Callahan

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

‘Safe Couch, Safe House’ Program (Scshp): Reducing Exposure To Toxic Flame Retardants For Children In A Low-Income Public Housing At Hunters View, Bayview-Hunters Point, San Francisco., Aliza Khan

Master's Projects and Capstones

Since the 1970s, flame retardants have been used extensively in consumer goods, including furniture, textile, and electronics, to meet California’s flammability standards. (Gibson et al.,2019) Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs), once the most widely used flame retardants being used in consumer products, were phased out from use in manufacturing as evidence emerged about PBDEs persistence and toxicity. (Hoffman et al.,2017) PBDEs were replaced by Organophosphate Flame Retardants (OPFRs), which has proven to be a case of ‘regrettable substitution’ as exposure to OPFRs is ubiquitous and pervasive in humans due to their volatility and propensity to leach from products into the environment. …

The Prevalence Of Diabetes In Juveniles, Tatyana Johnson

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Diabetes mellitus, simply known as diabetes, is a metabolic disorder that impacts how the body makes use of glucose or blood sugar. Glucose is the primary supply of energy for the body’s cells, which is controlled by insulin, a pancreatic hormone. Diabetes results in high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia), which are caused by either insufficient insulin production by the pancreas or ineffective insulin utilization by the body (Dean & McEntyre, 2004). Although there are several types of diabetes, the two main types are type 1 and type 2. Type 1, also known as juvenile diabetes, is an inflammatory condition in …

Pediatric Streptococcal Pharyngitis Testing And Treatment Practices, Amanda Welch

Dissertations

Objective: The purpose of this pilot quality improvement study was to implement SmartPhrases and assess its impact on adherence to the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) guideline for Group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis testing and treatment in pediatric patients ages 1-16 years old. The aim was to use SmartPhrases to improve adherence with the IDSA guideline by 30% for GAS pharyngitis swabbing and 10% for appropriate antibiotic prescribing in three months.

Methods: A retrospective data analysis approach was used, in reviewing SmartPhrases data from the electronic health records (EHR) in a metropolitan Urgent Care. This data were collected from …

Academic Impacts Of Intergenerational Trauma: Assessing The Relationship Between Ace Scores Of Parents And The Language And Literacy Development Of Their Elementary-Aged Children, Paige Lee Banaszak

Theses and Dissertations

This paper contributes to the current literature by investigating factors that may contribute to language and literacy difficulty among children, to support the future development of effective intervention techniques. The data analyzed in this paper was collected from children and families participating in Reach Every Reader, a research study currently being conducted to improve literacy outcomes in the U.S. by developing a computer-adaptive screening assessment tool to identify children at risk for language and literacy difficulties early in their educational development. Children enrolled in kindergarten through third grade completed tasks that target language and literacy skills, and their parent(s) completed …

Establishing The Minimum Clinically Important Difference (Mcid) Of The Quality Of Life In Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (Qolce-55), Mariela Leda

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE-55) is a validated, parent-reported measure of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children with epilepsy (CWE). The QOLCE-55 currently has no minimum clinically important difference (MCID), which is the minimum amount of change required to be considered meaningful to patients. The primary objective of this study was to estimate the MCID for the QOLCE-55 using the Making Mindfulness Matter© in Children with Epilepsy trial data. Parent-child dyads (n=66) completed the QOLCE-55 at baseline (week 0) and follow-up (week 9). MCID values for the QOLCE-55 were calculated using two types of methods: …

Audiological Management Of Children With Down Syndrome: A Toolkit For Caregivers, Natalie Lisiewicz

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Children with Down syndrome may have multiple medical co-morbidities. This can result in an overwhelming number of medical appointments and information for caregivers to keep track of. Middle ear dysfunction, among other otologic abnormalities, is common in the Down syndrome population, and the presence of these conditions will result in referrals to an audiologist to monitor hearing sensitivity. While hearing may not be the most pressing concern as compared to a possible life-threatening condition such as a heart defect, it is still a crucial factor in a child’s overall development.

This toolkit is designed with the intention of educating caregivers …

Evidence-Based Practice In The Management Of Tinnitus In Children And Adolescents: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Rivka Deutsch

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Objective: The purpose of this investigation is to conduct a systematic review of the literature to compile and evaluate the known research on the management of tinnitus in children/ The specific aims of this paper are to determine what approaches can be considered best practice for the management of tinnitus in this population, what aspects of adult management (if any) can be adapted for children, and whether the literature supports one management approach over another.

