Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Inclusive Sports Environments: Youth Gymnastics Coaches’ Perceptions On Promoting Inclusivity For Autistic Athletes, Alec D. Sheaffer

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Despite the positive physical, psychological, and social benefits of sports, children with disabilities participate in sports at a lower rate than their typically developing peers. Partnerships between occupational therapists and youth sports providers can facilitate inclusive sports environments that enable equitable access to sports for all children.

Purpose: The purpose of the Capstone Project was to explore youth gymnastics coaches’ perceptions on inclusive sports participation following an educational module.

Theoretical Framework. The occupational justice framework (Townsend & Wilcock, 2004) guided the development of the project through the view that equitable participation in preferred occupations is an individual right.

Methods. …

Program Evaluation Of A Community-Based Model For Driver Off-Road Assessment In Post-Acute Abi, Eugenia R. Herbst

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Social conditions from the pandemic forced changes to outpatient rehabilitation programs, necessitating pre-driving assessment be administered via telehealth, an alternative model of OT service-delivery. As a result, Shepherd Pathways adapted the clinical pre-driving program for telehealth service delivery. Program outcomes had not been formally assessed.

Purpose:

The purpose of this Capstone project was to conduct a formal program evaluation to collect, analyze, and use data to evaluate effectiveness and efficiency of a clinical return to drive program delivered via telehealth (CDC, n.d.; The university of Kansas toolbox, n.d.). The program evaluation examined the OT process and scope of services …

Barriers To Sleep In Us Army Service Members: A Scoping Review, Sally Paul

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Insufficient sleep contributes to human health and performance deficits with Active Duty US Army soldiers being at highest risk for poor sleep and subsequent sleep disorders. Research in this area continues to grow and has focused on pathology and intervention, often related to deployment, yet it is vital to understand the barriers to sufficient sleep in healthy soldiers (the majority) in the garrison context, where they will spend most of their time. Purpose: Explore the current state of literature regarding barriers to sufficient sleep in healthy US Army active duty service members in the garrison setting. Theoretical Framework. Biopsychosocial …

Perceptions Of Occupational Therapy Practitioners In Recognizing And Addressing Older Adult Food Insecurity, Mitzie Marion C. Mickelson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: According to productive aging initiatives from the American Occupational Therapy Association, occupational therapy practitioners play an integral role in advancing and promoting wellness and independence of adults in later life. Evidence has indicated that numerous occupational therapy interventions can enhance the quality of life and functional ability levels of older adults and may be modified to target the needs of older adults who experience the threat of hunger.

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study is to explore how occupational therapy practitioners view their role in enhancing older adults’ healthy eating behaviors and reducing the risk of food …

Exploring The Perceived Meaning Of Community-Based Lifestyle Wellness Programs, Interprofessional Collaboration, And The Relationship To Occupational Therapy: A Phenomenological Approach, Christina Buchignani

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Community-based health care providers use interprofessional collaborative strategies to support the lifestyle wellness needs of older adult clients at risk for chronic disease. A phenomenological approach was taken to explore a sample of community-based health care professionals’ shared meanings of lifestyle wellness programming, interprofessional collaboration, and the Lifestyle Redesign® program and to determine the perceived relationship to occupational therapy, if any. The qualitative descriptive thematic analysis within the Framework of Occupational Justice context revealed positive perceptions of lifestyle wellness programming and interprofessional collaboration but limited awareness of Lifestyle Redesign® and occupational therapy’s distinct role in community-based preventive wellness. Occupational therapy …

Skilled Nuring Facilities Therapists' Experiences With Acquiring Wheelchairs For Their Clients, Vincent Campbell

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

The United States (U.S.) population is aging resulting in an increase in Skilled Nursing Home (SNF) residents. A larger proportion of SNF residents rely on wheelchairs for mobility. Currently there are no studies that determine the processes, which therapists utilize to correctly fit their clients for wheelchairs. Poor fitting wheelchairs can have a negative impact on the residents’ ability to participate in occupational activities. Residents may also suffer physical or psychological consequences from an ill-fitting wheelchair. Therapists in SNFs often have no established criteria in providing wheelchairs for their clients. There can be institutional barriers to providing appropriate wheelchairs for …