Methods and Results: A comprehensive search utilizing the Medline and Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Google Scholar databases, accessible via …

Adverse Effects And Pharmacokinetic Characteristics Of High-Dose Glucocorticoid Treatment In Children With Rheumatic Diseases, Renee X. Pang

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This integrated-article thesis explores the impact of long-term glucocorticoid (GC) therapy on children with RD. Long-term GC treatment is potentially associated with severe adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Our scoping review summarizes the current evidence health-related quality of life (HRQOL) impacts of this treatment on children with RD. We describe the frequency of ADRs related to long-term GC treatment in a convenience sample of pediatric RD patients on long-term prednisone therapy and evaluate clinical characteristics that may be associated with risk for of GC-related ADRs. Lastly, we present a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility of monitoring GC PK in children …

Growing In Grief: A Meaning-Making Expressive Arts Therapy Method Developed For Bereaved Youth, Jessica Wilson

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Approximately 5.3 million youth in the United States have experienced the death of a sibling or parent. They face challenges such as an increased risk of depression, anxiety, substance use, and other detrimental effects on adjustment. A small subset of this population experiences significant emotional and behavioral difficulties, characterized by an inability to function in major life roles, a preoccupation with the loss, and separation distress. Modern grief literature describes meaning-making as an adaptive coping process contributing to a sense of renewed hope and self-efficacy and a reduction in distressing grief symptomology. Expressive arts therapy is an effective way to …

School-Based Development And Implementation Of Adolescent Mental Health Educational Toolkits, Chantel M. Kilford Ms

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

After the onset of the COVID pandemic, there were significant increases of adolescents with anxiety, behavioral and conduct problems. These disorders have devasting individual, social, and economic ramifications and school-based staff play a key role in identification, assessment, and treatment. Evidence suggested that healthcare providers, school counselors and teachers were not confident or knowledgeable about adolescent mental health. The purpose of the change in practice project was to increase knowledge and confidence among school-based healthcare providers, school counselors and teachers by providing an adolescent mental health tool kit. The toolkit focused on disruptive behavior and other prevalent mental health disorders …

School-Based Development And Implementation Of An Educational Toolkit, Chantel M. Kilford Ms

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

The purpose of this evidence-based change in practice is to increase knowledge and confidence among healthcare providers and teachers within a high school setting by providing an educational tool kit about behavioral disorders in children. The disorders that will be focused upon are conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and common co-morbidities of these disorders. There will be education about an appropriate childhood, evidence based mental health assessment tool that assesses childhood mental health, including how to score the tool and interpret the results. Evidence suggests that healthcare providers and teachers are not confident or knowledgeable about identification, assessment, and behavioral …

Covid, Creativity, And Connecting Through Change: Reviewing The Literature On How Art Therapy Can Help Children And Adolescents Cope With Pandemic-Related Grief, Lydia Speicher

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the most significant global events in the past century, both resulting in massive casualties and significant mental health outcomes across the world. Some of the most impacted populations are children and adolescents whose lives have been interrupted during their formative years. The purpose of this literature review is to explore how art therapy has been used during the COVID-19 pandemic to address the grief experienced by children and adolescents through their losses of stability and peer support surrounded by uncertainty. This literature review seeks to understand exactly how the pandemic has affected the …

Effectiveness Of Feeding Therapy Approaches On Consumption And Dietary Variety In Children With Sensory-Based Feeding Challenges, Josie Ash, Kayla Estes, Cecilia Morales, Rachel Mcelroy

Occupational Therapy Evidence Projects

This project was completed in collaboration with Hannah Michlmayer (OTR/L) at Therapy Services for Children in Seattle, Washington. The research team conducted a literature review to investigate the following question: For children ages 3-12 with sensory-based feeding challenges, what are the most effective interventions to improve dietary diversity and/or food acceptance? Evidence indicates that ABA-based interventions are the most studied, followed by video modeling and caregiver/parent training. These approaches demonstrate short-term increases in consumption and dietary variety. Most studies had small sample sizes with minimal long-term follow-up. There is a lack of research on group interventions, the SOS approach, and …

Measuring Outcomes Of Occupational Therapy Facilitated In Natural Settings With Young Children, Amie Smith, Deepak Dale, Brinda Saini, Zoe Peters, Amanda Laccone

Occupational Therapy | Graduate Capstone Projects

To date, there is limited evidence to support the effectiveness of Occupational Therapy (OT) services delivered outside in nature. This study explored the benefits of OT intervention in Natural Settings (NS) for children by examining development in the areas of self-regulation, social skills, sensory processing, confidence, and motor skills. A quantitative, quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test design was used in this study. Researchers partnered with a local outpatient OT clinic that offers an 8-week outdoor program. Seven children and their parents were recruited and participated in the study. A modified version of the COPM and two BOT-2 subtests, along with a novel log …