The Perception Of Stroke On Iadl, Paula O. Buari

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Residents in a skilled nursing home receiving rehabilitative services following a stroke may value instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) tasks more than ADL tasks. This research investigates the impact of IADL tasks on quality of life (QoL). Purpose: The research questions were: How do individuals post-stroke and receiving occupational therapy services in a skilled nursing facility perceive their participation, or lack of participation, in IADL, and how does this impact their perceived QoL? Theoretical Framework. The theoretical framework that guided this project was the Model of Human Occupation. Methods. A phenomenological research-based qualitative approach designed to understand …

Asynchronous Online Telehealth Training: Occupational Therapist’S Perceptions Of Knowledge And Confidence, Breanna L. Campbell

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Telehealth was not a typical practice in occupational therapy prior to the pandemic (Allen-McHugh & Schleg, 2022; Douglass et al., 2023; Wittmeier et al., 2022). Understanding OT clinician knowledge and confidence in the delivery mode has progressed as a result (Allen-McHugh & Schleg, 2022; Douglass et al., 2023; Soba et al., 2022; Wittmeier et al., 2022). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of an asynchronous online training module in increasing self-reported knowledge and confidence in occupational therapy clinicians utilizing telehealth with the pediatric population. A pre-experimental pre-posttest quantitative design was used to measure therapist’s perceived knowledge …

Perceptions Of Occupational Therapists Working In Established Pace Programs, Jessica L. Daugherty-Peters

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: The Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) provides medical and social services to older adults who meet nursing home level of care but wish to remain in their own homes. Although PACE has been in existence for decades, this program is new to the state of Kentucky.

Purpose: The problem this Capstone project will address is the need for further research related to occupational therapy’s roles and experiences in PACE programs. This capstone will explore the perceptions of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants working in established PACE programs.

Methods: This study followed a Qualitative Descriptive …

A One-Day In Person Workshop To Assess Novice Occupational Therapists’ Perceived Level Of Preparedness In Supervising Level Ii Fieldwork Students., Inken Prochilo

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Occupational therapy fieldwork education is an in-depth experience required by the American Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) to demonstrate entry-level skills as a practitioner. Level II Fieldwork allows the student to apply knowledge gained in the classroom, in a clinical setting under the guidance and mentorship of a qualified therapist, also referred to as a fieldwork educator (FWE). Fieldwork shortages have long been documented and continue to present challenges for academic fieldwork coordinators (AFWC) across the countryThe purpose of this Capstone was to evaluate the impact of an in-person workshop focused on the skills required for the fieldwork supervisory …

Administrators’ Perceptions Of Alternative Service Delivery Models And The School-Based Occupational Therapists’ Role, Kimberly Saccucci

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

School-based occupational therapists (SBOTs) provide a range of services with collaborative consultation amongst interdisciplinary team members being one of their responsibilities. One perspective that has not been thoroughly examined within previous research is the administrators’ perceptions of the OTs’ roles and responsibilities within the school setting, which may impact how therapists can implement alternative service delivery models. This study aimed to determine administrators’ perceptions of the workload model for SBOTs, to explore their understanding of the SBOTs’ role and responsibilities, and to understand their perceptions regarding collaborative consultation.

An anonymous electronic survey was distributed to public school administrators within Rhode …

A Pretest-Posttest Survey Study Of Parent Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of Occupational Performance Coaching On Caregiver-Child Play Occupations, Hailee B. Lewis House

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: When the COVID-19 pandemic and telehealth was utilized, it was apparent that most client families did not have occupation-based play objects in the home due to having to drive 30 minutes to the closest store, difficulty affording toys, or did not know age-appropriate toys for their child.

Purpose: The study explored home program education strategies, and the relationships between store access, socioeconomic status, and parental education levels on having age-appropriate play-based occupational items in the home.

Theoretical Framework. Occupational Performance Coaching (OPC) is a coaching intervention that helps parents to recognize and implement changes for more successful occupational performance …

Occupational Therapy Certified Hand Therapists' Perceptions Of Remaining Rooted In Occupation In The Hand Clinic: A Phenomenological Study, Andrea E. Berke-Mclaughlin

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Occupational Therapy Certified Hand Therapists (OT CHTs) working in the outpatient hand clinic tend to use the dominant biomechanical approach in the rehabilitation of their upper extremity (UE) clients. Due to the existence of a multitude of barriers and challenges for implementing an occupation-based approach, OT CHTs may not treat their UE clients holistically, placing less focus on treating the occupational performance deficits caused by the UE impairment. Purpose: The purpose of this Capstone is to explore the essence of OT CHTs’ current lived experiences in the use of occupation-based approach in the outpatient hand therapy clinic. Theoretical Framework. …

The Impact Of Brief Mindfulness Training On Occupational Therapy (Ot) Students' Perceived Level Of Stress, Emily K. Masters

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Mental health issues and burnout are becoming more common among students in healthcare programs (Dyrbye et al., 2014). As demands placed on healthcare professions continue to increase, there has been an increased interest in researching the practice of mindfulness to promote self-care (Irving et al., 2009). Mindfulness has been defined as “the awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally to the unfolding of experience moment by moment” (Kabat-Zinn, 2003, p. 145). Mindfulness has been shown to decrease stress and anxiety among pre-healthcare college students (Burgstahler & Stenson, 2020). Little research has investigated …

Professional Behaviors On The Fieldwork Performance Evaluation: Perspectives Of Fieldwork Educators, Jessi S. Clark

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Occupational therapy (OT) students are assessed on their professional behavior skills during Level II fieldwork (FW) by fieldwork educators (FWEs) as measured by the Fieldwork Performance Evaluation (FWPE). Most of these professional behavior skills are not required components of entry-level OT education, therefore academic preparation may be variable. The purpose of this Capstone project was to study the perspective of FWEs regarding the seven professional behavior items on the FWPE, primarily the relative importance of and academic preparation for these items. Participants included FWEs who completed the FWPE in the last 15 years. They completed an online survey that utilized …

How Do Informal Caregivers Of A Person With Dementia Experience Stress And Which Supports Help Mitigate The Effect Of These Stressors?, Kwandra Andrews Brinson

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Alzheimer's disease or related dementias (ADRD) are one of the most rapidly growing epidemics that the world is facing. Caring for a person with ADRD is challenging and often causes informal caregivers stress, loneliness, and social isolation.

Purpose: The aim of this qualitative instrumental case study was to obtain a better understanding of how informal caregivers of persons with ADRD experience stress and which supports helped mitigate the effect of these stressors in their role as a caregiver.

Theoretical Framework: The Model of Human Occupation focuses on therapy helping persons to engage in occupational behaviors that maintain, restore, reorganize, …

Occupational Therapy Practitioners’ Perceptions Of Their Confidence And Skills When Providing Community And Social Interventions After A Guided Educational Experience, Jenny Williams

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: As the population is aging, occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) are well placed to address the community and social needs of older adults to promote healthy aging. However, OTPs seem to be lacking the resources and guidance to implement community and social interventions routinely.

Purpose: This quantitative non-experimental, pre-, and post-survey design aims to determine the impact of a guided education intervention on how OTPs perceive their skills and confidence when providing community and social interventions.

Theoretical Framework: The Model of Health Promotion (Wilcocks, 2006) and Lifestyle Redesign® (Clark et al., 1997) program were used as the guiding theory and …

Biofeedback And Anxiety Reduction: An Occupational Therapy Intervention For Persons With Long Covid, Colette Freda

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: People who acquire Covid 19 may have symptoms lasting over three months, called Long Covid. It is estimated that one in five people in the United States has Long Covid. Unpleasant symptoms of Long Covid are many including anxiety. People with Long Covid have a difficult time engaging in everyday activities and have a poor quality of life. Occupational therapy practitioners using heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback may help decrease anxiety in the Long Covid population. There is limited research on occupational therapy and HRV biofeedback.