Comprehensive Literature Review: Assessing The Impact Of Covid-19 Policies, School Closures And Social Distancing, On The Mental Health Of School Age Children, Fatuma A. Hassan

Capstone Experience

Mental health is vital to the well-being of all individuals, especially children. COVID-19 unveiled a significant public health issue with poor mental health during the pandemic. There is limited literature about the mental health implications of COVID-19 policies for children and adolescents and preventive strategies for future pandemics. This comprehensive literature review seeks to further investigate the mental health impacts of school shutdowns and social distancing, which were nonpharmaceutical strategies, on school-aged children, 5-18 years old, and propose recommendations for public health officials to mitigate the mental health impacts for future pandemics. Additionally, the review aims to highlight the potential …

Return To Play: Impact Of Urbanicity And Socioeconomic Status On Parents’ Attitudes Regarding Their Children's Play And Sport During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Kendall Saravanamuttoo

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the daily routines of parents and children. The primary aim of this study was to explore the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) and urbanicity on parents’ attitudes toward their children’s active play opportunities 6 months and 1.5 years into COVID-19. The secondary objective was to explore how parents’ attitudes at 6 months related to the structured and unstructured play opportunities that children returned to 1 year later, while moderating the effects of SES and urbanicity. A sample of 239 Ontario parents of children (< 12) completed two online surveys (August – December 2020; 2021). In general, parents in communities with urban features (e.g., densely populated areas), single-parents, full-time employed parents, and parents of lower-income were more hesitant to return their children to active play during the pandemic. Findings from this work highlight SES and urbanicity disparities that continue to exist during COVID-19.

Effectiveness Of Speech Intervention Methods In Children With Speech Delays, Andrea Noel, Rachel Windemuth, Brett Porter

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Speech delays in children is a common issue that can be treated by a wide variety of interventions. Our PICOT question is, in children, ages six months to thirteen years, with speech/language delays, how does the addition of innovative and supplemental interventions, compared with standard interventions alone, effect improvements in the delays. All three group members have known someone who has suffered from a speech delay, and we want to research the best possible methods to overcome that obstacle to answer our questions, we will begin to take on the task of creating and writing a systematic review. This review …

Effect Of Family Engagement On The Behavioral Health Of Mentally Ill Offenders, Jessica Rae Horn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States, 40% of incarcerated individuals have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, but they often lack the support system needed to navigate their incarceration. This study addressed ways to understand how family engagement opportunities can improve the behavioral health of mentally ill offenders. Specifically, five research questions were used to explore the degree to which the practice of family engagement was understood as a method for providing support to mentally ill incarcerated individuals. The study followed the Baldrige Framework of Excellence to identify current organizational leadership and management issues that can help reach its goals, improve …

The Effects Of Screen Time On Children, Jacqueline Valdepenas

Nursing | Senior Theses

With the development of technology continuing to grow at a fast-paced pace in society, children are now becoming exposed to such technology at a younger age. The introduction of smartphones and tablets, which is defined as screen time in this paper, are being introduced to children as young as 6 months of age. Instead of children playing with toys recommended for their age, they use screen time for their play needs and entertainment. Some parents use screen time as a distraction and/or relief for their own needs when the child is upset or they’re unable to tend to the child. …

Cultivating Carrots, Community, And Health-Conscious Children: Investigating The Effects Of Community Garden Implementation On Nutrition Attitudes Of Elementary Students In The Los Angeles Unified School District, Hannah Michele Tiedemann

Scripps Senior Theses

Growing up in an urban food desert can significantly affect children's development, health, and well-being (Jencks et al., 1990; Leventhal et al., 2000). Compared to their more affluent peers, youth living in low-socioeconomic urban neighborhoods are at greater risk of experiencing poor-quality diets, food insecurity, unhealthy body weights, and mental health problems (Duncan et al., 1997; Sampson et al., 1997). Moreover, children living in food-insecure households are more likely to consume calorically dense diets high in trans fat and added sugar, putting them at risk for poor health, childhood obesity, and chronic, diet-related diseases as adults (Nielsen et al., 2002). …

The Role Of Parental Military Status And Educational Attainment On Mental Health Service Usage Among Children And Adolescents, Cierra Jones Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A lack of mental health services for children and adolescents has been linked to significant health problems in adulthood. Researchers have investigated factors that influence usage of mental health services among children and adolescence, but significant gaps persist regarding use of mental health service among military-connected youth. This quantitative study was conducted to examine if parental military status and parental education affected the usage of mental health services among children and adolescents ages 3–17 in the United States. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze secondary data from the combined 2019–2020 National Survey of Children’s Health. After adjusting for income, …