Purpose: The problem the study addressed was to investigate the use of HRV …

Don’T Forget The Importance Of Leisure Occupations For The Community Dwelling Elder, Susan Witt

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Leisure exploration is important to the community dwelling elder (CDE) as research indicates that social and leisure activities correlate with well-being in this population (Adams et al., 2011). This research project aimed to gain insight on the CDE’s perspective on leisure as they age in place and the role occupational therapists play in leisure promotion for this population. This mixed method study included quantitative data from the Activity Card Sort (ACS) assessment which provided data on how leisure and activities of daily living have changed with aging. Qualitative data was gained through semi-structured interview and explored the perspectives of the …

Enhancing Support Staff Self-Efficacy In Supporting Neurodiverse Students’ Classroom Engagement, Jennifer Molina

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Executive Summary

Background: Neurodiverse students often face many challenges within their classroom environment due to a mismatch of the environmental demands and the student’s unique processing. This mismatch is often not understood by school support staff which can lead to adverse student outcomes in academic achievement and graduation rates. Support staff are often undertrained and unsupported in meeting the complex needs of neurodiverse students and OTs are often underutilized in this deficit.

Purpose: The purpose of this capstone project was to measure the knowledge and self-efficacy gained by an evidence-based training module for school support staff that promoted increased classroom …

Occupational Therapy Practitioners’ Perceptions Of Workplace Stressors In One Nursing Home Post Pandemic, Owen T. Tabelisma

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Executive Summary

Background:

Multiple stress-related issues brought on by the pandemic affected healthcare staff, including occupational therapists. Nursing home settings were particularly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to understand how occupational therapy practitioners in nursing home settings managed stress during the pandemic and how they perceived stress after it passed.

Purpose:

The purpose of this qualitative study was to evaluate occupational therapy practitioners ’perceptions of workplace stressors in one nursing home during the pandemic and to understand how these stressors may have changed post-pandemic.

Theoretical Framework:

The Occupational Adaptation (OA) model was the theoretical framework that served …

Client Perceptions On The Value Of Pre-Surgical Education Regarding The Recovery Process After Carpometacarpal Arthroplasty, Alice J. Mullholand

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Executive Summary

Background: The delivery of client education is an intervention that has a substantial influence on healthcare outcomes. However, the significance of preoperative education for outpatient hand treatments remains inadequately supported by research. Occupational therapists possess the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively address the issue of health literacy and make valuable contributions toward the promotion of health equity. The existing research fails to provide adequate evidence to support the claim that preoperative education is important for outpatient hand procedures. It is important to promote the adoption of best practices and enhance clients' health literacy regarding hand surgery to …

Experiences Of Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury And Return To Work: A Scoping Review, Soofia Naqvi

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Participation in productive work after a traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) can often be a challenging experience. This experience is unique to each individual and is often impacted by personal and environmental factors as well as government policies. Previous studies have aimed to identify the factors associated with promoting successful return to work after SCI, but often the perceptions of those who experience SCI are excluded from these studies. This study aims to gain insights regarding the experiences of persons with SCI and participation in productive employment. Purpose: To analyze existing literature about the perceptions of persons with (SCI) …

Community-Dwelling Older Adults’ Perceived Self-Efficacy And Readiness For Discharge After Receiving Occupational Therapy Services At A Skilled Nursing Facility (Snf)., Shih-Ni N. Lai

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Abstract

Background: Older adults who plan to go home from a SNF after having injuries have increased concerns about their transition and feel they have limited knowledge and information on community resources. There is research on the critical roles of occupational therapy in preparing community-dwelling older adults to transition home from SNF. However, limited research on community-dwelling older adults' perception of their self-efficacy and discharge preparedness after receiving occupational therapy services at SNF.

Purpose: This project examines the perceptions of community-dwelling older adults’ preparedness and self-efficacy after receiving occupational therapy services in a SNF to increase their quality of life …

Coaching, Capacity, And Change: Youth Sport Providers' Perceptions On Creating A Health-Promoting Environment, Jennifer Papenfuse

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Rising youth public health disparities can be attributed to the social determinants of health that influence health and wellness. Youth sport providers can be influential in creating healthier environments that facilitate positive youth development, positively impacting life-long healthy behaviors.

Purpose: The purpose of this Capstone Project was to explore youth sport provider’s perceptions, after completing an educational module, of their capacity to implement positive youth development and to create a health-promoting environment. Theoretical Framework. The Model of Human Occupation and the Transtheoretical Model of Behavioral Change guided this project’s assumption that the multicontextual environment’s influence on the process of …

The Use Of Compression To Treat Phlebolymphedema Symptomology: A Systematic Review, Naomi Moran

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: There is a lack of clinical practice guidelines regarding treating phlebolymphedema symptomology. To facilitate client centered evidence-based practice, occupational therapists (OTs) who are Certified Lymphedema Therapists (CLTs) need disease specific evidence for treating phlebolymphedema. Finding available evidence regarding the use of complete decongestion therapy (CDT) for this population will support evidence-based practice. For this capstone compression usage is the one component of CDT that will be researched.

Purpose: A systematic review of evidence related to use of static compression for treatment of lower leg phlebolymphedema that is within the scope of a CLT who is not wound care certified. …

Occupational Therapists’ Clinical Reasoning In Aat With Dogs In Pediatric Therapy, Catherine C. Goodman

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to understand the clinical reasoning used by occupational therapists to select animal assisted therapy with a dog to be included in a treatment plan for their pediatric occupational therapy clients

Theoretical Framework. The Ecology of Human Performance model supports the study purpose and emphasizes the effect of a person’s context and environment on their ability to function and perform tasks.

Methods. The descriptive qualitative study used interviews of seven occupational therapy practitioners who have included dogs in therapy sessions with children. Interactive coding and theme development was employed with member checking applied to …

Occupation And Time-Use: The Narratives Of One Individual With Tetraplegia, Amanda Balser

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Successful health-management habits of individuals with tetraplegia have correlated with better quality of life and occupational engagement. Objectives: Little is known about the experience of time-use during these practices and the influence these routines have on participation in other meaningful occupations. This study aimed to explore the stories an individual with tetraplegia has about time-use in health management practices, influences on time-use, and feelings about quality of life and life satisfaction. Methodology: Narrative inquiry was used to explore the stories of time-use of one individual living with tetraplegia. Findings: Eleven interpretive stories were thematically represented illustrating the complexity of …

Use Of Concept Mapping Within A Functional Neuroanatomy Course To Promote Critical Thinking Skills In Occupational Therapy Students, Alissa R. Baker

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Critical thinking involves examining and reflecting on one’s own biases, assumptions, and thinking processes. Within occupational therapy (OT), critical thinking skills are foundational skills to support effective clinical reasoning and decision making; however, there is limited evidence on how these skills can be developed and applied within OT education to support positive student outcomes.

Purpose: The purpose of this research project was to explore the use of explicit instruction on critical thinking paired with concept mapping as teaching methods to support entry-level OT student mastery of content knowledge related to functional neuroanatomy. This study aimed to answer the following …

Interprofessional Collaboration Practice Between Nurses And Occupational Therapists, Kimberly Lamke

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: There is limited research on the interprofessional relationship between occupational therapists and nurses in pediatric outpatient settings, as well as the understanding nurses have of occupational therapy. Interprofessional collaboration is a key component in pediatric client care, regardless of the setting. Interprofessional collaboration is imperative to ensure that health care teams are efficient and able to provide clients with the highest quality of care (Loy et al., 2015).

Purpose: The purpose of this Capstone is to determine how nursing students perceive occupational therapy in a pediatric setting and to examine their perceptions of the interprofessional relationship. Further, it will …